Pulling Into Port

Posted on Sat May 25th, 2019 @ 5:26pm by Captain Enalia Telvan & Lieutenant Mona Gonadie & Petty Officer 2nd Class Ila Dedjoy & Maica III 47 & Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant Commander Sonak & Lieutenant Asa Dael & Lieutenant Samuel Clemens XV & Lieutenant JG Rena Pacci
Edited on on Sat May 25th, 2019 @ 7:45pm

Mission: Fractured Fairy Tales
Location: USS Hera, Deck 1, the Bridge
Timeline: 2396, pulling into the Artan Family Orbital Fortress for the Tribunal

On the bridge of the USS Hera, there was tension. In a moment, the mighty starship would come out of warp and begin her approach to the Kabul system, guided in by the system's traffic control. For now, the officers sat at their stations, and in the center chair, Captain Enalia Telvan sat, alone in her thoughts.

Though, not entirely alone, as she dictated them to a PaDD quietly. Anyone with sensitive enough ears or close enough could hear her innermost thoughts being poured into her log entry.

"Captain's personal log, stardate... Computer, autofill." Enalia paused for the chirrup to finish. "We have arrived at my birthplace and childhood home once more, but this time I'm filled less with a sense of homesickness and relief of being home and more with anxiety and... Dread... I have not faced my mother directly since joining Starfleet and in about a week's time, we will be face to face in what can only be described as a fight for the very soul of not only myself or the Artan family... But perhaps for the very essence and way of life for millions across dozens of sectors. The reach and influence of the home fleet... As well as my mother's prodigious assets... Not to mention the twelve Baronesses not aboard the USS Hera have far reaching influence and any changes will have drastic ramifications, for better or for worse."

"I just hope that in the end, most of it is for the better. My mother's return from retirement and her actions during my absence have not been... Kind... To the people under her care. She is also suspected of several actions against Starfleet and the Federation, which endanger the treaty my family has with Starfleet. Not the least of which is the murder of one and attempted assassinations of two of my crew. She's also suspected of working with the Syndicate in a plot against a mining colony run by Federation citizens as well as espionage on this vessel and others. If we are able to find proof of this... I can only think of two Baronesses that would still support her, and even they may give pause."

"Thus, while I will be greeting the Baronesses as Princess of the Artan family... During the Tribunal proceedings, I will be there as Captain of the USS Hera. It pains me to do so, but for the sake of our principals and maintaining peace, it must be done. Besides, this... is who I am now... And they need to see that I am no longer the young pirate princess that left home so long ago. That ran from her mother and joined Starfleet in some dream of freedom."

Tapping the PaDD, Enalia ended the log entry and tucked it away before checking the ship's status. "Looks like we're about there."

"Aye, Captain..." Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox replied from the helm. The sensitive Romulan ears of the ships Chief Flight Officer had heard every word of the Captain's report and understood fully the pressure
and conflict Enalia was feeling. "Exiting warp in two minutes. Docking procedures are on standby."

"System control doesn't like anyone warping directly in, but we're not here solely on Artan business this time, thankfully. If they give you any grief for entering the system at warp, tell them to direct their complaints to..." Enalia pulled her PaDD back out and tapped at it to look up the current Public Relations officer at Intel Command. "Commodore Rosellia O'Faya of Intel Command's Public Relations Division."

"Aye, Captain." Dox replied.

''With all due respect, Captain, if their sensors are no more than two hundred years old, they should be able to see us coming as easily as we can currently scan them while at warp,'' stated Sonak from the main science station. ''Would they have any complaint, it should be addressed at their own technicians and equipment providers.''

"Their equipment is up to date. It's more of a control issue for them, Mr. Sonak." Enalia grinned over at her science officer as she explained. "They cater to a lot of rich people and they like to make sure every variable is under their strict guidance, which means they like to make people like us dance to their tune. Unfortunately for them, we're on official business so we have priority."

''Only up to a point, Captain,'' the Vulcan chief science officer reminded her. ''Starfleet General Orders forbid us to exert authority over local governing bodies or to intervene in local matters, unless they are in violation of the Federation charter or represent a clear and present danger to galactic peace or the whole of the Federation. And even then, our involvement is severely limited to the immediate threat, until proper civilian authority can take over. Therefore, aside from such immediate situation,we are still bound by their laws and customs... including their space traffic regulations.''

"Well... they've flexed their power over my family and my ship my entire life. I think for once we have the right to barge in on official business." Enalia raised a finger to hopefully silence protests. "Even if it is a bit of a stretch. We must be in place on time to receive our investigation teams, whom are in stealth ships and are avoiding official channels like theirs, after all." In truth, she may be taking a bit of pleasure in vexing the more than obstinate System Control Authorities. After all, if a lesser pilot had been at the helm, every single approach would have resulted in severe damage to the USS Hera with the flight plans they approved.

"Captain, we're being hailed. It's the Lady Arenara Artan, Queen Regent of the Artan Pirates asking what the hell we think we're doing, and if we would like to be fired upon as a hazard to intersystem transit?" came the report from Ops.

Anyone that was watching could clearly see Enalia tense up, her fingers dig into the arm rests of her chair, and her teeth start to grind. "Please inform her that the USS Hera is here on official Starfleet business and any interference will be met with... appropriate actions."

Relaying the message, the Ops officer listened to the response, then turned back to face the captain, even as Paris spoke up. "Multiple weapons systems are targeting us, Captain, from fixed emplacements to gunships in system."

''A most predictable action,'' Sonak confirmed from his own sensor readouts. "The next step would logically be to send an intercepting force.''

"The Queen regent says, 'Your move', ma'am..." Ops reported.

"Red alert. Slow to impulse but maintain OUR course. Relay all that is happening to Intel Command and the Starfleet Liaison for the pirates." Enalia said, standing, her fists clenched.

The red alert klaxon sounded as the bridge was bathed in shades of red. From her tactical station, the first officer reported, "Shields up, weapons charging."

"Now open a channel," the spotted Captain ordered, and when she spoke, she did so with unmistakable steel in her tone. "Any move against this vessel to hinder our investigations will be taken as a declaration of intent that you no longer wish to maintain diplomatic relations with the United Federation of Planets as pursuant to the Charter of Kabul chapter nine, section seventeen. Stand down now, or we will be forced to defend ourselves."

There was a long, tense ten seconds until the reply came through the channel, and a voice filled with feigned friendliness came over the comms. "Might I remind you that violation of our local traffic control laws is also a violation of that selfsame treaty. But seeing as how you've slowed to impulse, in the interest of continued diplomatic good faith with the Federation, we will stand down. Perhaps if you were to lower your shields as a gesture of good intentions we might believe your official business to be a peaceable mission? Otherwise, from here it just looks like you've come to bully the civilians in their own homes... isn't that just like a Fleeter?"

"As soon as we are no longer targeted by multiple weapons batteries..." The curvy captain sat back down and crossed her legs, trying to act relaxed. "We will stand down from alert status."

"For someone who comes in peace and friendship, you certainly are defensive. Very well..." as the targeting batteries and gunships winked out, the voice on the comm continued. "We can show good faith... can you?"

Enalia tapped at the controls on her chair's arm console, returning to general alert and powering down the shields and weapons. She also sent a message to Commander Paris to watch for transporter signals. "Our shields and weapons are now powered down. Any further... Demands?"

Even as she spoke the words, a message came through on her chair's armrest screen. //Automated sense and bounce transporter protocol from Mr. Sonak just reflected a transporting landing party of six attempting to beam into the antimatter storage pods on Deck 29\\

"We make no demands, Captain Telvan," there was a bit of scorn evident in the use of the captain's title, subtle but clear to any who were listening for it. "We merely ask that our personal freedoms be respected here in the Kabul system, as we are not subjects of the Federation, but a free system. We appreciate your cooperation and your clearly demonstrated respect for our customs and traditions."

Clearly this was a show, not for the benefit of those onboard, but for others who were tuned into the exchange.

"Then as a citizen of this system myself, we would appreciate your full cooperation in our investigation." Then a grin crept onto the Captain's face. "What did you say your name was again? You're one of the SCA controllers, right?"

There was an audible snarl on the channel, followed by a slow exhalation of breath, as if someone were forcibly calming themselves. "You know very well who this is. Mother to an insolent and willful daughter who spurns generations of tradition to leave the family business, then returns only to challenge the Queen in Tribunal because she is determined to let the bloodline die. Disrespectful princess who comes to lord her authority over the free-thinking folk who refuse to live under the yolk of the oppressive Starfleet, disrespecting our safety, our traditions and our laws all for a show of force that impresses no one. You know exactly who this is, Enalia. I'll expect to see you once you've docked- assuming you can muster up that much respect for your mother, if not your queen."

Again, it was not a speech meant to impress the Starfleet captain so much as appeal to those listening, to garner support for her cause before the first gavel of the tribunal had swung. Arenara Artan was no amateur, and her manipulations were already quite clearly in play, as they most likely had been for some time now in system and throughout the network of pirates who formed the alliance of the Artan pirate fleet.

Much of which was already docked at the orbital fortress, as evidenced by the starships already assembled.

The spotted captain put on her most faux surprised face and glanced over at her first officer. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be violating the independence agreement that the SCA has with the Artans and all the other groups in the system. Or is this a side job that you took on? Is retirement really that boring? Either way, I'll be seeing you soon enough at the Tribunal, Mother. Captain Telvan out."

After a few tense seconds, Lieutenant Dox spoke back from the helm. "Captain, receiving docking instructions from system control. Proceeding on your orders."

"Ignore them. Continue on our path to the orbital fortress and wait for docking clearance from the Fortress itself." Enalia knew it was a power play since the SCA had no authority on docking at the various private stations around the system.

"Aye, Captain." Dox replied as she entered the instructions from the Captain and kept the Hera on its course to the fortress. "We will be arriving in 8 point 3 minutes at current speed."

"Steady as she goes... Captain Magnus should be receiving us any moment now." The tension in Enalia, though she was trying to hide it, was obvious to anyone that was trained to look for it.

"I see the fun and games have already begun," Paris muttered.

But Sonak's keen Vulcan ears caught her anyway.

''Since Starfleet is the overall authority regarding space travel within the whole expanse of the Federation, this is a proper approach to clarify the authority and boundaries of our upcoming... exchange.''

"As usual, Mister Sonak's got a point, Captain," the first officer offered. "Snark and political spin aside, this is going to be one long series of struggles for dominance. With the law on your side, it's best that you make your position known up front."

"She may be queen of the pirates, but here and now? You're the law. It would appear someone broke the pact, and you're here on official business to find out exactly who and why, and to determine if that compact has been voided by those actions." the comely commander paused in her grocery list to add, "In addition to you stating your case to the assembled baronesses in your case to defy her will to produce an heir that she can raise."

"I'm also the rightful current ruler of the Artan family. She's supposed to be retired." Enalia added with that piratical lopsided grin of hers. "Either way, I'm glad that I have a crew that I can trust and depend on with my life. You are all my family and I wouldn't have it any other way. Now... Let's go see just how hard my mother is going to make this, shall we?"

It was at that point that docking clearance finally came in from the Artan family orbital fortress, clearing the USS Hera at the private clamps that Enalia had had installed just for the Nebula class ship.

"Captain, Docking instructions received from the Fortress," Dox called back from the helm as she prepared to enact the Captain's orders.

''Captain, we are being scanned,'' Sonak reported. ''Shall I enable counter measures?''

"Please do so," Enalia ordered. "They're likely looking for their sabotage team and wondering why we haven't lost antimatter containment yet.''

Acknowledged,'' answered the Vulcan before turning to the computer terminal in front of him. ''Computer; Echo Chamber sensor program Sonak 1; execute.''

''Computed,'' answered the disembodied voice of the ship's main computer. ''Sensors are now sending back to the source incoming scanning signals on all frequencies.''

''At your discretion, Captain, if this proves to be an insufficient deterrent, program 2 is a targeting white noise emission from our communications array. Program 3 is a damaging EM pulse from our deflector dish,'' Sonak announced. ''For the moment, they will not have their scanners knocked out; just hampered if they are indeed searching for their accomplices.''

"Well, they are aboard, just in Brig cell D4 trying to figure out how to overcome the forcefields," Paris reported from her security feeds. After all, they were Starfleet- not like they were going to space the poor souls. "We'll get on processing and questioning them once we're in port, unless you'd like to handle the questioning yourself, Captain?"

"Let's leave it at that for now. As for the interrogations, I think I've had my fill of those." Enalia punched up their own sensor readouts and looked them over. "Maru, as soon as we dock, begin the infiltration program and install that antivirus software on all of our allies that have cybernetics, if you can." Instead of the normal chirrup from the computer, there was a soft purr.

From the helm, Dox brought the mighty Nebula Class starship to a slow momentum, using the ships thrusters to complete the docking procedures as instructions. After a moment, the Red-headed Romulan pilot leaned slightly back. "Docking procedures complete, Captain. Powering down maneuvering thrusters."

"We've arrived at Artan family orbital fortress, Captain. Mooring clamps engaged, external power available, we have hard dock on the forward airlock, Deck 10," the first officer reported from her station, then she looked over at the pirate princess. Returned to her home port home once more, the custom docking clamps she'd had specially installed for her mighty starship welcoming Enalia Telvan home with the barest kiss of their forcefield embrace upon the starship Hera's hull.

"Any inspiring words for the crew, Captain?" The first officer prompted.

Standing, Enalia glanced around the futuristic bridge of the Intel Command modified Nebula Class Starship. "Inspiring... I think I do, actually."

She then pressed the ship wide announcement control on her chair, the intercomm emitting an ALCON whistle.

"When I joined Starfleet, it was in search of a dream of freedom that I couldn't find in my own predetermined path as the head of the Artan family. Time and time again, I've been brought back here to my home for good reasons and bad."

"On the surface, this is a fight to finally free me from the yoke of an oppressive matriarchy and my mother, but I tell you this. If we let her win this day... Or if we compromise the very basic moral fiber that the uniform that we wear represents... Then not only have we all lost... But the people of this... and all nearby sectors will feel the repercussions for generations."

"I have served with this crew for some time now and I know in my heart...Without a doubt... That each of you has the strength of character... Integrity... And dedication to your duty to see this through. I... And Starfleet... Entrusts the lives and well-being of everyone affected to the crew of the USS Hera." Enalia then tapped her chair control again, ending the broadcast.

Giving the moment a healthy pause, Paris stood to address the bridge.

"You heard the captain. Now let's see this through."