A Fistful of Arrows - Part One

Posted on Tue Mar 3rd, 2020 @ 1:43am by Division Admiral Thomas Lasky & Commander John 'Nuke Em' Sheridan & Major Sir Bruce "Scorch" Fraser, 15th Baron Fraser of North Cape & Colonel Brianna Hobbs
Edited on on Tue Mar 3rd, 2020 @ 1:44am

Mission: Mission 51: Warchild
Location: Planet Surface - Retep III
Timeline: 1000Hrs Local Time - November 22nd 2391

Captain Bruce Fraser sighed softly as he organized his dozen or so marines to keep watch to make sure that nobody broke in during the evacuation, he knew the security folks were off helping the embassy guards handle the crowd which had rapidly become a mob outside.

He knew it was only a matter of time before this situation got ugly.

Meanwhile at the front gate. Lieutenant John Sheridan was conferring with the commander of the Starfleet security detachment assigned here. "I never expected it would end like this."

"Neither did I, Chief... But you and your guys did good... You got nothing to feel bad about here."

"I still feel I failed these people.." Chief Warrant Officer Oliver Waugh sighed.

"No... Our leadership failed here... The fault isn't ours to bear..." Sheridan responded bluntly.

Oliver nodded. "Yes they did... Anyway... I did a headcount... Everyone is now here and in the courtyard."

"Alright... Lets begin transporting them up to the ships in orbit."

Waugh nodded. "Right.." as he turned and went over to where a small cluster of people were gathered. Sheridan for his part went over to where the marines were gathered.

Hobbs sat impatiently at her station on board the Argonne. She was listening to traffic on the ground and did not like how things were developing.

Nightstar couldnt help but be nervous. He was still only a butterbar and yet he was now left in command of all of roanokes marine detachment. This was one of those situations where he really wished Daisy hadn't left to go to Argonne. Chalan however, remained as calm as ever.

Sheridan came over to Nightstar. "Hey El Tee... the guys at the gate are nervous but that's to be expected. Hows things here?"

"We are holding up OK it looks," Nightstar replied.

The QRF platoon sat in silence on the staging area of the Argonne. They were in combat gear and wielding their weapons.

"So when are we expected to beam down and bring death?" Fender asked.

Werner gave Fender a sideways look. "There aren't any soldiers down there Fender. They're civilians and at the worst rioters. If we beam down all weapons will be on stun unless otherwise ordered."

"Yeah, about that," Bug interjected, "Don't you think we are being a little overkill?"

"Yeah, to be honest I see us sleeping here for the next few hours until the evacuation is complete. Officers like to play it safe, especially diplomatic types." Werner told Bug.

Sheridan interjected. "Well...I'd rather have too much and not need it rather then too little and need it. Y'know what I mean guys?" he inquired.

Meanwhile Commander Plataea Unal and her four guys beamed onto the Governors transporter pad with the Ambassador beside her. "Is the Governor about?"

They were met by one stern faced man with a square looking face. "We are here to escort you to him, please hand over your sidearms."

Unal nodded as she handed over her sidearm as requested. "I'm gonna want that back."

"You'll get your weapons back when you leave." the man growled at her. "This way." and with that he led the six man team off the padd, out the door and down the hall to where the Governor was waiting.

Fortunately Teval had sent Aerin along with the team, and with his abilities he had little use for a sidearm. He quietly observed everything around him, his sensitive feline ears missing very little.

Unal smiled softly as she gently ran her fingers through the fur of the smaller being next to her on her left side as they were ushered into the room with the Governor who was busy looking out the window. "Governor.. They have arrived."

"MmHmm." Boehner rumbled. "So... Ambassador." he managed to make it sound like an insult. "My time is precious... What is it that you want?"

Aerin immediately wanted to give this guy a piece of his mind as his fur started to puff up, but he remained quiet and restrained himself.

Not very diplomatic, but Bree was only too glad he opened that door. "The Federation wishes only to keep the lines of communication open. After all, once our officials and citizens leave this place, you will be without financial and military support - That is, unless you already had a plan in motion before the emancipation of your colony was finalized."

"The Federation has shafted their colonies time and time again." Boehner growled. "Then we would not be pushing to be independent of your Federation rules and bullshit." as he regarded her. "There will be no reconciliation as you won't provide us what we need to support ourselves." before he turned his back on her as he moved away towards the window again. "I'd imagine the people agree with me... We held a referendum and most said they wished to leave.." he shrugged. "So... What can you offer me?"

"A hand of friendship, if ever your people decide to be reasonable," Bree spoke honestly and respectfully.

"I have been nothing but open and reasonable, my people still get told no help is forthcoming.." Boehner responded. "I think we've said all we need to say..... Now you may depart.. at once." he turned his head. "Mitchel. Escort them out and see to it they get back to their ship.."

"Right." and with that he grabbed Bree by the arm.

Unal smiled as she gently grasped his arm. "Let her go please... I will only ask but once..." as she smiled sweetly.

"What are you gonna do lady.... You' just a-"

"Please.... do not trouble yourself to finish that sentence.... Or you will be coming back to Roanoke with me.... as my prisoner... for assaulting an Ambassador..." Unal explained in a cool tone of voice. "I'll tell you one last time... Let her go... Now.."

"Now now. Let's not fight." Bree gently detached herself from the man and stood with Unal. "My people can safely escort ourselves back to our transport site, I assure. Though it saddens me to hear such unwillingness for cooperation."

"Be gone woman..."

Unal gently but firmly shoved the man who attacked the Ambassador, he took a swing at Unal who simply raised a hand, he skidded to a halt. "Don't make me hurt you.."

"Mitchel... Enough... Walk them back to the transporter room.."

Unal lowered her hand, the look on her face was plain. "Yes Mitch, whenever you are ready.."

"Someday lady.. you'll be alo-"

"Oh dear god. Really." Unal responded. "Stop picking a fight in such a pathetic manner and do as you are told." she sounded like a mother scolding an extremely malcontent child as she turned away before she lead the Ambassador away as the others closed ranks around the Ambassador. When they reached the transporter room, the man on duty simply handed them back their weapons. "I'm sorry Ambassador... for what its worth, this is foolish."

Aerin didn't say anything as the group got transported to the Assembly area, instead he just remained on alert. However even he failed to notice a teenager in the crowd with a roman candle. First hint he got was the screaming fireworks heading in their direction.

The young secret service agent who was present, simply lifted his phaser and stunned the teenager, he paused. "Oh shit.. That was.... a..." he stopped.

Sheridan watched the crowd exploded with rage. "Oh shit.." he turned. "Guys, we need to move this up!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

Rocks and bricks immediately started flying in their direction. Aerin was quick to act, putting up a large energy shield, protecting everyone from getting hit by the flying projectiles. "I suggest we move right now."