Chapter Two: Unwelcome News
UNSC Spirit of Fire, C Deck
0730 hours
"I have finished the scans of the port and starboard coils, Chief." Sava says. Chief Randon raised his eyebrow. "Were those your orders Commander?" He asked. "Did I order you to 'scan' the coils or did I order you to INSPECT them!? He bellows, "What were my exact words?!" Sava blinked, she hadn't expected such an emotional response. "It was more logical to scan-" Randon cuts her off. "Logical!? Well fuck, that's good to know!" He stomps over to the bulkhead and slaps it. "This is the Spirit of Fire Commander not a goddamn Rubix Cube!" He returns to stand in front of her. Randon could tell she didn't understand. He could take her back up to the coil housing but that would take too long so instead he draws his magnum and holds it towards her. "Here, scan this weapon and confirm it is functional just as you did with the coils," he says. Sava pulls out her tricorder and uses it to scan the weapon. "The weapon is functional," she concludes, putting away the device on her belt. Randon smirks, "are you sure about that?" He asks as he points the weapon at the bulkhead and pulls the trigger. Nothing happens. He tries again, nothing. "Looks like your scan missed something." Randon says, turning the gun so Sava can see the right side. "Had you inspected the weapon you would find the safety was on and would prevent the weapon from firing. "The same goes for the coils," he continues. "If you don't physically inspect them you won't detect any failures in the coil system which once in combat could result in the failure of the weapon system and damage to the ship or her crew, understand?" "Yes," Sava answers "it's "yes, CHIEF!!"" Randon bellows at the top of his voice. "And stand at attention, you're on a warship not a vacation!" He steps up to her. "Arms here, head here, feet here. Whenever you're around someone of higher rank you stand like this until told otherwise you copy?!" He asks. "Yes," Sava answers, Randon's jaw tightens, "Chief," she concludes. Randon nods, "better, you're dismissed and I suggest you take the time to learn how we do things around here." He turns and walks away but adds one last thing, "You're a Commander, act like it!"
Bajor System
Jerome landed at the base of the cliff. His MJOLNIR Mk IV power armor effortlessly absorbed the shock. Fortunately there was still some cover from the twilight. Moving fast, Jerome covers in a small copse of trees just off the compound's gate. From his vantage he observes two figures, presumably guards, one standing on either side of the gate. A direct assault wasn't his mission. So, giving the gate a wide berth he circles around to the northeast wall. "Lost eyes on you Commander," Alice advises as she watches Jerome vanish around the wall and out of her sight. Now that he was closer he could get a better look. The wall was made of thin metal sheets reinforced with mesh and rods running parallel to the main supports. He looked around, "Alice, any moment in my section?" Alice scanned the rampart above Jerome. "Negative sir, the section is clear. I give you about five before you're compromised." Jerome nodded. "Four more than I need, going internal." Jerome drew his combat knife and wedged it between the mesh and one of the rods. It bent easily. Working in a few fingers Jerome gripped the rod firmly and gave a firm jerk. Between his augmented muscles and his armor Jerome made short work of the fence, a single punch was all that was required to open a hole large enough to step through. "Poltergeist Actual, Red Team is internal." Jerome was close to the cliff that composed the entirety of the camp's north wall. There were sections of wall here but they seemed more intended to prevent falling debris rather than prevent escape. Through his visor Jerome saw a large, black opening in the Cliffside. 'Definitely a mine of some sort' he thought as he knelt to examine the well worn ground by the entrance. Footprints, hundreds of them, formed a consistent trail in and down into the void then out again. Turning from the entrance. Jerome faces what appears to be the main thoroughfare. This road was easily wide enough to drive a Scorpion down and still have room. At the far end loomed the wall and, more imposing still, the main gate. Huge supports rose, monolithic in the shadows. The gate itself, a thing of uncaring wire and cold metal. Jerome heard talking up ahead. Two voices were slowly walking toward him. From one of the smaller side paths he could see the beams from two lights dancing on the ground. Thinking quickly he slid into the first opening he could fit inside. Jerome turned, magnum in hand, as he scanned the interior of his hiding place. It was a large structure. Inside were several small, weak lights and whispering? Jerome stuck to the shadows, doing his best to remain unseen. His visor activated his night vision bathing the area in the pale green glow. The hallway he found himself in was cramped. Dirty curtains hung every so often. Moving slowly Jerome peeked into the first "room" which was little more than a hole in the wall. Two cots occupied this space. A weak lamp sputtered on the floor. There was also a hole in the floor about one and a half meters in diameter, the edge stained with something. On the cots two people rested. Jerome inched a bit more into the room. They looked human except for a set of nasal ridges between the eyes at the top of the nose. Jerome looked over both of the sleeping figures. One was male the other female. The male's face was dirty and covered in cuts and bruises, some looked fresh, still purple and swollen. His feet were black and calloused. Jerome didn't see any shoes anywhere. The female was next. She was pale and thin as bone. Her cheekbones protruding through her face. 'They're slaves,' Jerome thought to himself as he withdrew from the alcove and emerged back outside. He checked the next alcove and the situation was the same. This entire building was occupied by abused, half naked slaves. He'd seen enough. He needed to rejoin his squad and then report to command something had to be done.
It didn't matter how many times she watched it. The raw camera footage from Red Team's foray into the alien camp still turned Charlotte's stomach. The dirty conditions, the emaciated bodies of the prisoners. It was just like during the Insurrection. Whoever these aliens were who were keeping them, they deserved the same fate as every insurrectionist; bombs, bullets and blood. 'These people need help,' Charlotte thought to herself. "Poltergeist Actual to Red Team," she says into her comm. "Red Team," came Jerome's voice. "Commander, I need to break orbit to transmit your footage to command. Do you want us to extract you?" There was barely a pause before Jerome replied. "Negative Actual, Red Team will remain planetside and recon additional targets." Charlotte nods, "copy Red Team, stay safe, Poltergeist Actual out." Without a word the bridge came alive and the Poltergeist left orbit as quietly as she'd come. Without wasting any time Charlotte navigated to the very solar edge of the Bajor system. "How does it look, Vince?" She asked. "Scanners report zero contact," Vincent replied, appearing next to her. "good," she says. "Establish a secure connection to Lord Admiral Hood aboard Cairo Station, these people need help." "Connection established, data uploaded and sent " he says in his slow, slightly creepy voice.
UNSC Spirit of Fire
Cutter couldn't believe it, he was absolutely appalled. Sava stood behind him, her trademark frown playing across her face. "The Cardassians thrive on the suffering of others, Captain," Sava says, somewhat dismissively. "You sound almost familiar with this." Cutter says turning off the monitor and turning to his XO. In the weeks since she joined Cutter's crew Sava had flourished under the tutelage of Chief Randon. She had even discarded her civilian attire and now stood in her starched and polished UNSC officers fatigues. "We have to help," Cutter said conclusively as he stood and walked to the bridge. "But, Captain," Sava interrupted as she followed, "if we're caught, it'll mean war." Cutter smirks as he sits. "But Commander, we're just answering a distress call, not starting any war with anyone." Sava didn't understand. "But we never got any such call." Cutter looked confused. "That's odd," he says "I hear one just fine."
Sava sat in the mess hall. She had barely touched her food. Which wasn't for lack of hunger. Despite being the only Vulcan on the crew, the cooks and mess staff went to great lengths to replicate Vulcan cuisine, a gesture that she appreciated. Ironically, she had developed a taste for human food, especially the double burger slowly cooling on the tray in front of her. Her thoughts were on the Captain's plan, and all the trouble it could cause. "Mind if I join you Commander?" The voice shook her out of it. She looks up to see Kyle, or Chief Randon as she called him publicly. She nods as a shy smile plays across her lips. "Is something wrong Sava?" He says leaning in so only she could hear. One of his rough hands brushes hers. "Not here!" she says embarrassed, "later." She says looking down. Kyle nods, "you know I'm here for you." He says. "I know," she says "I'm just worried." She looks up to him and smiles. "We can talk tonight, I promise." Kyle was worried but he trusted Sava so he left it and just enjoyed lunch with her before he had to return to his post.
Sol System, Orbital Station "Cairo"
Lord Hood was old. He'd served in the military for many decades. He had also served with James Cutter on multiple occasions. The report now displayed on his console had James' name on it. The subject read: "Authorization to Respond to Distress Signal." There was none. Hood had spoken with President Robert A. Gilliman, leader of the United Earth Government. Gilliman and Hood were old friends. After seeing the same footage he had seen, Robert couldn't refuse, but he couldn't publicly say yes either. The U.E.G. was a bureaucratic nightmare on the best of days but, like Hood, Gilliman knew what was right which was why he had agreed that, if just one of the Bajorans asked for help, the U.E.G. would provide it.
Hood stood up and walked up to his office window. Below him the surface of Earth stretched brown and blue far beneath. Just past the curve he could see the British Isles, his home. It's one of the reasons he fights, not just to protect Earth but to free those who are chained, whether they be Human or not. Freedom was a right and he could not, he would not rest knowing that anyone lived in chains.