Those Aboard
Posted on Tue Mar 4th, 2025 @ 5:44pm by Commander Jenna Ramthorne & Commander Dean House & Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla'ren & Lieutenant JG Micheal Stevens & Ensign Aubrie Fox & Ensign Varin Maxim Stu & 2nd Lieutenant Connor McQueen & Lieutenant Commander Rynn Upland & Lieutenant Thomas Haldeman & Lieutenant Alison Haldeman & Lieutenant Sarah Wilson & Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronson Mitchell
1,639 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Ramant
Location: Sunfire
-snip-
"Knowledge of our planet is forbidden. Your memories will be wiped and your ships database purged. Standby for the procedure."
~snip-
The being stood serenely in the centre of the bridge. "Let it be known that your weapons are ineffective" it added simply. "Comply, and there will be no long term harm to yourself or your technology"
Connor stood at the rear of the bridge, his eyes narrowing as he listened to the being’s cold pronouncement. The words struck with the precision of a blade, and for a fleeting moment, doubt crept into his thoughts. He was trained for combat, trained to face the impossible, but this... this was something different. The being’s presence was almost overwhelming, its calmness an eerie contrast to the rising tension in the room. This was no time for hesitation.
His hand drifted instinctively to his back bringing his rifle up and his sights set on the hostile in front of him. He moved with confidence and swiftness. His mind racing as he looked for any other threats. His job was to protect the crew, even if the odds were now more daunting than ever. He didn’t need to win this battle—he just needed to survive it.
Connor’s heart beat steadily, and despite the disquiet in his mind, his body remained poised and ready to fight. He positioned himself between the threat and Commander Ramthorne, switching his rifle to heavy stun he pulled the trigger twice..
The energy beam lanced forward and seemed to be absorbed by the being, who seemed only mildly perturbed that there had been a shot taken.
"I may remind you that your weapons are ineffective. Submit to the memory purge and you will not be harmed. We despise any kind of violence but if the last resort requires it...." the rest of the sentence was left unsaid.
Connor’s eyes shifted quickly from the being to Jenna, his stance unwavering as he stood between the threat and Commander Ramthorne. His fingers gripped the rifle with practiced precision, he had heard the promises of "peace" that masked true intentions before. His grip tightened on the rifle as he shifted his stance slightly, looking back at Jenna and giving her a slight shrug of his shoulders.
Taking a moment to watch the interaction, Jenna was not surprised by Connors actions nor the ineffectiveness of the weapons. This race was intelligent and powerful, but they were not without weakness. She remained behind Connor as she motioned to Tom before speaking to the being.
"Knowledge is relative to subject matter. Relinquish our people and we will gladly 'allow' you to wipe the knowledge of your home from our systems." She squinted, "Concessions must be made, and consequences will be dire for non-compliance." She prepared herself for the reply while hoping Tom had prepared the containment shields. Since the power drain, engineering and security had developed counter measures including a separate power generator and protective containment shielding.
"Your people are serving a greater purpose" the being said simply without revealing anything further. It shimmered a little as though purging the excess energy absorbed from the weapons blast before. "We are sorry for your loss, the sacrifices they have and will make are nobel"
"Our people were already destined for a 'Greater Purpose'. One which you have robbed them of in your peoples' act of 'Playing Gods'. What gives you the right to determine the course of their lives or their sacrifices? What gives you the right to steal the future of another race of people for your own peoples' benefit?" Her hands had found their way to her hips in a sign of her frustration. She was |-| this close to becoming physical.
"They were required. The future of our race is dependent on it. Their sacrifice shall not be in vein" the being tried again to get the point across, not understand how the logic was not simple to understand.
"Wait what?" Dr Wilson piped up from the rear of the bridge. "Just how are they ensuring the continuity of your species?"
The being looked directly at the Doctor with an expression that she could have sworn bordered on disdain. "We suffer delicate medical issues. You would not understand with your limited brains"
"Try me" Wilson challenged as she stepped forward. "You can't have babies any more so you stole those of us who could. How's that for a limited brain?"
Jenna admired the Doctor's spunk and decided to add, "You act so superior yet it is your species that needs us. Did it ever occur to you that we could work together to help find a solution to whatever problems your people are facing?" On edge she was just looking for that small crack, an opening, a momentary lapse, anything. For now they had the being distracted at least.
"Your inferior brains would not be capable of solving complex medical problems" the creature continued, although was starting to sound defensive.
"Give me a couple of hours and some data and we'll see who's inferior " Sarah challenged, trying to buy then some time.
Just try us. Jenna thought before side-eyeing Tom Haldeman. "Perhaps, we are not so inferior as you presume." She said addressing the being before motioning to Tom to activate the Personalized Ray Shields.
As the shields went up around the being, Jenna stepped forward to within an inch, a fierce look in her face. "Now we shall see who is inferior." Before turning back to sit in the command chair with a smug look upon her face. "Engineering, I trust we can have power back soon?" She asked of Commander Upland.
Rynn tapped a few buttons. "Actually ma'am, we have power back now" she smirked.
Ships systems, lights, shields, everything returned to normal power states. She was grateful her people were busy devising a contingency plan while on route. Star Fleet personnel were a crafty bunch, capable of learning from their weaknesses and pushing to build stronger defenses for just such an emergency.
He lowered his rifle slightly, keeping his focus on the now what appeared to be contained being. His head tilted to the side as communication came through that a Marine QRF was readied and awaiting orders for deployment. Connor responded to his Marines as he half turned toward the Commander while keeping his eyes on the being. “Commander, a team is assembled as requested and is awaiting green light as soon as we find our people.”
The being looked mildly perturbed as it reached to touch the shield, only to find the energy crackling against its fingertips. "It appears I have indeed underestimated you. Be aware that although we have utilized our privacy shield for many years to remain in blissful solitude, we do have planetary defenses that are more than capable of defending us"
Jenna gave a nod to McQueen, to show her gratitude while still managing to keep her eyes on their enemy. "Oh, I'm counting on it. It would be boring if your people did not provide us with a small challenge. In the meantime, perhaps you would be so kind as to provide the codes to lower your shield and allow us to pass?"
"The primitive nature of your brain once again demonstrates the lack of understanding of this situation. Whilst you may have contained me temporarily, my people will not yield to your threats nor your weapons." The being responded with arrogance
"No? Awe that's a shame. Not unexpected though, and with your air running out, seems like you have nothing to offer." She paused smugly, "Well, perhaps one of the three Ramant you left behind would be more willing to provide the codes we need?" She pressed the comm, "Commander Ramthorne to Commander House, would you mind bringing our guests to the bridge? One of their fellow Ramant are about to perish without reason."
There was a moment of hesitation. Surely they wouldn't kill without due meaning. Surely they were not that primitive. The air was indeed starting to thin within the bubble.of energy. The decision was made to enable the fail-safe.
A few moments later the Progenitor appeared on the main viewscreen.
"I see you are indeed hostile to our greeters. Our request was simple, yet met with such hatred. We wish merely to be left alone" The Progenitor spoke with a practiced tone oozing sophistication and logic.
Dean took a bit of a breath, still having not stood up. Staying on Ozemia's level. "I really want to get angry with you, I really do. My friends are out there, having been kidnapped. Your people are experimenting on them. Who knows what that will do." There was a pause.
"I understand wanting to save your race, but at this point. It's not up to you. This is not going to go well unless you start cooperating." Dean's tone was still soft, inviting, for the moment. It wasn't going to stay that way forever. "We are going to find them one way or the other. How that confrontation goes down, is up to you, in this moment."
The being rolled this name around for a moment before considering the jailers words. The fear of being left being to life the rest of its life with these animals was almost unbearable. "We are called Ramant. " It said simply. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
"Okay, Ramant. That's a start, but what is your name? I went with Ozemia. I'm Dean. As I said before. I also did offer you something to drink, or a sandwich to eat."
"Defense agent 346B, I don't have a....name." their society had ceased naming individuals uniquely many years ago. "We live to serve the Progenitor, she is wise and will save our people"
TBC
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