Posted by Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious (GMT) in [AE] - Deck 29 section 14

Posted by Commander Garinder’Jen th’Jir (Executive Officer) in [AE] - Deck 29 section 14

Posted by Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious (GMT) in [AE] - Deck 29 section 14
Posted by… suppressed (14) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The creaking, whirring, and vibrating against the ship’s hull grew louder, each sound reverberating through the metal like an ominous drumbeat. The engineers stood tense and ready, their eyes fixed on the source of the unsettling noise. Makeshift defensive barricades offered scant comfort, and the hand phasers they clutched seemed inadequate against the unknown threat.

“I hope we get some troops soon,” murmured one of the junior engineers, his voice a tremor barely audible over the cacophony.

The senior engineer, trying to project calm, glanced towards the barricades. “Stay focused,” he urged, though his own nerves were fraying. “Whatever it is, we’ll handle it together. Just keep your eyes open and be ready.”

As the metallic groaning intensified, the engineers exchanged anxious glances. The ship shuddered again, and it felt as though the very hull was being twisted and manipulated by some unseen force.

The emergency comms crackled to life, and the familiar voice of a marine sergeant brought a flicker of hope. “Engineering, this is Sergeant Androv. We’re en route to your location. Hold your position and prepare to fall back to safer quarters if necessary.”

The junior engineer exhaled a shaky breath. “Thank goodness,” he muttered, his grip on the phaser tightening as he tried to steady his nerves.

The senior engineer nodded, his eyes never leaving the direction of the sound. “Help is on the way,” he reassured the team. “Just a little longer.”

The sounds outside the hull reached a fever pitch, the vibrations rattling through their bones. The engineers, fortified by the promise of reinforcements, braced themselves for whatever was to come, their hearts pounding in unison with the escalating cacophony. In the darkness of space, far from home, they stood on the precipice of an unknown encounter, one that would test their courage and resolve to its limits.

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

With no sign of the Marines or command staff the first signs that the intruders were finally penetrating the hull was the sparks flying into the corridor opposite the makeshift barricade, signalling that they had breached the full. It wouldn’t be long until who ever it was would be on the ship.

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

‘Bobby’ Lee as he preferred to be called moved was not impressive on the outside. Brown eyes shrouded by dirty blond hair peered down the corridor. Dim lighting didn’t hinder him as much as his eyes flickering from the corridor ahead to the scanner that he held in his hand set for life/energy sign detection that penetrated more barriers than his eyes. He was on point with the Sergeant behind him. As a descendant of Robert E Lee from that fated war centuries back he was both proud and shy of his pedigree, having grown up like his predecessors in Virginia and trying to live up to that name. Hence Bobby was preferred and any ancestry of his kept on a low profile - something he was trying to do as he hugged the corridor wall. When things hit the fan earlier he had wound up on the top of a pile of his buddies as they all had careened into a mix of kit and packs and each other. Not the most elegant of saves but it had been a softer landing than many had had. He sported bruises and a black eye but nothing had been broken.

“Approaching section 14,” he said. “I’m reading thermal spikes ahead. AI saying its cutters. Four life signs ahead behind a barricade. All ID as friendlies.” He could hear what was happening as well as any, but training said to report what he had too. The sergeant would figure it out from there. He gripped the phaser rifle tighter. The reports said that the aliens were just getting to test warp engines. Their tech surely couldn’t get them through duranium hulls that easy. Was it the Rommies? “Switching scanner full on to life sign readings,” he said. Might as well. It was a mute point with sparks flashing to think they needed to scan to tell them someone was cutting through.
- NE Pvt Lee

OOC: Bump .. Gene

Scans revealed that contrary to initial suspicions of Romulan involvement, it was the Narvhalarians who had breached the duranium hull. The cutting tools employed by the Narvhalarians were a marvel of engineering ingenuity, utilising a combination of plasma and Atherlium to fashion a laser-like precision cutter. This technology, though slow in its application, demonstrated unparalleled effectiveness in penetrating duranium, a notoriously resilient material in starship construction.

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

One of the security officers who had made it to the breaching point was the first to report their findings, “They’re into Romulans, they’re Narvhalarians, five of them I can tell if they’re armed… What should we do?”

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

“Let’s not first contact by fragging them if we can help it,” Bobby said, more to himself than to his fellow marines. He looked again at the scanner and shook his head, rubbing an itching nose with his thumb. Frowning, he sighed, suddenly was out of his element. First contact was an officer thing. Marines were taught to be flexible and adaptable; they tended to just be better brawlers than talkers.

“I’m guessing they are here to help?” he said, ‘or take advantage’ his thoughts said.

“Defensive formation,” he said. “I’ll contact the XO.”

=^= Lee to Commander th’Jir. Sir we’re at the breach. It’s Narvhalarians. Five of them. Your orders? =^=

=^= Defend if attacked. The UT has their language. Determine intent. If they are there to help see how they might help. I’ll contact the bridge. Jen out. =^=

“Swell,” Jen thought …
- Bobby Lee, Pvt marine

Bumping for replies - I’ll leave this until Wednesday and progress.

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

An unhappy Andorian emerged from the shadows of the corridor. “Report,” Jen said.
Bobby Lee reported. “Narvhalarians, sir. Five of them. They’ve not come out yet. We’ve not tried to make contact.”

=^= Engineering. Jen here. Deck 29 Section 14. We need two portable force field generators up here pronto unless you’ve gotten power to the automatics here. We have a hull breach here caused by the Narvhalarians. Even if they’ve sealed it behind them somehow I’d rather not take chances. =^=

With that, Jen stepped out to the front of the cordon. “Cover me,” he said quietly.

“Hello!” he called out. “I am Commander th’Jir of the Starship Atlantis of the United Federation of Planets. We greet you.”

That wasn’t exactly the grandest statement ever but Jen wasn’t in a mood for eloquence. Perhaps he would change his tune if he knew that they weren’t going to come in blasting but then he didn’t know what to expect. He gritted his teeth; the pain suppressant for his leg was wearing thin. What in the seven icy layers had happened to the Captain?
- Jen, XO
Jen, XO

The bulkhead was pulled outward toward whoever was entering, revealing a glowing ring around the hole from the cutting tool they had used. A suited hand appeared first, clad in a blue and gold design. As the figure emerged, it became clear that their suit was similar to a Starfleet EV suit but with distinctive variations in design and color, opting for blues and golds with coral rings on the arms, perhaps signifying rank or role.

Two more figures followed the first, their hands not empty. Each carried a trident-like weapon with electric currents glowing between the tips, pointed at the defensive setup of the away team. Tension mounted, a standoff imminent, when the first figure raised a hand, motioning for the others to lower their weapons. Finally, the figure spoke.

Jen took them in. Their suits were certainly more decorative than most that he had ever seen. Their tridents looked nasty but then most unknown weapons did. He stayed stock still knowing he was backed up by the marine team. Even as they moved through lowering their tridents did Jen not move - all but his eyes and antennae which took in the scene. The smell of burned metal wafted about him.

“I. Am. Lothrel. Science person of the Naravhalarians and chosen spokesperson of our people.” The translator, initially slow, began to work more smoothly. “We come in peace and harmony.”

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

The translator was slow. He could hear them speak but the computer was having some issues catching up with them. He put it down to their ship wide woes happening but just as it was forming Lothrel spoke again.

Behind the suit’s helmet, two sets of eyelids blinked, “I don’t think they understand us…” This time Lothrel spoke slower and louder. “We. come. in. peace. and. harmony.”

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

He spoke to the marines, denoting to relax their weapons but be ready. “Condition three.”

“Lothrel,” Jen replied trying to get the pronunciation right. “In the name of the United Federation of Planets, I greet you in peace and harmony.” He hoped that the translator was up to the task of replying better. He took a breath. His first contact was usually in a firefight. What does one say to beings who just carved their way through their hull of whom they, being the Atlantis, was in effect, spying on them watching their first warp flight. What did one say to that? First contacts are usually more ceremonial. This was more like a working meeting. “While the circumstances of our meeting is .. irregular, I am pleased to meet you.” He had already identified himself. Hopefully they caught that.

What are you doing here? Are you alone? Are you here for tea or to help or what? Where did they go from here? “As you can see we are less than ‘ship shape’.” Jen so hoped the translator would put that in terms they could better understand. “May I ask, beyond meeting, what brought you out to us?” The same question could be asked of them and he was much better prepared to answer that, but they really needed to get out of this corridor and to somewhere.
Jen, XO

OOC: I had such a hard time with this reply!! Sheesh!! What to say!?

Indistinct chatter filled the air, punctuated by high-pitched noises that even the universal translator struggled to decipher. The atmosphere was thick with tension as the voices seemed to engage in an intense debate, their tones rising and falling in an unfamiliar cadence.

Things must be very alien to have such a strain on the translator who had all that time to look at recordings and transmissions from the planet, Jen thought. His fists balled up then he released that pent up energy and forced himself to relax. He was just as alien to them as they were to him. Still, he wasn’t precisely the most patient being. Disciplined yes, but patient no, and both, as in this case, warred with one another to keep himself steady while still preparing to dive should those tridents come to bear in anything looking hostile.

After what felt like an eternity, a voice emerged from the din, clear and resonant. “And so, peace and harmony be upon you, one who speaks so well in our song. What is your name, and perhaps we can discuss what has brought us to your… ship of shapes?”

The words hung in the air, carrying both an invitation and a challenge.

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

Ship of shapes. That was a unique description of the ship. To a waterborne culture that must be saying something with the many and varied underwater shapes they would have to see to note the Atlantis as anything more than boring beach pebbles cobbled together. “Lothrel, my name is Garinder’Jen th’Jir and I come from a planet named Andor a great distance away. For ease of all, please call me Jen. I am second in command of this vessel whose name is Atlantis.” He had the sudden feeling of great irony, that the ship they were in was named after a continent sunken into the oceans, that they were making contact with an aquatic species.

Should he say more? Honesty was the best policy and it would come out anyway. “We had come to your world to witness your expeditionary flight and to make contact with you, to welcome you as fellow space farers and, hopefully, into friendship.”
- Jen, XO

Again the figures turned to another their tone and pitch to indistinguishable, and like before silence, “The others, like you” He pointed to them. “Promised friendship and warned us of you, Atlantis Ship of shapes in the sea beyond the sky, You say you are Jen second in command? Do we not deserve your first?” There wasn’t anger or resentment more a curious question.

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

The others. The Romulans? Did they send a ship to them too? “Respectfully I would have preferred the Captain to have addressed you. I am not as skilled as she in this important matter. However she, like much of the crew, myself included, were injured in the .. event, she more than I. She commands the extensive repairs that are being made from the bridge. However, even if she was able, as we did not know at all who was trying to enter our vessel, I would have been sent to see.”

Typical of the Romulans to say that, he thought. “In truth, the others, the Romulans and us have not often agreed. They would consider us rivals.” He looked to the others about him then back to Lothrel. “I will not speak ill of them for you will be placed in a position of judgment with no true criteria but what we say here. We extend our hands in friendship and name a proverb that is common through many of the worlds in our Federation, that wisdom is proved right by her actions. I am hopeful that you will judge us good.”
- Jen, XO

The Narvhalarian leader, Lothrel, considered Jen’s words carefully. His large, expressive eyes blinked slowly as he digested the information, his gaze shifting briefly to the other Narvhalarians around him. The deep, rhythmic cadence of their alien language filled the space once more as they conversed among themselves in tones too complex for the universal translator to fully comprehend.

Finally, Lothrel returned his attention to Jen. “We are a people who hold peace and harmony above all else,” he began, his voice calm and measured. “Our society values life in all its forms and seeks to maintain balance, even when faced with the unknown. We do not wish to take sides in the conflicts of others, for it is not our way to judge or to intervene in disputes where we do not belong.”

Jen nodded slowly. Wise words, if somewhat naive.

He paused, his gaze steady as he continued. “Our people are divided. There are those among us who wish to remain isolated, hidden from the wider galaxy, content with the lives we have built beneath the waves. Yet, there are others who see the stars and dream of exploration, who believe that we have much to learn and much to offer.”

That too was a constant among nearly all peoples. Some wanting what was and to stay put. Others seeking the stars, in this case literally.

Lothrel’s tone softened, a hint of something like sadness or regret creeping into his voice. “We will offer you our help, as best we can we know your technology is far superior, as we have done for the others—the Romulans, as you call them, we believe we know what has happened to your ship and we will be willing to share our findings. But after that, you must leave our system until the day comes when we are ready to take our place among the stars. Until then, we cannot risk the peace and harmony we cherish so dearly.”

“We welcome your help, and, in the interaction I hope we may find a rapport between us, that while it is momentary, would not be forgotten.”

The finality in his words was unmistakable, and yet there was no malice in his tone. Lothrel was not issuing a demand or a threat; he was simply stating a truth that his people had agreed upon. The Narvhalarians would assist the Atlantis to the best of their technological abilities, but they would not be drawn into the conflicts of the galaxy beyond. They would remain true to their ways, until they were ready to step out into the wider universe on their own terms.

Gamemaster Narwhal the nefarious
GMT
USS Atlantis

“We will, of course, honor your wishes.” Jen was thinking hard. They would honor them but the Romulans. Would they? Would they see what happened as a way of configuring it into a weapon? Or to use the resources of the Narvhalarians to benefit them? Sometimes he detested the prime directive but he felt there was a foot in the door. They had undertaken a successful warp flight. They had met them. They were not infringing upon them, and engineering could replicate an older model subspace transmitter that would be nearer to their own technology so as to not be giving advanced tech. “Lothrel, would it go against your wishes if we were to offer you a transmitter, a communications device, for you to have, that, should you come to wish to step out, you may contact us.” Jen was also thinking of the Romulans should they come a knocking they may find they need help.
- Jen, XO