12-27-2024, 04:27 AM
As Mara led the Security teams towards the holodecks, she wasn’t entirely sure who she’d first picked up the program from. Her bet would have been old Hendon back on the Penticton. He was plenty spiteful enough to have come up with something this nasty.
“So the way outta this is fire discipline,” Calleja said. She was keeping up a fierce pace even in full armour and had called the squad leaders up so she could brief them as they walked. “It’s gonna be uncomfortable and people aren’t gonna be able to settle into autopilot. That’s the whole point. I think we could all use some more time bein’ wrenched out of our comfort zones.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Yordan replied with a deep sigh.
“You shouldn’t. And you won’t,” came the answer with a feral smile.
The Chief got to the door and keyed the program commands into the access panel. When the door swung open, the Security teams found themselves deploying onto a mountainside. The air was breathable but carried a decidedly acrid tang to it. The sky above them was all grey and black clouds, and it was warm enough that some found themselves starting to bead with sweat already. A deafening blast off to the east was revealed to be a distant volcano letting go, followed quickly by another. Up the mountain was a Federation base, the neutral metal walls scorched and burned but still intact.
“Listen in” Mara bellowed. “Welcome to Aiyacon 3. A scientific installation has sent out a distress signal after coming under attack. There are hostiles present but we don’t yet know who or where. Orders are to secure and hold the base until everyone can be safely evacuated. Base personnel are non-combatants. It’s on us. Clear?”
A ragged murmur went around the assembled officers. Some were clearly unsettled already as the environment made them flinch, others pulling at their armour as the temperature climbed around them.
“Right. Move out by squad. Svenson, your mob has point. Deegan, you get me for company,” the Chief ordered.
The base was secured with relatively little drama. There were a few scientists hiding in a secure panic room right at its heart, and whoever had attacked the base hadn’t yet managed to penetrate through its walls, but as the teams converged on the roof they saw that the damage was extensive. Whole sections of guardrail had melted and the walls were charred, especially up here. The ladder up to the observation tower was still glowing in places.
“All clear Chief.” Yordan reported in.
“Good. Set a defensive perimeter, let’s keep an eye out…” Mara started to say, when she was completely drowned out by a series of screeches like fingernails on a blackboard.
Rifles were raised and the teams were instantly scanning for anything amiss when they spotted one of the ominous black clouds changing direction and bearing down on them.
“Contact! Coming from the north west!” someone shouted.
“Defensive positions!” Mara shouted, unslinging her own rifle. “Hold fire until ordered!”
She knew what was coming, so she was watching the Security teams as they saw the indistinct shape turn into a swarm of flying reptilian creatures. They were ashen grey in colour with flickers of burning yellow and orange across their bodies, and the disconcerting shrieking was making the Star Fleeters jumpy. A couple of shots were fired but the range was far too great.
“I said hold!” Mara yelled again. “You’re just wastin’ shots until they get closer!”
She looked around, and wasn’t happy at what she saw.
“Tighten up these formations! Novak, you’re supposed to be at the front! Svenson, get your squad in line!” The Chief grabbed the nearest man and bodily hauled him into place. “Get it together, all of you!”
There was a pronounced shuffling as the teams checked their positions, enough for Mara to raise her rifle and watch through her sight. The red markings started to shift to green as the flying lizards closed, and when she was satisfied the Chief called out the order.
“Fire!”
Most responded instantly, and a barrage of phaser bolts stabbed out at the incoming hostiles. Several combusted as they were hit and the wave circled back out of range again.
“Cease fire!” Mara shouted again, lowering her rifle and trying to encourage the teams. “Good discipline, keep it up!”
She raised the weapon again as the swarm came back. This time a significant number of people jumped and the firing started before the order was given, a sporadic wave of shots rolling out from the Star Fleet line. Mara swore under her breath as the incoming creatures didn’t even slow.
As they got close, the attackers seemed to glow in the gloom. Then they were spitting fireballs at the base. The heat was suddenly searing as the roof devolved into a literal firefight. Calleja vented her fury with tight, controlled bursts from her rifle. She shouted orders as she fired, pulling the squads back to back and finally driving the enemy off.
“What was that?” she shouted. The assembled suits of armour were blackened from close range fire and soot in the air. “Get back into the firing lines! And wait for the order!”
The environment and the enemy were really having an effect on morale. Calleja got the distinct impression she wasn’t helping at all either. She was an unfamiliar sight calling the shots and she was obviously fuming as the squads took up positions, her intimidating presence compounding the unsettling effect of the scenario instead of inspiring.
I got work to do on so many levels Mara thought to herself.
In the skies above the teams, the enemy formed another wave and started to hurtle towards them. But there was going to be an intervention.
[Okehampton to Calleja. Chief, the ship’s gone to yellow alert.]
Mara swore viciously under her breath as the message came in from the office.
“Received,” she replied tersely. “Computer, end program.”
The base faded away rapidly and the air started to cool at the command. The Chief beckoned everyone in, and once the squads had gathered around she started to speak.
“The ship’s gone to yellow alert so we’re done here. But that was not good,” Mara said. “I’m disappointed in all of us. We’ve all been trained better than that. Now yeah, I set the scenario to make us uncomfortable, but that’s not an excuse. No encounter with an enemy is ever comfortable. That’s why I want us to be able to react to those and keep a clear head. I’m not doin’ it just to be a bitch. I’m doin’ it to make us better. Now double-time back to the office, get cleaned up, and get out on duty. I’ll find out what’s goin’ on. Let’s move.”
The disappointment hung in the air as the squads filed out of the holodeck. Calleja cut a frustrated figure at the back of the group as she made her way back to the Security complex. After a few minutes in the washroom and a fresh uniform, she thumped down into her chair to catch up with what was going on.
No sooner had she started going through the feeds than a message came through.
[Crawford to Security. We're encountering a potential smuggling vessel. Please have a small boarding party ready in case an inspection is needed.]
Mara actually laughed and shook her head. No sooner had they all managed to shed their armour than one lucky squad was going to have to gear up again immediately.
And that includes me, ‘cause I ain’t lettin’ anyone else lead a boardin’ party. That’s my area of expertise right there.
She tapped her commbadge.
“Calleja to Svenson. Get your squad geared up and report to transporter room 2. We have a potential boardin’ action. If we need to go I’ll be joinin’ you there.”
With a sigh she pulled herself to her feet and went right back to the armoury. Having suited up and armed herself, she made sure to start the cascade of information out to the squad leaders about the unfolding situation as she headed up to the Bridge.
== Tag Svenson!
>> Bridge >> ==
“So the way outta this is fire discipline,” Calleja said. She was keeping up a fierce pace even in full armour and had called the squad leaders up so she could brief them as they walked. “It’s gonna be uncomfortable and people aren’t gonna be able to settle into autopilot. That’s the whole point. I think we could all use some more time bein’ wrenched out of our comfort zones.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Yordan replied with a deep sigh.
“You shouldn’t. And you won’t,” came the answer with a feral smile.
The Chief got to the door and keyed the program commands into the access panel. When the door swung open, the Security teams found themselves deploying onto a mountainside. The air was breathable but carried a decidedly acrid tang to it. The sky above them was all grey and black clouds, and it was warm enough that some found themselves starting to bead with sweat already. A deafening blast off to the east was revealed to be a distant volcano letting go, followed quickly by another. Up the mountain was a Federation base, the neutral metal walls scorched and burned but still intact.
“Listen in” Mara bellowed. “Welcome to Aiyacon 3. A scientific installation has sent out a distress signal after coming under attack. There are hostiles present but we don’t yet know who or where. Orders are to secure and hold the base until everyone can be safely evacuated. Base personnel are non-combatants. It’s on us. Clear?”
A ragged murmur went around the assembled officers. Some were clearly unsettled already as the environment made them flinch, others pulling at their armour as the temperature climbed around them.
“Right. Move out by squad. Svenson, your mob has point. Deegan, you get me for company,” the Chief ordered.
The base was secured with relatively little drama. There were a few scientists hiding in a secure panic room right at its heart, and whoever had attacked the base hadn’t yet managed to penetrate through its walls, but as the teams converged on the roof they saw that the damage was extensive. Whole sections of guardrail had melted and the walls were charred, especially up here. The ladder up to the observation tower was still glowing in places.
“All clear Chief.” Yordan reported in.
“Good. Set a defensive perimeter, let’s keep an eye out…” Mara started to say, when she was completely drowned out by a series of screeches like fingernails on a blackboard.
Rifles were raised and the teams were instantly scanning for anything amiss when they spotted one of the ominous black clouds changing direction and bearing down on them.
“Contact! Coming from the north west!” someone shouted.
“Defensive positions!” Mara shouted, unslinging her own rifle. “Hold fire until ordered!”
She knew what was coming, so she was watching the Security teams as they saw the indistinct shape turn into a swarm of flying reptilian creatures. They were ashen grey in colour with flickers of burning yellow and orange across their bodies, and the disconcerting shrieking was making the Star Fleeters jumpy. A couple of shots were fired but the range was far too great.
“I said hold!” Mara yelled again. “You’re just wastin’ shots until they get closer!”
She looked around, and wasn’t happy at what she saw.
“Tighten up these formations! Novak, you’re supposed to be at the front! Svenson, get your squad in line!” The Chief grabbed the nearest man and bodily hauled him into place. “Get it together, all of you!”
There was a pronounced shuffling as the teams checked their positions, enough for Mara to raise her rifle and watch through her sight. The red markings started to shift to green as the flying lizards closed, and when she was satisfied the Chief called out the order.
“Fire!”
Most responded instantly, and a barrage of phaser bolts stabbed out at the incoming hostiles. Several combusted as they were hit and the wave circled back out of range again.
“Cease fire!” Mara shouted again, lowering her rifle and trying to encourage the teams. “Good discipline, keep it up!”
She raised the weapon again as the swarm came back. This time a significant number of people jumped and the firing started before the order was given, a sporadic wave of shots rolling out from the Star Fleet line. Mara swore under her breath as the incoming creatures didn’t even slow.
As they got close, the attackers seemed to glow in the gloom. Then they were spitting fireballs at the base. The heat was suddenly searing as the roof devolved into a literal firefight. Calleja vented her fury with tight, controlled bursts from her rifle. She shouted orders as she fired, pulling the squads back to back and finally driving the enemy off.
“What was that?” she shouted. The assembled suits of armour were blackened from close range fire and soot in the air. “Get back into the firing lines! And wait for the order!”
The environment and the enemy were really having an effect on morale. Calleja got the distinct impression she wasn’t helping at all either. She was an unfamiliar sight calling the shots and she was obviously fuming as the squads took up positions, her intimidating presence compounding the unsettling effect of the scenario instead of inspiring.
I got work to do on so many levels Mara thought to herself.
In the skies above the teams, the enemy formed another wave and started to hurtle towards them. But there was going to be an intervention.
[Okehampton to Calleja. Chief, the ship’s gone to yellow alert.]
Mara swore viciously under her breath as the message came in from the office.
“Received,” she replied tersely. “Computer, end program.”
The base faded away rapidly and the air started to cool at the command. The Chief beckoned everyone in, and once the squads had gathered around she started to speak.
“The ship’s gone to yellow alert so we’re done here. But that was not good,” Mara said. “I’m disappointed in all of us. We’ve all been trained better than that. Now yeah, I set the scenario to make us uncomfortable, but that’s not an excuse. No encounter with an enemy is ever comfortable. That’s why I want us to be able to react to those and keep a clear head. I’m not doin’ it just to be a bitch. I’m doin’ it to make us better. Now double-time back to the office, get cleaned up, and get out on duty. I’ll find out what’s goin’ on. Let’s move.”
The disappointment hung in the air as the squads filed out of the holodeck. Calleja cut a frustrated figure at the back of the group as she made her way back to the Security complex. After a few minutes in the washroom and a fresh uniform, she thumped down into her chair to catch up with what was going on.
No sooner had she started going through the feeds than a message came through.
[Crawford to Security. We're encountering a potential smuggling vessel. Please have a small boarding party ready in case an inspection is needed.]
Mara actually laughed and shook her head. No sooner had they all managed to shed their armour than one lucky squad was going to have to gear up again immediately.
And that includes me, ‘cause I ain’t lettin’ anyone else lead a boardin’ party. That’s my area of expertise right there.
She tapped her commbadge.
“Calleja to Svenson. Get your squad geared up and report to transporter room 2. We have a potential boardin’ action. If we need to go I’ll be joinin’ you there.”
With a sigh she pulled herself to her feet and went right back to the armoury. Having suited up and armed herself, she made sure to start the cascade of information out to the squad leaders about the unfolding situation as she headed up to the Bridge.
== Tag Svenson!
>> Bridge >> ==