Star Trek: TNG
Episode 3.4: Your Claim Is False
The Ligonian guards were a vigilant force, particularly during their shift changes. Their heightened awareness made it much more challenging for anyone attempting to move about undetected. But for Tyson, this presented a thrilling challenge. He relished in the difficulty of each stealth check, taking his time as he made his way back to his room. Tyson had been working on his stealth skills by bribing the kids in the mall. But being hunted by a large number of guards took his abilities to a whole new level.
Stealth Skill Increased! 16-21
Finally, after a prolonged journey, Tyson reached his "cell," the small room he had managed to secure in the heart of the palace. He had spent weeks meticulously planning and executing his escape, and the relief of being back in his own space was palpable. As he replaced the block that concealed his entryway, he noticed debris from the wall littering the rug beneath his feet. Despite his best efforts to cover his tracks, he knew that leaving a trace of his presence behind was inevitable.
The only thing that remained of his infiltration was a chalk-like stain on the rug that he could not remove. Tyson sighed, knowing that this evidence could incriminate him if he wasn't careful. But he couldn't help feeling a sense of satisfaction at having outwitted the Ligonian guards once again. He settled into his makeshift bed, already planning his next move.
~~Star Trek: TNG~~
"Yes, Doctor?" Picard asked. He sat in the Captain's room with Doctor Crusher.
"The vaccine. I'm a physician, I've seen death, but not on the scale this could mean."
"You were testing if you can replicate the vaccine."
"And we can't. The sample works fine when used as an injection, but it becomes unstable when we try to replicate it. You must get the vaccine from the planet, Captain. As much as you can. Immediately."
"I'm aware of that, Doctor."
"You've never had to watch a patient die from this disease."
"That's true. But I have seen my share of death."
"Damn. Where are the calluses we doctors are supposed to grow over our feelings?"
"Perhaps the good ones never get them."
"May I speak about my son, Wesley?"
"What?" Picard asked confused, "Oh, yes. Alright."
"He seems quite interested in starship operations. And speaking as a mother, of course, he seems quite knowledgeable."
"Well, yes, speaking as a mother."
"He's on the turbolift. You'll remember you ordered him to stay off of the Bridge."
Picard left his ready room and entered the bridge. Beverly followed in his wake. He approached the turbolift doors. Wesley Crusher was inside, looking fearful. Ten days after having his jaw broken by Tyson, he still sported some bruising. His mother had repaired the broken bone, but the swelling hadn't completely dissipated.
"Wesley?"
"I haven't stepped one foot on your Bridge, Captain." the teen said. A slight slurring of his speech was still audible.
Commander Riker stood, "It's all right, sir, I'll see that he leaves immediately."
"No." the captain denied.
"No?"
"Why don't you sit at Ops next to Lieutenant La Forge."
"Sir?" both Wesley and LaForge replied confused.
"Is the whole ship deaf?! Sit down over there, young man. Temporarily."
Counselor Troi interrupted the strange happenings, "Captain, we have more information from the briefing studies on Ligon."
"Excuse me. Doctor Crusher, some of this may interest you. Let us hear the analysis."
It was Commander Data who began the briefing, "It is a highly structured society in which people live by strict codes of honor. For example, what Lutan did is similar to what certain American Indians once did called 'counting coup'. That's from an obscure language called French. Counting coup..."
"Mister Data, the French language for centuries on Earth represented civilization."
"Indeed? But surely, sir"
Riker recognizing the captain's offense and Data's ability to ramble excessively injected, "I suggest you drop it, Mister Data."
"Yes, sir. Counting coup could be as simple as touching an enemy with a stick in battle, or taking something from him and escaping. It was considered extremely heroic."
"And under these circumstances Lutan considers himself heroic, risking literally everything in the face of our superior power."
Troi piped in, "And it fits Lutan's personality profile as well. He has an abnormally high need for achievement. Self-image to him is a function of what he thinks he's achieved. Those who set their standards too high can kill to meet them."
"Why Tasha?" Crusher asked curiously.
"As a Starfleet Security Officer, she may have represented his riskiest prize."
Their discussion was interrupted as Data announced, "Transmission from the planet surface, sir, the Main viewer on."
"Well, Lutan, what do you want?"
"You will display your image, please."
Lutan's image appeared on the viewscreen. He appeared in a throne room wearing the same clothing as the previous day.
"What is required is an image of Lieutenant Yar, well and"
"Are you making demands, Captain?"
The captain halted the viewscreen transmission and looked to Counselor Troi for advice.
"Sir. According to the Ligon Code of Honor, Lutan has done what he set out to do, achieve recognition for being daring and bold."
"We've studied this in some depth now, sir. The proper thing for you to do now is to ask to get Tasha back."
"Ask for her?" The captain asked, ensuring he'd heard his officers properly.
"Politely, Captain." the android added.
Picard motioned to reengage communication. He addressed the Ligonian leader, "And now, Lutan, you have boldly taken Lieutenant Yar from us, and we ask that you now please return her."
"Then come visit us, Captain, and we will return her to you."
After the communications closed, the officers had another short discussion. Counselor Troi turned to the first officer and captain, "So is this request, sir. We believe it would be preferable if the Captain led this away party."
Commander Data backed up the counselor's claim, "Agreed, sir. Their customs concerning guests make it much preferable."
Riker disagreed, "And I'm very much against that idea. Lutan is clearly a liar, and devious. Counsellor Troi has admitted she believes he's capable of killing. It is my duty to keep the Captain from danger, sir."
"Except that Ligonian custom makes it clear that a visiting leader becomes an honored guest. Not us, not second in command, him."
"And the custom requires that Lutan should die rather than violate that."
The first officer accented, "Yes, it seems reasonable to put it that way. But I warn you, if you get hurt, I'll put you on report, Captain."
~~Star Trek: TNG~~
Captain Picard and Counselor Troi teleported into a courtyard area with a fountain. They didn't know that the area was the site of a battle a few hours earlier. A battle that the Ligonians largely lost.
They were greeted by Lutan, "Welcome to my Centreplace, Captain Picard. Consider yourselves my honored guests. This is my First One, Yareena."
He gestured to the beautiful dark-skinned woman. She wore heavy eyeliner and a gold outfit that accentuated her figure without being immodest. "Every hospitality will be accorded you."
"Lutan is a fortunate man. You've met Counsellor Troi." Picard complimented.
"Yes. As on your vessel, you have only to name whatever courtesy we can provide."
"Then, sir, the courtesy of seeing my officers."
"Lieutenant Yar will be returned to you tonight at a banquet I have arranged in your honor."
"I'd like to see her now."
"Bring Lieutenant Yar. I find it odd, Captain, that a man of your experience has such difficulty in understanding ordinary politeness."
"Such as the politeness of saying please before abducting someone?"
"The expression please is used only when requesting the person back."
"Yours is a different world."
"With clear and simple ways deeply rooted in our culture. If you are willing to ask for Lieutenant Yar's return tonight in front of all, honor will be satisfied."
Troi mentioned, "One can see the importance of honor here. I can't help but notice you haven't mentioned Ensign Tyson. Will you bring him here as well?"
"Honor is everything. Ensign Tyson will be attending tonight's banquet, you cannot see him until then," Lutan replied.
Two guards come out bringing Yar with them. She is putting up token resistance, but not actively fighting back. Her resistance ceases when she sees the captain but her face openly displays her displeasure.
"Have you been treated well, Lieutenant?"
"Fine, Captain but they're showing some signs of wear."
The Ligonian beauty addressed Picard, "There isn't any need to be concerned, Captain. She's being well cared for."
"My ship's company and I are certain of your gentle wisdom in that."
Lutan's face soured. He was unsure how to interpret Picard's last comment. "For a moment I thought I heard a threat implied. But that would be foolishness."
"Something to be carefully avoided. I agree."
"The festivities for her return to you are in preparation. Shall we retire till then?"
"Until tonight, Lutan."
~~Star Trek: TNG~~
The same courtyard was rearranged into a banquet area. The scene was reminiscent of an outdoor wedding. There was a juggler and musicians for entertainment. Picard and Troi were seated when Lieutenant Yar was brought out. She still had her two guards flanking her. She was seated to Lutan's Left. Yareena was seated to the right of the Ligonian ruler.
Once Tasha was seated, Tyson was escorted out. Tasha's two-guard escort looked tame compared to Tyson's twelve. Rows of six guards stood to either side of the man as he was escorted out. It was noted that Tyson wore manacles on his wrists while Tasha was unrestrained.
Troi asked as he was escorted to his seat, "Are you alright Tyson?"
"All good. I'm glad I got to see another planet. The Ligonians have been very giving hosts."
Confusion could be read on Lutan's face. They hadn't given him anything, just a single meal. Picard wasn't sure if Tyson was exaggerating or being sarcastic. He decided to ignore the man and give his prepared speech.
"Lutan, you have granted us hospitality and the safety of your Centreplace. The gifts you give us are rare and precious. We thank you. And now, according with the customs of your ancestors, whom we honor and respect, I am here in peace to ask for the return of Lieutenant Yar and Ensign Tyson."
"Well spoken. There are those among my equals in this gathering who were wary of my approaching the Federation. I am proud to have taken this first step towards a treaty and proud that we have something of great value to offer you, a priceless life-giving vaccine. The abduction I have done according to our custom, for all to see. Your conduct in this matter has been beyond exemplary, Captain Picard, but now that the moment has come, I find I cannot part with her."
"You speak of a code of honor, but what you are saying now, according to our customs, is called an act of war."
"This is not an act of war, but of love. I want Lieutenant Yar to become my First One."
Tyson knew this was where things would go downhill. Lutan was claiming Tasha as his first wife. If nothing changed, Yareena would challenge Tasha to a duel to the death. Everything works out in the end, but the way events played out in the show never sat well with Tyson.
Before Yareena could yell, Tyson interrupted. "I challenge your claim!"
The Ligonians looked shocked, except Yareena. The woman's surprise was quickly replaced with a smug smile. Tyson wasn't sure on the exact custom, but if he poked enough holes, maybe one would be valid.
"On what grounds do you question my claim?"
"Your abduction of Lieutenant Yar was not clean. You did not escape unscathed. I interrupted, shoving you and your second during the exchange. I also knocked out a score of your guards. You have no claim to Lieutenant Yar and achieved no victories over me. I have actually been on missions with Lieutenant Yar. My bond with her is stronger, and as such my claim to her is stronger than yours!"
"That is not enough to challenge my claim!" Lutan exclaimed. "To issue a challenge you would have to accomplish an abduction rite of your own."
"I have."
Murmors rose at Tyson's proclamation.
"Impossible! You've been locked in a room your entire time here. None of my people have gone missing. Your claim is false."
Tyson prepared to ham up his performance, channeling his best Shatner he began, "I arrived here, on the wonderful planet of Ligon, by foiling Lutan's attempted abduction of Lieutenant Yar." He pointed at the leader dramatically, then raised his still-manacled hands into the air. "Then, with my bare hands, I defeated twenty-eight brave Ligonian guards. Is that not a great feat?"
He shouted to the crowd and actually got some shouts of agreement. "I stood down when Lutan threatened Lieutenant Yar's life. Not because he or his soldiers defeated me, but because I care more for the life of my comrade than my own pride!" Tyson raised his voice trying to emphasize that he hadn't been beaten, only stopped.
After a small pause for dramatic effect he continued, "I went willingly to a room where I was imprisoned, but I escaped. No Ligonian guards saw me as I moved through your compound. I did not capture any Ligonians, no. But I did obtain something of value from you."
While Tyson was speaking, he gestured with his hands held together in closed fists. It was harder to gesticulate while wearing the manacles, so he was keeping his hands together to emphasize his bound status. He brought his hands down to his navel level and opened his palms, inside was a container of the Anchilles fever vaccine.
"Your precious life-giving vaccine!" He shouted. Tyson turned to Lutan. He stared the man challengingly in the eyes, and in a cold voice finished by saying, "All of it."
The courtyard erupted. Ligonians were going crazy. Tyson sat down with a smug smirk on his face. Lutan had actually helped him. Claiming that Tyson was locked up during his stay, added weight to his accomplishment. Lutan sent one of his guards to check on the vaccine stockpile while he tried to calm all the attendees. When the guard returned and whispered to Lutan, the leader took a minute to digest the information.
He stood, with everyone's attention, and spoke, "Your right to challenge is accepted. Our dispute shall be settled with a struggle to the death!"
Picard had been silent for a few minutes letting this cultural exchange play out. He wasn't familiar enough with their traditions to interrupt and guarantee a positive outcome. Hearing that there would be a fight to the death was enough for him to refute. "No! The challenge is unequivocally refused!"
"Then you shall have no treaty, no vaccine, and no Lieutenant Yar!"
Episode 3.5: Still Basically Human
"What possessed you to steal all the vaccines? To openly challenge the leader of a world we are in negotiations with?"
Picard was dressing down Tyson for his actions. After the banquet proclamations, the Ligonians filed out. The Starfleet officers were left to discuss their decision. Picard was upset at the direction the treaty discussions had taken.
"Sir, I answered in kind. There was no other direction this would have gone once Lutan claimed Lieutenant Yar."
"Explain yourself."
"The woman Lutan introduced as his first one, Yareena. That's his first wife. Lutan was attempting to take Tasha as his first wife, supplanting her position. If I had allowed him to do so, Yareena would have contested, and it would be her and Tasha fighting to the death instead. As for the vaccine, it was an acquisition of opportunity. I escaped my holding area and stumbled upon the stockpile in the basement cold storage. My Inventory places objects in stasis, so it's the safest place for the vaccine. If according to their customs, Lutan could take Tasha, I could take the vaccine. Worst case, we just leave. Which we could do. We could leave right now, all of us. We have the vaccine and all of us are in a single location, there wouldn't be any issues engaging a transporter lock anymore."
Tyson didn't want to sound too impertinent, so he finished his statement with, "Sir."
Troi understood Tyson's perspective and could sense his frustration through their bond, but had to add, "If we do that captain, Lutan will take this as an insult of the highest order."
"That would sour relations with the Ligonians, it is not an option."
"Okay, alternate plan. I unload all the vaccines from my Inventory. Transport it up to the Enterprise and have the saucer section separate. Commander Riker could take vaccines in the stardrive section to Styris, while we resolve the diplomatic situation."
"Counselor, how would the Ligonians respond to that? Would they see it as stealing or hold ill will toward the Federation?"
"I'm unsure, captain. If Tyson goes through with the combat they would find it acceptable either way. If he did not, they certainly would. If they acknowledged Tyson's successful completion of their custom, they may ask for the vaccine back. In that case, if we did not return it, they would be offended."
Picard rapped his knuckles on the table while he digested the information. "Tyson, do you want to engage in combat, knowing it's to the death."
"Yea, no sweat, captain."
"This isn't a game, Ensign." Picard lectured sternly. He was disappointed with Tyson for not taking this situation seriously.
"Sir, I can defeat Lutan. I defeated more than two dozen of his guards unarmed. Right now, I'm the most melee combat-oriented member of the Enterprise crew. I can use any weapon they choose with reasonable proficiency. And I'm not without my tricks."
Tyson held up his hands, still bound by the manacles. The cuffs disappeared as he stored them in his Inventory.
"They only detained me because of Tasha initially, and afterward only because I cooperated. I could have escaped at any time. I can sneak around here without being noticed with ease."
He summoned the manacles back in place on his wrists.
"Also I'm prepared for a battle to the death. When I made my uniform, I created it from materials that are stab-proof and bullet-proof. I have multiple weapons in my Inventory. And I can disable Lutan, without killing him, avoiding a diplomatic incident."
Troi addressed the captain, "I agree with Tyson's actions, sir. If events occurred as he predicted, his fighting in Tasha's place is a best-case scenario. He has more options for ending things without any deaths than she does."
"Indeed." Picard agreed. "But diplomatic negotiations should not involve fights to the death or stealing. Do try to keep that in mind in the future. I'll be thinking twice before allowing you in on future negotiations. Regardless of the outcome, your actions have not been befitting of a Starfleet officer."
Looking appropriately chastised, Tyson replied, "Yes, sir."
"I will allow this fight to proceed, but we'll be taking all precautions."
~~Star Trek: TNG~~
The Enterprise crew made their preparations. Tyson remembered from the episode that they planned on transporting the one injured during the fight straight to sickbay to save them from the weapons' poisoned coating.
He watched the construction of the stage in the Centreplace, the courtyard where he'd arrived. Tyson thought they used this set in the show repeatedly as a cost-saving measure. It turns out, the area holds cultural significance, the Ligonians use the Centreplace for all meetings and events.
A table was erected near where he watched. Guards brought out various weapons to place on the table. They were arranged with a gap in the middle, where a strange gauntlet was placed. The gauntlet had a handle on the inside and a protective layer that extended halfway to the elbow. The key feature of the weapon was the knuckle section which was rounded but had a hook extended down toward the palm. The overall shape gave the impression of a scorpion's stinger. The rounded area was surrounded by thin nail-like spines protruding outward. Tyson knew the spines and 'stinger' were coated in poison.
Claw of Ligon
Common
27 Damage
Ligon Poison (Damage): A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 10 poison damage and become Poisoned. The Poisoned creature must repeat the saving throw every 1 minute, taking 20 poison damage on a failed save. Until this poison ends, the poisoned creature is unconscious. After seven successful Saving Throws, the Effect ends and the creature can heal normally.
Tyson could survive the poison. It would take seven saving throws to remove the poison; assuming half of those are failures, that's one-hundred forty damage taken. Most humans he'd come across would die from a single exposure.
Tyson looked over at the now complete arena. There were four energy beams that extended to the sky that captured his attention. He couldn't see where they terminated. He used Observe on the projector.
Compressed Energy Projector
101 Damage/Second
This projector is tied directly into the facility's stand-alone fusion reactor. The plasma flow is condensed and projected through a magnetic confinement beam into the planet's atmosphere where it is dissipated when magnetic de-cohesion occurs.
Tyson couldn't help approaching and studying the projectors. The technology reminded Tyson of a lightsaber. A quick mental rundown couldn't come up with anything closer in the Star Trek universe. A quick look revealed he was alone in the arena. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his tricorder.
Engineering Roll (DC: 20) = 39 Major Success!
He was able to get detailed scans and his high Engineering skill allowed him to understand the technology. Just eyeballing it, Tyson knew he could use it to make a lightsaber. Sort of. A proto-saber to be exact. The problem was the power source. Tyson was familiar with micro-fusion reactors, he'd been using them extensively in his projects. The issue was, they were the size of footballs. Nowhere near small enough to power a hand-held sword. He could create a wearable backpack power source that could be drawn from a weapon using the compressed energy projector. This would function identically to a proto-saber, an early version of the lightsaber. It could be a fun project, but shouldn't be a priority. Without an improved power source, it wouldn't be much more than a novelty.
~~Star Trek: TNG~~
Tyson and Lutan stood across from each other. Between them was the combat arena where one of them would meet their end, according to Ligonian tradition. The arena was a tangled mess of obstacles, more akin to a parkour gym than a gladiator arena. Interspersed were the four condensed energy projectors. The layout was not symmetrical, the opposite in fact. Its chaotic nature forced participants to focus as much on their environment as their opponents.
Seating occupied by the natives of Ligon surrounded the arena. Members of the government and higher-ranking noble families were in attendance. The only outliers were the senior officers from the Enterprise. Captain Picard, Counselor Troi, LaForge, and Data sat together, nervously awaiting Tyson's battle.
Picard had Commander Riker on standby. The first officer had transporter locks on both Lutan and Tyson, if either of them were poisoned, they could be beamed directly to sickbay. The Ligonians had no idea. Federation sensors were so sophisticated, the Ligonians had not detected them.
Tyson Observed his opponent. Lutan was physically imposing. He stood 6'5" and looked like he outweighed Tyson. He reminded the man of a professional football linebacker from his time.
Lutan
{Ligonian Government}
Level 7
Hit Points: 267
Armor: 17
Ligonian Spiked Gauntlet Attack: +8 to hit. 6D6+5 damage
Ligon Poison (Damage): A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 10 poison damage and become Poisoned. The Poisoned creature must repeat the saving throw every 1 minute, taking 20 poison damage on a failed save. Until this poison ends, the poisoned creature is unconscious. After seven successful Saving Throws, the Effect ends and the creature can heal normally.
Regardless of how strong he was, or physically imposing he appeared, he was still basically human. Tyson was not. The gamer had crested the peak of human strength capabilities. He kept his focus on Lutan as the man stepped up and into the edge of the arena. The action was not hostile, he was gaining vantage to make a proclamation.
"On Ligon, honor and tradition reign!" The crowd of natives went wild at his declaration. He continued as the cheering faded, "The Federation outsiders, know not of our ways, but after today, they will. This battle to the death is for the right to claim Lieutenant Yar of the Enterprise. To the winner goes the spoils."
He addressed Tyson directly, "Once you enter the arena, the battle is joined. May your ancestors and gods smile upon you. For you will meet them soon."
Tyson rolled his eyes. He did not enter the arena, instead, he projected enough to be heard throughout the crowd, "I have respected your rituals and completed them with greater accomplishments than your leader, Lutan. And I will prove myself to be his better once again! Once Lutan is defeated, I will be taking Lieutenant Yar back to the Enterprise, with your life-giving vaccine. The Federation appreciates and values what Ligon has offered them. My prowess will demonstrate the strength of the Federation, and my victory will commemorate this day where we honored your tradition and joined in glory."
Social Roll (DC: 30) = 32 Success!
The crowd cheered for Tyson, though his reception didn't match the one Lutan received. Tyson shifted his mental state from orator to warrior. He locked eyes with his target and leaped into the arena. He placed his landing near the edge of his side, not wanting to give any advantage to Lutan.
The obstacles created horizontal and vertical bars to swing from to use for cover or to generate momentum. They looked like an amalgamation of football field goals and gymnastics uneven bars. The ground consisted of landings placed at various heights.
Tyson picked his path and footings to keep him on the low ground. The high ground would offer him no advantage here. With his weapon only on one hand, if he had the high ground, his reach would be limited. The height difference between him and Lutan was nominal, so there was no reach advantage.
Lutan made a direct line for Tyson, heedless of the ground changes and obstacles. He barreled forward unerringly. The officer did not meet his charge. Instead, Tyson sidestepped to his left, moving clockwise through the arena. He minded his footing but kept his focus on the Ligonian. Moving this way served two purposes. The terrain was slightly harder to traverse in a straight line for his opponent now. The dips and rises of the ground were more significant. The second purpose was his true objective. He held his position just beyond a drop-off. If Lutan continued approaching directly, it would leave his knee at Tyson's head level. The ruler would have to either crouch to attack, jump down leaving himself vulnerable or avoid the dropoff.
Tyson had scouted this spot shortly after the arena was constructed. He expected Lutan would move around the obstacle. He selected this area specifically because if his opponent moved away from the drop, the approaches from either side were clear of obstacles. It was the largest, uncluttered space in the combat zone.
Lutan surprised Tyson by crouching to attack him when he reached the small ledge.
Attack Received: -29 HP (631)
Tyson looked at his shoulder and back to Lutan, he dropped the gauntlet from his hand. The leader relaxed his poster and opened his mouth to gloat, relying on the poison to finish the man. He was shocked when Tyson reached out and grabbed his closest leg.
Athletics (Grapple) Check (DC: 20 = 32): Major Success!
Grapple Roll (DC:30): 30 Failure
Tyson dragged him off the ledge. The gamer tried to wrestle him to the ground but failed. The Ligonians must have their own form of wrestling because everything he tried was countered. Tyson abandoned the grappling attempts. Wrestling wasn't his strong suit. Grappling used his Athletics skill which was lower than his Martial Arts, but still a better option than his Melee Weapons.
Tyson dropped his weapon prior to the exchange. He did so intentionally, unbeknownst to Lutan. Tyson had no desire to kill the Ligonian, the claw would lead to that inevitability. The two faced off and he shifted into a defensive stance.
Fighting Defensively
You fight defensively when attacking. Take a -4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC for the same round.
Attack Received: Critical! -41 HP (590)
Attack Given: 43 Major Success. 31 Damage (236)
Attack Received: Critical Failure!
The two large men exchanged blows evenly. With the first set of attacks, Tyson's fists and Lutan's weapon seemed to do similar damage respectively. After accepting Tyson's punch Lutan lunged to spear Tyson in his head. The Ligonina knew that the man's uniform was somehow resisting being penetrated by his weapon. If he could hit Tyson's bare skin, it would cement his advantage. Going for the officer's head would either land a strike on his skin or force him to raise his guard, exposing his hands. Unfortunately for the ruler, neither occurred. When he went for Tyson's head he overextended leaving himself wide open for a counter-attack.
While the fight was a good competition, Tyson wasn't getting much out of it. He was restricted to fighting using his Martial Arts skill, which was so high that he wasn't getting any skill raises. He had other weapons in his Inventory that he could use, but didn't want to violate any rules by using them. This fight would end up being a slogfest. When Lutan overextend, Tyson saw the opportunity and quickly activated a perk. The Anti-Worf Effect was one of the first perks Tyson acquired, but he'd never used it.
Perk Activated: The Anti-Worf Effect
The Anti-Worf Effect: Once every 24 hours, you can defeat a single significant foe. Any nearby enemies will be temporarily stunned in fear or awe of you. Any nearby allies will receive a morale boost given your actions. This effect can only be used the non-lethally disable an opponent. The duration they're disabled will vary based on the opponent's strength. Exceptionally strong, or enemies with supernatural abilities may only be disabled momentarily, while weak enemies can be disabled for hours or days.
The world slowed down around Tyson. The effect was different than the one he'd experienced when he was around Q and time stopped. In this case, the world continued moving, it was Tyson's perceptions that had increased speed. But, control took a back seat as his body moved to fulfill his intent without his active intervention. It wasn't an uncomfortable feeling though; his body knew what it had to do, and moved in the most efficient way to do so. It was like watching a video of your highlight reel from the first-person perspective.
Tyson ducked under Lutan's outstretched arm. In close with the Ligonian, he threw a full-strength uppercut into the man's elbow. With his arm fully extended, Lutan's elbow snapped like a twig under Tyson's superhuman Strength.
In his accelerated state, he could see Lutan's face become a mask of pain. His eyes closed and all strength left his weapon arm. Tyson could see he was moving to cradle his injury, but Tyson's assault wasn't finished. With Tyson's Strength of 25, his overhead lifting capacity was around seventeen hundred pounds. He grabbed Lutan and raised the Ligonian up into the air, one hand on his back, one on his tailbone. It looked as if Tyson was presenting him to the gods for judgment. Then, as if the judgment had been passed, Tyson dropped Lutan onto his knee in a WWE-style backbreaker.
In professional wrestling entertainment, there were many techniques to reduce the risk of injury to the entertainer. Tyson heeded none of those. He didn't give Lutan a chance to get his feet under him to reduce the weight taken through the back or give him the luxury of landing on his larger quad muscle. Lutan's spine met the point of his knee. And the gamer didn't just let gravity do the work. After letting the Ligonian go, he placed his hands above the falling man's shoulders and lower abs, driving him down faster.
The sound of him hitting Tyson's knee pulled gasps and grunts of discomfort from the crowd. Then silence. Lutan lay on the ground, face down. Tyson rolled the man off his knee and regained full control of his body.
Lutan
{Ligonian Government}
Level 7
Hit Points: 56/267
Armor: 17
Status Effects:
Paralyzed (Permanent): A paralyzed character is frozen in place and unable to move or act. A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely mental actions. This effect persists until cured.
Helpless: A helpless character is completely at an opponent's mercy. Melee attacks against a helpless target receive a +4 bonus. As a full-round action, an enemy can use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace to a helpless foe.
Tyson hadn't wanted to kill Lutan. This fight was a good test for The Anti-Worf Effect because it disabled opponents nonlethally. The magnitude was based on the strength of the target. Lutan was seemingly not very strong because it had done significant damage. Depending on how advanced Ligon's medicine was, he might make a full recovery.
He walked over and picked up the claw he'd discarded earlier. The weapon, while not particularly powerful compared to others he had, possessed an unquantifiable menace. Especially in this moment as Tyson brought the spiked gauntlet near the helpless leader.
The courtyard was silent, Tyson's footsteps being the only sound. Picard stood, but a look from Tyson had him holding whatever he was going to say. The gamer wasn't sure if he'd read Tyson's intentions, or just didn't want to risk inflaming the situation.
Standing over Lutan, Tyson spoke, his voice at a conversational level. Those nearby, seemingly holding their breath, heard every word, "This battle is over. Lutan fought bravely and his prowess is acknowledged, as is mine. Are there any here unsatisfied that wishes to issue another challenge or question my victory?"
Tyson scanned the crowd, looking past the Starfleet officers, but focusing on every Ligonian male. Some defiantly held his gaze but most looked away when he reached them. When noone spoke up, he threw the gauntlet to the ground, "Then it is settled. Attend to your leader."
Tyson
Title: Ensign (Provisional)
Race: Human Hybrid
Level: 10 (46,850/271,000)
Energy Credits: 126,885
Hit Points: 590/660
Strength: 25
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 24
Intelligence: 17
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 13
Defense: 12 + 1(Armor) = 13
Luck: 2
Unspent Attribute Points: 6
Racial Traits:
Vulcan Senses
Half-Betazoid Sense
Vulcan Strength
Vulcan Metabolism
Klingon Constitution
Status Effects:
'Telepathic Bond (T'Pol)'
Skills:
Observe: Lvl 13
Meditation: Lvl 0 - Locked
Engineering: Lvl 30
Computers: Lvl 32
Physical Science: Lvl 31
Martial Arts: Lvl 32
Athletics: Lvl 18
Medicine: Lvl 32
Social: Lvl 30
Cooking: Lvl 32
Energy Weapons: Lvl 13
Melee Weapons: Lvl 16
Stealth: Lvl 21
Perform: Lvl 20
Language Skills
Cetacean: Lvl 5
Klingon: Lvl 2
Vulcan: Lvl 5
Ligonian: Lvl 5
Perks:
'Out of Nowhere'
'The Anti-Worf Effect'
'Universal Translator'
'Culinary Visualization'
'Your Hands Clean'
'Grand Theft Starship'
'Spreading Love'
'Power Eater'
'Apt Pupil'
'Master with your Hands'
'Binding Foods'
'Direct Control Disruption'
'Aesthetic Damage'
'Speedy Promotions'
Drawbacks:
'Q and U'
AN: Hope you're all enjoying the story so far. This is the conclusion of Episode 3. Episode 4 will be next week, short chapter, so you get all of it at once. Then on to the fabled Episode 5!
Reviewers: Thanks for pointing out the telepathic bond mistakes in the previous chapters. For clarification, Tyson does not have a telepathic bond with Troi. The wording "allies" wasn't flavor text, it refers to the reputation level. Tyson is at ally with T'Pol but locked below that with Troi.
Question for Reviewers: Seen some comments that Tyson is weak for a gamer. To this point it's been almost exactly a month since he arrived on the Enterprise. Do you think he's weak? Personally, I think he's a little overpowered for the setting. Maybe it's just me, but Star Trek isn't like Naruto or hero settings where the power scaling gets crazy.
Bonus Question for Reviewers: What Episode do you think is next? It isn't the Last Outpost!