#26 Stragglers/Bug People?

Posted on Sat Feb 25th, 2023 @ 4:38pm by Lieutenant JG Ainkara "Kara" {Meji}

Mission: Vanished
Location: starbase
Timeline: current

ON:

Still down in the bowels of the starbase, having had a conversation with Green, via The Force, Ainkara continued along. Squatting to access a cover for a power conduit Ainkara could feel/Sense people behind her. A handful, at most, and their feelings were sporadic, some nervousness, some anxiety, some fear. But, also, curiosity which seemed to be about her. Standing slowly, and spinning around on a heel just as casually, Ainkara's eyes came to rest on five young people, all holding phaser rifles pointed at her, set on stun she noted, and not one child looked older than about thirteen human years of age. And, they all seemed human, but that was neither here nor there since Betazoids looked human, as did Trill, aside from the spots.

"Greetings," said Ainkara, careful to not look as if she was going for anything on her belt. Now that she was facing them she could definitely feel the anxiety level rising.

"Who are you?" Asked a young male, and the one who seemed to be in charge. He held himself firm, upright, but she could tell hewas also nervous, his eyes darting around behind her as if he expected some hidden attackers.

"Cadet Officer Ainkara, assigned to the USS Amandora. We have come to discover why this starbase lost contact, along with three starships." Honesty seemed the best policy right now. "And, who might you lot be?"

"Jensen Larson," said the young man. "What do you plan to do with us?"

"First, I have to determine who 'us' is. After that then I will contact my superiors and see to your needs. Medical, safety, that sort of thing." Ainkara gave a crooked grin. "Does that, at least, warrant you lowering your weapons?"

Jensen immediately dropped his rifle down to his waist, turned sideways with no way to shoot the woman unless he went back to the ready. "Sure," he said casually, then with his right hand he put the barrel/scope of the rifle over his right shoulder like some Human from and old west holofilm. "We just had to make sure you were you, not under some spell."

Ainkara cocked her head slightly, an eyebrow raising curiously. "Spell? As in Magick? I do not possess such skills, though what I can do can be construed as Magick to some."

"Like what," asked Jensen. The other four still pointed their weapons at Ainkara.

"Like, oh I don't know, disarming people." With a quick motion of her hand the rifles, all of them, were yanked from their hands and sent flying across the area, behind her. "There," she said, clapping her hands like they were dusty. "Much better. Now, no one is pointing a weapon. Shall we start over?"

All the kids looked at each other in amazement as their weapons got wrenched from their grasp and tossed away. The other four looked to Jensen before they all looked to the stranger.

"How did you do that?" Jensen asked.

"Some could call it magick, but the proper name is The Force. It takes some explanation, which we don't have time for right now. I could have hurt all of you, but that is not why I am here. We came seeking answers to a puzzle, answers I am sure you lot can provide. No matter how small you may think it is."

"Look," said Jensen. "Our parents weirded out, got all huggy-lovey, and tried to talk us into going to the planet below, even though three separate away teams went down and never returned. Or, were even heard from again. Then, the starships show up. Whole crews just abandoning their posts and docking with the station. Next thing we know there are bug people among the adults, six feet tall easily, looking like giant bipedal ants. Four arms, two legs, large abdomen, and terrifying looking jaws and spines all over their bodies. Creepy stuff."

Ainkara found the tale interesting, stepping in closer to the group to show them she meant no harm. "These bug people are from the star system?"

"I don't know," said Jensen Larson. "We never heard about no alien ships, so we all just thought the bugs were from one of the planets."

"How do you mean when you say your parents became huggy-lovey?" Asked Ainkara.

"It was so weird," said a girl. "They were all smiles, all the time. Like, nothing seemed to worry them or concern them, and they kept talking about 'joining'. They never said what they were 'joining'."

"And, they wanted you lot to 'join' as well?"

"Yes," answered Jensen. "After seeing the bug people we decided to go into hiding down here, in the bowels of the base, where no one would think to search for us. We were wrong. Several Security teams swept through but we remained hidden and used the tech to mask our scanner readings. Next thing we knew, the base was empty so we grabbed weapons and gear and came back down to wait it out."

"Gather your weapons," said Ainkara. The youngsters did so, returning quickly. "As I said, we are here to rescue you folks. To see what the issue was. The Amandora has not been affected by this issue, as far as I can tell. But, again, there are some aboard who can offset this sense of 'joining' with our own defenses. Are you okay with going to Amandora?"

Jensen shook his head. "Not until we know for sure that you people aren't infected, or whatever."

"What about Vulcans? Any Vulcans assigned to the crew?"

"No," said Jensen. "Though, there was a Romulan merchant ship that came through shortly before this all started. I remember my dad talking about how unusual it was being this far from the Empire. He was in Security, mom was medical."

"I have to report in, personally," stated Ainkara. "I will keep your secret for now. Remain hidden until I come back to get you. Then, we'll see if this affliction will affect my people." Pulling her flip-top communicator Ainkara opened it and gave Jensen her comm code. "If anything happens, contact me. Not only am I Starfleet, I am also a member of the Meji Order, but I don't expect you to know what that is."

"The Order started by Commander Green or, should I say, Master Ro Green?" Jensen gave a grin. "We were taught about it in school, since it is a new religious belief. Never thought I would meet one."

Ainkara gave that cocked head/raised eyebrow again. "How old are you?"

"Me," asked Jensen, then answered quickly. "Thirteen, Ma'am. As of last week. But, mom and dad were already gone by then so my birthday party was among us." He motioned around at his friends.

"Thirteen," said Ainkara. "You are very mature for your age. Kudos to you, Mister Larson. I take it you have a secure location down here, with all your supplies in safe keeping?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Jensen responded. Ration packs, a workable replicator, clean water and every medpack we could scrounge. All on lockdown and always guarded by those left back at camp."

Ainkara gave nods intermittently as he spoke. "Sounds good. Again, stay here and I'll contact you when i feel it is safe to do so...to show yourselves. You could be a key to unraveling this puzzle. Until then, stay safe." Having said her piece and done the best she could with what she had to work with, Ainkara left the bowels of the base to return to Barnes, unaware of the newest arrivals from Amandora.

OFF: