307: Unexpected Company

by Zanh Liis and TC Blane
80602.00
Following Let the Punishment Fit the Crime

-=Bridge: USS Serendipity=-

"I can't wait to hear what he has to say." Zanh said with a shake of her head.

Blane's eyebrows elevated. "You and me both."

"Onscreen." Zanh waved to Tenney, and she and Blane took several strides forward to stand in front of the command chairs.

"This is Captain Zanh Liis, of the Federation starship Serendipity. We are here in response to a distress call and have been attempting to render aid to those suffering on the surface," she hurried to preempt any comment that this. . .Magistrate whatever the hell he called himself may have to suggest that their presence was hostile.

[I understand that, and I thank you, Captain Zanh. But it is now time for you to withdraw. We have soldiers mobilized on the surface already and ships ready to beam more down quickly so that we can secure the situation and render any aid necessary to our people.]

"I'm trying to withdraw, actually," Zanh said, rocking up onto her toes, "Would love to withdraw. But I have people who are currently still stuck down on that planet and. . ." she paused, "Curious. You said your people, Magistrate? I was under the impression that the people of Stra II declared their independence from you a century ago. Are you certain that they will welcome your. . ." Zanh caught a wave from Micah Samson out of the corner of her eye and for a second, glanced at the screen he was displaying. Sensors were showing an armada of large Strasa starships, coming into orbit and falling into position behind the lead ship. She quickly turned back to the man on the screen. ". . .assistance? They might object."

[They are in no position to object and neither are you, Captain Zanh. Might I remind you that the Prime Directive of your own Federation. . .]

"I am keenly aware of the contents of the Prime Directive. Sir." Zanh felt her cheeks flush. "So you are asserting that your taking control of the minor planet is part of the evolution of your species?"

[It had to happen.] The Magistrate replied. [They were headstrong. Rebellious. Short-sighted. They did not take into account what would happen if they did not plan ahead and take proper care of the natural and technological resources of their colony. But it's all right. We have been watching them for a long time, Captain Zanh, and we are here to cure them of their technology addiction.]

"Well, I know it's not any of my business, Magistrate, but if I might be so bold as to inquire. . ." The condescending tone the man spoke with was putting Liis on edge. "How do you intend to do that, exactly?"

[We're going to cut the off from their drug of choice, cold.] The man replied.

"But, hasn't that already happened, Sir? The power allocation center. . ."

[Will soon be nothing but a memory.] The Magistrate replied.

Blane glanced back at the communication station and motioned for them to pause the audio feed. Tenney nodded that the feed had been interrupted.

“Captain, they might be planning to do something radical such as taking out the power allocation center from orbit. We still do not know exactly where all of our people are. They could be in harms way.”

“Their weapon technology is comparable to ours from about 20 years ago.” Zander reported from the tactical station. “If they wanted to blast that underground bunker from orbit, they could.”

TC turned his back slightly to make sure his lips could not be read by the Magistrate. “We need time to pinpoint the remaining away teams. Once we do that I can assemble a team and go and get them if necessary.”

"We have got to find them," Zanh concurred. "We also have two shuttles and the Polaris down there, and we can't leave that kind of technology behind. Besides, I'd rather not have to explain to the Admiral that we lost three ships with highly sensitive information on them." Zanh thought quickly even as Ensign Tenney informed them that the Magistrate was hailing. Again.

"Blik." Zanh blurted suddenly. "He's our ace. We use him to stall for time. Have security bring him up here. Sue, reconnect the good Magistrate."

Blane gave the order and security was sent to fetch the prisoner, and Zanh turned back toward the screen. "My sincerest apologies, your. . .Honor. . .?" She eyed Blane to ask if she'd chosen the correct term diplomatically, and he lowered his eyes in affirmation. "Your Honor. But we have a situation aboard that you must be aware of before we can leave orbit, with or without our people down on the planet."

[Zanh Liis my troops have already begun to land and have started to try to reign in the populace. As soon as we can get some type of order restored to the Medical Center and remove everyone from the Spire, we will commence with the distruction of the Central Power Allocation Grid.]

"Starfleet personnel remain unreachable on the planet, your Honor," Zanh protested once again. "You must allow me to evacuate them before you fire on that facility. The Federation would not take kindly to losing some of their finest, especially considering that we came here on a mission of mercy."

[We are going to do our best to evacuate the area around the designated blast zone, Captain, and hopefully your people will be among those moved to safety. Then, once the grid has been destroyed, we can see about returning them to your ship.]

"Unacceptable." Zanh stepped closer to the screen. "Once more, your Honor, I would like to inform you that we have a situation on this ship regarding a crime that has been committed by one of the members of Lank's delegation against a member of my crew. He is incarcerated here, and we-"

"One of Lank's?" Suddenly the Magistrate was interested. "Which one of Lank's delegation?"

"A man called Blik." Zanh replied, as Security brought Blik from the turbolift forward.

Then she slowly stepped aside to show the Magistrate that she wasn't bluffing.

--------------------------------
-=/\=-Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012

and

Commander TC Blane
Second Officer/Chief of Operations
USS Serendipity NCC-2012