Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek, I don't own the terms that are canon. Pretty
much if you recognize it, I don't own it. Most of the characters are my own.
Summary: The USS Ares is deployed and meets their new species,
whom the Klingons have met before, and regard them as dangerous.
However, the Trickan are not as bad as the Klingon thinks, but the
Ares is banished from the Trickan homeworld, and people begin
disappearing.
Special Guests:
Kilin
Trickan Female Council Leader(Durene)
Erigo
Trinoge
Curnedi
Last Time on Star Trek: Ares
"Sorry, sir, he insisted on coming to the bridge," the security officer explained.
"Who is this?" Ambassador Kordak insisted nearly yelling.
"Ambassador, please calm down," Ensign Jace Knight interjected standing up from his helm console and walking towards the ambassador.
"Ambassador, this is Kilin, he is one of the first species of life we have met out here," the captain said sending a death glare towards the ambassador.
"This man, he is Klingon? I cannot read into his thoughts, I wonder why not?" Kilin said curiously talking almost like he was talking to himself.
"He is not a friend," Kordak insisted as Jace was shielding the Klingon from attacking the visitor, "Hegh are not to be trusted."
"Hegh?" Eris Landon, the chief of Ops asked out of nowhere.
"Death Bringers. His kind brought about a massacre on Kronos. They cannot be trusted," Kordak shouted.
And now for the conclusion
"Death Bringers?" the captain said disbelievingly, "How can that be, they are from this galaxy? And how in the cosmos did you know he was here Ambassador?"
"We Klingon can sense when one is near!" Kordak said loudly struggling with Jace Knight to get in a tussle with the blackened alien, "I do not know how, but I know him to be a Hegh. They are described as the men of the darkest night, with only their glowing eyes as warning of imminent death. We lived in peace until they turned on us, until only part Hegh remained, over a 3,000 years ago."
"If it was a 3,000 years ago, how do you know it to be true?" Eris Landon asked in curiosity.
"I already said that we Klingon can sense when they are around! It is said that the Klingons had a device implanted inside of them, a device which would notify them if the Hegh came again, which was programmed to reproduce with the species, eventually integrating into our DNA. And I have felt this feeling, and I knew a Hegh was near."
"Kilin?" the captain asked questioningly wondering if he could shine more light on it.
"I do not know of our ancient history. All of our files were destroyed 300 years ago when we vacated our previous planet, which was doomed to supernova. I am sorry I do not know more," Kilin in slight surprise hearing this story Kordak had told. Kilin was of the Trickan, completely black, pitch black like the middle of the night on a new moon, and not noticed before, but he seemed to have no nose, just a mouth and eyes and ears, and black hair on his head.
"I demand I take this Hegh back to Kronos so he can suffer for his people's wrongdoings in the past," Kordak yelled angrily.
"I will not allow it Ambassador," the captain said looking at Kordak with eyes that seemed could kill, "He is innocent, it would be like putting me on trial for slavery hundreds of years ago on Earth.
"This is an internal affair between the Klingons and the Hegh, you cannot interfere!" Kordak shouted, finally struggling out of Jace grip, aiming for Kilin, but befor ehe could get too far, the Klingon simply dropped, no phaser was fired, even though Lieutenant Iscari had drawn his phaser.
"I would suggest the Klingon go to the infirmary, there will be slight neural damage, easily repairable, and if you cannot, our doctors will treat him," Kilin said staring at the Klingon unconscious on the floor before him. The captain quickly assigned Jace and a security officer to bring Kordak to the infirmary as quickly as possible.
"Kilin, on this ship, you are not allowed to hurt anyone, unless it was completely dangerous and you were alone. Our security officers were about to stun him, you needn't take action into your own hands," the captain explained.
"I understand Captain Richards, however I was defending myself, and I am extremely protective over my body," Kilin explained, "I do not want to take any risks, I am the eldest on our planet, and I am merely an adolescent. Our planet has radiation which affects us in a terrible way, killing us before we reach adulthood. I am unaffected by this radiation, due to the adaptation in my genes. I am the first of many who will resist this radiation."
"If you would want help to relocate your people, I am sure we could -" The captain began, however Kilin crossed across the bridge and cut her off.
"Our people have become attached to the land, they would never agree," Kilin stated.
"There is nothing we could do? Doctor Galen could perhaps try to find a protection from this radiation, if you would allow him to test you and one of your people who doesn't have protection, he might be able to come up with something to increase your lifespan." Kilin simply shook his head.
"No, we will progress as is. We do not need the help of any other species. I believe I need to rest, do you have restoration facilities on your ship?" Kilin asked starting to breathe slightly heavily.
"Yes, of course. Lieutenant Iscari show him to the VIP quarters on the opposite side of the deck of the ambassador," the captain ordered. Jemelle nodded and gestured for Kilin to follow him. And so they entered the turbolift, and Jemelle stood silently, his dark brown skin seeming much whiter compared to Kilin's black skin.
"You are not like the others," Kilin stated.
"No, I am not," Jemelle simply answered.
"What is so special about you? I cannot tell without invading your mind without your permission," Kilin asked.
"I am not like them," Jemelle simply said.
"Yes, but how?" Kilin asked.
"I prefer not to talk about it, nor anything in particular," Jemelle explained, "If you really want to know, you may read into my mind and thoughts, but nothing since I joined Starfleet, if that is possible. Please don't read too much about me, I prefer to keep many things to myself."
"I understand, I will try not to pry into anything you do not wish," Kilin replied before staring at Jemelle for only a second, "I see. I understand why you wish not speak of it."
Later, during supper, in the mess hall, Ciro, Celes, Captain Richards, and Eris Landon were sitting at a table with their meals, eating together and discussing what had happened earlier.
"I've actually been studying Klingon history, but there was nothing in there about Hegh, then again, I've only looked back about 1,000 years. Seems so odd that the Trickan could be these Hegh, they're from a completely different galaxy than they are," Eris noted.
"I don't buy this for a second, it just seems too far-fetched," Celes replied with her wrinkled nose and Bajoran earring setting her apart from her fellow patrons in the mess hall.
"I don't know, Kordak seemed so sure about it, AND he knew that Kilin was aboard," Ciro noted.
"Even if it is true, it doesn't make a difference, crimes done by one's people hundreds or thousands of years ago shouldn't apply now, as I said before, it would be like shunning humans for slavery, or the Eugenics War," the captain noted, "People change, and I don't doubt the Trickan have. But we have to be careful still, just like with any other new species to us." The crowd nodded.
"But," a voice from behind said, "Who knows if Kilin was telling the truth? He might have known all about the Klingons, as he couldn't read Kordak." It was James Lovett, the civilian aboard the Ares, who ran the airponics bay and the mess hall.
"We can't just assume Kilin is lying though," Ciro replied.
"That's true, but we can't just forget the fact that his species could be responsible for a Klingon massacre, and perhaps that they might be biding their time to do just the same to us," Jay replied standing up behind the captain.
"Yes, I suppose so. As of right now, Kilin hasn't done anything to us which would warrant such suspicion. We can't just lock him up and continue on our merry way," the captain stated thinking about it.
"Well I know once we are granted permission to land, my first stop will be some place to relax and observe how they interact with each other in daily life," Ciro laughed, breaking the tension that had built up.
"Oh yeah, it's not to check out their females. Let me guess, your pickup line this time will be something about mating rituals and how you don't know about theirs. Perhaps you'll ask her to show you how it worked," Celes laughed teasing Ciro.
"Hey! That is not true, I was going to say I could show her our mating rituals!" Ciro retorted, sending the group into laughter, "Hey, Jay, pull up a chair, you don't have to stand like a loser there. I'll need my wing-man well rested for tomorrow." James pulled up a chair with a smile.
"I would be careful what you say, sir," Eris began, "I feel these people can tell intentions if they want, given their telepathic powers. I would exercise caution. Unlike Humans, Trickan will be able to see through your ruse."
"We'll see, we'll see," Ciro chuckled.
"Now don't do anything that will damage relations between these people. It's already strained enough," the captain stated seriously, taking a sip of her Blue Raspberry hot tea.
"I promise Captain, I won't," Ciro said with a grin. The group laughed once more, and continued to eat their supper, until the last one of them had left, which happened to James, who cleaned up after them.
The next day the crew of the Ares was granted permission by the Trickan council to come down to the Trickan world, which they called Tricka. Ciro did as he had said the night before and went to a hang out to 'observe' the Trickan in relaxation. Meanwhile the captain was consulting the archives they were given by the council for anything about the Klingons. Unfortunately for Kordak, he was forced to stay aboard for his own safety. Jace, while he wanted to go and meet the Trickan, volunteered to stay aboard with the ambassador, and make sure Kordak didn't try to sneak down to Tricka. James had stayed aboard as well, not really feeling the need to go down to the planet, plus he had some plants to take care of.
Ciro found out quite quickly that the women on this planet were not at all like those he usually tried to seduce, in fact the women seemed to run the planet. The Trickan women were not like Kilin, in fact instead of completely pitch black, they were snow white in appearance, almost blinding with the light they shown off. It surely didn't look like the Trickan were affected by radiation, but after scans, the crew confirmed there was a lot of unknown radiation from the surface of the planet, but the humans weren't affected, nor most of the aliens. Romulans and Klingons seemed the only ones who would be affected by this radiation, and the Vulcans only slightly.
Captain Richards was summoned before the Trickan council a few days later.
"Liron Annabelle Richards, commander of the starship Ares, you have been summoned before the Trickan Council because your presence is no longer wanted here," the female Trickan said in the dark circular council room, "Some of your crew have disrupted our life, and we request you leave immediately." The captain was confused by this point. Her first officer wouldn't do something like that, but he was the one most likely it seemed, given his fascination with women.
"Please, council members, reconsider, anyone who is doing anything you wish not to happen can be sent up to our ship. We wish to learn more about you, get to know you better," the captain appealed, not wanting to leave quite yet, having not looked through all of the archived history.
"No, you will leave immediately. In one hour any of your people who are left, will be imprisoned," the Trickan female council leader stated, "You will leave now." The captain didn't want to give up, but all of the lights had gone out, and the council had left the chamber. Sighing, the captain tapped her badge and signaled to beam her up. She opened a channel to all Starfleet who were on the surface to immediately beam up. Before the hour was up, they beamed Kilin back down to the planet, and hailed the council.
"We have left Tricka, we have no people on the surface anymore. We have returned Kilin. If you want us to leave, we will. But I would want to advise against this. The Federation only wants to be your friends," the captain stated trying to regain their favor once more. If she found out who had caused it, they were in for a reprimand and possibly a demotion.
"Thank you for everything. However you are not welcome here. Leave our system and never return," the Trickan female council leader stated ending the transmission.
"Ensign Knight, head out of this system, and once we clear it, go to Warp 8. Engage," the captain said resigning, not seeing anything else they could do.
"Aye, sir," Jace replied hitting the coordinates heading out at full impulse, until they reached the end of the solar system then going to Warp 8, away from the worm hole, towards another system they had previously decided to visit next.
"Commander Rodriguez, meet with me in my ready room," the captain said calmly, but one could tell she was quite stressed about something. The two walked slowly towards he ready room, and the captain simply sat saying nothing.
"Captain?" Ciro asked looking at her, and she seemed slightly angry.
"Didn't you promise you wouldn't mess this up with your pursue of their female?" the captain began quietly, "Please enlighten me on what you did."
"Sir, I didn't do anything that would make them react like this! I went to the equivalent of a bar, and tried to pick up some females, but they simply laughed and left, nothing else, I swear!" Ciro insisted.
"If I find out you did anything..." the captain threatened.
"Yes, I know, I'll be on the next ship back to Earth where I will be out of a job, or something like that," Ciro answered.
"You are dismissed commander," the captain stated, turning around in her chair, "And the bridge is yours for now."
"I'm going to kill those Hegh!" Kordak shouted at his supper of Gagh and Blood Wine.
"Kordak, you've been going on about that ever since we arrived here, give it a rest!" Jace sighed drinking a small about of orange juice. Commander Ciro entered the mess hall and withing a few minutes, everyone except Kordak, Jace, Ciro and of course James had left. Ciro sighed.
"At least you two don't leave when I enter the room. Everyone seems to think us leaving is because of me," Ciro sighed walking up to Kordak and Jace.
"Well I don't believe it was your fault at all," Jace said.
"Thank you for that at least," Ciro sighed once more, "I didn't do anything wrong..."
"Ha! I appreciate you driving us from there! My senses were starting blur together from the warning that I was near so many of them!" Kordak laughed raising his glass and taking a drink of his Blood Wine.
"I didn't do it! I don't know why everyone thinks I did," Ciro said sitting in a nearby chair.
"It's probably because they think you're too young to be a first officer, and that you're inexperienced, plus on your free time you're always trying to pick up a girl, offending some people when you hit on their wife, or girlfriend," Jace explained, "But I believe that you weren't the reason."
"How can you be so sure on it?" Ciro asked, but Jace simply shrugged.
"I've got to go to bed, I'll see you tomorrow Kordak, in the holosuites," Jace stated standing up quickly and leaving. Ciro and Kordak watched Jace leave curiously, and soon after spotted the bartender leaving.
"Odd, James usually stays until everyone leaves…" Ciro said to himself, but Kordak heard.
"He is tired, most likely," Kordak roared with a laugh, "I feel I need some sleep as well."
The next day was Jace's day off, so no one was expecting him, except Kordak, who waited for hours in the holosuite waiting for Jace Knight to come strolling in, but he never did.
"Computer locate Ensign Jace Knight," Kordak said finally after the 5th hour of waiting.
"Ensign Jace Knight is not aboard the Ares," the computer stated.
"What was his last known location?" Kordak asked.
"The last known location of Ensign Jace Knight was in his quarters on Stardate 57849.4," the computer replied.
"Ten minutes after he left the mess hall, didn't…?" the Klingon said to himself before rushing out of the holosuite.
"Computer located Ambassador Kordak," a security officer asked the computer, while inside of the ambassador's quarters.
"Ambassador Kordak is not aboard the Ares," the computer said.
"What?" the security officer asked not believing it.
"Ambassador Kordak is not -" the computer began, but the security officer cut it off.
"Yeah I heard you the first time. I've got to tell the captain," the security officer mumbled to himself, before tapping his com-badge, "Erigo to Captain Richards."
"Captain here, what do you need Erigo?" the captain's voice came.
"Ambassador Kordak is not aboard, he's missing," Erigo answered.
"Thank you Erigo, double check he's not in his quarters," the captain ordered. Erigo did as he was told, but found nothing.
Meanwhile on the bridge after hearing this news that the Klingon Ambassador was missing, the first officer had spoken up before the captain could give anyone other instructions.
"Sir, if I may say something," Ciro requested standing up.
"Go ahead," the captain allowed having just about gotten up, but had sat again when Ciro had requested to speak.
"The ambassador was supposed to meet with Ensign Jace Knight today in the holosuites, they were discussing it last night. If Ambassador Kordak is gone, perhaps he is gone as well, or knows something about his disappearance," Ciro explained.
"I see. Captain to Ensign Knight," the captain said, but there was no response, "Captain to Ensign Knight please respond." There was no answer. "Computer where is Ensign Knight?"
"Ensign Knight is not aboard the Ares," the computer responded. The captain looked at Ciro and Ciro looked at the captain, both seemed worried.
"Commander, meet me in my ready room, now," the captain demanded, for the second time in the last day or so. The two headed into the room Ciro following the captain.
"That's the second time you've asked me in here in the last day," Ciro said, trying to defuse the tension, "You better slow down on these private talks or the crew might start spreading rumors…"
"I appreciate you trying to lighten the mood, Commander, however, this is a situation in which you need to be serious," the captain replied slightly coldly, "Tell me exactly what happened last night when you met with Ensign Knight and the ambassador."
"Yes sir," Ciro responded making his face straight and looked as emotionless as a Vulcan, "I arrived at the mess hall around what, 2030 hours, and sat with the ambassador and the ensign. We talked, and Jace noted that he knew I wasn't the cause of the Trickan sending us away. He then quickly left. I think… I don't remember what happened next too clearly, but I think James left, and soon after Kordak left."
"James? He left before the mess hall was empty?" the captain asked curiously, "Ever since he came aboard he has never done that."
"I know, I found it odd as well, but the ambassador just said that James was probably tired, so I just thought it wasn't important," Ciro answered as it dawned on him of a lead they might pursue.
"Come with me to the mess hall," the captain said before adding, "And let the crew think what they may, but you must remember, I am not a cougar, you are way too young for me." Ciro laughed. The captain actually made a joke, in such a serious time as this; Ciro was starting to warm up to the captain.
"Aw, darn," Ciro answered laughing gesturing for the captain to lead the way out of the door, "I was hoping you would respond differently." The captain simply laughed softly as they headed towards the turbolift. The two made their way up to the mess hall, and entered the mess hall with phasers with them just in case they found James being beamed or captured as they walked in.
"Oh hello Captain, and good afternoon Commander," James said happily looking from one to the other of the officers who just entered, "What can I get for you today?"
"Nothing right now, we're on business," the captain replied quickly and urgently, "We're investigating the disappearance of Jace Knight and Ambassador Kordak; we want to know everything you know about last night, the last time anyone had seen the ensign."
"Oh well, last night's a bit foggy, really. I remember I was really tired, and after Jace, I mean Ensign Knight left, I left, because there was no one else," James replied.
"No, there was still Kordak and I," Ciro responded.
"Oh, sorry. I must have been so sleepy that I didn't even notice you two," James replied with a smile, "No offense Commander."
"None taken," Ciro laughed looking at James. Ciro looked into his eyes, and felt something was different. His wingman wasn't like he was when he first met him. Something seemed different. Ciro continued with his smile, though for some reason he had a sneaking suspicion James was hiding something. "Hey James, remember when we first met? Are you still going to take me up on that offer for some Tongo?" The captain looked at Ciro like he was crazy.
"Commader," the captain began, "This is no time for personal appointments."
"I know sir, but as long as I am here, I might as well see if he's brave to take me up on the Tongo match he promised," Ciro laughed, with a trick up his sleeve.
"Of course! Once I accept a challenge, I never back down," James said gleefully. Ciro eyed James curiously.
"I never mentioned Tongo when I met you," Ciro said his eyes narrowing, "You never promised me a match."
"O-Of course not, but you mentioned it just now, Tongo is quite fun," James said nervously.
"Right, except that there is the fact you don't remember anything from over a couple months or something ago. In that time, however, you haven't been exposed to Tongo, especially since your life was in Starfleet Headquarters where you were secluded, and away from things like Tongo," Ciro explained quickly, "And aboard the Ares there is no one else who plays Tongo, trust me I've asked everyone, only I seem to play it, well along with Lieutenant Akorem, but she hasn't played in years. Therefore you shouldn't have been able to know what Tongo was, nor have played it with me, nor accepted a challenge from me."
"That is completely absurd! I've gone to the holosuites, I asked for a game challenging to me, and Tongo came up, sir," James retorted, but this time the captain stepped up.
"James never used his holosuite time since he got here. Who are you really?" the captain asked coldly. 'James' looked around as if trying find an escape route, but in vain.
"Darn you humans. You are much more clever than I thought," 'James' said slyly before bringing his hands to his face, grabbing his skin, and yanking it down, revealing a black Trickan, "My name is Trinoge, infiltrator of the ASC."
"The ASC?" the captain asked, with Ciro pulling his phaser just in case.
"Yes, the ASC. We are a group of Trickan, who aim to survive on Tricka, faster than what the government insists on," Trinoge answered, as he reached up to his face, digging his nails into the skin and pulling down, revealing a very black Trickan with glowing neon red designs around his eyes, "Whew, been wanting to take that off since I put it on."
"Why are you here?" the captain questioned, with Ciro eying Trinoge with much suspicion.
"The ASC were discovered by your crew member, Jace I believe? I was originally just supposed to be a spy, but the ASC leader said that my new job was to take Jace and anyone he might have told. If you didn't discover me, and that James kid I took over wasn't so resistant to my reading of him, your first officer would have been the next to be sent to our prison," Trinoge replied, "Go on, I know you are going to eventually take me to the brig, I won't say anymore. I'm done giving you any information. And no I won't tell you where your Klingon or Jace is being held." The captain nodded at Ciro and Ciro took the Trickan with his hands behind his back to the brig.
"Whoa, where am I?" a Klingon said standing up, and stumbling around a very dusty and old caged in area, "Too much Blood Wine…"
"Shush!" a hushed voice came from the dark. Through the Klingon's, Kordak, eyes he could only see a blurry outline of a figure, but the voice was unmistakable.
"Half-Human!" Kordak roared with a laugh, but the laugh was cut short by a wail, one from Kordak himself. As he spoke a small beam of light had come and cut into his skin.
"Quiet down Kordak," Jace replied in a hushed tone. His face came into focus, his face was bruised and slightly cut, and his shoulder had several scratches, but his chest was stained with green blood and several deep gashes which had closed up by this point.
"Why? A little pain will never stop the mighty Kordak!" Kordak roared with another beam hitting him in his chest, making a huge gash, one that could kill a person, in his chest. Kordak fell but laughed.
"Shut up! This is no time for Klingon pride. If you don't stop you'll die!" Jace said slightly louder than before, and he regretted it. A beam of light came and struck his back, causing him to bleed some more. Kordak looked at Jace and got his message.
"Fine," Kordak huffed, and hurried over to Jace, applying pressure to the gash in his back. Jace shoved away, and applied pressure himself.
"Take care of yourself first," Jace whispered, barely audible. Kordak nodded and began bandaging his wound with a piece of cloth from his clothes.
Word spread about the imposter James, who really as Trinoge. Things seemed to return to normal, and everyone agreed with the captain's choice to go back to Tricka and talk with the council about getting their people back. Soon they arrived at Tricka.
"The Trickan council is hailing us, Captain," Lieutenant Eris Landon stated.
"On screen," the captain ordered. The Trickan Female Council Leader appeared before them, white and draped with white.
"We thought we were clear when we told you not to enter our system again," the council leader began, but the captain interjected herself.
"We're sorry for intruding, however we have evidence that some Trickan have taken three of our people. I believe they are called the ASC," the captain explained quickly staring at the white Trickan intently seeing that the council leader was slightly shocked by this outcome.
"I hoped that by sending you away so quickly it would prevent this," the Female Trickan Council Leader said after a moment of silence, "We sent you away the instant we realized this. The ASC are known to enslave those who can resist the radiation, and force them to procreate with them. Usually it doesn't work, but sometimes, it does. We did not want them to do this to you, nor anyone else. Sometimes we can't stop it, but alas this time it seems we did not succeed either."
"I understand. We've caught one of their operatives who was impersonating one of our people. He said that the only ones they took was a Klingon and half-Vulcan, as well as one human which he had impersonated," the captain said, "So as of now, we are fine."
"Who was this operative?" the council leader asked eying the captain.
"He said his name was Trinoge," the captain replied. The council leader's eyes widened.
"Trinoge? Are you sure? May I speak with him?" the council leader with a slight hint of disbelieving.
"I am sure," the captain replied turning to Jemelle with a nod, and he left, "One of my people will bring him here."
"Thank you Captain. I sincerely hope you find your men. However, I cannot allow more than 4 of your crew on the surface, it is law that once we find a species that resists it, as long as the ASC exist, that more than 4 of the species is allowed on the surface. If you have more Vulcans, Romulans or Klingons, as you said they are affected, all of them may come down to the planet," the Female Trickan Council Leader explained.
"I suppose I must agree to this then," the captain replied with a sigh. Just then Jemelle came back in with Trinoge in tow.
"Here I am," Trinoge said with a cackle, "How are you my dear sweet Durene?"
"Quiet you! Trinoge, why did you join the ASC?" Durene asked looking at Trinoge with sympathy, almost pity.
"Oh it's quite simple. I cared about my future children and wanted them to grow up, unlike what you or I will be able to do. I'm old now, and will probably die soon. I don't want my children to die after only 15 years, or at maximum 20 years. The ASC are the only way that will happen, unless we move, and I know that will never happen," Trinoge replied with a smile, almost as if taunting Durene.
"Oh Trinoge, don't you see, we're already adapting to the environment, Kilin is the prime example of that, he's the first out of many who will adapt to resist," Durene responded, as if she were talking to someone near and dear to her, "It isn't right to capture people like you do, use them for children then kill them!"
"It's them or us, I don't care if Kilin resists the radiation, it'll take generations for it to fully stop. For all we know Kilin is a freak of nature! I personally would rather capture and kill a few people instead of let generations of brilliant Trickan die at such a young age. Before we moved here, our lifespan was over a hundred years! A hundred years! I want my children to live long enough to see their children have kids, maybe even see their children's children have kids, and that will take forever to achieve. Patience is a virtue both you and I know I have never possessed," Trinoge retorted. The crew looked on this whole time, staying quiet using this information to learn more about the Trickan, and not be rude and interrupting the two of them.
"Oh Trinoge, be understanding for once in your life," Durene replied, "I didn't want to have to say this, but you will help us, or we will be forced to execute you."
"Ha! Like you would ever do that to me," Trinoge laughed.
"Just you watch," Durene threatened with no sense of remorse nor hesitation.
"Y-you really would?" Trinoge asked, scared, "You've changed a lot Durene. You are definitely not the same woman I loved."
"I don't care," Durene said, with a quaver in her voice, which one could tell she was upset from what he just said about her.
"Fine, if you really are bent on killing me, if I help I have one condition," Trinoge sighed looking up at Durene with intent eyes.
"That depends on what it is," Durene answered slightly hopeful.
"These people must take me to Terrak Territory, and leave me there," Trinoge replied staring at Durene trying to read her, but failing.
"That is up to the captain," Durene stated, "Will you take Trinoge to Terrak Territory?"
"If it means getting my people back, then yes I will, as long as he doesn't mess with anything. At the first sign of trouble he will go to the brig where he will stay for the remainder of his trip," the captain said coming forth agreeing.
"Good. Trinoge will help you," Durene said her eyes fleeting to Trinoge for only a second.
"Why don't you come with me?" Trinoge quickly stepped up before the transmission ended.
"I will not leave Tricka. Once you leave you'll get what you wanted so dearly, to live longer, and see your children grow up, nothing more. I will never join you leaving us, our people need me. Captain I will send Kilin to accompany you, no exceptions. He will provide much needed information on the ASC for us," Durene responded ending the transmission.
Over the next few days Trinoge and the senior staff, and well Kilin, spent most of their time figuring out how they would get into the base. The problem wasn't getting there, nor getting out. They could just beam, as long as they had their com-badges on. They were unable to scan the ASC base, nor lock onto life signs. Therefore the plan was to beam into the holding areas, find Jace, James and Kordak, place spare communicators on them, and beam them up. Once they had them all, well then they would make their escape. It seemed simple enough in planning, but putting it to action would be much more difficult, especially since they didn't know where any of them were, and James was probably being heavily guarded since he was someone who if they escaped, could blow the cover of Trinoge, whose cover was already blown, which they hoped the ASC didn't know.
It was finally time to put their plan into action. Doctor Galen was standing by to receive potentially hurt or nearly dead victims in the transporter room. Everything was ready.
"Energize," the captain ordered sending the team of Eris, Erigo, Jemelle, Trinoge, Kilin and the captain down. Once they we down, they looked around. It was right where they expected them to be. Bars could be seen all down the hall like area in front of them. So many people were around them, suffering, but they couldn't help them all, and their first priority was to get their people. Especially Kordak, since the Klingon Empire would not be happy if they lost their ambassador; the radiation was projected to harm the Klingons much faster than anyone else. Doctor Galen gave Kordak a week if he stayed down here.
"Come on," the captain taking her tricorder, reading two human signs and one Klingon, "They're over here." The group walked carefully down, with rifles and phaser ready for anyone to come and find them. No one seemed to have noticed them yet. Then they finally reached where Jace and Kordak were held. Jace looked towards them, eyes wide, while Kordak was on the ground passed out.
Jace dared not speak, since he knew that he had lost enough blood as it was, and Kordak was much worse. Trinoge walked up to the cage that kept the two in, and placed his hand upon a small sliver of one of the bars.
Suddenly a loud alarm sounded, as the door flew open. The group looked around but the captain acted quickly, expecting something like this to happen.
"Take it, give one to Kordak!" the captain shouted. Jace caught two com badges she threw at them, placing one on him and one on Kordak.
"Com badge one and two, beam up now!" the captain shouted through the com link. Jace simply smiled, worriedly, but still happy. He obviously didn't speak quite yet since he was so used to pain when he talked. Kordak's unconscious body, as well as Jace, disappeared in the transporter beams. A large group of Trickan, both male and female, both black and white started charging at them.
"Why do they have swords, not phasers or something similar?" Erigo yelled over the Trickan yells looking back for only a second. In that second, it happened. Out of the tip of the 'sword' as Erigo described it, a jet of red light came, striking Erigo in the back, instantly vaporizing him.
"They're vapor daggers," Trinoge explained a little too late, "They fire stuff that will vaporize you. Just don't look back, it won't work unless they see your eyes. Though it only injures us Trickan." The captain didn't dare see what happened to Erigo, or even know if he was back there. Her tricorder was in her hand and she was trying to find where James was going to be.
"Such a comfort," Kilin yelled, "Captain, how much longer until we get out of here?"
"Just after this corner, he's there," the captain yelled back. As they turned the corner, they ran right into a huge group of Trickan, who simply stood there with their weapons pointed at them.
"Drop your weapons now," a female's voice came from what seemed nowhere much like using a com badge.
"Do it," the captain ordered, and her team did as they were told, "Why must you take my people? Those you took were not resistant, except one, and he was just replaced."
"Your officer discovered our hideout, and was just about to transmit it to the council when he apprehended him," the female voice cackled, "But now that we have Kilin here, of course the council won't know any of the information he gathered from your little rescue mission."
"Release them," Trinoge yelled.
"Oh and Trinoge, why should I do that?" the female voice asked in a wickedly sweet voice.
"Because… because if you do, I'll tell you about the council's defenses, as you have been trying to figure out," Trinoge yelled, but Kilin stepped forward.
"No you will not," Kilin growled.
"No one will do anything," the captain ordered.
"Quiet Captain, I'm trying to save you," Trinoge growled their way.
"I don't know what you think, but I would rather die than have you betray the council," the captain responded.
"Oh stop your excessive chatter, tell me more Trinoge," the female voice cackled.
"Just read me, I won't block anything, Curnedi," Trinoge offered, as the captain tried to retort, but was completely cut off by Curnedi.
"Appetizing offer, and after that, what? Let these humans leave? Along with Kilin? I don't think so," Curnedi replied.
"Afterwards, you can kill me, and let these humans leave. It won't matter what Kilin tells them, they can't protect once you know what I know," Trinoge answered.
"If the information is that great, then I will release you," Curnedi said as a white Trickan walked forward. The two locked eyes for only a moment, and Kilin stepped forward, and pushed Trinoge to the ground.
"You traitor! I don't even know why Durene ever loved you, you little traitorous scum!" Kilin yelled.
"It doesn't matter, I have what I wanted. A deal's a deal, take you little bartender and leave me to kill my Trinoge," Curnedi growled glaring at Kilin. Trinoge simply looked at Kilin and what seemed almost tears in his eyes. Two guards threw James into the group.
"Leave, but leave Trinoge here," Curnedi ordered.
"Captain Richards to Ares," the captain began.
"You can't possibly think about leaving Trinoge, captain?" Eris interjected.
"Beam everyone up, except Trinoge," the captain ordered. The group was beamed aboard the Ares. The instant they were aboard, the captain yelled her orders.
"Get Trinoge up now!" the captain yelled, and the transporter operator did as she was told. The black Trickan appeared on the transporter pad, coated in black liquid, one only could imagine was Trickan blood.
"Doctor!" the captain shouted as Doctor Galen ran forward towards Trinoge all bloodied up. The next thing that happened, happened so fast, the captain could barely comprehend what was happening. Trinoge was rushed to the infirmary, the captain and the away team following. Once they were there, Doctor Galen properly examined him.
"Ruptured spleen, bruised lung, punctured heart, shattered ribs," the doctor named off, "And the radiation added to it all. Even if I were to fix all of it, he wouldn't live but a few minutes." The captain looked at Trinoge who was smiling.
"Ha…. Don't tell…. Curnedi, but she read false thoughts," Trinoge laughed.
"Shhh, don't worry, you're here now, reserve your strength," the captain said quietly taking Trinoge's hand, "Soon we'll be heading towards Terrak Territory and you'll have many children and be happy." Trinoge's head moved from side to side slowly.
"No, I knew I wouldn't get through it. I…. I did it for Durene… It… It was the l-least I could do for her," Trinoge struggled to say looking at the captain intently, "Make sure D-Durene knows I-I love h-her…" Trinoge's voice trailed off, and the neon red designs faded, his face completely black.
"I'm sorry captain, there wasn't anything I could do, he's gone," Doctor Galen said coming up to her.
"I know, I know. It's just that he was a kid, only 15 years old. He was so young to be lost," the captain replied, the thoughts bringing up memories of the USS Sirius, her previous ship, "It's like the Sirius all over again."
"You're old ship? It's going to be ok, things like this happen," Doctor Galen said patting the captain's back, "He died saving you and the away team, and those three crew members. He was a hero."
"And we will honor him as a hero, excuse me," the captain said wiping her eyes and turning towards the door, "I've got to talk with the Trickan Council."
Hope you liked it! That was just the first episode to get everything
going. Join us next time for an episode that won't take two parts
to explain everything. The relationships will start forming, right now
the only really close ones are with Jace and Kordak and Ciro and Celes.
I hope you'll keep reading on! I did loose the last half of the story awhile back,
so I did have to rewrite half of it... Hope you liked it!
Please! R&R please! I love any and all feedback!