USS UNICORN
Mission 4 -- A Whiter Shade of Pale
OFF>>
USS Unicorn
Sick Bay
late at night
ON>>
Lanor walks into sickbay and smiles at the guard hiding outside
Biggs'
door. Submitting to the scan for weapons he is allowed into the
room.
Biggs is typing furiously into a terminal and parts are
everywhere. Several
of the panels are off the terminal and the wires and cards are
rearranged
with wires poking everywhere. Upon seeing Lanor, Biggs growls at
him.
Biggs: growling "So the ambulance chaser has finally let me
have visitors?
I heard he thought I was acting strange and couldn't be trusted.
Even stuck
a guard outside the door like old Biggs would hurt one of his
shipmates. I
suppose he sent you in to check on me too in order to 'confirm
his
suspisions'. Now that's real smart, send a Jarhead to make a
medical
diagnoses! Next thing you know they will be making Lessonar Chief
of
Computers."
Lanor: interupting before Biggs can get a fresh breath "I'm
here on my own.
The guard owes me and the Capt hasn't made you off limits yet.
Besides the
full spectrum imunization and the personal shield means I don't
have to
worry about catching anything contagious from you. I always
suspected you
were carrying some kind of dread disease, it's the only
explanation for why
your so ugly." Looks closely at the screen and wires on the
terminal "There
is more than one way around security isn't there. Otherwise you
wouldn't
have known the Doctor called us about you."
Biggs: glares and a strange gleam enters his eye for a moment as
his entire
position changes from the angry confined patient to something
else...
something deathly sinister. Lanor knows the look well, Killer,
the same
kind of look on some marines that get to like death. It lasts
only for a
moment and then the old Biggs smiles, "Maybe theres hope for
you yet. How
else am I going to get anything done? Like I would really let a
computer I
designed and programmed really lock me out.
Lanor: smiles seemingly not noticing the sudden change as he
pulls a very
expensive bottle from Biggs' home world out from under his coat,
then
another, then another, and finally two glasses. The bottle is
Labeled in
fancy script "Old Panther Sweat, bonded 12 year old."I
recall your saying
once that this was the best in the galaxy. Care to put that to
the test?"
Biggs: looking greedily at the bottles "Well, I did swear
off that stuff a
while back, but...." suddenly happy, "I guess I can't
get in no trouble
here now can I? Pour boy. I'll show you how a real man
drinks."
Lanor: smiles, "Pretty cocky for an OLD man. Think you can
handle this
stuff in your weak condition? Don't worry though if you can't
keep
up...I'll drink your share, mate."
For the longest time the two meerly sit and drink. Toasting old
friends,
family, ships soon one bottle is gone and they haven't said
anything of
real consequence. Every now and then the guard looks and soon a
nurse
arrives to complain about Biggs drinking but Lanor calmly pushes
them back
out the door as he oozes charm. The next bottle was also soon
gone when
Lanor started the tale of his lost command fighting the Gem
Hadar. It was a
bitter story of command screw ups and blame laying told with a
sense of wry
humor. They had started the third bottle when Biggs told of how
he lost his
first ship and met MacAllister on his second. By the time the
third bottle
was finished Lanor is lying back in his chair snoozing and Biggs
is
mumbling to himself a man on a mission. Slowly Biggs reaches over
and
carefully hits a button on the console. The Scan Net logo
appears. Then
quickly with no signs of being drunk he reaches over to the
unconsious
marine and flips a hidden strap and reaches into a small pouch he
had made
for the Major to hold his computer station security overide.
Moving the
console closer so it reads the major he keys in some commands and
returns
the item to the pouch inits original state and sits back. The
security
cameras using Lanor's override would now only see what he wanted
them to
see. Now he had enough control of the ship board computers to do
what
needed to be done. The strange glint was back in his eye.
Everything he had
just done, the computer would not see. It would show a sleeping
Lanor and
Biggs. Feeling tired, the engineer shut down his work carefully
under
special codes. Lanor though not actually drunk having used one of
the
Sarge's pills was troubled. Why was Bigg's bypassing security
again and
what was he doing with Scan Net. He could be just curious and
wanting to
know what was going on...or was the old man up to something
really
sinister. If so what?
Eventually Lanor appeared to wake up and getting no response from
the
sleeping Biggs he staggered from the room. Even with the pills
the content
of Old Panther Sweat was even more than they could effectivly
counteract
considering how much the two had drunk. The guard saluted as
Lanor left but
he didn't notice as the Major walked full into the corridor wall
face
first. Staggering Lanor went down the corridor a few hundred
yards before
Sanders rounded a corner looking for him. Throwing her arms
around him she
lead him back to his quarters and sat him on the bed removed his
combat boots
andturned off the light. Shaking her head she left to check on
her comm
board. Some time later Lanor rolled over without turning on the
lights and
grabbed some pills. Giving the detox pills time to work Lanor
checked his
"secret pouch". The small phasor had not been touched
and his security key
had been returned. Sighing he rolled over and activated the
interior
communications. The Captain's image appeared on the screen,
"Sir, I think
we have a problem." He relayed to the Captain what Biggs had
done and was
very surprised at the response.
McAllister: calmly and not surprised, "Major, what do you
think you are
doing? I should bust you back to Lt. and will if you keep pulling
these
stupid stunts. Councilor DevRoy is examining Mr. Wayne and Kira
is Chief of
Security. You are supposed to be working on getting us past the
Pale
defenses not playing Doctor or Detective. I strongly suggest you
do your
job and not someone elses. Do I make myself clear MR.?
Lanor: "YES SIR!"
OFF>>
Captain Lanor
USS Unicorn Marines.
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OFF:
Unicorn Message Header
Mission 4: A Whiter Shade of Pale
<4 Mission 7 Post 072399 CO>
ON:
USS Unicorn, Dante Base
Sick Bay
It was late. McAllister had personally coordinated the
installation of the
secondary computer core. This was not something the captain of a
ship of
the line would do, but McAllister had his own reasons. You had to
trust
your crew -- but there are times when trust was a commodity whose
price was
too high.
This just might be one of those times.
McAllister knew a thing or two about Starfleet computer systems.
Some of
the things he could do to a computer not even Biggs could undo --
and right
now, this was just what was needed. McAllister was just about to
finish his
covert programming when the call from "Major" Lanor was
announced by Acey.
McAllister (CO): Route the call via the Ready Room -- Comm
Protocol 3,
Acey.
OFF:
Marine Cpt. Lanor's conversation with McAllister takes place
here.
ON:
McAllister swore under his breath. He admired Lanor for his
desire to help
Biggs, but the young marine's natural inquisitiveness was the
last thing
they needed now. The Captain of the Unicorn finished his task,
eliminating
all traces of his programming changes to Acey or anyone's else
snooper
programs, and headed for Sick Bay.
<Sick Bay>
McAllister walked over to the bio-bed Biggs was apparently
sleeping on and
looked over at the Security Officer on duty.
CO: Give me a minute, son.
Ensign Harsh, Security NPC: Sir, I have orders...
CO: *firmly, without raising his voice* You see the pips on this
uniform, Mister? Any order you receive on this ship, I can
change, don't
you agree?
Harsh: Aye, sir! Uh....
CO: *Kindly* I understand. I have no intention of entering the
quarantine field, Ensign. You can monitor from the CMO's office;
I just
need a few words with Commander Duke.
Harsh: Aye, sir. *heads off in direction of CMO's office*
McAllister watched the young ensign. Once he was well out of
earshot...
CO: You're not fooling me, Biggs. I know how you really snore.
Biggs: *instantly "awake"* I guess Lanor spoke with
you.
CO: He contacted me. He's suspicious. I ordered him off, but you
know
Dyral...
Biggs: It's just a minor wrinkle; we can handle it. Although I
thought
all that Panther Sweat would have keep him out of it longer.
CO: Detox pills -- but he was none too steady in his reporting
*chuckles*
Biggs: *laugh turns to a cough* So what now?
CO: *suddenly serious* You can continue. When you told me what
you
wanted to do, you told me to remember the Lexington. I
understand, but my
trust does have its limits. I don't really know what you're up
too, but if
you harm this ship, I'll shut you down in the blink of an eye,
old debts be
damned.
Biggs: Understood. Now get out of here before that damnable EMH
shows up
again with another injection.
McAllister and Biggs stared at each other for a moment. Biggs
seemed to be
silently pleading his case. At last, the Captain nodded, once,
and
signaling for Ensign Harsh to resume his post, left sickbay and
headed for
his quarters.
OFF:
Good Gaming to all,
PD McAllister
Capt., USS Unicorn
Commanding
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OFF>>>
First Fleet enroute to a secure base for refueling and resupply
Bridge of the Super - Carrier Kavalvar
ON>>>
Skragg: is sitting in the Admirals observation chair as the
carrier and
fleet are enroute for resupply. The fleet has just performed a
scouting
launch. So far, all has gone well. A comm. officer hands the
Captain a
special communication which has an Imperial seal on the envelope.
The
Captain motions that the letter should go to Lord Skragg. He
takes it and
notices it to be in code so he arises and enters his secure room.
The
communication is from his spies at Dante Base. It details
clearance orders
and supply reports for the Captain of the Unicorn to make contact
with a
Krazzle held planet known as the Pale. He quickly summons two of
his
councilors Detritus and General Rusmak. As he awaited them he
called up
information on the Planet.
Detritus and Rusmak: soon enter and salute; "Hail Lord
Skragg, how may we
learn from your wisdom? Command us."
Skragg: without preamble, "The enemy criminal ship has
received orders to
violate our space. Their mission is to make contact with the
dishonorable
and criminal Krazzle on the planet known as Pale. It certainly
makes proto
monkey sense for criminals to contact criminals. Even as we speak
they are
underway."
Detritus: "I have heard of this planet, a very minor clan
known as the
Tomar operate it. The clan is considered to be mostly criminal
and without
honor or respect. The Minjay nominally had contacts with this
group,
normally to pay a minor tribute to keep this group from pirating
ships.
After Lord Skragg took over he refused to pay such a dishonorable
price.
The Tomar attacked some ships in response. The 26th destroyer was
dispatched to the area and bombarded several of the planets space
ports,
the Capital City of Sarghen and several major manufacturing
facilities. The
attacks soon stopped."
Rusmak: "The Twenty-Sixth is still in the area. It consists
of four
outdated destroyers. They have no fighter support and are under
the command
of Lord Talphon. The system has no asteroid belt, or nebula.
Their are no
known space hazards. It is difficult to hide traffic here. Shall
we warn
Lord Talphon that a Federation ship capable of cloak is coming?
Skragg: "No."
Rusmak: startled, "But Master, his outdated destroyers are
useful against
Tomar ships and fighters, however, even all four of them will
stand little
chance against the Federation ship equipped with fighters.
Especially since
that ship can approach unnoticed and launch attacks long before
weapons can
be armed or shields raised. If the total force is wiped out, that
is over
400 loyal Krazzle!"
Detritus: "You have a plan Lord?"
Skragg: "Of course, The ruling head of the Tomar is Baron
Sardhin, and it
is rumored that he is somehow related to the traitor J'min. I am
sure that
the ship will try to slip a scout force onto the planet rather
than
advertise it's presence. Yes, Lord Talphon may discover them and
he will
take appropriate action then, but I suspect the Federation will
avoid
exciting the interest of the 26th. If the criminal's have any
brain at all
they will avoid the destroyers completely. However, I want Lord
Talphon to
act normally so he will not be told."
Rusmak: with a look of distaste, "You will let these
criminals do as they
will?"
Skragg: "You believe this is wrong? You think we should have
the whole
first fleet there and load ten legions of troops onto the planet
to await
their coming?"
Rusmak: growling "Yes, let us wipe out their insulting
behavior with their
blood so others will learn to stay out of our territory! Let us
teach this
prey to act like prey and fear us. They are Chofaki (Dirt Eaters)
without
respect or honor."
Detritus: snarling at the General "You are a fool!" The
two glare at each
other and appear ready to do more but are stopped by Skragg's
stare.
Skragg: amused, "What is your plan then Spy Master and
why?"
Detritus: calmly, "Why should we give the enemy any idea
just how really
strong we are? If they approach 1st Fleet cloaked they will just
abandon
the project. They will realize that spies have leaked their
intentions, for
J'min knows this planet is unimportant and would not be this
heavily
guarded for no purpose. What would we gain? You think these
humans are like
Krazzle and will die honorably attacking the fleet? The planet
itself is
unimportant, it has no unusual resources, or facilities. It is a
pirate
base nothing more. It is a nuisance. We have several lines of
attack, we
can buy off the Baron to betray J'min and the Federation people
that land
immediately before they do anything. We can buy off the Baron and
tell him
to work with the Federation people and report to us what they do
for the
long term. In return we will give him permission to raid in
Federation
territory without reprisals from us. We can decide not tell the
Baron
anything and use our spies in his court to watch or kill the
proto monkeys
as we wish. We can assassinate J'min once he lands and blame it
on the
Baron so they will never trust him. The possibilities are endless
in the
permutations we can do here. We can even do a little of each,
tell the
Baron they are coming and let him raid, but have him assassinate
J'min and
take Federation prisoners but tell him nothing of who is behind
it or what
our real plans are. Let him think he has a free hand to do what
he wants
just by leaking the information to see what he does."
Rusmak: sneering, "Only one who has lost honor like you
would skulk around
on such plans."
Skragg: motioning for the warrior to remain quiet,
"Excellent Detritus, you
shall implement whichever part of the plans the situation
demands. I will
leave it up to your judgment. However, I will have an addendum to
the plan
which I am sure Rusmak will find acceptable." turns to the
Warrior, "You
will take two Carrier's, four cruisers, eight destroyers, and
twenty
utility vehicles and you will proceed slowly to Pale. This will
allow the
federation ship to easily arrive well ahead of you and to perform
it's
mission."
Rusmak: sullen, "What good will that do, the Federation prey
will be gone
before I can arrive to stop them. Their mission completed and my
command
disgraced."
Skragg: amused still, "You are not there to interfere with
the Federation
ship and you will avoid all combat with it. After the Federation
ship has
left. You will arm all fighters for a planetary attack. Capital
ships will
also move in and bombard the planet. You will attack and kill
every living
thing on the planet. Use Old style nuclear devices and neutron
blasters.
Render the planet uninhabitable. When this is completed, you will
send a
Communication without code, on wide band blaming the Federation
ship
Unicorn for the deed. You will show appropriately horrifying
scenes of the
destruction and only show pictures of the ship floating in orbit.
If it
fires on Lord Talphon then you will have pictures of it firing as
well and
our ships valiantly fighting and being destroyed when they
attempt to
protect the planet. After the Federation ship departs you will
show
pictures of our ships arriving and valiantly searching for
wounded and
burying the dead. Then you will add Lord Talphon's force to yours
if it
still exists and will you blockade and guard the planet so they
cannot get
proof as to the real cause of this destruction. This will have
several
affects as well. The Federation which monitors our communications
will pick
up the message and will believe the criminals did perform the
deed. Other
Krazzle hearing of this attack will never trust the Federation or
J'min
ever again especially after the propaganda is completed. Indeed
all the
Krazzle will unite to make me Emperor and to deal with the
Federation. The
Tomar clan will be wiped out as the traitors they are and this
will only
benefit the Empire. The Federation ship will be disgraced and
under
investigation. On a ship of criminals I am sure the Federation
will find
something they are doing wrong. We will not have to soil our
hands anywhere
in this. The last of the Anti-Krazzle fleet will be disgraced and
gone. The
fools do just as we would wish them to do. No one on the planet
will know
this, not even our spies or warriors. Then my ambassador will
approach the
fools to demand reparations and concessions. The scenes of this
atrocity
will be played all over the Empire so other traitors will think
twice
before they ever trust the Federation again."
Rusmak and Detritus: Bow deeply, "Great Lord we hear and
obey." Turning
they depart to perform their missions.
Skragg: smiling and amused, "The Federation fools could not
have played
better into his hands, if he had scripted their roles for them.
He would be
Emperor soon and his claws would grasp worlds and draw
blood."
OFF>>>
Latest Skragg post.....
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