Into the Beasts Belly - Part Four

Posted on Fri Jan 1st, 2021 @ 1:58pm by Captain April Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Various Locations - Terran Imperial Headquarters - Earth, SOL
Timeline: 1830Hrs - October 3rd, 2393

Captain Yamaguchi and her team materialized in the visitor's chamber of the Terran Imperial Headquarters on Earth. They were met by a bald Vulcan and two heavily armed Terran security soldiers. The room was illuminated by elaborate panels made into the walls that gave off a bright, yet soft light. No furniture was anywhere, only large and imposing, steel doors. A large Terran Imperial banner hung at the far end of the long chamber.

The Vulcan lifted his hand, greeting Yamaguchi and her officers with the ancient salute of his people. His baritone voice echoes throughout the room.

"Welcome to Earth, peace and long life Captain." He said. "I am Terral, the governor's chamberlain. The governor commands your guards to remain here while yourself, Dr. Ashley and lieutenant Gutierrez shall come with us. The governor awaits you in his private chambers."

Yamaguchi turned to her two bodyguards and signaled for them to remain here in the visitor area. She then eyed the Vulcan and the two security men. The Vulcan was unremarkable, tall, slender, cleanly shaven like most of his race and dressed in a plain brown, pinstripe suit adorned with Vulcan script that denotes his title. The two Terrans are altogether different from the Vulcan. They are two burly males with close-cropped hair, stone-like faces that bore no expression. They are the typical 'Security' types, mute until asked to speak, wearing the body armor of the Imperial Guard. They are members of the governor's bodyguard regiment, hand-picked and loyal to the point of fanaticism. They carry phaser assault rifles and tactical hand phasers in 'quick draw' holsters at their sides. These troops were known to carry serrated blade daggers designed to cause the most damage as possible.

Yamaguchi glanced over to Dr. Ashley who was also sizing up the trio in front of them. She, like the captain, knew that they were facing two formidable men and doubtless there are many more just outside of the great doors.

"Stand down." Yamaguchi orders as she secured her phaser. Now is not the time for battle, that would come later.

Terral notices their furtive movement and raises his left eyebrow.

"No need to hand over your phasers," he said tactfully "there is a security dampening field within this building that renders all nonaligned energy weapons or explosive devices inert. Only the governor's security personnel have functional arms."

Yamaguchi laughs slightly, understanding that they're at the mercy of the governor.

"Okay Terral, lead on." Yamaguchi says cooly "we must not keep the governor waiting."

The doors open slowly and Terral ushers the three officers down a dimly lit corridor. The two security men fall in behind them and six more lines the hallway at different intervals. Like the two men behind them, armed with phaser assault rifles.

As they walk down the corridor a chill crept up Gabby's spine. The echo of their footfalls ringing in her ears like the sound of approaching doom...

Yamaguchi and her crew are escorted through the interior of the Terran Imperial Headquarters complex. The Terran governor was awaiting them and the Captain found that she had to fight hard to hide her nervousness. In her mind, she goes over the message Potemkin received inviting her to dinner. It was brief and not very revealing leading her to ponder the governor's true intent. With the Imperial Federation being on the verge of civil war and fighting two separate wars, all at the same time, she doesn't know who to trust.

Dr. Ashley seemed untroubled by their current state. As usual, she adapted to the situation and simply went with the flow until an opportunity to change things would present itself. The doctor was more certain than the Captain is that the governor held no 'ill will' towards the Captain and her party. If there had been any 'ill will' they would have been killed as soon as they materialized. Ashley allowed herself to think about the dinner they are about to have with the governor. She smiled while she found herself looking forward to a 'real meal' for a change and the thought of a good stiff drink brought a slight smile to her face.

The sound of their footfalls echoed loudly as they approach the governor's living quarters. More guards are standing at key points ready for anything. The Vulcan, Terral, ushers Castro and her people past the checkpoints under the watchful eyes of the governor's bodyguard unit. Any false move by the captain or her officers would be dealt with violently.

Yamaguchi's eyes narrow as she sizes each guard up. They appear formidable but she's confident she'd be able to kill anyone of them, or all of them, if necessary.

Terral the Vulcan led Captain Yamaguchi and her comrades to the door of the Terran Imperial Governor of Earth. A grim-faced sentry stood guard at the door of the governor's private quarters. No one was allowed beyond this point except by permission of the governor personally.

"This is Captain April Yamaguchi, Dr. Amirah Ashley, and Lieutenant Gabriella Gutierrez, they are here to see His Excellency." Terral introduces the trio to the guard and explains why they're here.

The guard narrowed his eyes as he coldly regarded each officer with an icy gaze. Finally, his stare rests upon Captain Yamaguchi, who returns his stare with her own, her brown eyes smoldering with malice.

"The governor commands that only Captain April Yamaguchi be allowed to proceed. You two must remain here!" He said finally, his baritone voice echoes through the hall.

His iron gaze once again fell upon Dr. Ashley and Gutierrez. The two escort guards behind them raised their weapons audibly to the 'ready' position to ensure compliance. Ashley glances over her shoulder and smiles slightly.

"Oh don't worry about us soldiers, we're not going anywhere," Ashley whispers calmly, then turns her head toward Yamaguchi who was now gazing back at her two companions with a slightly amused expression on her face.

"We'll be waiting for you right here, captain," Ashley said, barely masking her amusement at the seriousness of the governor's bodyguards. Meanwhile, Gutierrez said nothing.

Yamaguchi turned back to the guard at the door. "Let's not keep the governor waiting, shall we?" She said with a very calm voice.

The guard pressed a hidden button on the frame and the heavy door quietly slides open. Yamaguchi strode past the guard and the door closes quickly behind her. Not offering her two companions even a brief glimpse of what lay beyond.

Ashley turns to Gutierrez and grins slightly as she places her hand on Gutierrez's back and slowly ushers her to the side, away from the door. "Well kid, now we wait.," Ashley whispered to Gutierrez, as she casts a furtive glance back at the door. Then turning to Terral, Ashley unceremoniously clears her throat and asks "So, do you got anything to drink around here Mr. Vulcan?"