Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in [DipInc] Commanders Dining [Tag Loughty]

Posted by Commander Oliver Loughty (Executive Officer) in [DipInc] Commanders Dining [Tag Loughty]

Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in [DipInc] Commanders Dining [Tag Loughty]
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
They entered through the door of the Commander’s dining hall. A decent sized room with effort put into its appearance. Artwork on it’s walls featured dramatic sharp lines and points. It it was well lit with orange-tinted sconces, that had the flickering appearance of fire. They might have been both surprised to find, instead of a set lunch table, three armed officers standing there. By all appearances, they had been discussing something prior to the other’s arrival.

“What is this?” Commander Kerax asked firmly. The leader of the group paced toward the two of them and started speaking,

“We have been discussing our recent circumstances, Commander. It’s obvious your judgment has been clouded recently,” Kerax mirrored his movements, stepping closer,

“How so?”

“It is clear that the Federation knew we where coming, and sent these agents to further sabotage our efforts. While you have been distracted with entertaining this human as if he were our guest.” They raised the disruptor toward Loughty,

“We have concluded it might be best to get rid of them. If we do so now, and then go back to Romulan space, we could remain in hiding until…”

“Until what?” Kerax interrupted, “Until the Vikshana sends the report to central command and they are on high alert looking for us? I would rather take my chances with the Federation.Especially if there officers are returned unharmed.” She stepped between the armed officer and Commander Loughty, staring down them down.

“That’s just their propaganda,” he continued to rant, “They are no different than the Star Empire, or the Free State or any other. You don’t truly believe that we would just be accepted with open arms?”

“And would be foolish of them to do so. However, what I do believe is that, with time and understanding, we can find a place for ourselves within their boarders.” Kerax replied, showing a great amount of restraint to at least appear calm, “For example, Commander Loughty was just explaining that there is a particular officer under his command, considered a very useful and productive member of his crew, who is also a defector. Isn’t that correct, Commander?”

|Commander Kerax|
Bump

Oliver had remained relatively motionless and wisely so considering he had a Romulan disruptor pointed at him with no way of telling what setting it was on. He was briefly taking a back by the Commanders words and then quickly gathered himself, “Do you think it is wise to talk about them in front of these… Conspirators?” He wasn’t sure whether that was the right thing or not but hoped it brought him more time to understand where she was going with this and hopes it didn’t end up with him filled with disruptive holes.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

Kerax shifted a bit, glancing back at Loughty.

“Specific details are not required. Your admission is enough,” she said, before turning her focus back to the others,

“As you can see, Lorlell, just as I assured you previously, the humans are harmless.”

She slowly brought her hands to rest behind her back, and held out a small object to Loughty, out of sight of the others. About the size of a type-1 phaser, it had a two-button interface attached to a ring about a few centimeters in diameter. Its function was not exactly clear, but Kerax was too busy continuing to distract the others with conversation to explain.

“So what are your concerns really, Lorlell? Does it offend you that much that I was chosen to lead the mission above you?”

“I am not so easily deceived, Kerax,” the officer replied stoically, “I was prepared for the moment where you would show your weakness. I do not wish to harm you, only to neutralize the intruder. So stand aside.”

The other officers on either side of him prepared their weapons to fire.

“Very well…” she said, “Since it appears you are already so certain.”

|Commander Kerax|

Oliver hoped he took the device without detection and twisted it around in his hand so he was now holding it, he hoped for two things one it was a phaser and two it was on stun. As they prepared their weapons Oliver “Do we need to resort to violence.” He said in one final attempt at diplomacy.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

“Regrettably for you, Commander, there is no other way I can be sure you do not report back what you’ve discovered.” he replied coldly.

Oliver’s heart raced, adrenaline surging through his veins. Great, just what I needed—another homicidal maniac, he thought, his mind scrambling for a plan. He couldn’t help but note the irony: he’d hoped for a diplomatic resolution and ended up in a shootout.

Four shots were fired in total. The blast from Kerax’s own sidearm flung one officer into the dining table before he collapsed.

Oliver flinched at the sudden violence, his training kicking in. He scanned the room for anything that could be used as a cover or a weapon when he remembered the Commander had given him some sort of device. Not exactly the diplomatic dinner I had in mind, he mused grimly, a fleeting thought amidst the chaos.

Reacting quickly, she dove down and used a dining chair for cover. The other two focused on her in retaliation. As the returning disruptor blasts scorched and tore at the furniture it was clear this was only a temporary solution.

|Commander Kerax|

Oliver drew the type 1 Romulan phaser/disruptor that Kerax had given him. Guess it’s time to see how well this thing works, he thought. He fired back, hitting one of the attackers squarely in the chest, sending him sprawling to the floor. “Commander, should we be looking to get off this ship?” he asked, his voice tense but controlled, as he prepared to fire again.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

“I am not about to surrender this vessel, or the rest of my crew, to this ksarn’ne…” she hissed. Her eyes narrowed as she took another few shots, through gaps in the furniture. At this point it was still two against two, as only one of Lorlell’s men had been fully incapacitated.

She brought herself closer to Loughty’s position, but was out in the open enough to be grazed by disruptor fire. This left a significant green streak across her arm. Kerax reacted with a sharp exhale, obviously in pain but she kept pressing on.

“Commander,” she said, her voice tinged with determined desperation, “Head for the door… I will cover you. Find your crew and make sure that they are safe.”

|Commander Kerax|
Bump

Oliver’s mind raced. He knew the gravity of the situation and the importance of following orders, but leaving Kerax behind didn’t sit well with him. Still, he couldn’t argue with the necessity. “Understood, Commander,” he replied, steeling himself for what came next. He took a deep breath, aimed, and fired a couple more shots to cover his move. Then, with one last look at Kerax, he sprinted towards the door, hoping she would be right behind him soon.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan