Shadow Games

Posted on Wed Apr 12th, 2023 @ 1:27pm by Lieutenant Ayana Hillis & Commander Jonathan Grayson

Mission: Unknown Colony
Location: Planetary Settlement

Ayana walked with Jon as they were being escorted into the main area of the governmental building, being escorted by Piper and Paige. Though Ayana hadn't wanted to separate the away team, Sam had decided it was important for her to look into the medical facilities and had gone to do so with Phoebe and Cole. Ayana wished she had somebody she could've sent with Sam, but her duty at this point was to remain with Jon, he was the senior officer. She hoped he might learn something as he walked and talked with the colony leaders.

Jon slowed his step fractionally to put more distance between Piper and Paige and Ayana and himself. "Maybe I'm paranoid but this seems too good to be true. A colony of humans whose descendants were abducted from Earth centuries ago and who are happy to see us and what about that Romulan ship? No mention of that."

Ayana leaned in to whisper her reply, "Romulan ship? I wasn't made aware of a Romulan vessel sir, but I agree, things seems almost too good to be true here. The other shoe is bound to drop soon."

Paige was explaining some of the advances they had made recently as Jon and Ayana were talking to one another. "We have been working with high energy plasma for some time, along with various forms of particle acceleration in hopes of devising ways to power our technology more efficiently and perhaps build vessels that might be able to travel back to Earth. As of yet we haven't created engine technology that can get us outside this star system as quickly as we would like, but we believe we may have discovered a means for faster than light travel. Have you discovered a way to travel faster than light, or do you still require to use things like stasis pods?"

Ayana had a blank stare as Paige looked at her and she arched an eyebrow towards Jon, deferring to him to answer.

"Yes. The Washington found debris of an unknown ship in orbit. Destroyed with a plasma weapon that was or is similar to old style Romulan plasma torpedoes." He replied to Ayana before he realized Paige was looking at them. "That's very interesting." Jon said diplomatically. As for us and traveling faster than light. We're working on different venues."

"I would very much enjoy discussing the scientific and engineering principles with you or others from your ship" Paige responded. "Based on what Ayana said regarding First Contact, I understand you have encountered a few other species in the galaxy. Have all of your encounters been peaceful?"

Ayana visibly bit her tongue. She wanted so much to answer. So many hostiles came to mind, the Borg, the Klingons, the Romulans, the Gorn, the Cardassians, the Dominion. It seemed liked every time they made peace with somebody a new hostile species showed up.

Piper seemed to be watching Jon and Ayana almost as much as they had been watching her and Paige. "I know you are holding back Commander, and I understand. You are being cautious, diplomatic in your approach. You obviously haven't decided how much you trust us. Perhaps you have questions you would like answers to that might put your mind to rest?"

Jon smiled. "You are correct. I am holding back because I don't know if I can trust you. No offense intended." He paused, "I do have a question. What can you tell me of the debris of an unknown ship orbiting this planet?"

Piper and Paige looked at one another for a few moments, as if talking to each other telepathically. Piper looked at Jon, "We told you that our ancestors were brought here to function as slave labor. The race that brought them here required a large workforce but didn't want to sacrifice its own people to get work done. Eventually our ancestors rebelled, and gained their freedom, though obviously we were marooned here. They began to work to create a society here designed for survival, something we could be proud of. The aliens returned several times over the centuries and each time conflict occurs, and we have to defend ourselves. The last time they attacked was about 7 years ago, and they destroyed our only craft we had in orbit, but not before our craft was able to fire its torpedoes which ultimately destroyed the aggressor."

"Perhaps you know of the race Commander. They are known as Kilrathi" Paige chimed.

Jon listened to Paige as she spoke. When she finished and then Piper added more information, he turned to Ayana. "Ayana you ever hear of the Kilrathi?" Yet inwardly he was thinking there should be debris from two ships. The Washington only mentioned one.

Ayana was stumped. "I'm afraid I don't know of such a race. Perhaps the captain or Deanna might. They are far more widely traveled and kept up to date on intelligence reports" she replied, hoping Jon got her reference.

"Quite right Ayana." Jon replied simply, giving her a subtle nod as he did.

"Perhaps we can speak with your captain or this Deanna regarding the Kilrathi. As chief governor, I would be willing to meet with your captain, even if that means going to you vessel" Piper said firmly.

Ayana looked to Jon, "It would be tactically prudent to bring their reps to the ship rather than down here, to better foster diplomacy."

Jon didn't answer Ayana at least not directly, rather he tapped his comm badge. =^= Grayson to Shran=^=

Shran was on the bridge after speaking with several of the senior officers. Jon's comm signal was a welcome one. =^=Go ahead Jon.=^=

=^= I'd like to have the planet's leaders beamed up to the Washington so they can discuss with you the debris orbiting the planet.=^=

=^=I think that would be a good idea. Signal us when you are ready to transport. I'll gather a few others to meet us in the conference room when you bring them here.=^=

=^= Aye sir, it will be a few minutes.=^= Jon answered and turned to Ayana. It will just be you and Sam down here for a few minutes, until I can get back." He turned to Paige and Piper, the captain agrees to seeing you. Who would you like to go and meet him?"

"Understood" Ayana said, happy to be able to keep an eye on Sam.

"We will go together" Piper replied. "I can have someone escort your friend to our medical facility. How will we be getting to your ship?"

"That is appreciated Piper." Jon answered and then smiled at her question. "Just watch and wait. Oh, I need you and Paige to stand on either side of me." He replied as he tapped his combadge,=^= Grayson to Washington. Three to beam up.=^=

=^=See you in the conference room shortly=^= Shran replied.

Ayana stepped back away near the aide that had come to escort her and watched as Jon, Piper, and Paige dematerialized in a blue hue.