06-09-2026, 04:45 AM
[Acknowledged, Lieutenant. I'm on my way.] The CO responded.
Soon after Amila's comm badge request came through, Ameen was stepped out of the turbolift on Deck 2. He walked through the doors of the Science Lab just in time to hear the tail end of Gath's stoic assessment, followed by Amila's hushed suggestion about using the Holodeck as a disguise.
He stepped up to the main console, his eyes scanning the translated readouts: Apex Protectors. Absolute zero survival rate. Eliminate external variables.
"Lieutenant Gath’s tactical assessment is flawless," Ameen said, his authoritative voice cutting through the ambient hum of the lab. He looked directly at Amila, softening his tone just a fraction to acknowledge her creative thinking without endorsing the risk. "A holographic disguise is a brilliant piece of espionage, Lieutenant Ra'an, but it is a trap waiting to spring. We don't know their salutes, their chain of command, or the subtle nuances of their musical language. The second we hit a wrong note -literally or figuratively- these 'Apex Protectors' will recognize the deception and classify us as a threat."
Ameen turned his attention to the wider room, making eye contact with Keti, Cortez, A'kilees, and Singer.
"Starfleet Command is currently breathing down our necks. In less than eight hours, a heavy security cruiser and a science ship are going to arrive to take custody of these people. I am not going to hand over twelve highly lethal, genetically engineered supersoldiers to another crew without knowing exactly how they react to waking up."
He tapped the console, pulling up the 15-minute countdown protocol that Sickbay had established for disconnecting the pod.
"We proceed with the original plan, but we do it honestly. We will wake the designated 'Leader' in the Holodeck, and we will do it looking exactly as we are. We will use the Universal Translator, backed by Midshipman Cortez's musical frequencies, to show them we pulled them from the ice and saved them. If they become hostile, Lieutenant Gath's security protocols will contain them. If they are willing to listen, we might just prevent a bloodbath when Starfleet arrives."
Ameen straightened up, his posture projecting absolute certainty.
"Lieutenant Ra'an, pack up this data module. Dr. O'Fee and Lieutenant Gath, initiate the pod transfer. Let's go meet our Apex Protector."
Soon after Amila's comm badge request came through, Ameen was stepped out of the turbolift on Deck 2. He walked through the doors of the Science Lab just in time to hear the tail end of Gath's stoic assessment, followed by Amila's hushed suggestion about using the Holodeck as a disguise.
He stepped up to the main console, his eyes scanning the translated readouts: Apex Protectors. Absolute zero survival rate. Eliminate external variables.
"Lieutenant Gath’s tactical assessment is flawless," Ameen said, his authoritative voice cutting through the ambient hum of the lab. He looked directly at Amila, softening his tone just a fraction to acknowledge her creative thinking without endorsing the risk. "A holographic disguise is a brilliant piece of espionage, Lieutenant Ra'an, but it is a trap waiting to spring. We don't know their salutes, their chain of command, or the subtle nuances of their musical language. The second we hit a wrong note -literally or figuratively- these 'Apex Protectors' will recognize the deception and classify us as a threat."
Ameen turned his attention to the wider room, making eye contact with Keti, Cortez, A'kilees, and Singer.
"Starfleet Command is currently breathing down our necks. In less than eight hours, a heavy security cruiser and a science ship are going to arrive to take custody of these people. I am not going to hand over twelve highly lethal, genetically engineered supersoldiers to another crew without knowing exactly how they react to waking up."
He tapped the console, pulling up the 15-minute countdown protocol that Sickbay had established for disconnecting the pod.
"We proceed with the original plan, but we do it honestly. We will wake the designated 'Leader' in the Holodeck, and we will do it looking exactly as we are. We will use the Universal Translator, backed by Midshipman Cortez's musical frequencies, to show them we pulled them from the ice and saved them. If they become hostile, Lieutenant Gath's security protocols will contain them. If they are willing to listen, we might just prevent a bloodbath when Starfleet arrives."
Ameen straightened up, his posture projecting absolute certainty.
"Lieutenant Ra'an, pack up this data module. Dr. O'Fee and Lieutenant Gath, initiate the pod transfer. Let's go meet our Apex Protector."