A Ceremony of Losses - Part Three

Posted on Sun Oct 31st, 2021 @ 4:16am by Aiden Torel & Commander Ken Noros & Commander Sohnaxx Dvald & Commander Ryan Saunders & Lieutenant Commander Hesutu M'kresst & Major Harry Stamper & Lieutenant Commander Jerzy Wojcik & Lieutenant Commander Katrina Sisko & Lieutenant Kira Stormrage & Lieutenant Kell Stormrage & Master Chief Petty Officer Horus Yamaguchi & Fleet Captain Marie Yamaguchi & Command Master Chief Petty Officer Tom "Guardian" Carter & Lieutenant Raeven & Brigadier General Krann, Son of Magh'tor & Commander Zheng Jet

Mission: Mission 110: Blue on Blue
Location: Various Locations - USS Queen Mary
Timeline: 1500Hrs - October 25th, 2393

Captain Aiden Torel felt like a spider at the center of a web, that was rapidly falling apart as he growled. "Status... Status!" he shouted at anyone who would answer him, at anyone who could answer and at anyone who knew what was happening outside of the bridge.

"We've lost Engineering, sickbay and most of the crew spaces sir. Armory four is still ours but the marine force committed is almost fully depleted, they can't hold out for much longer, the bridge is still secure but the Klingons have sent a force to liberate our prisoners and they are also attacking security checkpoints six, seven and eight, once they fall, they will be able to attack the bridge with impunity." the young woman, seated at science delivered her report, it was clear that the USS Queen Mary had been brought to heel and the mad quest that her Captain had embarked upon for power was over. Torel knew he was doomed, the Klingons would take hi away and make the manner of his death most unpleasant.

That thought went through the minds of the most hardcore, the most diehard of the crew, while it did so. The doors to the Admiral's inner sanctum opened, this was the space that used to be the Observation lounge but was now the personal space of Admiral Michael Riggs. He regarded Aiden Torel with a cold, almost cruel look. Torel looked back with a measure of cool trepidation while Riggs regarded him with a look of cold malice. "Captain Torel, you have failed... I remove you from command of this ship, go and die in the matter that best fits you..." as he moved over to Torel. He then snapped the combadge from the larger man's chest and then he moved away from him before Torel could strike back. However Torel remained sitting, now utterly broken and crushed beneath the boot heel of his innumerable losses, his defeats, and sacrifices in the pursuit of this mad quest, for power, lust, and wealth.

Now Aiden Torel was a broken man, a shell of what he once was, his fire for power had consumed him whole, but what was worse was that it had consumed his ship, his crew, his career, his marriage, and his family too. he was lost and had been reduced to less than nothing.

With that statement of damnation complete, Torel rose to his feet and went into the turbolift and was gone moments later. He knew he could no longer stay on the bridge, with such a damming edict against him. He had no claim anymore to his own ship, the Queen Mary was a ruin, a shattered and broken mass of metal and conduits, of hallways and warp engines. Of hull plating and of dreams. Queen Mary was to go forth and help people, not destroy them. But this Queen Mary's legacy was stained with the blood of innocents. Torel knew he could expect no mercy from anyone and yet, he was still too cowardly to take his own life, as he swore he would have his vengeance upon Michael Riggs for this, the files he had secreted away inside various computer lockouts would assist him with this endeavor.

Commander William Peterson sighed softly as Michael Riggs promoted him to Captain of his flagship. Peterson knew that this was the ship of the damned and that he was damaged goods right along with it. He accepted his promotion in nothing other than the usual style, he then sat down in the Captain's chair as three sets of doors opened all at once, and two squads of Klingons poured forth. "Stand down everyone," Peterson yelled.

Commander Gan'rar regarded the starfleet crew as the Klingon security forces took control quickly. "Freeze., Nobody move!" the went through and quickly disarmed everyone present and they began securing the bridge crew as prisoners with something other than lethal force. "Bring me Aiden Torel," Gan'rar commented to his troops as he regarded William Peterson. "Who are you?" he addressed the man before him

"Commander William Peterson... I'm... Well, I was in command of this ship. Recently elevated to Captain." he explained himself in plain and simple terms.

Gan'rar raised an eyebrow, as he fought to restrain himself, he was making quite the display of self-control. "I see... Why is your Captain not at his post?. Did he flee?"

"No," Peterson answered. "He was relieved by the Admiral. He would have fled though..." he paused. "I am prepared to surrender the Queen Mary to you, Commander?" he wanted this resolved quickly.

"That would be helpful. We were sent to liberate your prisoners." Gan'rar explained.

Peterson nodded. "If you will permit me.?"

"No tricks human." Gan'rar said in a flat tone of voice, he did not need this humans cooperation but he knew it would help and it would allow matters to be resolved far quicker. then they would otherwise.

"No tricks, we are beaten..." Peterson answered with a nod, he turned slowly. "Lieutenant O'Malley, override the seals and release the prisoners. Inform the guards to see to their issues and the like."

O'Malley nodded. "Aye Commander. It will be done."

Peterson nodded. "No harm must come to them, see to it... The honor of their Admiral is at stake... If they are harmed El-Tee... We all die for it."

"Your serious Commander?" O'Malley asked. "The Klingons would kill us all for a few hundred settlers?"

"Yes... They would." Peterson answered quietly. "Do not think of toying with them on this matter Lieutenant, they will not hesitate."

"Aye sir," O'Malley answered. "I will ask for a squad of medics to give them the once over and my guards will protect them until the Klingons can take custody of them."

"Very good," Peterson answered before he turned back to the Klingon Commander who had not moved. "I yield command of the USS Queen Mary to you Commander."

"A wise decision Commander. It will be noted in our investigation process..." Gan'rar answered with a nod of his head.