Posted by Joana Ribeiro in [TSS Cavalier] Somewhere in Space

Posted by Civilian Lucas Elliot Holloway (Chairman - Holloway Heavy Industries) in [TSS Cavalier] Somewhere in Space

Posted by Joana Ribeiro in [TSS Cavalier] Somewhere in Space
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻
OOC: Set after this thread.

IC:
The call had been rushed and unexpected, but when the shipbuilding magnate had ordered his personal ship to be taken out, everyone did as they were told, no questions asked.

The TSS Cavalier was the best and most technologically advanced private ship that Holloway Heavy Industries had ever built, and it was Lucas Holloway’s personal vessel. As a corvette, it was far smaller than most Starfleet exploration vessels, but it was larger than most privately owned ships. Its interior was classy and ostentatious, reminiscent of Earth’s 1930’s Art Deco style. It was one of only two transwarp starships owned by the company.

During a brief stop a few light years away from OED, a light blinked in the main console on the Bridge. An incoming message. They were being hailed, and it was not immediately apparent by whom.

J

Holloway Starlines Chief Pilot, Commander Gavin Cooper, looked up from the navigational readings he was taking in concern. No one should know we’re here? Without a second thought, the USS Dresden’s former helmsman jammed his thumb down on a single large green button on the corvette’s Central Command Console and space in a three lightyear bubble around the Cavalier was lit by the most powerful sensor suite in private hands anywhere in allied space.

Gavin Cooper

At first there didn’t seem to be anyone around them, until a small blip showed on the sensors. It was a ship, that much was clear, but it didn’t seem to have any identifying factors. The registry was unknown.

However, what the sensors relayed was a rough location of the vessel relative to the Cavalier. Knowing what to look for would make it much easier to see, and if placed on the viewscreen, a large object would be visible. It was definitely larger than the Cavalier, but it’s grey color together with the fact that it was stopped and powered down, made it easy to miss. Almost as if it was just another large piece of rubble floating in the vacuum of space.

J

Cooper instinctively tapped the internal comm stud, bringing up the one-to-one secure communication with the Cavalier’s lounge. =A= Lucas, we’re being hailed. No IFF… no security protocols. Meaning not Federation, not HHI, not friendlies… You want me to patch it through or would you like to take it on the Bridge? =A= There was, surprisingly, no response. However, about 15 seconds later, the Bridge’s aft hatch hissed open and HHI Chairman Lucas Holloway arrived on the Bridge.

Walking to the sole operational station from which Cooper was currently running the entire starship in its ‘Single Officer’ mode, Holloway looked concerned, as he asked. “Where the hell are they Gavin?” His eyes closely examining the space around them through the Cavalier’s 210 degree wrap-around forward viewport. “Here…” The veteran helmsman began, bringing up the ship of the Main Viewer. “They were powered down and didn’t show up on sensors till I did a full power scan.” He paused before adding. “I can’t bring weapons up from this station and it will be at least a few more minutes before the Nav system completes its recalibration and we can jump out. We’re… stuck Lucas. I’m sorry.”

Lucas patted his niece’s husband on the shoulder and sighed. “It’s not your fault Gavin, we had no clue. Put them on screen.” A moment later, the screen snapped to life and Lucas cleared his throat, speaking with a firm clear voice.

=A= This is Lucas Elliott Holloway, President of Holloway Starlines and Chairman of Holloway Heavy Industries, aboard the Federation-flagged starship Cavalier. To whom am I speaking? =A=

Lucas/Gavin

The moment the call was accepted the main viewscreen of the Cavalier lit up and the tall figure of a man came on screen. His hair was dark and his skin light tan. His face had all the markings of a Cardassian.

Lucas was immediately taken aback by the appearance of the Cardassian. The very last people the magnate expected to run into on his mind clearing trip were these a-holes and the sentiment was clearly shared by Gavin as the pilot let a soft expletive slip before the man began to speak.

=/\= Mr. Holloway? =/\= The Cardassian man seemed almost in disbelief for a moment. =/\= I can’t believe it. =/\= He smiled. =/\= I didn’t know you were already out and about. =/\= He paused for a moment before continuing. =/\= I’m sorry, that is rude of me. News does travel fast after all… I am Gaddill. A merchant that also deals on the weapons and ship parts market. I guess we could say we are in the same line of work. =/\= He gave Lucas a toothy grin. =/\= However, as you can see… my ship is in a state of disrepair… Our power is down and we’re trying to fix it. You were the first ship me and my crew have seen in hours… I was wondering… do you think you could take me and a few of my crew members to the nearest Outpost? We’d pay you, of course. I am so truly sorry to bother you but this area doesn’t have a lot of traffic, and there’s no guarantee we’ll see another ship before our situation becomes more dire. =/\= The man finally went silent, clearly waiting for a reply.

Gaddill

Holloway had to use every drop of strength in his body not to roll his eyes at the man’s attempt to compare their respective lines of work. Like hell we’re in the same line of work, you dirtbag Lucas cleared his thoughts for a moment before speaking… something on his mind was sending up red flags and he had grown to trust that feeling.

=A= We’re not really in a situation that would allow us to take on additional… guests… at this time, Mr. Gaddill. However… =A= Holloway gazed at Gavin for a moment then back at Gaddill. =A= … we do have the capacity to drop a UFP Emergency Transponder that would enable you to signal a more… capable… Federation vessel that could assist with your… predicament. =A= Holloway remained smiling professionally as he spoke but his thoughts were darker. Like I would invite your worthless ass and your friends on the Cavalier! You’ve gotta be out of your frackin’ mind Cardassian! =A= I do sincerely apologize. Is there anything else we can do to help? =A=

Lucas/Gavin

=/\= Uh… =/\= A flash on insincere panic crossed the Cardassian’s eyes. =/\= I don’t think you understand, Mr. Holloway… our energy reserves are almost depleted… =/\= And yet, they were in an active video transmission. =/\= … even with your transponder, there’s no guarantee that we’ll get help in time. =/\= His expression turned more serious and his speech more assertive. =/\= What do you think the press would do when they found out that you left a helpless ship crew to die? =/\=

Gaddill

=A= They wouldn’t die, for one thing. =A= Lucas snapped back rather abruptly. =A= As I said, Mr. Gaddill, my vessel is not in a state to bring on additional crew or guests at this time. However, we have the capability to give you a supply drop and I would even be willing to drop a small shuttle craft that has more than the capability to get you to the nearest station. =A= Holloway’s eyes focused for a moment, then he added firmly. =A= However, you are correct in the understanding of my job… regardless of the… comparison… of our lines of work. That said… =A= Holloway’s tone became very icy. =A= If you were seriously in that tight of a spot, we would be having this conversation via voice comms alone. The last thing a power-constrained Captain would do is to unnecessarily use power to transmit visual comms. So, why don’t you just tell me what’s really going on here, Mr. Gaddill. Your stories aren’t adding up and I have somewhere to be. =A=

The frosty tone of Lucas Holloway made it clear the man was done screwing around.

Lucas Holloway

The Cardassian smirked. =/\= Ah, it seems that you do live up to your reputation, Mr. Holloway. =/\= His tone matched Lucas’s hardness. =/\= You had one. Single. Job. =/\= He shook his head, and glanced at something or someone off screen, before returning his gaze to Holloway. The Cavalier’s computer would detect the Cardassian’s ship powering up and weapons coming online. There was a little bit of everything – Cardassian, Human, Klingon, even some that didn’t have a recognizable origin. But no matter what they were, they were certainly to overpower Lucas’s personal vessel. The ship jolted forward, and slowly moved towards the Corvette, getting in a better position. =/\= So, how is it going to be, Mr. Lucas Holloway, President of Holloway Starlines and Chairman of Holloway Heavy Industries… the easy way, or the hard way? =/\=

Gaddill

There was about a half second pause between Gaddill’s last words and the sudden shift in the lights on the Cavalier’s Bridge. The ship was one of the most advanced ever built and in many ways could think for itself. In Single Pilot mode, many of the ship’s powerful systems were in standby automation at all times and, unfortunately for Gaddill’s ship, when the Cavalier was threatened… she tended to become very scary, very fast. The moment the other vessel’s weapons started coming online, a multitude of automatic responses triggered throughout the ship. So, by the time Gaddill was finishing his sentence, the TSS Cavalier was brought to maximum internal military readiness… her Corvette ‘soul’ coming to life… activating a small, red indicator on Gavin’s console. The moment he saw it, Cooper jammed his thumb down on it.

As a warship’s Red Alert klaxon sounded on the Cavalier’s Bridge, the Corvette’s eight Type XII rotary triple mounted pulse phasers visibly glowed as they came online and the ship’s formidable shields snapped into place. Even though they were WAY too close to use without killing themselves in the process, Gaddill would detect not only the pulse phasers targeting his ship but the two, single-tube Quantum Torpedos. The ship also activated its highly advanced ECM suite before quietly firing off an Emergency Transponder set to a very specific frequency.

=A= Mr. Gaddill…=A= Lucas Holloway’s cold voice cut across space as he glared at the man on the viewer. =A=… you, sir, have clearly lost your goddamn mind if you think I’m just going to hand over my ship! I highly suggest you find somewhere else to be… now! =A=

Lucas Holloway

=/\= Well, but see… that’s where you’re mistaken, Mr. Holloway. =/\= Gaddill’s tone dripped smugness. =/\= I never meant for you to hand over your ship. Tsk tsk, what an assumption! =/\= He shook his head. The smile still on his lips. =/\= I quite like my own, after all. =/\= He looked around his Bridge admiring it. =/\= It took time and effort to make her what she is. No, I don’t want you to hand over your ship. =/\= Gaddill’s gaze settled back on Lucas. His grin widened. =/\= I won’t lie though… a few parts won’t hurt. =/\= Turning to the same person off screen as before, he ordered. =/\= Fire. =/\=

As the order came through the comms, two volleys of photon torpedoes left Gaddill’s ship and hit the Cavalier dead on. The Corvette shook, causing the deck plating to creak, consoles to spark, and the ground to throw down anyone still on their feet. But the top of the line shields held strong, protecting the Holloway ship from being damaged.

Gaddill

The fiery response from the smaller ship was swift and vicious, as the ship rolled suddenly 40 degrees to starboard and brought her bow around to face her attacker head-on… and the wrath of the ship’s eight fully charged Type XII pulse phasers fired as one. Lucas was barely back on his feet when the ship launched both quantum torpedoes on timed delays of three seconds before shooting off at full Impulse directly over the other ship, barely clearing its shields. As the Cavalier overshot Gaddill’s ship, Gavin maxed the aft shields just as the two quantum torpedoes they left in their wake turned space into a blinding hell as the two ship-killers detonated as one. Then, the Cavalier ran for it.

The other ship dodged most of the attacks with the ease of someone that was practiced on one to one fighting. Given the amount of weird parts the ship was composed of, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were. Still, the sudden roll of the Cavalier had been unexpected, causing one of the quantum torpedoes to scrape a small part of the hull. Gaddill cursed and barked orders at his subordinates manning the Bridge.

“Gavin…” Lucas said quickly. “… transfer the helm to my console, you have to get Nav back online and get us the hell out of here!” Cooper gave a single nod, transferred helm to Lucas and moved quickly across the Bridge to the Navigation Station. He was there only a moment when Lucas heard the young Commander swear savagely before turning back to the ship’s owner. “Transwarp Navigation is completely off line! Bastard’s got us with the first hit! Best I can do is redline the Impulse Drives for another five minutes then we’re down to thrusters and guns. Not a way to fight something like that, Lucas.” He looked embarrassed and defeated. “We’re dead in the water sir.”

Gavin/Lucas

For a bulky ship, the Cardassian’s vessel was quick to turn and chase the Cavalier, even though it was clear now that it was no match for its speed and maneuverability.

“Sir, they are running away.”

“Don’t let them jump.” Gaddill barked to his stunned navigator, before relaying yet another order to the Romulan manning the weapon’s station. “Bring the Disruptor Cannons online.” And then to an Orion at the Ops station. “Jalor, assemble the regulars on the Transporter. I’ll meet you there in 30 seconds.” The Orion nodded and disappeared deeper into the ship.

Outside, two large cannons were being charged. They were strange, alien, even, with no hint at what species had given them origin. If anyone on the Cavalier had managed to scan them they would have found a weird phase variance on their energy signature. However, there would likely be no time for that, as two orbs of energy left them towards the Cavalier.

The impact was not substantial, but alarms rang on the Corvette as her shields were suddenly offline. Suddenly, the intruder alert klaxons rang, and seven figures materialized on the Bridge – a motley crew of sorts composed of two Orions, a Romulan, a Human, two large Klingons, and Gaddill himself.

“Ah, so this is what the mythical Cavalier looks like. Impressive!” Gaddill said glancing around, as the two Orions raised weapons at the two crew members of the transwarp ship. The Klingons didn’t budge. They didn’t need to. They were imposing enough just standing in the middle of the space. “Mr. Holloway… I must say… I thought my presence would be a little more welcome. Do you have a private place we can talk? After all, we’re both successful businessmen… and I’d like to make a business deal with you.”

Gaddill, and crew

Lucas Holloway glared at the intruders of his most private of domains. “I am a businessman, Gaddill… you are a thug that uses hired thugs…” He nodded to the Klingons. “… to get your way. Now… as I said before you unlawfully entered my ship, I have somewhere to be and have no intention to drag you and your… crew… along for the ride.” Holloway basically growled the final words. Then, in an even more hateful tone. “Why don’t you do us all a favor and get the hell off my ship… now!”

Though Lucas was focused, Gavin looked on in horror. He knew what these kind of groups were capable of… his job to get them home safely just became far more complicated.

Lucas/Gavin

Shaking his head and with a menacing smirk, Gaddill walked towards Lucas. “Tsk tsk, Mr. Holloway… You’re in the middle of nowhere, outnumbered, outgunned… do you really think you’re in a position to tell me what to do?” He scoffed and shook his head again. The smirk never leaving his lips. “No matter how powerful you are… do you really think anyone will be able to find you here?” His gaze met the pair of Klingons and he did a sharp motion with his chin to Gavin, still sitting at the navigation console. The pair responded immediately, one of them violently grabbing Cooper’s hair and shoving his face on the console, the other aiming his weapon at the back of his neck.

“Do you want to go home, Mr. Holloway? Then I suggest you do as I say.”

Gaddill, and crew

“Stop!” Lucas’s heart sank when they went for Gavin. He’d already caused both the girls so much hurt, now him running his mouth with terrorists could end up costing his youngest niece her husband. “I can’t fly this goddamn thing Gaddill… and neither can you!” Holloway was speaking quickly. “The Cavalier in only equipped with Impulse engines and the Transwarp Drive! Gav… Commander Cooper is one of a handful of people in the galaxy qualified to fly her! Now call’em off Gaddill, or else you’ll have a VERY expensive piece of floating debris! NOW GADDILL! For Christ’s sake, let him go!”

There was a soft groan escaping Gavin, his nose bleeding… possibly broken. Though in pain, the only people on his mind were Erin and her Uncle.

Lucas/Gavin

With another quick glance and a chin motion from Gaddill the Klingons stopped, one letting Gavin go and the other lowering his weapon. With the same sly smile, the Cardassian walked towards Lucas.

“Well see… that’s not my problem now, is it? I have a perfectly well functioning ship out there…” He motioned outside of the main viewer. “All I need is parts and I’ll be happy.” He grinned wider before laughing softly. “But of course, I’d prefer a ride while keeping your ship in one piece.” He walked to the center chair and sat down, crossing his legs and testing the chair for a moment, before making himself comfortable.

It took everything in Lucas’s body & spirit not to rip the bastard’s ears off then throw him and his buddies out the airlock. He knew that that would be pointless and likely get he & Gavin both very dead, very quick. That didn’t take the roaring fire from the man’s eyes as he sat in his chair.

“I was going to make a trade arrangement with you, but since your ship has transwarp capabilities, I’d hate to miss this opportunity.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “There’s a place called Ancora VI. It’s a trade hub of sorts. I need to get there but it takes about a week at full warp to arrive. Your ship can get me there in a matter of hours. So, how about you give me a lift and I leave you be? I promise you’ll just have to endure my presence for a few more hours and then I’ll leave you alone. How does that sound?”

Gaddill

“Exactly how… ‘alone’… Mr. Gaddill?” Holloway asked flatly. “Is this chauffeur duty and I leave with my ship after dropping you off or are you going to drop Commander Cooper and I ten lightyears outside Federation space?” Lucas paced with his hands behind his back, his barely controlled rage nearly tearing him apart. “While not thrilled with the arrangement, I will happily take you somewhere and dropping you off with Commander Cooper & I going home. Is that a fair assessment, Mr. Gaddill?”

Lucas

“Yes, Mr. Holloway.” Gaddill’s smile widened. “I am a man of my word. Just a lift, and after that, you and Commander Cooper are going home.” He paused, glancing around to see which of his men were with him. “Jalor…” He turned to one of the Orion men that had beamed with the group. “… send Devva a message. Tell her we’re going to Ancora VI and tell her to wait at the usual place. We meet them there when we’re done.”

The Orion nodded and stepped away to do as he was told.

The Cardassian looked back at Lucas. “Thank you so much, Mr. Holloway. You have no idea how grateful I am for your help.”

Gaddill, and crew

Holloway begrudgingly showed Gaddill down to the Cavalier’s Main Deck while Gavin punched in the coordinates and began the 20 minutes worth of repairs needed for the Transwarp Nav computer to safely make the trip. While under the console of out of sight of his watchers, Cooper sent a brief message via the Emergency Transponder to a specific frequency, that read:

Code 47. TSS Cavalier Code 1-Alpha-Zero… Ship taken by Cardassian named Gaddill… LH & GC OK… En route under duress to Ancora VI. Ending Coordinates enclosed. Cooper Clear

With that done, Cooper climbed from under the console, walked to the Command Console and the TSS Cavalier shot off for Ancora VI.

Cooper