Rampart

Posted on Thu Nov 10th, 2016 @ 6:48am by Second Mate Quinton Beck & MERCHANT RANKS Fala Gaz (NPC)

3,384 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: A good start...
Timeline: May 12th 2331 2393

-Start-


{Engineering-Second Star}

They stared across a long distance, almost twenty thousand kilometers, but Beck felt the heat of the gray haired captain. The overwhelming sentiment amongst the crew right now was dread and resignation, this was the end. Despite their sacrifice and hard work it all came to nothing, all was in vain. Beck had said nothing since the initial hail, afraid to spoil the moment he had known was coming, but had not prepared for it to be so soon.


At their weakest, they faced an impossibly strong opponent, with no options, and nowhere to run.


Douglas blared once more,
=/\= ... This is the only time I'll repeat myself. Power down that vessel and prepare to be boarded.


Douglas stared Beck down, though Quinton Beck was not about to blink. In the last few days he had developed what most military academies try to teach over the course of years. He had lead men in a job, lead them in covert heists, even taken a turn as the family patriarch, but through all of it never had the weight of command been so oppressive. He had also never lost anyone, this last week had seen him lose five.


Quinton Beck was a new man. To the Starfleet man's credit Beck felt he had a very intimidating gaze. He certainly felt the stern faced Starfleeter attempts of intimidation, and made sure to look his part, the terrified freighter captain. In truth he was surprisingly calm with a deadly menace in his heart, he had no plan, just a deadly desire to win.


The viewscreen was dimmed and shorted the video at odd times, he couldn't tell where the frame was made from, it was just a piece of scuttle haphazardly installed like everything else around them. Beck briefly felt the same awe at seeing the pristine and mighty Starship on his fritzing monitor as others who viewed them this way probably had. Time passed in an obdurate march, as always, he had no more time.


=0= I...


This was the hunter come to capture its prey. They stood on solid ground, but that was on a broken and fractured vessel. Armed with nothing but their wits, they faced an enemy who could wipe them away without trying. He knew there was no way he was handing this ship over however, not after all they lost. He realized he was dirty and unkempt, and the Engineering bay was not the captain's chair on the bridge. But in this moment despite their dirty floors and walls, the flickering lights, he felt pride.


He looked at the screens around him, Fala was showing him various statutes they could invoke but he knew it was all feeble. They had one chance to make a legitimate attempt, guessing at the approach would likely waste this chance. He spoke with iron, like his father had. He had always wondered where it came from, but now he knew all too well. Pain and loss. Quinton found the grip he needed in the memories of those laid down.


=0= ...Captain Douglas... I do not recognize your authority over my vessel.

He tried not to smirk, it was trademark of his that had never been an issue before. Now, he had to toe the line with someone leagues outside his weight class. He had to make Douglas blink, had to force the issue from him so he could make the first mistake.
=/\= Your crew is not licensed to operate a Starfleet-
=0= This vessel isn’t Starfleet, it’s privately owned. My crew is licensed to operate any warp vessel under Federation Charter.

Douglas blinked, then he lost his composure. The fact that this dirty criminal was trying to take over a Starfleet vessel made his blood boil. He stared at the cobbled parts around this Captain Beck with derision, who the hell did this malcontent think he was? He interrupted Beck with a sharp tone,
=/\= Are you mad? You are not Officers in Starfleet, and that is a Starfleet vessel, you will stand down without one more word-

Beck fired back in full measure, though he was angry, his language had only taken on a smooth and very mild manner.
=0= Assertions to the contrary Captain, if I may be allowed to finish a simple sentence-

The two men were engaged in a match of wills at this point. Douglas saw the scans on board the ship, knew it was on the brink of falling apart, it was inconceivable this man thought he could stand up to this challenge.

When Douglas made to reply, Beck kept talking speaking directly over him.
=/\=This is not-
=0= I can confirm-
=/\=a subject I am-
=0= our legal appropriations and-
=/\=prepared to negotiate-
=0=should any unwarranted actions-
=/\=I will open fire-
=0= you will find formal and governmental-
=/\= Sir!-
=0= complaints to be issued immediately. We submit-
=/\= Sir! You WILL stand down!-
=0= to the authority of the bills of lading we carry-
=/\= You have no authority to declare yourselves-
=0= otherwise this ship is ours through legal appropriations.
Douglas was hot, his temper had peaked during the exchange. The iron in his voice was making several of his crew blanche, he knew he was coming out strong.
=/\= We will open fire if you do not stand down IMMEDIATELY!

Beck felt all eyes on him as he coolly replied,
=0= Do not open fire or you will be held to account by interstellar law.


{Rampart Bridge}


Douglas glared across the view screen, then motioned to kill the feed. Those present on the bridge all took a moment, afraid or ready of what may come. Douglas knew he had ceded ground by cutting the feed, but he had the situation dominated by virtue of the ship he commanded. giving an inch didn't matter when you were ahead by miles.
He looked to his second officer, a stern faced woman of considerable skill but no tact. He had come to appreciate her blunt tones and attitude, she was like a rude Vulcan. He needed it from her now.

He motioned to to the conn,
"We'll be in the ready room, Commander, if you please?"

Sara Allen stood, her athletic and large frame fast and sure footed creating a draft as she passed by. They entered the ready room waiting for the doors to close. He stood in front of his desk as this meeting was a short one.
"So, the stick or the carrot Number One?

Sara smirked, he knew her opinion was always to take control by force or diplomacy but to take control nonetheless. She was however keenly aware of ships and hull configurations, a collectors hobby she shared with her father.
"Its a Rigelian freighter registry, and that should be an Icarus class escort... but clearly this hasn't been flying the lanes, we would have known. This ship is not what the registry says, it's new, they found it, or killed the ones who did. We still haven't gotten a clear intent from anyone but this is a crime scene sir."

An ensign at communication routed a message to the captains display. they both turned to look at the wall panel as Douglas called it up.
"Commander..."

As they regarded the message from the Second Star, they exchanged a glance,
"We have a problem."

Sara considered it as well, using her mind in a tumult over the problem, when she took a deep breath, suddenly emboldened.
"So we can't-"

Eager to vent frustration he joined her in extolling the tome sent along with personnel manifests. It was a legal defense, currently binding and notarized remotely somehow.
He cut her off,
"Oh we can, we certainly can."


Sara shook her head, this had potential for actual problems for them. Listed was a Diplomatic and legal contact to several governments they were employed by. It was an act of war for several of them to even attach a tractor beam. They even had Chalnoth port licensure and leasing, this ship was a legal migraine, and now they were claiming a derelict ship as appropriated salvage.

"We would be indicted, possibly court martialed. We just need evidence to generate probable cause, whatever it takes we have to get someone on that ship taking scans."

"This Fala Gaz has already composed a treatise of their rights. She is ready for any investigation we would need someone able to ask questions, take scans, innocuously."

Douglas scrutinized the treatise one more time before looking at her in revulsion for the contents. He agreed with her but demanding anything just got much more difficult. If there was a legal equivalent to a good first move in chess, he had to give it to the Ferengi on this one.

“Commander, let’s play along then. We have the Aerowing pilot, and their vessel is not able to make warp speed. We are within our charter to investigate and report I think. Have engineering designate two techs to go over there and provide support, we will need a repair plan first.”

Sara furrowed her brow at the sudden declaration, surely he didn't intend to help them make repairs and shore up their claim further? She let the matter wash in her mind, and after a moment she understood. He was setting them up to incriminate themselves, they had sensor logs of the fire fight and explosions, there were Quantum fissures in subspace right where they were, and now these murderers and thieves made a home on a derelict Starfleet vessel.

“You think its a matter of exposure and time, they have to have illicit affairs running on board, have to have some kind of legal weakness we can exploit.”

Douglas nodded, pleased she could see it as he did. They’d push the limits of the term “hospitality”, but this was a truth bending situation and he was only trying to keep up.

“We have the authority to investigate the scene. I’ll take a complaint of abuse of power if it means we find anything criminal and stop this problem in its tracks. We can’t get a good scan of them, there is a dampening field in effect, we need to get someone over there. Wooden Horses will do the trick I think....

Sara smiled again, “Yes, we interrogate this Tasco character, use the time to coerce them into accepting our help in exchange for more time for their scurrilous plans. We send over a team of… five, have one of them try and get some scans past the dampening field. I’d say we send sciences, a few engineering with Mr. Phelps in a golden tunic.”

He continued to nod in silent affirmation, Jan’o Phelps was their onboard investigator, he was also extremely gifted at his work. With Engineering knowledge to boot, he was a clear choice for their inside man.

“We just need someone who won’t mind being made a liar of. These measures aren’t one I would normally condone but there are too many unknowns. We need answers.” He gestured to the door, their rushed meeting adjourned. “After you Commander.”

As they returned to the bridge Commander Allan crossed to the Tactical consoles and began whispering in the man's ear, then she crossed to Engineering and did the same to the young woman sitting there. Both of them left for the turbolift no sooner did she leave them, their relief officers swiftly stepping in.

Douglas composed his thoughts briefly and took his place at the center chair. He turned to the conn, signalling the ensign to open channels once more.


{Second Star- Engineering}

“AND if they so much as touch anything we can eject them from the ship… Quinton are you listening?” Fala was giving him the legalities of their situation, her mind was a wondrous place when it came to wheedling a deal or maneuvering some impossible feat through the machinations. Beck was listening as best he could, but he also had a ship to run and it was falling apart.

“Yes Fala. Kas- the intermix ratio is way too high I’ve got bleed throughs on every deck!” Quinton and Judah played a deadly game of trying to keep the systems in harmony. With no central computer they were doing as best they could but there was a clear problem. Judah had taken the initiative of assuming the role of a computer, but a ship like this was demanding. The exo comps were the only thing keeping their systems from outright self destruction, Beck and Judah were outmatched.

Of course as they dealt with their internal struggles the Rampart awaited. He felt the pressure, like a boot on his throat pressing inwards and telling him he was lost.
“Avor, shunt the EPS mains across the damaged sections, I’m aware it’ll start fires but we have to reduce the overload now! Fala stop screeching and get the suppression gear!”

Judah hated to do it, but the Rampart was hailing, and he had to tell Quinton he was back on stage. When he sent the signal to Becks console, he saw the slump and exhaustion for just a moment.

Othor stepped in, clapped a hand to his back.
"I will take care of this, apply your talents where they serve us best."

Indefatigable, Quinton Beck put on his game face.
“Open Channel, hold her together.”

Despite the ship leaking and burning all around him he answers the hail with a simple,
=0= This is the Second Star, Captain Beck here. How can we assist you?

If Captain Douglas was impressed by the bravado it didnt show. He only seemed to glare at the same intensity making Beck wish the screen they set up would just fritz already.

=/\= Captain, we’ve received your legal documents. While they are in review we will honor them, but this is a compromise I want you to understand we are making. I recognize your… bold legal claims, but in exchange we have a cooperation from you in the course of our investigation into what we detected.

Before he could reply, Fala scrambled to the console nearest Beck, showing a specific line of text to him, she urgently stabbed at it just off monitor. Beck looked at it, his eyes widened in recognition, it was a trap. Refusal to cooperate with a legal investigation could be counted as evidence against them, Fala was ready for their tricks.


Returning his gaze to Douglas, Beck continued,
=0= Why of course Captain, we would only be too happy to assist you, Our sensor logs are rather a mess, our previous vessel took quite the beating. You may also notice our reactor is unshielded so I’d avoid the transporter, it's making all our instruments crazy. Given the nature of your legal opposition, I can only authorize your investigating officer and a member of your sciences team to come on board.

There was a beat as Douglas chewed on the deal,
=/\= Second Star seems to be keeling over. Can I counter offer with this, we will assist your repairs and tow you to the nearest-


Fala was stabbing her padd with a finger, another trap. Tractor Beam assist granted the Starfleet vessel autonomy and jurisdiction under various rescue laws. They had to maintain a self-sufficient claim or they’d never win this prize. Fala indicated her rescue fleet was only four days away, they could survive that and be towed by their own people.

=0= Rampart, I need to go ahead and stop you, we sadly must refuse your offer of assistance, there is no need to tow us anywhere-

Douglas was firm, he had this one in hand at least.
=/\= Federation law mandates I be on hand to investigate this matter, I have dead bodies, criminals, exploding asteroids, derelict scrapyards, and a hulk from the past which should have been properly scuttled years ago with people on board who have no business being there. My team will investigate with or without your cooperation, and as that vessel seems just as likely to implode as explode I'm sending a few technicians to keep her together while they are on board. That, is non negotiable.


Iron in their voices, and stones rolling in their guts, the two men stared once more. Fala nodded, showing him that was in the bounds of his authority.
=0= Understood then, but I will regard a security team as a hostile act and will respond accordingly. Send your repair team, no more than three.”

Douglas had the upper hand and was finally flaunting it as he liked to.
=/\= Three techs, my science officer and my Security Chief. They will arrive by shuttle within fifteen minutes Captain. Rampart Out.


Beck looked away from the monitor, Kas, Avor, Fala, Othor, Akio, they were all there and stone faced silent. Vicente and Judah were also watching he knew, Judah liked to connect everyone even in separate rooms, and they indulged him in it. Quinton thought for a moment they were there to tell him it was over, that they didn't want to fight anymore. He thought he had pushed everyone too far, that this was the moment they would decide enough was had and go home. There was no escape from this, they were trapped, and though he wracked his brains no easy answer came to him, no eleventh hour miracle.

Starfleet would impose their might behind a legal claim and pull this ship from under them. Then they would have nothing, and would all likely face some manner of charge…
Quinton made to say an apology, but was cut short. Kas had tears in her eyes, Akio as well. Avor just smiled, but it was Fala who told the emotion truths of the room.

“You did it! How in the hell did you ever get a Starfleet captain to blink! Oh Quinton we have a fight yet but I could kiss you for that performance!”


Beck was stunned but when nobody argued with her he realized they agreed. Othor winked at him, continuing to keep the ship in check. The other waited for orders, but he needn't have bothered, Fala was ticking off on her fingers things they had to do. She was getting the ship ready for inspection, and talking a mile a minute too. They discussed over comms the official story she made sure their sensors and evidence all lined up. They had done nothing illegal, but the name of this game was “unimpeachable.” To keep the ship they had to prove they didnt kill Corrin, and the subsequent dramas were all due to Tasco being a murderous traitor.


Kas and Akio assisted the holographic janitor in preparing the shuttle bay. The debris from the old Second Star was scattered all over, the main cabin in one piece and resting inside as well. That is fit into their shuttlebay was testament to the level of damage that ship had undergone. Within the ship Dure was found exactly where they knew he would be, he had always wanted the Captain's Chair.

He had recorded a final statement to them, but they had not had time to play it, his memorial as well as for Lui and Terrence and Vollad, were all pending matters. Othor was trying to his best to make a suitable resting place for them in the meantime. Recovering the totems from the fated vessel had been a boon to his spirits, he had come back to life in the last day since they recovered the vessel.


Beck was assisting Banshee hide the more illegal-ish items they had found deep in the cargo bays when he got the call from Judah. Shuttlecraft Mahabodhi was inbound. Sensors detected a Klingon life sign on board, and one of the people on board was armed. In an instant he knew Douglas had gotten a trick in on him, he sent a Klingon officer, and none of them were remotely in the league to handle that short of fighting. Of course they had phasers and rifles, but the moment weapons were fired Rampart would seize the ship, they couldn't win, no conflict could end with them as a winner. This Klingon could subdue all of them knowing they wouldn’t shoot a single beam his way.


His ears barely registered, “… Mahabodhi, two minutes away…”


-END-

 

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