"Cochrane to Krikrinessa, this is Captain Duchatto Fr'rake," Fr'rake said. "we have been assigned to protect your planet for a month while Starfleet gets reinforcements secured for your planet."
The dark, large eyes stared back at Fr'rake.
Except they were business suits of the sorts with badges on their outfits. They a shade of pink. Bright pink with a unique shape on their chests that seemed to represent their society. They spoke in hushed tones together until they came to a resolve then turned back. One of them pressed a button. The screen returned to space.
"Did we forget to turn on the recently installed universal translator to their language?" Fr'rake asked.
"Captain, if it was then I haven't been told what language it is," Smart said. "It hasn't been added yet."
"Hasn't been added yet," Fr'rake said. "Damn!"
"Captain," Saru said. "I am keenly familiar to their language. And have spoken with one without a universal translator," Fr'rake raised a eyebrow while rubbing his chin. "I lost my universal translator during the time I was part of the observation group."
Fr'rake nodded.
"Hail," F'rake said.
The Krikri appeared on the screen.
"Cukcuk-rain co cleutieunus, cahu fah-rus orrtuce Saru," Saru said. "ve caue aiien cueogio co quptic voer qenteunus duchic c wonch. Vgi-ur cur-teech quot-sea veriencoe curedu voer quenteunus." Cochrane to Krikrinessa, this is first officer Sary. We have been assigned to protect your planet for a month while Starfleet gets reinforcements secured for your planet.
"Cuckoo!" the screen turned to black.
"What did they say?" Fr'rake asked.
"Hail them back," Saru said.
"Belay that order," Fr'rake said.
"We are being targeted," came the navigators announcement.
"Captain, give me one minute," Saru said.
"Follow with the order, Lieutenant Smart," Fr'rake said.
"Hailing," Smart said.
"BO VEO VANT CO KIE?" Saru shouted. YOU WANT TO DIE?
The Krikri stopped.
"Po," the Krikri said. No.
"Cur-teech zanue veo," Saru said, and the line went dead. Starfleet thanks you.
"Weapons are being lowered," came the announcement.
"I think I got a rough idea of what you said," Fr'rake said.
The group of Krikri reappeared on the wide, yet square view screen.
"Ve cu'fuju!" and then they were gone.
"Oh dear," Saru said.
"What. Did. They. Say?" Fr'rake asked, his patience being tested.
"They reject us," Saru said. "and they are going to fire at us until we get out of their solar system."
"This is a bad day," Fr'rake said. "Can't force our help upon them. Let's go. Warp factor one."
Saru looked over in horror as the ship turned away from the planet.
"Black alert!" came over the intercomn.
Burnham looked up as the engineering room glowed a shade of red.
"Prepare to move spores to console," Ephraim said.
Tilly came toward the console then took out a large case of them. Ephraim's nurse zipped down the zipper to the uniform. Ephraim slid into the machine and propped himself upright. The two drills slid into the casing inside the commander's holes. The ship shuddered in this jump. Burnham looked over toward Ephraim out of concern. Ephraim collapsed to the floor. Stamets came from his station coming to the man's side. He waved his tricorder over the Tardigrade like alien man.
"How many times this week have we been jumping while I was on shore leave?" Stamets asked.
"Thirty-three," Nurse Kleggan said.
"He needs the shore leave better than I do," Stamets said, then came over to the console. "Transporting two to sick bay," he looked up toward the two left on the floor. "Beaming out."
Stamets slid the two bars up on the console.
The two figures in the center of the room vanished in a orange seam of light.
"Commander Burnham report to the bridge," came out of the intercomn.
Tilly looked over in concern toward Burnham.
Burnham raised a puzzled eyebrow then lowered it. She left engineering in a rush speeding toward the nearest turbo lift. She entered the turbo lift then felt around for a leveler. Instead, her hand hit the flat wall with a smack. Burnham looked over to see there was no levelers around her. Burnham looked over toward the front of the turbolift to see a panel that had a flat screen. There were eighteen options in total for the on the screen that were highlighted in a light yellow. Her eyes grazed onto the view screen that had a number of the decks. She lightly tapped on deck one then linked her and behind her back. The turbo lift went up. She stepped back to the center of the turbo lift then clenched onto her wrist, patiently.
Burnham was considering what kind of logic would require her.
So far, all of them seemed unique and plausible on their own.
But the Shenzhou was not ready to go out, yet. There was still a weeks worth of construction left to be official released from space dock into the war. The construction so far on Starfleet vessels turned into war had been jarring. No long peaceful and elegant, only menacing and eager for a battle. Burnham sighed to herself. The Klingons were interested in a war. It felt as though the war would only end should a Starfleet captain decide to do the utmost crime. A war crime against the Klingons destroying their civilization. A entire genocide just to end it. Stripped of rank, life in prison, and career ruined. It was not the logical option for Burnham. The most logical option was to get a cloaking device and make them cut it out.
The doors opened before the woman to reveal a golden bridge with the familiar chirps of the equipment. The turbolift swished behind her. Lorca was tapping his fingers on the arm rest of the chair. Landry turned from alongside Lorca in the direction of Burnham. Landry came gestured the woman over then made her way over toward her tactical station. Burnham observed the bridge was larger than before. It was different. It was partially lit on the bridge just as it was all over the place. The navigational and piloting stations were still together on the bridge. A comforting sight. There was no rails around the center of the bridge with a brake in the center and sides. Burnham observed the view screen. The tune of the red alert was bright on the bridge with the red shade going over the gold. There was a large planet being under attack. Burnham did not hear the commands to Landry. There were more red shirts aboard the bridge rather than officers in blue and yellow combined.
"Burnham," Lorca's voice drew her out of the noiseless moment. "Explain to me why they refused help from the Cochrane."
Burnham raised a eyebrow then lowered it.
"Perhaps they were bothered by someone different from them," Burnham theorized. "and believed they can take care of themselves."
"Captain," Landry said, as she looked up. "They are targeting us with lasers."
"Lasers," Lorca said, turning toward his first officer. "And that's what the Cochrane ran away from?"
"It appears so," Landry replied as Burnham walked forward.
"We responded to a distress call," Lorca said. "and this is the thanks we get for responding. . . How petty." He waved his hand then put his hand against the side of his face. "Shields up," he seemed not to be surprised. "We have been lead into a trap."
"Two warp signatures detected, captain," Owosekun announced.
Burnham turned toward Lorca.
"Request to go down there and speak with the representatives of the planet at their command center?" Burnham asked, as the ship trembled.
"Forcefields are down!" came another announcement.
"Go," Lorca said. Burnham nodded then off she went. "Number One, go with her. Make sure they know who they are dealing with."
"Aye, captain," Landry said, leaving her station behind then joined Burnham into the turbolift.
Burnham inputted the number to the deck they were going. The doors closed on the two women. When the two women exited through the doors they went into the transporter room where two security officers were assembled putting on phaser belts. Burnham was handed one as Landry put hers on. The two women strapped on their phaser belts then boarded the transporter padd. Landry nodded in the direction of the transporter team. She nodded back at them once the two security officers were behind her. In a collective orange flash, the away team was gone.
The last Burnham recalled was the security officers covering her and Landry while hiding against a large rocky barrier as a shield. The base was a lot like a cave with technology applied to it. How the Krikri were able to apply technology through endless caves, mapping of space between it, and drilling holes had to been difficult when creating power outlits including the wiring. Burnham realized she was cuffed. Landry was across from her pressed against the wall with her ankles and wrists chained. Along her left side there was a stain that was dribbling down. It had slowed down since being inflicted. Burnham was shackled to the floor. Burnham attempted to get up only to find her side stinging. Felt as though the wound was very recent.
There was a force field across that as glowing a shade of blue. She noticed the inside of the cell was gray and had various paneling. There were even cots installed alongside some of the walls with chains connecting them to it. There was silence. The pain was nothing of a distraction. She briefly closed her eyes then reopened them. The trembling had ceased sometime before or after she had been taken here. Burnham touched the side of her head where there was a very bad sting. She lowered her hand to see there was blood on her fingers. Burnham looked down the cell to see that behind the barrier was utter darkness.
"Commander Landry," Burnham started. "Commander," she raised her voice. "Commander." Landry slowly gained consciousness.
"B-Burnham?" Landry, raising her head up. "I thought I lost you."
"I am in some pain," Burnham said. "I shall survive it."
"When I get my hands on them-" Landry said.
"Forgive them as they have never faced a monkey without a tail. They have no idea who they were dealing with," Burnham closed her eyes, feeling the wave of pain. "You look better than I do."
"Well, I am not the one who chased after a little Krikri to find out what was going on," Landry said. "You said it had to be a diplomats child."
"Logically," Burnham said, her eyes flinching.
"You were hit on the head," Landry observed.
"Apparently," Burnham said. "And you were shot."
"Hit in close range. . ." Landry said. "What is the last you remember?"
"Not much after being in a group," Burnham said. "You?"
"Defending myself with Lieutenant Octavius," Landry said.
"So it happened after my capture," Burnham said.
"They gave you a concussion," Landry said.
"They were afraid," Burnham said. "I can excuse that."
"Burnham, you are the least frightening woman I met," Landry said.
"Really, Commander?" Burnham asked, looking toward her.
"Really," Landry said. "You are predictable and a pacifist," Burnham painfully nodded in agreement. "That should have been me going after them rather than you."
"You would not be happy being unable to move," Burnham said. "Make the wound bleed out even more." she looked over toward the first officer. "How did the Krikri get you?"
"I was punched out," Landry said. "Ran out of ammo."
"And the security officers?" Burnham asked.
"The one I had on me died making sure we got to the tunnel. . . Now it makes sense why they had a stunner on them," Burnham sighed. "It wasn't your fault that Adrian died."
"It is when I could have followed you," Burnham said.
"Normally following the first officer is the right thing," Landry said. "But during a time of war or exploring deep space, more often than not it is a good thing."
"Did I disobey a order," Burnham said, without asking, or stating, but merely as a reminder.
"You carried out my order as you were leaving," Landry said. "To find out why they were shooting at us."
"I failed that," Burnham said. "Perhaps I thought it was Krikri."
"Maybe you did," Landry said. "hope does that to people."
Landry looked over toward her hands then wiggled her hands in the large shackles. She slid her hand out and then the other. Landry slid down to the floor. She ripped off her long sleeve. Landry ripped off the lower half of the yellow uniform then she ripped off another sleeve to her clean uniform and took out a flask from her side pocket written in bold text as federation water. Landry dripped water on the sleeves then tied the sleeves around the her waist, tightly. Landry knotted the sleeves with a final pull. Landry winced. Burnham was feeling around her pockets for the communicator. Apparently she didn't have it on her. It seemed logical that the Krikri took it from her.
"We're getting out of here," Landry said. "Burnham, I need you to do one of your straying away reliable help."
"Straying away. . ." Burnham said. "You said I obeyed a order."
"The last three away missions you've done it and ended up helping us solve a problem," Landry said. "You haven't been demoted because it has been helpful. Very helpful." Burnham stood up to her feet.
"I will see what I can do," Burnham said. "I am unsure, however, how I can do that when we are not stuck inside a cell."
Landry lifted herself up to her feet then walked over toward a large bulky panel. She ripped it open to expose the wiring. Burnham came to the woman's side then raised a eyebrow at it. They looked toward the inside of the paneling. Landry twisted a cable then pierced into it using her fingernails. She made a fine slit. Burnham proceded to do the same matching what the first officer was doing. They twisted the wires together then steppe back as electricity cakcled from it. The forcefield fell and then it became pitch black within the room. Burnham grabbed onto the woman's wrist and guided her out of the cell. She let go as soon as they were in the corridor.
"How do we split up?" Landry asked.
"Humming, Commander," Burnham said.
"Good choice," Landry said. "We will stop humming as soon as we find that fork in the path."
Burnham hummed along with Landry going in the lead with no distinctive melody at all. Burnham's vision was quite fine in the dark. Landry's eyes were making faint shapes here and there among the scenery. The sounds of Krikri walking down the halls was a evident matter. Burnham's humming stopped as she went into the opposite hall. Landry continued on her path. The facility trembled from side to side. A loud crashing sound came from above. What was going above was likely worse than what they were dealing with. The Discovery was in battle against the Klingons over Krikrinessa. A series of figures appeared in the first officer's way. A few of them were slightly taller than the rest. Landry slowly raised her hands up in the air. From behind them, Burnham appeared. She crashed the Krikri to the floor with a hard smack like a cannonball had been fired. Landry pressed herself against the side. Burnham got up to her feet.
"Reliable," Burnham said. "I understand. I will cut out the straying act and only stray when ordered."
"I did not mean it that way," Landry said.
"Should we go down on a away mission and I leave you alone without back up, you could die from it," Burnham reminded.
"I trust you to cover my back when everyone thinks you left," Landry said. "You didn't do this back on the Shenzhou?"
"I was first officer and allowed to stray," Burnham said. "That is different."
Burnham picked up a padd.
"Still got some command training in your head," Landry said. "I would find it hard to drop that."
The screen was pitch black but the color on it was faint.
"I have found the location where communications between ships can be launched," Burnham said. "It is five miles away."
"Five miles," Landry said. "Let's get on it."
"We need to talk to their representatives about this," Burnham said. "Starfleet will need answers."
"The answers are that they are xenophobic," Landry said. "They are not completely ready to join the federation."
"You have made the point," Burnham said, with a nod. "we will have to reach the surface afterwards in order to be properly beamed up."
"I feel like that would be easier than finding those representatives," Landry said. "Lead the way, Number One."
Burnham started to turn but returned her gaze onto Landry that was more of a glare. Burnham turned away and acted as the lead as the women walked over the unconscious bodies.
"Krikri central command is hailing us, captain," Richter said.
"On screen," Lorca said.
On the screen appeared Burnham, Landry, and a oddly dressed Krikri. Burnham wore a dark outfit that fitted her form. She wore a strange hat that seemed quite unusual on her. It was less aesthetic pleasing than the one Landry was in that consisted of a red jacket, white shirt, and black pants. There were rips obvious in the white shirt that seemed to have a boob window. They had bruises alongside their faces as though they had been in a bad fight.
"This is the unified leader of the Krikri species," Landry said. "He has just explained what has been going on."
"Lay it on me," Lorca said.
"They are xenophobic as hell," Landry said. "And they are not ready for space."
"What about Krikri?" Lorca asked.
"He is part of a minority," Landry said.
"We have discovered that this 'unified leader' had the votes rigged for him. Bad-mouthed Starfleet and spread fake news regarding the interests of it." Burnham elaborated. "As soon as we get this information spread through the people, the long term damage will take roughly several generations to be undone. It will take time for them to warm up to Starfleet and to life outside."
"Alright," Lorca said. "can't change a entire species in one night."
"Aye," Landry said. "first contact between two governments must be held off."
"So it must be quarantined for now," Lorca said. "Understood. . . You have been down there for at least two days, missing out plenty of Klingon action, and it seems you didn't miss out on it at all." Lorca smiled, leaning into the chair. "I expect you back in less than a hour in the transporter room."
"No arguments there," Landry said.
"And who is that Krikri?" Lorca said.
"Oh, President Cu'dgu," Landry said, then she added with a smile. "Former president."
"I expect your reports later today, Commanders," Lorca said. "Lorca out."
Landry and Burnham exchanged pleased looks with each other then a nod. Burnham expected a hug with Tilly after being discharged from sick bay. And Landry, as usual, expected a well deserved hot bath in her bathroom for the very risky mission. It had gone alright. It had gone alright asides from the losses. The two women looked down toward the president.
Another week passed and Saru found himself being reassigned to the Shenzhou. The ship across from the Cochrane appeared to be battle ready. It didn't look like that old Walker Class from seven months ago. It looked meaner and not as friendly. The purple paint job had turned from visible friendly color to dark purple. It looked more like black than anything.
"Mr Saru," Fr'rake said, as he entered the purple transporter room. "I would like a word with you."
Saru tilted his head.
"Yes, captain?" Saru said.
"You tried to ease the situation between the ship and Krikri," Fr'rake said. "bit unusual method."
"A method that worked," Saru said. "Briefly. I will not do that again."
"Look, Saru," Fr'rake said. "being in command you take risks. It's a risky profession." Saru nodded.
"I understand," Saru said.
"You will make a great captain one day," Fr'rakE said. "I hope I live long enough to see that."
"Your second officer will make sure of that as your number one," Saru said. "The chances are high that we may."
"Good luck, Mr Saru," Fr'rake said.
"Good luck on your side of the war, captain," Saru said, then he went aboard the transporter padd and turned toward the captain.
"Energize," Fr'rake said.
In a orange light with melody, Saru was transported from vessel to vessel. The bright light cleared to reveal a different transporter room. In front of the transporter console stood his former first captain. He noticed that she was in a different variation of the admiral's uniform that was strikingly similar to a starfleet officer and wasn't a sparkly. Instead of being gray, it was yellow. On the right side of her chest was the admiral insignia. Her hair let loose on her shoulders instead of being braided. She wore a smile that seemed well worn and hopeful. Saru relaxed in the familiar transporter room.
"Ready to get to work, Number One?" Georgiou asked.
"Ready as always, Admiral," Saru said, taking his duffle bag off his shoulder.