A wolf in sheep's clothing Pt 8B

Posted on Sun May 19th, 2024 @ 3:38pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis & Lieutenant Commander Wyatt Steele & Captain Kevin, Lord Kilbane of Sanquhar

Mission: The missions never over.
Location: USS Thall, dilithium mine
Timeline: Current.
Tags: Tag

Having received medical attention, Finchley, Karadis and Kilbane now stood in the Captain's Ready Room. They'd been arguing about the next steps of the mission and finally come to an agreement.

Tapping his COMM badge, Finchley said, "Lieutenant Steele, can you step into the Ready Room please."

Wyatt was on the bridge when his combadge chirped and the captain asked him to step into the ready room. "Yes sir. On my way." Entering he saw the captain, Karadis and Kilbane all waiting for him. He was instantly struck with the image of him walking into a lion's den, "Reporting as ordered sir."

"Have a seat Lieutenant" Finchley said.

Now Wyatt was on alert. Yet he sat and waited for the captain to continue.

"We've been...ehm...discussing", at which point Karadis sniggered, causing Finchley to throw a hard stare at her, "the next steps of our mission. There's a couple of situations that need sorting, and I want the three of you to do the sorting."

"Sorting sir?" Wyatt asked trying his best to keep the confusion out of his voice and wasn't sure he had succeeded entirely. "What sort of situations sir? If I may ask."

"Well, for a start, we need to capture Jara for two reasons" Finchley began, "One, she may know information about the Klingon plans and two...she will get lynched if we free the citizens and they go after her as a traitor. Also, there must be more to this planet than just the dilithium, so we need to capture some of the senior Klingon officers alongside freeing the citizens."

Wyatt listened as the captain spoke detailing just what situations he was referring to. "Well Sir, in regard to Jara, she is probably at the mine. She was all hot and bothered about owning it." He answered.

"Well, that's a very good place to begin as it's the hub of every situation" Finchley replied.

"In your opinion Lieutenant, in what order should these problems be solved?" Finchley asked, interest in how Wyatt would answer.

Wyatt didn't rush a reply and when he spoke, he took in all three of the officers present. "Sir, in my opinion we start with Jara. She undoubtedly knows the Klingon plans and why they are so interested in this planet. Once we have her and we know the reason for the Klingon's interest we may not need to capture any senior Klingons. Also, sir, by taking Jara into our custody and saving her from her fellow citizens she may be more inclined to help us. I see her as strictly mercenary. She is in it for the money."

"That's a very competent answer Lieutenant Steele" Kilbane answered, "but wouldn't it be a...safeguard...to take at least one of the Senior Klingon officers as a back up in case Jara doesn't know their whole plan? I agree, Jara is purely a mercenary, in this just for her own gain, but then again, you do have to ask yourself, who contacted who first?"

"You have point sir." Wyatt conceded. "However, I believe Jara does know the Klingon plans for this world. She commanded the Klingon soldiers that found me," Wyatt replied. "In commanding the soldiers, it is quite possible she was privy to their plans. Though capturing one Senior Klingon can't hurt."

"I believe we do have one advantage going for us" Finchley went on, "We haven't had any alerts in regard to proximity alarms for any vehicular activity, and there's been no communications going off planet as far as we know, so my guess if that the Klingon soldiers we encountered in the shrine with Tk'Lar..."

"And summarily executed..." Karadis said out of the side of her mouth.

This again brought a hardened stare from Finchley.

"...were the only one's there" he carried on, "however, I would imagine they'd have some kind of regular check in or report to make, and when they don't, the rest of the Klingon's will want to go and see why. So, for now, we have the element of surprise on our side. Lieutenant, draw what you need from the armory for the three of you, then get the sand hopper ready for take off."

"Yes sir." Wyatt answered as he stood to leave. "If there is nothing else sir. I'll go to the armory and then check out the hopper, make sure it's 100 percent ready to go."

"No, there's nothing else Lieutenant, dismissed" Finchley replied.

He waited till Wyatt had exited the room then turned to Karadis, "What's your problem?"

"I'll tell you what's my problem Bird" Karadis began her reply, "We have two new, green behind the ears, crew with us, and you're..."

"I'm what?" Finchley challenged her.

"They don't know, ok, they simply don't know...all they can see is that the mission comes first no matter what...they don't know what we've done!" Karadis answered.

"And that's exactly how it'll remain till I decide otherwise, have you got that Commander!!!" Finchley spat back, "Now, you're both dismissed, get the job done, I have my own duty to perform."

Karadis looked him up and down, "Duty...yeah right, I'll bet you can't even remember what an actual duty feels like. But yes Sir, we'll get the job done."

She turned and began walking away, Finchley followed after her and tapped her on the shoulder, "Karadis..." he said quietly.

She turned to face him, "Yes Captain?"

He punched her in the stomach and as she doubled over her gave her an upper cut that sent her sprawling, "Remember, I run this ship, your arse belongs to me, don't ever forget that."

Karadis was about to get up off the floor and charge at Finchley, but Kilbane stepped in, got her up and forced her out the doors.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" Karadis screamed, "I'll kill him..."

"You'll do nothing of the sort, he was just venting" Kilbane replied.

"Forget about it,just concentrate on what you've been ordered to do" Kilbane said. With them now at the turbolift, Kilbane shoved Karadis inside and watched as the doors closed. Within minutes, they entered the sand hopper and Kilbane looked at Wyatt and said, "Report Lieutenant please."

Wyatt had finished checking the hopper out and was satisfied it was in good shape for the journey. "He turned to face Klibane and Karadis. "Sir, I have phasers, tricorder, field rations and water for all of us and the hopper is ready to go whenever we are." he replied crisply.

"Very good Lieutenant" Kilbane replied, "I believe we're good to go, take us out and when we're a mile from the mine, set us down and we'll cover the rest by foot."

" Yes sir." Wyatt replied as he slid behind the controls of the hopper. As Karadis and Kilbane climbed into the hopper and sat behind Wyatt. Once the commanders were seated, he lifted off smoothly and headed for the mine using the hoppers nav's GPS to keep them on course. He kept the hopper low to the horizon to avoid the off chance of being spotted.

Karadis was still fuming, she grabbed Kilbane and took him to the back of the hopper, "You're going to tell Steele about Brown, if not, I will and fuck the Captain!"

"You do that, and you're digging your own grave" Kilbane said, raising his hands in a mock surrender gesture.

"Typical, you've no backbone" Karadis replied, leaving Kilbane standing and taking a seat.

"Lieutenant Steele, waken me when we're landing" Karadis told Wyatt.

Wyatt replied with a crisp 'Yes Commander." As the hopper made its way towards the mine, Wyatt took the opportunity to take in the surrounding landscape. It was sand and more sand, with the occasional scrub brush and some sort of catus dotting the land. Mountains were in the distance, and he could see snow on their rugged, cragged peaks. The odd watering hole also showed up and was the hot bed of activity with a host of animals drinking from the pool. There were small wolflike creatures. Some large alligator type reptiles that were keenly eyeing the water drinkers deciding which would make a good meal.

After about 20 minutes of flying , he could see they were approaching the landing sight. "Commander Karadis. Wake up, we've reached the landing site." He looked over to Kilbane who had remained quiet and seemed preoccupied, so Wyatt didn't push any conversation.

Karadis woke, stood up and stretched. "Ok, let's get our gear together and get going" she said.

Kilbane silently got his things and headed out the door of the hopper and onto the ground. "The mine's this way" he indicated, heading off.

It didn't take them long to cover the ground between where they'd landed and the area close to the mine. Karadis had an odd feeling, she'd expected them to encounter some Klingon guards on the periphery of the mine area, and even though they'd taken care to conceal themselves for just that, they'd neither seen nor heard anyone.

"Where are the outer guards, why's no-one here?" she asked.

"Perhaps they don't think they need them, after all, the city prisoners are all at the mine" Kilbane replied.

"No, even in a situation like that, they'd still maintain a guard presence in case there were attempted escapes" Karadis answered.

By this point, they'd reached a small rise, and crawling on their stomachs to get to the crest, they carefully looked over. Below them they could see the mine entrance and the comings and goings of the prisoners who were taking small wooden trucks in and out.

"Lieutenant Steele, we need to know what the set up is around the mine, guard layouts, barracks for them and the prisoners, circle round the top of this area and have a look, but don't go down there, remain on the high ground, report back to us ASAP" Kilbane said to Wyatt.

Wyatt nodded to Kilbane, "Yes sir. Going to take me a few minutes. You and Commander Karadis will still be here when I have collected the intel we need?"

"Yes" Kilbane replied.

"Then I am off sir." Wyatt replied, keeping low to the ground as he circled the mine, noting the placement of guard and prisoner barracks as well guard posts surrounding the mine.

"Brown!" Karadis said to Kilbane.

"When the time's right Karadis, and this is hardly the right time, is it?" Kilbane replied.

"There's never a right time you're Grace, is there?" Karadis answered.

"You don't use my title Klingon, you got that!" Kilbane said, raising himself up on his elbow.

"What's the matter, does it get under you're skin Sir" Karadis asked sarcastically.

"And what of you, daughter of Maglef...you think I wouldn't find out?" Kilbane asked.

Karadis went to reply, but then there was a sound below at the mine entrance and both her and Kilbane sank down below the top of the rise.

Wyatt paused his Intel gathering at the sound of a disruption coming from the mine, He looked down to see if he could tell what the disruption was.

[The mine]

"Get them moving faster!" Jara yelled at the Klingon guards. Moving towards the prisoners, the guards started yelling oaths and promises of beatings at them if they didn't speed up. This seemed to have the desired effect as the prisoners began hurrying and running to carry out their tasks.

[Above the mine]

Kilbane had edged forward, staying as low as he could, and saw what was happening below. "She's going to pay for all of this, you can be assured of that!" he said, disgust registering on his face and in his voice. Once Wyatt was back, they could make their plan and he couldn't wait, capturing Jara alive was going to be his main, and he would make her pay.

Wyatt peered down at the guards and Jara as they shouted oaths at the prisoners. He counted three guard posts with guards along with four guards and Jara in charge of the miners/prisoners. The guard barracks were to the right of the mine entrance, The miner's barracks across the opening and covered by a single guard post and guard. With the information in hand, he crawled back to Kilbane and Karadis and made his report, "Three guard posts with single guards. Four guards and Jara in charge of the miners sir."

"Only three guard posts with single guards, plus four other guards and Jara?" Kilbane parroted back questioningly, puzzled at the lack of numbers. "This should be a piece of piss then, nothing more than a training run."

Karadis didn't say anything, and that in itself made Kilbane suspicious.

"You disagree Commander?" he asked her.

Karadis deemed to look at him and simply said "Brown."

"Look, we'll get to that late..." Kilbane began his reply.

"Now Commander, we'll get to it now!" Karadis whispered vehemently.

"And I say we'll get to it later Commander have you got that, or do I need to explain it" Kilbane replied, placing his disruptor on the ground in front of him, his hand still on the butt and his finger on the firing mechanism.

Karadis snorted, "You don't have it in you Kilbane."

"That's funny, that's what Tk'Lar said to the Captain...is it a Klingon thing?" Kilbane asked sarcastically.

Before Karadis could answer, Kilbane turned to Wyatt and said, "Listen, when this is over, I need you and Lieutenant Steele to have a conversation with the Captain and myself on a matter of...importance. It concerns Purple Squad and what we do, but for now, we have to concentrate on this situation. I want you and Karadis to circle round and 'take out' the guards in the guard posts, once you've done that, head for the Klingon barracks, anyone that comes out, kill them. I'm going to circle round the other way and make my way to the mine entrance and see if I can capture Jara. Any questions?"

Wyatt looked between Kilbane and Karadis. Something was clearly amiss between the commanders, something he was smack in the middle of. When Kilbane addressed him, he answered crisply. "No sir. Lieutenant Evelyn Steele and I are to speak with you and the captain on a matter of importance. No questions sir at least none that can't wait."

"Good" Kilbane replied, "And Lieutenant, follow the Commanders lead" he added, starring at Karadis as he began to move along the rise.

Karadis just snorted in derision. "Ok Lieutenant, let's get this done" she said to Wyatt. She made her way along the rise, and as the came to the curve, it offered a natural block to the mine area and the guard posts. Scanning as she went, Karadis slid down the scree till she was on the mine compound floor.

Wyatt sighed and slid down the hill until he was alongside Karidis. He turned his head expectantly towards her and whatever orders she was going to issue.

"When we move, I'll take the first guard post and you move onto the next one straight away" she said, "By the time the second guard begins to react you'll be on top of them, that leaves the third guard guessing what's happening. By the time they react, I'll be in on them and it'll be over...easy as pie."

Wyatt nodded, "Understood Commander. Ready when you are."

"That'll leave the barracks, which I'm hoping will be more or less empty" Karadis said.

Wyatt replied, "Here's to hoping Commander."

Karadis nodded, then turning to face the guard post, set her face to stone and moved forward. Keeping low, she edged closer to the post, keeping look out on the barracks as well in case anyone came out. Finally reaching the guard post, she stole a quick look round the end and saw the guard was facing away from her towards the mine. Unsheathing her D'k tagh, she quietly moved round the end of the post and up behind the guard. To late, the guard began to turn, but Karadis was already up on him and grabbing him round the throat from behind, she dragged the guard to the floor, flipped him over, forced their head into the dirt and stabbed him several time in the back of the head and in the neck, finally a few stabs in the side. It was over in seconds, and Karadis watched as the guards blood slowly seeped out of his wounds and began staining the ground. Not giving him a second thought, Karadis moved forward towards the third guard post, hoping Wyatt had dealt with his guard.

After leaving Karadis, Wyatt stealthily made his way to the guard post Arriving he was relieved to see the guard facing toward the mine. Pulling his knife. He took a deep breath and crossed the distance between them. A steel hand clamped down on the guard's face as Wyatt plunged the knife deep into his back. His grp tightened as he pulled the guard down and stabbed him again and twisted the knife. After a few seconds the guard stopped his struggles and lay still. Wyatt then dragged the body out of view of the mine entrance That done he looked around and saw no one had been alerted to his attack. He sheathed his knife and headed for the third guard post hoping Karadis had dealt with her guard and was even now moving to the guard post.

Karadis could see that Wyatt was safe, having dealt with his guard. As they both moved to the final guard post, Karadis didn’t notice the stone in front of her and accidentally kicked it, sending her sprawling.

The third guard from the final post came out of it and round to see what the noise was, and seeing Karadis lying there, he took out his disruptor and aimed it at her.

Wyatt had approached from the blindside of the guard post. He saw the guard's attention drawn to a sound and saw it was Commander Karadis lying sprawled on the ground. Worse the guard had his disrupter pointed at Karadis! Wyatt broke into a run, his knife pulled from its sheath. He reached the guard on the run and shoved his knife deep into the man's back. One hand clamping around his mouth While the other kept the knife in and twisted.

Looking down the end of a disruptor pointed at her, Karadis thought this was the end, an ignominious death on a lump of rock on the outer edge of the Federation...it sounded about right. She closed her eyes and waited on the Klingon firing, but it never came, instead, she heard a surprised 'groan', and opening her eyes, she saw Wyatt standing with the Klingon with his hand on a dagger that was plunged into the guards back.

Getting up, she walked past Wyatt and said "What are you waiting for, we need to secure the barracks."

Wyatt bit back a reply and shook his head. He didn't know why he expected a thank you. The whole command team seem long on rudeness and short on common decency and respect. he gave one final look at the dead guard and turned to follow Karadis.

The barracks was just s stone's throw from where they were, so it took no time to get there. Karadis listened for any kind of indication of movement or sound, but it was quiet inside. Suddenly, from the other side of the mine area, shouting could be heard, and a phaser fired, followed by a disruptor sound.

"That's from where Kilbane i..." she began to say, but she was interrupted by the sound of guttural shouting, oaths and running feet. Next thing, three guards appeared, and Karadis drew her phaser and took them out in quick succession. More guards appeared and started to fire back at Karadis, making her duck down. As she did, she looked at Wyatt, "Get over to Commander Kilbane and see if he needs help getting Jara. If he does, help him, and get Jara back to the hopper. I'll cover you as best I can and make my way back to the hopper. If I'm not there and the Klingon's start getting to near you, take off and get back to the Thall, that's the presidence here, I'm expendable, your orders from the Captain take priority. Am I clear?"

Wyatt stared at her for several long seconds before he spoke and when he did, his tone was glacial. :Crystal clear Commander however I will be back either with Commander Kilbane or myself as no one is expendable. Do I make myself clear?" He didn't wait for a reply as he spun on his heel and went in search for Kilbane.

He moved quickly but not recklessly as he approached the mine entrance, looking for Kilbane. Approaching from the east he saw Kilbane on the west side of the mine entrance. So far, neither he nor Kilbane had been seen as he could hear Karadis firing on the guards that remained. The firing didn't go unheard or unnoticed as Jara came storming out of the entrance with two guards. He saw Kilbane moving towards Jara and the guards turning towards the commander. Wyatt shot them both with hesitation. "She's all yours's commander." He said pointing his weapon at Jara. "Please move, so I can stun your ass into next week." He spat at her. "Payback is hell, isn't it?"

Karadis had managed to dispatch the remaining guards from the barracks and began making her way towards the mine. She was actually smiling to herself as she recalled Wyatt's words to her before he made off..." I will be back either with Commander Kilbane or myself as no one is expendable. Do I make myself clear?"...~pretty punchy of him~ she thought to herself.

She could see Wyatt and Kilbane standing by the mine entrance, Jara appearing to be in their custody. "Oh, the Captain will be pleased with that" she said to Kilbane on approach to him.

"Do you know what the Captain won't be pleased with?" Jara said to Karadis defiantly.

"No, enlighten me" Karadis replied sarcastically.

"Your corpse..." Jara replied, bringing round the already kill set disruptor she'd concealed behind her back. She fired into Karadis chest from point blank range and watched as the Klingon woman was thrown back some six feet, landing on her back, arms and legs splayed, lifeless looking eyes starring skywards.

"What the hell!" Wyatt yelled in surprise at Jara shooting Karadis. He reacted instantly and shot Jara, so his phaser was set on stun. He then rushed over to Karadis.. He looked back a Kilbane, "Commander I could use some help."

Kilbane stood there with his mouth open, his arms dangling uselessly by his side. He felt as if he was in some kind of horrific nightmare, did he really just see what had happened?

Instinct now took over and he ran over to where Karadis lay. His fingers went to her neck, feeling for a pulse...nothing, so he tried the other side...still nothing. He sat back on his haunches, head hanging down by his chest, he simply couldn't comprehend she was gone. Slowly he got to his feet, an internal rage the likes of which he'd never felt before now burning inside him.

Looking at Wyatt he said, "Get that", and he pointed at Jara, "back to the hopper...now, I'll deal with her personally back on the ship, I'll bring Karadis. When we return, you're not to say a word to the Captain about this, I'll tell him myself."

Wyatt nodded numbly and moved to Jara and picked her unconscious form up. He looked back at Kilbane as he knelt beside Karadis. "Yes sir. I understand."

Kilbane knelt beside Karadis and looked down at her, it was so surreal, he expected her to turn her head towards him and ask 'what he was looking at?'

He looked her prone body up and down slowly, then reached forward and closed her eyes. Drawing her arms into her sides, and placing her legs together, he got up, holding back tears that wanted to cascade down his face. Bending down, he gently took hold of her and stood up again. His walk back to the hopper was a slow one, each step bringing a pang of grief and anger at what had happened to his friend...Jara would pay dearly and it would be a slow agonising decline over a long period of time.

Finally reaching the hopper, he gently placed Karadis in one of the seats and buckled her in, she wouldn't be left lying on the floor. Giving the order to return to the Thall, he slumped down into a seat himself, unable to take his eyes off of the Klingon woman. He knew his grief was deep, but Finchley's was going to be unfathomably so...