Star Trek: Season 1 - Flash Point

[keozen]

The images of the confrontation with the Ferengi played over the screen in front of Bell. He tried yet again to move, but the field holding him seemed stronger than him, no matter how he tried.

"Is that the artifact from my ship Numov? You put it there didn't you?"

The wide grin of the I-clone-ian [ooc: I couldn't resist calling him that] turned to face him and beamed with joy.

"Ahh, just one of my many playthings. A child's toy if you will. Don't worry, I'm not being mean. All the other 'children' have one too, the Klingons have a blue one. I always prefered the green ones myself."

"Why are you holding me here Numov, you've already 'tested' me. You have no further need to see our intentions, leave my crew out of this."

"Why Captain, I may have tested you, but I have every need to know your crew's intentions. You have some rather interesting characters there. Anyway, I'm not holding you. You're in the care of your crew, with them like you should be. We're in your mind Gilbert, such an interesting place."

"Why? How could....."

"Enough my dear Gilbert. I believe it's time to open a few doors that stand in your crew's way, and to give them something to play for."

Captain Gilbert Bell,
USS Tiberius

[USS Tiberius]

Silently the four doors around the room slid open, revealing long white corridors which lead to room upon room, some as large as this. Klingons, Cardassians and Romulans could be heard in the distance, the Ferengi were already here.

Numov's voice boomed over unseen speakers, shocking all.

"Ok children, before you start bickering I just want to make you aware that I have opened all the doors in this elaborate playpen. Feel free to 'play nice' with your friends. Ohh, and you may want to look for anything you may have lost, we'll speak later if you find what you need."

Starfleet officers, civilians, Ferengi, Romulans, Klingons and Cardassians alike looked around in confusion. The exact meaning of Numov's last words were not realized by everyone at first, then the screams and shouts started. Slowly every occupied room turned into chaos, fanatical individuals began losing their composure......


.....The children were gone.

[iceman]

I could sense them, They were not harmed but somehow out of reach, I could sense the commanders fear, however it was well hidden, but still I could sense it , barely.

I noticed that when the artifact was moved in differrent directions in glowed more intensly or became very faint. Could this be a clue?

[Jen]

What is he doing?! Sevryll was taken back by the doctor's sudden inclination to thrust the artifact in the air for all to see. That was the last thing she would have done, but the proverbial cat had been let out of the bag. All that she could do now was react to the situation. The Ferengi were easily frightened, they dropped their whips, but only out of fear. At least the situation had been temporarily defused. She thought to herself.

Sevryll nodded to the Ferengi as he shouted his own introduction, "I am Hoozar Tog." The Ferengi remained in a crouching position, and continually bounced his weight from his left to his right leg. His hands were spread apart and, in his left, he held a device that pulsed with an orange light.  He cocked his head to one side and looked Sevryll up and down with disgust. "What have you done with our DaiMon?!" He spat. The other Ferengis collectively roared in concurrence.

"We do not have your DaiMon, Hoozar Tog. Our Commander is also missing, and our Captain has been incapacitated." Said Sevryll. The Ferengi's thoughts were wild with accusations, Sevryll and Peterson could hear him debating with himself:She's lying! Never trust a wo-mon who wears clothing! She's telling the truth, she is in command, why would a wo-mon be in command unless they are desperate!? Their Captain must be debilitated!

"It seems we have the same problem Tog. Perhaps we should work together to find out what is going on." Offered the doctor. K'ararth stepped up to join the conversation. Tog scampered back a few steps in alarm. "This is our Chief Engineer, Lt. Commander K'ararth." Said Sevryll. The Ferengi jeered at the Klingon as another Ferengi scurried over to the Hoozar. He clasped onto Tog's arm as he gazed upon the Klingon before him. "They are lying." He whispered. "Do not believe them Hoozar." Tog pulled his arm away from the sniveling Frengi. "I will make that determination! I am in charge, not you."

"That device you hold. Does it affect those who have come in contact with it?" Asked Sevryll.

"It is not for sale!" Tog defensively exclaimed.

"I am not offering to buy it and I have no intention of taking it from you." Answered Sevryll she exchanged glances with the doctor and K'ararth  before continuing.

"We have a similar device. I believe it has given us certain abilities. Perhaps we can learn more about them if they are studied together. They may help us discover the reason for our presence here."

Oblivious to the current situation, Lt. Peters and his security detail continued to scour the complex, in search for Commander Quinn.


---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0

[Geekyfanboy]

Quinn and Took walked down the white hallways and couldn't hear or see anyone else.

Quinn stopped and turned to Ensign Took "What I don't understand is why would they separate you out of the group?"

"I don't know Commander" Took replied

"Another thing is why can't I sense you?"

"Maybe they have blocked your telepathy"

"Perhaps.. or maybe you aren't really here, maybe you are a figment of my imagination?"

Laughing "I can assure you Commander that I am real"

Quinn smiled and continued to walk down the white hallway.

Took started to ask questions about Quinn's life, his species, and his Starfleet career. Quinn was taken back a bit by all the questions. It was very strange for a first year ensign to be so familiar with his Commanding officer. Quinn kept his answers short and to the point.

"Why all these questions Ensign?" Quinn asked

"There is nothing better to talk about sir, just wanted to get to know you."

Quinn eyed him suspiciously.. something just didn't feel right here.

Then Took asked, "What do you know about the Iconians"

Quinn replied, "Not much really just what is in the Starfleet Database. The Iconians were a highly advanced ancient culture that was destroyed around 200,000 years ago by orbital bombardment that destroyed the surface of their planet, however some may have escaped through the gateway which is a dimensional transport that was used to travel interstellar distances instantaneously. Iconia, their home planet is located in the Romulan Neutral Zone near Romulan space. It was discovered in 2365 by Captain Donald Varley of the USS Yamato."

"And now they are back" Took replied

"It would seem so, but this was suppose to be trade negotiations"

"Maybe it's like the voice said... they are testing us?"

Quinn stopped walking and turned toward Took.

"What did you say Ensign?"

Took looked nervous and repeated himself  "Maybe they are testing us...sir"

"No you said, maybe it's like the voice said.. they are testing us. I didn't tell you about the voice or what it said. I didn't mention anything about them testing us....... WHO ARE YOU?"

Took laughed as he changed forms. Standing in front of Quinn was humanoid, slightly green, with ears streamlined to his head. The man was slightly balding.

"Very good Commander", said the man.

Quinn recognized the voice, he asked once again, "Who are you?"

The man raised his hand to shake Quinn's. Quinn did not return the gesture.

Lowering his hand "Hello there Commander Quinn, My name is Numov. I serve those who your culture has come to know as the Iconian empire. And before you ask, no, they didn't die out, your historians are not as clever as they think, and no, I'm not an Iconian, my template is but I am but a copy."

"Why the charades? Was this just another test? Where are my people? Why are you doing this?" Quinn demanded.

Numov with a slight smile on his face. "So many questions my dear Commander"

He gave Quinn a little nod and there was a flash of light and Quinn was standing in the middle of the hall surrounded by a bunch of people.

TBC

Commander Quinn
First Officer
USS Tiberius

[Elizur]

Things had happened so suddenly. 

Enoch was making his way with his team to the doors when suddenly, Ferengi appeared, very hostile.

But Dr. Petersen had producted an odd artifact, which seemed to startle the Ferengi.  Then the Ferengi also produced a similiar one, but of a different color. 

And then, all the children disappeared. 

Enoch immediately looked for the only two that he knew.....Lt. Commander Sevryll's twins.  Where were they?

These were infants!  This Iconian game made Enoch growl.  To prey on the innocent showed no honor. 

The children must be located!

[Jen]

"We have a similar device. I believe it has given us certain abilities. Perhaps we can learn more about them if they are studied together. They may help us discover the reason for our presence here."

The Ferengi worked his jaw as he considered his next response. He was not comfortable discussing the intricacies of their relic with the fe-male. He didn't like her. As far as Sevryll was concerned, the feeling was mutual. Ferengis were the most irrational group of people she had chance to encounter—but she was careful to shield that thought from him. It could potentially harm the diplomacy she and the doctor were working towards.

Now that she knew the artifacts effect she called on her abilities, honed on Vulcan, to block her more personal memories and thoughts. The doctor had this aptitude as well; he was half Betazoid.

Her concussion wasn't the only reason for her headache—the counselor was devoid of the skill. Margon's emotions and fears flooded their minds like a torrent of rushing water. The deluge of emotions was difficult to hold back in the absence of meditation. She suspected his feelings had caused her to experience anxiety and annoyance in recent days—feelings she keeps buried beneath logic.

Sevryll deduced that the telepathic link between the three of them was in direct correlation to the artifact that Doctor Peterson brought aboard the ship. She and counselor had each been invited to inspect the relic back in Five Forward. Since that time she and the doctor had studied the artifact at length, in affect strengthening the link. The Ferengi's artifact must be related to there own, for once they entered ther room the compilation of three voices increased to six.

Tog was refused to offer any information pertaining to his artifact, so Sevryll turned the negotiations over to Margon and Peterson. She was only impeding their progress. The counselor had since found his center and took command of the discussion. He was trained specifically to confer with the logically challenged and Sevryll was certain if anyone could successfully negotiate with the Ferengi, it would Morgon.

K'ararth had had enough of the detestable Ferengi; he followed Sevryll as she stepped away from the discussion. Enoch pushed through the crowd of crewmembers to inform Sevryll of the twisted new challenge in the Iconians' game. His report was a blow to the midsection.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0

[Bryancd]

K'ararth was thankful when Servyll walked away from the snarling little Ferengi. Few species were as detestable to a Klingon then the perpetually greedy race of merchants without honor.

"Commander," he said, "these artifacts seem to be not just simple stone, but a mechanism which amplify's and transmits nueral enbergy. Clearly, as a Vulcan, you already posses a segree of telepathic abilities which have been augmented by the presence of this devcice."

Servyll nooded. "Indeed, it has been a....challenge to maintain control of the images I have been sesnsing."

"If the artifact is a form of telepathic enhancer, it would also stand to reason that it is a communication device. As such, perhaps we can modify it to transmit a message to our captors or posssibly.....the Captain."

Just then, Ensign Iblis came running over to deliver some very bad news the rioled K'arath's Klingon blood.

[Elizur]

Ensign Enoch Iblis

Enoch ran over to where Servyll and K'arath stood discussing the newly revealed artifact.

"The children!  All the children are missing!"

Servyll immediately spun around to where her children were supposed to be. 

Enoch confirmed her worst fears.  "They are gone, Servyll...they are missing!  I swear by Kahless himself, I will find them!"

Servyll gasped.  The Vulcan could not hide her distress.

K'arath bristled as well.  "We have been standing here idle for too long.  The doors are open, let us find them...now!  We will assemble a crack team to explore this ship, and find our children.  And, our XO."

"Good idea.  Except I think I found myself."  Quinn appeared as if out of thin air.

Everyone turned and stared.  The whole room suddenly became even louder, first the children have disappeared, and now Quinn has returned.

[Jen]

Sevryll inhaled a considerable breath in an attempt to maintain her composure. N'val and M'rynn were gone...vanished. Apparently the Betazoid caretaker, Troleen, was missing as well. Was he responsible or was he also a victim of the game? Sevryll began to suspect he was involved in some way. Where was he after the displacement wave hit the Tiberius? Morgon and Averik never mentioned seeing him in her quarters when they checked on the children.

She maintained her poise, but the deep breath she seized was audible. She regretted taking it—Enoch and K'ararth had heard it as it was drawn. The Klingons were at once sympathetic towards her and furious that the game had now consumed her toddlers.

Her eyebrows formed a frown as she turned her gaze down to the floor. It remained there as she absorbed the news and gathered her thoughts. She could still hear five voices in her head, Margon, Peterson and the three Ferengi. She struggled to listen for her own voice as it composed  a single thought. Once it was shaped, she grasped it and swam for the surface like a diver rushing for air. Sevryll quickly glanced up at the tall Klingon and asked,  "did you see them vanish Ensign? Did you see them disappear?" her words rushed out like a gust of wind.

"Yes. The same bright light that brought us here took them away." He regretfully replied.

"We have been standing idle for too long." He added  "The doors are open, let us find them...now!  We will assemble a crack team to explore this ship, and find our children.  And, our XO."

Had he said "our children"? Sevryll heard the words but had no time to wonder about their meaning. "I am going with you." The Vulcan quickly emphasized.

"Good idea.  Except I think I found myself."  Quinn appeared as if out of thin air.

"Commander." Sevryll was relieved that Quinn had returned and was well. In her short stint as commanding officer, nothing had "gone right". She was reassured to see that some form of success had been achieved, even though she had nothing to do with the outcome.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0

[Archangela]

Officer Averik ran quickly through the crowd followed by Lt. Sameria.

"We just heard, what can we do?" Gasped Newol and Sameria, shocked at the calm present in the Lt. Commander.

"AAAHHH" Newol screamed as she noticed Commander Quinn appear suddenly. "What in the name of the Orbs is going on here? Why aren't we doing anything? And...........forgive me Commander." She pulled Lt. Cmdr Sevryll aside and said, "How do we know he is not in on it?"

Sevryll pulled away slowly as Newol realized what she had done in her panic. But they both turned slowly to look at the Commander....

[Geekyfanboy]

"AAAHHH" Newol screamed as she noticed Commander Quinn appear suddenly. "What in the name of the Orbs is going on here? Why aren't we doing anything? And...........forgive me Commander." She pulled Lt. Cmdr Sevryll aside and said, "How do we know he is not in on it?"

Sevryll pulled away slowly as Newol realized what she had done in her panic. But they both turned slowly to look at the Commander....

Quinn smiled "I can assure you that I'm not in on this"

Sevryll approached "Sir what happen, where did you go, have you seen the children?"

Quinn raised his hand to stop the questions. "First tell me is the Captain here?"

Sevryll escorted Quinn to the Captain's body.

"He has been this way every since we arrived", Sevryll replied

Quinn leaned over the Captain and put his hand over the Captain's forehead. "He's alright" Quinn said but stopped abruptly... "I've never felt this before.. it's as though his being, his conscience is not here. There is nothing we can do for him at the moment." Quinn turned to Sevryll, "Did you say something about the children?"

With no hint of emotions Sevryll replied "Yes, moments before you arrived all the children vanished."

Quinn could hear the crowd around him start to mumble.

"Maybe you should start at the beginning" Quinn said

Sevryll took the next five minutes to explain everything that had happened. Their arrival, the Captain's condition, the artifact, the Ferengi's arrival and their artifact, and the missing children. In turn Quinn explained what had happened to him, the white room, Ensign Took, the questions, the test.

"So you think this is all a test?" Sevryll said calmly

"I don't know. All I know is that Numov told me he was testing us.

Quinn heard a man's voice from one of the doorways.

"Klingons!!! The Klingons are coming."

From another doorway a woman yelled

"Cardassians, they're almost here"

And again from the fourth doorway walked in the Romulans. Quinn could feel the tension in the room rise. He had to do something and he had to do it quick.

TBC

Commander Quinn
First Officer
USS Tiberius

[USS Tiberius]

Panic spread around the room as the various races all converged upon the chamber. Voices echoed in the vast space both panicked and angered and scared.

A light glimmer shone down from the celing of the dome, casting shadows from the backs of one and all.

"Be not afraid children" Everyone, no matter what language they spoke, seemed to understand the soothing tones of this voice. "We have slumbered for many a century. The one you have seen is merley our aide be patient with his methods, he means well. Awaken us and we shall set you free with untold knowledges and what has been lost will be found. All you must do is identify and defeat your common enemy. We will speak again when the task is complete."

The blinding light exploded, filling everyone's eyes. When everyone regained their composure they seemed to be outside, in a large field under a deep purple sky. In the distance, around 30-40 kilometers away, stood a tall white Citadel, a shining beacon pulsing from it's peak. next to this beacon seemed to be an enormous landing platform, stretching out from one of the upper spires on which was pearched the Klingon, Ferengi, Cardassian, Romulan vessels and right next to the Ferengi marauder was the Tiberius*. The several hundred personell from every ship were all intermingled together.

USS Tiberius

* [ooc: yes guys this citadel is HUGE, and I mean huge! I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the shops and back but that's nothing compaired to how big this place is, imagine the biggest building complex you've ever seen, now imagine the tallest building you've ever seen, now double it. Well, that's tiny compaired to this, you think you can think bigger then thi.... aww forget it, it's just big ok ;) ]

[Bryancd]

K'arath could sense the tension and distrust between all the races gathered on the plain. Centuries of aggression, conflict, and dispute tenuosly resolved through treaties and alliances, but never really settled, all threatened to overwhelm them all. Although his Klingon blood bioled for a fight with honor, he realized that all that could result from battle was death to all, a death without honor. Somehow, they would need to work together, but how? Who could lead where so many others had failed?

[Geekyfanboy]

"Be not afraid children" Everyone, no matter what language they spoke, seemed to understand the soothing tones of this voice. "We have slumbered for many a century. The one you have seen is merely our aide be patient with his methods, he means well. Awaken us and we shall set you free with untold knowledge and what has been lost will be found. All you must do is identify and defeat your common enemy. We will speak again when the task is complete."

The blinding light exploded, filling everyone's eyes. When everyone regained their composure they seemed to be outside, in a large field under a deep purple sky. In the distance, around 30-40 kilometers away, stood a tall white Citadel, a shining beacon pulsing from its peak. next to this beacon seemed to be an enormous landing platform, stretching out from one of the upper spires on which was perched the Klingon, Ferengi, Cardassian, Romulan vessels and right next to the Ferengi marauder was the Tiberius. The several hundred personnel from every ship were all intermingled together.

Quinn looked around for his senior staff, he saw Lt. Commander Sevryll and Ensign Iblis, he waved them over.

"I don't know what just happened but we need to find the rest of the senior staff and gather up our crew. ::Quinn looked around:: Have them meet here by this tree."

Sevryll and Iblis both nodded and headed through the crowd. Quinn heard some arguing close by. He walked over to find a Cardassian and a Ferengi about to fight.

Quinn stepped forward "What's going on here?"

"This is none of your concern Hue-man" said a Ferengi

Quinn stepped between the two "Stop this petty bickering" ::Quinn raised his voice and stood up on a rock:: "we are all in this together. We can't fight amongst ourselves. Our children have been taken, we are being played with like toys. This is exactly what they expect us to do, to fight. You all heard the voice, we must identify and defeat our common enemy."

A Cardassian stepped forward, "The Cardassian people have nothing in common with the Ferengi or Kligons, this is all a trick of StarFleet, they are behind this."

Murmuring began to spread over the crowd.

"This is not a trick of StarFleet, you were all brought here with the same mission as we were to negotiate with the Iconians."

TBC

Commander Quinn
First Officer
USS Tiberius