Posted by Lieutenant Darklis Castle (Chief Science Officer) in Main Sim- En Route to Melania IV

Posted by Ensign Dradvia (Medical Officer) in Main Sim- En Route to Melania IV

Posted by Commander David Morris (Commanding Officer) in Main Sim- En Route to Melania IV
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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“We are still Starfleet officers, which is all they might have been after. Tradable, perhaps.” T’Pris mused.”Romulans never do anything without an end game in mind. And their ships tend to be very dark and brutal. Even among each other there is a deadly competition going on all the time. A Romulan officer has to always be mindful of his underlings motives and ulterior plots or he will get stabbed in the back by one of them. It is a constant atmosphere of underlying anxiety.” T’Pris’ dark eyes took on a haunted look as if she was recalling a specific memory and she spoke from experience, as if she had been one of those officers.

~Dr. T’Pris

There was something in T’Pris’ tone that suggested something else was going on but it was not the time to bring that up. Her small description sent shivers through her to begin with without going into any other sordid details. “I thought that was just Klingons who worked that way.” That was an absent minded remark but for Klingons she had some nodding familiarity. Very nodding. Romulans she had none. Well, as she glanced about the cell. Next to none.

“It does no good to speculate on what they want. We’ll find out soon enough. They will tell us if they actually talk to us. Or we’ll find out when whatever plans they have for us, happen. The best thing to do right now is to wait and not draw attention to ourselves.” THe longer their captor stayed away the healthier they stayed.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“Agreed,” T’Pris said and did not inform the other two of the various interrogation techniques which were not pleasant in the least.

~Dr. T’Pris

Her brows furrowed as she slowly shifted to her feet. A moment of vertigo came and passed. Who would have thought that she’d have considered standing up a victory. And that not even after a night of her Uncle Anton’s punch. It was a family joke and expectation that he would bring his own victual from his still that he had tucked away in a small hunting shack in the woods - how stereotypical!!! - and spiked the punch that Auntie Emilia had brought. Everyone knew they were in kahootz with each other on that but still they acted like it was such a surprise that the punch had been spiked. Right now she could use a big glass full of it! Maybe she should get a still going in the lab or her quarters. The way they talked it seemed they expected bad things to happen. The thoughts of historical happenings against her people were many and varied and little of it was good so it was easy for her mind to go to those things. Slowly she began to slowly pace to work out the kinks and, hopefully, walk off her nervousness.
- Darklis

T’Pris stood by ready to assist if Darklis stumbled as the other woman made her way to her feet and began to walk around. She appeared to have no trouble though so T’Pris turned her attention to the other two cells again.
“Dr. Dradvia, is Dr. Conway coming around? Is that the Captain over there?” She asked barely being able to see who was in the 3rd cell by themselves, laying with their face turned away so she couldn’t see who it was. But by the build of the body, she thought it might be the Captain. Oh dear, she thought, if the Romulans had the Captain they were in trouble.

~Dr. T’Pris

“No, he’s still out.” She moved toward the forcefield and tried to peer around beside her cell. “I can’t see the cells beside me,” Dradvia informed her. They were in real trouble if they had Cmdr. Morris.

Almost as if on cue, David struggled to a sitting position. Whether by intention or by coincidence, he’d received a somewhat stronger dose of the sedative, and he was still only partially conscious. He slowly looked around, taking note of those in the cell across from him, then winced as a biting headache started throbbing behind his right eye. While still groggy, he was functional enough by this point to take full stock of the situation. We’re prisoners of the Imperial Saber, which means their infiltration goes deeper than we planned for. “Alright-” he was cut off by a brief fit of coughs, then regained his composure, “sound off. Who’s here and awake?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

T’Pris sighed in relief when the Captain rose and began to cough. He was alive at least,” Dr. T’Pris, Civilian here, sir.” She said letting the others speak for themselves.

~Dr. T’Pris

“Castle here, Captain,” DC replied. While the cough was disconcerting his voice and, honestly, position, helped to anchor her psyche. At least a little. He would know what to do. He was the Captain. Yes, like the Captain of the Matrix didn’t expire before your eyes, DC. He’s just a man, but, albeit, with a lot more experience than you. Him and T’Pris.

“En. Dradvia, Sir. En. Conway is with me, but he is till out.” She took several breaths, squeezed her eyes shut against the rampant panic. “Move slowly. The drug they gave us has kept us out several hours judging the effects. Stretch and move, lots of deep breaths. We have access to water. Dri k as much as you can so you have to use the facilities. It will help flush your system.” She paused, “Assuming the water isn’t laced of course.”

“Understood, Ensign,” David answered, nodding slightly at the wall. “We’ll be alright, keep your spirits up.”

It had been as regular day in sick bay as it could have been.

Then everything had gone blurry and dark. He could have sworn he’d heard voices but he couldn’t be sure, for all he knew he’d fallen asleep at his station and was dreaming of something. Next thing he knew, he was horizontal and something underneath him was cold and uncomfortable. He tried to speak but there were no words coming out. He tried to move but just couldn’t. He tried to open his eyes but didn’t have the energy.

The voices kept getting louder, and he was almost certain he heard someone coughing. He wanted to scream for help but every time he tried, noise just couldn’t escape his lips. He was honestly terrified, he was going to die and he didn’t even know how he was going to die. It sucked. He always assumed he’d go out helping people, not falling asleep at his station.

No.

He wasn’t going to die.

With all of his effort, the young doctor forced his eyes open. They were hardly in focus, but he was sure he could make out Dradvia. It almost confirmed his theory that he’d just fallen asleep at his station. He’d been working a lot of night shifts recently, it was bound to happen. What he couldn’t explain however was why everything underneath him felt cold and metallic.

He tried to speak, but instead just let out a cough that very quickly became a coughing fit. He took a few seconds after he stopped coughing and allowed the world to come back into focus. He most definitely wasn’t at his station in sick bay on the Wolverine. He actually wasn’t sure where he was. That scared him even more. How had he and Dradvia magically teleported whilst he’d been asleep?

Hearing him cough, Dradvia turned and made her way over to him. She set a hand on his shoulder. “Move slowly.”

The young doctor forced himself to sit up, not realising the amount of energy it would take out of him. Almost immeditely he slumped against the wall, coughing again. He leaned his head back and took a breath.

“Where… where are we?” he asked weakly.

Ensign Zachariah Conway - Medical Officer

“A Romulan ship. The Marines in sickbay took us. Cmdr Morris, Lt. Darklis, T’Pris, and ourselves,” she began and was cut off.

Zachariah watched his colleague as she spoke. He was hoping she’d be able to make sense of what was going on but he didn’t have much time to even process what she was saying before a deep, cold voice penetrated the room.

The moment Conway spoke up and cold voice echoed around the dimly lit brig. The lack of lighting was intentional, to throw their sense of time off. They would be able to see over to the over cells but there were patches of shadow.
“You, my dear friends are onboard the Imperial Sabre vessel the Chaltok’s vengeance. Welcome.” The cold voice suggested that they were anything but. It was full of malice, and downright hatred.
“You might be wandering why you? Why a civilian and some minor useless Officers? All will become clear when we arrive. In the meantime make yourselves comfortable. It might just be the last opportunity you get.” It was a deep voice and menacing suggesting that it came from a male and someone of large stature.

GM Budgie

Whether it was morbid curiosity or what, DC moved toward the energy barrier and peered to see who it was. Disembodied voices were creepier than the person behind them, usually. “Chaltok’s Vengeance,” she whispered back as though to commit that to memory. The tone sent a shiver through her spine even though a part of her was wondering whether the tone was put on more so than actual. Useless? Minor? She bristled even though DC knew she was far from a seasoned anything. Frowning at that she wondered whether T’Pris’ ‘tradeable’ comment was more accurate. She glanced over to the Vulcan and lifted her brows as though to ask ‘What is this about?’ Tradeable combined with threats. No, they didn’t do a daring raid like this with such potential consequences as a whim to then just randomly torture them or something. It couldn’t possibly be. Could it?

T’Pris folded her arms and looked up when the voice began to speak. Her eyes narrowed as it continued as she listened for any nuances in the words, tone or intonations. She did not speak herself, it was not her place but the Captain’s if he chose too. Typical, Romulan she mused. She could not divine any other meanings to the words other then the malice and hatred.

~Dr. T’Pris

That was too much. The universe was cruel that whomever the man was, his words were so close to Lokhar’s. Lokhar had said very similar words when he had taken her and Kryssa. Dradvia moved back against the wall, wrapped her arms around her knees and tried to disappear. She would not do this again. She wasn’t afraid of death, she would welcome it with her own two hands if she had to. Sisnil?! Can you hear me? Did they take you too? It was a desperate plea that she knew would not work. He would try to reach her if they were close enough, wouldn’t he? Or maybe he didn’t really care.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“Might I have your name?” David asked, his tone a mask of perfect, pleasant calm. “It’s a shame we didn’t meet under better circumstances.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

The voice sniffed and took a moment to reply as if considering whether to grace the question and comment with a response.
“Commander Xekeer. I’d say its a pleasure but I’d be lying. I’d rather have just killed you all on the spot, but we have other plans for you.” He sighed as if day dreaming about it.

Even breathing sucked.

Okay, that was bluster. It had to be. They can’t have purpose and plans for them and then turn around and say they’d have just as soon killed them. Nope, maybe this one has a problem with them. This Xekeer. But his handlers have other ideas. If they were wanting information they’d do more than just snatch a couple of scientists and medics randomly. They’d be more targeted. They’d not have performed this operation for just them. Surely not so. Unconsciously she hugged her body, both nervous and hoping that her assessment was more correct. She had to think with her rational mind and not her lizard brain that wanted to hide under the cot like she did as a little girl afraid of the monsters who, of course, more often than not were here brothers or cousins trying to scare her.

He still wasn’t functioning 100% but he knew he needed to pull himself together. Somehow the Captain was as calm as they come, unlike Dradvia who didn’t appear to be doing well after the voice filled the room. Between the side effects of whatever had been used to knock them out and the genuine realisation that he was about to die, he wasn’t doing okay but he was certainly doing better than Dradvia.

He’d done two missions with Star Fleet and in both of them he’d seen his life flashed before his eyes. He’d served on two ships and on both of them he’d been in situations he was hopelessly underqualified for and hopelessly unprepared for. Star Fleet had made it a personal mission to ensure that the young doctor didn’t see his next birthday with the way it was going.

“Commander Xekeer? Lovely to meet you,” David remarked without a hint of sarcasm. “Commander David Morris. Is the Chaltok’s Vengeance your command?”

He took a few seconds and a deep breath.

Grabbing hold of the cell bars, he pulled himself to his feet and took a few seconds to find his balace. The entire cell spun and he was quite terrified of falling flat on his face. He held himself up, just long enough for the dizziness to pass and he took another breath. Standing up should not have been a victory but honestly, Zachariah was at the point he’d take whatever he could get.

He half walked, half stumbled over to Dradvia and crouched next to her.

“Hey… it’ll be okay” he spoke softly to her, though he couldn’t force his voice to show that he believed it because honestly he didn’t. If this was how they went out then it wouldn’t make for a great story. “The Wolverine will find us, I’m sure of it…”

Ensign Zachariah Conway - Medical Officer

Dradvia looked at him, “Sit down before you fall and hit your head.” Her voice was quiet and calm, amazingly. “The drug they gave us is potent and it takes awhile to get out of your system. Slow stretches and when you can sit up without getting dizzy or emptying your stomach, then get up.”

She looked out through the force field. “I’m certain the Wolverine will find us, whether or not they rescue us is another matter entirely.” She looked back at him. “You are afraid of dying, Conway. I hope we die, because the alternative is so much worse than you can possibly imagine. The things they have planned for us can be lived through, but you will wish you never had.” Dradvia knew the tone of the voice, she knew the unspoken veiled threats. She could imagine what would come next, and she wasn’t sure she would come out with her mind still intact afterwards. Her body would heal, medical science and the body’s own resiliency would take care of that, especially if they didn’t plan to kill them. The rest would be up to chance.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

The figure rose and strode over to Conway’s and Dradvia’s cell. He grinned, unpleasantly and chuckled. It was hollow and empty, everything about him oozed distaste, like he was disgusted being around inferior species.
“You’ll be lucky if they even find you. If they do, you won’t be living to experience the comfort of seeing your friends or loved ones or the joy of being rescued by them.” HE paused looking over Conway and Dradvia and then frowned as he looked at her, taking her in.

Dradvia didn’t think they would be rescued, but Star Fleet would find out what happened to them. They took the CO. That wasn’t her current problem though. It was the way he was looking at her. Most would show fear and timidity. Dradvia knew better. Instead she looked unconcerned and calm. As if what he was saying was apparent even to a jaka rodent.

“My friends will be eager to have you back. They’ve missed you all these long years. They’ll pay a handsome sum for your return.” He grinned at the prospect.
“Yes, they’ll be overjoyed I’m sure.” He then stepped back into the middle of the room taking in all the cells. Enjoying the power he had over them. Things were turning out very well indeed.

GM Budgie

Ice froze her insides in place as bile burned her throat. He worked with the Syndicate. He was going to sell her back. He face remained calm as she stared at him, then she actually shrugged as if it didn’t matter what his friends wanted or what he might get paid. Survive, and don’t give them leverage.

He was large but not a hulking giant that he had implied from the shadows. Still the frame and body looked Vulcan, but wasn’t. There was more to it. Where a Vulcan stood straight and composed there was a kind of animal like presence there in how he carried himself. He didn’t like them. He was most clear on that. He was a bully. Plain and simple. She balked at that. That label made him easier to deal with. That the situation was easier to deal with was not quite as easy but it did seem to be personal what he was saying. What was he saying? And to whom there? When he stepped back she got more of a measure of him. He was preening. Typical boy. Yet there was a malice there that again gave her shivers and she stepped back from the forcefield There was nowhere to hide here.
- Darklis, CSO

T’Pris’ glance flickered over to the two doctors, at the words from the Romulan her face stiffened. Obviously, Dradvia had been in Romulan hands before. Not good. She did not speak but just watched their captor, watched his body language and listened to his tone. This was a man with a grudge and the steel to back up every word. They were definitely in trouble.

~Dr. T’Pris

“Now, Commander, there’s no need to speak to my crewmates that way,” David admonished lightly. “I happen to know that your “friends”, as you call them, are also aware of the legal repercussions of abducting a Starfleet officer. While I am aware this does not bother you, it may bother them.” He smiled. “I would ask if you’d like some refreshments if this was a normal first meeting, but regretfully this is not my office. The offer remains, however, if I ever host you there.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Xekeer raised an eyebrow and cocked his head smiling amusingly.
“I appreciate the gesture Commander. I doubt you’ll live to get the opportunity but it has been noted.” He replied knowing it wasn’t a great comeback. He was too excited to care.

“Of course. It’s only courteous, after all,” David replied.

While Xekeer was busy talking with Morris, Dradvia whispered harshly to Conway. “Get away from me. If you value your life do not show me compassion or loyalty or any kind of help. Stay as far away from me as you can get.” Her eyes scanned the cell looking for anything sharp, but she stayed where she was and quiet.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Xekeer turned back to Dradvia his eyes probing her and then nodding to himself, he then turned to the rest.
“We should be at our destination soon. I suggest you all say goodbye to your comrade here. You won’t see her again.” He pointed to Dradvia.

Darklis watched. Something in her mind roamed to imagining a fine stiletto heel stabbing into Xekeer’s instep. Bold thought when she wasn’t feeling very bold at all. She shifted, nervous. Where was truth in these blusters? From either side. This Xekeer may not think much of them but then they were not his responsibility. Someone else was pulling the strings and Xekeer was preening. She was sure of that else he’d have actually done something or not even taken prisoners at all but simply used their stealthy tech to destroy them then assault the Wolverine. That they didn’t attack the Wolverine - he would have boasted that for certain! - showed they were not there in force enough to do so. Still what were they there for?

“That would be a poor decision, I’m afraid,” David scolded, almost in the tone of a kindergarten teacher. “I would be more than happy to have a meeting with you, but,” and his voice shifted, “you will not take her away or cause her to come to harm.” It was clearly an order, given with the air of utmost authority. He changed back to the teacher voice, “Make good decisions please, Xekeer.”

“As much as I’d love to remain in such fine company I need to make sure all the preparations are ready for our arrival. Do please, rest a while. It’ll the be the last proper rest you get.” With that he turned swiftly on his heels and left with a chuckle.

GM Budgie

Darklis listened to the boot steps retreating, then silence. Moving to a cot she slowly sat, still hugging her body. She had left home to do something. She could handle storm chasing with the Institute. How much worse could this be? She missed Max and hoped he wasn’t destroyed. But the something she wanted to do did not encompass watching the crew of the Matrix die when their shielding failed. It shouldn’t have. Neither was the something to be in a Romulan cell facing an uncertain short term future. Her family always said she was a thrill seeker. It was true. She was the first out of the gate to adventure or engage in daring do when her cousins were hesitant. But .. this? She glanced over to the cell with Dradvia. What past did she have? She felt a pang of sadness for the woman, and a lesser pang for herself. She hardly had a ‘past’. Was hers to be built on tragedy? Or .. what?

Dradvia wanted to scream, cry, rage, but she knew it would do no good. The idea of begging never occurred to her. Mercy wasn’t something given to slaves. They didn’t negotiate with them either. She couldn’t trade for her life. She thought she would be sick as the memories rushed and crashed over her in vivid physical recollection. I’m sorry Kryssa. I can’t do this again. She sat next to the bunk and ran her hands over the joins, the floor, the bulk head, the frame. She was looking for any loose metal she could use. She didn’t care if it was dull, as long as it would cut.

T’Pris glanced at Dravdia as the Romulan left, then her gaze cut toward the Captain. There wasn’t much they could do to stop the Romulans from taking her or any of them. She hoped that the Wolverine found them sooner rather then later.

~Dr. T’Pris

“Dradvia,” David looked over to the wall separating him from the doctors, “You will not come to harm, or be returned to them. Whatever I have to do.” He swept his gaze back to the other cell. “If they interrogate you, remember training. Name, rank, serial number. You do not have to say anything further and I encourage you not to, but not at the risk of your lives. Starfleet is coming for us as we speak.” He offered a weak smile.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

His attempt to reassure her tested her resolve not to break. She couldn’t afford to. She could not show her weakness, not yet. She swallowed several times before she could speak without crying. “It’s alright Cmdr. Morris. Better me than one of you. I know what to expect.” She almost asked him to tell Sisnil… she wasn’t sure what. But she wouldn’t dare speak his name here. She wouldn’t let Xekeer and the Syndicate suspect that Sisnil knew she was a runaway. She wouldn’t risk them thinking he was harboring her, and make their vengeance on him worse.

She stared at the entry of the cell. She could hear the slight hum of the force field. She stood up and walked towards it. She reached out until her hand touched it. She wanted to know how severe the voltage was.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

DC watched as Dradvia tested the barrier on the cell and thought of what she ‘knew’. To her it was precious little that anyone would find interesting to have or want. Resting her head back against the bulkhead she looked again to T’Pris, the avatar of calm. “Do you have an inner clock? Do you know how long we have been traveling for?” Every Vulcan she had encountered had been rather proud (but quick to deny that!) of their ability to be a walking clock and note the passage of time and other similar details. Was T’Pris like that? Could she calculate that even when out?
- Darklis, CSO

T’Pris’ brow arched, “I must have been still somewhat effected by the anesthetic. I did not even consider that. Yes, it has been 11 hours since we were made unconscious. Given the speed of Romulan ships, which I estimate to be about Warp 7 and given that time span I would estimate we have travelled 39,600 Light years in 11 hours. Anyone know what is that many light years from where we were?” She asked looking at the others.

~Dr. T’Pris