From: Jerome McKee (parakeety_at_hotmail.com)
Date: Fri Jul 06 2007 - 08:31:54 PDT
"DETONATION"
(Contined from "Tick Tock Tick Tock")
---------------------------------------------
Captain's Log, Supplemental - The station has been slowly coming to terms
with the fact that the wormhole, our lifeline to the Alpha Quadrant, is
gone. We are currently processing the hundreds of displaced people who have
been stranded here, but the work goes slowly. Emotions are running high,
with anti-Bajoran sentiments rising drastically, but with nearest the
Federation starship over seventy thousand light years away, I cannot help
but feel that the station has entered its darkest hour...
---------------------------------------------
Location: ANDARA
Stardate: [2.7]0706.1630
Scene: High Fane, outside Parliament buildings
The sun had risen over eastern ANDARA an hour ago, chasing away the night
for millions of Andarans who had woken up to cloudless blue skies and a
balmy heat on the air. Light breezes drifted across the green plains,
bringing the sweet scent of the outside crops into the towns and cities.
The morning in the capital's High Fane, where the planetary government's
administrative departments made their headquarters, everyone was happy.
There had been a piece on the news last night about the wormhole closing,
but to the hundreds of thousands who were boarding and disembarking the
hoverails all over the capital city, going about their daily businesses, but
it didn't matter much. The Andaran people all knew that GATEWAY orbited high
above them, a shining artificial satellite that protected their world and
kept everything as it should be.
Andarans were people who liked things just so. Tall, spindly humanoids who
were fascinated by the natural world, especially agriculture, they dwelled
on a world with almost no defences, natural or otherwise. The civil war
within the Dominion that had seen the rise and fall of the New Order had
passed them by, but when the weakened Dominion invited the Federation to
construct the original GATEWAY station, thus effectively admitting that
(thanks to the wormhole, as it then was) the Federation was in the Gamma
Quadrant to stay, the Andarans had found themselves under the protection of
these Humans. It seemed, on the outside, that their fate as a people was
inextricably linked to the orbiting space station, but that was too
simplistic a conclusion. The Andarans, ruled by an elected Council led by a
Prime Minister, were not a people for extroverted thinking, and the doings
of parsecs-spanning spatial dominions and federations were of little
interest to them. Their relationship with GATEWAY remained cordial, but in
the past couple of years had petered away to a bare minimum contact. In
fact, the recent parliamentary elections (won by the new Prime Minister,
Jarhid) had made almost no mention of Andaran foreign policy, instead
concentrating on controlling the economy, especially the price of the gumbum
root - gumbum roots, of course, being a natural sweetener and the essential
ingredient in mishmash pie. (Two for a credit! They're hot and delicious!
Smell the fruity aroma of the gumbums juxtaposing with the uniquely radiant
bouquet of the mished mashes!)
Prime Minister Jarhid stepped out of his limousine as it drew up before the
Parliament building. Several of his supporters had gathered to welcome him
to his first full day of work since his election victory, and a sizeable
media contingent watched inobtrusively as he clasped their shoulders in the
traditional greeting, addressing each by name, thanking them for their
contribution to his electoral success. Several passers-by also stopped and
gestured, slapping their own forearms to applaud the popular new head of
state.
The plasma bomb detonated noiselessly, but with a bright flash that
instantly incinerated four Andarans and melted one of the decorative pillars
outside the Parliament building. The flash-heat fried the air in a hideous
stench of ozone, horribly burning several more Andarans, who collapsed
screaming in a cacophany of agony, their spindly limbs akimbo like puppets
with their strings cut.
Prime Minister Jarhid stood in shock as the heat-haze from the bomb arose,
but an instant later was bundled back into his limousine by his own security
staff. As the emergency sirens blared out across the High Fane, rising and
falling over the blue sky zephyrs, every Andaran within earshot gasped in
shock.
Violence and death had finally come to their peaceful world.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Federation Role Playing Game Presents
A Mind's Eye production of a Collective Film
STAR TREK GATEWAY: DOMINION RISING
Starring
Jerome McKee as Michael Turlogh Kane
Joy Phillips as Katlina Potter
Sarah Albertini-Bond as Xana Bonviva
Rahul Chandra as Jeff Gorman
Ken Fields as Gene McInnis
Jasmina Grosic as Yao
Steve Petersen as Nick Cannon
Introducing
Shawn X as Jake Crichton
And The Return Of
Katrina Browne as Eishnala sh'Kor
FEATURING A CAST OF THOUSANDS
WRITTEN BY THE CREW OF GS-2
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Location: GS-2
Scene: Ops - CO's office
Michael Turlogh Kane watched as the camerawoman counted down from five to
one on her fingers. Not for the first time, he wondered if he looked
alright. He'd never given a speech to so many people before, even if it was
over a station-wide holocast, and the thought of failure weighed heavily on
his mind. People were scared and confused now that the wormhole was gone -
they had many questions, and even though he had no answers to give them, it
was important that the people at least *think* that those in charge were
doing something on their behalf, something to help, something to make them
less uncertain, less afraid.
Unfortunately, uncertainty was all that existed now. With no way home, and
no sign of the wormhole reopening, the reality was that GATEWAY, and all
aboard her, were stranded seventy thousand light years from home in an alien
quadrant. It was not something to make light of, or something that could
sink in quickly or easily, but it was now probable that they would live and
die a billion miles from home, that they were destined to be a community in
exile, whose children and grandchildren would never see the worlds where
their parents were born.
Decisions would have to be made about the long-term society on the station,
hard choices regarding management, diplomacy, and defence. Could Federation
and Starfleet structures and values be maintained so far from home?
The light over the camera winked green. Kane cleared his throat. "Good
morning. I am speaking to you as Starfleet's station commander from my
office in the Operations module."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "The Bajoran wormhole has closed,
isolating this station in the Gamma Quadrant. The Orb of Judgement
disappeared at the same time. We do not fully know why this has happened, or
how long the situation will last, but we must organise ourselves to prepare
for the worst - namely, that the wormhole will not reopen, and that none of
us will ever return to the Federation." He smiled at the camera. "But we are
not without hope. The human spirit is indefatigable, and we're not beaten
yet. This will remain a Starfleet installation, subject to and upholding the
existing laws of the United Federation of Planets. Life will carry on as
normal. Our Science department is conducting a detailed study of the area of
space where the wormhole was, seeking an explanation as to why it closed,
and if there is any way to open it again. Our Medical department is liaising
with civilian medical practitioners to more efficiently expedite the
treatment of those seeking medical attention. Our Starfleet Counselors are
now available to civilian patients who may be having trouble adjusting to
this new situation. Life on board the station will not change or fall apart.
We will unite, and be stronger for it."
The autocue kept scrolling; Kane kept reading. "Defensively, nothing has
changed. Our fighter wings will continue their shipping lane escorts and
flying defensive air patrols. Our Security personnel will be much more
visible around the station to assist you in integrating those left behind,
and to continue to protect your civil rights. Martial law is an option to us
that we have chosen not to exercise at this time."
He opened his hands and softened his voice. "We must not fall into anarchy.
Now, more than ever, the values and tenets of our society must be upheld -
here, so far from home, we must continue to be a collective microcosm of the
worlds we hail from, to uphold tolerance, diversity, freedom and the ideals
of the Federation as our most sacred truths. To those who are stranded here,
I say this - we are with you, as one. Here aboard GATEWAY you will be
protected, fed, housed, and taken care of until a time comes that we may
return home. This space station itself is our home now, for however long
this situation persists. Do not lose hope. Do not lose faith. Thank you."
The green light winked out, and Kane exhaled loudly, not hearing the
camerawoman report the successful transmission of the broadcast. Hopefully,
word would spread, and people would at least feel somewhat reassured.
Now, to the business of the day.
---------------------------------------------------------
Scene: McInnis/Bonviva quarters
"What a load of crap," sneered Xana, as Kane's face disappeared from the
viewscreen to be replaced by the sky-blue Starfleet delta.
"What's crap mean?" asked Rick Gorman, ears pricking up at the sound of a
new word.
Gene flashed Xana a dirty look as he put the breakfast dishes into the
replimat. "It's a term of admiration on BOLARUS," he said pointedly. "The
Captain was pointing out that we all have to work together now, like right
here this morning. We have to work together until your mummy gets out of the
hospital, you see?"
"Crap!" said Rick, trying it on for size.
"We have a new baby brother now," said El'rhon. "Why does mummy have so many
babies? Kevin Fisher in school said it's because she's single-handedly
trying to populate the Gamma Quadrant. What does that mean?"
"Kevin Fisher is being a meanie," said Xana, mollified. The doorchime
sounded in the background. "I'll get it," she said.
"Everybody ready for school?" said Gene cheerily, ignoring the childrens'
groans.
Xana opened the door - standing there were two armed Human security guards,
one male, one female. Unsure of what was going on, she took a step back and
folded her arms. "Yes?"
The male security guard smiled apologetically. "Ambassador Bonviva, I'm
afraid we're here to place you under arrest."
Xana was aghast. "What?"
"Zane Rixx has filed a complaint, and wants to press charges against you for
allegedly assaulting him and threatening his life with a sword," said the
female security guard. Her brown eyes were as soulless as flint. "You are to
come with us to the detention centre, immediately." She placed a hand on the
phaser at her belt for emphasis.
It seemed like the universe was closing in around Xana. She turned back to
gaze at Gene and the children in shock, before the woman firmly took her arm
and led her away.
Outside, the neighbours and passers-by watched with great interest.
------------------------------------------------------------
Scene: Ops
Kane was listening to John Muller's report. The acting Operations chief was
telling him about the incident on ANDARA. "Apparently, the plasma bomb was
hidden in a storage container hidden in one of the pillars at the top of the
parliamentary building's steps. It detonated at oh-six-thirty station time.
The Andaran authorities have invoked our treaty with them, and requested our
assistance."
"Casualties?"
"Four killed in the blast, one died later in a medical facility. All were on
the Prime Minister's staff - he himself escaped with minor burns."
Kane frowned. "They've recently had elections there, I believe?"
"Yes, sir. A legislator named Jarhid is the new Prime Minister. He and the
Culture Minister, an Andaran female named Blithis, will be beaming up to the
station at noon, station time. In the meantime, Jarhid has declared a state
of emergency in the High Fane - the first in Andaran history."
Kane nodded. "GATEWAY will honour our treaty wirth the Andarans." He tapped
his communicator. "Ops to flight deck."
[[Flight deck. Cannon here.]]
"There has been a bomb attack in the Andaran capital, Lieutenant. Initiate
defensive air patrols over the city and impose a no-fly zone within the
scope of your operations. Send status reports to Ops at the top of every
hour."
[[Understood, Captain. We'll scramble immediately. Cannon out.]]
Kane looked back at Muller. "I saw a message from Ensign O'Patterson this
morning, requesting a leave of absence."
"That's correct, sir. He departed the station a short while ago."
"Yes, I approved it," Kane mused aloud. "Alright, Lieutenant, thank you.
You're dismissed."
Muller left the room, and Kane opened his desktop terminal. Things were
starting to speed up all of a sudden - if people hadn't got enough to deal
with, now bombs were going off on ANDARA. He paused a moment, wondering who
might have tried to assassinate the new Prime Minister, and for what reason.
From the reports he'd read, Andarans were an inherently peaceful people, not
given to violence, instead pre-disposed to learning and agriculture. Their
world was one big farm all across the temperate and equatorial belts; the
Andarans cultivated their fertile soil to grow a variety of crops - cereals,
tubers, and even decorative flowering plants. Politcally, they had no
enemies, simply because they tried not to engage in interstellar politics,
so it didn't make sense.
"Captain Kane?"
Kane looked up, realising then that he had not heard his door hiss shut.
Standing somewhat nervously there was a young Ensign, with a holdall bag
slung over his shoulder. Kane raised en eyebrow. "Yes?" he said neutrally.
The ensign looked around in mild confusion. "I didn't know who to report to,
so I came here. I'm not sure who my superior is because nobody met me at the
docking bay."
"What are you on about?" Kane grated. "Don't you know who you are or where
you're supposed to be?"
"My name is Jacob Crichton, and I've been assigned to GATEWAY as an
engineering officer." Jake produced a datachip from his pocket and handed it
over. "I arrived on the transport BLUE HORIZON the night before last."
Kane slotted the chip into his desktop terminal and perused the transfer
details. He nodded. "You picked a hell of a time to start your first tour,
Ensign. Everything is upside down since the wormhole closed. Have you
settled in yet, been assigned quarters and a duty roster?"
"No, Captain. I've been staying in the Opal and Obsidian Towers Hotel on the
Promenade."
"It seems you slipped through the bureaucratic net," said Kane gently. He
stood up and shook the young man's hand. "I apologise for the oversight,
Ensign Crichton. Welcome aboard GATEWAY station, such as it is."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Where is Lieutenant sh'Kor - an Andorian security officer who travelled
with you?"
Jake frowned blankly. "There were hundreds of passengers, Captain, I didn't
meet anyone like that."
"I don't have time to go looking for her," said Kane. "I'll send a message
to Security and advise them to keep an eye out for her. In the meantime, you
can report to the acting Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Salor. You'll most
likely find him in his office in the Engineering Module. Someone from
Operations will contact you there shortly about assigning you quarters." He
paused, then looked meaningfully at the young engineer. "We don't know how
long... well, we don't know if the wormhole will reopen - "
"I understand the situation, Captain," Jake said. "I saw your broadcast
earlier."
Kane nodded. "Dismissed, Ensign."
Watching the young man walk away, Kane shook his head. BLUE HORIZON was one
of the very last transports to come through the wormhole before it had begun
to close. A few minutes later and young Ensign Crichton would be dining with
the Prophets right now - so lucky, and yet in another way, so very
*un*lucky.
He returned to his desk. The Prime Minister would be here in just over an
hour, and he needed to be ready.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Scene: Conference Room
Time Index: Quarter-past noon, funnily enough
As the senior officers sat down at the conference table, Kane noted their
inquisitive stares at the Andarans. This was probably the first time that
many of them had *seen* an Andaran in the flesh. Odd how ANDARA could be so
near but yet so far away in the minds of many of the GATEWAY crew, but the
Andarans didn't seem all that bothered, being happy to have nothing external
to bother them. Not being forefront in the minds of the space-faring races
of the Gamma Quadrant was probably a good thing.
Jarhid was seven-and-a-half feet tall, and looked for all the world like a
tall, spindly Human. His skin was sallow for an Andaran, and he held his
long silver hair down in a ponytail. He wore a thin-fitting blue bodysuit
with a transparent balero about his shoulders as a symbol of his position.
There were small red welts on his cheeks, a legacy of this morning's plasma
burns that had been treated, but had not yet healed. His small black eyes
watched the senior officers languidly.
The Andaran Culture Minister, a female named Blithis, looked much the same.
She was slightly shorter than Jarhid, but still towered over the average
Human male. (Both races were probably genitally compatible, too.) She wore a
light burgundy bodysuit, but oddly for an Andaran had sparkling cornflower
blue eyes. She too had a friendly demeanour, and nodded politely to each of
the senior staff as they entered the room and sat down.
Kane pointed them out in turn. "Lieutenant Yao, Chief Science Officer.
Commander McInnis, Station Counselor. Doctor Gorman, Chief Medical Officer."
He indicated other empty seats. "My Executive Officer is currently on
maternity leave, and our Fighter Squadron Commander is presently supervising
the defensive air patrols over the High Fane." He stood up. "On behalf of
the United Federation of Planets, welcome to GATEWAY station."
Jarhid peered at Yao. "I am familiar with Humand and Bajorans. What race are
you?" he asked politely.
"I am a J'naii," answered Yao.
"And are you male or female?" asked Blithis, looking the J'naii up and down.
"I am neither," said Yao pointedly.
The two Andarans looked at each other. Kane decided to interject. "The
J'naii do have not have a gender," he explained. "They reproduce asexually.
They are honoured members of the Federation, and Lieutenant Yao is an
excellent Science Officer."
Jarhid caught himself. "Of course, Captain!" He turned back to Yao. "I am
pleased to make your acquantaince, Lieutenant. Shall we begin?"
Kane passed around PADDs to the senior staff. "We have the bare details
already, but we would appreciate a description of the attack in your own
words."
Blithis leaned forward over ther table. One of her fingers was a long as
man's hand. "An hour after dawn this morning, the Prime Minister arrived at
the Parliament buildings to begin work. It was something of a media story,
since he has recently returned from a tour of the provinces following the
election victory. A plasma bomb hidden in one of the building's exterior
pillars exploded, killing five of our people and injuring the Prime
Minister."
"Slightly injuring," corrected Jarhid. "Reports of my death have been
greatly exaggerated."
"Quite," Blithis continued. "Our security services sealed off the Parliament
building and made an initial analysis of the area, identifying the device as
a plasma bomb. They have been consulting security camera footage of the High
Fane, going back three days in their search, but nothing nor no-one
suspicious has been seen. This leads us to one of two conclusions - that the
plasma bomb was placed there several weeks, perhaps months ago, or that the
person who planted the bomb was able to circumvent our security
precautions."
"A personal cloaking device?" asked Gene.
"Possibly," nodded Blithis. "It may also have been what Humans call an
*inside job*, perpetrated by an Andaran."
"To what end?" asked Jeff.
"We do not know," answered Jarhid. "I have political rivals, of course, but
no political *enemies*. Physical violence on our world is almost
non-existent, which is why the attack this morning is so shocking to us. I
have declared a state of emergency in the High Fane, the first in our
world's history. We contacted GATEWAY this morning requesting your
assistance in our hunt for the bomber."
"And we will be pleased to assist you, Prime Minister," said Kane. "These
three officers will beam back down the ANDARA with you, and will spearhead
our investigation. They will - "
"Forgive me, Captain," interrupted Blithis, "but how can they help us?"
"Lieutenant Yao will conduct her own scans of the area - her forensic skills
will be invaluable in determining more about the plasma bomb itself. Doctor
Gorman will assist in the treatment of the survivors who were burned - he
too, might learn be able to provide more information about the weapon based
on their injuries."
"And Commander MicInnis?" asked Blithis, brow furrowing.
Kane smiled sidelong at Gene. "Commander McInnis is an excellent listener,
and will act as a liaison between GATEWAY and your goverrnment. Believe me
when I say that you should trust his intuition when he gives it."
"As you wish, Captain," said Blithis, with an inclination of her huge head.
"Our fighter wing will continue its patrols, and our security department
will tighten restrictions on those who are travelling to and from ANDARA via
GATEWAY," continued Kane. "It is our hope that together we can brings the
perpatrators of this heonous crime to justice."
"That is our hope also," said Jarhid, standing up. Everyone craned their
necks upward - it was easy to forget how tall Andarans were when they were
sitting down. "On behalf of my people, thank you." He looked at Yao, Jeff,
and Gene. "We leave as soon as you are ready."
-------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
NRPG: Welcome to DOMINION RISING, our new storyline. The Andarans are back
(with a bang?) and we must help them find out who tried to off their PM and
why. At the same time, several characters have to balance messy home lives
with their Starfleet duties, and new officers join our ranks.
SARAH: Ever see "Bangkok Hilton"? Just kidding. Although you didn't post the
Avatar threatening to kill Zane Rixx, there was a time gap from when she
arrived in Get Your Groove On to when Kat turned up. Who knows what happened
in that time? One thing's for sure - Xana needs a lawyer and to reorganise
her life from the slammer for the first post or two. Don't worry, though,
something tells me Mister Rixx will be humming a different tune before the
end of the story ;)
JASMINA: I'll drop you some notes about plasma and how it might be used to
make a bomb.
RAHUL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burn_%28injury%29
KEN: How focused is Gene going to be on the job, with memories of Roh's
knife at his throat, his vision of the Prophets, and now the kids to worry
about while Xana is behind bars?
SHAWN: Let's see what you got, kid! Feel free to post Jake's first meeting
with Lieutenant Salor. You'll need to consult the station's books for
details of the engineering module. Welcome aboard!
STEVE: There's always someone who's willing to violate a no-fly zone.
Believe me, I know! It might not be connected with the bombing - the
bomber's hardly stupid enough to attempt to make a getaway after the alarm's
been raised. Perhaps it's a private craft who can't be bothered with
flightplans or tuning his subspace radio into air traffic control (happens
every day), or something else, something nefarious?
KAT: Welcome aboard! Looking forward to learning all about Andorians! So,
where is Eishnala?
Jerome McKee
the Soul of Captain Michael Turlogh Kane
Commanding Officer
GATEWAY STATION
the Soul of Lieutenant Solomon Arn
Senior ACT Instructor
Starfleet Academy
"He speaks an infinite deal of nothing!"
- Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", Act
1, Scene 1.113
--------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
_________________________________________________________________
Live Earth, the legendary music event on the 7th of July 2007, don't miss it
http://liveearthsos.msn.com/Hub.aspx?mkt=en-ie
From HyperNews_at_youth.net
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sun Feb 17 2008 - 03:10:16 PST