<Author Notes; This idea has basically come to me off the cuff and has little to no pre-planning...
An Imperial Mirror. (40k/Star Trek Alt-History.)
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Prologue; A Rising
Kadaeux
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<Author Notes; This idea has basically come to me off the cuff and has little to no pre-planning involved. The only planning is basically 'equalisation', painting a theme over the 'previous' Federation of Planets. This is an alternate universe.>
People had continuously underestimated humanity. When the Vulcans discovered us they saw a highly emotionally charged race that had grasped only the most basic fundamentals of warp travel and they were not entirely wrong, but like others they didn't understand. They saw and yet did not understand the legacy of war that had been left on humanity.
Another weaker race might struggle to distance themselves from it and yet be constantly drawn back into those instincts, instead making excuses for how another race forced their hands.
A yet weaker race might dive into those instincts and predatory nature like a dog driven rabid by abuse from its master, only finding solace in cruelty, hatred and fear. But we did none of those things. We could do none of those things, and yet still we did things that the Vulcans who requested an embassy and chance to help shape us did not expect.
We did not cast out blindly to the stars grasping for that not yet in our reach, for war had bred into us a layer of caution that was difficult to shed, a headlong rush into the unknown was an invitation to disaster. Instead, we terraformed and colonised the Sol System and continued our scientific endeavors. We did not abandon genetic sciences instead tempering the lessons of the past with the hopes of the future. We did not sky from cybernetics but acknowledged them as an equal path. What would become the Imperial Confederation of Stars was born as the Imperial Confederation of Mankind.
It saw the birth of a new culture under a new Senate. It saw the reformation of our governments under new paths.
The Adeptus Administratum would become the administrative arm of the Confederation with the Munitorum seeing to the needs of the newly forged Starfleet. The Adeptus Mechanicus, who had declared Mars as their new homeworld, had taken on the role of being responsible for the Manufacturing needs and science of the Confederation, embracing virtually all fields of science in equal measure. The Adeptus Arbites took on the role of protector, the legal arm of the Confederation, its authority crossing boundaries and holding the hammer of justice in hand.
There were other lesser organisations naturally, but in the long run four other Organisations were born. The Ecclesiarchy, an organisation made to unite the faiths of man and guide them to a more unified path, it's power waned as science became more powerful, but waxed in times of conflict and people needed a figure to follow in faith.
Starfleet, the storied organization that existed solely to fund and fuel mankinds expansion and exploration, and yet hidden beneath its purposes lies the core of a warship ready to defend the ideals of man and her allies.
Section 31, the secret police, guardians of the state, a bastard coalition of intelligence agencies... it had another name to most who knew it. The Inquisition.
And finally, the Adeptus Astartes. The Space Marines. The protectors of our explorers. The mailed fist of man when the veiled words of diplomatic nicety could no longer hold sway.
The story we tell now tells not of the future and what it held for us. But of the events that would transform the Confederation of Mankind into the Confederation of Stars. It is of the NX-01, the first Stiletto class Rapid Strike Frigate.
The Enterprise.
Prologue;
A Rising
A Rising
People had continuously underestimated humanity. When the Vulcans discovered us they saw a highly emotionally charged race that had grasped only the most basic fundamentals of warp travel and they were not entirely wrong, but like others they didn't understand. They saw and yet did not understand the legacy of war that had been left on humanity.
Another weaker race might struggle to distance themselves from it and yet be constantly drawn back into those instincts, instead making excuses for how another race forced their hands.
A yet weaker race might dive into those instincts and predatory nature like a dog driven rabid by abuse from its master, only finding solace in cruelty, hatred and fear. But we did none of those things. We could do none of those things, and yet still we did things that the Vulcans who requested an embassy and chance to help shape us did not expect.
We did not cast out blindly to the stars grasping for that not yet in our reach, for war had bred into us a layer of caution that was difficult to shed, a headlong rush into the unknown was an invitation to disaster. Instead, we terraformed and colonised the Sol System and continued our scientific endeavors. We did not abandon genetic sciences instead tempering the lessons of the past with the hopes of the future. We did not sky from cybernetics but acknowledged them as an equal path. What would become the Imperial Confederation of Stars was born as the Imperial Confederation of Mankind.
It saw the birth of a new culture under a new Senate. It saw the reformation of our governments under new paths.
The Adeptus Administratum would become the administrative arm of the Confederation with the Munitorum seeing to the needs of the newly forged Starfleet. The Adeptus Mechanicus, who had declared Mars as their new homeworld, had taken on the role of being responsible for the Manufacturing needs and science of the Confederation, embracing virtually all fields of science in equal measure. The Adeptus Arbites took on the role of protector, the legal arm of the Confederation, its authority crossing boundaries and holding the hammer of justice in hand.
There were other lesser organisations naturally, but in the long run four other Organisations were born. The Ecclesiarchy, an organisation made to unite the faiths of man and guide them to a more unified path, it's power waned as science became more powerful, but waxed in times of conflict and people needed a figure to follow in faith.
Starfleet, the storied organization that existed solely to fund and fuel mankinds expansion and exploration, and yet hidden beneath its purposes lies the core of a warship ready to defend the ideals of man and her allies.
Section 31, the secret police, guardians of the state, a bastard coalition of intelligence agencies... it had another name to most who knew it. The Inquisition.
And finally, the Adeptus Astartes. The Space Marines. The protectors of our explorers. The mailed fist of man when the veiled words of diplomatic nicety could no longer hold sway.
The story we tell now tells not of the future and what it held for us. But of the events that would transform the Confederation of Mankind into the Confederation of Stars. It is of the NX-01, the first Stiletto class Rapid Strike Frigate.
The Enterprise.
- Location
- Cardassia Prime
Mmmmh I think it's a little contrived to have all these organisations exist at the same time and be named exactly like they were in both canons, instead of trying to make them more compatible.
Like Section XXXI or have Starfleet be the 'Astra Arma' as it's official title just for some suggestions.
Like Section XXXI or have Starfleet be the 'Astra Arma' as it's official title just for some suggestions.
- Location
- North America
Hey, the pre-raise of the emperor humanity can be edited to be any syfi human race. All that was known of that time was "Robots fucked us up, then mother fucking psykers showed up fucking up more shit and the fucking Eldar fucked up everyone finishing us off."
Kadaeux
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The former is a good idea, carries the same weight. The latter would be Stella Classemque in Latin
That is correct-ish, this is the Federation with an Imperium paintjob mostly. Eg, the NX-01 is the same general hull layout as in Star Trek canon (if a little bit bigger to suit Imperial need for grandeur.), but it's windows are gothic arches, the nacelles have Imperial style iconography (the front tips end in the head of an Aquila, one blind, one seeing. So there will be superstitions if one nacelle gets damaged over the other and vice versa) the weapons aren't concealed or as few, Tucker is a Magos of the Mechanicus, Archer has a bionic eye and Reed is Adeptus Arbites
additionally there are four Astartes on board to serve as the marines for when such situations are required. It's why I gave it a force sub tag.
The Confederation lacks the rampant xenophobia of the Terran Empire (or 'real' Imperium) but still is cautious and distrusting. (In fact, the 'knife-ears' epithet will be relatively common when referring to Vulcans. I like the Vulcans, but their constant attempts to rein in Starfleet in canon are seen more as borderline malevolent to the Confederation, but they still accept the Vulcans in an advisory role. T'Pol will be a little more out of comfort than before, and she won't find comfy snuggles in Tuckers arms this time, he swapped those out for cybernetic ones
- Location
- North America
REDSHIRTS REVENGE! NO LONGER SHALL THEY DIE BECAUSE THE MAIN CAST NEEDS TO LIVE!
Kadaeux
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ROFLMAO... now I'm just picturing an Astartes who's tried to stretch a redshirt's shirt over his armour.
- Location
- USA
I bet we get on swimmingly with the Klingons.
Are they actual scientists and engineers, or are they the same toaster fucking neo luddites we all know and hate?
I imagine they would be bigger simply because they have 7 to 8 foot tall marines in heavy power armor as regular crewmembers.
That is an incredibly bad idea. Most of the imperial aesthetic is because the IoM is filled with religious nutjobs and said aesthetics help protect them from daemons. An IoM that hasnt needed to deal with daemons is more likely to be more utilitarian with some iconography painted on the outside with a few shrines scattered around the ship on the inside.
Also art deco just seems like a better fit for the not!imperium than gothic.
Kadaeux
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By far the former, while they still have some of the religious trappings for style points they're more like 'hereteks' (not the chaos sort, the 'innovation for its own sake' sort)
This is also true.
I don't mean bigass gothic arches. I mean more like you see on the ruins and baneblade. An artistic choice. (Also because this fic was inspired by a picture I can no longer find where someone had drawn up the Enterprise but with a John Blanche take on the ship.)
(Eg: The Nacelle heads have the figureheads like on Imperial Navy ships.)
But there is definitely a toning down of it. Skulls for example generally don't figure in their architecture outside of the Astartes who use it for intimidation tactics rather than religious reverence. I may try and incorporate elements of art deco though. EDIT: Thinking on it, I'll definitely include elements of it, 40k and a "Bioshock" architectural feel feels like a good middle ground.
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Chapter 1: Tuesday
Kadaeux
Delta Imperator
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Chapter 1
Tuesday
Terra
Terra; A Farm;Tuesday
Terra
Klaang ran from the Suliban pursuing him, being stranded on the overly green and blue ball had been bad enough, but now he was running and the dishonor of it burned in his veins like the fires of Grethor, the gates of Stovokor now denied him. A blast from a disruptor pistol clipped his shoulder and sent him spinning as he saw the Suliban closing.
He felt more than saw it, a chattering of the teeth from a contra-gravity engine as a vehicle closed. Blasts from his pursuers speared out at the vehicle and by the sound of it they struck home. The response was for the Suliban more dramatic than they might have expected, Klaang would probably have found it amusing if he was not caught in the crossfire. If it was not so loud.
As his legs were cut from beneath him by the heavy calibre fire and his right shoulder punched through he discovered that the ground was a wonderful and comforting thing as the remaining fire scissored overhead, his attackers were scythed down by the heavy fire before it stopped and he felt his teeth rattle as something closed, footsteps heavy as their tread upon the ground struck hard. As consciousness slipped he didn't truly understand the words. "This is Gabriel, we've engaged in hostilities with unknown aliens in pursuit of a third, he is critical wounded, requesting transport for the third and a meatwagon for the others."
Confederation Hospital ;
The beeping of the medical equipment was methodical as the alien physician worked on the 'patient'. Phlox was fascinated by both the Klingon and the humans around him and despite the dour nature of those supervising this case he retained his cheerful positivity. "He would likely have preferred death." Ambassador Soval asked as he looked at the crippled Klingon.
"Perhaps, but that is not my duty Ambassador." He remarked as he looked up towards the monitors, the human technology was anachronistic sometimes, the level of redundancies were manifest even here, but the baroque architecture made for a terrifically interesting backdrop to practice medicine in, though the white was almost distressing at times.
As a human walked in he looked at the isolation chamber and his right eye gleamed, a beam of red light stabbing momentarily into Phlox's cornea to be quickly blinked away. The cybernetic eye was not as crude as its appearance suggested. "Doctor, have you made your assessments?" The human was relaxed and it took Phlox only a moment to also relax, this was no Section XXXI operative.
"He is critically wounded and I am unfamiliar with their biology. He would be best treated by his own people, it is probably good I was requested to oversee it as far as I have. These Klingons are hard, but those ballistic guns made a mess of him, least of all his pursuers. I expect his people may not be thrilled by..." Phlox paused at a hand raised in the human signal for stop.
"The Astartes were on a training exercise in the area and were using old heavy machineguns for practice, they've already been reprimanded for their hasty response. But I am afraid this wasn't a social call, we're accelerating your transfer to the Enterprise and transferring your patient as well. Command has decided that we would make an effort to return him to his people, and try and get an explanation for their presence on Terra."
Soval started, "You cannot be attempting to visit Qo'nos. You will not be welcome there."
"I am Captain Archer of the CMSS Enterprise. You will find there is little I cannot do when I put my mind to it," Archer snapped at the Vulcan, "you and your knife-ears keep playing obstructionist in our journeys into the stars and quite frankly we have little tolerance left for your interference. While we were getting our house in order we were content to delay, but we cannot protect ourselves hiding here. "
"They are a warlike people and do not brook those who force themselves upon them, noble intentions or not. You may even be doing this Klingon a further disservice by saving his life, at the cost of his honor." Soval countered, "Logically you should permit him to pas..."
"Let him die? No, he arrived on our planet in stealth and engaged in a gunnery duel with the pair of meatsacks we have in the freezer being examined by the chief Magos Mortis at this hospital, so we should not logically compromise our security by leaving questions unanswered," Archer advanced on Soval, "I know you Vulcans love your logic. But logic is a crutch without emotional tempering, logic can be used to excuse any action no matter how atrocious."
Soval stepped back. The hard stare of the bionic eye stirring just a spark of something within his breast for a moment. "Very well.... but we have taken it upon ourselves to try and help guide your race, you are still naive about what is out there. I ask only that you take a science officer from our people with you as a liason and advisor."
Archer stepped back, his own point made, "Bear in mind that as a vessel of our fleet they will be subject to all our laws and regulations on board, in addition said officer would gain no access or authority to access tactical, defence or propulsion. In addition all other system access would be subject to monitoring and checks."
The woman next to Soval bristled at the harsh manner. "Is it not logical to at least demonstrate respect for the Ambassador?" She asked.
Archer's gaze passed to her. "As respect is earned, no it is not. When I see Ambassador I see the man representing a government that has tried its hardest to keep us contained and local without hostilities. As such, I have little reason for trust or respect Officer..."
Soval cocked his head, "This is T'Pol, your new science officer."
"Well, she has backbone. I trust she can find her way to the ship?" Archer said as he headed for the door, "Phlox, I would appreciate it if our 'guest' and yourself were on board in the next twelve hours. We are departing then."
Terra; Orbit
The hull of the Enterprise came into view, Phlox and T'Pol occupying the shuttle pod had time to reflect as they headed towards her. The Nacelles were swept with raised metal features, the glow of from within shining through, the forward edge of each nacelle formed into the head of an Aquila, one blind one with eyes open. The spars leading down to the main hull were thick and armoured the vaulting spars they met the primary hull. It was decorated with a complete Aquila embossed on its upper and lower hulls revealing its few external windows...
And doing nothing to conceal its weapons.
Where other races might have made work to conceal them within the hull when not in operation the Confederation believed in the principle of displaying their talons to the enemy. Half a dozen cannons dotted the upper and lower surfaces of the main hull, their energy cannons quiescent at the moment. On the lower surface, below the deflector dish, nestled the Lance that served as a heavy deterrent, itself flanked by torpedo launchers, almost invisible next to the energy projector.
"The humans can be quite harsh can they not Doctor Phlox?" T'Pol declared as she observed the vessel on the screen, the crudity of it almost offensive to her.
Phlox cocked his head as he regarded her, the pilot ignoring the exchange. "They are cautious, their history of war has taught them to be, but if you get to know them they are some of the kindest people I have ever met, if I may make an observation?" Phlox asked.
"Go ahead Doctor." T'Pol replied interested.
"The Vulcan people are heavily steeped in the fundamentals of logic that drive your race, to a human you come off as standoffish, or even condescending to them. To their sensibilities you act as if you are superior to them, to many if not most humans this attitude rubs them the wrong way, it pushes against biological triggers that consider it threatening," Phlox explained with his cheerful manner, "You may find humans to be harsh, crude and even rude, but it is the attitudes of your people that provoke them. If there is anything I have found a human dislikes more than the feeling they are being talked down to, it's people who talk in the theatre."
"CMSS Enterprise, this is Aquilae Primus requesting permission to dock." The pilot said as she throttled back on its impulse drives.
"Flight Control to Aquilae Primus permission to enter landing pattern behind Storm Eagle Primus." The pilot perked up and swung around to show the larger gunship entering the hangar bay slowly. The initial designs had called for two smaller Aquila landers, but pressure from the Astartes and Admiralty both had the design improved with a larger hangar bay. The Storm Eagle would serve for heavier duty missions where the poorly shielded Aquilas were unsuited.
As the Aquila followed it in and touched down on its assigned position the rear ramp lowered and Phlox and T'Pol headed for the exit. "Permission to com..." T'Pol knew the protocol, but her silence had a difference source as she craned her head up to face down the giant standing in front of her, her biology rebelled against further speech for a moment before she forced herself to suppress the emotional reaction, "come aboard?".
"Granted." The Astartes said looking down at her, even without armour he towered over her, examining her meticulously, but not with the amorous avarice some human males did, but like a targeting sensor seeking out weaknesses. "Captain, the alien crew are aboard."
"Understood Gabriel, Archer out."
- Location
- Sweden
To be fair they have invented so pretty cool stuff like a perpetual motion machine, better power armor and other awesome stuff. Its just that when they get really cool stuff then it tends to gain tentacles and try to eat their maker.
@Kadaeux
Is the GEOM around? And are psykers a thing?
Kadaeux
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In order.
No (He's just the Emperor, doesn't like being deified and shit.
)Yes; But early days level stuff. Slightly rarer than in 40k and slightly better than a Vulcan's limited psionics. I do not have plans for a psyker yet. (Though Hoshi was a candidate I considered.)
- Location
- Sweden
No (He's just the Emperor, doesn't like being deified and shit.
But is he a super powerful psyker like the one that we know and love?
Kadaeux
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To a degree. But he won't personally be making many appearances. This universe isn't in the dire threat of 40k, and leaving him his prescience would invalidate several interesting arcs (like the Xindi affair.)
BUT
I am DEFINITELY doing a scene at some point where Q shows up at the wrong time and is completely wrongfooted with a "who are you.." theme going on.
- Location
- Sweden
So he is doing his usual slowly guiding the human race into becoming psychic gods thing? You could make a perpetual character that would be fun.
Kadaeux
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*Thinks of Grammaticus as a possible Section XXXI agent...
*- Location
- USA
Are you going to touch on any of the plots the original Enterprise just left hanging? That automated repair yard that used people as meat computers was repairing itself after getting blown up but was never seen again.
- Location
- Too Deep in the Midnight Sea
*reads*
"Gloria in Excelsis Terra."
*watches thread*
"Gloria in Excelsis Terra."
*watches thread*
Chapter 2: A Question of Ethics
Kadaeux
Delta Imperator
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Chapter 2
A Question of Ethics.
Enterprise
Enterprise; Medical Bay;A Question of Ethics.
Enterprise
The sounds of the medical equipment was subdued as Phlox worked to preserve the Klingons life, the difficulty involved was far higher than expected, the physiology was hardy, but the wounds inflicted were significant, and thus the problem of ethics was coming into play, having tried everything he could think of so far Phlox once more looked to the specialised cabinets holding human built cybernetics, it would be trivial to adapt them to the Klingons neurology. But without knowing his people better he could make no judgement as to whether he would accept the treatment, even if it would save his life.
"Doctor, how is the Klingod?"
"It is Klingon, Captain. How may I help you?" He began to wave his medical tricorder at Archer but without any heart in it. Archer was healthy as he could be. Even if he did keep the cortical implants better hidden than his ocular one.
"I need to know the status of the Klingon." Archer said picking up a jar of worms.
"Please don't shake those Captain," Phlox said heading over to Klaang's bed, "I am in truth concerned, the damage done to him is extensive and he had already been nursing injuries from his pursuit, I have considered the possibility of using human-made cybernetics to try and repair the damage, even if only tempora..."
"No, they are a warrior culture according to the Vulcans, we're not going to provide them with examples of our technology for study."
"If I may Captain, how did we get the Vulcan charts showing us how to reach Qo'nos?" Phlox asked, disappointed but not surprised by the answer.
"Creative cruelty, gunboat diplomacy feel free to choose your term. We informed the Vulcan ambassador that we would appreciate their complete co-operation on the matter and that not being so might have severe consequences. When Soval questioned us what we thought we could do, he was told by an Admiral with an appreciation for 20th century entertainment that..." Archer chuckled, "That if they were still unco-operative, that to qualify for diplomatic station with the Confederation a Vulcan would be required to demonstrate an encyclopedic knowledge of 20th century sitcoms. Apparently after a random sampling of episodes from 'shows' called 'Two and a Half Men' 'Friends' and 'Sex in the City' the Soval transmitted the maps."
"Ah." Phlox said as he turned back to the displays. "If there is something else Captain?"
"No thanks Doctor. See you later."
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CAUTION; Counter Boarding Drills on Deck B are in Effect.
CAUTION; Counter Boarding Drills on Deck B are in Effect.
The fast staccato beat of footsteps as crew raced for their assigned stations or evacuated the deck as rapidly as possible thundered through the deck, quivering on the metal grating as if the Enterprise herself was expecting what was to come next. It didn't take long, thunderous steps upon the deck resonated as the four power armoured individuals thundering into the passages.
"Azrael, Dante, sweep right corridor. Complete check. Sigismund with me." The steps were methodical, and as they reached the first crew quarters a flashed signal from Gabriel's helmet overrode the door and opened it. He swept in, his Volkite charger covering every centimetre of space as he marched in and T'Pol dived behind a divider in shock as she came out of the shower, having been too pre-occupied to pay attention to the alarm.
Once more that glimmer of dread struck her, but this time a thousand times worse that flicker of disabling fear she'd felt was in full swing now, an emotional response she was not equipped to handle, and one they were designed to cause. Unlike before Gabriel was there in full armour, the weapon in his hand was not in safety mode despite it being a drill, it was fully powered and his skull-faced helmet didn't help at all while the hum of the reactor on his back made it feel like her teeth were rattling in her own head.
Gabriel marched in and checked the shower before speaking. "Clear. Sigi, you've got the next one." He stomped towards the door.
"Aren't you even going to apologise!?" T'pol asked, her outrage momentarily overruling her fear.
"No. There will come a day you're glad we're aboard and practiced these drills. Be thankful it's not today." He left the room without so much as even another word.
As he left the dread that had practically transfixed her melted away and the 'conversation' played back in her head. As a Vulcan logic was overarching, and she understood the reasons and purpose of the drills, even if she cursed herself for ignoring the alert allowing herself to be caught in an undressed state. And yet, the indifference in the Terran Marines voice rankled at her. Despite her clear disinterest there had been plenty of human males who had sought to impress her and earn her affections. Yet the Marine had seen what none of them had and didn't have the slightest interest. It was a shock to discover she was offended by this.
Beyond her quarters the drill continued.
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Medical Quarters; 18 hours later.
"Captain, the Klingon has regained consciousness."
A transmission that had lead to a room full of people, including Azrael standing guard in full armour, shock maul and graviton pistol within a moments reach. "Hoshi, can you translate this?" Archer asked the nervously pacing woman as she looked at the translator. Every now and again she'd bark a word into it and Klaang would respond, or not.
"Yes, technically,... but its mostly gibberish, he's speaking nonsense. Delirious or something."
"Captain, there's been a failure in the Warp Drive and we're dropping out of Warp to correct it." Tucker's voice came over the ships intercom, heavily mechanised by his augmentations. The sound of engineering in the background relayed alarm klaxons going off.
"Understood. This is Archer, shipwide message. Yellow Alert." He turned to the Klingon, "Hoshi, continue."
Phlox frowned? "Captain, why are we going to yellow alert?"
"Procedure. In the event of unexpected critical systems failures the ship is to maintain yellow alert until it is confirmed to be benign."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Enterprise; Silik.
The monitors followed the strike team he had ordered deployed as he watched from the security of his cell ship. They were keeping to shadows and using the full benefit of their enhancements, and yet the ship seemed to be alert for action and Silik had to wonder if they had somehow been discovered. Craning his neck only a small amount faced him towards one of the Enterprises weapon emplacements, and from where he sat the Cellships defences wouldn't withstand an assault from this close.
"There, medical bay. Get the Klingon." He snapped as he saw them turn into the corridor, the mission had already been reinforced after their benefactor warned of the Adeptus Astartes, and yet he still didn't even know what those were.
As the medical bay doors opened he learned the answer. Two of his operatives were crawling across the ceiling, camouflaged, the third and fourth had levelled weapons. The Captain was drawing a pistol from an ornate holster as an object came into view, it crackled with energy and a burst of light struck as the suliban operatives life signs went into immediate cardiac distress as the weapon staved in his ribs, the crackling energy discharge bursting the broken body across the corridor where he passed out.
Weapons fire in return struck the beings armour and Silik saw his operative simply freeze at the being towering over it. Blood red eyes glowering from beneath a skull faced helm. Suddenly he was picked up and slammed to the deck and all Silik saw was a boot slamming down upon his agents skull. Archer was the fastest to react next as his pistol barked and the life-signs on the third operative ceased, the human having seen through the camouflage.
Then it was over, the agent had managed to trigger their beacon after landing on the wounded Klingon, the equipment rematerialising them on the cell-ship. "Sir! Go go go... they're coming for me..." The agent was panicking, the dread having settled in on his soul. Despite knowing that his man was suffering from the trauma it was in fact excellent advice and he gunned the controls.
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Sato was busy vomiting as the power came back on and Tucker reported that the Warp Drive had been repaired. Her interrogation had produced some results, the suliban with the bootprint for a head had produced other, emetic, results. "This is Archer to Reed. How come we didn't detect anything!" He snapped as he headed for the bridge. After the weapons fire protocols had already forced them into red alert.
"I've been going over the sensor logs sir, it seems we did pick up a distortion on the sensor logs." Reed stood at attention behind his console, studying the data, enemy craft definitely possessed stealth properties, and how they managed to kidnap a Klingon with Azrael standing watch is unsettling, speaking of which, I need to interrogate the prisoner."
Phlox had managed to keep the one with the shattered ribs alive for now. "Send the sensor data to Tucker, and tell the knife-ear to get down there and earn her keep. And Reed, don't kill it. Try and keep it non-invasive as well, we don't know which side of this are the problem, but they attacked our ship and crew to kidnap the Klingon and I want to know why."
"And if it proves non cooperative?" Reed said heading for the door.
"If it doesn't talk when you're being nice, you stop being nice."
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- Location
- North America
*Space Marine sees naked alien woman*
"That's not enough Hersey to corrupt me xeno."
"That's not enough Hersey to corrupt me xeno."
Chapter 3: Logic and Tentacles
Kadaeux
Delta Imperator
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Chapter 3
Logic and Tentacles.
Enterprise
Engineering;Logic and Tentacles.
Enterprise
T'pol entered the engineering after an unpleasant exchange with an adept at the door, it took burst of binary to make him move aside and she felt her skin prickle as she entered the bay and found it was nearly twice as large as in the prototype. The main reactor itself was also different to the schematics the Vulcan High Command had seen before...
"That is classified information you're looking at there."
A knot of what she'd thought was maintenance equipment disentangled itself from one of the injector assemblies. She had not actually met an adept from Mars that had more than light cybernetic augmentation, the being she faced now was not so slightly enhanced. His face and head was untouched at first glance, but the eyes were clearly not the organic orbs he'd been born with.
Across his shoulders and around his waist a significant amount of cybernetics were arrayed. Two massive arms arching over his shoulders were matched by the intimidating limbs encircling his waist, around him wavered mechanical tentacles ranging from short affairs ending in service cameras to other far longer ones ending in various tools. "Welcome to engineering, I cannot str..."
"This design does not match the schematics with which we are familiar."
"Of course not. It would be illogical to show you up to date military intelligence. Did you expect us to really give you actionable intelligence on a naval vessel?" His limbs folded in and swept behind him as he leaned against a wall section, the entire servo-arm array detached and remained where it was as Tucker turned to a set of displays.
"We had expected the Confederation to be honest about its designs when we are maintaining such a close relationship." T'pol said facing the monitor arrays, data was being called up at a high volume and it took a moment for her to recognise that the strange machine-sounds she heard were being uttered by Tucker, the sound translating into machine commands.
"That is illogical of you to expect. You have done little to earn the faith and trust of the people of the Confederation. Would you share the designs of your ships with us? I would be willing to wager that the answer is in the negative, is my logic incorrect?"
"It... is not." She began scrolling through data herself, manually searching through it, both from Hoshi's translations and the signatures, "You're Martian?"
"I was born in Florida, but moved to Mars when I was sixteen, I wanted to learn engineering, there was nowhere and nobody better. Certainly was not going to get into space on Terra-earned engineering degree. As such I joined the Mechanicum." He focussed on a set of data and it began to be massaged into a more coherent narrative. "Why? Are you prejudiced against the cybernetically enhanced?"
T'pol wondered for a second how to answer, her hesitation born from one fact. She genuinely did not know. Despite the servo-harness being temporary, she had noticed that the tentacles were not part of it, and that Tucker's lower limbs had been replaced with some sort of array of smaller legs. "I do not know. I have never met someone as heavily enhanced as you are, thus logically I cannot be prejudiced and will form an opinion once I have sufficient information. But I feel that prejudice would be unworthy."
"Acceptable. Do you see the pattern?"
"I do..." T'pol said as it began to piece together. "Rigel X."
"Captain. It is Magos Tucker, we have a destination, Rigel X. We have confirmed sufficient data indicating Klaang was there previously as a courier."
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Rigel X - Orbit
"Rigel X is a colony, as you can see the atmosphere is unpleasant, and sensors find it difficult to establish teleport co-ordinates, this planet is the last place Klaang had reached before his presence on Earth. As such it is where we will be making out initial forays," Reed began giving the briefing, "We have found ourselves in the middle of a squabble between apparently modified Suliban and the Klingons, it is time we find out why."
He called up the next images. "Mayweather, you're piloting the Storm Eagle with our Marine Contingent, Magos Tucker, the Captain, T'Pol and myself. The objective is to find out who Klaang met, this is an intelligence gathering mission."
Gabriel stood up, his form dwarfing all but his brothers. "Combat issue?"
"For your men, two Volkite Chargers, two Bolters, webber pistols and shock mauls. The Captain has his laspistol and a web-pistol. T'Pol, you have access to a phase pistol which will, theoretically, become standard security issue owing to its stunning function. I will have my Combat Shotgun and shield. The Magos, well I would not dwell on what Magos Tucker might have installed."
The Astartes nodded sitting down.
"I want two of the brothers guarding the ship, once we get down there we will split up and the two other Marines will split up, one guarding each team. I want everyone in communications at all times and remember that we don't know much about what to expect," Reed grinned, "Don't start a war, but if somebody does. Finish it."
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Rigel X
The colonists looked up in curiosity for a moment as the sound of a craft approaching assailed them, but as the storm cleared for a moment the larger bulk caused them to look for safety, none failed to recognise the guns beneath its wings or jutting from its nose, and only the youngest would fail to recognise the racks of missiles upon its back had the wings not obscured them from sight.
It's drives screamed as it touched down, the ramp slamming into the deck of the colony structure, giants emerging from within, weapons held at ready. The landing party moved out, auspexes searching for anything out of the ordinary.
...
The descent into the colony had been quick as Tucker and T'Pol sought out the security office to check for any evidence of their visitors, Azrael watched over them with a vigilance that was hard to match. "Excuse me, we are investigating a Klingon that recently departed the planet, we would appreciate if you had any records of him? Klaang." The distance she was able to put between herself and Tucker allowed her more primitive instincts to relax a bit and the agitation to settle.
"Klaang? Let me check." The officer examined the screen and began searching as T'pol turned to check what Tucker was doing. A Lorillian mother was trying to wean her child off of his birth atmosphere to the Rigellian one and the Magos appeared to be taking an interest. The Servo-Harness he wore was tipped by a manner of equipment and the way his head cocked betrayed a curiosity. "I'm sorry Subcommander, but we don't have any record of a Klingon by that name, though it remains possible he was here. The Klingons congregate several levels below, i'm sending you the co-ordinates, they like to get live food down there."
"Thank you." T'pol remarked heading out towards Tucker.
"Have you considered the utilization of a cybernetic implant, to regulate atmospheric weaning, it would reduce stress and strain on the childs body as well as prove useful later in life should they encounter unexpected shifts in atmosphere..." Tucker turned at her approach and T'pol realised one of those tentacles had been observing her at all times with brother Azrael standing still as a statue. The people of Rigel X were afraid of him and kept their distance as widely as possible.
...
"Got it Trip, we're headed there now." Archer checked the auspex in hand, "We're heading to a lower level, the Klingons apparently look for live food there. So it's a good place to start." The descent was quick, with Gabriel following them at a close distance, Reed took the front, his paranoia working overtime to ensure that nothing snuck up on them. As such, when the ambush happened it was almost a surprise.
If not as much as the surprise the Suliban experienced when the Arbites combat shotgun boomed and rubber pellet punched into its belly and somersaulted over a heat exchanger as Reed brought his shield around, Archer had stepped up and drawn a tazer goad from within his jacket and applied it to his attacker at lowest setting, the last didn't even get a chance to flee as the webber shot took him in the back, the unique polymers rapidly entangling him against a pipe.
"Please stop!" A voice came from a walkway just over them, a woman dropping down. "We heard you were searching after Klaang and I needed to appraise you... please don't hurt my people."
"Your people took Klaang, and now we want answers." Archer said as she continued to get close. It took Gabriel only three steps with his weapon levelled for her to stop advancing, the one he had levelled was not the web pistol.
"Not us, we are... renegades, the price of evolution was too high, but I was given the ability to measure trust, but it requires proximity," She raised her hands and took a careful step forwards, "I am Sarin." She held out a hand.
"Reed, switch to Executioner Shells, if anything happens to me, kill her people." Her eyes widened at Archers words but still he took her hand and, gently, she kissed him, checking every sign she knew before stepping back.
"I... I don't know..." She said hesitating, "I sense you can be trusted but I also sense you do not trust easily. But Klang was, is, carrying a message for the Klingon High Council, the Cabal have been staging attacks in Klingon space aimed at destablising the Empire and turning house against house. If they have taken him, we must go to try and end this Temporal Cold War. They won't be far behind.."
Tucker and T'pol rejoined the group following Azrael. The arrival was ill omened as phase fire erupted from a dozen Suliban from various positions, their cabal-given modifications giving them, as with Sarin's, the ability to sneak up on the party. The disabled Suliban were slain virtually instantly, an error in judgement of their attackers as the two Astartes turned, their weapons smoothly raised and fired as soon as they came into sight of their enemies.
Azrael's weapon barked twice, the bolt rounds crossing the distance in such a short time the Suliban selected as a target simply didn't comprehend she'd been attacked until her right shoulder detonated, a split seconds revelation being made to her before the second shell detonated within her chest cavity and she realised nothing from that moment forwards.
Sarin saw it with horror, but was even more horrified to consider that she had been the lucky of the two hit in the initial assault, the screaming pitch the others weapon made before a pinpoint of magma red light punched out and the other burst into flame from within as the Volkite weapon burned him away screaming.
But now Battle was joined and she too had to fight for their lives.
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- Location
- Philippines
heh, well I wish a Chapter would be here. Would really end shit.
- Location
- North America
Bah. Wouldn't be fun that way. It's more interesting watching space marines play nice and not kill every thing in sight.