Fall Out

Posted on Sat Oct 8th, 2022 @ 2:55pm by Captain Devin Hadenbeer & Lieutenant Commander Dorian Sheppard & Lieutenant Commander R'elle & Lieutenant Commander Rayek trLhoell & Lieutenant Commander Klarth & Lieutenant JG H'orri Of the Red Fur

3,340 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Into The Void
Location: Various

BIO LAB

H'orri feeling better walks out of sickbay and towards the science office.

She walks in and finds a station.

"Computer show me what is happening with the away team on the station?"

"There is no away team on Gabriel Station," the computer replied, "Lionheart is no longer within the vicinity of the facility."

H'orri responds. "Computer maybe update me on what is happening now then? Cause it hasn't been that long I was in sickbay."

"The ship is currently under red alert," the computer replied and stopped there, seemingly content as to what information it had imparted.

"We've left Gabriel station," someone said from behind H'orri in the doorway. It was a young ensign wearing a red uniform, carrying a stack of medical kits, "I heard we had an engagement with those cloaked ships and I'm guessing the captain felt discretion was the better part of valor since we have all these wounded on board, lieutenant," she smiled, "Oh, cad-ensign Hadenbeer, at your service."

"And Ensign, why is the computer not responding as normal. Also, what is going on now. I was injured when I came aboard. Especially, since I have not checked in with the Captain or First Officer. I should probably check in with the Bridge. Wanna walk me to the lift? Also Computer are you there? Cause I will be checking on you later?" H'orri walks toward the door and our into the hall.

The computer did not respond to H'orri's query, possibly because the term 'there' was rather ambiguous. As the ensign led the lieutenant to the nearest turbolift she said, "As far as I know the computer is working fine, sir."

They entered the turbolift, the ensign said, "Bridge". As the lift ascended she continued, "I think a problem some people might develop is assuming the computer is sentient just because it can speak. Speech is just an interface tool, like the ancient light pens or mouses. Mice. I-"

Whatever else the ensign was about to say would be unknown as she faded in the transporter beam effect!

"Computer, Security Alert. Ensign Hadbeener has been beamed off the ship. Also connect me through to the bridge."

"This is the bridge," a male voice replied, "Who is th-" there was a pause, "Ah, thank you, lieutenant. I will let the captain know."

Curiously, H'orri was certain the turbolift had reached the bridge but the doors refused to open. Likewise it seemed her attempts to contact anyone met with failure. It almost seemed like...a practical joke...

CONFERENCE ROOM

Devin turned to the others in the staff room, she was about to speak-

"Captain!" Mell'a reported over the comm, "We have new targets; twelve cloaked vessels on an intercept course, they are coming from multiple trajectories but none appear to be the two we confronted earlier."

Devin was about to speak...again...when the screen behind her blanked out, to be replaced by a split screen. On one side was Commander Junix, speaking from an alcove where Sheppard had helped her get a sub space come functioning a couple hours earlier. On the other side was Admiral Kathryn Janeway.

"Admiral," Junix began, "I believe the captain is employing a subcutaneous transponder to-

"Captain Hadenbeer is communicating with an artificial intelligence on board Lionheart," Janeway stated flatly, "We need to take the ship before this intelligence suspects. Lionheart possesses an extra-dimensional drive and Hadenbeer or the intelligence will likely employ it to escape. For this reason I have enlisted the help of Klingons in the region. With luck they will be able to envelope Lionheart and snag her with tractor beams. Once that happens you will place Captain Hadenbeer under arrest and take command."

The screen cut out. Hadenbeer slowly turned and regarded Junix. Junix took a breath and said, "Captain Hadenbeer I place-"

And then Junix faded away as a transporter beam took hold! A moment later ensign Toelau exclaimed over the comm, "Captain, lieutenant Mell'a just beamed out!"

Alia, confused by everything that had just happened, and lacking vital information, fell back on what little she did know. "We know the enemy has been generating false messages. I see no reason to believe this 'Janeway' is legitimate until we have some concrete evidence. Even a simple command code would clear up her identity. I recommend we go to red alert and put up the shields, Captain!"

Devin turned and took stock of those assembled in the conference room, she heard what Fitzgerald said and was about to respond-

The Romulan rescuee observed the viewscreen with quiet interest as the ship's First Officer was directed to arrest their Captain by none other than Admiral Janeway herself. Rayek had a decision to make. If he were ambitious to prove his loyalty to this Federation and Starfleet, Rayek knew it would be wise to assist the Commander in her duties to arrest Captain Hadenbeer; but Rayek's goal presently was not to 'fit in' with this Federation. He needed to get back to Tess and his son!

The Caitian had called his presence here exactly for what it was - a violation of the Temporal Prime Directive, so the Romulan doubted that even if he did help capture the Captain, that Starfleet afterwards would offer to help him return home. No. He knew that because Katra and Amalthea had had to break protocol to assist Lionheart in the first place, back when the ship become stranded in the Gamma Quadrant in 2399. It was only because contact with Starfleet Headquarters was cut off that Katra's command team felt that the opportunity to learn about the extra-dimensional drive might be worth breaking protocol if the knowledge gained assisting could possibly be used to open the Bajoran wormhole.

But more importantly to the Romulan was the fact that to his knowledge, the Lionheart was the only ship to have a functioning extra-dimensional drive - his one way home.

Rayek turned to regard Devan and inclined his head towards her in acknowledgment of her superior rank. "Captain, it seems you and the Lionheart could use my help. Where do you need me?"

Devin initially seemed annoyed at being interrupted again, but she smiled at Rayek and nodded gratefully at him. She turned back to the others, paused to see if anyone or anything was about to interrupt her again, then spoke.

"Lieutenant Fitzgerald, that was really Admiral Janeway. And she was speaking the truth. The Klingons are coming to take this ship and myself.

"To almost all of you I am a stranger and yes, I have violated Federation law. At best I will be dishonorably discharged, at worst I will spend the rest of my life in a detention facility. But before that happens this ship has decided to make a run for it and at the moment there is not much I can do to-"

"Captain!" Jun called over the comm,

"Oh, come on!" Devin muttered.

"An escape pod has been launched. I read three life forms on board: Commander Junix, lieutenant Mell'a and...ensign Hadenbeer."

Devin closed her eyes a moment and sighed, to R'elle's sensitive ears she heard the captain whisper, "Thank you..."

At least there was that! She liked Dare a lot and was happy she was safe. Junix though, why did she leave? R'elle thought.

Unfortunately R'elle had an unpleasant duty to perform Admiral Janeway had ordered the captain arrested. She had to enforce the order. "Captain Devon Hadenbeer, by order of admiral Janeway I place you under arrest." She tapped her com-badge "Security to the bridge." She hated being put in this position but she was a starfleet officer and had to make the hard choices.

It was all happening so fast, but Klarth felt he had to step in. "R'elle if Janeway manages to catch us than Hadenbeer will receive a proper trial, but if we use the dimensional drive like I think we are about to, we might be a long way from Starfleet command. In that case I think that we could definitely benefit from the Captain's experience especially considering we are down a first officer and will be dealing with a situation with a lot of unknowns. And I believe that if we find ourselves isolated that we (the senior staff) should give the Captain a trial. We have heard the Admiral's side of it, but I believe we should hear the Captain's before passing judgement."

R'elle replied, "As you said Klarth she will get a fair trial. However we should not be going anywhere! The captain is under arrest and relieved of duty. Cmdr U'll, I believe that places you in command. It might be a good idea to let everyone know what is happening and stop us from going anywhere. I am also concerned about this AI. What is it and what does it want?"

Rayek looked towards the Caitian attempting to arrest the Captain. "I would be cautious about speaking openly against the Captain, if I were you. It seems to me that the ship's AI is willing to get rid of those who are a threat to it." The Romulan pointedly glanced to the chair at the table that had moments ago had seated the ship's First Officer.

"I think the counselor's presence strongly implies how much of a threat the ship considers her," Devin noted levelly.

Rayek said nothing in response to the Captain’s comment, merely raised an eyebrow slightly.

Ull activates his comm badge. "Security teams stand by. I am with the Captain and sorting this out." He nods to Klarth and then activates a shipwide comm. "All stations, this is Lt Cmdr Arkyn. Maintain best speed and ensure shields are at full."

Ull then pulls the phaser that is on his side and verifies it is on stun. "Captain, I'd rather not have to place you under arrest. Please explain what is going on."

"It is a long story, Commander," Devin replied to the Chief Tactical Officer, "One I had hoped I would not have to tell under these circumstances. The short answer is the artificial intelligence-"

Devin's head gave a little jerk and she sighed, "Fine, fine. She has adopted the name 'Elle'. Elle right now is rather concerned that if the Klingons catch us it is only a matter of time before she is wiped from Lionheart's memory banks..."

Behind Devin the drive signature went from yellow to red.

"I-"

"Conference room, this is the bridge," Jun said, "Is the captain dead? Is Commander Ull in command. We, ah, would really appreciate a senior officer on the bridge at this point."

Devin closed her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose. With an effort she forced her tone to remain calm, "I am alive, ensign. And the issue of command is currently under debate. Full stop."

She regarded Ull, "A dimensional jump is easier on everyone if the ship is idle. Jumping at warp is possible but trust me, it's not something you want to live through..."

Klarth said "Well this is an easy one since both sides are in favor of stopping. Even if it is for different reasons. I suggest we table these philosophical discussions and make sure we are alive to continue them later. Klarth started to leave the conference room for the bridge.

"Why are we jumping? we should not be doing any type pf jump" R'elle said. "Comander U'll. You need to stop the ship from jumping. " She tapped her combadge again, "Bridge, this is Lt Commander R'elle. Patch me through to Admiral Janeway! It's an emergency!

Klarth says from the doorway, "R'elle, it's like we've been trying to tell you. This Elle is in control right now and we're all just along for the ride."

Having said his piece to the Captain, Rayek gave the others their space to discuss what they were going to do. He leaned a shoulder against the wall near the comm panel, very much aware that his movements were being closely observed by some. Rayek knew he needed to have his movements seem inconspicuous. So as he watched the Lieutenant Commander question the Captain, he rubbed at his neck feigning stiffness. In doing so, he pressed just behind his ear, activating the silent mode comm that he too had surgically inserted in his ear. The device was so attuned that merely his jaw movements when nearly silently whispering could be interpreted into a private comm. He used this now.

=/\= Computer.. Elle. I am Lieutenant Comman… er .. Lieutenant tr’Lhoell. Greetings. As I earlier offered to the Captain. I am at your service. If you include me in your plans, I can assist. =/\=

There was no response from the computer, but Devin did spare him a glance at the doorway beside Klarth a few moments after he made his statement and she gave a brief nod. Aloud she said to the others, "We may have time to bid the admiral a fond farewell. It depends upon how close the Klingons are."

She spared R'elle a glance and smiled, "Nervous, Counselor? You should be. Dimensional travel is not for the faint of heart."

"Dimensional travel? What have you gotten us into?" R'elle exclaimed

Devin paused, turned, and favored R'elle with a smile

"Strange, new worlds, Counsellor," she replied, "That's what you signed up for, isn't it?"

And with that Devin exited the room.

R'elle followed after her.

The lack of response from the AI was disappointing but the Captain's well-timed glance hinted that his words had been passed on so Rayek was not concerned. When the Captain exited, the Romulan lingered a moment or two pondering whether his rank in another time and dimension would be recognized by those here? Certainly, the Captain would - but it things went bad she might not be in command long enough to have his rank made official here. It might best if he cultivated some connection with others. He looked to see what Lieutenant Fitzgerald was doing.

He moved to approach her. "Are you headed to the Bridge? Mind if I come along? I am - in my time - a commissioned Starfleet officer. I could be of help - as you well know." His words reminding of how he'd provided both the shuttle and the ship a means to see the cloaked Klingon ships back at the station.

Fitzgerald smiled wanly, “You might as well. Maybe you can help make sense of all this.” The young officer, when being criticized for leaving behind the escape pod, had been confident in her decision-making, even when told she had been wrong. But now?

“Computer, errr, Elle, can you have a communicator delivered to the bridge for Rayek, please. Also, ask if he has permission to go to the bridge. Probably the Captain or whomever is in charge currently.”

Devin said over her shoulder, "Elle follows very strict protocols regarding communication with crew members. Everyone should take your stations when we jump."

Fitzgerald said, “Well, that's been handled. Presumably, it will be granted somehow.” The lieutenant would be forgiven for being confused by the recent events but did seem quite conflicted.

Rayek acknowledged the junior Lieutenant's attempt to help with a nod and walked alongside her on the way to the bridge.

On the bridge Klarth stands next to the Captain and whispers "I don't want to see you go down for this and if Elle is a new life form I understand protecting her, but there are a lot of people on this ship and none of them signed up for a life on the lam....Are you sure there is no way to stop Elle? You don't have a fail safe to turn her off? Or an emergency shut off for the dimensional drive....Maybe Sheppard can put the drive in diagnostic mode or unplug it?"

Devin turned and her sense of dry wit seemed to falter. She glanced about the bridge, especially at the uncertain faces of the ensigns. She reached out and gave Klarth's forearm a firm squeeze."

"If there was a way to stop Elle I would not," Devin replied quietly, "But you are right; no one signed on for this. Give me ship w-"

"Ah," Jun gently interrupted, "We got through to Starfleet. Admiral Janeway is on the comm."

"Oh? Well, tell her I will call her back."

"...Seriously?"

From where he was watching, at the back of the bridge beside the tactical station, Rayek listened to various conversations going on.

Devin turned to regard the ensign, "Mister Jun, use whatever tone you think best when dealing with an Admiral."

"Are you crazy? Let me talk to the admiral!" R'elle exclaimed.

Devin glanced at the counselor, then he glanced back to Jun and gave a little shrug. As R'elle took her place by his console he murmured, "Admiral Janeway? Captain Hadenbeer is...busy," he quickly added, "But here is counselor R'elle!"

The doors to the bridge open and Sheppard steps on, saying, “Captain, the Warp Core is acting…” He pauses mid sentence and stops, realizing everyone is focused on R’elle.

"See what happens when you miss staff meetings?" Devin replied with a grin.

Jun took a step back as if his console had suddenly become poisonous. R'elle saw Janeway's image in a small screen, regarding her.

Rayek was careful to remain out of the field of view of the viewscreen that the Caitian was using.

"Well?" the admiral inquired mildly, "Could someone please tell me what is going on?"

"Admiral! The AI has taken control of the ship! Ensign Hadenbeer, lieutenant Mell'a and Comander Junix have been beamed out to an escape pod and the Lionheart is preparing for a dimensional jump. It's afraid you will kill it. I'm sorry Admiral but I don't know anyway to stop it!" R'elle said.

"I see," Janeway replied after a moment, "And Captain Hadenbeer?"

"Ah, the captain appears to be preparing to make a speech, Admiral," Jun replied nervously.

Janeway grimaced, "Counselor, once the captain is finished with her speech, kindly inform her that this is not over and one way or another there will be a reckoning."

With that the admiral's image winked out.

"Well, I trust you heard the Admiral, Captain! As far as she is concerned this isn't over by a long shot! But I think you already knew that!"

Devin favored R'elle with a smile that could have been defined as defiant, as she turned back to regard Klarth the turbolift doors opened, allowing H'orri to exit. Devin's eyebrows widened a moment, then she shrugged. Without any order given Devin had ship wide comm.

Rayek's attention shifted to the Captain as the comm announcement began.

"This is the captain," she said, "No doubt all of you are wondering what is going on. You are likely concerned about the state of leadership, wondering what is happening next. Over the next few days I will ensure you know everything, are aware of ever step taken to get you back home. I have made this trip twice before and I can assure you I know what I am doing. We will get home again, long before anything declares us missing."

She took a breath, "I...am sorry it came to this. I am sorry I am putting you through this. My only defense, as weak as it is, is that I feel I have made the right choice, morally. Starfleet will no doubt disagree..." she graced Klarth with a slight smile, "...and somehow I will have to live with their disappointment. Everyone brace yourselves this is going to-"

Things suddenly went sideways. Devin realized a moment later that was because she was on the deck. As the breath exploded out of her body she belatedly recalled she preferred sitting down when tearing a hole in the fabric of reality and falling in.

As she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling she could not help but laugh; it seemed everyone was out to interrupt her, one way or another...

 

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