Checkers and Chess

Posted on Sat Nov 9th, 2024 @ 9:27am by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Samantha Howard & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Lieutenant Imik S'Niohun

Mission: The Gambit
Location: USS Washington

"Approaching the Salvo system" L'Rissa announced from the helm.

"Take us out of warp, full impulse to Salvo II" Deanna ordered. "Anything on sensors?"

"Nothing" Ayana replied.

Deanna looked to Jon, "Seems we arrived first."

"So it seems Deanna." Jon replied before addressing Ayana, "Shields up and weapons online Ayana. Not going to be caught flatfooted." he glanced at Callie, "You sense anything Callie?"

Callie shook her head. “I don’t think so, but that depends on whether or not anything is outside of my sphere of sense.”

Ayana looked to Imik and noted that all weapons and shields were active. Deanna hit her comm badge, =^= Sickbay, what is your status? We may have need of your services soon. =^=

"Sickbay is ready for anything you throw at us...please don't actually throw though." Sam's witty remark echoed through the bridge speakers. "Do you want a team on the bridge with you?"

Jon chuckled at Sam's reply. "Promise not to throw anything at you Sam or the others, though it would keep you on your toes." He bantered back. "Not necessary Sam at least not right now. Just stand ready. Things could change at a moment's notice."

In sickbay Shon was busy putting together rapid response teams. “I always wonder what is going on on the bridge at these times?” She said aside to Sam.

"Yes Sir" Sam replied with a smirk as the channel closed and she turned her attention to Shon. "Who knows really, you could stick your head up there if you like?" She offered.

Shon smiled, “I think I will do that and report back. Call me if you need me, the teams are ready to go deck by deck and there rapid response team will go anywhere. “

Imik sensors swept the area intimately, but in her head, something was at red alert. Something or someone was out there, maybe both. Turning to Jon, Imik made her unease known. "Commander, the Romulans can cloak their vessels, is that correct?" She now turned her sensors on to a small moon, "Are they able to land those vessels on the surface?" Zeroing in on the equator several large openings appeared, "Or would they secrete themselves underground in caverns with those vessels to evade our sensors?"

Jon looked at Imik at her question. "Romulan warbirds are much too big to land. Now, if a cavern was wide and deep enough, they could I suppose hide in one, but why would they? They have their cloaking technology and hiding in a cave would rob them of precious seconds in uncloaking and launching an attack. Though, scan the moon just to be on the safe idea. Let's not leave any stone unturned."

"I understand what Imik is getting at. Do you sense that?" Deanna asked as she looked at Callie. "I definitely sense Romulans and Cardassians. They have entered the system, though I can't tell you where they are."

Callie nodded. “I’m picking up on them now, but I didn’t before which obviously means they’re getting closer.”

"We are being hailed" Ayana announced.

"I'll bet it's Lovok" Deanna looked to Jon. "Can't hurt to talk with him. He might even give us a chance to see the captain again, unintentionally."

"No bet Deanna." Jon replied before looking at Ayana. "On screen if you please Ayana. Let's see who wants our attention. Though, you are right about seeing the captain."

The viewscreen came to life and a measured Lovok appeared. Deanna looked to Callie and then looked at Lovok; the two Betazoids obviously looking for anything telepathically and empathically that would give them an advantage.

Lovok began to speak in an even tone, "I don't know how you continue to appear where I am, but I applaud your intelligence operatives. I think you and I should meet Commander. I'd suggest my ship, but I know you won't come here, and I have no intention of stepping foot on your ship. A neutral site perhaps?"

"Admiral Lovok. fancy seeing you again. Meet whatever for Admiral?" Jon asked innocently as he hoped to draw Lovok and learn more of the Romulan's plans.

"You know as well as I do, that I am in Federation space Commander. But I know you aren't the normal commanding officer of that ship. You don't trust me; I don't trust you. No games let's meet and discuss the situation. I'll even allow you to dictate where and how many we may have with us" Lovok replied.

Jon's face remained impassive at Lovok's statement that he wasn't the normal commanding officer of the Washington. "Correct Admiral, mutual distrust seems to be the one thing we do agree on. One moment Admiral." A he turned back to Ayana to mute the signal. "Callie, Deanna what are you sensing? I don't trust him for one minute and have no intention of walking into a trap. I need suggestions, observations."

Shon arrived on the bridge taking stock of what was happening. She could feel how tense the situation was and stood quietly for her opportunity.

"You don't have to be Betazoid to know he is up to something" Deanna quipped. "Meeting him on the planet might be worth the risk. He is quite distressed over us finding him here, even more so than our first encounter. We beat him here, and he needs to know why. I don't think he is planning an ambush; he is trying to buy time. That is something we want though, even though he doesn't know that. I would suggest that the admiral is coming here, we just need to give him time. It's your call."

Jon listened to Deanna's take on the situation. "I don't think he is planning an ambush either Deanna, that would be biting off more than he can deal with." He looked at Callie, Ayana, Imik in turn. "Your observations.?" Then he saw Shon at the back of the bridge. "Shon? Anything wrong?"

"No, Sam thought I might be of some use up here, we are all prepared although we in medical would like to know what is happening?"

“I don’t trust him Jon” Callie gave her husband a concerned look. “There’s definitely something Lovok is hiding, but then he’s probably got plenty to hide.”

Jon met Callie's look. "I don't trust him, Callie. Though I think like Deanna mentioned he wants this meeting to buy his forces time... time for what is the question." He looked back to Shon,
"What is going on Shon is we are in orbit above Salvo II and we're dealing with a combined force of Romulans and Cardassians. You all in Sickbay, may be very busy, very soon."

Imik had been studying Lovok, he held himself in a strange way even for a Romulan. But what drew her the most was his conflicted words and expressions, what he said did not match up with what his body was saying. "This being is hiding something, and whatever he is hiding it would be wise of you to remain in board. His mind is conflicted and therefore his reason and logic will be flawed and dangerous."

The Ojnas Officer pointed to Lovok's hands, "See how he cannot hold them steady or still, his whole body is like a compressed spring. He maybe as you suggest, playing for time. But I would humbly suggest he is in fact planning an attack. Perhaps if he succeeds in luring you off this vessel, he will attack the Washington hoping to trap you on the planet surface." Imik bowed slightly and continued, "Not an ambush, simply an outright assault to disable our ability to track or prevent his departure."

"He is a Romulan, and a top leader if not the top now of the Tal Shiar. He is always playing at something. Subterfuge comes as naturally as breathing does to these types" Deanna tried to make perfectly clear.

"Personally, I am all for him making a play against us, whether you are here or not commander. He doesn't know about the defenses we can mount, nor the full firepower of this ship. We are more than capable of taking on a full taskforce at the least without it being an issue" Ayana said confidently.

"I think meeting him is the right play Jon" Deanna continued. You should take a couple people with you, call them your security blankets. I'd suggest Imik go with you, and honestly, I'd be inclined to go down as well. I am sure we can find a quaint locale on the planet."

Jon listened to the opinions of the people he trusted. After a moment he spoke. "I think meeting him is to our advantage. Hopefully we can draw him out." He paused, "Imik you and you Deanna will come with me. Ayana, you have command. Get Phoenix to the bridge to man tactical, rely on Callie and what she senses. Now let's inform Lovok."

He turned back to the viewscreen, "Admiral, I believe you are correct we should meet in person. I will beam down with two of my officers and you may bring two of yours. Is that acceptable?"

Bowing to Jon, the Ojnas Officer responded. "By your command Commander, will we be armed or unarmed?" She then turned towards Ayana, "When one is forced to fight, it is always best to have the sharpest blade to hand." She then smiled and continued, "I do not doubt your ability to fight Lieutenant, but skill against one such we face is an art that takes time to learn. Even I would want my best Officers to hand if I had to fight, I feel this being is attempting to remove that advantage."

"Agreed. Two officers each. I will see you on the planet in 10 minutes" Lovok responded before the viewscreen went black.

Ayana looked to Imik, "You'll be armed. And don't worry, I've been in enough battle simulations and actual battles with the captain to know how to handle this situation. I can handle any attack that comes our way, should they be foolish enough to try."

Jon heard the Ayana's statement. "We'll all go armed." I agreed to meet with Lovok not go unarmed. Let's go by the armory and get some phasers." He looked to Ayana, "Maintain a sensor lock on us. If you find yourself outnumbered, withdraw and wait for reinforcements."

“It might be better if I come with you.” Shon stated you may need someone from medical?”

Jon shook his head slowly from side to side. "Already agreed to just bringing two officers Shon and I want Imik and Deanna down there with me to assess the situation." He replied not unkindly. "You can wait in the transporter room in case we need you."

“No, I’m needed in sickbay, it was just a thought. Be safe all of you.” Shon said and disappointedly walked away.

Jon sighed softly as Shon walked away. He knew she was disappointed in his answer, but he had already agreed to two officers to change the agreement now would look bad and put the upcoming meeting in a tenuous position.

“How do you know you won’t be outnumbered down there?” Callie looked towards Jon. “Just because you’re keeping to the agreement it doesn’t mean they will. Maybe a back-up team could go down to a nearby location? if they were to beam the same time as you no one would know.”

"Good point Callie. I don't know and you are absolutely right and Lovok may not honor the agreement though I think he will. He's in Federation space, he is stalling for time which is why he wants to talk." Jon shook his head, "No, I'll honor the agreement, Callie. I have to be true to who I am. I gave my word."

"Understood commander" Ayana replied.

"I wouldn't worry Callie. Lovok isn't able to transport anyone without us knowing it" Deanna said confidently.

Jon looked over to Deanna and Imik. "Alright, let's do this." He took Callie's hand in his and gave it a soft squeeze. "Everything is going to be okay. We'll be back before you know it." he said hoping to reassure her but knowing she would still worry just as he would if the situation was reversed.