USS Penumbra Sim Narrative, SD 202304.28
The Penumbra was still deep in territory claimed by the Holy Order of the Kinshayans at the planet known as Tepesi 2. A short while ago, a terrorist group calling itself the "Purity Faction" attacked the space port, causing a pair of explosions that devasted a significant portion of the port and neighboring buildings. After the attack, the space port erected a powerful shield over the entire port preventing any entrance or exit by ship or by transporters, though a few ships had attempted to power up their systems as if to depart.
In response to the attack, the Commodore had decided to abandon their stealth and contacted the local authorities. That conversation was quickly taken over by a Kinshayan Bishop on one of the sphere-ships in orbit, and the Commodore agreed to meet with the Bishop on his ship. By leaving his ship and going alone to a potential enemy's ship, the Commodore's command codes were revoked and cancelled. Since Patterson was on an Away Mission (see below), Cmdr. Relok and LtCmdr. Carter were placed in command.
It wasn't long after the Commodore was beamed away that they made the decision to fly the huge ship down through the atmosphere to land in an open field just south of a large space port, which itself was on the southern edge of an even larger city on the planet.
Prior to the attack, an Away Team consisting of Patterson, Den, Kat, T'Lin, and SgtMaj. Derek Hines had gone down in the Cerberus, intending to portray themselves as Maquis - former Starfleet but now renegade mercenaries far from home. But when the attack occurred, the Cerberus was knocked over by the shockwave and was partially buried under rubble. The on-board A.I., AEGIS, reported that she was unable to right the ship or engage in any sort of flight operations. Patterson ordered AEGIS to seal the craft against any entry to protect the secrets within it from prying eyes.
With their ship disabled, a shield preventing any transport, and long-range communications impeded by the sheer volume of people trying to make calls after such an attack, Patterson decided to put aside their original reconnaissance mission and instead perform humanitarian aid in the form of search and rescue, triage, and first aid. After a while, a Kinshayan military team finally arrived where the Away Team was working and took over the operation.
Patterson was speaking with the Kinshayan Squad Leader when the Penumbra flew overhead, landing gear deployed. Patterson deduced that stealth and recon had been abandoned. He boldly told the Squad Leader his name, rank, affiliation with Starfleet Intelligence, and the purpose of their mission.
Standing next to SgtMajDerek Hines, behind LtCmdr. T'Lin and her brother, LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke, DrKatarina Hawke stared open-mouthed at Col. Travis Patterson after he'd revealed who they really were. Beside her, T'Lin simply glanced at Patterson, on alert but not panicked. She trusted him enough to go along with whatever he was doing. Finally, Kat closed her mouth, unsure just what to say but letting Patterson do what he did.
Patterson glanced back over his shoulder at the rest of his team, then turned back to the Kinshayan Squad Leader and said, "That overhead just now ... was our starshipWe have no way to communicate with them currently. I can only assume that the spaceport's defenses are interfering with comm traffic."
The large centaur-shaped, gryphon-like Kinshayan Squad Leader eyed Patterson criticallyHe said, "You're Starfleet? Like from the Federation?"
Hines grunted, shifting his weight a little. He'd just suffered a badly broken leg when part of a wall fell on him, but Kat had healed it with an ortho-regenerator and a dermal-regenerator. It was sore but he could walk on it. He said, "Pat, you know the Marines aboard are gonna be organizing a search and rescue for us, right? Is there a way for them to get into the port from the ground?"
The Kinshayan Squad Leader glanced between Patterson and Hines. Finally, he said, "Intelligence? Marines? You guys are way over my pay grade! I gotta get the Vicar on this!" He shook his head then answered Patterson's question, "Yeah, comms are jammed right now, just from all the traffic of folks calling about the explosions. But ... maybe the dedicated military channels can get through." He gestured to Patterson, "With me, sir?" and turned back towards his dozer-like vehicle.
Patterson nodded, then groaned slightly. "In just a moment," he told the Squad Leader. He turned towards Kat, "Kat! Get this piece of whatever outta my damn back, please?" He gestured towards the bloody shrapnel in his upper right back.
Kat hurried over to him and began exploring the injury with a gentle touch, making sure that when she removed the shrapnel it wouldn't cause further damage, or make him bleed out. While she did this, Hines stepped up to the Squad Leader and asked, "Is there a way for my men to get into the Port from the ground?"
The Squad Leader answered Hines, "The port erected the security shield. If they're outside it, they'll not likely get in until it's lowered, and that won't be until we're sure there won't be another attack, and if we find the bastards who did this!"
T'Lin stepped up to Patterson and softly asked, "Are we not considering that us landing the entire ship on the planet and getting people on the ground may be seen as hostile actions?"
Den stepped up with her and commented, "Considering we could have destroyed the planet from orbit and we've been seen as helping. Probably not."
T'Lin cut a glance at Den. "The Penumbra, as powerful as she is, could not destroy the planet. And I have seen betrayal tactics far too often to not consider the fact that we may be seen as hostile despite our helpfulness."
Den gave a slight shrug. "So have I," he said. "And we don't know if it could or not." He made a silly face, clearly showing he felt confident his ship and its weapons could have put up a good showing, at least.
Meanwhile, Kat had seen no complications with the shrapnel, so carefully pulled it out and used the dermal regenerator to repair the surface tissue damage. "You'll still feel sore," she told Patterson, "but you should be good."
Patterson turned to T'Lin then, "One thing at a time, T'Lin. If they brought the entire ship down, there's a damn good reason for it, and I intend to find out."
He turned back towards the Kinshayan Squad Leader and stepped over to him. "A security shield? Tholian technology, I have to assume ... which means sections of it can be opened if needed for brief periods. I need to make contact with my ship, and we will need to have a door opened. I have a contingency of Marines with plenty of supplies and work vehicles that can help with humanitarian aid and clearing debris. My personal vessel is obstructed by rubble. I'd like to get it out of here before the Purity Faction discover it."
The Squad Leader flexed his wings. "Hang on, mister ... uh, Colonel! I don't have that kind of authority. You've got to speak to the Vicar. Hell, maybe even the Bishop! Come on, I'll get the Vicar on the line, and we'll see where it goes." He gestured to his vehicle again.
Patterson gave a sigh, nodded, and turned back to T'Lin. "Commander ... this is a humanitarian mission. You're in charge here until I get back ... but keep treating those you can."
T'Lin gave a curt nod. "Right," she acknowledged.
Orders given, Patterson turned back to the Kinshayan, "Lead the way." Den wasn't going to stand around and do nothing, so he quickly set off to follow Patterson.
T'Lin turned then to Kat and asked, "You have more Merasha, correct?"
Hines looked over at her and said, "It actually might be a better idea if you DON'T use Merasha, T'Lin. Your empathic senses may be an edge we need."
T'Lin turned on him. "So I can go into anaphylactic shock on an alien planet with no access to our crew or our Wellness Center? I think not."
At the dozer, or tank, or whatever the vehicle was, the Kinshayan Squad Leader called for a communications device. One of his subordinates handed him one and he activated it and called, "Thirty-two Actual to Command Central, I have a VIP here to speak with the Vicar."
Patterson just stood nearby, observing the Kinshayan team moving around the triage and field hospital Kat and T'Lin had set up. Den stood beside him also keeping an eye and an ear out.
After a moment, the comm crackled and a voice came back, "Command to Thirty-Two, what VIP? We've got real business here, you know."
The Squad Leader turned to Patterson and handed him the comm. "You're up, Colonel. Good luckThe Vicar can be a ... well, just, good luck."
Patterson gave a nod, completely understanding the Squad Leader. While he might now be a high-ranking officer in the Starfleet Marines, he'd begun his career as an Enlisted Man, and identified with the "grunts" who did the "real work". He activated the comm and said, "This is Colonel Patterson of the USS Penumbra, Starfleet Intelligence ...."
He was cut off by an irate voice, "This channel is for official military business only. We do not have time for prank calls! You can be arrested for disrupting military business!"
Patterson simply responded, "I assure you this is no prank. Did you not see the giant Federation ship fly overhead not 30 minutes ago?"
There was a brief pause and then the voice responded, "What do you know about it? Do you have something to do with that attack? The Purity Faction claimed it, but they'll claim anything if it gets attention. Put the Padre back on the line!"
Patterson smirked at the Squad Leader. "He's asking for you, Padre." He reached out with the comm device.
The Squad Leader gave a pronounced eye-roll and took the comm. "Thirty-two Actual here, yes, Vicar?"
The voice came back over the comm, "You will immediately suspend all other operations and bring this VIP to my office immediately. Detain him if necessary. Command out."
The Squad Leader deactivated the comm and handed it back to his subordinate. As he did, he said to Patterson, "I told you to be ready to talk to the Vicar. Give me a sec, will ya?" He stepped off a few steps and called out to his team, "Hey, since our new friends got this little field hospital up and running so well for us, let's keep it going, OK? I gotta head to HQ. Purash, you're in charge, got it?" One of the other Kinshayans gave a short wing flutter in acknowledgement but didn't even pause in what he was doing.
Patterson chuckled, shook his head, and gave a smile. "Den," he turned to the Starfleet Security officer standing beside him, "Assist the Kinshayans here with their search and rescue operations. Keep the triage center secure." At the look on Den's face he added, "Relax, I'll be fine."
Den just grunted, "Still don't like it, but ... aye, sir."
On the Penumbra, Cmdr. Relok was gripping the arms of the Command Chair with white knuckles. Finally, he asked, "Are we down?"
Beside him in the Counselor's Seat, Cmdr. Adonudo T'lanuwa seemed equally nervous. He muttered, "Can we NOT do that again?"
LtCmdr. Jason Carter, sitting at the Helm having just flown the huge ship down through the atmosphere to land on the surface of the planet, gave a sigh and a nod. He idled down the engines and stood up. "We're on the deck," he announced. He turned to an Ensign sitting at an auxiliary station nearby, "Filler, the Helm is yours. Keep us at Condition Blue, and keep the engines at warm-startup status."
Filler stepped forward and stuttered, "Condition ... Blue? Uh ... isn't that for like, um, Starbases and stuff? And, um ... right, warm startup. Aye, Commander!" He slid into the seat and checked all the settings.
Slowly, Relok released his death grip on his chair. He turned to the Sciences area to the Lieutenant filling in for him there, Jackson Carshel, "Now that we're close, think you can isolate a few human and one Vulcan lifesign? Can we confirm they're OK?"
"I'll try," Carshel responded and set to work.
Relok continued, "Khal'Gon, you and Standin make sure our perimeter is secure. We don't need any locals trying to open the airlocks. I don't think they'll be approaching, but ...," he trailed off.
MstSgt. Khal'Gon, the half-Klingon, half-Nausicaan Marine filling in at the Recon Station, nodded, "Aye, sir." The stoic Vulcan, Lt. Re'Libel Standin, filling in at the Tactical Station, remained his usual quiet self as he checked all the airlock seals from his station.
The Artificial Intelligence known as MAX that lived within the Penumbra's Computer Core, manifested his holographic face on several monitors and pedestals around the Bridge and reported, "I have done an extensive multi-spectral analysis of the Spaceport and the surrounding areas. Relaying that information to the MSD."
Carter started to the aft bulkhead of the Bridge where the Master Systems Display began to show various analyses. He gestured towards the older Vulcan still sitting in the Command Chair, "Relok?" As Relok stood to join him, Carter said, "Good work, MAX."
Relok approached the MSD and said, "What do you have, MAX?"
About that time, Carshel called out, "They are alive. I see injuries. Hines is the worst, followed by Uncle Pat. I can track them for a while. They kinda stand out like sore thumbs!"
Relok turned to his subordinate. "Carshel, join us over here. Can you put our team on this overlay?"
Carshel groaned, "Fiiinnnee!" He sent the data and then stood and joined the other two men and the AI at the MSD.
Adon, alone now in the center of the Bridge, said, "Tabby, keep trying the comms."
LtCmdr. Tabeshk Tibris, the Chief of Operations, grunted in response, "Aye."
MAX addressed the two in command, and the junior Science Officer, from the MSD, "As I stated, I did a full multi-spectral analysis of the entire area. They have erected a barrier around the Spaceport. It certainly appears to be of Tholian design with a few modifications. There may be potential access points here, here, and here." Three areas blinked one after another as MAX highlighted them for the corporeal crew members. They looked to be "checkpoints" or "toll-booths" or some such.
Relok studied the display and then said, "We should send a team to the nearest of these entry gates and request access. I cannot go, I have the ship. Adon, Carter ...," he glanced around the Bridge at how few officers he had left then added, "... um, Carshel? I can't send Khal'Gon or Tabby, they may take offense at the Klingons."
Tabby snapped back, "I'm only half! Damn! At least I look Romulan." And he did, mostly, except for the slight forehead ridges that were usually concealed beneath unruly hairAnd, he was albino, a condition not often found amongst Klingons.
Carter rubbed his hands together, thinking, then said, "Sir, we're spread thin. Let's just send a Marine detachment. Keep Khal'Gon at Recon to coordinate from Headquarters, so to speak ...," he trailed off.
"Right," Relok drawled, sarcasm dripping in his voice, "armed Marines to request permission to enter. That'll go well."
Khal'Gon stood and approached the MSD to take a look. Then he pointed at it and said, "That second option looks like a highway. We can send Lieutenant Cross and Staff Sergeant Wrench with the MAATVs up that way." He didn't explain that MAATV was an acronym for Modular Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicle.
Relok turned to face the center of the Bridge and said, "Adon, take a few escorts and negotiate passage."
Adon balked a bit"You're sending me to command an Away Team? Of Marines?"
Relok raised an eyebrow at Adon. "I'm familiar with your past record, Commander. I know you've worked with Marines before. Just find out if they'll let you in and see if you can get to our Team."
Carshel also balked. "Oh, hell no! You're not sending a member of my blood family without somebody capable!"
Khal'Gon turned to Carshel, "I don't think we have other options. Cross and Wrench are quite capable, I assure you."
But Carshel continued to complain, "This old man can't command a damn thing. I grew up on the run from fracking Patterson my entire life! Send me with my cousin. And while I'm at it, I can get my injured uncles and save the only father figure I've ever known!"
Carter looked at Carshel, then to Relok. "He has a valid point. You can handle the Science station since we're on the ground. Coordinate the HQ element here. Carshel can be a forward observer with the Marines to get us the intel we need. Adon can negotiate ...," he trailed off.
Relok gave a nod. "Carshel, you're with Adon, Cross, Wrench. Just get in the nice way. Weapons for defense only. Let's not start an interstellar war when we're only here to help!"
Carshel grinned, "I know better, don't worry. Pat and Hines may be my surrogate uncles, but I'm not a jarhead. I'm a science officer!"
Khal'Gon tapped his commbadge, "Lieutenant Cross, mobilize the MAATVs. Convoy for humanitarian mission and S&R operations. Adon and Carshel will be attached. Route plan and operation packet headed your way shortly."
The voice of 1stLtXavier Cross, the other Marine Officer attached to the Penumbra aside from Col. Travis Patterson, was in the Cargo Bay. He responded, "We're already fueled up and ready to move out, six Victors. Entire platoon with additional rations and medical supplies."
Khal'Gon reported back, "Commanders ... First Platoon is loaded and ready to move. Second Platoon will be ready to mobilize in 30 minutes."
Adon gave a sigh and muttered, "I hope they recognize a Search and Rescue squadron isn't a Search and Destroy squadron! C'mon, Carshel, let's go be friendly with the natives!" He started for the Turbolift.
Carshel replied, "I'm focused on the mission at hand. If I need to be friendly, I'll be friendly, if I need to be rough, I can certainly be rough." He followed his elder cousin to the Turbolift.
A short ride later they exited the Turbolift into the Cargo Bay and met up with SSgt. Michael Stanson, commonly called "Wrench" by friends and associates. He called out to them as they stepped out of the Lift, "Commander, Lieutenant! You're riding with me in the lead vehicle with 1st Squad. Cross will ride with 2nd Squad behind us." He ushered them towards the vehicle waiting for them.