Paradoxes of Causality Pt1

Posted on Sun Oct 29th, 2023 @ 9:14pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Commander Kevin Kilbane & Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis & Captain Yadira Tristen & Lieutenant Commander Jaal Jaxom & Lieutenant Kell Asaa Dr & Lieutenant T'Lira Sh'Karra & Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Savette
Edited on on Sun Oct 29th, 2023 @ 9:28pm

2,575 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Investigate the Chintoka Shipyard Buildup
Location: Cardassian Time Ship.
Timeline: Current.

Finchley, Karadis and Shon skidded around the corner to see the other team trying to enter through two huge doors. Shon smiled to see them all looking none the worse for wear. “It is good to see you all!” She exclaimed. Her side hurt interminably and she was still bleeding from the knife wound that Navar had inflicted. She winced, “The Legate is dead and we had to liquidate his personal guard so we will have to expect a large number of Cardassian troopers arriving shortly. However we have the information we sought so we need to get out of here.” She looked at Asaa. “Doctor can you assess this wound and stop the bleeding, I was stabbed by the Legate?”

Kell nodded and moved to her side, out of the way while the others updated the Capt...

“Report everyone?” Shon asked. Kilbane looked askance at her dispensing with the protocol of a report from the higher ranking officer.

Kell worked efficiently but with haste. They might have to travel quickly and suddenly at any moment. The wound was not quite just superficial, but not life-threatening either, with care.

Finchley saw the sideways look Kilbane gave Shon, and walked over to him "Let it go Kilbane, she's simply moving things along."

Kilbane was about to reply, but seeing Bird shake his head, he kept his reply to himself.

Isabelle hadn’t really gotten involved in the clash with the Cardassians, managing to stay hidden in the shadows in case she was needed to be used covertly.

Jaal was working to get the secure door open to the hangar. He glanced at his captain, "Almost there..." with that he was back to work trying to hotwire the door without setting off any alarms.

"Careful," T'Lira said. "When you do get the door open there is a sensor set to trip once we cross the threshold approximately eight inches from the ground," T'Lira said.

Finchley in the meantime saw a control console and walked across to it. It wasn't a mainframe, but it would do for his purpose. Taking the downloaded information crystal and placing it in the holder, he began reading the information as it appeared on the screen. His eyebrows lifted as he read, then re-read what he was seeing. As much as he wanted to delve into more detail, he got the gist of what was there, and it shook him to the core.

As the Capt quickly reviewed the surprising data, Kell wrapped up with Shon. At least Shon's Vulcan biology and mental discipline helped keep her calm as Kell dialed up the appropriate coagulant and swiftly closed up the gash. She had just sprayed it with some foam to disinfect and seal it from further contamination when the Capt called for his XO.

"Dex, Kilbane, Karadis...here, now!" he ordered.

At once, Karadis and Kilbane went directly to where Finchley was standing.

“Thank you Doctor, that feels much better.” Shon smiled at Kell as she turned towards Finchley and stepped over. “Yes Sir.”

Taking a deep breath, still barely able to believe what he'd gleaned, he looked at all three as he said "We're in a seriously difficult position now. There's no protocol for this in fact, so basically, we're flying blind. All the decisions we make from this point forward have profound, and I mean profound, impact from here on in. The mutagenic weapon is one thing, I'll catch everyone up Karadis and Kilbane, but inside there..." he said, pointing to the hanger, "is where things change."

Jaal paused in his work only long enough to say "Aw shit."

Finchley took a moment, as he was scarcely able to believe he was going to say what he was about to say.

"I don't know how they've managed it, but it would appear that the Cardassians have created a crude, but doable, time ship...yes,I did say time ship. Now, those of you familiar with the history of Starfleet know about Captain Kirk and his crew time traveling by doing a slingshot around Earth's sun...what the Cardassians have created is more of a warp field theory. I'm no warp field expert, but I understand parts of it. Basically, they can get a ship to warp nine point nine, nine and as it reaches the threshold of warp ten, there's an engine imbalance as it creates a wormhole effect. By calculating their entry 'into' the wormhole in seconds, they can go 'back' in time. The ship remains in the same place in physical space, but they 'move' in time. That's just the basics, it's what I can gather from my little knowledge of warp field theory, nonetheless, that's what they're doing. Now, to capitalize on that, if they're successful in time travel, they can use the mutagenic weapon on any planet they come across, creating an endless supply of Cardassian soldiers."

He looked all three in the eye as he let what he'd just said sink in.

Shon looked businesslike, “Well we had better get inside these doors and familiarize ourselves with the ship. Lieutenant Jaxom, the time has run out get us inside that’s an order!’ She turned to Isabelle. “Lieutenant Savette position yourself at the end of the corridor, give us an early warning if troopers appear but don’t put yourself in danger. Karadis go with her.”

At the appropriate time, the door slid open. It was only a matter of remembering what color wire the Cardies used for the ground. The Trill had to calm himself to think a little clearer. "Aye Captain... and we're in," Jaal said simply while quickly packing up his tools. In his mind, they either had to steal that ship or destroy it... of course, they could do both. Time would tell but he had a feeling Finchley would have them steal the ship.

Isabelle nodded as she looked at Shon. “Understood”, she nodded to Karadis as she headed off to watch out for trouble.

Finchley was concerned, that there were now two objectives of paramount importance that needed to be taken care of. Their original objective, find the Founder, and now the situation of the time ship. They couldn’t afford to let either one fail, the consequences would be disastrous.

“Belay that,” Finchley said, “Jaxom, carry on, act as lookout, Karadis, with me…you to Kilbane.”

Neither Karadis nor Kilbane questioned, they’d learned a long time ago to do as asked.

Looking at Dex, Finchley said “The Founder and this ship are both important objectives, we can’t leave either situation alone. I’m going to find the Founder, you get on that ship and secure it, make sure it doesn’t time jump. Once you have it, rendezvous back at the Blackeagle. We’ll steal a scout ship, it’s probably easier. Good luck to us all.”

With that, he and his team left.

Jaal watched them go and then looked at those teammates left. He couldn't help thinking that Captain Finchley must need the biggest jock strap in history. Here they were, on Cardassia Three, disguised as Cardassians, and their Captain impersonating a famous high-ranking one to boot. Now with not just one, but two mission objectives whose failure could wreak havoc not just with the Federation but with history in its entirety.

"We need to steal that bitch and delete all the files associated with it from their computers," the Trill officer stated resolutely. He was already thinking of some kind of worm or virus to leave on the Cardassian systems to take care of that. All he needed was a terminal and about ten minutes.

The Cardassian guard moaned slightly as he opened his eyes. Blood seeped from a deep open wound, but she was still able to move. She heard voices, and managing to turn, saw the group who had attacked her and her fellow guards. Inching forward, she was able to reach her phaser and take aim at the one nearest her. Pressing the trigger, the phaser fire found its target, and she watched as they crumpled in a heap.

It was the last action she would ever take as the blood loss from her wound was now too much and she slipped towards death.

The last word she heard was a name being called out..."SHON!!!!"

Jaal's head whipped around when he heard the phaser go off. He cursed in his native language while he fired his own weapon at Cardassian guard who wasn't as 'down' as they thought. He had no idea who had called the XO's name.

There was nothing left of the guard but a whisp of smoke when he finally let his finger off the firing stud. Once again, he was surprised at his propensity for violent action. He looked at his teammates, "Pick up Shon, and let's get inside. We can't stay out here. If you see a guard blast'em." He stood watch while Kell moved Shon inside the hangar.

Isabelle did what she could to help but it was all too clear that Shon was no longer with them. “Maybe if we get Dex back to the ship they’ll be able to revive her?” She knew it was most likely not going to happen, but she had to hold out that ray of hope.

As they entered the hangar a couple of guards ran up to them. Jaal thought fast. "The intruders shot our Glin! They ran that way to the shuttle hangar. I think they're trying to escape! Get them!" He pointed vaguely away from their current position.

The guards paused for only a moment. Once they saw how badly Dex was hurt they ran out the door while drawing their weapons.

Once they were gone Jaal looked to T'Lira, "Can you seal that door? We don't want them coming back."

"Aye", T'Lira said pulling out her phaser and melting the seals until it was fused.

"Let's get out of here..." T'Lira said.

There was only one ship in this hangar. Jaal helped Isabelle carry their comrade in its direction. "We have to get aboard and get outta here. C'mon!"

Onboard the timeship, Gul Ab’ell was working on the calculations he’d been given by the Founder. This was going to be a historic moment. One that would change the course of history, one that would bring honor to the Union. The data was complicated, but his training over the last three years was now coming to fruition and, he…

“Gul, the hanger doors have been opened,” the Glinn standing at the Operations console said.

“Has anyone entered?” Ab’ell asked.

“A group of Cardassian soldiers, and they’re carrying one who looks like they’re injured”, the Glinn replied.

“Go and take a look, take a Trooper with you,” Ab’ell said.

The Glinn saluted Ab’ell, beckoned a Trooper to follow her, and left.

T'Lira already had her weapon at the ready. She was following Jaal. She hesitated using an energy weapon to take a life if it wasn't necessary. That didn't mean she wouldn't if it was necessary.

Jaal turned to T'Lira and whispered, "Once we're on that ship, close all the hatches and lock them down."

Kell grunted as she took on Shon's weight. "Leave her to me, do what y'all gotta do!"

Jaal turned to the two troopers from the time ship. Thinking as fast as he could he asked them, "Does that ship have a medical bay? We have injured here."

"There is," the trooper answered, looking concerned.

"The intruders are trying to break in," Jaal quickly explained in his most commanding tone, "Cover the hangar door in case they break the lock. We sealed it as best we could." He motioned to Dex, "She's critical. We need to get her the closest medical bay now!" His intentions were to go right past them in hopes they wouldn't have to talk to the troopers at all.

“Who attacked you and why?” the Trooper demanded.

Jaal's eyes grew wide as he dropped Shon's legs to the ground. He took a step towards the trooper, "Like we had time to ask! What is wrong with you? Shall I let your Gul know he has an idiot working for him?" He held his phaser tightly in his right hand hoping this gambit might pay off. "You can follow orders or you can spend some time in the gulag courtesy of the Obsidian Order!" He made ready to backhand the trooper in the face if he didn't like the answer.

“Let them onboard Trooper,” a calm voice said.

Gul Ab’ell walked down the ramp and over to where the group stood. Nodding to the Trooper, Ab’ell watched him nod back and then turn and leave.

Walking up to Jaal, Ab’ell smiled as he said “Obsidian order you say, my my, you’ve finally come out of the shadows again. Now, I don’t care who you are, or what order you come from, this is the Founders vessel. It’s under my Command, and you’re trespassing. Here’s what’s going to happen…you’re going to explain yourself and the circumstances under which you were able to get into this hanger.”

Drawing his phaser, he took three steps back, and aimed it at Dex, “Otherwise, your Glinn dies, then you do.”

"You're a cocky one aren't ya?" Jaal stated coolly and without a second thought he thumbed his phaser to its highest stun setting and fired. He meant to hit Ab'ell center mass but missed and the shot landed just above where his legs met.

When Ab'ell slumped to the ground, Jaal already has his weapon pointed at his associate. In a calm, manner the disguised Trill asked, "SO, are you going to piss me off today too?"

A blue haze formed, and three figures materialised by the hanger door. “Stand down Jaxom” a voice said loudly, and Finchley came forward. “We need him alive. The Founder was gone when we reached the control room. Unfortunately none of the staff would talk to say where, so we made sure they would never do so again. We need him to tell us their plan. My guess is that they would launch this ship, rendezvous with the Founder and then time jump.”

As he finished speaking, he noted Dex lying on the ground. He could tell they were dead, he’d seen enough dead bodies in his life to know and Kell's subtle nod confirmed it.

Jaal was almost startled at seeing Captain Finchley beaming in. "Aye sir." He was glad some of the odds were evened up.

“Get everyone onboard, the Commander as well, then set up an area where myself and Karadis can question this one” he said, pointing to the Cardassian on the ramp, “meanwhile, you and your team round up any others onboard and secure them.”

Kell nodded mutely, shouldering the Commander almost effortlessly. She didn't feel like hiding her strength at the moment. As the others filed in, splitting in each direction at the first corridor, she politely lay Shon on the deck, just inside the hatch. As the last came through, she closed and sealed the hatch. Fortunately for her, even Cardassian craft kept things simple for emergencies and she dogged the hatch so it could only be opened from the inside.

TBC

 

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