Seizing of Command
Posted on Sun Oct 4th, 2009 @ 3:08pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Lieutenant JG Ryan Warner & Lieutenant Commander Kaylis Kirana & Lieutenant Commander Eliza McAdams & Lieutenant JG Ador Shran & Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter
4,188 words; about a 21 minute read
Mission:
The Shining Truth
Location: USS Archimedes
Timeline: Current
ON:
[Lane’s Quarters]
Lane looked at the active file on his screen as it downloaded. It took several minutes before the computer voiced its completion and as the veil of calm fell over his entire body, he seemed to relax for the first time in weeks. The icon flashed at him readily as the corners of his mouth curled upwards into a delicate smile. “Got ya, Harwood,� he mouthed to himself.
Renewed with a vigour that seemed to course through him, the Trill stood to his feet and breathed in the free air that surrounded him. He quickly snapped his gaze to the two women with him, and his daughter. He nodded to Mrs. Gray’s bedroom and looked back at them. “In there,� he said, “and I’ll seal you in once I’ve left. I’ll come back for you once this is over.� He waved the combadge in front of Yvaine and smiled. “I’m keeping this,� he beamed. Turning back to the console he tapped at the controls and allowed the package to do its intended function. He waited for less than a moment before the computer sounded out through his quarters.
“Transfer of command complete. The USS Archimedes is now under the command of Captain Coltan Wintersley Lane. All command codes have now been transferred and activated.�
Lane smiled briefly as he heard the words wash over him. “Thank God,� he muttered under his breath, relieved. “Computer, how many people are on the bridge?�
“There are four humanoids stationed on the bridge,� came the sullen reply.
“Name them,� he said quickly.
“Captain Alexandra Harwood, Commander Rowena Arkham, Lieutenant Ryan Warner and Ensign Alyssa Monroe.�
“Computer,� he then replied, thinking on his feet, “seal the bridge with a level ten forcefield and re-route all command functions to Engineering. No one accesses any primary ship functions without my direct authorisation. Understood?�
“Confirmed, came the reply. “Requested function will take approximately six minutes to complete.�
Lane’s heart racked in his chest. “This is it,� he said. Sitting quickly down at his desk again and swinging around the console to face him face on. “Computer, is Lieutenant Warner stationed at the conn?� he asked, hatching a plan as he asked.
“Affirmative.�
“Good,� he replied. “Who is the closest officer and what is their distance from him?�
“Ensign Alyssa Monroe is eight meters away stationed at the Engineering console.�
Tapping at the controls in front of him, he brought the image of a startled Lieutenant Warner on the screen.
“Lieutenant, I don’t have time to explain, but don’t give me away here,� he harshly whispered. “I need you to keep Harwood away from any console readouts and on the bridge until I can take back the ship from her. Can you do it?�
"Uh..." The hesitation from the young pilot was to be expected. The sudden communication had almost knocked Ryan from his seat. Wasn't Lane supposed to be in the brig? Oh who knew, he certainly didn't anymore. The helmsman tried to gather a sideways glance of the bullocky Captain and swallowed. He didn't fancy his chances against Harwood. Screw it. What did he have to lose? A small smile creased at his lips. "Yessir."
“Thank you, Lieutenant. I’ll be in contact when everything else is ready.�
Lane breathed a sigh of relief as he closed the channel to Ryan. If this works,� he thought, I think this’ll fall into place.
Tapping his badge again, he contacted Montgomery. Sighing with relief as she answered.
“Lieutenant. Where do you stand with the others? Can we count on them?"
Shalie was moving through the corridors of the ship as she heard Lane's voice over the comm. She had just come from Martin's quarters and prior to that O'Connell's office. She ducked into her quarters and waited for the door to close before she spoke. "Sir, I have spoken with Lieutenant Martin, she has agreed to organize a group of security officers, and I have O'Connell's department on your side if we need them. We are just awaiting your orders."
“Good, Lieutenant,� he replied quickly. “I want you to arrange for everyone we can trust to assemble in Transporter Room One. I’ll join you all as soon as I can get there. I think our best plan of action is to beam onto the bridge simultaneously and wing it. It’s not the most thought-out, considered plan I have come up with, but it’ll have to do. However, I have someone I need to go and get first. Good luck and God speed, Lieutenant. Lane out.�
Shalie patted herself down quickly before she exited her quarters. She wasn't a security officer, but she packed a phaser just the same. She headed for Transporter Room One and made it there in record time.
Stepping up from his chair, he straightened his uniform and breathed in a confident air through his nose. Mrs Gray walked up to him again and placed a comforting hand on his. “It’ll all come out in the wash, Coltan. It will.�
Lane smiled back and patted her hand in response. He said nothing but smiled.
[Brig]
Lane made his way briskly for the door and as they silently parted, he dipped his head out and looked both ways before climbing back into the ducts to retrieve Lieutenant Carter. Sliding through vents and Jeffries tubes, he finally came to just outside the brig and kicked out the casing to gain access to the main corridor. He neatly placed it back onto the wall and, as the doors opened to the main space of the room, the shocked look of the on-duty officer, made him smile slightly.
“Surprised?� he quipped, holding up his hands as a cautionary phaser was drawn in his direction. “Easy, Ensign Williamson,� he said slowly, moving cautiously into the centre of the room. “Check your console, there, son,� he said, nodding to the panel as he spoke.� You’ll find I am now back in command. You can stand down… unless you wish to face a court martial, James.�
The Ensign, his phaser still trained on the Captain, looked down to the panel and tapped in a few commands. “I don’t understand,� he said, looking back up toward the Trill.
“The orders are from Command and verified. Now, I need you to listen to me.� The phaser dropped slightly, but not fully. “James, I’ve given you an order. Put down your weapon. Now�
The innocent eyes of the security guard widened as he hesitantly re-holstered his phaser. “Good,� Lane said sharply, breathing a relived sigh, and smiling subtly. “Now that you’re listening, I need you to release Lieutenant Carter and come with me. We have work to do.�
Lucy had heard this exchange and was standing at the forcefield. "Captain? You are back in command? Thank god for that!" She stepped out of the brig and went to the weapons locker. "I think I might just find this handy" she smiled at Lane.
“Nice to have you back, Counsellor,� he said with a smile, joining her and selecting his own phaser from the locker. “Let’s go. We’ve got a hectic time ahead of us.�
[Transporter Room]
As Carter and Lane, accompanied by Ensign Williamson, entered the transporter room, he was greeted by faces of the officers he had come to trust and rely upon over the past number of weeks. Lieutenants Shran and Martin, Montgomery and O’Connell and now Lane and Carter all smiled to one another as the doors sealed behind them.
“Thank you,� Lane said as he faced the gaggle of his officers before him. “Now, let’s get to work. We can sort out the past few days once this is all over. But, rest assured, I’ll protect each and every one of you from any indiscretions any of us have committed during this mission. Now, we have Ryan on the bridge distracting Harwood. They’re all sealed off up there, but once we materialise, we’re going to have to move fast. It won’t be long before Harwood realises she’s no longer in control and I have no idea what contingencies she has in place now her plan has gone tits-up. Sorry about the language,� he apologised with a smile.
“Now, Lieutenant Montgomery. I need you to patch into the transporter systems so they won’t know that we’re upon them until we have them with their hands behind their backs. Can you do it?�
"Sure thing," Shalie said confidently as she moved over to the computer display. With Ops blinded, this was going to be a simple sensor override.
“Good. Work quickly, Shalie.� Turning his attention to Lieutenant Martin and Shran, his face remained deadpan and decided. “Ador, Kate… Any suggestions on how we do this?�
"Captain I know you would love some personal payback, however I think Lieutenant Martin and I should subdue Harwood and Arkham. Do we have eyes on up there? If possible my team should materialize ten seconds before the rest of you to the rear of the bridge with phasers on maximum stun with a wide dispersal using the carbines I brought. We'll use the delta pattern we developed in the teams that will maximise effectiveness. " He said with his gravely voice showing little of the excitement he always felt before any action. "Then you beam in in the front ten seconds later to help mop up. My main question is how do we treat Harwood and Arkham as mutineers?" He stated because in his mind there was only one use for a mutineer that was a knife sheath.
“Lieutenant,� Lane replied, nodding his head in a serious fashion to denote his utter seriousness. “We leave Arkham out of the equation. Harwood is the target and the Commander is on our side. Someone has to start trusting someone around here, and Commander Arkham is a Starfleet officer. She may have just forgotten that for a while.�
Subdued and clearly anxious, Kate had stood in the transporter room in almost complete silence as they'd awaited Lane and now, even after he'd arrived and they seemed poised to swing into action, she was still hesitant. Mention of Ryan being ready on the Bridge had brought distraction that she couldn't quite identify as a single emotion but the young lieutenant was visibly perplexed as her far more battle-ready superior tossed his suggestion into the ring. She had been content to remain silent, however, finding herself rather lost amidst the confusing situation that she personally couldn't relate to. Mutiny was not in Kate's blood. Deep in her heart, the young brunette was every bit the textbook officer, believing in StarFleet's fundamental philosophy so deeply that it wasn't even a matter of what she thought anymore so much as what she felt. As she looked up and caught Lane's gaze, Kathryn felt a surge of something powerful and her lips fell open before she had a chance to consider whether it was wise to opt out of her decision to just do as she was told or not.
“Kate?� Lane asked, wearing a quizzical expression. “Is there something that you want to add?�
"Sir,� Lieutenant Martin began, “regardless of the politics behind this, two fundamental points of procedure remain true." Holding up her hand, she reeled each off on her fingers, "Firstly, secure the target. Secondly, secure the command staff, namely the Commanding Officer. In this particular case, that becomes even more imperative." Realising that she now had the floor and feeling the wait of eyes upon her, Kate drew in a deep breath and continued. "Lieutenant Shran's strategy is sound. Security should secure the Bridge before any other officer sets foot on it. However, I'd like to suggest," here her gaze fell upon Shran, "that the Captain and I beam straight to the Ready Room." She paused to allow her suggestion time to register and then looked back to Lane. "Figuring out who can and can't be trusted needs to occur after we've made sure that nobody is in a position to turn the tables again. I think it highly unwise for you to place yourself amongst a group when a far sounder approach is to have Captain Harwood brought to you, alone. The positioning also allows us to provide backup that may not be anticipated if the need arises." Her gaze switched back to Shran for confirmation as he nodded.
“I do believe that your plan is prudent, Lieutenant,� Lane replied, the cogs of his mind projecting the scenario behind his eyes as he spoke slowly and precisely. He hesitated and then smiled, nodding to both Martin and Shran. “Agreed. That’s what we’ll do, then� Lane continued with a subtle smile. “Good work, guys. We ready to do this?�
"Yes, Captain," said Carter, utterly relieved to be out of the brig and useful again.
Drew took a heaving breath, he was about to seal his fate one way or another. He just hoped being killed wasn't his best option. "Aye, Captain, ready."
[Bridge]
Warner was beginning to find his little task rather difficult. He had been confused at first by Lane's request but he was beginning to pray that the man would just hurry up and make his move. Harwood had been standing at his shoulder now gazing at the astronav readout with suspicion in her eyes. He knew she sensed it, anyone could. The advisor was beginning to realise that the pilot was leading her on. Regardless, he kept talking, pointing to the elusive readouts he had created on the helm.
"So you see, Ma'am, there's pockets of magnetic interference here and here, right in our orbital flight path. With this risk I recommend we move higher and into standard orbit. I don't think we can cope with a magnetic pulse."
Harwood gave a small sigh, seemingly considering what he was saying. Ryan just bit back his nerves. Finally she responded. "I want to cross check this with the science station." And with that she moved away from the helm and up the command well.
The pilot swore in his head and gritted his teeth. Suddenly there was a new sense of foreboding on the bridge, tension had mounted and there wasn't even anything there to create that atmosphere. He could hear her walking to the console and knew that it was only a matter of time before she figured out what was going on. He closed his eyes and hoped that whatever the hell Lane was planning, he'd have the sense to do it now.
[Transporter Room]
“All right, Mister Shran. Beam your security detail, along with Lieutenant Carter, onto the bridge first. I’ll have Ensign Williamson then beam Lieutenants Montgomery and O’Connell, with myself and Lieutenant Martin following into my Ready Room.� Everybody nodded at the instructions.
Shran, and three security officers, along with an eager Lieutenant Carter, climbed onto the transporter pads as he nodded to Ensign Williamson to drop the field and energise. Withdrawing their phasers and holding them out in front of them, the blue wash of ionisation misted over them as the room around them seemed to shimmer and wobble before their eyes. Before they knew it, the scene of the bridge replaced that of the transporter room with the confused look of Harwood a magnificent image to behold.
Lane then nodded to Montgomery and O’Connell to do the same. “Energise,� he commanded to the ensign as the transporter cycle was once again initiated.
Looking at Lieutenant Martin, he smiled. “Good strategy, Kate,� he added, an air of respect lilting his voice. “You ready, too?�
Kate smiled faintly, an expression that did little to ease the tension in her eyes though there lingered beneath it a steely determination and almost relief that efforts were being made to put things back to the way they were supposed to be. "Well, my father always said it was a bad idea to put all your eggs in one basket." Sighing as she withdrew her phaser and stepped up onto the dias, the junior officer added, "Ready when you are, sir."
“Good,� the Trill replied as he joined Martin on the transporter pad. “The Ready Room, Ensign,� he commanded as they were both beamed to the security of his private office. Both holding out phasers at the ready, the room was clear of personnel and both officers were thankful for it. Lifting his head up into the air, Lane spoke authoritatively and with dash of angered malice.
“Computer, seal the ready room doors. No entry without my direct authorisation.� The computer chimed its compliance and both officers relaxed slightly. “Now we wait?� he asked Kate.
With her eyes trained on the door, Kathryn nodded slowly. Though religion didn't fit comfortably amidst her scientifically-driven mind, a single thought slipped unbidden from the clutches of her anxiety and the security officer found herself holding her breath.
And pray.
[Bridge]
When Ryan heard the familiar sound of a materialising transporter array, his eyes flicked open and he whirled round in his chair.
Whether it was the change of scene, the adrenalin in her blood or the simple realisation that there was an intruder on the bridge, Carter didn't know but the fact that she had materialised closest to Harwood had her eager for action. "Step away from that console and get your hands in the air, Harwood. NOW." She added the last bit for emphasis, hoping that security would back her up.
Harwood raised an eyebrow, looking at the counselor incredulously. Smirking a little, Harwood replied dryly, "No, no I don't think so, Miss Carter. Rowena? Will you kindly---?"
Harwood paused, eyes widening, as she felt the cool barrel of a pistol on the side of her skull. She looked up, looking into the eyes of Arkham, who allowed a self satisfied smirk to cross her features. "No, my dear. I think that perhaps the counselor has the right idea. For once," Arkham added jokingly. "In fact, you'd be insane to disagree."
Shalie materialized not two feet from the operations console, along with O’Connell. With her phaser drawn and a flick of her wrist the seat was instantly vacated. Within a few moments she had all the ship’s computer consoles locked down. With the ship’s systems secured there wasn't much Harwood or Arkham could do.
Drew knew that whatever his Intelligence abilities might have been, these two women were more acquainted with the darker side of Starfleet than even he. Any attempt to lock these women out of the computer would have been useless, they knew the doggie doors in the backdoors of every program running the ship. So it was he felt relegated to 'the muscle'. Not that it mattered, he could aim a phaser as well as any and he was more inclined to depress the firing button than the rest. With a cocky smirk, he thumbed the controls on his phaser to vaporize and aimed at the imposter CO.
[Ready Room]
Inside the Ready Room, Kate was starting to wonder why she'd volunteered for this. That was to say, she wasn't really seriously considering it a bad idea but the suspense of being forced to wait and of knowing that she might be a very necessary reserve shot should things get out of hand did very little to ease her nerves. As her comm. badge chirped three times, a standard signal for alerting concealed officers, the brunette jumped visibly and let out an audible gasp as her pulse raced, adrenaline released in one vicious burst. Steadying herself, she moved towards the door and held a hand back to caution Lane. "Give me a moment to establish our status, sir."
Lane replied with a simple hand raise, indicating his compliance.
As she stepped from the room onto the Bridge, Kate's eyes rapidly darted from one focal point to the other until she was confident that the situation was just as it seemed; Shran had been successful. Keen observation was required in such instances since it was easy enough to give the illusion of control to one party when, in fact, they were the ones being held hostage but the sight of so many weapons trained on Harwood made it extremely unlikely that further subterfuge was being employed. Though she possibly wouldn't admit it, even to herself, the very fact that Ryan was relaxed and seemingly out of danger put her at ease. He was many things but Kate couldn't bring herself to believe he'd stoop to mutiny. Eyes lingering on his face for just a moment longer than necessary, she then turned towards the door to the Ready Room and quietly said, "It's clear, sir."
Lane stepped out onto the bridge, trailing slightly behind Lieutenant Martin as he viewed the scene with relief.
"Finally!" The cry came from the helm, Warner had pitched in his seat and faced the assailants who had just beamed into the bridge. He had a look of mixed exasperation and relief on his face and was finding it bloody difficult not to laugh out loud at how tense the situation had been only moments before. The helmsman folded his arms and rolled his eyes and hit out with that thick Australian accent. "Seriously, how hard can it be to plan a mutiny on your own ship?"
Lane shot Ryan a camaraderie yet frustrated look almost as the words left the helmsman’s mouth. Equally tempered to display satisfaction at his valiant attempts to secure the bridge and distract Harwood, but laced with a desperately agitated spike that indicated this was neither the time or the place for Australian humour. However, with the tense atmosphere that had been building, the Trill couldn’t resist.
“Probably just as hard as keeping a sardine can steady in orbit for weeks on end, Lieutenant,� came his raised-brow reply.
"Oh I can vouch for that," the pilot responded, offering a sharp grin.
Flicking his head to the blonde advisor as she stood, silently open-mouthed, yet intimidating nevertheless, Lane then directed his speech at the security detail. “Relieve her of the bridge, Lieutenant Shran,� he said, continuing to fix his eyes on Harwood. “I believe Captain’s quarters has been relocated to Deck Six and renamed the “brig�. I mean, I sure found it comfortable for the spell I was detained there. It’ll suit her, too.�
Meeting Shran's gaze, Kate acknowledged his unspoken command with a nod and then gestured to one of the security officers standing sentry at the door. Without a word being spoken, there was a fluid rotation of personnel, eventually leaving just one sentry at the door, two officers flanking Harwood and a young petty officer quietly moving to take up a post subtly closer to Lane. Kate herself approached the older woman, daring to look her directly in the eye, and for a moment, mutual dislike was silently communicated. In Harwood's case, it was possibly hatred but Kate didn't let it intimidate her. "Captain," she said, using the woman's rank despite popular opinion suggesting she didn't deserve it. "You may consider yourself under arrest. You are not required to offer defence at this point though anything you do choose to say may later be considered legitimate testimony and used as evidence against you." Though it was certainly like Kate to take the official line, there was a brief flash across her green eyes that almost hinted at humour.
“Lane…!� Harwood blasted
“Keep her quiet, Kate� the Trill interjected. “I’ve heard enough of her whining to last a lifetime.�
"Computer," Kate requested, her eyes still firmly fixed upon Harwood. "Commence communication transcript for suspect Captain Alexandra Harwood." As she motioned for the two security officers to lead the woman from the Bridge, Kate added, "Monitor and record until further notice." Glancing back towards Lane, Kate's lips curled upwards in a faint smile before she turned to follow the deputation from the room, eyes glued to the back of Harwood's head at the exact point her phaser would hit if the woman tried anything.
As the team of security lead Harwood to the turbolift, Lane called to their attention as they hovered by the open pod. “Oh, and Lieutenant,� he shouted across the open bridge,� make sure she’s frisked before you lock her up. I’d hate for an extremely simple yet well concealed device to allow her to escape once she’s in custody. You know these Intelligence types,� he smiled, nodding to both O’Connell and Arkham. “Always have some trick or other up their sleeves. Just make sure she’s thoroughly searched.�
OFF:
A post submitted to you by the Senior Staff of the Archimedes
RSS Feed