Operation Phoenix [Classified]
Posted on Tue Apr 9th, 2024 @ 8:09pm by Lieutenant JG William Verhoeven & Fleet Captain Maxwell Culver & Commander Lorut Vila & Commander Rylen Lyo & Lieutenant Dovenice Nyx & Lieutenant S'Tera & Lieutenant JG Aurora House of Kor & Lieutenant Dr. Morgan Alexander-Harrington M.D.
3,796 words; about a 19 minute read
Mission:
The Fall of the House of Lyo
Location: USS Intrepid: Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD5: 0900 hours (local time)
Max stood, his head sufficiently cleared after Admiral Albion’s meeting with the command team. Still, he held a mug of coffee, but only as something to do with his hands. While the trio waited for the others to be recalled from shore leave, he looked down on Kaitos. Its purple skies looked as if they were lashing the part of the planet within view, the part where no sane El-Aurian would try to make their home.
’Some people just like a challenge,’ he thought and then remembered his rag tag crew. Still, there was a feeling of sadness that radiated from Rylen that Max couldn’t drown out. Maybe it was too raw, too loud, for Max to drown out. Or maybe it was something else.
Aurora re-materialized on the transporter pad dressed in a different outfit, carrying her evening wear in a satchel over her shoulder, but her face was practically glowing.
Vila had been back on duty after her two days off. She approached the observation deck from the corridor, where she'd stepped out to make her first Comms calls to arrange a small team.
"The others should be arriving soon," she said, the unspoken, ’If they know what's good for them,’ hinted in her tone. "Lieutenant Aurora," she said, with a nod of her head.
"Oh! Ccommander! Hhi!" Aurora yelped, blushing deep blue as she'd been off in her own little world.
"Hello," she said, coolly. "Get it together, please. As soon as the others arrive, we will begin," she said.
"Yyes, Commander, ssorry, Commander," Aurora gulped, straightening her clothes and running her fingers through her hair to get at least SOME of the knots out!
Morgan showed up, having been told by Doctor Greene that they were needed on an important project and away team. Gathering with the others in standard away team gear, armored, with a medical bag draped across their chest and a phaser in a drop leg holster.
"Was told you needed a medical officer, so here I am," they said as they smiled.
“Doctor,” Max nodded, looking at the doctor’s preparations. “I appreciate the effort, but we haven’t even left dock with Kaitos One. Krios is a three day trip at warp,” he added.
Just then Will interrupted the meeting. “Sorry, I’m just always around. I figured I’d join in…did you say Krios?” he asked.
S'tera materialized. "Lieutenant S'tera reporting. Heard you needed your science officer."
“Don’t think we could do it without you,” Max intoned.
Vila settled back in at the table, at her usual spot at the Captain's right flank. "Indeed. We just need Ms. Nyx and Tete," she said. Both women were late. Unimpressive, to say the least.
“So sorry,” Wara entered the room. “I wasn’t expecting a recall for another nine days.” The blue woman took the seat that Vianola had vacated again. She had heard something about Vi being required back with the El-Aurian space force. All she knew was that those people needed to make up their damned minds.
Max put his hand up to wave it all off. “None of us were expecting a short shore leave and some leeway is expected under the circumstance, which we will get to momentarily.
⌘Shuttlebay One⌘
"... where are the marines when... ...and the final seal will be broken..."
The transmission was full of line noise. Addison Marino adjusted the receiver to make the message clearer. The static problems originated from the sender and her fix clarified little on her end. Instead, she worked to trace the source of the transmission. "... full of them! Crawling and biting..." Addison shivered at the grim words. Finally, she locked onto its source, Habitat X.V.132 "... but the captain was WRONG!"
Nyx traced the connections of the panel with her fingers, feeling for a break or a twist in the wiring to explain the errors she kept reading. Interruptions were the bane of her project at this point, and today was no different. Comms opened. Nyx looked up in surprise, "Chief," a disembodied voice said, "the bridge is calling. They say you're late to a meeting in the Observation Lounge."
Her nose wrinkled at the news as she mentally reviewed her schedule. "When was the meeting called?"
A pause filled the silence of the freighter, "I can't find any messages..."
"Okay. Let them know I'm on my way." She straightened her uniform after crawling out from her confined workspace.
Nyx continued to pull out the wrinkles from her top as she entered the Observation Lounge several minutes later. Spotting an open chair, she slid a PADD on the table and took a seat without a word.
"Nice of you to join us finally, Lieutenant," Vila said, coolly. "Captain. We're assembled," she said.
It was difficult to ignore the executive officer’s negative reception. However, the chief engineer bit her tongue while looking at Vila, daring her to say something more. If the XO truly had a problem with her tardiness, Vila could write her up or request her transfer.
Max, feeling far more generous than his XO, noticed the change. “Don’t worry, Lieutenant Nyx. It’s past the Commander’s bedtime. As I already said, this meeting is to be quiet and our actions after are to be just as stealthy.
Aurora's head jerked up as a cold dagger slid down her spine.
[What's gone on?] Aurora thought, growling softly.
“The meeting was called last minute after all.”
“Captain, you said Krios when I came in. Are we going to Krios Prime…quietly?” Will asked. It was an easy enough course to pilot, but it was also a place he wanted to visit. It held fast to much of its past despite being folded into the Federation.
Max winced. “Yes, we are. Quietly,” he responded. “It’s come to my attention that our presence would be crucial to an important diplomatic event, Lieutenant Verhoeven.” Max couldn’t help but glance at Rylen quickly.
“Questions?” Max asked reluctantly.
Vila sighed. She had a bunch, the first of which was, ’What the fuck?’ "No," she said, simply.
✎Nyx Notes✐
Meeting title: Unannounced surprise
Date: #Stardate#
Time: 0900
Location: Ob lounge
Attendees: CO, XO, Sci Aurora, Dr A-H, Pilot, Sci S'tera, Sec Tete, Ops Lyo, me
Absentees: ?
Agenda:
Decisions:
Action items:
Who:
What:
Where: Krios
When: ASAP
Why: Diplomacy
How: Stealthy
Next meeting date and time:
✐
Nyx had jotted her notes quickly into her template and scowled at the lack of information in front of her. "I've got plenty," she said and contemplated what to ask first. "I'm sure hiding in a corner and breathing the air isn't going to solve a diplomatic problem. So, what are we really doing?"
“Effectively, we are escorting a high-ranking member of the Kriosian’s royalty back to Krios. What we assume to be the attack and murder of the High Lord and his oldest son have left a power vacuum that requires the ascension of the new Lord of their family.”
Max was calm and collected, purposely looking to Nyx as he answered and purposely not letting his eyes land on Commander Lyo - the elephant in the room - for too long.
“Considering the heinous, cowardly attack against the family, our job is to transport the new High Lord safely to Krios for his ascension as head of the family,” Max finished.
“Sounds more like babysitting,” Wara responded, arching her eyebrow skeptically. “Why not let this Kriosian go on his own?”
Max sighed. “There is a threat to the Kriosian’s life considering the attack on his family. Allowing him to travel by person or group transport risks another attack,” Max answered the Bolian woman with too much attitude.
“More questions?” he suggested. Looking around the room.
"Does Krios know we're coming?" Nyx asked. She looked at Lyo and calculated that they wouldn't have to travel first to pick up the new lord.
“They are aware that we are transporting the dignitary," Max answered. "However, they have also made it clear that they consider this an internal matter that neither Starfleet or the Federation are to be involved with.
“They have expressed an appreciation that we are transporting their new Lord for his ascension ceremony. Our role is simply to maintain good relations with Krios so that we may continue to travel through their space peacefully.”
"If it's only an escort mission, why call such a large meeting?" Nyx asked.
“The mission isn’t necessarily that big,” Max answered, spreading his hands wide. “I asked for a volunteer to lead each department and a small number of crew who didn’t want to extend their shore leave on Kaitos. It’s not a full crew recall,” he concluded.
Rylen’s face reddened considerably; he was as of now still uncomfortable with being referred to as ‘Lord’ or ‘the Dignitary’, but he would have to become accustomed to those titles eventually. “Somebody betrayed my House. Somebody from within. While I am there, I will identify and bring them to His Majesty’s Justice. While the Kriosian government considers it an internal matter…I see it as a very personal one. Some of you I may ask to assist with the investigation. For those that wish to attend the Ascension, I will provide a guide to etiquette and attire.”
Aurora fell out of her chair in sheer surprise!
"Yyou're aaa WHAT!?" Aurora sputtered from her new position on the floor, where her jaw now resided as well.
Vila fought the urge to throw another glare at the young Lieutenant, and instead, just shook her head.
“Lieutenant Aurora, is there something wrong with your seat?” Max asked, his tone making clear that this foolishness was unacceptable in a senior staff meeting.
"Nno, Captain. I just, I just didn't position myself properly on it," Aurora growled in her mind that she was STILL such a klutz with half her blood being Klingon!
"Also, Lieutenant Nyx, I called the meeting. I called the crew that I thought could handle it. If you think otherwise, feel free to go," she said, a slight bit more gently. It was an olive branch she'd extended - an opportunity for the junior crew to "prove" themselves to her, and her to them.
She had chosen the ones she'd felt could be both discreet AND able to be cool headed under pressure-Aurora notwithstanding, but Lieutenant Campbell had asked her to not invite the CSciO along, as the Counselor was looking forward to a quiet week off with the Caitian. Vila understood, and while she was annoyed, she couldn't begrudge the younger couple that, so.
Nxy set her jaw and added to her notes, "Murder investigation. XO scheduled meeting." Maybe the XO still held a grudge against her for the adventurous holodeck program? She couldn’t figure out why she wouldn’t receive a message until she was already late to the meeting. Perhaps the message was sent planet-side? Nyx hadn’t been off the ship since the night at the club.
Another note, "Lyo = Lord." Nyx was satisfied that her assumption was validated. She was also tempted to take up the XO's offer to leave the lounge. At this point, there was nothing to indicate an active need for Engineering in the mission. She could easily monitor the engines and ship's mechanics without knowing where they were headed.
The CEO tapped her finger on the table, wondering why the captain didn’t answer her about the large meeting. He’d said the mission wasn’t large, but that wasn’t her question. Nine people called in to organize a simple escort mission didn’t add up. She returned her attention to the captain as he resumed the meeting.
“So,” Max started. “We leave for Krios Prime immediately. The floor is still open for questions. Keep them coming people, this is your only briefing on the matter.”
“What do you need a Security and Tactical officer for, Captain?” Wara asked.
Max nodded. Keep them talking, he thought. “I need you for your investigative skills. You worked as a Special Investigations Officer before. It’s the same with our doctor and our scientists. The Kriosian’s don’t think this is anything but happenstance and yet, it has never happened before or since. They haven’t even opened an inquiry or begun investigating other transporters around the planet.”
“That does raise my hackles a bit,” Wara looked over at the Caitians and blushed, “to coin an Earth phrase,” she amended in hope of not offending the doctor and CSciO.
“Do we expect any resistance?” Will asked quietly. “I mean, they do know we’re coming, right?”
Max nodded. “While they know a Federation starship is ferrying their dignitary home, they don’t know it’s a top of the line starship, more than capable of holding our own against their personal defense forces. Though I’m not going against planetary defenses.”
"Do we need to worry about a planetary defense system?" Nyx asked.
“I sure as Hells hope not, but it is better to consider all options,” Max decided. “If we were to beam away our dignitary, say in favor of his life, we could be considered enemies of their Sovereignty and be met with all force.
“That said, I don’t think it will come to that. As I said, we’re just a transport as a sign of good faith from Starfleet on behalf of the United Federation of Planets. I can hope for nothing more and still expect circumstances to deteriorate.
“And remember, this class of starship took on the fleet assembled for 'the Wagon Train to the Stars Celebration' or whatever the Hells they called that fiasco.
“Keep ‘em coming,” he called for additional questions.
“Doctor Alexander-Harrington, Lieutenant S’tera, you’ve both been fairly quiet. Do you have anything to add to the briefing?” Max pointedly asked the two who would be considered junior officers. Morgan due to his position as Acting CMO and S’tera due to her recent position in Starfleet.
“I’d like to add that Royal Courts are notoriously deceptive. It’s a game of chess, but instead of playing on a board it is played with lives and titles and lands. It’s a game of thrones and the loser usually ends up worse off. Be careful, watch your back, and keep a knife close for when someone tries to stab you, you cut the bitch back,” Morgan spoke from experience in the Centauri Royal Court.
Max looked at the doctor, an amused expression on his face. He didn’t think he’d ever seen this side of the Caitian before. “I suppose that’s good advice. Of course, with exception to our special investigation team, no one else will be taking part in an away team.”
"Captain...why am I here? I feel that I'm the 'odd man out' in this group," Aurora hoped she wasn't embarrassing herself even more.
“I assumed you volunteered. You’re a scientist and we’ve got not one, but two, mysteries to solve here. What happened to the transporter that ended two lives and what the hell do we have in stasis that looks like a spider, but isn’t one?
“Not to mention you’ve got crewmen to look after. Kaitos’ oceans aren’t compatible with our cetacean friends,” Max finished, thinking it had been some time since he had seen his old friend.
"Aye, Captain. Thank you, Sir," Aurora stood and for a second more than was needed, straightened, feeling happy she'd been ackowledged for what she was good at in a slightly weird way.
"I called her," Vila said. "She might annoy me, and is entirely unfit for Starfleet, but as you said, we need a full science complement while we're away," she said. "I am confident that Ensign Soong has learned a bit about how to properly feed and care for the cetacean friends.
Aurora's happiness deflated faster than a Comalteth's belch!
[She thinks I'm unworthy of Starfleet?] Aurora thought as she sat, attempting not to allow her shoulders to lower.
[I am a Klingon! We do NOT show our feelings until after the battle if at all!] Aurora snarled to herself, keeping her stiff posture.
“Besides, it's a learning exercise," the XO said. She was going to mature the young CetOps officer if it killed her. "As for the transporter, it actually began to malfunction on day two" she said. She didn't say how she knew this, though. No one needed to know she'd been trapped with Frasier in the hulls...
Max looked at Commander Lorut with questions. “First, Lieutenant Aurora may be…quirky,” Max decided on a more neutral word than Vila’s, “but she and her team get their jobs done. They assist with navigating as dolphins have an unnatural sense of homing. Further, the octopi teams are exception at identifying and replacing isolinear chips faster than any other species. Our orcas have proved themselves again and again for weapons development and trimming the excess of starship hulls while strengthening the warp bubble we can create.
"There is "Getting the job done," and then there's "doing it with a passion," sir," she said, her agitation showing. They really needed to let her go, she wasn't on her best after work until she'd rested and had her meds.
“They are literally a massive part of the crew, so yeah, their care and feeding is massively important and valuable, Commander. It’s a small price to pay to have Aurora aboard. She has her place in Starfleet as much as you do.”
“Speaking of which,” Max paused and directed an icy glare at his XO. “Are you even paying attention? We aren’t talking about your lost time in the transporter, the audio and video logs confirmed that.
“We are talking about the transporter accident that killed a Kriosian High Lord and his first heir. Get your head in the game, eh?”
"My head is perfectly fine, and unless you want YOURS delivered to Albion on a silver platter, I'd suggest wrapping this meeting and getting us out of here because the longer this goes on, the harder it will be to not draw attention," she said. These people REALLY needed some training in how to do spec ops.
Aurora mentally chided herself again for her own misquided focus, and crossed her arms, assuming an 'I am here to listen and learn my place' look.
S'tera finally saw an opening to speak. "First I want to speak on Aurora's behalf. She's a fine officer, and yes, she's young, but learning. I trust her to do her job just fine. Furthermore, she's my friend. I think the record speaks for itself.
[I'm glad we're friends,] Aurora thought, smileing her thanks to S'tera.
As for royalty, don't have that much experience with royal intrigue but sometimes the simplest mission turns out to be the most difficult. I advise caution. There might be some who would like to see the heir not ascend the throne."
Vila nodded once. "I have figured that, and that's why we'll have a full security complement," she said. She ignored the rest of what S'tera said, for now. "Me," she said. "Plus Wara" she said. "Do you have anything to add, Lieutenant S'tera?" she asked.
"Nope. I don't have anything more at this time." s'tera said.
Wara cleared her throat. “I’ll be right there. Assuming the dignitary doesn’t want Starfleet security.” Wara tactfully made her point while looking at Rylen Lyo directly. “I assume you would know, Commander Lyo, as these are your people.”
“I do know for certain,” said Rylen dryly. “Because the ‘dignitary’ is me. Assuming the Government will allow, I am requesting Starfleet assistance because of their forensic skills and objective eye. I am prepared to brief the forensic team at 1130 hours today.”
"Captain, I'll let you sit in on that," she said, standing up to use the replicator. Coffee was the only way that this wouldn't continue to go south. She had half a mind to order up something strong and alcoholic, but she'd done a lot to start her recovery, so she settled on black coffee instead.
“Commander, you have a bed to get to. You’re already two hours past your bedtime. Commander Lyo, maybe we can do this briefing tomorrow? It isn’t like we don’t have three days before we arrive at Krios,” Max interrupted.
Her brown eyes narrowed. He'd get his!! Still, she simply nodded. "Indeed. You and I can discuss it more later," she said, stepping out into the hallway.
She would suggest that she stay behind with the Intrepid and the others and run things at home while Culver and Lyo went off on their adventure. It would help her to stick with her schedule-as she was too early into her recovery to get off track-and also give her a chance to lead and prove herself, PLUS she could stay out of the others' way. A win-win all around, in her mind.
“Commander Lyo, is a security brief okay for tomorrow?” Max prodded gently, knowing the man had other distractions- the deaths of his family and the ‘heavy be he who wearest the crown’ business on his mind.
Rylen nodded his head in agreement. Having more time before the briefing would allow him to come into said briefing with a clearer head. “Yes, Captain. Observation Lounge, 1000 hours. I’ll replicate coffee and Kriosian daava pastries for everybody.”
“Thank you,” Max looked at Rylen and felt a wave of exhaustion roll over himself, something Lyo was unknowingly projecting. Max wanted to hold him, to hug him and let him know that the world hadn’t ended, except, for Lyo, that was a lie.
Max breathed in heavily and let it out loudly. “Dismissed. Please send any departmental requisitions to Commander Lyo so we can be sure to have everything before we enter Kriosian space. Unless there are any other questions, you are dismissed. And on my personal behalf, I want to thank you each for your volunteer service instead of shore leave. I’ll try to make the time up to each and every one of you.
“Dismissed.”
With that word, Max’s eyes settled on the little, blond helmsman. ’What was it he said? He’s always around?’ Max didn’t like that at all. He would have to look into the tanned, toned Dutch boy a bit more closely. ’Always around…
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