From: Erik (felldoh_at_voyager.net)
Date: Sat Jan 13 2007 - 17:09:13 PST
"To Whom Fortune Favors"
continued from
"Discussions: Final"
Location: ESPERION
Stardate: 2.70113.1410
Scene: Dimly lit room, Belial City
"How are the preparations coming, Gentlemen?" The orange-skinned
Esperion with only half a tail sat at the head of the table, and
addressed six of his fellows. It would have been clear to almost any
member of the patriots crew that these seven had lead rough lives.
Most had old injuries or scars, and all of them had the stern sort of
air about them that only comes from years of toil.
"We nearly finished dispersing the weapons." One of them replied.
"The Military has increased their patrols, and they are asking too
many questions." Another added. "They have grown suspicious of anyone
walking the streets."
"Rightly so, since everyone who isn't with us spends all day hiding
in the temples." Came a third voice, dripping with disgust.
"It is making our task very difficult." The second voice
continued. "Already we have had several setbacks."
"Patrols or no, everything will be ready in time for the deadline, it
is still a full day away."
"But we have to consider..." The voice dropped out mid-sentence when
their was a slight tremor and the lights cut out. There was a sound
of commotion as all seven rose to their feet, clamoring about what
had happened, and stumbling into each other.
"Be quiet!" Half-Tail yelled after a few moments. A younger Esperion
with a flashlight had just entered the room.
"Sorry to disrupt you, sirs," The newcomer began nervously. "But the
power has just gone out all over the city. People are starting to panic."
Half-tail smiled coldly. "Gentlemen our timetable has moved up. We
proceed with the plan starting now."
"But preparations are not yet complete." Someone protested.
"Fate has given us a gift." he replied. "And we are going to take
advantage of it. Now go, there is no time to waste!"
=/\=
Location: USS PATRIOT
Scene: Bridge
"Captain! I'm picking up a huge explosion over the Rashas temple."
Cal's voice was level, but there was a hint of agitation. "The entire
planet seems to be losing power."
"What happened?" Jones replied quickly.
"I'm not sure, but it was big."
"Captain." Ben, already on his feet, looked at her pointedly, waiting
for the order. Two of his men were down there, and he didn't want to
waste a second.
Helice nodded. "Go."
Ben's hand was on his combadge almost before she finished. "Kenta to
sickbay, I want an emergency medical team to meet my in Transporter
room 1 right now." He closed the channel without waiting for a reply.
"McKlellan, you're with me."
=/\=
Location: ESPERION
Scene: Cave of the Nearly Perfect One
"This is hopeless." Cindy said with a sigh. "We've getting nowhere. I
think its time we headed back to report."
"We have been down here a long time." Calhoun replied, rubbing his
shoulders. Starfleet uniforms were designed for comfort in all
environments, but the further they travelled the colder it got.
"You're the ranking officer. Let's go."
They turned around and started to head back, filling the silence with
small talk. They both felt lighter hearted now they were on their way
out of the cave, even if it was going to be a long time yet before
they saw daylight.
Suddenly Cindy stopped.
"Did you her that?"
"Hear what?" Kyle replied, listening. He was about to make a joke
about her being paranoid, but before he could speak sudden violent
tremor knocked both of them from their feet.
Cindy saw Kyle's head hit the ground hard, and felt a sharp pain in
her leg. She tried to call out to him, but her voice was drowned out
by a deafening roar as the ceiling above them, began to cave in.
=/\=
Scene: Belial City
Krodia ran away from the sound of weapons fire, his sidearm drawn. He
was in dire straits now. That bastard had told him the attack
wouldn't begin until tomorrow night, giving him time to get safely
out of the city. Now all hell was breaking loose, and if he didn't
get out of the city, he was doomed. Even if he did make it out of the
city he was in trouble. He'd arranged a very crafty alibi to explain
his convenient absence from the city when the population rebelled and
took control, but that was tomorrow. Now, unless he could think of
something quick, he'd be considered at best a deserter, and at worst
a traitor. That both were basically true didn't make him feel any better.
He'd briefly considered sticking at his post and trying to help fight
off the insurgents. He knew a bit of their plan, assuming they were
still following it, and could probably use that information to his
advantage, without drawing any suspicion. But he'd decided against
it. The rebels were too organized, and had too many weapons, not to
mention the element of surprise. The military had gotten used to
bullying the populace with no trouble. He doubted even a quarter of
them had anything more than their sidearms handy, those that were
armed at all. The leader's would order all the troops they could
muster to fall back to the munitions building, only to find that the
reserve weapons were gone. The Rebels would own the city by morning.
Then he had an idea. He knew the rebels had been ordered to kill
anyone in a uniform, but if he could disguise himself as a civilian,
he could hide in a building and wait out the attack. When things
cooled down he could arrange a meeting with their leader. Krodia
didn't know his name, but he was sure the man would recognize him. He
was sure they could make a deal to get him shipped out of the city.
They could say he was taken hostage, or captured and sent with a
message or something. He'd have to do something for them in return of
course, but he was sure an aspiring warlord could find some use for a
military officer of his standing.
He could hear that the fighting was moving his direction, so he
quickly ducked into a residence. With any luck, its occupants would
be at the temple, and he'd have plenty of time to find some civilian
clothing. He headed for a bedroom, and started digging through a set
of drawers. He quickly found what he was looking for, and was already
wondering where to stash his uniform when his thoughts were
interrupted by a small voice behind him.
"Whatcha doing, Mista?" Krodia turned to see a small girl watching
him from across the room he wondered how log she'd been watching, and
how he could have missed her.
"Are your mommy and daddy home?" He asked, trying to sound as sweet
as possible.
The girl shook her head. "Daddy told me to stay here. He said it's
dangerous out tonight."
Krodia smiled. If she was alone he didn't have a problem. He just had
to get rid of the witness. He pointed his weapon at her carefully. A
laser arced across the room, and the girl screamed. Krodia dropped
his weapon, and slumped to the floor next to it. He looked down at
the hole in his chest, and then back up at the figure who had just
entered the room; a man with a rifle, who was now hugging his daughter.
=/\=
Scene: Former site of the Rashas Temple
Kel and Ben materialized alongside two security officers. All of them
had weapons drawn, but it was quickly apparent that they wouldn't be
needed. If someone had intentionally triggered the explosion, they
were long gone.
The medical team appeared seconds later, and immediately set to work
looking for survivors. They had their work cut out for them. There
were approximately 100,000 charred bodies. It was very unlikely there
were more than a handful of survivors, but they would do their best
to find as many as they could.
"Stay out of the medics' way." Ben ordered, trying to keep his voice
level despite the horrific scene, and terrible smell. "And try to see
if you can find any sign of the priest or our men..
=/\=
Scene: Belial City
"The city is ours." The young rebel addressed his leader. "All cells
are reporting in secure. The military personal have been eliminated,
or driven from the city."
The half-tailed Esperion smiled. "Very good. Fate has been kind to us."
The young Esperion was in awe of how calm he seemed. As if he never
had any doubt about the outcome, even though they'd started before
their preparations were complete. "What are your orders, sir?"
"Order the cells to establish a secure and defensible perimeter, and
send for the rest of the Seven." The youth acknowledged the order,
and started to take his leave. "Wait." The leader added after a
moment. "Bring the camera."
=/\=
Scene: Secret Presidential Retreat
Time Index: The following day
"Mr. President!" Latalia barged into the office without knocking.
Something she knew better than to do. At first he was angry, but the
look on her face changed his mind.
"What's wrong." He already knew about the explosion. Everybody knew
about the explosion. They had only restored the planetary power grid
a few hours ago. Doubtless the entire planet was in a panic, but
Latalia wouldn't be so urgent, not to mention and impolite, just to
tell him that.
"I think you should watch this." She said, turning on the viewer at his desk.
An image appeared of a militant looking orange-skinned Esperion with
half of his tail missing. The President recognized him immediately.
{{People of ESPERION, My name is Tmozeg. As of three o'clock this
morning I am in sole control of Belial City}} He paused a moment for
effect, and the president sighed. {{The military garrison has been
expelled, as have all political and religious officials. I have done
this on behalf of the people of ESPERION, so that both the government
and the church will know that we are not their slaves, and we will
not be controlled be fear or force.}} His tone was calm and direct,
like a seasoned politician decrying his enemies.
{{My message to the people is not to be taken in by their fear
mongering. The calamities that have recently beset our world are
nothing more than an elaborate masquerade by those who would be our
masters, designed to use our fear to manipulate us into slavery.
Because of our fear we quiver on our knees in the temples, and ask
advise from the priests, while the government's soldiers quarantine
our homes, and violate our freedoms. My fellow Esperions this
aggression can not, and must not stand. If you value your life, and
your freedom I urge you to join our crusade. My agents are in every
city, and they are people just like you. Together we can halt the
tide of tyranny that swiftly approaches, and restore ESPERION to its
greatest glory!}}
"May the Nearly Perfect One help us."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NRPG: How is the government going to react to Tmozeg's message? What
about the people? What happened to Cindy and Kyle? What is Security
going to change to try to prevent the next assassination? Not to
mention, who is behind it all? Lot's of stuff to work with here. I
think this mission is going really well so far. Let's keep it up.
Erik Walz
Commander Benjamin Kenta
Executive Officer
USS PATRIOT 5781-A
&
Lt. Seloron
Junior ACT Instructor
Starfleet Academy, Earth
From HyperNews_at_youth.net
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