Unwilling Odysseus (continued)

Posted on Thu Dec 8th, 2016 @ 5:21pm by Second Mate Quinton Beck

3,364 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: A good start...
Timeline: May 14th 15:00 2393

-Continued-

{Engineering- Second Star}

The master systems display console was the majority of the pool table surface in Engineering. Every deck and room was accounted for in the display, many of them highlighted as red for their danger, others yellow, and a few areas in solid green. The crew of the Second Star watched as N’tach gave them a briefing on the current state of repairs.
“We will need to patch the hull in the affected areas before internal dampening fields and structural integrity is restored. Until then we can create a negative pressure system within red zones to prevent further shearing. Your micro-machine engineers have been very resourceful in facilitating re-running ODN and EPS systems through the redzones as well, energy conservation is improved as well as efficiency…”

Othor had other things on his mind, and remained hidden nearby. He had tried to get reads on everyone involved, but J’ano and N’tach were tough nuts and he couldn't make sense of their scattered signals. He had been dutifully remaining hidden, the sensor blinding panels weren't omnipresent, just in the sections they needed to stay dark. Othor had waited and watched, but no intrusions into their vaults were detected. Twelve hours of watching was beginning to prove to Othor that Starfleet was here only to make good on their offer to assist.
He used his gut instinct to determine the Klingon was exactly who he said he was, Loya was definitely more Tactical systems then technician, but they couldn't blame the Rampart for sending a double edged blade. Erdo, Simpoka were legitimately Engineers. Considering the players he made his determination, J’ano was the agent of change.
He spoke from behind a terminal on the second floor watching them unseen. “Judah, replay sensor logs, were there any instances of J’ano without supervision?
Judah appeared as the holographic janitor albeit some minor facial changes towards a more youthful face. The sudden appearance threatened to reveal their presence to the unwitting crew below, but there seemed to be no notice much to Othor’s relief. Judahs avatar took cover as well, realizing Othor was hiding.
“No, I didnt see him alone except for twice when he went to the washrooms, both times I had a solid lock on him using the transporter sensors.”
Othor furrowed his brow, “Why those? What is wrong with internal scans?
“Our stealth system arent insulated internally, we have bleedovers from the shuttle bay making scans unreliable.”
Othero ticked a few items off a list mentally, it fit, it had to be J’ano.
“He knew that, he also was likely using a tight band private communicator, bet your transporter logs don't include detailed records of high frequency bands along ohhh 1500-2000 terahertz do they.”
Judah stopped moving for a moment as he forgot to maintain the image while multi tasking. “Othor, you’re right! There was definitely a spike in the EM band, it disrupted… no it looks like it was erased, or somehow bypassed recording… I’ll try to recompile any useful data, see what he said.” Judah dissolved back into the air he appeared from, and Othor returned his gaze to J’ano Hern, the snake in the grass, or so he needed to prove.

Meanwhile N’tach continued his briefing,
“... Using this technique I predict normalization of energy flow throughout your vital systems, however I must analyze the Microdyne Warpcore from the Aerowing, I am unfamiliar with this. Perhaps your engineer-”
Kas was beyond stern as she interrupted him, “Mr. Itachi declines to meet with Starfleet. He is within his right to do so. I will help you with the Warp Core analysis. Have your people return to their assigned roles, we are very grateful for your assistance.” Kas said this with no trace of sarcasm at all evident.

J’ano spoke with an odd challenge in his voice, daring to be countermanded. “I can assist with that as well, if you like. I know my way around small craft, if your engineer can't be bothered to assist that is.”

Beck stopped Kas in her tracks with a glance, she was ready in reply but he needed control of this, “The man is busy elsewhere. You… do what you gotta do, or pack up and leave, we don't idle understand?”

N’tach found the whole exchange odd, between their clear subterfuge, the mystery of the body in the morgue, they also had a holographic crewmember, while other crew were staying out of sight, it made him suspicious in the extreme. J’ano somehow rose to the top of his senses, attracting a peculiar sense of malice. Something didn’t work out with his presence, he was also a Tactical officer cross trained as Technician, but the way he looked around, his clumsiness stood out to the Old Engineer.

The man was out of his element with routine repair work, he told himself to keep J’ano close, watch for more. He replied to both of them, “Captain, we will need to see your engineer at some point when installing the Warp Core Mr. J’ano and I have to refit. Or go without warp speed if you for some reason prefer that. If you’ll arrange some method of coordination, we will get back to work.”
The Klingon was the largest one in the room, and he knew how to throw his weight. Quinton had to step aside, being tackled in passing was no better option. He found pity in his heart for the poor Klingon, he just seemed to want to tinker around and do some mechanical work but everyone was weaving webs of deceit all around him. That he stood tall and leaned into it was just a perk of his character.

N’tach and J’ano left Engineering together, Loya and Erdo followed very shortly. Ensign Simpoka was left alone as everyone scattered, she was left with no instructions but went ahead with what she knew to do. For a moment she swore a younger looking EMH poked its head out from around a corner at her, but when she walked over, there was nothing.


{Shuttlebay-Second Star}

N’tach was having fun, though he would never let this onto anyone. Working on a ship so old had revived memories and old ways in him that he had let drift away long ago. He was staggered at first, to see how this ship had been so badly damaged but retained its shape. Through miraculous innovation and he was sure a fair amount of personal spite as well, this vessel was still alive.
The last fifteen hours had been the most gratifying in his Starfleet career to date. No amount of hard work dismayed him, it was the nature of the work which motivated his spirits to soar. There were parts and gimbles in his day which had been replaced by servos and magnetic contacts. He found delight in restoring to working order the relics of his youth. The ship had been through hell, but seeing the green lights on the status board start to light up after a sea of orange and red pushed his dream through. N’tach ached for this old warrior to shake off the manacles of time and decay, redeeming them both in vindication.

J’ano was still bugging him, even now, he had instructed the Enaran to simply strip the wiring insulation from the power cables in the Aerowing. He now watched as the man was fiddling in the ODN cable box. Erdo-43 reported earlier that J’ano had resorted to sneaking an Exo-comp machine for the majority of his work in the Avionics pit where the Computer Core was usually. He had no reason to be here on the ship, and N’tach had enough of secrets, this man was under his command and it was time to get answers.
The Aerowing had just enough space for one person to move comfortably, N’tach approached the shady fellow as his arm groped blindly beneath the deck plates. His large frame filled the narrow hatch and blocked some of the light leeching in.

“Lieutenant Hern, front and center!” He used his “family voice,” which was how his loud and very demonstrative father called it when he needed to be heard.


J’ano Hern was in the midst of transferring a piece of software to the Aerowing which would show there was a serious battle between the two vessels currently in pieces all around them. This would enable Starfleet to impound and arrest anyone involved for months until the investigation was finished, or at least this messy salvage situation would be handled. He had to leave the data module where it was for now, there was no way N’tach would see it and let it go without asking.
“Lieutenant O’rinko? Can I help you?” He deliberately maligned the name, a tactic he hoped would throw N’tach into a defensive mode.

“Lieutenant, I must ask you about your performance so far, by all accounts you are not proficient to the degree a Starfleet Engineer would be. I surmise you are actually a Tactical Officer whose place on this team is to perform an investigation without my consent or the consent of those under investigation. This abrogates law and personal honor, so I will offer you the chance to face your accuser, a right guaranteed by Federation law and which I suspect is being denied to this crew. Explain yourself, or I will take this matter to Captain Douglas.”


J’ano was stunned to hear it laid out so fluidly, the Klingon had brains, nobody had seen that. He knew there was little hope to any excuse about his ability, so he leaned into the punch.
“Who do you think assigned me? They are hiding behind some laws and treaties, using Federation goodwill as a charm, they are guilty of something, and I will find it. Incidentally, Commander Allen empowered me to ensure the outcome is to Starfleet’s favor. So I believe that answers your questions, anything else pressing sir?”


N’tach had never been one for outbursts or violent recourse, but this was a dangerous opportunity for him to express his internal feelings. He had seen Klingons treated like brutes, knew what to expect, knew in some respect it was a deserved reputation. However he was done with proving himself over and again to these pathetic Earthlings! A Klingon Officer would have been well within their rights to beat or even kill their subordinate for such lack of regard. He would have even had recourse to challenge his superiors for deceiving him, but in Starfleet, reputation and hard work took a second place to being Human.
He growled as he spoke, “Whatever pride you feel is undeserved, your actions are underhanded, and that they are sanctioned makes the odor all the more foul. You are dismissed, get in the ‘Zephyr’ and remain there until further notice.”

J’ano felt a rise in his anger too, this thug wasn’t about to simply dismiss him. He knew N’tach could break him in half, but seeing the hulking form so restrained by Federation civility made him feel contemptuous and brave.
“See, I think the Captain would want this plan to succeed, and you should want the Captain to succeed, so when I say “no” to you, please understand that is why. A captain's order trumps a lieutenants I believe, so you can just stand on down.”

“Are you a Starfleet Officer?” N’tach asked very pointedly, the question coming out of nowhere.

“Yes… why-” J’ano answered, but was confused as N’tach pressed on.

“Have you sworn an oath to the principles Starfleet is sworn to uphold?” He furrowed his brow giving J’ano the full weight of his countenance.
“Now see here, the Federation has all kinds of people and cultures and beliefs-” J’ano was not acting like he was in danger here, and N’tach resolved to make him sweat.

He cut J’ano short again, “Starfleet has but one charter however. And by wearing that uniform, by pledging your loyalty, you have agreed to uphold that charter.”

“Okay what's your point Lieutenant, I don't need a civics lecture from a Klingon.”

“You have ruined your own reputation, and further injured Starfleet’s by your dishonorable actions. Yet here you are deceiving one and all, under the flag of truce. I will be reporting this to Captain Douglas regardless of his approval, as well as Starfleet Command. You’re behavior is unbecoming of an officer to this fleet.”

“You got a plan for holding me in the ‘Zephyr’? J’ano was in a mood for violence now, N’tach saw it plain as day and subtly prepared his body for the fight.

It never came. N’tach spoke two words and J’ano stood down immediately.

“She does.”

Kas was holding her rifle squarely on J’ano, she had been watching them since they entered, but N’tach had clocked her presence nearly from the get-go. Fortunately, they were both on the same page, J’ano was a snake in the grass. As he turned and became aware of her, he realized N’tach had played him for a fool. His cover was blown and there was no way he could retrieve the data module he left behind.

Less than a moment passed, before J’ano was ready to act. He calmly exited the Aerowing, Kas never letting him out of her sights. He crossed over the cluttered space rounding the rear hatch before wordlessly getting inside. Kas then finally lowered her rifle, standing next to N’tach at ease.
“All of you would be off this ship if I hadnt seen you just now. We need to see the Captain.”

N’Tach said nothing, merely gesturing and moving so that he encouraged her to follow. As the two moved to the exit, it occurred to N’tach that J’ano had clearance to leave the shuttle, and had not put up any resistance exiting the Aerowing. He took his tricorder out, turning to Kas,
“There is something wrong, he was doing something inside this ship.” Kas stared at him, trusting him only slightly.

She nodded in agreement, “Get to it then.”

N’tach went directly to where he saw the Enaran, up to his shoulder rooting under the deckplates. The small hole in the hatch barely let light and his arm coexist, and he was forced to scrabble around, using the tricorder to scan through and see what he could despite the bulkhead. For a moment he saw and felt nothing out of place.
Then, one item was not like the rest, it was made of a polymer metal not like the Aerowing, and once he had it in his hand, he knew by looking. Grasping it, he pulled the small gray metal box out, looking to Kas in satisfaction.

“Now we can go see your Captain, and I will need to speak to mine shortly thereafter I imagine.”
Kas nodded wordlessly, she indicated for N’tach to take the lead, which he did promptly.


{Second Star- Captains Ready Room}

The ready room lay fallow after it was cleaned, but their first real meeting was done standing. Just an empty wall alcove , and empty desk. Beck had also asked the empty fish tank to be removed, the absurdity and luxury was too much for his tastes.
Chatting with a casual lean against his desk, Beck listed as his team all reported in, Othor had been screening the away team.

“Tea, oolong, hot” requested Othor. He knew fell well the replicators didn't work, but the quip was too good to pass up. Beck stared at him flatly, Othor smiled and raised his thermos to his ebon lips. He sat casually in contemplation. J’Ano and N’Tach were very different men. Fortunately N”tach wore his heart on his sleeve and with sincerity.
“That, Jano is conspicuously convening and flagrantly plotting with typical starfleet swagger.”

Beck knew as much, “I have Kas tailing him. So.. Erdo, Simpoka, Loya, how about the Klingon?”

With a raised hand and open palm, Fala, interrupted Beck “J’ano is Edaran, A Delta Quadrant Telepathic species. I have little else on him aside from Starfleet profiles, and that's mostly within the last twelve years.”

“I can judge by his routes throughout the ship that he was trying to cover as much ground possible.” He turned his attention to his beloved comrade, Fala. “It can also mean he looks for places to excrete whatever it is he has shoved up his ass.”
She smiled, her sharp features exaggerating into a toothy smirk, “Yes, I’m sure the stick comes standard issue with Starfleet.”

=0= Kas to Beck, I am en route with N’tach. We need to meet with you right away.”

Beck looked to the two others in alarm and replied,
=0= Beck here, in the ready room Kas.
Beck looked at Othor, “Anything else?”
“Trust him. I get the feeling Kas already does.”

Kas came in with N’tach, Othor had just finished a briefing of his discoveries when Kas began to describe the scene in the Shuttlebay to them. Still larger than all of them by many measures, N’tach assumed a humble and restful stance, waiting for them to speak first. Othor knew what to say, he always did, to start the conversation right.

“So they lied to us, and you...” His rich voice was soothing, he made no hostile tones or overtures with his words. The Betazoid regarded the Klingon closely, continuing, “...conspired to plant evidence, all because they couldn't find a legally compelling argument to get us off this vessel. Is that a summary of the situation?”

N’tach pulled the device from his other hand and set it on the desk, he looked to Captain Beck directly, the mournful tone a genuine mark of his honesty.
“By my honor, this was not why I came over to your ship. Take this, it is yours. I will gather my team and we will leave right away.”

Quinton shook his head quickly in reply, “Hell no, you're the only one I can trust apparently. Can you stay, finish the work, get us to Beta Ro?”

N’tach shook his head “no” as well. “We cannot make Beta Ro. If this vessel is to survive the next week it will require a starbase and shipyard. That is not to say this ship is unable to be repaired. Merely our chances of making Beta Ro within the week of time left before systems failure and fuel loss is unlikely.”

There it was. Their worst fears come to light.

The ship was not able to survive without major assistance, in addition they were in the maw of the beast come to devour them. Fala had already pulled out her padd and was mid stride out the door before N’tach’s reassuring tones stopped her.
Beck had come too far to stop now though, “Well? You tell me what our options are then? If Rampart tows us to Stardock we might as well pack our bags and belongings.”

He towered over all of them, especially the Ferengi, but N’tach spoke earnestly, and they were not threatened. “I will testify to how unfortunately this situation has played out. Captain, on my honor I will do all I can to protect you.”

They stood silently and listened to the rattle of the deck plates, and whining engines. They were at the edge of a precipice. Stand together with a stranger once removed from his people in the ranks of an intermittent ally or shun him as they had all shunned Starfleet. Time passed as each considered their future.

The vibrations of the decrepit vessel shook a panel from the wall as the lights flickered, it fell to the bare metal floor in a clatter.

“I’ll be about my duties,” announced N’Tach.

To which no one objected.

-END-

Captain Quinton Beck
Shipmaster Fala Gaz
Master Chef Othor Jaxz

 

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