A Chance Encounter

Posted on Thu Oct 5th, 2023 @ 9:59am by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Commander Samantha Howard & Ensign Kate Kono & Ensign James Phoenix

Mission: Damn Dirty Apes
Location: Planet

The away team had spent hours at the dilapidated complex, reviewing the various files, learning what had happened on this planet, and thankfully, avoiding contact with the apes or the local savage human populace. As twilight came, Deanna had contacted the ship and updated the captain about all they had found, requested they be allowed to remain on the planet to study the ruins further, and had Ens Sarik beamed up with tricorders filled with information to be reviewed by the various science departments. They also had overnight gear transported down to help them make the best of the facility they were going to be staying in for the night.

They had no way of knowing that Dr. Salos, head of the Ape Science Directorate, was travelling to the facility, or as they called it, the holy site, at this very moment, determined to find out if what she had been told by Jon and Ayana was in fact true. She was travelling with a science contingent, a small group of trusted associates that she hoped would help her determine the truth of all things.

Deana sat next to Sam as the two enjoyed a warm meal that had been transported down with the rest of the supplies. It was something simple, a large pot of Irish stew. Everyone had been able to get a large first serving, and it appeared enough remained for a smaller second serving should anyone wish it. "I was aware of the many dangerous things humans had done during the Eugenics period, but I never imagined something like this. This lead doctor, Neville, he seems so peaceful and full of life, and yet he willfully performed these experiments on these apes and turned them into a slave class. It isn't something you expect to see from humans."

"It's the quiet ones you've got to watch" Sam smiled ruefully as she polished off the stew and gathered the used containers to be cleaned and restored in their gear. Darkness had fallen and although they hadn't had any trouble over the last few hours, Sam felt it prudent to set up a rotating watch so that everyone got sleep but they were always guarded. "I'll take first watch" she suggested as she indicated the others should start to settle in for the night.

Kate pulled out a bag from her pack after eating only a small portion of the stew. Not much of a meat eater, she brought a prepared meal in a huge bag labeled "CAESAR SALAD" on the front and filled it with her preferred dressing before shaking it up. She hasn't had a salad since Earth in a past life and she had an unusual craving prior to the mission. She assumed that it was encountering all the forested land on her prior adventure through the woods that had her thinking so green. The Ensign started to feel tired and comfortable by the time she finished the bag but that didn't stop her from pulling out a bag of strawberries as a snack.

"Sadly," Kate said while eating a handful of strawberries, "people have always done questionable things without thinking." Kate talked through the chewing. "... kinda like me deciding when to talk." She covered her face with a napkin.

James had been relativity silent keeping an eye on his surroundings. There was people taking watch, but as a tactical and security officer his job was to protect the away team. He picked up a small travel mug cup full of coffee that had come with the rations and took a large sip before setting it back down next to his empty bowl of Irish Stew. "There was a lot of that before I was frozen. Poor decisions like those were what led to the Third World War, and well this" he implied the situation with the apes. He sighed. "I'm glad I missed it. And I'm sure as hell glad that Earth took the lessons learned from Alpha Three and made things better for space travel. At least it seems like they did given the Federation exists" he chuckled lightly as he leaned back against the bulkhead.

Deanna had stowed her gear and made certain everything else was secured before preparing herself to rest. She listened to the trio speak, becoming quite aware that while she looked like them, she was the only nonhuman in the quartet that made up the away team. She sensed the emotions coming from each of them, it was nearly impossible not to, and the occasional stray thought crept into her mind as well. Kate and Phoenix had strong, vivid memories of an Earth that no longer existed, and she was certain the more they learned about this place, the more those memories may surface. "Humans are fairly easy to understand. You are a species ruled by passions. Most of you possess the discipline to keep things in check the majority of the time, but the minority group that doesn't embraces those passions, for good and bad." She checked her phaser, making certain it was set to stun and then curled into her sleeping bag. "I suggest both of you attempt to get some rest. I doubt Sam is going to keep watch all night."

Kate was having an amazing dream some thirty minutes later. She was in bed with a hot specimen of the Human species; muscular, tall, long shoulder length blond hair, and with brilliant blue eyes that could just beam right into her soul. The Ensign wrapped her arms around him and tried to run her fingers through his hair but there was something off about him... The hair felt solid, metallic...

Kate felt down his body and it wasn't the muscular, chizzled chest she expected to feel. Instead, it was rubber, cold, plastic, and metallic...

Kate opened her eyes to see not a man on the bag next to her, but a blinking yellow :::READY::: light that had a long neck that she had been caressing during the night, and the body of a slender rail that led to the plastic and metal hybrid stock. Kate looked into the 'Eyes' of the phaser and sighed...

"Well, at least the only knight in shining armor I got can protect me." She tried to look on the bright side as she realized as reality took over dreams and a hot dreamguy turned into the bland rifle at her side. She kissed it - a little Peck on the cheek, or rather, the side of the frame just under the mode-select interface. "... I don't think it's going to work out," the young ensign sighed and stretched. "... it's not you - it's me..." She flung the sheets aside and rolled over on the hard floor.

Kate found Sam near one of the windows.
"Need a break?"

Sam smothered a yawn and couldn't stop the follow-up that inevitability expressed itself across her face. "I think that means it's a yes" she laughed as she turned to Kate. "Two hours, then tag Phoenix for the next one."

While sleeping, Deanna was fully aware of her surroundings and the dangers presented. She sensed Sam and Kate discussing the watch schedule and tucked that information away in her subconscious. She slept peacefully, or as peacefully as one could considering the situation and location where they were.

Phoenix hadn't fallen asleep yet. Part of that was the coffee he had with his dinner, but he was also being extra alert. Currently, both Kate and Sam were also awake and were changing switching places. But he was the only tactical and security officer there. If there was an attack, he needed to be alert and ready. He'd make sure he'd sleep after his watch or before.

Kate looked over to Phoenix and smiled at him. "If you find any LaRoux or Lorde CD's in that archaic rubble, let me know. I'd love to have my hands on the original classics." Kate said. She knew that he had come from around her time, but the fact that she was from another time and place nearby the same gap of time was little-known. She giggled as she watched for his reaction a moment.

Phoenix chuckled. "Will do" he hadn't really listened to those two artists, he was more of an alternative rock and a rock and roll person when he listened to lots of music in his youth. Nevertheless, references like that to the past were always nice.

Deanna wasn't fully asleep, and she couldn't help but overhear the conversation and catch the surface thoughts of Phoenix and Kate. She cracked an eye open and spoke in a slightly above hushed tone, "You two time traveling ensigns need to stop worrying about vintage music. If it interests you that much, I'll put you in contact with Admiral Carroll when we get back to the ship. He has an extensive collection of such things." Suddenly she leapt up from her sleeping bag. "We have a group of apes approaching. I am sensing five of them, not hostile, scientists, and they have no idea we are here."

Phoenix also leapt up and looked around before looking at Deanna. "Should we hide, to keep it that way at least until they get here?" he asked.

"Waz goin on" Sam slurred from her sleeping position as her mind struggled to wake up so soon after finding restful slumber. She saw the look in Deanna's eyes and knew there was trouble. "How long have we got?" She asked.

"We have time to conceal ourselves. We can take them by surprise and then interrogate them, see what we can learn, perhaps find out where Jon and Ayana are" Deanna replied.

"Aye" James said before readying his phaser pistol and moving towards a few stacked containers to get himself into cover and hiding.

With everyone hidden and concealed in different manners, they waited for the apes to come into sight. Salos entered the structure first, a pair of chimps following her in looking quite in awe, and then two more looking equally awestruck. "Eyes open everyone. We need to learn as much as we can. Zaius knows something that is here, and we must find out what it is. The humans said documents can be found here about our origin, and theirs."

Deanna listened intently. She focused her telepathic talent on Salos, who seemed to be in charge. Hearing what she was saying, she got images of Jon and Ayana. This Salos knew where they were, and had come here because of them. These apes suddenly became very important to capture unharmed. The apes were approaching where Kate and Sam were hidden away, which gave Deanna and Phoenix a tactical advantage above and beyond surprise. Deanna stepped out of the shadows with her phaser drawn. "Freeze. We have you surrounded."

Salos turned and looked at Deanna, panicked. Her companions however were far less composed and began screaming and howling. Salos tried to remain composed, but she was uncertain what these people wanted, and she worried what her companions might do.

Phoenix stepped out of hiding with his phaser set to heavy stun and already pointed at the group of apes in the event that they tried anything. Not saying anything his main goal was to protect the rest of the away team if these apes did try anything, even if they weren't hostile.

The humans were wearing clothing that appeared similar to what Salos had observed Jon and Ayana wearing. Perhaps these were others from their ship. Salos needed to find out, and in doing so she might confirm certain information she had been given. "We do not wish conflict. We are here on a scientific mission. Are you companions of the one's called Jon and Ayana?"

Deanna glanced over at Sam and then back at Salos. "We aren't looking to have a conflict, and yes, those are our colleagues. We are searching for them."

Salos had confirmed now that these people were from the same place as Jon and Ayana at the very least. And they appeared capable of intellect thought and speech. She wondered what else Jon and Ayana had told her might be true. "I have come in search of documents that might prove assertations by your companions correct. They are being held by our military in our colony."

Sam had stepped out of her hiding spot once the apes had been rendered safe. The news that Jon and Ayana were alive was welcome indeed, however they still had to locate and extricate them. "What 'assertations' are you referring to?" She asked.

Salos looked over at Sam, "It has been said that my people and humans originate from another planet in which humans are the advanced race, and proof exists here."

Deanna sensed that they had an opportunity here. "Such things are true. "Humans do originate from a planet called Earth, and your species does as well. We can show you records that indicate that humans travelled to this planet with primitive apes and used eugenics to advance your species, sadly for nefarious purposes. This happened three centuries ago, and it appears not all of their efforts benefitted the humans on this planet. We will happily show the records to you if you wish."

Salos was skeptical, but she had come to determine the truth and if they could show her actual physical evidence, she couldn't pass it up. "Very well, we will see this evidence, but I don't wish to be held at gunpoint."

Deanna holstered her phaser and watched as Kate and Sam did the same. Phoenix however looked unphased by what was happening and kept his rifle up and trained. Deanna understood his mindset regarding the situation. "You'll excuse Ens Phoenix, he is a security officer and is very protective. I promise, he won't do anything so long as we all remain calm and nonthreatening."

"Very well" Salos agreed. "Show me these records."