RP Log: Captured and Escaped, Again

Roleplay Log
Participants: Coil Ronukk (NPC)	Kadn Svetzvani
Location(s): Volan III SS Prosperity NX-10 USS Endeavour
Stardate: 123276.4
2022-08-12 08:33

An array of colourless light grows around you, surrounding your deconstructed body.

Hangar <Volan III>

An absolutely massive hangar, easily capable of housing half a dozen vessels of the Damar-class, each one at a kilometer long. Built completely underground, the walls and ceiling have been reinforced with sheets of parsteel.

The distance from floor to ceiling is over a kilometer high, and a little higher where the rooftop doors are.

The ceiling doors, roll open when needed, and are just large enough for a vessel the size of a Damar-class to rise up and egress. Spanning the full height of the deck is a large fusion reactor. When in operation it emits a gentle hum.

Bay doors are open.

Out the landing bay doors: A sky filled with countless stars.

The landing bay doors begin to close.

You find yourself amongst a bunch of other prisoners, possibly slave labour based on the look of them. There is no obvious route of escape, yet.

The alert siren sounds as the landing bay doors open. A forcefield shimmers into view.

SS Prosperity settles down on the landing pad.

Coil looks around at his new surroundings.

SS Prosperity

The Vanur-class medium freighter has a long square body, with the nose of the craft shaped like a wide fin, similar in shape to a hammer-head shark. The warp nacelles trail off the outer edges of the fin-like bow section. There are small bay doors at the front of the craft, just below the bridge area that almost looks like a small mouth.

Hatch to Airlock: Closed

One of the worker shifts ends with the sound of a loud toot. Forced labourers begin to file into the already cramped location where you are. Their species appearing random, and multiple different ones.

Coil looks over the workers, but remains where he is gathering information while awaiting to see what's in store for him.

So far all you have seen for the most part are non-cardassians, the labour force here. There are some Cardassian guards, but none seem to know or care who you are.

Coil takes note of the variety of non-Cardassians, recognizing a few species from past memories, but realizing he's the only Starfleeter present.

Eventually a Glinn approaches you, pushing his way through the crowd. "Out of the way, out of the way." he commands. Most of the work force obey quite quickly.

Coil eyes the approaching Glinn with the air of a superior officer looking at an erring junior officer.

The Glinn points at you, "You, come with me."

Coil looks at the Glinn coldly, and says with the full force of being in command, "That's Lieutenant Commander, Doctor, or sir to you, Glinn."

The Glinn hesitates only briefly, "Your rank has no meaning here. Now stand up and follow me."

Coil stands up and draws himself up to his full height, glaring at the Glinn, "A junior officer has no right to disregard military courtesies, not if said junior officer expects to survive the wrath of his senior officers."

The Glinn isn't sure how to respond, but at least you are standing. He tries to get you to follow him through the crowds.

The Glinn returns, this time with a couple of soldiers, he approaches you, "The Dal wants a word."

Coil isn't one to be intimidated by a mere Glinn, "A little courtesy will go further, Glinn." The Glinn snarls, then looks like he might move to hit you over the head, but he stops himself. Orders perhaps. "please" The soldiers stand to each side of you, and the Glinn leads the way.

Coil nods and goes along once the Glinn says please.

The Glinn leads you to an office just off the main hangar. Within is a Cardassian Dal and a Saurian. The soldiers don't enter the office, and the Glinn stays just inside the door.

Coil glances at the Saurian before turning his attention to the Dal, the Glinn apparently forgotten.

"Commander Coil, isn't it?" The Dal waves a hand, "You don't need to confirm it, I know its true. I am Dal Rijett, you may have heard of me." He says as he stands from the chair behind the desk and rounds the desk to approach you, but stays a meter or two back.

The Saurian looks at you, he looks as if he could use a good bath and a meal.

Coil nods, "Lieutenant Commander Kellen Coil, Chief Science Officer of the USS Buran NX-96400, serial number 002623." He shakes his head, "I'm afraid I don't spend any time around Cardassia, so I'm not familiar with you or your operation here."

"No, of course not", Rijett replies with a broad smile, "Its not somewhere we advertise." He takes a few moments to size you up, then glances at the Saurian, "Forgive me, this is Dr. Ramzrg Ronukk. A specialist in his field. Good doctor, say hello to Lieutenant Commander Kellen Coil."

Ronukk bows his leathery head to you. A gravely, and barely audible "Hello" escapes his lips.

Coil nods in return, "Doctor Ronukk. I've heard of your work though I haven't seen any of your papers in recent years." He turns his attention back to the Dal, "Am I to presume that you are here to tell me that arrangements are being made to return me back to the Federation now that you've rescued me from my kidnappers?"

"Alas no, but let me explain." "Pemed, bring in some water and one of those sandwiches." Rijett says to the Glinn. "You must be hungry." Rijett sits on the corner of the desk, "Tension between your people and mine are extremely high right now. I doubt they would even let us approach to return you. It is pure luck afterall you even ended up here. But, I am hoping you can help the good doctor here with a problem he is having."

Ronukk keeps his head down, but there is a slight glance at the Dal.

Coil nods, "Tensions usually go up when you start lobbing torpedos at people, Dal Rijett. And I'm afraid that I must refuse, given that your Gul-tar has said that all Federation citizens are not allowed within Cardassian borders. That would mean that he does not want any Federation assistance at all. I will not set myself up for a court martial by lending aid to the enemy."

Rijett smiles, "Not all Federation citizens." He points at Ronukk, "The good doctor here is from there, so are a few of his collegues." His tone gets a little more serious, "And I'm afraid, I must insist." The Glinn returns with water and the sandwich.

Coil crosses his arms, "And I'm not going to betray my oaths, Dal. I wouldn't be much of an officer if I did."

Ronukk sees the food and water, and apparently can't help himself and goes for the water, drinking it down quickly. "Now now doctor, that was for our guest." Rijett says, then adds for you, "Well, we will just see. We have a way of convincing people to do what we want." He once again looks at Ronukk, "Don't we doctor."

Coil shakes his head, "No deal, Dal. Until and unless I can reach my superiors and get approval for this, I won't be assisting you. You've created this mess by going down this path of conquest and aggression."

Rijett's smile slowly fades, "We will see." He calls out to the Glinn, "Take them both back and put them with the others. No food, no water." He looks at the doctor, "Get him to help you, or there will be consequences."



Another shift is ending and droves of workers begin returning. A few Saurians are in the mix, and Ronukk spots you and stops to speak.

Coil remains stubborn, unconcerned with the threats about no food or water. He looks at Ronukk as he stops.

Ronukk doesn't do the talking, another Saurian does instead, "You truly are from Starfleet?"

Coil nods in response to the other Saurian and replies with a voice that's a bit hoarse from lack of water, "I am."

"Ramzrg is sorry you were dragged into this." The Saurian says, Ronukk nods in agreement. "We too are trying not to help the Cardassians. Ramzrg did not know his work was to be perverted as it has been. We cannot openly rebel, they will just kill us, but we." The Saurian motions the group of them, "Have tried to slow things, sabotage."

"What is it that they are doing?" Kellen asks. "Orias III is a dying planet, maybe beyond recovery."

"There isn't enough food or water to go around." The Saurian says, "What there is goes to the soldiers. Many here die from starvation, then they bring in more workers, like you."

Coil shakes his head and coughs to clear his throat, "No, the planet is dying. Literally. A storm blew through while I was held there, no rain, just dust. And dust everywhere. Planets don't dry up like that in just a year or two. So what is it that they're doing to cause this?"

The Saurians look at each other, Ronukk shakes his head. "We have not heard of this. Dry storms? The soldiers do not tell us anything." Ronukk looks lost in his own thoughts.

"It started with Volan III," Kellen says quietly. "Water problems were reported before the military take over, and the planet was drier every time some people I know came by to deliever supplies. It's barely habitable now, maybe inhabitable, I just don't know."

Ronukk looks like he has a lot to say, but with his throat it will be difficult. He tries to use his finger and the dirt on the ground to draw a visual aid. He points at the reactor behind you and the drawing on the ground, indicating they are the same. Then he draws what look like feed lines, or maybe electrical signals extending from the reactor. He follows one of these lines and draws a cloud with a lightning bolt. He looks at you to see if you understand.

Coil frowns at the drawing, "That reactor is powering this, and one of those items is a cloud of energy?"

"Side effect", Ronukk says scratchily. He waggles his hand, unsure, but again points at the reactor, and at the cloud, "Dry storm" then makes a wide gesture with his hand, maybe indicating the effect could be at great distance.

Coil glances at the reactor and the diagram, "The storm on Orias was a side effect of this system. And since energy always needs somewhere to go, it could have fueled the drying and destruction of the environment."

Ronukk picks up a couple stones and moves them as if they were magnets. Sticking together, and tough to pull apart. He points at the reactor and then points out one of the stones. Then he puts the other stone on the diagram on the ground near the cloud. Motioning with his hand he tries to suggest the power, going from one reactor to another, then spilling out into the storm.

Coil mulls this over, "The storm effect will latch onto a nearby power source." He curses in Orion and says, "So that's what hit the Buran and destroyed the Versailles. But what is this powering and how did it affect things so far from Cardassian space?"

Ronukk points at the reactor, then his chest. "I make". The other Saurian interjects, "The design is Ramzrg's, it is the central power for the system. The ships the Cardassian's want, they don't have the power on their own to do what they need to, so they draw from this. This augments the power they have. Allowing them to do things other ships cannot." Ronukk interrupts and points at the storm in the diagram, "This, happening?"

"Aye, it is," Kellen says absently as he thinks over what he's learned. "I thought it was just a pocket universe that somehow formed and affected two ships. One was completely destroyed, the other was more fortunate. And it wasn't near Cardassian space." He looks at the feed lines, "So a Cardassian ship had to have been out there, and we did get scanned..."

Ronukk holds up a hand with three fingers, and points at the stone by the storm. He goes quiet again.

The Saurian says, "They have built three ships with this technology."

Coil shakes his head slowly, "Damar was bad enough."

Ronukk gets your attention again and points at the reactor. He motions an explosion then shakes his head. He begins drawing on the ground again, another drawing of the reactor, then lines leading into it. "More. Overload." he points at the stone that was near the storm, and shows it blowing up.

Coil winces, "That would not be good for this region of space, or anywhere near any of the ships utilizing this."

Ronukk nods in understanding.

Coil glances at the fusion reactor, "Can't we just shut it down and disable it?"

The other Saurian says, "There are many soldiers and safe guards, it would not be easy." Ronukk thinks about it for a long moment, not really wanting his invention to end, but he nods.

Coil looks at Ronukk seriously, "I understand, but we need to save the people and planets and maybe even the universe."

Another one of the workshifts returns, and the area is crowded again.

Coil is coughing more as time progresses.

The group of Saurians returns, Ronukk among them. They approach you. "Are you alright?" The one Saurian who spoke for Ronukk before asks.

Coil shakes his head and says very hoarsely, "Water."

After a brief conversation, someone fetches and returns with water. Though it does not look all the appetizing, and certainly isn't clear. Hopefully it isn't from the groundwater here.

Coil uses it to rinse his mouth and gargles some to ease his throat before spitting it out, past experiences making him cautious. He nods a thank you.

Ronukk makes some hand gestures and the other Saurian asks, "Do you know how we can destroy the reactor?"

"Destroy without killing everyone on the planet? Not yet," Kellen says slowly and carefully, not wanting to abuse his throat further. "Disable for a while? Maybe."

The Saurian motions to all the forced labour, "Damaging it too badly could hurt or kill all of them as well."

Coil nods, "I'm aware. Yet the reactor should scram and shut down safely."

The Saurian says, "We can't get to the reactor. It is too heavily guarded."

Coil looks around and says quietly, "If I can get to the freighter, the guards won't be a problem." "I have not seen the crew since it arrived." The Saurian says, "They went to where the soldiers go when off duty." Another says, "The hatch is locked, but we can get to it, if we are careful."

Coil coughs slightly and nods. He looks at Ronukk, "Come with me, Doctor. I'll need your help in disabling this."

Ronukk nods his leathery head and follows. He tries to ask, "Disable what?", but it comes out very gravely.

"The generator," Kellen says simply as he starts his way towards the freighter, moving carefully and cautiously to make sure there are no guards or alarms.

Ronukk notes the reactor is falling away behind them as they move toward the freighter. He does want to ask, but does not. He too watches to see if your motion is being noticed.

Coil gets to the freighter and looks around before addressing the hatch controls. He taps his commbadge and then the hatch controls, muttering, "They should've taken my badge along with my weapons, the fools."

Ronukk watches you attempt to open the hatch. He ducks down at the refusal tone, as it is sure to catch a soldiers attention.

Coil glances around before turning back to addressing the hatch controls, muttering to himself a bit as the Starfleet access is apparently blocked. Smugglers. After a moment of thought, "There ought to be..." He taps a rapid staccato on a part of the hull near the hatch that would be easy to hit on a mad rush towards the hatch.

There is a click as the hatch locks on SS Prosperity disengage, then the hatch opens.

Ronukk is taken by surprise as the airlock opens. He waits to follow you in, if that is your intent.

Coil slips into the freighter.

Airlock <SS Prosperity>

This airlock is used to connect the ship to another vessel or a starbase, providing access between them and this vessel without any of the concerns posed by the vacuum of space. It is not designed for extended stays; devoid of any furnishings apart from a single LCARS panel and a single overhead lighting panel, as well as being only large enough for three or four people at a time. Crew trained in EVA procedures can also use this room to exit the ship, allowing for manual inspections of the hull.

Coil closes the hatch immediately once they're both aboard, no sense in risking early detection.

Ronukk follows behind you, "What of the others?" he tries to say.

"We'll beam as many aboard as we can," Kellen replies quietly. "If we get access." He continues inward, slowly, cautiously, in case there are still crew aboard.

Deck Two Forward Corridor <SS Prosperity>

The inner bulkheads of the Vanur-class freighter have a rusty look to them, reminiscent of the interior of a Klingon vessel. Interior lighting is subdued, causing additional shadows across the bulkheads, giving them a dirty look as well.

Further aft are the two primary cargo bays, the engineering spaces, and access to the upper deck.

[Airlock] Ronukk nods as he follows.

Coil peers into the cargo bay as he passes it, "Do you know what they were bringing in?"

Ronukk nods, "Delay tactic"

Coil raises an eyebrow but knowing that Ronukk is having trouble speaking, doesn't ask questions as he continues to work his way deeper into the ship.

Bridge <SS Prosperity>

The bridge of the vessel is triangular in shape, with the helm situated to the fore, right under the main viewscreen. Behind that is the Captain's chair, then to port and starboard respectively, are the engineering and operations stations.

The walls of the bridge are a mottled rusty red and black colour, accentuated by the poor lighting.

Coil slips onto the bridge and looks around before heading for the captain's chair. "Ah hah, the type of Captain who is certain no one would touch their chair, so they don't bother securing it. That's good then, Doctor." He looks over everything in case there's a hidden control that is needed to keep it unlocked.

Ronukk tries to indicate with his hands that he disn't see anyone aboard as they made their way up here.

Coil nods to Ronukk before taking a seat in the chair and bringing up displays, "We'll beam everyone we can aboard first. Then as we leave, we'll try to disable the generator."

Ronukk tries to access one of the other consoles, but they are all locked. Even when trying your finger magic on it, it does not unlock.

Coil tells Ronukk, "We'll have to try to sweet talk the security system after we get out of here, Doctor. I don't want to waste any time." He turns his attention back to what he's working on, "All of the cargo holds are empty, so that gives us room." He coughs a bit, but ignores it as he isolates all of the Saurians first and then the other non-Cardassians to figure out just how many can be rescued with the available capacity, "Just hope Starfleet is nearby. I wouldn't want to trust the life support for a long flight."

Ronukk asks, "How reactor?"

Coil shakes his head as he sees the count of prisoners, "Far more than I thought. We can rescue your friends and a few others." He turns his attention to other readings, "Reactor won't work without fuel. We'll rupture the fueltanks on our way out. Safest way to disable it for everyone we can't rescue, and may even disable the weapon platforms in orbit too." He finishes setting up what he intends, "Get ready, Doctor, as soon as I start beaming people aboard, they'll know something is going on."

Ronukk nods, not really able to help at all. He hangs on as things begin to happen.

Coil starts the transporter cycle, starting with Ronukk's saurian friends and then several other groups of prisoners up to near the limit the ship can support. He then launches the freighter as the transporter then cycles on beaming sections of fuel tanks to a random location on the planet's surface, so that the fuel tanks will be swiss cheese and harder to patch.

A number of things begin to happen as the reactor struggles to get fuel. Not to mention the alarms blaring in the hanger as people are beamed away.

[Captain's Chair: A visible explosion erupts on the surface of Volan III. at coordinates: -875734510.484 -815123141409.255 59044.000]

[Captain's Chair: Damage incurred, multiple systems impacted]

The high energy discharge of a shield impact echoes throughout the ship.

Coil winces at the hit, "Energy discharge. I should've have thought of that." He tries to get the freighter out of orbit and away.

The vessel vibrates slightly as it accelerates to warp speeds.

Coil mutters, "And the confusion didn't last. The fleet is in pursuit now, Doctor."

Ronukk says, "Not tied to reactor."

Coil nods and looks at his displays, "Our comms were knocked out by that explosion. Let's just hope that Starfleet decides to check out what's going on. We'll not be able to outrun that fleet."

Coil frowns, "Can't make it easy for them, but I'm not about to blow us up trying to get away either."

Coil jumps at a new contact ahead but relaxes a little, "The Endeavour."

Coil utters an Orion curse, "And she flew right past us."

[Captain's Chair: NX-10 USS Endeavour (Standard): Cardassian fleet, what are your intentions?]

[Captain's Chair: SS Prosperity continues to fly towards Lya even in light of the new arrival]

[Captain's Chair: Unidentified #14 (Standard): Just collecting some trash, Federation.]

Coil snorts, "We're now apparently trash, Doctor. What do you think of that?"

Ronukk shrugs, "They think what they want."

Coil shakes his head, "They have such a low opinion of us."

[Captain's Chair: NX-10 USS Endeavour (Standard): We will take care of that for you, Cardassian Fleet. The crew of the Prosperity are wanted criminals.]

Coil raises an eyebrow, "Wanted criminals?" He looks over at Ronukk, "I'd be very interested in knowing what they were smuggling then."

[Captain's Chair: SS Prosperity speeds up a little to catch up to the Starfleet ship.]

You tap your commbadge and speak into it.

[Coil's Commbadge] Sending request for communication to NX-10 USS Endeavour.
[Coil's Commbadge] Communications channel to NX-10 USS Endeavour open.


[Coil's Commbadge] Svetzvani says, "On speakers."

[Coil's Commbadge] Kadn says, "Endeavour here, who is this?"

Coil coughs intermittently, "Is that you I hear, Tink? Hello Admiral. I've found the missing scientist, as well as several hundred other prisoners. Oh and myself, in case my abduction isn't known."

[Coil's Commbadge] "Scientist?" Tink whispers, probably not loud enough for Kellen to hear. Then louder she asks, "Ronukk?"

Ronukk tries to speak at hearing his name, but it too sounds like muffled garble.

[Coil's Commbadge] Kadn nods, "Your abduction was well known, just not to where. It's good to hear your voice Commander. Although, you sound ill? Is everything ok?"

Coil shrugs unseen, "Aye, Tink. The Cardassians haven't treated him well, so he can't speak well." He coughs and says, "I've been without food or water since my abduction, and the dust on Orias wasn't pleasant."

[Coil's Commbadge] "The Prosperity's engines are running hot, Admiral," reports the engineering officer.

You say, "We had to pick up a little heat so I could get into range to contact you. It's not bad, though if that fleet catches up, I'll have to run hotter."

You say, "Do you have room for a few hundred rescued prisoners, Admiral? That fleet is about to try to blow us up and if I dodge, we'll lose the opportunity."

[Coil's Commbadge] "The Cardassians have locked weapons on the Prosperity!" tactical reports.

Coil mutters, "Like that ever works." He then seriously, "Standing by to drop shields on your order."

[Coil's Commbadge] Kadn asks, "How many? A few hundred? It will be damn cramped." He adds, "Do your transporters work? We won't be able to do it alone with ours."

Coil nods unseen, "I can reverse the program I used to beam them aboard. That'll leave Ronukk and I for you to get though since we snuck aboard and didn't use the transporter."

[Coil's Commbadge] Kadn nods and looks to Tink, "Can you handle the transporter?"

[Coil's Commbadge] "I'll do it," Tink confirms. Her fingers fly over the buttons on her console.

You say, "Dropping shields now since they're far enough away that they can't hit us immediately."

[Coil's Commbadge] Kadn says, "Be ready to transport Commander."

You say, "Targetting your cargo pads for the rescued prisoners. Program starting on your command, sir."

[Coil's Commbadge] Kadn says to TInk, "On your go"

[Coil's Commbadge] Svetzvani nods, biting her lip. "We're ready," she says. "Drop shields and I'll energize."

You say, "Energizing on my end. Ready for you to get the Doctor and I."

[Coil's Commbadge] Svetzvani says, "Energizing."

Swirls of energy whip around your deconstructed body. Shimmering lumination dances about your form uncontrollably, dazzling every sense.

Sickbay <NX-10 USS Endeavour>

Sickbay on the NX-class starship is located dead center of the saucer section, providing it the greatest amount of protection from the harshness of space, while keeping it centrally located for crew and guests should they need medical care.

This circular compartment has a number of beds along the far wall, with a diagnostic unit on the starboard side. Behind a floor to ceiling shelving unit is a compartment where the chief medical officer can conduct testing necessary to treat patients.

Coil looks around and finally now that he's where it's safe, he collapses into a coughing fit.

[Coil's Commbadge] Branch Admiral Kadn taps something in on the computer interface panel.

>Intercom< Branch Admiral Kadn says, "Medical teams, we have wounded."