Sun Serpent (Plot)

Plot Details
"Sun Serpent"
Time Period:	241005.02 - Ongoing
Involved Ships:	USS Charon
Involved Planets:
Previous Plot:	Lux Et Veritas(Plot)
Succeeding Plot:	Unknown

Left with the bitter taste of defeat after the Romulan forces under Vaek'Riov tr`Sahen's command managed to secure Temep`Shar and tow the badly damaged Vulcan ship away, Captain Rehu decides to set a course for home.

A startling discovery picked up on long range sensors however manages to lift the crew's spirits and serves as a reminder that Charon is first and foremost a science vessel - practically right under the Starfleet ship's nose a rare and splendid event is about to take place. But even as Charon coasts towards the unfolding supernova, strange readings begin to take shape and one by one, the telepaths among the crew appear in sickbay with a variety of inexplicable symptoms.

Synopsis

241005.08 Plot Notes

• Lhaetan tr`Valkar’s midday meal is interrupted by a call from home, following the recent inquiries the young Tal’Diann officer made concerning Shiarrael t`Rehu. Apparently, the good Captain is trouble (there really are people who don’t know that yet?). Still, Lhaetan’s curiosity overrides both his older brother’s concern and the quite direct order to back off. This should get interesting …

• In an effort to improve her mood and stop thinking about doing physical harm to a number of Vulcans, Shiarrael enjoys a lovely Klingon program in the holodeck where she can kill some interesting creatures instead. Turns out the poor Captain can’t even mutilate clawed beasts without being interrupted – this time, a most excited scientist summons the CO to stellar cartography. After leaving a trace of mud through Charon’s corridors, Shiarrael learns that there is a star about to go supernova and we are in the neighborhood. Put the champagne on ice, ladies and gents (and assorted others). The fireworks will be … well, stellar.

Back Logs:

• The assault on the mysterious stronghold at D’aisenn begins with Marines doing what they do best – wreak an extraordinary amount of havoc. Using the distraction to gain access to what Ramius already identified as the entrance to an underground complex, the infiltration team’s first surprise encounter is with an irritable mercenary who mistakes Taverain for a hired gun. Unfazed by this small obstacle the officers move on, only to find themselves in a vast underground complex of alien design that confirms dire suspicions – abductees used as forced labor. But it is the discovery of inconspicuous cargo crates with a familiar logo that leads Ramius to nearly blow the proverbial gasket – NeoDyne. Should have seen that one coming. An even bigger surprise is still waiting for the squad when they detect an alien structure partially freed from the ice and promptly watch their leader vanishing into it. What is it with those fighter pilots always sticking their literal noses into things?

• Following both the aforementioned nose and lights that suddenly spring up in response to his presence, Taverain begins to explore the mysterious alien complex but in a rare display of healthy caution the good Captain returns to his worried and astonished comrades. Unfortunately their retreat is thwarted by an ambush and despite their heroic efforts the team is captured by NeoDyne forces – though not before getting themselves covered in stinking mud up to their ears and bringing down half the cavern’s roof.

• Oberic Sierra receives an unexpected but warm welcome from a happy AI who introduces herself with a PADD in tow, containing everything an intelligence officer’s heart may desire. Safe to say Savant and the El-Aurian hit it off immediately and one may assume this to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Or a great deal of mischief anyways.

• And speaking of mischief - upon returning to Charon after their small comet chasing excursion the little Vulcan performs a most logical maneuver by annoying the ground crew and proving a point at the same time. Of course her marine also receives a small lesson in abject terror but Brent Warren can be counted upon to follow his own logic and exact revenge in fascinating and unexpected ways. Well, at least he waits until after dinner.

• Although being welcomed onboard by a Vulcan of all things is not precisely on top of Natasha Segurev’s ‘Must have’ list, the two women nonetheless manage to get along just fine. Even when LtCmdr Sakarra offers her the Chief of Communications job before Natasha so much as had a chance to unpack, the half-Andorian is hardly fazed and accepts after learning that the department is far from a rose garden of delight (sic!). Same garden receives a thorough shake up in short order as the Lieutenant familiarizes herself with the available personnel and hands out assignments as well as digs a bit into what happened before her arrival. Well, she’s feeding her people in the process so it should all work out fine.

• Savant has a most interesting but unfortunately invisible since internal debate concerning how to proceed with the meddling T'Pelar before paying a visit to a dear acquaintance – Brent Warren, aka the marine who must not find out his little Vulcan is up to no good. And of course the good AI can’t help but play matchmaker yet again. Who would have thought Savant is really a hopeless romantic?

241005.15 Plot Notes

• LtCmdr Sakarra returns to her quarters to find an unexpected guest is already waiting for her – the resourceful Voran has ‘excused himself’ from the latest “I love Lucy” episode in the holodeck to confirm his suspicions – it is indeed the Vaek’Riov tr`Sahen who made off with Temep`Shar but at least the Valit installed by his agency has escaped.

• Pulling another all-nighter in true Vulcan fashion, Ensign Skon is cheerfully (alright, appreciatively) going over senor logs and unraveling the mysteries of space one thread at a time when a message from stellar cartography arrives. Well, who needs tea anyways.

• Having enjoyed a quiet few days of settling in, Lhaetan tr`Valkar is finally confronted with the inevitable – a bad mannered person looking to rattle the newcomer. If nothing else, the ensuing brawl which ends with a decisive 1-0 for Lhaetan, earns him the right to finish reading his book in peace.

• Following the old adage that if there’s no imminent fighting in sight a marine is best served by finding a bar, a drink and pleasant company to stay out of everyone’s way (and trouble), Brent Warren swiftly secures the former and patiently awaits the latter. Before Sakarra can make her way to Eris Deck however, two inquisitive V’Ket join the good marine for a cup of tea.

Back Logs:

• Once more getting stuck with an intelligence officer, Shiarrael puts on her best “I’ll be nice – for now” face and Oberic Sierra manages to report for duty without any major incident.

• Sitting not by the dock of the bay but rather a river on her homeworld, Aerv t'Jaihen tries to alleviate her family’s misgivings about her orders (what is a ‘Charon’ anyways) while securing some food at the same time. Talk about multitasking.

• It’s just another day at the office for the Comm officer – until a message sent through alternate networks by Charon’s resident ‘spook’ catches the vigilant half-Andorian’s eye. Mistrustful by default, Natasha nonetheless decides to let this little bit of rudeness slide for the moment but it’s a safe bet the intelligence officer is officially on her ‘not good side’ list.

241005.22 Plot Notes

• Paul Jennings decides to pay his old friend David King a visit and finds the good doctor sitting quietly in dark quarters, contemplating a more peaceful future. Though relieved to hear that his fiancée Aubrey is recovering well from surgery, King cannot help but realize that zipping around the galaxy in this manner has lost its appeal for him.

• The Valit which escaped Temep`Shar before the ship was captured by Romulan forces reaches Vulcan at last and with it the news of Charon’s misfortune. Though no one can yet predict the possible repercussions and the majority of the planet remains unaware of what happened, a V’Shar agent and two matriarchs prepare to quietly pick up the pieces.

• Frustrated and as dismayed by their recent tumultuous encounter with the Romulans and the mystery surrounding Temep`Shar as the rest of the crew, Ian Lamont’s day is not getting any better when all his inquiries regarding T'Pelar and her associates end in failure. With assistance of a bottle of Romulan Ale, the good ambassador starts a little genealogy project and has Charon’ computer run hot searching for possible Vulcans in his family tree, promptly attracting the attention of Savant who slips into doctor mode after gently chiding Ian for causing her the virtual equivalent of his hangover.

• A Marine and three Vulcans make for an interesting dinner party in Eris Deck. While the new arrivals still puzzle over the strange ship they ended up on and the meaning of paper umbrellas in combination with alcoholic beverages, Brent Warren proves a gracious host by providing drinks.

• Shiarrael pays a call to an old friend – Commander turned ambassador Ceer who has remained on Lyrila and is quite delighted to hear that Charon will stop by for a visit though less thrilled to learn about recent events. The El-Aurian’s friendly advice concerning Starfleet not taking too kindly to Vulcans floating in space is cut short by radiation from the star’s vicinity interfering with communications and the Captain decides to call it a day for now. But Shia can’t seem to catch a break, evident by her near plummeting then choking to death incident in the turbolift, courtesy of a skillful sabotage. Yep, we still have bad guys on board.

• Condemned to endless reruns of “I love Lucy” in the holodeck, the Vulcan delegation makes the best of a weird situation and debates funny human antics and ancient vehicles. All but T'Pelar that is, who obviously has no taste for well meant education efforts and finds herself whisked away by an AI bent on revenge. Creative as ever, Savant takes the meaning of deception and payback to all new levels by letting the despised councilwoman live through a simulation of all her plans going right at last before turning the scenario into a nightmare. If the fact that messing with an anthill is a bad idea has not been made clear before – it has now.

• Since she’s perfectly capable of multitasking, Savant also brings another plan to fruition, this one involving a closer study of the funny organic beings inhabiting the ship with her. To that end, an android is constructed and sent out to wander among the ‘animals’ – this ought to be interesting.

Back Logs:

• Battered but not beaten (hey, even bloodied those cats are defiant), Tav Ramius and his cohort are taken into the strange alien structure where an old nemesis awaits them – unfortunately, Merikai is only present via comm link and a screen. After changing the traditional insults and threats, Merikai at last resorts to randomly killing the Captain’s Marines and finally civilians in order to enlist Taverain’s help with his mad scheme of creating super-humans. Bested by NeoDyne’s infernal mechanized soldiers and fully aware that Merikai is prepared to continue killing without remorse, Ramius makes the bitterest decision of his life – concede defeat and agree to aid his despised enemy. Divine intervention would be a really nice thing about now.

Memorable Quotes

241005.08 Quotes

• “You'll find the Captain in her ready room, though I would wait at least a half an hour. She's normally a little grumpy this time of morning.”

(Savant – ah, the fine art of euphemisms.)

• At least it wasn't like the Klingons, where assassination was the key to advancement.

(Natasha Segurev – no, on this ship assassins work for fun.)

• “Ah…I was told by the brass to make sure I cleaned up your messes sir.”

(Shia’s yeoman aka poor sod – as long it’s just mud you’re in the clear I s’pose.)

241005.08 Quotes

• “You will find that authority does not get one very far in the comfort of a brig cell. I’m sure Ambassador Lamont can attest to this.”

(Shia – attest? He could write a blasted book!)

• “Hvai'mos Miral, you've tortured me long enough. Hand over that fish!”

(Aerv t'Jaihen – the woman knows her priorities.)

• “Forgive me, rekkhai, but had I seen a superior I would have made it known.”

(Lhaetan tr`Valkar – how to pick a fight with a Romulan)

Plot Logs (External Links)

• Sun Serpent Plot Prelude