Old Ways vs. The New - Part 6
Posted on Tue Apr 21st, 2026 @ 6:38pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Lieutenant M'Tala "Hobbes" Clan Hrasi & Commander Jerome Hunt Jr. & Lieutenant Darius Korveth & Lieutenant Edruj Daughter of Thrawn & Lieutenant Urushi Yaotome & Lieutenant Niami Troga & Lieutenant JG Christian Rogers & Lieutenant JG Jason Mallory & Lieutenant JG Ryan Kellerman
2,074 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission: What was Lost is Found
Earlier....
Without any hesitation, Dareem lifted his disruptor and fired at the two Starfleet engineers kneeling only a few feet away. His expression was one of grim determination as the green beam of energy struck them.
[Council Chamber]
Sokah watched as the two screamed, glowed, and vanished into nothing. It had been over a century since he had seen anything vaporized, and he wasn't sure if he had been able to keep his shock from his face. They weren't actually supposed to kill anyone.
Darius was in pain. Not as much pain as he would if he were fully human; his anatomy was different enough, but seeing his two crewmates disintegrated pushed that pain aside. He didn't let on, however. In fact, he doubled over, clutching at his ribs. He used that as a cover to attempt to get out of his bonds
The Executive Officer wanted to shout and curse their captures. But cooler heads had to be the focus here. Closing his eyes, Jerome took a deep breath. "We understand the seriousness of the situation. Being the senior officer here on the ground. Let me lead this negotiation."
For what seemed a long moment, Dareem didn't move. There was nothing left where the two Starfleet officers had been--not even a mark. It was as though they simply had never existed but for their memory. He kept his gaze fixed there as if something might return if he waited long enough. But it didn't.
The disruptor remained in his hand, still raised but lowering fractionally as the seconds ticked by. He drew a slow breath through his nose and his expression flickered between determination and regret. Regret for having to take another life, though determined enough to see it through.
Dareem turned his attention to the Executive Officer. "The time for negotiation as passed. Your Captain has been given instructions. If he refuses or delays, another pair of officers will be selected at random. And you have witnessed the outcome. Our resolve is unshakeable and our goal is clear."
"And what exactly are those demands?" Hunt questioned.
He found himself re-holstering the disruptor as he walked back toward the younger Romulan farmer, Arim, who held the Trill doctor Tanaka. A few feet away, next to the council podium was the communicator. He eyed Tanaka before picking up the device.
"Captain Baas," he said evenly. "You understand now that this is not a threat. If I do not see signs of your crew transporting to the designated coordinates, you are no doubt aware what will happen. Twenty minutes."
Posrun suddenly realized he had lowered his disruptor. One moment, it had been steady and pointed at the Orion. The next, it felt almost too heavy to hold.
His stomach had turned without warning. It was empty for the most part, considering he hadn't eaten since the previous night. But he could almost taste the bile--sour and foul. He swallowed and it did not help.
Some of the Starfleet officers were watching him and so he kept his face still. This had been one of his first lessons: control what can be seen.
However, in his mind, Posrun was still replaying the moment. The flash of the disruptor beam seemed to last longer in his mind as did the kneeling figures of the engineers. He wanted that image out of his head and willing it away simply wasn't enough.
Posrun had grown up hearing about the Empire in stories told carefully but triumphantly. Discipline, strength, order. These were the traits of Romulans Dareem and Akil had shared with the youth and Posrun had consumed it all with the vigour most of the Romulan children had. Dareem had been the shape those stories took: a man who had seen war and come out of the other side sharpened into an instrument for the people.
But this... this killing was unnecessary. It was wasteful.
He tightened his grip on the disruptor, and his eyes drifted over the remaining Starfleet personnel against the chamber's east wall. They did not seem afraid. Sad, yes.
Posrun's eyes then fell upon Dareem. He had not hesitated nor faltered. There had been a purpose in the killing. There had to be. That was the only way it made any sense.
Across the chamber, Sokah's posture had changed slightly. L'ena had gone very still. One of the older Romulan men--a farmer Posrun had known since childhood--was looking down at his hands, flexing them slowly. It was almost as though he needed confirm they still belonged to him.
Nothing in their discussions the previous night said anything about killing. Perhaps there had been mention of it, and he hadn't been paying attention? Either way, Posrun's heart felt as though it was no longer part of this.
L'ena saw the faltering of Posrun, she hissed at him. "There are sacrifices that have to be made, thus is for the glory for the Empire. This is how we let them know we are serious."
Darius took several deep centering breaths. He had finally freed himself, but he kept his now freed hands concealed. He was just waiting for Dareem to turn his back, and the others to let down their guard, just a little. Then he would make his move. Disarm Dareem if he could, kill him if he had to.
[Meanwhile... on the Valkyrie]
With the channel muted, Daegan watched as the unconscious Romulan was dragged off the bridge and the Administrator was placed under guard. "Red Alert! Lieutenants Edruj, Rogers, and Mallory to the Bridge!"
Looking to Kurul, "We were supposed to transfer the crew to where?"
Kurul looked puzzlingly at the Captain. To the waste lands beyond the mountains, but..."
Tapping his commbadge. "Crew of the Valkyrie, This is your Captain. All off-duty and non-essential crew report to the shuttle bay. All certified pilots will report to Lieutenant Hobbes at the same location."
Hobbes was on his feet, his ear pinned back in anger. "SIR, you can't be serious..."
Niami looked around, slightly in shock as to what was happening.
She also felt like she had been punched in the gut seeing the death of the two engineers, a thin white line framing her lips. Tears rolled down Niami's cheeks. "Those monsters," she breathed out.
From the Intelligence station, Ryan swore under his breath. He knew and understood that if the Captain was making this decision, it had to be for no other reason than to protect the remainder of the crew.
Edruj walked onto the bridge and crossed to the Engineering station. "Computer transfer engineering control to the Bridge." The station lit up and the Klingon smiled which looked more like a snarl. "Reporting as ordered sir."
Urushi turned in her chair and rose to her feet. "Should I keep the Science Station online Captain?" she asked.
Ryan angled his body toward his commanding officer, his hands still on the console. As with his fellow crewmembers, he was ready. "Orders, sir?"
One moment to the next, nothing stayed the same, Jason mused internally. The summons to the bridge was a bit unusual for normal circumstances, but this was anything other than usual. A possible plan of using a shuttle to act as the needed beacon and enhancer for the sensors and transporters had come to mind, Jason just needed a few pieces of information from the bridge to finalize it. The program was loaded on his PADD though, now all was a chance to clear it with someone who had the authority.
Climbing out of the maintenance shaft, Jason pressed the panel to open the door to the bridge, and stepped through.
Rogers stepped off the turbolift, fastening his tacvest as he moved across the Bridge. Once next to the security station, he checked the pistol seated in its holster on his thigh. His face showed that he thought it was about time that they decided to do something about the situation. It also showed the strain he was under keeping the ship out of his thoughts.
He had a ton of questions but was going to hold off for the moment. Not until he heard and knew more about what the captain wanted done in the moment. He did turn to the officer manning the security station. "Any luck with the targeting sensors?" It was a problem for them that the interference that affected communications and transport also affected the ship's weapons targeting system. Otherwise they could have already sent down several widespread stun beams and taken care of this situation. Or phasers if necessary. But without targeting sensors being reliable, they couldn't be sure to affect the aggressors as much as their own people. It would be another case of having only one chance to get it right without more deaths.
Jason walked over to the OPS station, relieving the crewman manning the post. He confirmed his idea would work, and it was accompanied by an evil looking grin.
Now with everyone here and despite the barrage of questions Baas looked to Hobbes first. "We need to buy some time. They know we can't transport through the interference in the atmosphere So we will...appear to be as weak as they think we are."
Before addressing the others he motioned for the channel to be reopened but before he replied he pause to get in the right frame of mind for his... performance. "You killed members of my crew! What guarantee do I have you won't kill the others even if we comply?"
Through the gentle static over the channel, there came a reply edged with complete sobriety.
== The only guarantee you must concern yourself with is that we are willing to execute another of your officers should you not comply with our demands. == There was a pause. == You have eighteen minutes. ==
"You will have my decision shortly."
As the channel closed Baas looked around the bridge at the faces of his crew stopping with Hobbes. "You have your orders. Make sure they see you entering the atmosphere at the last minute."
Hobbes nodded, "Yes sir." With that he headed for the lift.
As Hobbes left his station the Captain looked to the man at Ops, "Contact the USS Harper. Let them know what happened and what they are warping towards."
Baas didn't what for a reply and looked to Edruj and Mallory, "O'Riley and Thomas were executed. It might be a longshot but find me a way through that inference."
"Notifying the Harper. Have a plan for that interference now. We use the shuttle as the enhancer and tie the ship's sensors to it as well. That'll cut through the interference on both fronts since it'll just be a much bigger version of the standard enhancer. Additionally, the shuttle itself might be the best way out, since once it's in atmosphere, with the right entry vectors, it's transporters could beam our people out without us using the ship, removing their leverage. Sir." Jason responded.
He then looked to Rogers & Kellerman, "You both are with me. Rogers, have a team meat us in the shuttle bay. We're going to the surface."
About frelling time, Rogers thought to himself as he both answered the captain with a simple, "Aye, sir", and tapped his commbadge, ordering a squad to meet them in the shuttle bay. He would be meeting with Brownie, Dae and Steinman along with their Fleeter partners. Rogers was ashamed to admit to himself that he wasn't one hundred percent sure of who those men were.
"Taggert," he also ordered, "You and Ensign Gareth prepare backup squads and sweep the ship to make sure no other intruders are hiding out as well as the non-essential personnel are following Captain's orders." He paused for a moment. "Gareth will lead the backup squad, Taggert will coordinate security from the ship. Acknowledge receipt."
TAG Taggert (Niami) and Gareth (Baas)
"Keep trying for a sensor lock. If you get one, prepare a wide spread stun no matter how many Starfleet personnel may be affected, understood?"
The bridge ensign looked at Rogers with wide eyes, but nodded.
Captain Daegan Baas
CO
Commander Jerome Hunt
XO
Lieutenant Niami Troga
Chief Counselor
Lieutenant JG Ryan Kellerman (and Dareem / Posrun)
Chief Intelligence Officer
Lieutenant M'Tala "Hobbes"
CFCO
Lieutenant Edruj Daughter of Thrawn
Chief Engineering Officer
LTjg Christian Rogers
Security Chief
Lt. Darius Korveth
Strategic Operations Chief
LTJG Jason Mallory
Chief Operations Officer
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