Sun Serpent (Plot)

Synopsis

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?