Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in [DipInc] Warbird Bridge [Tag Lougthly]

Posted by Commander Oliver Loughty (Executive Officer) in [DipInc] Warbird Bridge [Tag Lougthly]

Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in [DipInc] Warbird Bridge [Tag Lougthly]
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻
[snip]
The bridge itself was noticeably in better shape than the rest of the ship, save for the same lighting issues. It was about the same size and configuration as one would see in a D’deridex class. Similar to the rest pf the ship was the lack of crew. Even on the bridge there were only four other officers. As a result, all were desperately focused on their tasks.

“Commander,” an officer announced as Kerax entered. She wasted no time with formalities as she went straight to the command chair,

“As you were. Tekex, where are they?”

“45 thousand meters off starboard. They are attempting to establish communication.” responded the ops officer. Kerax perched on the front of her chair, legs crossed,

“Send them a message first. Let them know our communication systems are having difficulties. Maintain that our visual systems aren’t operational. Audio only.”

“Aye sir.”

A combination of button pushes an swipes indicated that the officer was sending the message. If one looked closely enough, it indicated the message was likely being sent to another Romulan vessel. A small ping on his console indicated a response,

“Commander, they want to speak with…” they hestitated, but a glare from the Commander compelled him to continue,

“They want to speak with Commander Tel…”

Kerax sat back in her chair and let out a heavy sigh. She was hesitant.

“And if we cannot respond, we will be boarded-“

“Thank you, Tekex.” She interrupted. Kerax turned slightly in the chair toward Commander Lougthy,

“It appears they are demanding a response. I’d advise against any interruptions, Commander. It would only make our situation much more difficult.”

As soon as she said this one officer, who looked to be at the tactical station, turned towards Loughty with a hand resting on his disruptor.

“Focus on the other ship, Lieutenant,” she demanded. The officer understood the order to stand down and returned focus to his station.

“No sign of hostility from the other ship, Commander.” he reported.

“Very good. Tekex, open an audio channel,”

Once the channel was open, she addressed the other ship in a nonchalant manner,

“This is Commander Tel of the Sal’vark.”

|Commander Kerax|

As Oliver stood on the Romulan ship Sal’vark’s bridge, he felt a mix of curiosity and worry as Commander Kerax, now calling herself Commander Tel, started talking over the comms. Watching the conversation, he couldn’t shake off a growing sense of unease, noticing the delicate dance between diplomacy and deceit in the Romulan crew’s actions. Each word exchanged only heightened Oliver’s anxiety, knowing the risks of being in enemy territory. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and uncertain alliances, he understood that every decision was critical, with success or failure hanging in the balance.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

The communication came in filtered through buzzing static similar to what was received by the shuttle.

“Commander Tel… this is the Vikshana…”

“We are reading you Vikshana,” the Commander responded firmly, “I assume you would like an update as to our condition.”

“No need for that, where are the dissidents?”

Kerax took in a sharp inhale, “We disposed of them.”

“All of them?”

“Some escaped, which is why your scans show the recently launched escape pods. They were able to get out of range before we could respond. Partially because their sabotage efforts were so effective.”

“Commander Tel, I have a hard time believing that was the only reason.” they responded, “Your empathy for those creatures will be your downfall, you know. If you allow them to reach Federation space, the consequences will fall on you. It is your priority to find and destroy them as soon as your ship is able. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” she said.

The communication cut off. A sigh released some of the tension in Kerax but she was still alert.

“Commander Loughty, I appreciate your cooperation,” she said, a small but perceptible tremor in her voice, “I have no plans to divert course until our arrangement is fulfilled.”

|Commander Kerax|

-bump’d

Oliver felt both excited and nervous about witnessing the exchange he felt he was getting first hand experience few starfleet officers got on a Romulan bridge. “I am relived to hear that Commander, though curiosity does get the better of me, what was your colleague referring to?”

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

Commander Kerax was seemingly still a little lost in thought. She didn’t even look over to Loughty at first, instead standing up in front of the forward navigation view screen. An unsteady and flickering image of the expanse of stars ahead of them. She settled into a more relaxed state and addressed his question,

“The saboteurs that damaged our ship were originally part of a specialized training program. One involving… non-Romulan volunteers. However, this program was unknowingly infiltrated by a covert group of political dissidents. Along with other operatives they had previously established on onboard, they planned to take control of the ship. When that wasn’t successful, they did as much damage as they could until… until they were forced to leave. Their ultimate goal was to reach Federation space and defect.”

Kerax looked back to Lougthy, losing control of her more stoic demeanor, eyes growing wide with concern,

“How does the Federation deal with defectors? I have only heard rumors. I assumed, considering our more peaceable relations, they would be returned safely.”

|Commander Kerax|

“It depends on the circumstances, if they request political asylum their cases will be judged and they will either be accepted as asylum seekers into the federation or returned to stand trial if required, Starfleet and the federation do not have many defectors we tend to only receive them” He added, it wasn’t a boast but a truth of statement.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan