Paradoxes of Causality Pt2

Posted on Sun Oct 29th, 2023 @ 9:17pm 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 @ 9:26pm

2,047 words; about a 10 minute read

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

Turning, she could see the others had proceeded to their own destinations so she drew her weapon and was tempted to shift the phaser-disruptor over to the vaporize range, but acceded to a gentler, life-saving persona and tempered it more with force pulse. The Captain said to secure them, they didn't have to be conscious. Barely seeing where the others had gone, she noticed what looked like a Jeffries tube and decided she'd start at the bottom and work her way up.

An area had been chosen to question the Cardassian Glinn. Finchley shoved them into a chair and said “Here’s what’s going to happen, I’m going to ask you some questions and you’re going to answer them truthfully. Failure in doing that will result in pain, increasing exponentially. My colleague here”, he pointed at Karadis, “doesn’t like liars, so if I were you, I’d sing like a bird. Now, where’s the Founder?”

“How would I know?” the Glinn replied.

“Hrrrrrrrrrr, wrong answer…” Finchley replied, and nodded to Karadis. She picked up a small metal bar, and brought it down on the Glenn’s right collar bone, breaking it instantly.

The Glinn screamed in pain, doubling over. Finchley asked again, “Where’s the Founder?”

“ How do…I know?” the Glinn said through gritted teeth.

“Nope, still the wrong answer” Finchley said, again, nodding at Karadis. Grinning horribly, she wielded the metal bar and brought it down on the Glinns knee cap, shattering it.

The Glinn once again screamed in pain, only in a much higher pitch.

“You have many many bones in your body Glinn, Karadis hos broken only two” Finchley said. “Where’s the Founder?”

“I…don’t…know” the Glinn said.

“Karadis, do you still carry that camping spoon I gave you?” Finchley asked the Klingon.

“I do indeed Sir” Karadis replied.

“Take out his eye, either one, you choose” Finchley said, turning round and walking a few feet away, then turning back again.

“Yes Sir!” Karadis replied, eagerly taking the rusting spoon.

“Nooooooooo!!!, Ok I’ll tell you!” the Glinn shouted.

“Where are they?” Finchley asked.

“We were to rendezvous with Founders ship at set co-ordinates that the Gul put into the ships computer” the Glinn replied.

“Ok” Finchley said, then nodded to Karadis again.

Swinging the bar back, she smacked the Glinn an almighty blow on the side of the head. The Glinn lifted off the seat and fell onto the floor with a sickening thud.

“Get to the Command deck and check the mainframe for those co-ordinates” Finchley said to Karadis. She nodded and left.

This was now a game of cat and mouse…

Finchley decided it was time to go to the bridge. If they were to try and find the Founder, time would be of the essence, little did he know how much that thought would ring true.

Both he and Karadis entered the bridge, and as they did, the automatic lights came on. “Check the helm station, see if there’s a pre-set course” he said to Karadis.

She nodded and walked over to the station. She had a fairly good knowledge of Cardassian ships, so it was easy for her to check. “Yes Sir, there’s a pre-set course entered.”

“Good!” Finchley replied “I hope the others have managed to secure the rest of the Cardassian crew.”

Lieutenant Jaxom entered the bridge. He assumed Finchley wanted a report so he started with that. “Captain, we only found five other crew on the ship. They’ve been secured in the brig for now…” now his tone took on a sadder note, “… and the commander has been placed in the sickbay.”

“That’s good you’ve caught and contained them”Finchley replied, “The Commanders body will be returned to her family, and here file closed.”

He had nothing more to say on that matter, his concern was to get the ship out of the hanger and back to the Blackeagle.

[Sickbay]

Kell closed up her small pack, with the resignation that she had done all she could do with what she had available. The commander's outlook was less than bleak from the start, not surprising given the severity of the wound at point-blank range, even with the meager resources available on the svelte craft. Apparently it was prioritized as tactical over logistical and barely more ample than her own mobile kit. She made herself more familiar with the equipment and interfaces as they undoubtedly made ready to depart. She wondered about the impromptu mission; while she certainly didn't want the Cardassians to have access to such a tool of horrendous consequences, she wondered further if SF would fare much better with such a resource. . . What could be justified. . .

What's this... something about the Founder?

“Mr Jaxom, I need you to pilot this ship out of the hanger,” Finchley said to Jaal.

The slyest of grins showed on the Trill’s face. “My pleasure Sir.” He made his way to the helm control and started studying the readouts.

“I’m going to try and convince the Cardassia Three control room that we’re the actual crew who’re meant to be in control and on our way to meet the Founder,” Finchley added.

He looked around the vessel, this was some feat of engineering. He both admired its abilities and feared them in equal measure. A decision was going to be needed on what to do next, should they of course escape. But first things first, getting going.

“Take her out Mr Jaxom.”

Great timing, Jaal thought. He’d just gotten the engines started as a light vibration could now be felt in the deck plates. “Aye Captain,” with that the ship rose from the ground a few meters. “Do you have a course in mind or should we just casually fly out?”

Finchley had managed to gain control of the mainframe computer and work out where the ship was meant to be heading, in order to meet up with the Founders vessel. It took them in the opposite direction from the Blackeagle and possible safety. His mind was weighing up the pros and cons of their situation. Yes, he badly wanted to find the Founder, and yes, he wanted to bring this ship and its technology back to SFIHQ, but he also needed to ensure the safety of the team. One of them was already dead, he didn’t want another.

“Captain, if I may, another thought just occurred to me,” Jaxom mentioned as he started keying the console, “If we can figure out how the time displacement system works, we can be one before anyone else knows. We won’t even need to engage any other ships.” He really thought it was worth a shot.

“That’s true, but we don’t know if the ship can use its bag of tricks in such a confined area” Finchley replied “best we try to get out into open space.”

He nodded to while giving a verbal affirmative, “Aye aye.” He piloted the vessel as best as he could in a manner that wouldn’t draw any attention… he hoped. He kept his fingers on the engine output control just in case an unexpected need for speed cropped up.

The talk with the Cardassia Three control room was fraught, but Finchley finally managed to convince them that their flight plan was valid and they were on their way to meet the Founder. The mention of the Founder was what had swung it, and he realised how much fear Cardassians still had of them.

Now in open space, though still within range of many many Cardassian ships, he had to make the decision.

“Mr Jaxom, can this ship be automated, so that less people are required to maintain its flight pattern?” Finchley asked Jaal.

Jaal experimentally tapped a few keys on a console adjacent to the helm. “As best I can estimate, she’s mostly automated now… but if I’m reading these specs correctly, she functions best with a crew of eight, but as few as three can be effective.” He turned to face his captain wondering what plans were being cooked up.

“I want you to try and configure it so that it can be run by just one person, I have an idea on how we can solve the issues of dealing with the Founder and what to do about this ship” Finchley said, a purposeful look on his face.

“It’s going to take careful timing, and a lot of guts, but I think it can be pulled off” he continued. “First things first, we have the Founders Co-ordinates so we know where the meetings taking place. Secondly, we need to get those Cardassians in the brig onto the Blackeagle to take back for questioning. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, a decision on this ship needs to be made…take it or break it…either way, someone has a remarkable haul.”

Rubbing his chin a moment, he made a decision “Do what you can regarding automating the system for single occupancy, but first set a course for the Blackeagle.”

After a few keystrokes on the helm console the Trill announced, "Course laid in Sir. Just give the word." He then began working at an adjacent console on the automation that Finchley wanted.

Kell sent an update on the late commander, with a note asking if she should prepare the body for jettison and whatever ceremony he had in mind, or packed for return to the Blackeagle. She kept trying to shake off her somber mood, but she held such trepidation about the current missions. She was a bit out of her element...

Finchley read the message from Kell. There was nothing on file as far as he knew regarding what was to happen with the former XO’s body should they die whilst in service. He didn’t have time for this, so a simple reply back saying pack for return to Blackeagle was sent to the Doctor, along with a request to check that the Cardassian prisoners were still secure and ready to be transported immediately to the Blackeagle’s brig on their return.

Glad she'd prepared accordingly, Kell gave the XO a silent salute and picked up her weapon. She had some Cardassian prisoners to check on.


[BRIG]

Well, one thing they hadn't scrimped on was the brig. I guess they thought they'd have some prisoners to secure. As Kell looked in at an angle from the open archway, she could see one of the Cardassians was trying to manipulate a panel inside the cell. Not seeing Jaal or anyone from her crew, she peeked in low to the door and held her position, waiting for someone to notice her.

It took longer than she'd expected. She was just about to say the heck with it and just walk in, but finally one did see her. He reacted, which even she realized was stupid, but she let that slide. She put her finger in front of her lips, like she wanted him to be quiet and motioned, hoping he'd understand she wanted to know if there was anyone in the room.

He shook his head, but didn't get up off the floor. Jaal and the others must've taken the disciplinary steps to ensure they wouldn't resist when they were secured. Kell still creeped into the room slowly, as if she either didn't believe him or was still being careful in any case. The Cardassian that had been trying to breach the cell wall stopped and folded his arms over his chest, haughty and arrogant, and didn't hesitate to express his disatisfaction at her lack of speed in freeing them.

Kell did a quick headcount and checked the corridor again, as if she were keeping watch for those interlopers that had boarded the ship... Scoundrels!

Stepping back she nodded to them and examined the board. One of the prisoners was quick to explain the controls but she didn't hit anything just yet, with the exception of the audio on the Gul's cell. Nodding she looked at the others as the Gul's greyish skin began to darken, she assumed with the rising level of his displeasure.

TBC

 

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