Plans in Motion

Posted on Sat Dec 19th, 2020 @ 4:14am by Mauricio Arnaldo & Katya

Mission: The Gauntlet
Location: Carnwennan Station

ON:

Mauricio came flying through the corridor, a look of panic and urgency on his face. He almost bumped into two Ferengi diplomats on his way past, who immediately demanded restitution for being startled, but the Spaniard did not stop. He had far too much on his mind and too much to worry about right now. He had just come from one of the lounge areas where the Federation News Service was playing a constant bulletin on the status of the "Stop the Pandora" message. When Mauricio first heard the message, he felt a deep chill go down his spine; he hadn't felt fear like that since he had been facing a corridor of empty space in the Bubble Universe.

Racing into the Guest Accomodation wing of the station, he soon reached Queen Katya's quarters and was immediately allowed to enter by her guards.

"My Queen!" He cried as he entered, breathless and flustered. "Have you seen it?"

Katya was sitting upon her luxurious couch; the state rooms on Carnwennan were nothing if not comfortable. Her purple robe was spread around her as she held up a PADD and tapped away at it; a sight of calm consideration in complete opposition of Mauricio's wild terror.

"Of course." She replied simply, giving a slight shrug.

"We have to help her!" Mauricio demanded, unable to grasp how his leader was so calm. They had spoken not long ago about how important the Pandora could be to helping Paradise Outpost; not to mention the sense of duty everyone on Paradise felt for the Starfleet vessel for removing the Breen occupation of the station. For Mauricio, there was an added level of personal connection here. He had been a part of that ship, and even if he had left it to find his own path, he still had friends on board. Friends like the Captain, Fick, and others. He couldn't bare the thought of them being hunted down and targeted.

"We already are." Katya smiled. She looked up and saw Mauricio's sweaty, panicked face and giggled slightly. "Sit, my trusty protector. You will expire if you do not calm yourself."

"I don't get what's happening!" Mauricio replied, looking around. He expected to see a war-room situation, with an urgent response to the crisis. He couldn't understand why Katya wasn't more upset.

"Sit." Katya repeated, this time with more authority.

Complying, Mauricio flopped himself down in a nearby arm chair, allowing his body a moment to relax and catch his breath. "What's going on?"

"As you have seen, the Pandora has a target on her." Katya explained, placing her PADD down in her lap and looking to her Security Chief patiently. "It is very likely that forces within the Expanse and beyond will now be hunting for her. We believe it is relating to the mission you assisted Commander Nash with."

"The science facility?" Mauricio baulked, "How?"

"I have just come from a meeting with Admiral Milne, she is in charge now." Katya said, "It appears the Pandora has inadvertently revealed an entire conspiracy within Starfleet, involving high-up Admirals, the Expanse, and that facility. The Pandora is attempting to return to Earth and present this evidence to the Federation Council, but needs to make it back safely home first."

"And someone's trying to stop that from happening." Mauricio was catching on. While he was sure this was supposed to explain the situation, it was only making him feel more afraid for his former ship. "So why are you so calm? What are we doing about it?"

"We are heading to the Expanse. Tonight." The Queen replied, "I have just sent a message to an old friend, Qaraq, who will be joining us. Together, we will be bringing a Federation liaison with us, and hoping to rendezvous with the Pandora. Once we have made contact, we will protect her until the ship gets back to the Carnwennan Corridor."

At this Mauricio, frowned, "A Starfleet officer?"

"No, a Diplomat, apparently." Katya nodded, "She will help foster relations between the Federation and the Expanse, and initiate a protection agreement with Paradise."

"I see," Came Mauricio's reply as he took this in. He suddenly had a very good idea. "I know someone else who can help! A very powerful telepath."

Katya looked at him curiously, "Who?"

"I met this Aenar woman today on the Promenade, she was bound to the Pandora as well." Mauricio said, "I'm due to go see her again tonight."

"Why?" Katya immediately asked, her dark brow furrowing.

"When I heard she had been assigned to the Pandora, I thought I should tell her what was happening with the ship." He answered honestly, and he admitted, "And maybe she could help contact the crew so... Well, so I'd know they were okay. She's very strong telepathically; she even uses it as her vision. She's said that she could connect to the Pandora through me."

Katya stood up, "That is perfect, Mauricio. I need you to go see her still, find out if you can get any updates on the ship's location and status. This will help us find the Pandora when we get to the Expanse."

"Do I tell her the mission?" Mauricio asked, "I was afraid to reveal too much to her, but now it seems I have to."

"You do." Katya said as she crossed the floor to see him. Mauricio stood likewise and she held his hand. "Tell her everything, Mauricio. But only if you believe she can help us. We will have to make some adjustments but the Aenar will have to join us too."

"What if she doesn't believe me?" He asked in response.

"I will ask the Admiral to send through a confirmation of the mission," Katya smiled, hoping to ease his confusion, "We must be discreet, however, Mauricio. There may be people on this station working against our goals. Against the Pandora."

Mauricio nodded solemnly, "I will do my best."

Katya placed her other hand upon his, "Go, make preparations to leave before your meeting. That way, we will be ready to depart Carnwennan tonight."

"Yes, your Majesty," Mauricio replied, bowing slightly. He turned to leave her quarters, making it almost to the door way before he stopped and looked back. "We're going to find her, aren't we, ma'am? The Pandora?"

"Find her and protect her." Katya answered, not a sliver of doubt in her voice.

With a smile, Mauricio left to continue their plans. He had been filled with fear and panic before, but now he was excited again.

OFF