Negotiations (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on 10 Sep 2021 @ 5:22pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Commander Luke Wyatt & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Alexander & Lieutenant JG Sofie Ullswater & Commander Andreus Kohl
Edited on on 10 Sep 2021 @ 5:30pm

3,291 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: Latari B III High Orbit, USS Galileo-A
Timeline: MD 05, 0039 hrs

Previously, on Negotiations (Part 2)...

"What all this amounts to," Navrin mumbled half heartedly "All of what we are saying is that more people will be lost." She paused for a moment and rubbed the bridge of her nose as if making a last ditch effort to convince herself not to say what she was about to. The captain turned to Saalm "You said that a rescue attempt would put us all at great risk. That tells me you have thought about it and that you think there is a way. Is that right?"

The Orion nodded. "There's an opportunity for rescue - a single one we must execute in a small window." Saalm reflected for a silent moment, her green features eventually turning severe as she voiced her primary concern. "But I warn all of you, we will suffer losses if we attempt this. I estimate close to twenty percent."

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

Luke was first to step forward, "I'll go, you know my view when it comes to ensuring we save lives when and where we can before we decimate whats left. Ill do it" He said offering himself to the mission and to the risk. He'd taken risk before and with worst odds, he still had some of those lives left.

Evry gave a vague grunt of affirmation but found herself having to turn away from the scene for a moment. Twenty percent? The number shocked her into reevaluating the situation. She was standing here in diplomacy with a group of aliens who had today already stained their hands with the blood of her crew and now more? Her every instinct was telling her to protect her crew but it seemed like there might be no choice but to follow Saalm's—the Tholians'—plan.

Allyndra stepped forward and said, "If there is a way forward I would say that we attempt. How many lives have been wasted both carbon and silicon at this point fighting over differences of opinion? What we do or do not do here will echo across the worlds. I know mine for instance will be interested in if Starfleet means what says it stands for."

Kohl squared his shoulders, after bracing a hand on the nearby railing. "Allyndra's right. We're Starfleet. We have to try," Kohl said. He stared hard at Lirha, keeping Rasumussen out of even his peripheral vision, no matter what that meant for the rest of his career aboard Lagrange.

Captain Saalm looked to each of the Federation officers then to the two Tholians. A short series of silicon shrieks pierced the air which were quickly translated in a rough interpretation. "We accept your proposal."

Lirha swallowed a small lump in her throat which helped quell the unpleasant surge of anxiety suddenly flowing through her. The young Orion had never excelled at tactical strategy in the Academy, nor achieved top marks in combat theory courses. Her expertise as a Starfleet captain depended on her multicultural affluence and knowledge of linguistics, which meant commanding personnel in battle had been an acquired trait learned throughout the path of Galileo's trials and tribulations. Yet despite her personal aversion to violence and the impending threat of death, Saalm knew this was their only chance.

"Computer, isolate the proto-matter lifeform on Latari B III and enhance view. Incorporate all new data and overlay the most recent topographical changes," she ordered. A recognition chirp sounded then the large holographic planet zoomed in close to surface level. The once-flat coastline where the colonists had retreated to was now experiencing severe tectonic plate movement resulting in devastating earthquakes and huge swaths of earth pushed up into a moving mountain front. The proto-Tholian was in the process of making landfall across the water with a spidery network of volcanic thermal veins reaching out in front to transform the planet's crust in its path.

"Using the same data," Saalm continued, "compensate for new geothermal conditions and overlay a projection of planetary atmospheric conditions surrounding the lifeform." Galileo's computer chirped again and a new layer of holographic projection manifested atop the surface data. Intense vertical thermal layers were suddenly shown in the atmosphere above the colony site and expanded outward for hundreds of kilometers. Severe ionization had turned the skies into a dense hazard of particle discharge storms which were barely navigable by computer let alone visual reference.

"The proto-Tholian will soon consume the colony's refugee site...and then the entire planet. Therefore our goal is two-fold: we must rescue the colonists and eliminate the lifeform, both in one mission. However, atmospheric disturbance is extreme. This creature generates enough bio-thermal radiation to absorb all forms of thermal energy in its vicinity - including solar, which is why it's also destroying the atmosphere. Short range sensors, probes, transporters, and weapons are useless from orbit. So we must penetrate the atmosphere with shuttlecraft," she pointed with a green finger to colony site, "to bring back as many as we can and destroy the proto-Tholian."

Lirha looked away from the holograms then to the three other Starfleet captains. "How many transport shuttlecraft do each of you have available?"

"The two shuttles aboard Galileo," Kohl replied to Lirha, with a lilt to his voice, because she already knew this ship well. Nodding at each of the names, Kohl said, "Virginia and Livia are in good repair."

Captain Rasmussen, head of the task group, internally scoffed at the suicidal proposal but managed to keep quiet in the face of other Starfleet captains who apparently supported the insubordinate Orion. In those conditions on the surface, he analyzed, it would be impossible to rescue anyone let alone accomplish anything like the fantasy she was proposing. Nevertheless, he responded honestly. "Including our cargo shuttles, Lagrange can add twenty-two. We're down three for maintenance."

Twenty-four, Lirha counted to herself. They were getting close. Her sharp eyes darted to the Tellarite captain. "As the Humans say, 'don't hold out on me', captain."

"Kali has four shuttles and eight fighters." Evry couldn't being herself to look in Saalm's direction. In her head she saw the faces of her pilots and wondered how many of them had already been injured already and how many more could would be in the course of this plan. "Kali took significant damage in the previous action against our new allies. I'd have to check on the condition of those craft and their operators before I could say our operational capacity for sure."

Thirty-six the Orion now calculated. She glanced to Kali's captain who averted her gaze. "I have confidence in you and your crew, Navrin. I know you'll get your assets ready in time. We have to - this is our only chance. If you need additional repair crews, just ask." The words might not have been comforting for the Akira-class' Tellarite captain but Lirha was exhausted, sleep deprived, and short on patience. And they were all short on time.

"Computer," continued Saalm who turned back to the planet's large planetary hologram. "Overlay tactical grid." A series of rectangular square grid lines and alpha-numeric markings appeared atop Latari B III's topographical projection. The strategic layout neatly divided the colony site's surrounding terrain into organized zones to best allow top-down planning and coordination.

"We have twenty-eight shuttles and eight fighters; enough for two full squadrons to assign to the colony's evacuation. Sufficient to evacuate five-hundred with one joint sortie, because I doubt we'll get a second chance at this." Lirha moved to the astrometrics bay's center console then entered a set of algorithms. The planetary projection zoomed out to an orbital view which now highlighted each of the Federation and Tholian starships hovering high above the world in space. Three opaque course lines now appeared, emanating from each Starfleet vessel and leading down into the planet's lower atmosphere on a treacherous flight path.

"Our evacuation teams will consist of all available passenger and cargo shuttles and will be defended by Kali's fighter squadron throughout the operation." Saalm tapped two large yellow buttons on the LCARS display which marked the shuttle and fighter squadrons with gold Starfleet icons. "The descent into the atmosphere's lower layer will be dangerous because of the ionization, and coordinating at the landing zone is even tougher. The information Commander Blake's team relayed shows the colonists have clustered tightly together in their makeshift camp. Landing zones will be sparse and we risk collisions without proper coordination. Once on the surface, each shuttle will load to maximum emergency passenger compliment, take off, then return to their respective starships. Total roundtrip time will be no more than thirty minutes."

Saalm tapped her green fingers against the LCARS console which caused the display to highlight several of the colony's main building structures. "Even if our evacuation is successful, however, there will still be a thousand colonists left on the surface. Fortunately, scans from the site show they've managed to preserve several of their colony ship's original descent modules." Lirha pointed on the top-down map to what appeared as rectangular housing and maintenance structures. "According to Starfleet colonial protocol, all new settlements are required to maintain enough of these modular craft to perform an emergency evacuation into orbit if necessary. It seems whoever's in charge down there hasn't forgotten, but we'll need to get word to the colonists to prepare and coordinate our efforts."

For the Genesis Directive to succeed, Lirha reasoned to herself, evacuating the colonists needed to be their first objective. "After the shuttle teams deploy," she resumed, pulling the planetary view back out into orbit, "all Tholian and Starfleet starships will descend into low orbit to cover the evacuation teams. Just above the thermosphere. We might not be able to fire on the proto-Tholian through the lower atmosphere but hopefully our presence can distract and divert its attention away from the colonists." Saalm designated the task group with a blue Starfleet icon on the tactical projection then looked to Kohl.

"The final strike against this proto-Tholian will be carried out by you and Galileo, commander." It was a tall order for the new acting captain but Lirha had no plans to replace him as ship's commander after Andreus had successfully completed his prior treacherous mission to eliminate a similar silicon creature on Latari A III. "When the shuttle squadrons are en route back from the surface, you'll enter the atmosphere and provide cover to any remaining colony modules during their ascent. Once all of our people are clear, you're authorized to deploy another tri-cobalt device...and destroy this creature once and for all."

Captain Saalm stepped back from the console and clasped her hands behind her back. "Any questions?" she asked after a long pause of silence.

"Yes, here's one." Responded the Tellarite captain as she walked up to the holographic display. Rather than letting them meet those of her Orion counterpart Navrin let her eyes glance over the projection, specifically where the three courses of the three Federation vessels were plotted. She gestured to the hovering forms of the Tholian ships. "The Tholians. I'm unsure of what their role in this operation is at all. It seems as though we will be doing the dangerous parts as they... Sit and wait for us? Cover us from low orbit?" She left implied in her tone of voice that this arrangement seemed awfully convenient for the Tholians.

Their new ally's involvement in the operation was an important addition. "The Tholians and the proto-Tholian have a hostile relationship. Very hostile...xenophobic in nature despite their shared lineage. But so far, all Tholian attempts to destroy the creature have failed. It possesses not only superior mass, but intelligence. It can convert geothermal energy into tetryon energy through an advanced form of biochemistry which makes it impervious to their weapons and most of their technology.

"It's our prediction," Saalm continued with a sideways glance to the two Tholians in the room, "that the presence of Tholian starships in low orbit will immediately attract the proto-Tholian's attention and divert it away from the colony - ensuring minimal casualties to the evacuation teams."

Very aware that he was the one remaining with a finger on the trigger, Andreus Kohl's thoughts remained with any beings left behind on the surface, or even those near-to the surface. "What's the rescue plan," Commander Kohl asked, "if a colony module lifts off, but can't escape the atmosphere of the planet?"

"If they can ascend through the atmosphere far enough away from the proto-Tholian's electromagnetic interference, then our ships in orbit can tractor or transport them out within minutes." Saalm tapped at her console to display a new mark on the three-dimensional planetary tactical grid. A final high-orbital rendezvous point for all elements involved in the upcoming mission.

Saalm knew what Kohl was really asking, however, and finally gave him the hard answer. "If the modules can't escape the planet or the proto-Tholian, then they'll be destroyed or crash in an uncontrolled descent. Either way, they'll be lost without cover from Kali's fighters and our orbital elements."

Allyndra had thought and at least it was worth the try. By the Twins she probably would have put a skeleton crew on board this ship and gone Blue alert with the same idea of providing cover but perhaps Lirha's idea was better, a ship this size might be too attention getting. She also noted that Lirha had made no mention of retaking her command but leaving Kohl in charge. "And who is leading this landing task force?" she asked. She pretty much suspected but wanted to find out for sure.

"Me," answered Saalm after the pause. The Orion captain looked from Warraquim to Rasmussen then said, "With your permission, I'll be piloting a command and control shuttle during the evacuation to oversee all shuttle operations - along with Commander Wyatt and Ensign Alexander. The three of us will coordinate the airspace, communicate with the colonists, and direct all suborbital shuttles.

"Captain Rasmussen will be in command of all Starfleet orbital elements," Saalm continued, "and Commander Kohl will lead Galileo on the final planetary strike." She looked back to the ship's winged doctor and raised her eyebrows invitingly. "If you're willing, doctor, we also need a medical triage shuttle to make the journey down to the surface during the evacuation. There'll probably be severe injuries to many of the colonists, so we'll need to keep them alive until they reach medical bays on our starships in orbit."

"Thought you would never ask," Allyndra retorted but with a smile. "None of you really know how to fly worth a darn." She knew the joke would be flat to the Tholians but hoped it would relieve some of the tension in the room.

Wyatt liked the plan so far, in his mind the less the Tholians interfered the better. Not because he had a dislike for them, but it was going to be hard enough coordinating the en masse Federation sortie and adding Tholians to the equation made things a lot more difficult. "We should look to modify all the shuttles so that there is absolutely no way we lose communication. Our primary communications will of course be the communications system but I think having a backup, such a visual display much like old naval ships used lights and flags, to coordinate will reduce the risk of losing communications. If we do lose comms it will spell disaster."

Captain Rasmussen was wearing down a small portion of the deck plating beneath his feet from anxious side-to-side pacing. "Saalm, Wyatt - this whole thing spells disaster," he retorted, picking up where the security chief left off. "We're so far outside Starfleet regulations that I don't know whether to hang you or give you back to the Tholians!" he scolded the Orion. The anger in his beady eyes radiated from his pudgy build. "After all our recent battles with the Tholians and the losses we sustained...you expect us to suddenly trust them with our lives and those of the colonists?!"

Luke shrugged, "Its better than condemning innocent people to death or did we all lose our heads in the face of danger?" He shook his head, "Sometimes I forget we're even Starfleet anymore."

Saalm maintained her decision in the face of the larger Human's scrutiny then nodded her consent to Galileo's senior tactical and operations officers. "We depart for the colony in thirty minutes. So you have twenty. Both of you, get to the Lagrange at once and report to her main shuttle bay."

Positioned at the back of the room, security officer Diego stepped to the side to allow both gold-collared officers to exit the room. He continued to monitor the Tholians out of an abundance of caution. So far their spidery movements had been benign yet the hair on the back of his head now stood up. The Saalm Orion's tactical plan was bold. Almost too bold. That's a lot of moving pieces, he silently thought to himself.

Handing over his control to Diego willingly, Luke made for the transporter room. He had no intention of wasting what little time they had and despite his confidence, he still needed to be at peace with himself before they went on this suicidal mission.

Lirha watched the two Galileo officers leave then looked back to those remaining, including the Tholians. "The rest of you, report to your stations. Brief your crews and assign personnel. We'll check in again when all teams are standing by for launch. Dismissed."

Allyndra made that odd rolling shrug that rustled the wings and waited a moment. She was thinking of what things to put together but darn if she was not going to go ahead and fly one of those shuttles. They might be good pilots but she had grown up and was naturally used to three dimensions. Finally she nodded to Lirha and then left after the others, there were things to get done.

There was something vague and halfhearted about the nod Andreus Kohl offered in return. As hopeful as their plan had become, there was a minefield of horrors in their path. Dozens of things could go wrong and mean doom for them all. Kohl didn't blink, though. He held Lirha's gaze firmly until he turned on his heel and walked out also. His estranged bridge crew were in need of their new orders.

Galileo's Starfleet personnel were departing the astrometrics lab, as well as the two large Tholians under the guard of Lieutenant Diego. The comparatively small Human cautiously maneuvered behind their spidery carapaces with his phaser rifle slung low to his abdomen. The security officer watched them depart the room as ordered and followed them into the outside corridor to usher them towards the transporter room.

One of the last personnel to leave the room was the Tellarite captain, who Saalm subtly pursued until she caught up with her near the exit. There was much on the Orion's mind, and seemingly, the other captain's. Lirha reached out with a green hand which touched Navrin on her shoulder. "Captain. A word, please," she quietly said.

[OFF]

--

All Crew, USS Galileo-A

Lieutenant Diego
Security Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Saalm]

CAPT Navrin
Commanding Officer
USS Kali
[PNPC Ullswater]

Captain Rasmussen
Commanding Officer
USS Lagrange
[NPC Saalm]

Tholians
[NPCs Saalm]

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