Men fall, their name is Not [✱12]

Posted on Sat May 3rd, 2025 @ 11:10am by The Commander & Lieutenant Commander Atna & Warrant Officer Birsom Aznaj & Centurion Irago Artolonok
Edited on on Sun May 4th, 2025 @ 12:40am

719 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Serpent's Tooth [3]
Location: USS Excalibur, Anomaly Orbit, Dreizhen System
Timeline: 1920 - MD08

“Commander Atna, the station is hailing us.” Aznaj at comms announced, looking slightly confused by the message.

“Open a channel.” Atna said after a momentary hesitation. It was strange, but not outlandish that the station would call outside check-in windows.

In the CIC, the First Prime Thallistra sat in the command seat. “This station is under the command of the Great Queen Hera. Surrender and dock your vessel and you will not be harmed. If you flee, hostages will be executed.”

“Stand by.” Atna said, and gestured to cut the channel.

“Scan the station, confirm.” Atna ordered immediately once it was closed.

“I’m reading squads of Jaffa beaming over armed. They’ve bridged the transporter systems of the pyramid ships and the station.” Centurion Artolonok confirmed. “The great hall is full and I’m reading traces of weapons fire. There are unconscious individuals in the hall.”

“Commander?” Atna asked, having not wanted to do so, but realising this was an appropriately uncertain and dangerous situation.

“If you’re going to ask me for help, I’m afraid I can’t do it.” The Commander responded pre-emptively through the speakers.

“That I understand. But what if these insurgents were to make it aboard the Excalibur?” Atna asked.

“Well. In that situation, I’d probably be obliged to run them through some endless hallways. Keep them busy until they tire out.” The Commander admitted, appreciating her Vulcan cleverness.

“Thank you Commander. Open a channel to the station.” Atna ordered, the comms officer did so, returning to the view of Thallistra on the bridge.

“We surrender unconditionally. We will dock the ship at –“

Thallistra interrupted. “You will leave the ship at Alpha dock and all aboard will alight.”

“Understood. We will comply with your instructions.” Atna said, closing the channel once more.

She only had a skeleton crew with her, there was no chance of storming the CIC and regaining control. Besides, for them to have succeeded so thoroughly convinced Atna they must have somehow gained control of the station’s computer systems.

“Dispatch encrypted messages on subspace radio. Let anyone in range know we may have a beachhead situation aboard DS13.” Atna ordered. There were a handful of Federation craft still in this region, and at least two Klingon vessels, as well as who knew how many Romulans. Aide may find them yet.

She looked to the officer she’d brought with her as they completed docking. She ordered all crew ashore, and together they crossed the umbilical. There were a half dozen armed Jaffa waiting for them, one of whom had a datapad that he was referring to.

"One of you is missing. Tell us where he is." The padd Jaffa said. He had Hera's cow sigil tattoed between his eyes.

"To whom do you refer? On my honour as a Vulcan, all Starfleet crew are present here." Atna responded.

"According to this, there is being only known by the rank of Commander aboard." The Jaffa countered.

"You have overlooked a key detail. He is holographic, not a living being. He is software in the vessel's computers." Atna explained, with the added benefit of it being the truth, even if it wasn't the whole truth.

The Jaffa checked his padd again for a moment. He found what she had described, but did not want to acknowledge the mistake. He looked frustrated. "Take them to the nearest holding area." He told the other Jaffa, and a pair broke away from the group, gesturing for Atna and her crew to keep going down the walkway.

As they left, the lead Jaffa ordered the other three aboard the Excalibur, and they went eagerly.

By the time Atna and her crew had reached the end of the walkway, the lead Jaffa had finally become suspicious of his inability to reach the trio of Jaffa he had sent in on their communicators. He followed them inside.

The last thing Atna could see with her sharp Vulcan eyes was a Jaffa emerging from within. A thin, tall, pale Jaffa with a shock of red hair, and two different coloured eyes. He carried the commanding Jaffa's communicator and padd. He raised his lion-helmet, and waited for more to appear so he could guide them in. He nodded to Atna as she was led out of sight.

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