The Game

ULC 9 - The Game

 

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"Are you sure? The woman in this picture is at the arena?" Bur'ar was deadly serious and imposing. His Klingon demeanor made the Talaxian vendor more timid than before.

Looking at the picture again, the vendor looked to the group of three people starting at him. They wore brown-colored and dirty cloaks that covered their entire head and body. Only a little part of the face could be seen. "Y-y-yes. I'm sure of it. She's won a few fights I think. I put some money for her to win tonight too!" He became excited, hoping his smile would lighten the mood. He knew he failed and looked away.

Bur'ar lowered the PADD and glanced to the Away Team. Ian replied to the vendor, "thanks. I'd cancel that bet if I were you." The three walked away, and then stopped under an alcove to consider their plan. They looked around to see if anyone was looking until S'Rel pulled out a tricorder.

"I'm still not reading her combadge. It's logical her captors have destroyed it."

The other two nodded at the Vulcan. Ian tapped his combadge. "McKinnon to Solaris, we'll need a scan of the arena grounds and structure. Send a schematic to our tricorders. We may have found the Captain and Doctor."

"Good news Ian. Downloading as soon as we can." Anthi's voice sounded relieved.

Bur'ar nodded. "We'll see if we can find our way to them before the next round."

With that, the three exchanged looks then headed toward the arena.

---

The Klingon held a hand to his phaser pistol but did not pull it from the holster. He nodded to S'Rel who then opened her tricorder and scanned the keypad lock. Entering a few codes, the door clicked and she pulled it open. Inside, the room was clearly an infirmary but was not sanitary enough to be healthy for patients; certainly not for Starfleet standards.

Four beds were in the room and two were occupied. S'Rel and Ian went directly to one of them as they recognized the woman on the bed from her blonde hair. Ian looked around the room while S'Rel did a visual inspection. "Doctor Kramer?"

Annika slowly opened one eye, the other was bruised shut. Other bruises were visible on her face and a dirty cloth was taped to her forehead. Dried blood crusted at the edge of the make-shift bandage. "You're late." Even though she whispered, her voice was coarse and gravely.

The Vulcan raised her eyebrows. "You do not have a restraining collar. That will help with egress."

Annika looked down toward her legs. "No need". Ian pulled the sheet and noticed the metal frame holding Annika’s leg straight.

"Doctor, was this injury a result of the arena combat?"

Nodding, Annika replied, "Captain can be a ***** when she's angry."

"The Captain's behavior is from the restraining collar. We've learned it injects the user with a chemical compound that enhances strength and survival instincts while inhibiting memory and judgment. The Captain is not herself wearing the collar."

Annika nodded. "It's more than that; it's an explosive device. There are perimeter sensors that will activate the charge if the user attempts escape."

S'Rel furrowed eyebrows. "That changes our current plans."

Ian lifted the kit already on his back to shift the weight of its contents. "I've got an idea. If I can find high enough ground, then removing the collar is possible, if not challenging. The Captain would not approve, though."

Bur'ar stepped into the room and closed the door. He raised a finger to his lips and the phaser pistol appeared. S'Rel joined him from the other side of the door and pulled out her own pistol. Heavy footsteps were heard approaching toward the door. Some deep laughter boomed in the hallway, and then the footsteps continued away from the door until there was silence. Both lowered their pistols.

S'Rel went back to Annika's bed and pulled a hypospray from her kit. Applying a small dose of pain nullifier to Annika’s neck, she then placed a combadge in the Doctor's hand. Tapping her own, S'Rel ordered, "Solaris, medical emergency, Annika to beam up to sick bay." The Doctor was washed in blue transporter particles and disappeared. She then stepped toward the other bed and scanned the injured gladiator who was so battered it was hard to recognize the female Nezu. She looked to Bur'ar and shook her head.

Covering their heads with the cowls from their cloaks, they left the infirmary.

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Standing amid the rowdy crowd, two officers positioned themselves at the railing overlooking the arena grounds. Bur'ar growled as he tapped his combadge. "Ian, we're too late." Three combatants entered the arena from separate doors. All were clearly female: a Krenim, Ocampan and Human. Each wore simple leather-like armor in various dull colors covering torsos and lower limbs. They lined up in the center of the arena and faced toward the organizer’s section. A voice boomed through the building announcing the next match.

Ian responded, "I see her. Will this be a 'smash-and-grab'?"

"Yes."

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Ian locked the scope into place and calibrated the sight. Lifting a leg from the bipod, he brushed away dirt from the ledge used to support the rifle. Activating the power supply, orange-colored photonic stabilizers appeared along the barrel near the emitter. Looking through the scope, Ian sighted his target.

Starfleet Captain Kathryn Beringer.

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Bur'ar watched a massive four-armed reptilian-like gladiator stomped toward the three women who stood their ground and readied various weapons. Raising a huge spiked club, the gladiator tried to crush the Ocampan. She easily dodged the attack and struck against the fighter's wrist with her long pike. He back-handed the woman who spun from the counter-attack and collapsed to the floor a few meters away. The crowd cheered.

This was a diversion the other two women exploited as they flanked the gladiator. The Krenim used her shield to parry a large sword strike from the gladiator, but the force of the swing pushed her to the ground. Kathryn used the Krenim's fall as a launch pad toward the gladiator's back. Bringing a pair of long knives down, she pierced the gladiator's armored scales. The creature screamed from the pain and the crowd roared.

The first woman recovered, found her pike and charged the gladiator. Stabbing into a leg, the gladiator grabbed the Ocampan's head and lifted her from the ground with ease. She screamed until her head was crushed, spraying the gladiator with blood.

---

Everything was happening quickly. Bur'ar tapped his badge and said, "that's enough." He leaped over the guard rail into the arena, his cloak flowing open revealing the black-colored uniform of Starfleet. Without a word, S'Rel followed soon afterward as the crowd erupted into jeers and cheers. The announcer shouted through the microphone while the swirling combat ensued.

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Ian saw Bur'ar's jump from peripheral vision, then closed his left eye to focus attention through the scope. Kathryn was moving quickly, but he was able to keep her in his sight. "C'mon, c'mon", he whispered as he knew Bur'ar and S'Rel were getting closer to her.

The combatants became distracted by the uproar from the crowd. When Kathryn paused in her steps, Ian kissed the air and pulled the trigger.

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S'Rel saw the phaser bolt strike against Kathryn's neck. The restraining collar was blasted toward the gladiator, landed on the ground and exploded, throwing dirt into the air. The gladiator howled and Bur'ar charged into the smoke and dirt cloud. Covering her eyes from the shower of sand, she heard the impact of bodies slamming into each other. She stopped when she realized Bur'ar had tackled Kathryn to the ground.

Pulling out her phaser, she fired into the large shadow through the smoke. Another animalistic shriek responded. Tapping her combadge, S'Rel quickly said, "Solaris three to beam up, now!"

A large spiked club swished into the space evacuated by S'Rel as she was teleported away.

 

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Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder
S'Rel - Morena Baccarin
Bur'ar - David Ramsey
Annika Kramer - Abbie Cornish
Talaxian vendor - male street extra #1
Ocampan fighter - female street extra #1
Krenim fighter - female street extra #2
Gladiator - CGI c/ Weta Workshop
Dead Nezu - female street extra #3

Heard but not seen:
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick

Stranger Than Fiction

LC 15 - First Contact

 

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The ship almost glowed in the darkness of space. The grey dull metallic color of the boxy hull contrasted sharply against the neon green of the dominating figure. The eagle’s head crested the bow of the ship and its wings embraced both sides to the oversized engine ports. A central spire rose from the hull and was the bridge of the ship. Any elegance of the eagle was marred by the utilitarianism of the rest of the ship.

Kathryn looked at it from the conference room with both fascination and worry.

Anthi rested an arm on the viewport ledge. "Ugly thing, if I do say so myself."

Kathryn did not look away. "Ugly or not, the crew are human and that's ... bothersome."

"What do you think about that?"

Solaris had been on standard patrol routes in the Beta Quadrant. Having a Transwarp Drive meant it was easier to pull the ship to various duties on short notice. Kathryn shrugged. "We're in the Delta Quadrant and that means there is stranger out here than I care to count. I don't know what to think of that at this point."

The door chimed before they swished open. A giant human male confidently entered the room. His feet were sandaled with bare upper legs covered by a leather-like green loincloth. His bare chest was crossed by leather straps connected to ornate pauldrons on each shoulder. A bright golden helmet covered his head and had golden metal wings flaring from the sides. He carried a golden-tipped trident. After a few steps into the room he tapped the trident onto the floor then raised both arms wide.

"Greetings! I am Dorykone, captain of the sacred guard. Hail, Torsis, herald to the Preservers of Truth. Speak when spoken to or perish." He lowered his arms and stepped aside.

Kathryn and Anthi looked to each other, astonished at the man's opening words.

A small, grey-haired man with a hunched back walked into the room. His cane quietly tapped against the carpeted floor. He wore a long turquoise-colored robe that shimmered as he moved. With long greying hair that crowned a balding head, his face twisted into annoyance when he looked up to Dorykone, then transformed into a friendly smile when he saw Kathryn.

"Oh my, you are more beautiful in person!"

Kathryn blushed a little from the sudden informality. She recognized Torsis from the initial contact with the ship and she agreed privately that the main viewscreen did not always accurately represent a person's visage for he looked older now. She bowed her head slightly. "Herald Torsis, welcome aboard the Federation vessel Solaris."

Torsis looked to the ceiling and squinted an eye. "Ah, Latin for pertaining to the sun. Interesting name for a starship, don't you think?"

Kathryn raised her eyebrows. "It's not typical nomenclature, yet it was not my choice."

"And what name do you believe this fine ship deserves?"

Waving to a nearby chair to offer it for her guest, Kathryn said, "I've never really thought about an alternate name, it just seems fitting to me now."

Walking slowly toward the chair, Torsis lifted his cane and pointed toward his ship floating in space. "That boat is called the Ocean Rider. It's not comfortable, but I didn't expect it should be for its maiden voyage." Sitting, he grunted a little as he made the chair comfortable by wiggling into it. Dorykone strode to stand vigilant behind the chair, which caused further annoyance to Torsis.

"If I may Torsis, that is a beautiful name and fitting since you are a descendant of ... Atlantis?"

The old man smiled broadly. "Thank you, I named the ship myself so the compliment is rewarding." He looked around the room and settled on the Andorian First Officer. "It seems the galaxy is much larger, and prettier, than we thought."

Anthi shifted a little in her seat and Kathryn placed a hand on the table as a signal to Anthi. They developed various gestures to help with communication in formal settings. Kathryn disliked keeping her XO on task, but Torsis seemed to be crossing an informal line and Kathryn wanted to steer the conversation in a particular direction.

"About that, the Federation has segmented the galaxy into four quadrants. We are currently in the Delta Quadrant, where the Federation and its allies have started exploring with more ease and intensity. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your people come from Atlantis?"

Torsis smile waned a little. "Our capital city and planet share the name. Ocean Rider is our first successful attempt at faster-than-light travel. We were surprised to bump into you and your ship. It's a very pleasant surprise, don't get me wrong."

Kathryn smiled a little as she decided to abandon formality to get to the point of her concern. "Torsis, are your people ... human?"

The old man's smile disappeared. He turned his head to speak to Dorykone. "Leave us."

The order surprised the large guard. "But Herald, I -"

Torsis raised his hand to interrupt but said nothing. Dorykone stood strait and looked forward. "As you command." He turned and left the room, leaving the three to sit quietly until the doors closed.

"To answer the question, yes, we are."

Kathryn pressed on. "From ... Atlantis?"

Torsis nodded, then shook his head. "Not in the mythical sense. The reason I had Dorykone leave the room was because the Preservers of Truth guard our greatest secret: his ancestors are from Earth."

There was a pause before Kathryn raised her eyebrows and sat forward in her chair.

"We created a culture based on the myth of a great and 'perfect' civilization."

Kathryn shook her head. "There are so many questions ..."

"Why would we do that? Because Earth culture was ravaged by conflict and despair, so much so that it only took a few months for the members Colony Six to choose to leave Earth after the Tunisia Incident of 1947."

Anthi cleared her throat.

Torsis continued and spoke with excitement as if he couldn't hold back the story, "the colony's scientists were able to create a Tachyon wormhole large enough to transport the entire station. Luckily, we arrived in orbit above a habitable planet. The entire population went on-world and solemnly vowed to start over." He waved his arms in front of him to show off the product of the tale. His smile was prideful.

Kathryn looked to Anthi who affect was blank. She could not blame Anthi if she didn't believe Torsis, yet she couldn't waste time with her own incredulity. Grasping for a reply, Kathryn replayed the story in her head and very little made sense.

"I'm curious, what’s the population of Atlantis?"

Surprised by the question, Torsis recovered quickly. "Oh, close to three million by now?"

Anthi voiced what Kathryn thought immediately. "Three million? How is that possible within five hundred years?"

"Well, as you know, the typical colony housed up to four-hundred thousand persons. So, given enough time-", he leaned forward, looked to Kathryn and grinned, "- and the proper motivation to procreate, then a healthy population can grow." He jerked a thumb toward the door and snarled. "It seems we have some very healthy children. He could use a mate to help relax."

"Yes, indeed. Please forgive my impertinence Torsis, but you mentioned earlier that the greatest secret to your culture was guarded by 'Preservers of Truth'?"

Relaxing back into the chair, Torsis nodded. "It is ironic, don’t you think? Atlanteans hold the idea of honesty and truth to others above all else, yet the wise few keep the highest truth from ... everyone."

Anthi replied, again speaking Kathryn's thoughts. "Why are you telling us about this?"

Torsis looked surprised. "Because you are not Atlantean. I'm sure the Federation has a non-interference policy of some sort?"

Nodding, the Captain replied slowly. "Of some sort, yes."

Torsis beamed. "Good! The first from the colony worked very hard to rebuild a civilization founded on higher principles of benevolence toward each other, based on a model that never existed, yet was ideal."

Something about the Herald's story was not adding up at all. He was clearly human and declared he was coming from an mythical human civilization ... then Kathyn became inspired.

"Torsis, the culture you escaped from, did it have a name?"

"The Terran Hegemony. Clearly, it has been overthrown and replaced by the Federation?"

Kathryn looked to Anthi who reflected her own surprise. Turning back to Torsis, she said, "it is ... complicated. Well, I think it's time for a small break. If you wish I can have you escorted to our lounge or dining area?"

Torsis smiled and tapped his cane onto the floor. Dorykone stepped into the room calmly and bowed his head. "Yes, that would be delightful! Would either of you lovely ladies be joining me?" He looked to Dorykone then scowled. "I meant us?"

"I do apologize, Anthi and I must attend to other duties. Can we meet again in one hour?"

"I am looking forward to then. Thank you for your courtesy, Captain." Torsis turned and slowly exited the room.

Kathryn looked to Anthi. "Thoughts?"

Anthi's antennae twitched. "Alternate reality, or ... some other less-respectful option."

"Like I said, it's stranger out here than I care to count."

 

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Cast:

Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Anthi Ythysi - Katheryn Winnick
Torsis - Mel Brooks
Dorykone - John Cena