The Hard Way

Posted on Mon Sep 25th, 2023 @ 10:35pm by Lieutenant Sarah Wilson & Lieutenant JG S’Ers-a Kelek t’LyrZor, Maa t'Lyr'Zor & Lieutenant JG Montgomery Vala & Lieutenant JG Ghemora & 1st Lieutenant Freya Score & Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell & Patin

Mission: Repairs and Retribution
Location: USS Sunfire / Kunar
Timeline: Current

-SNIP-
Patin could sense Bonnie's apprehension but didn't say anything there that would belittle the poor thing. She would have her moment. Instead, she focused on the away team, "You, with the pointy ears," She pointed a Sera. "You, with the green eyes and pointy ears," She pointed at Vala. "Let's see, you with the cool tattoos and that one that knew something about weapons, you're with me."

She turned to leave, almost running over Bonnie, before quickly turning back. "Oh, and that Doctor Sarah. Might need her in a pinch." Then she moved off towards the lift, grabbing Bonnie and ushering her up and off the bridge with her. The rest fell in line.
-SNIP-

Minutes later Patin entered the transporter room, followed by Bonnie. She immediately started checking her supplies to make sure all was in order, or at least that's what it looked like. In reality, she was looking for a cigar. Satisfied she had a couple, she took a hearty swig from her flask and waited for everyone to show up for the fight.

Coming through the open doorway into the transporter room, Ghemora was ready for the looks she would get looking the most like those that the Sunfire crew had been facing off with in recent and future history. Pulling the hover-cart behind her, the sides lined with Cardassian Phase-Disruptor Rifles and Pistols that would be required to maintain the 'covert' aspect of their mission, the woman didn't say anything as she stopped the cart in the center of the room for easy access.

Unlocking and opening up the crate that was sitting on top, she pulled the first two out and offered them to Lieutenant Durnell and Patin. "Here," she said before handing them off. Taking a third out, Ghemora slipped it on and explained as she showed them, "It will fit over your head and rest like this. Squeeze the sensors on the sides so the 'Halo' can expand or contract to fit snuggly, releasing the sensors once you have it positioned correctly. Once done, activate them by pressing this button here."

As soon as Bonnie had been handed a weapon, Patin reached out and took it from her with a shake of her head. Bonnie understood right away and held her head down in resignation. Patin inspected the weapons with a sneer. It had been a long time since she had a Cardassian weapon in her hands and the feeling was no better than it was then.

Doing so, several points of light lit up along the edges of the band's circumference. A translucent blue wave of light slid around the wearer's head, scanning their physiology in mere seconds before a momentary glimmer overlaid the wearer with the set appearance. While Ghemora didn't look any different, the others would certainly notice the illusions that would morph their natural appearance into a very convincing Cardassian version of themselves.

Sera arrived at the transporter room later than what she would have desired. Oh, it was still well within the time-frame – but having to wear a uniform that what designed for a different physique made for an interesting donning. The upper part of the chest piece cut across her the upper part of her chest, exposing a swath of skin above her clavicle where her neck met her shoulder, and two well-healed, crescent shaped scars were visible at the juncture.

Dipping her head in a curt nod to those already present as a form of greetings, Sera walked over to the weapons bin and holstered a pistol and slipped the strap of the phase-disruptor rifle over her shoulder while her eyes never left the Cardassian Intelligence officer who was demonstrating the tech that would be used on this rescue mission.

Deactivating and taking off her 'halo' as she wouldn't need it, Ghemora offered it to the next team member who entered as she finished explaining, "It will track your movements so as to precisely match your movements and expressions with the disguise. Be warned, though, it is only a holo-projection, so it isn't solid. It is projected against your natural form but expands where needed to mask your natural physiology to the set one, so try not to let anyone get too handsy or it may disrupt the projection. Any questions?"

Sera looked down at the device she was just handed, flipping it over in her hands and placing it over her head, as she saw Ghemora demonstrate. She pressed the button to turn the device on, and although her vision took on a slightly blue transparency, Sera noticed no other effects.

“Fascinating equipment, Lieutenant.” Sera said, in blatant honesty.

Patin tossed her halo back into the crate. "Yes fascinating. I suggest you try not to look too much like one of 'them' or else I may shoot you myself." She took another swig of her flask then looked at Bonnie, "Where is your ball thing?"

"I, uh, left it in my quarters."

"Then you'll stay behind me, understood?" To which Bonnie Nodded. They were still waiting for the others but Patin was growing antsy. In all, there would be seven of them heading down and Patin wanted to give what she would consider a 'pep' talk before they left the ship.

Dr Wilson walked in with her medkit slung over her shoulder and weapon in its holster. She held a grim realisation that whilst their people may still be alive, they would not be in the best of health. She had not personally met the two newcomers but she was aware that they'd come on board. Nodding cordially she stood and waited for the go ahead to mount the transporter pad.

Vala rushed in as much of the team was already assembled. He had grabbed his own tricorder from his quarters, and the apprehension of such a crucial mission being his first aboard had, in typical fashion, caused his usually modest limp to flare up a little. When he entered he was faced with a room filled half with officers in various states of Cardassian transformation. He caught Ghemora's eye and walked over, "Enough left for me?"

"Of course," the Cardassian responded pulling one of the stowed halos from the crate and offering it to the Romulan. If needed, she would talk him through its use and activation. She did give Patin a short, glaring glance before she turned back to Vala to state a little loudly, "These will allow us to infiltrate the facility without being shot on sight. I suggest everyone exchange their Starfleet weapons for these Cardassian ones. Just be warned, Cardassians don't have a 'Stun' setting."

After a brief examination of the halo, he began putting it on. "Impressive equipment Lieutenant. I haven't seen this sort of thing before." The handful of times, and lives it could have saved, flashed through his mind. He was a bit sceptical about the use of lethal weapons. In his youth he might have not given it a thought, but he had found that resting his moral centre on the pillar that the Federation had built had made leaving his former home in the past that much easier.

Score walked in, In Full Marine Tactical gear, Which was different from the others' Gear. "All Ready..hold on not yet." She grabbed 2 Pistols and put it on her hip and one on her vest on her chest and grabbed a Rifle Strung on her backpack in which she had extra power packs for the team with the others on the front of the vest. And then grabbed another for her to carry. She looked to the rest. "All Set"

Patin took a quick head count, all seven were there plus the transporter chief. She readied her gun and stepped up onto the transporter platform. "Alright you lot, listen up. We go in, we get our people and we get out. Two Vulcans and two Bajorans shouldn't be too difficult to find. Try to keep casualties to a minimum or else we'll be back and doing this again a year from now. Try your best to stay together and, don't get dead."

Bonnie began questioning the concept of other prisoners but chose to keep her mouth shut and her mind in the game. She stepped up onto the pad right behind Patin as she was instructed to do, her trusty tricorder in her hand and her tool kit with a data PADD slung on her shoulder.

Once everyone was on the platform Patin nodded to the chief, who took the nod and energized the signal. In an instant, they were moved through space arriving at the pre-determined location just outside of the mines, under the cover of darkness. In the distance, shouting could be heard, coupled with disruptor fire. They had been transported right in the heart of the fray. Patin pulled a cigar, lit it, took a long deep breath and smiled. This was her playground.

TBC