Hardcase's Downfall: Coming Home

Posted on Tue Mar 10th, 2020 @ 2:42am by Commander Ethan "Hardcase" Duval & Lei "The Thunder King" Shen

Mission: Mission 75: Through the Looking Glass
Location: Deneva - Various Locations
Timeline: 0900Hrs - April 14th, 2392

Shuttle Echo Four Nineteen came out of warp speed near Deneva itself.
Jefferson Duval took a moment to admire the majestic beauty of the world he once knew in his home reality but had been glassed thanks to a Romulan attack that had been beaten off by elements of the Sixth and Sixteenth Fleets with heavy casualties inflicted upon the Romulans. That was six years ago before the ferocity of the war escalated when the Federation launched its first major assault into Romulan space.

His reverie was interrupted when Duval received a hail from a security outpost. "To Unknown Federation Shuttle, this is security station Deneva RS-32. Please identify yourself?" the voice sounded bright and alert.

Jefferson Duval nodded his head, in approval at being challenged, before he opened the com system. "RS-32 this is Shuttle Echo Four Nineteen out of USS Roanoke. Authorization code is Alpha Charlie One Nine Two." Duval responded. "I'm delivering a shuttle to the Starfleet base planetside."

"Confirmed." the answer came back. "Please transmit your flight plan."

"Understood," Duval answered as he proceeded to do just that.

The answer came back a few minutes later. "Echo Four Nineteen?"

Duval tapped the display once. "Go ahead?"

"You're cleared to land at the Starfleet base." the voice commented. "You are expected."

"Understood. Starting my descent now.." Duval answered in a rather dry tone.

"Welcome to Deneva. RS-32 out." and wit that the com line was terminated as Duval returned his attention to the displays before him, he started the shuttle's descent into the atmosphere, this world was rugged and beautiful, much like how Duval remembered her.

Duval flew his shuttle into the lower atmosphere before hailing the Starfleet base. "Starfleet Base Deneva. This is Echo Four Nineteen. Requesting landing clearance."

"Copy that Echo Four Nineteen... Please land in Hanger Three, say state and souls aboard?"

"State is intact if depleted and one soul aboard."

"Copy that, decks yours, come on down."

Duval nodded. "On my way.." and with that Duval proceeded to fly into the designated hanger before conducting a clean and simple landing. Duval opened the hatch before he stepped off of the shuttle to find three men waiting for him. "Help you guys?" Duval inquired.

The leader nodded. "Thank you for delivering the shuttle." he turned to his two men. "Gents. if you please.." as he offered his hand towards Duval. "Welcome to Deneva... You got your orders?"

Duval regarded the PADD in his hands, the one that the Commander Tom Lasky who was native to this reality had gotten for him, he handed it to the man. "Thanks... Oh, extended leave.. okay.. Where will you be staying?"

"The Highland Monastery in the Mountain range to the southeast of here." the Lieutenant answered. "You want a moment to collect your things?"

"No need," Duval answered. "I have with me everything I own."

"Alright... Right, this way... You can hitch a ride with two others that are heading out that way."

"Sounds good to me," Duval answered. "Where are they."

Right this way." and wit that the Lieutenant led Duval to his destination, through a maze of corridors and hallways and then out into a large open air plaza and across into another smaller facility when the two of them reached a small shuttlecraft with two people checking the supplies assigned to this mission. "Hey, guys. I'm going to ask you to give this guy a list to the Monastery in the Highlands."

"Sure." the tall female responded. "I'm Lieutenant Brianna Thornton." she then shook Duval's hand. "Jeff Duval... " he introduced himself before he shook the other person's hand, the second person wasn't human as she too was also female but the bifurcated skin patterns on her nose indicated she was a Bajoran. "Sinn Narsoo," she added.

"It's good to meet you," Duval responded.

Sinn raised an eyebrow as he went aboard the shuttle. "Sorry, its last minute ladies but..."

"Sure Lieutenant. We'll drop him off and see to it he gets to where he's going.." Thornton responded with a cheerful smile. "Speaking of which, we're ready to go."

Sinn went aboard the shuttle as she slid her lithe form into the pilot's chair. Duval was seated at the third station which was behind and left of Conn. "All other systems check out... "

"Okay," Sinn responded while Thornton came aboard. She tapped the display next to her with her hand, suddenly the aft hatch closed behind the svelte human who sat down at the Operations chair which also doubled as the co-pilot's station.

The Bajoran got clearance and the shuttle exited Hanger Nine moments later, as the shuttle hurtled across the skies of Deneva. Duval tapped the display once. "Shields, weapons, sensors, and engines all at a hundred percent," he commented evenly.

"Thank you. Just what I like to hear." Thornton responded. "So... How long you here for big guy?"

"As long as I need. I'm ... Well, my situation is complicated and... it's also a long story. Sorry ladies."

Sinn smiled. "Well. I'm sure it can't be all bad.."

"Let's just say... I'm not from around here..." Duval answered. "Even telling you that much is classified.."

"Ahh.." Thornton responded. "Arrival in one minute. We'll be on the deck long enough to drop you off and then we're gone on our original mission."

"Thank you, ladies, for this..." Duval responded before he tapped the display and got clearance for landing to drop off one person on arrival.
His request was granted. Sinn turned. "Arrival in ten seconds.. starting landing."

Duval tapped the display. "Weather on the deck seems calm for now.." he commented as the shuttle landed with a soft bump. "Okay, we're here." the Bajoran said as she tapped the release toggle for the aft ramp which opened quickly.

Duval rose to his feet and he strode out of the shuttle. Thornton sealed the hatch behind him as Sinn nodded. "Lifting off now... and we're heading back to the southern islands.." as she turned to her human companion. "Did you pack a suit.?"

"I did.. did you?"

"No," Sinn responded evenly. "I want to lie in the sun naked.." the Bajoran chuckled. "Yes, I brought a suit... What do you think of him?"

Thornton paused. "Quiet.. he doesn't say much... but I feel sorry for anyone who angers him.."

Meanwhile back on the landing platform. Duval moved forward towards an Asian looking male standing at the entrance to the base itself. "Hello... I am Lei Shen... You are Jefferson Duval.." it was not a question.

"I am.. yes... Wait... How did you know who I was..." Duval inquired

"Tom Lasky told me of you're coming. This way." and with that Shen turned and moved off. Duval followed in silence.