Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in [DipInc] The Warbird Encounter [Tag Commander Loughty, Ensign Saoir]
[Snip]

As they flew further out, Nyman seemed fixated on the image of the Leviathan growing smaller and smaller in the distance. Suddenly aware of how small the ship was compared to everything else. It made him uneasy to think how this shuttle was even smaller. A small, confined space. With a small shiver, he tried to shake himself out of it, before attempting to get distracted by the word search again.

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Oliver scrolled through the news articles, scanning the headlines for any updates of interest. As he skimmed through the various reports, one headline caught his eye: “OED V Colony Takes Steps Towards Peaceful Coexistence with the Vren.” Intrigued, he tapped on the article to read further.

The report detailed recent efforts by the OED V colony and the neighbouring Vren to resolve longstanding disputes and tensions. Through diplomatic negotiations and collaborative initiatives, both sides have made significant strides towards fostering understanding and cooperation. Measures such as joint resource management and cultural exchange programs were being implemented, signalling a positive shift towards peaceful coexistence.

Oliver felt a glimmer of hope as he read about these efforts, recognizing the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving conflicts. He made a mental note to stay updated on the progress of these initiatives, hopeful that they would pave the way for a more harmonious relationship between the two neighbouring communities.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

After a few hours of warp fight, a small ping lit up the flight console. Nyman looked up at the sound, concerned.

“It’s an old warning buoey, sir,” Michaels explained,

“Old Neutral Zone border marker. Shouldn’t be anything to worry about.”

Lieutenant Nyman tried to get settled back into his puzzle, moving around in the seat in search of some comfort. Eventually, he just had to set it aside. Choosing instead to watch the forward displays while fidgeting with his fingers.

A few moments later, another ping. Then a proximity alert. And just as the Ensigns were figuring out what was going on, a Romulan warbird was decloaking off portside.

= Unidentified shuttlecraft, = they ordered, though the transmission was coming so rough and gravelly it was hard to make out,

= You are ordered to halt. Surrender your ship and prepare to be beamed aboard. =

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Saoir’s heart was racing as the tension in the air thickened. The frills on the back of his neck began to stand, his instinct to sense danger. Romulans. The word alone sent a chill down his spine. He tried to maintain his composure, but his mind was racing with thoughts of what could go wrong. His hands clenched and unclenched in his lap, a nervous habit he couldn’t seem to shake.

Glancing around at the others, he noticed the expressions of concern and determination on their faces. The Ensigns were focused on their consoles, trying to assess the situation and come up with a plan. Commander Loughty seeemed calm and collected, a reassuring presence despite the looming threat.
As the Romulan warbird decloaked off portside, Saoir’s breath caught in his throat. The sight of the imposing vessel sent a shiver down his spine. He listened intently to the rough transmission, his mind racing as he tried to process the situation.
“Stay calm,” Saoir reminded himself, his voice steady in his mind. He knew they needed to tread carefully, but the fear gnawing at his insides threatened to overwhelm him.
With a deep breath, Saoir forced himself to focus. He had to trust in his expertise and that of his colleagues and follow their lead. As the Romulans continued to issue their orders, Saoir prepared himself for whatever might come next.

Ensign Saoir
(Transporter/Security)

Apologies for the confusion. Let’s adjust that:

Oliver stood now in the cramped confines of the shuttle’s cockpit, his hand resting on the console as he issued orders to the crew. “Raise shields, and send an encoded message to Starfleet on priority one channel,” he commanded, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Open a communication channel with the warbird.”

=^= Romulan warbird, this is Commander Loughty of the USS Leviathan,=^= he transmitted, his tone firm yet diplomatic. =^= Please state the nature of your demands.=^=

As the message was sent, Oliver glanced at the communications officer, awaiting confirmation of any response from Starfleet. “Any luck trying to raise Starfleet?” he inquired, his eyes flicking back to the viewscreen, ready for any sign of a reply from the Romulan vessel.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

Nyman noticed Saoir was making attempts to calm himself. And though his own panic was building, it would have been counter-productive to let the Ensign realize that.

“That’s good, breath, nice and slow,” he narrated for himself just as much the Ensign. He mustered a reassuring smile to cover over his own fear, “We’re going to be fine, okay? Commander Loughtly has the situation under control.”

“Something is causing interference with our communication frequencies,” Monroe reported, “It’s some kind of energy field, and it’s severely limiting our range. My guess is it’s effecting them too, it could be why we’re having trouble reading them clearly.”

= All vessels along this patrol route are to be subject to search = replied the warbird = Per orders from the Romulan Free State. You will surrender your vessel to be searched, your crew will be beamed aboard for further inspection. =

“They’re probably just sweeping the area for defectors, Commander.” Nyman called out, “I’ve… heard rumors that they’re doing that now.”

Of course, by ‘heard rumors’ he meant he had it on good authority that they were definitely doing that now. Nyman hoped that somehow sharing this information might calm the other’s nerves. But it did nothing to settle his own. It was possible, if slightly improbable, they were looking for Vendorain defectors as well other Romulans. The thought of being discovered terrified him. Even the thought of beaming aboard that ship terrified him. But most of all, the thought that Lieutenant Nyman would have to rely on the Commander to not turn him over, if it came to that point, terrified him.

The Romulans, too impatient to give them any more time to think it over, engaged their ship’s tractor beam and began to pull at the smaller vessel.

= Our Captain will be willing to discuss this further with you once you are beamed aboard, Commander =

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor
Also as: Warbird |

Oliver considered their position for a moment, so far the war bird had yet to show any force but he couldn’t understand why they would think a federation shuttle, a starfleet shuttle would be harbouring defectors. “Have they actives weapons?, Are we sure they’re who they’re saying they are?” He asked, indirectly ordering the officer to scan for weapons signatures and to identify the ship.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

“The ship appears to be of a newer Tal’Shiar design, sir. One they haven’t shared with us.”

The mention of the Tal’Shiar snapped up Nyman’s attention, who practically shot out of his seat to get a better view of the screen.

“They’ve got us in a tractor beam, sir. “ Monroe continued, “Other than that, there is no indication of hostility. In fact there weapons appear to be completely offline. “

Squinting at the image for a bit, “One, two, thr…” he muttered, before raising his just loud enough for Commander Loughly to hear, “It’s a Dev’ar class. A defense fighter… usually only planet-side or part of a squadron. They don’t get assigned patrol routes, not by themselves. Something’s off.”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

“Looks like we don’t really have a choice, prepare yourselves to beam over to the Romulan ship, continue to send out a silent distress call on priority one channel to Starfleet and set it to send automatically even after were off the ship. I recommend leaving your belongings here. Something is not right, and we should be prepared. I am going to get changed” he said as a matter of fact. The Romulans had a rather militaristic society and if any respect can be got it may make this a little easier.

Oliver returned moments later now in his command uniform, “I want you all to swallow these, there trackers, they’ll pass through you in a few days but in the short term it gives us options.” He handed them out and swallowed his without any further word. “Send a message to the Romulan vessel that we are ready to beam over, then lower shields. “

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan