10-07-2024, 07:11 PM
As Qi made it away from the Klingon emplacement, the disruptor beams became interspersed with phaser beams from the Federation side of the battle. Kal-Geal was nowhere to be seen, but when Qi caught himself after stumbling, he could see the former KDF officer waiting next to a body in the grass.
The downed officer was wearing the grey colors of Intelligence, a Lieutenant Commander's pips on their collar. The officer in question appeared to be a Kelpian, though it was quite clear from the multiple phaser and disruptor burns that they were beyond saving. Arwen was able to find the officer's PADD however, which displayed both the codes to the Klingons' turrets, and to the Federation's defenses as well. A recording began to play,
"To whomever finds this, I hope you're Federation, and not a Klingon, but if the latter, I hope your choice is honorable. I have recovered the codes to the Klingon outpost, and I can lower their defenses at a moment's notice, but I have also found that the Klingons are sheltering civilians of their own. I cannot bring myself to lower their defenses, nor can I lower the defenses of Star Fleet, who I am bound by my duty, and the concern of my fellow officers. I have determined that there are two starships in orbit, waiting to fire on the planet below, and the loss of one outpost's defenses will result in its destruction. I don't know what I can do, except try to get these back to command for a decision to be made."
The sound of a phaser blast hitting the officer could be heard, followed by several disruptor impacts. It seemed that the officer didn't have time to follow through with what they wanted to do, but they had left behind all of the technical data of both defenses, including the shutdown codes for both sides. The Federation outpost had about 18% of their shields left, the Klingons had 41% remaining, and the firestorm of phasers and disruptors continued to intensify, driving Kal-Geal to go flat on the ground to avoid the firepower.
"As humans would say, the ball is in your court Commander. The choice you make today, will echo through the future." Kal-Geal said as his ears flattened against his head. High above, Arwen could see both ships in low orbit, ready to rain down fire on the other side.
==tag==
The downed officer was wearing the grey colors of Intelligence, a Lieutenant Commander's pips on their collar. The officer in question appeared to be a Kelpian, though it was quite clear from the multiple phaser and disruptor burns that they were beyond saving. Arwen was able to find the officer's PADD however, which displayed both the codes to the Klingons' turrets, and to the Federation's defenses as well. A recording began to play,
"To whomever finds this, I hope you're Federation, and not a Klingon, but if the latter, I hope your choice is honorable. I have recovered the codes to the Klingon outpost, and I can lower their defenses at a moment's notice, but I have also found that the Klingons are sheltering civilians of their own. I cannot bring myself to lower their defenses, nor can I lower the defenses of Star Fleet, who I am bound by my duty, and the concern of my fellow officers. I have determined that there are two starships in orbit, waiting to fire on the planet below, and the loss of one outpost's defenses will result in its destruction. I don't know what I can do, except try to get these back to command for a decision to be made."
The sound of a phaser blast hitting the officer could be heard, followed by several disruptor impacts. It seemed that the officer didn't have time to follow through with what they wanted to do, but they had left behind all of the technical data of both defenses, including the shutdown codes for both sides. The Federation outpost had about 18% of their shields left, the Klingons had 41% remaining, and the firestorm of phasers and disruptors continued to intensify, driving Kal-Geal to go flat on the ground to avoid the firepower.
"As humans would say, the ball is in your court Commander. The choice you make today, will echo through the future." Kal-Geal said as his ears flattened against his head. High above, Arwen could see both ships in low orbit, ready to rain down fire on the other side.
==tag==