Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Arrival of the Kestra - Side Sim

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) in Arrival of the Kestra - Side Sim

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Arrival of the Kestra - Side Sim
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
As the Manhattan was moving through a local system at impulse speed, a smaller ship suddenly dropped its cloak on the port side.

The ship was much smaller than the Manhattan, a brief scan of its life-signs would show less than 100 souls aboard, but tellingly, they were a mixture of species. Humans, Klingons, Orions, Cardassians, Bajorans, Romulans, Ferengi, Andorians, it was a smorgasbord of different races, some friendly to the Federation, others decidedly not, but the largest group were Bajeen, the same species as the Manhattan’s counsellor, Zef Rollo.

The ship itself would not show up in Federation registries, which immediately raised the possibility that it was an illegal ship, which likely meant it was a smuggler, pirate, raider or all three. However, the ship did not attempt to power its weapons and did not approach the Manhattan. A detailed scan would show that the ship was heavily armed, but no match for a Manhattan-class in a stand-up fight. Those same scans would indicate that the vessel was not built for going toe-to-toe with other Starships, it was sleek and agile, a fast-moving predator.

After only a moment, a hail was received.

=/\= USS Manhattan, this is the Independent Trading Vessel Kestra, lower your shields and prepare to be boarded. =/\=

The Kestra

Cochrane was in the center when the ‘request’ came through. “Yellow alert.” he said and the klaxons sounded. He keyed the comms and said =^= Kestra, this is Captain Cochrane of the USS Manhattan. We dont really respond well to threats, so check your tone, Kestra. You have Federation species on board… yiu should know better. If you want to talk, we can do that. If you don’t want to talk, move along before this gets out of hand. =^= He looked at the bridge crew and said “If those weapons even twitch or they cloak again, get us out of here. Warp 6 back to the station. They can then discuss whatever with us, the Vigilante, and the Chisca Bay.”

Cochrane, CO

Another thought occurred to Cochrane as he waited for the Kestra’s response and he tapped the comms again. =^= Counselor to the bridge immediately, please.=^=

Cochrane, CO

=/\=On my way, Sir. Rollo, out.=/\= The counselor dropped everything and hurried to the bridge. Something must be wrong because the Captain had never summoned her like that before. In the lift, pale hands smoothed the front of her uniform and worried at a wisp of hair that had come loose from its confines. When the doors opened, she exited and made her way to where Cochrane sat in the middle chair. “That call sounded like something might be wrong. How can I help, Captain?”

—Rollo, CNS

Cochrane nodded to the comm officer and the main viewer came on. On the screen was a ship. “This vessel just de-cloaked and demanded that we lower our shields and allow them to board us. Suffice to say… that isn’t going to happen. But I called you because lifesigns on the vessel match your people… among others. Do you know this ship, Counselor?”

Cochrane, CO

“What?” Zef looked at the viewscreen. “You’ve actually scanned it and there are Bajeen on board?” Something about the ship seemed familiar, but Rollo couldn’t place what it was. “Magnify the image, please.” The ship doubled in size on the screen. Something… “It shares some architectural design with Bajeen structures, but…” Her eyes turned to the Captain. “Did they tell you the name of the ship?”

—Rollo, CNS

Cochrane watched her watching the screen. “The Independent Trading Vessel Kestra.”

Cochrane, CO

“The Kes…” She began to shake her head in disbelief. “It can’t be. How did he find me so quickly?” Cochrane would be able to see her throat move as she tried to swallow the lump that sat there in the back, blocking breath and words and angry curses.

After a few deep breaths to help her find her center again, Zef took a step closer to the Captain, silently aligning herself with him. “Remember the other morning I told you there was a situation at home that had me worried?”

Light blue-grey eyes found the ship on the viewscreen once more. “That’s the ‘situation’.”

—Rollo, CNS

Cochrane looked at her and then the ship. “Comms, no picture. Voice only between us and them.” and then he said to Rollo “Care to expand on that thought, Commander? Because now it’s not your situation… it’s our situation.”

Cochrane, CO

The counselor looked around the bridge at the crew who was trying very hard not to eavesdrop. Since she didn’t want her private life working its way up and down the grapevine on the Manhattan, “Could we maybe talk somewhere more private?” Even though others told her their secrets in counselling session, she didn’t want the ship’s grapevine to suddenly be alive with details of her private life.

—Rollo, CN

He nodded and said “Any incoming comms send to the Ready Room. Orders stand.” and he nodded to the Security Officer who took the conn.

Entering the office, Cochrane said “Limited time here, Commander. Make it quick and let’s get this dealt with.”

Cochrane, CO

As soon as the door shut she began to explain. “As far as I know, the Kestra is owned by the Marrov family on Baj. The Marrov family had two sons—Kalig and Broggs, my deceased mate. For whatever reason, Kalig has been following me ever since I left Baj after Broggs’ death.” She was pacing now, full of angry, frustrated energy. “I don’t know why he’s being so persistent, it doesn’t make sense! Whatever his reasons were in the beginning, I thought he’d have given up by now, but he hasn’t and I don’t have an explanation as to why.”

—Rollo, CNS

Cochrane looked at her and said “Following you? For what? Why? What in the nine hell’s would make him traverse literally half the galaxy to show up here and demand to board my ship? And how, for all that is holy, did he even know where we are?” His questions were pointed and direct, but not attacking. It’s obvious his concern for the safety of the ship, its crew, and it’s Counselor were utmost in his mind… but there a tonger of anger that a complete stranger could find them.

Cochrane, CO

=/\= You’re not planning to surrender then?=/\= A voice came through on the comm. =/\= That’s a pity because I really don’t have the capability to take you down, so I suppose we need to talk then eh? Can I come aboard? =/\= The voice was masculine, even gravelly, but the tone was light, as if the person speaking didn’t understand, or simply chose to ignore, the seriousness of threatening a Federation Starship.

Kalig Marrov