AT/D04-09 - Transporter Rooms

[Tyra Crawford]

== Decks 04 and 09 house two transporter rooms each, all rated for lifeform and general use. Inside each room is a transporter platform that can accommodate up to six people and small cargo/materials It is manned by a transporter chief at a standing transport operations console. The room itself can also allow for a small number of people to be present during transports to receive VIPs, or even hostiles. ==

[Aeryn Miller]

<< Security Complex <<

== Transporter Room 2 ==

== Ensign Ardanna Svenson - Security NRC ==

The journey from the security complex had been a relatively short one, the yellow alert serving as a constant reminder that they were facing a potentially unknown adversary. Of course, the hybrid had heard the usual rumours, whispered between comrades, while the crew that they had encountered went about their business, carrying out orders and so forth. Everyone seemed to be in a heightened state of awareness, the kind that usually comes with such a situation, ready for anything and everything.

As for Ardanna and her team, there was little conversation to be had, other than checking in and ensuring that they hadn't forgotten anything. With the occasional thought directed to what they had prepared for, what they could expect etc. Although she knew that there was a possibility that the planned boarding action might not happen, Ardanna entered the transporter room and gathered her team, as they awaited further instructions from Chief Calleja.

[Robin Mayfair]

<< Medical Complex <<

== Ensign Kent Östberg - Medical NRC ==

Doctor Östberg entered the Transporter Room and looked around. Not many were here yet. A large, muscular man in his thirties with a short blond beard, Östberg was carrying a set of combat armor he'd drawn from the armory on his way but clearly hadn't had time to put on. He spotted a Security Ensign and headed over to greet her.

"Doctor Östberg, reporting. Commander Mayfair assigned me. She wasn't sure if we would need armor so she told me to grab some."

== Tag ==

[Aeryn Miller]

== Transporter Room 2 ==

== Ensign Ardanna Svenson - Security NRC ==

Ardanna looked up as the door to the transporter room swished open, to reveal someone she had seen only in passing. When he spoke and introduced himself, the hybrid was able to confirm what she knew, and it made sense for medical to join them, especially since they didn't know what to expect if they carried out the boarding action. The alert status had also changed, so either way, if they didn't board the other ship, they might end up being needed elsewhere.

" Considering we don't know what to expect if we go over there, it was a good call from Commander Mayfair," she remarked. " I'm Ensign Svenson, and this is my team". The security officer then indicated to the rest of her six-person team and introduced them to the Doctor.

" This is Pearson, Loren, Garvin, K'Deela, and Mortimer," she said, as each team member acknowledged the new arrival. All of them wore uniforms of a similar rank to Ardanna, as well as there being an equal mix of both sexes being present. Not to mention species, as Pearson and Mortimer were human, K'Deela another hybrid denoted by the Klingon ridges on her forehead. Loren was of Trill descent and, finally, Garvin had similar black-coloured irises to Ardanna, only he was a full Betazoid.

== Tag Ostberg ==

[Eun Ju Han]

<<Engineering<<

To say Ju was nervous would be an understatement. The last time she had tried to go on a mission she had gotten kicked off before she could even feel the tingle of the transporter. Ju had grabbed her kit and done as her Chief had asked to make sure she had a weapon before heading for the transporter room. She also made sure she had brought a few pieces of her favorite cinnamon candy with her in her pocket just in case she came across a situation where it was necessary. She doubted that would happen but Ju felt like it couldn't hurt. She had made sure she had none in her mouth though before she stepped into the transporter bay because she wasn't going to repeat that mistake again.

There was already a fairly large group of people in the bay and Ju's wide brown eyes surveyed the scene in front of her for a few moments as she stepped through the door's threshold. Her eyes searched for her Chief for some reason expecting him to be here, but he wasn't. She didn't know if she was going on this thing as the solo engineer or if he was just running behind but whichever it was she was fine with it. One was just a much more scary choice than the other.

Ju being full Betazoid herself, it was easy to pick out another of her own kind in the mix of people on deck. But she gave them all a small bow, just a bit of a tilt of her spine. "Hello, I'm Ensign Han, Engineering," she said warmly to everyone in the room. She felt so unsure of herself but also held with the desire to prove herself. She wanted to prove she could do it for herself and for the others on the ship. She wanted Crawford to feel like she made a good choice taking Ju on, and she wanted the others on the ship to not doubt her abilities merely because she happened to be dating the first officer.

At least this will be a welcome distraction from Damian being gone.. she thought to herself standing up on the transporter pad with the others.

==Tag all==

[Mara Calleja]

The number of Security officers present in Transporter Room 2 started to grow. 6 arrived under Ens Darnell Trevathan, and then after a couple of minutes there were 6 more with LtJG Nathalie Okehampton in charge.

The next arrival, seconds after that, was Mara Calleja herself. She’d ordered Okehampton’s team to the transporter room whilst en route. Dark eyes looked around the room and nodded in acknowledgment to the section leaders, Dr Östberg and of course Ju.

Well that makes it interestin’... Anyone who gets Ju stabbed will be first out the airlock when we get back.

Okehampton approached Calleja and handed her a long sheathed weapon.

“You wanted Danny,” the brunette said. Nat’s normal duty was armourer but she wasn’t opposed to the idea of getting out and about for once. “Why do you call that Danny anyway?”

Mara drew the blade.

“Really? Danny Trejo? Machete?” she said, checking the weapon. The blade was about 2 feet long, made from darkened Bandaran steel and with a longer handle than most so that she could grip it two handed if needs be. She looked up at Nat and saw the blank expression. “Heathen,” she said with a grin.

“I don’t even want to know what you wanted that for,” the armourer said.

“Even I can’t fight a bat’leth with a knife,” Mara replied with a shrug. “This though? Different story.” She sheathed the machete, buckled it to her belt and then powered on the briefing screen.

“Alright, listen in,” Calleja called. “You too please,” she added to the transporter operator. Suddenly the Security Chief was all business as her voice cut across the assorted conversations. With a few tapped commands she pulled up the schematics of the Klingon freighter on the screen.

“That is the Klingon vessel qoH. It’s a cargo transport that’s tryin' to run and was actually dumb enough to fire on us,” Mara began. “You can imagine how pleased that made Captain Crawford. We’re to be ready for a boardin' action likely to start the moment Artemis brings their shields down, which I expect to be any moment now.”

She pressed a command and the last set of lifesign readings flashed up on the screen.

“Crew of 12, all Klingon. 6 split between the bridge and the engine room, the rest in the cargo bay. We don’t know if they’re armed but we have to assume they are. If you haven’t fought Klingons before, they’re tough bastards and they like to fight. If it gets hostile, it will not be easy. That’s why we’re goin' in mob-handed and in full tactical gear. I want numerical and tactical superiority from the moment we step aboard. If we have to engage, take ‘em out. Heavy stun and then secure ‘em. Don’t turn your back on anyone unless you’re certain they pose no danger.”

Mara gave it a second to let everyone take that in.

“Each team has an assigned objective. Svenson, your team is on bridge duty. We’re bein' joined by Cap’n Givens and I want her with you as you’re vastly more diplomatic than I am. Take our doctor with you too so he can respond to any other team.”

Dark eyes moved to Okehampton.

“Okehampton, you’ve got the engine room. You’re the armourer so you’re the closest thing we have to an engineer. Ensign Han will be goin’ with you. I have a sneaky suspicion that there’s more goin’ on on that ship than meets the eye, so I want you to check for anythin’ out of the ordinary. Extra power cables. Surplus generators. Unusual readin’s. You know the drill.”

Calleja’s attention moved to Trevathan.

“Trev, you drew the short straw. Your team is with me and we’re securin’ the cargo. We don’t know exactly what we’re goin’ into so I wanna be there personally to respond. Be ready for IEDs or surprises.”

Again, she paused for a second to allow her words to sink in.

“I want all section leaders maintainin’ an open channel to me and keepin’ me informed. With any luck, the Klingons do what Cap’n Givens tells ‘em to do and they don’t give us a fight. But I think we all know, that’s not how our luck works, so be ready. Everyone is goin’ in armed and armoured so if you need gear, speak up and we will sort you. Doc and Han, no playin’ the hero. If the shootin’ starts get behind the nearest Security officer and stay there please.”

She made and held eye contact with Kent and Ju both.

“Any questions?” she asked, looking around expectantly. Despite her fearsome reputation she was known for being as open as she could be with those under her leadership. She would rather be asked a stupid question in the transporter room at the planning stage than have someone go into action unsure about something. So if anyone wanted to check any details or offer suggestions, they had the floor.

== Tags all! ==

[Aeryn Miller]

== Ensign Ardanna Svenson - Security NRC ==

To Ardanna, recognising one of her own was almost like breathing when the door opened to reveal a woman wearing engineering colours. She might be a hybrid, but that didn't stop her from ignoring that side of her, as the Engineer greeted those present. " I'm Ardanna Svenson", she began. However, before she could introduce the other members of her team, more security arrived. This told the Ensign that this boarding action was about to get potentially messy, even more so than what she first believed.

This was then confirmed when Chief Calleja joined them and began a briefing once she had collected extra weaponry from Okehampton. Understanding swept across Ardanna's pale features as she watched the screen, listening as the Chief explained who and what they were dealing with. While she thought the Klingons were either overconfident or stupid, the truth would soon be revealed once they got over to the freighter who had decided to pick a fight with Artemis.

Committing the information to memory, along with what was to be done should they have to engage the Klingons, Ardanna was then given a specific objective along with Nat and Trevathan. The fact that her team would be joined by Captain Givens, did little to deter the officer, as Calleja was correct with her assessment. She also wasn't about to cause any issues for the Chief either, as Ostberg became the final member of her team.

" Yes, Chief" she replied.

Then came the final part of the brief, which was equally important to what had already been said. Specifically to those who weren't Security who were currently in the room with them. Ardanna had no desire to play the hero either, preferring to keep her team in one piece and attain the objectives that had been set out. Nodding in acknowledgment, the half Betazoid then considered if there were any questions, but she couldn't think of any.

" None here, Chief".


== Tags ==

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

==Ensign Oliver "Ollie" Pearson - Security NRC==

Ensign Ollie Pearson had been a mainstay in Starfleet security for years. The blond headed, 30 year old enlisted man from Australia on Earth, had served aboard the Artemis for only a short time, but the half decade spent aboard the USS Reykjavik, and subsequent time leading search and rescue on Starbase 56 had given him a breadth of experience. After an unfortunate  incident which resulted in Pearson's "reassignment and reclassification back to Ensign" Pearson joined the Artemis Crew as a junior officer. Instead of allowing the experience to undermine his career, Ollie had seen it as a second chance, an opportunity to perform his duty. He knew he was lucky, and he wasn't one to take good fortune for granted. He was genuinely happy to share his experience and just do his job as best he could.

His time serving on Ensign Svenson's security team had been generally positive. He found the young Betazoid hybrid to be proficient and thorough, capable and often inspiring. She was a good squad leader, and he was glad to be assigned to her.

Chief Calleja had been hard to parse, but ultimately had earned Ollie's trust. She was a hard charger, very old school in a lot of ways, and excellent to work for so long as you did your job. Pearson saw her as an equal, a warrior, and while demanding, had earned his full respect. 

As transporter room began to fill, Pearson busied himself with helping his teammates with their gearchecks and offering quiet words of encouragement. He knew how anxious the people in the room were feeling, and while they were excited to 'go to work' he also knew how often the uncertainties of a boarding action could occupy the minds of even veteran security personnel. Ollie did his best to appear calm and confident, to acknowledge his peers feelings while offering positivity, and to be the very best rock that Svenson and Calleja could rely on.

"Gearchecks are complete Sven. We are ready to party." Pearson said succinctly, his aussie accent inadvertently laiden with swagger and confidence. As he finished the phrase, Calleja entered the room, and Pearson nodded to her, a slight smile on his face as he picked up his phaser rifle and held it across his torso.

Mara began the briefing, and Pearson made note of the details as she listed them. As the CSO said, “Each team has an assigned objective. Svenson, your team is on bridge duty. We’re bein' joined by Cap’n Givens and I want her with you as you’re vastly more diplomatic than I am. Take our doctor with you too so he can respond to any other team.” Pearson's eyes widened with a hint of surprise. 

Bridge action? This might be 'hard yakka' after all. With the thought he glanced at Givens and then to Dr. Ostberg, who he offered a reassuring smile. As the the briefing concluded he looked to his teammates and stage whispered cheerfully, "I'm betting no drama. Smooth as silk." He winked at Svenson and added in his particular Aussie way, "Apples, she'll be. Right Sir?"

==tags! Thanks for letting me play along!==

[GM-02]

==Cdr Jolann, Denobulan FO==

A chime heralded the opening of a comm channel. [Bridge to away team; you are free to depart when ready.]

[Robin Mayfair]

== Ensign Kent Östberg - Medical NRC ==

"Considering we don't know what to expect if we go over there, it was a good call from Commander Mayfair," she remarked. " I'm Ensign Svenson, and this is my team".

Östberg nodded at Svenson's team and gave a simple "Good to meet you," as he strapped on his armor, set his phaser to heavy stun, and completed a gear check. He was feeling a distinct deja vu. It had been eight years since his term with the SEJO as a medic, and while his memories couldn't exactly be called 'fond' this was at least familiar. 

The team continued to grow, more and more resembling an assault force... and now the doctor wondered exactly what they were being ordered into. Did he need to call down to Sickbay and ask Mayfair for another medic? 

Calleja entered, filling the room in her usual way. Östberg hadn't spoken to her before but her reputation preceded her. And when she took the two-foot machete he knew the reputation was, if anything, not enough. It even had a name. 

She started the briefing.

“That is the Klingon vessel qoH. It’s a cargo transport that’s tryin' to run and was actually dumb enough to fire on us. You can imagine how pleased that made Captain Crawford. We’re to be ready for a boardin' action likely to start the moment Artemis brings their shields down, which I expect to be any moment now.”

Östberg gave a slight smile. A dumb move for the Klingons. This was a Vesta-class ship and was perfectly capable of sending them to Sto'Vo'Kor without suffering so much as peeled paint, should Crawford be in a bad mood. There was just no accounting for stupidity. 

“Crew of 12, all Klingon. 6 split between the bridge and the engine room, the rest in the cargo bay. We don’t know if they’re armed but we have to assume they are. If you haven’t fought Klingons before, they’re tough bastards and they like to fight. If it gets hostile, it will not be easy. That’s why we’re goin' in mob-handed and in full tactical gear. I want numerical and tactical superiority from the moment we step aboard. If we have to engage, take ‘em out. Heavy stun and then secure ‘em. Don’t turn your back on anyone unless you’re certain they pose no danger.”

They're Klingons. They're armed. 

Calleja began giving assignments out. The news that the not-official-Captain Givens was joining them was a bit of a surprise. Östberg wasn't up on (and didn't much care about) the details of who was in charge above his department, so he knew absolutely nothing about Givens. 

“I want all section leaders maintainin’ an open channel to me and keepin’ me informed. With any luck, the Klingons do what Cap’n Givens tells ‘em to do and they don’t give us a fight. But I think we all know, that’s not how our luck works, so be ready. Everyone is goin’ in armed and armoured so if you need gear, speak up and we will sort you. Doc and Han, no playin’ the hero. If the shootin’ starts get behind the nearest Security officer and stay there please.”

She made and held eye contact with Kent and Ju both.

"Understood, Lieutenant. I've got orders from you and Commander Mayfair. No heroics." 

Not if I ever want to get my rank back and start moving up again. And after Beta Selumai I don't have it in me anyway. 

Östberg was a bit of a hothead. More than a bit, if he wanted to be honest with himself. It had gotten him in trouble before, and lost him his Lieutenant's pip and nearly his career. Not that he regretted his actions; he'd saved a young Ensign against orders during the Borg Megasphere battle... but had decked his CMO to do it. But though he kept up with his hand-to-hand training and kept himself in terrific shape he viewed his days of fighting as behind him. Only when necessary... though Klingons had a tendency to make it necessary.

“Any questions?” 

Östberg shook his head. He had his orders, and with a Captain joining them he knew he needed to really do well.

[Mara Calleja]

Mara looked around as nobody had any questions. Captain Givens had joined the team during the briefing and was keeping her own counsel for now.

Presumably waitin’ to see if I hang myself and save her the bother of doin’ it.

“Cool. I guess that’s settled then,” she said. “My team goes in first. We want the element of surprise. Then Svenson, Givens and friends. Then lastly, Okehampton, Han and team.”

The words had barely left the Security Chief’s mouth when the comm sounded.

[Bridge to away team; you are free to depart when ready.]

“Acknowledged. We’re on our way,” Calleja replied. “Once more unto the breach, dear friends.”

She pulled her lips back into a feral smile as she donned her helmet, the rest of the Security officers doing likewise and unslinging their rifles. For her part, Mara drew a type II - she’d never been as good with a rifle as she was with the pistol.

“Let’s go!” she said, leading her team onto the transporter pad and bracing.

== GM input please - are you able to set the scene for us in the Away Team thread?

We’ve got Mara and 6 Security officers going to the cargo bay to secure whatever’s there.

Svenson, Givens, Pearson, Östberg and 4 Security officers to the bridge.

Okehampton, Han and 5 Security officers to the engine room.

If anyone needs gear, it can be assumed Okehampton brought enough to arm and armour you! ==

[Aeryn Miller]

== Ensign Ardanna Svenson - Security NRC ==

Ardanna perhaps wouldn't have phrased it quite like Pearson, but she always enjoyed his Aussie bravado and slight swagger. He was also a fierce friend, loyal to the end and the type of person that you wanted by your side. The same could be said for the rest of her team as the briefing was brought to an end, with no one wanting to ask questions. A small bonus in the hybrid's opinion, although she wouldn't disrespect anyone if questions needed to be asked. After all, it wasn't just security present for this impending boarding action.

Ostberg also confirmed that there wouldn't be any heroics, which was reassuring to the hybrid considering he would be joining her team. The final person to accompany them arrived and Ardanna acknowledged Captain Givens with a polite nod, before Pearson interjected in his typical manner.

" As always, Pearson" she remarked, winking back at him, as the call came through from the Bridge, informing them that they were free to depart when ready.

Calleja quickly acknowledged the call, after explaining the order in which they would be departing. Since her team would be going second, it didn't stop Ardanna from donning her helmet, rather than waste precious seconds as well as double-checking her gear as they awaited their turn.

"Ready?" she asked for the benefit of her team, as she secured her rifle.

== Tags ==

[Eun Ju Han]

Ju had to admit that she was glad to see Mara step through the doors. Mara was a friend and a great coworker though she liked to fly off the handle. No one really blamed her for all the drama in the Ready Room, least of all Ju, because it had taken everything in her power not to have her own moment when her boyfriend was arrested. Ju tried not to think too much about Damian because it didn't her any good and she hadn't heard anything from him which could be good or bad. It was best to keep her mind on the mission and try to make a name for herself finally. She knew that Crawford had taken a chance on her but she wanted to make that Crawford didn't regret her decision.

There was a massive knife .. sword.. something of some sort that Mara had pulled out of a sheath like a heathen holding it up and inspecting it before putting it back. Ju wondered if archaic weapons were part of the vibe for this mission. She knew that the Klingon had large weapons and perhaps Mara wanted to be prepared in case he had to go toe to toe with a Klingon wielding one of those sword things. Though Ju still figured a well-placed phaser shot might be the better bargain she didn't say anything because Mara had far more experience than she did at missions and Klingons.

Mara began to tell them what was going on and where they would be assigned. Ju hoped that she was be able to be of use and turns out she was part of the team that would go to Engineering. That brightened Ju up considerably because she knew a thing or two about various Engines and remembered taking a whole class on Klingon and other Federation-known vessels in the academy. Her team was tasked with figuring out if there was anything that was wrong or hinky. If they were transporting anything that they should be or whatever they might be up to.

Ju had no questions for the young Chief so she shook her head with everyone else. It was interesting to see Mara in her element it gave Ju more insight to her friend and honestly she was glad to see a familiar face on the away team even if Ju and she would be on different teams during the actual mission. The bridge commed in and told them they were cleared for take off which caused Ju to look over at Mara who gave the order in which everyone would be going off on the mission. Ju's stomach twisted with nerves but her nerves also buzzed with excitement because she was ready to actually go do something. Being busy was the best thing for her and she knew this was a chance to prove she wasn't just here as Damian's girlfriend.

After the drama in the Ready Room everyone had been giving her pitiful looks and sad faces as she walked around the ship. Whispers abounded about the drama surrounding his arrest and what that meant all together. She had heard whispers of people talking about if she would leave or not now that he was gone. Ju didn't rise to any of the bait because she wasn't like that. Time would tell if Damian was guilty, time she put into the ship would prove she was here because of the ship not her boyfriend, and time would cause the rumor mill to slow and hopefully at some point stop.

Ju checked that she had everything in order adjusting her Engineering kit on her shoulder she waited for her team's turn to disembark to the Klingon vessel.

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

==Ensign Oliver "Ollie" Pearson - Security NRC==

Calleja remitted the final instructions and detailed the transporter order.

It was go time, and as Svenson began to don her helmet, Ollie took the cue and did the same. As the strapping, blonde haired Aussie pressurized his head protection, he listened for the tell tale sound of the air seals closing and licked his lips, checking for the subtle, slightly ozone taste of his suits internally deployed oxygen.
 
"Always tastes like Queensland smells in the summer." Pearson said to no one in particular just as the dim interior helmet light engaged and illuminated his face.

"Ready?" asked Svenson to the team as she secured her phaser rifle.

Ollie cast a glance among his mates, mentally rechecking their gear before absently running a hand over his own to ensure all was in place. His final gesture was to flash a grin at Ardanna as he struck the charge lever on his own rifle. "Right as rain Sven.." he said, using the affectation he had taken to calling his friend. "And twice as wet." He moved into position, placing himself in the number 2 position in front of Dr. Östberg, just off to Svenson's right flank.

He nodded respectfully to Captain Given's, securing a bit of his bravado as he prepared himself for transport, only adding as he finished readying up, "Let's do some Diplomacy..."

==tags==

[GM-02]

==New thread is up! Feel free to move over there at your own leisure. Assume your transport groups go through without any issues.==

[Cassandra Givens]

>> Bridge >>

The briefing was underway when Cass stepped inside the transporter room and honestly, she wouldn't have been entirely surprised if the team had deployed without her had she taken any longer. That seemed about Calleja's level of petty in her assessment. and frankly, Cass could respect it, even if she felt it was rather childish. That her even more grateful that Cera had met her with her gear bag in hand, even if she was entirely confused about how the diminutive blonde had known where her bag was and that it had everything in it. It had made getting ready on the ride down much easier.

“-- has an assigned objective. Svenson, your team is on bridge duty. We’re bein' joined by Cap’n Givens and I want her with you as you’re vastly more diplomatic than I am. Take our doctor with you too so he can respond to any other team.”

The brunette almost snickered, as she was certain that her diplomatic skills had very little to do with what team she was on, but she kept that commentary to herself as she settled against the wall for what was a concise and standard briefing. There was nothing objectable or questionable in the plan.

"I'm betting no drama. Smooth as silk,' a young officer on her own team commented following the end of the briefing.

Cass offered a crooked grin. "Go knock on some wood before you curse us."

The only objection Cass might have had was to the order of the beam in that was laid out right before departure as it seemed far more important to gain control of security and ship systems than it was to lay hands on the cargo. However, there were too many moving pieces to object without causing delays; she just hoped that engineering and the bridge didn't need the element of surprise more.

"Ready?" Sven asked. Cass glanced down to assess her armor and weapons before nodding, her helmet shifting slightly at the movement.

"Let's do some Diplomacy..." The cocksure ensign suggested and Cass couldn't help but offer another grin.

"I have a feeling this might be a lesson in percussive diplomacy," she commented wryly as she waited for their turn.

>> Klingon Ship >>

[Tyra Crawford]

>> Bridge >>

By the time the lift had deposited Tyra on Deck 4, she'd settled into a cold fury that was likely the culmination of years of pent up frustration related to the antics of her two most wayward children.

There was little doubt that her fondness for Nathan and Ben knew very few limits but she swore the two had spent years trying to find out if there was a limit with Ben coming very, very close to finding it with his last stupid and foolish decision. Ben's only saving grace had been that, while utterly foolish, he had been trying to do the right thing but she wasn't sure the same could be said for whatever situation had landed Nathan as an alleged stowaway on a Klingon smuggling vessel. It reeked of his idiotic brand of idealism and naivety and Tyra just wasn't sure if she had the patience for this right now in light of everything else.

Of course, as she broke the threshold of the transporter room in what could only be considered an aggressive march, an even more chilling idea fell into place. It was enough to grind her to a halt for a split second.

Is it possible that this is all still a part of Bill's chess board? ****, what comes after 4-D chess?

She just barely managed to keep from rubbing a hand across her face at the thought but it settled uneasily at the back of her mind. She didn't believe in coincidences and she definitely didn't believe in this kind of coincidence.

"I need a transport over to--" Tyra began to order as her first boot hit the transport pad, though she stalled before she finished the statement or stepped onto the pad.

It was a quick flare of rationality that burned hot and fast through her anger and frustration. There was nothing gained by her storming onto the qoH except, maybe, some gratification when she absolutely destroyed Nathan in front of an audience. Ultimately, it would make Calleja's job harder by placing herself in a potentially unsecured location, which she knew would irritate the COS to no end, and it would distract security from finding out why they were fighting so hard for that bucket of bolts. It had the potential to have disastrous effects if things went wrong and things seemed to be going wrong everywhere.

She released a long breath as she brought her boot back down to the deck plating.

"Set up the transport of Nathan Ramius to this transport pad and then, report to Transporter Room 2 to assist with the medical transports they should be completing shortly," she ordered the nervous looking technician. There was a thick swallow and then, a mumbled 'yes, Captain' before he began working.

"Crawford to Calleja. I realized I was about to make your life much more difficult so just do me a favor and tell Lieutenant Ramius to prepare for transport over here. I'd strongly suggest he have his Last Will and Testament in hand. While I do that, get that room open and figure out what the Hell was so important they needed to die for."

As soon as she had acknowledgement and the young technician had scurried out, she ordered the computer to complete the transport. She positioned herself at the base of the platform, arms crossed and gaze as cold as ice, as she watched a familiar form begin to shimmer into view. She didn't even wait for the shimmering effect of the transporter to fully diminish before she pounced.

"How many times do I need to ask you "what the **** are you thinking?" before we get tired of this game?" Tyra asked, her right hand coming up to wave exaggeratedly before curling into a fist. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't grab you by the damn ear and drag your sorry *** to the nearest airlock and do us all a great, big favor."

== Tag! ==

[Nathan Ramius]

<< Klingon Freighter qoH <<

“...to ask you "what the **** are you thinking?" before we get tired of this game?"

I haven’t even ****ing materialized yet and she’s already laying into me?!!

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't grab you by the damn ear and drag your sorry *** to the nearest airlock and do us all a great, big favor."

Getting over the initial shock of the fiery redheaded Captain shouting at him in his first moments of consciousness aboard the Artemis, Nathan tried to settle himself. It wasn’t the first, nor likely the last, time that she’d yell at him. If he was being honest, he’d had worse. Though it was easy to make jokes in his mind, when in reality if he looked and observed, there was something else behind the anger that was Tyra Crawford’s current fury.

Most other useful, or even useless, idiots wouldn’t get so much as a raised voice. There wasn’t the need to spend that kind of energy on them. If they had potential, they might get an earful of some harsh feedback, but not the kind of emotion that she was currently shovelling down Nathan’s throat. He’d seen it, her current emotional state, in action before but at those times never really thought much more else about it. It wasn’t until later in his career, and relationship with Tyra, that he’d put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Swallowing the pride that demanded he stand up for himself in the face of the verbal onslaught, Nathan took a deep breath. He straightened his clothes and cracked his neck. What he was about to do next would either get him beat to a pulp, or he’d diffuse the situation. Maybe.

“Damn it is good to see you,” he said as he crossed the space between Tyra and the transporter pad.

Wrapping his arms around Tyra, he hugged her, tucking his head down and into her as though he hadn’t seen her in decades. All of the uncertainty about the mission he was on, about what was happening to her, and others, evaporated as he held Tyra. He was surprised, suddenly, by the amount of emotion caught in his chest. Nathan took a few deep breaths to steady himself from not expressing those very emotions through his eyes.

“I’d hoped that they’d keep their word,” he finally said, releasing Tyra from his grip, emotion clearly written on his face.

“Did you know that I’d be on the qoH? Did they tell you to come get me?”

There were so many questions in his head, but he knew he needed to give Tyra at least some context.

“Long story made short, and I’m happy to explain it all if you need me to, but I was press-ganged into taking this mission. They threatened me, and you, amongst others. It wasn’t just my idealistic old self deciding to crusade for honor and valor. I really should be with Captain Colso right now, and would have been if they hadn’t coerced me.”

There was a pained look that crossed his face, but he wiped it away just as quickly as it had appeared.

“I say all of that, because when you hear what is up, it’s gonna have some similarities to..."

Just spit it out Nathan. 

"...Pomn.”

Nathan braced for impact, but spoke more without further hesitation.

“The Klingons are trafficking through here, and Starfleet suspects they’ve got a base of operations, possibly in the nebula. Sentient being trafficking, along with a lot of Dominion War era tech and equipment. A significant increase of Cardassians appearing in the markets too.”

== tag! ==

[Tyra Crawford]

Over the years, Tyra had become proficient at anticipating Nathan's reactions to her diatribes. He'd come a long way from the idealist indignation that has colored their first altercation years before and even from the contrite, overwhelmed young man that had asked for her help after Pomn instead of hiding it. A hundred smaller interactions in between, more often associated with more pleasant feelings than rage, had brought a well rounded tone to her knowledge. She'd anticipated a self-deprecating grin and likely a well aimed joke at one of their expense to defuse the situation but he'd gone well off script when he had stepped off the transporter pad with what sounded like a genuine response.

There was a momentary delay in realizing his intentions, caught off guard by the audacity and boldness. Her hands managed to find purchase on Nathan's chest before he managed to fully close the gap between but there was very little force applied despite her intentions. Instead, his warm, tight embrace reeled her in so quickly that even if she had wanted to, there was no leverage to push with any amount of force.

And if she was honest, she wasn't sure she could have summoned the will. His tactic for defusing, likely pulled from the book shared by Logan and Bryan, was effective and while she might have remained a ball of tension, Nathan would have felt a long breath escape her as her forehead fell forward to find a resting spot on his shoulder.

"**** you," she said softly, though it lacked the vehement rage of moments before. Actually, there might have been just the tiniest hint of a wry chuckle but it just as much could have been the muffling quality of his shirt.

For a second or two, she tried to hold onto her anger; it felt like she deserved to be able to all things considered.

For weeks upon weeks, since the enormity of the cluster that had been Callisto had become evident and even more so since arriving on Artemis again, she'd felt like a lone ship in the middle of a raging sea with no aid in sight. With Damian and Ben gone, her pool of confidants on Artemis had dwindled to almost nothing and while she had no doubt of the loyalty of her officers, the relationships weren't deep like the ones she'd enjoyed in the past with Jenny or Mat or Judith or Zephyr or Jason or Ethan... or Nathan. There was something to be said for the bonds forged in blood and fire, a sacrifice made in exchange for peacetime assignments.

And while she had no intentions of telling him, Nathan felt like a lighthouse's beacon breaking through the storm. The tiniest glimmer of hope, even though it signaled the threat of rocks as well.

“I’d hoped that they’d keep their word,”he said as he released her.

Her hand hooked his elbow to keep him from venturing too far as her blue eyes, set into an expression of clear confusion at his words, began to systematically assess him. His expression was set into an array of emotions that she couldn't quite untangle as if she was missing a context that was key to everything. He looked scruffy and unkept and frankly, he didn't smell much better. However, he looked whole and unharmed, at least superficially.

She just starting to open her mouth to ask any number of questions to clear up her own confusion when he muddied the water further.

“Did you know that I’d be on the qoH? Did they tell you to come get me?”

She couldn't help the way her head tilted, her jaw tightening again as a wave of frustration started to rise again. Nathan, though, kept barreling onward.

Who the Hell is 'they'?

His rushed attempt to offer her context didn't answer her questions but it did pour gas on her frustration, that spark of rage flickering right back to life. She wondered if he could hear her teeth grind together as he explained her inadvertantly role in his assignment on the qoH. He certainly would have felt her fingers tighten on his elbow before she realized and released him.

If the whole thing pained Nathan, it absolutely enraged her. She had one person in prison and another running around on a smuggling vessel, all out of misguided attempts to protect her. Oh, she understood the impulse, it was the same one that had her ready to fall on a sword, but the audacity of someone to dangle that carrot in front of Nathan was enough to make her want to blaze a war path through any number of HQ buildings.

“I say all of that, because when you hear what is up, it’s gonna have some similarities to..." There was a moment's hesitation and she was certain she knew what was coming. "...Pomn."

It was fitting. Pomn was what had handed them the shovel to dig the grave it felt like they were standing knee deep in and it certainly was fitting if Fate wasn't done yet. It didn't mean she had to like it though and it certainly didn't mean she needed to accept this fate.

She shook her head as Nathan added the final context, her jaw clenching and unclenching.

"And Starfleet sent us out here to... I have felt like a piece on a freaking chess board since I left Earth but this feels like too much. This would imply a level of intelligence that just does not exist in those hallowed halls," her words dropped with bitterness and anger.

She shook her head again, her hand combing through her hair before tracing her long braid. She gave it a rough tug as if it was the offending party in the room before letting it hang once more. Then, she took a step around Nathan, even as she turned so she was still facing him.

"No, I didn't know. I didn't know about the qoH or that you were on it. We only engaged it because, frankly, I was tired of playing with sensor buoys. Shocking, I know," she said, a brief flash of self-deprecation shining through before it was swallowed again.

"Hell, I'm not even suppose to be here, much less in command," she added, her tone swinging right back to the frustration and anger that seemed a permanent fixture these days.

She let that settle for a second as she let herself drop onto the top step of the transporter pad. "So what did they promise you? And who is it? I need to know who to add my Christmas Card list."

== Tag! ==

[Nathan Ramius]

All things considered, the fact that Tyra didn’t immediately judo throw him to the ground and start beating the snot out of him was a good sign. In fact, Nathan took it as a small victory. Though he still felt the anger and rage that was within her even as his arms had enveloped Tyra, the embrace had affected her; bringing everything from a full roil to a simmer.

When he had released her and pulled just the slightest bit away, Tyra had grabbed his elbow. Nathan looked down at the gesture before looking back up to her face. It was clear there was confusion written in her expression. That only made Nathan keep going with his information. However, the further he went the more that Tyra seemed befuddled by it all. That addled expression changing and morphing as he went on, and the rage that he had initially quelled began to rise up again. Nathan could see it in her eyes. Though as he finished, Tyra displayed her inner flame loud and clear with her jaw grinding against some unseen bit.

Once he finally shut up and let Tyra get a word in edgewise, she spoke. It didn’t sound like she had much of any answers either. Starfleet had sent them out here, but the way that Tyra had said it made it seem like it was a random errand and not specific to what was going on; even less likely that she was sent to find him. But her next words poured gasoline onto the already burning dumpster fire of trust that Nathan had in Starfleet Command. Something was happening behind the scenes, he knew that much. Something rotten.

Tyra took a stride, but kept her body turned towards him so that they were still engaged face to face. The tug of her long braid yet another outward sign of her inner turmoil and frustrations. It unnerved Nathan slightly, but it also shot a pang of concern through him too. He hated seeing Tyra like this. Even when he was a Midshipman, and provided her no shortage of moments to see his new lows, it was her disappointment and frustration that hurt him the most in those days. Right then he could feel those same feelings and it hurt no less than it had back then; even if, perhaps, he wasn’t the cause of it.

"No, I didn't know…”

Now it was Nathan’s turn to show some frustration. Had they left him out to dry? It wouldn’t have surprised him, as that was something he had considered when he initially took the offer. That they were sending him on a one way mission. It was why he’d made provisions for that possibility too. But the Artemis finding him was far better than his backup options.

“...We only engaged it because, frankly, I was tired of playing with sensor buoys. Shocking, I know.”

At that, Nathan openly chuckled and shook his head.

The more things change… he thought to himself.

“Hell, I'm not even suppose to be here, much less in command.”

There was a pause from Tyra as she moved, and Nathan wondered if it would have been nice to be a Betazed in that moment; to be able to read her thoughts. It had been one of his primary concerns after learning that the Artemis had indeed picked him up, that Crawford could have been removed from command. It was why he’d hedged so much on dropping her name. The relief that Nathan had felt, knowing she was still the one running things aboard the ship, would have been palpable to anyone who’d been in his presence.

As Tyra settled on the transporter pad, Nathan cracked his neck in response to her next line of inquiry. There was so much that he could tell her, though he wasn’t sure exactly how’d she take it. Nevermind that in the process of trying to wriggle his way out of things, he’d broken his usual rules of honesty that he rarely made exceptions for. Tyra probably wouldn’t care, Nathan considered. She might even congratulate him on taking yet another step away from his moral idealism.

“Oh good, you are sitting for this,” he joked.

“Look, a long story short. Or, at least shorter than it can be.”

“I had sent your message to Logan. Was about to leave for the Crusader, after rapidly packing my duffel bag. Opened the door, and there they were waiting for me. Armed officers in Security uniforms. Basically, I was informed that I was going to be charged and going to court martial. The list of charges was long. Longer than they had any right to be, with a lot of trumped up bullshit thrown into the mix of some that were… well, a couple of them were pretty on the money. Especially the stuff related to Pomn. They threatened me. You. Ben. Basically anyone who might have remotely been involved with the whole thing.”

Nathan rubbed the back of his neck and began to pace, keeping himself turned out slightly so that Tyra could still see his face and expressions. Pomn. What a cluster that had been. Nathan felt so stupid for even having done the whole damn thing, and even stupider for considering that - if he had to do it again - he probably would. Differently though? Certainly.

Have I even really learned anything?

“It did feel rather shadowy. Nobody would give me their names or who they were working for. So I clammed up. Asked for a lawyer. When they finally gave me one and I figured out that they, the lawyer that is, was legitimate, I loosened up a little. But I stayed aloof and vigilant.”

Nathan paused his pacing for a moment, formulating and condensing information into something more manageable than telling Tyra about his entire ordeal. Then his random walking about continued.

“The lawyer helped me negotiate with them, and eventually got them to make me an offer. They’d wipe my slate clean, provide me with full amnesty from the charges they had, and anything else that might come up from revelations in the future about Pomn. In return, I had to provide some information, with specifics about the Klingons we had faced on Pomn, and the cartel. I also had to agree to do this mission…”

Nathan sighed and paused again.

“...that felt like a trap. I argued, of course, against having to do the mission. They didn’t relent about that part at all. I just didn’t see a way to avoid getting shitcanned out of Starfleet.”

His face fell downward as he looked at his boots, a pained look crossing his face momentarily. Nathan’s hands turned to fists, released, and repeated. After a few cycles of that, he finally looked directly at Tyra with solemnity.

“Just when I had finally felt like I was building myself up on the Crusader,” a brief smile dawned and faded all in one swoop.

“Felt like I was actually contributing instead of being a hot mess express the whole damn time. I know I wasn’t always terrible on the Getty. Or the Artemis, with you. Mostly not terrible, with brief but spectacular interludes of terrible. But being on the Crusader had been freeing. A fresh start. A different era without the baggage. I was taking what I had learned from all those mistakes, all those talks and heart to hearts with you, and I was actually putting them to good use.”

There was a silence that spanned a couple of moments, as his eyes drifted off target and just stared at the back of the transporter pad wall.

“It felt like I had to at least try to save it, right? Or else, what was it all for?”

Nathan cleared his throat before returning to the tracks he was beginning to make on the floor of the transporter room.

“So, I made them draw up the agreement and assurances before I said anything. Plus, I asked for you to be removed from the whole affair. That you had nothing to do with it all and that you should stay in command of the Artemis. The lawyer looked at it and nodded. I told the rest of them I needed to read the whole thing, which pissed them off, but I was adamant.”

“I scoured that thing, and finally found a name; buried not at the end of the document, but somewhere in between. Far enough in that they probably hoped I wouldn’t see it, and in a spot that wasn’t obvious. The person who had the authority for it all. Who might have started this whole damn witch hunt.”

Through clenched teeth, he spat the name out,

“Admiral Yegorov.”

== right back 'atcha ==