#6 The Beast Awakens

Posted on Wed Jan 10th, 2024 @ 4:51pm by Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Major Jackson "JJ" Barnes {Meji} & Lieutenant JG Ainkara "Kara" {Meji}

Mission: Hijacked
Location: SB Danvers
Timeline: current

ON:

-THEN-

Green and her family; Dwight, Isaac, and Alona had spent time together on the beaches of this beautiful world that SB Danvers had been built on. After a couple of days of fun together, and exploring the wild life beneath the crystal clear waves, Ro had gathered Ainkara to herself, both them dressed as the Meji Order they were, and headed for the ruins they could see off in the distance on a peninsula that had been thrust up from beneath the sea. Over the millenia of evolutionary processes the peninsula was now covered in jungle as it had accumulated quite a layer of top soil. The two Meji walked together as they discussed the mysteries of the Core, the Meji and where the Order was headed in the future. There were foot paths through the jungle as many a scientist and base tourist had come out to walk within the ruins. As they entered the first section, Ro observed the construction and technology of these ancient people, and what she saw was not all too different from the Mayan ruins on Earth; right down to the large stones for the walls having been heated and then placed so as to adhere to one another as they settled. Upon entering the large, inner courtyard for the pyramidal tower and its surrounding structures they both looked upon a small campsite.

Ainkara noted that this camp had huts and corrals built from the surrounding natural resources. Wooden poles lashed together with leather and tree bark thongs. A fire pit with a large cauldron sitting to one side, with three metal posts over the fire pit angled like a pyramid and locked together, with a short length of chain and a hook for hanging the cauldron over the fire for times of cooking. A Klingon boy, who could not have been more than 10 years old by Human standards, came out of the largest hut brandishing a knife.

"Who are you!?" He shouted his question gruffly, showing no fear as he faced these two females in strange garb.

Green decided to answer, since she and Ainkara had both stopped when he came forth, not wanting to cause him anymore anxiety than necessary. "I am Commander Ro Green of the starship Amandora. This," she motioned to her left. "Is Lieutenant Ainkara, also serving on Amandora.

"Higan!" A large, powerfully built Klingon entered the central court/square from another archway. He was not in garb denoting himself as a warrior, but rather, Klingon civilian garb consisting of fabrics and leather. "Put the blade away."

The boy, hearing the voice of the adult, did not hesitate. "Yes, father." He sheathed the blade on his left hip, then stood tall to continue to face the women, hooking his thumbs in his belt like a seasoned soldier.

From there a friendship began between the Meji Order and a Klingon and his family...

***

Major Barnes, having been training with Shannon Money in the simulators for the fighters over the past few months, had checked out a fighter. With Money as his wing, the two of them launched from Amandora just before the ship was shut down for maintenance, the two of them heading for the planet, and the spectacular archipelago they could see from orbit. It reminded JJ of Indonesia back on Earth. He and Money had both packed some beach wear and extra clothing in the small cargo space within the fighters. They did several passes over the islands, looking down to find that right one they could enjoy, just the two of them, and get to know each other better. But, as they had come into the atmosphere the Major received word that there was a Marine officer who wanted to speak with him before he set out for shore leave. Money offered to find the island they would use, letting Jackson go take care of business.

Half an hour later, his fighter parked on a small pad designated for shuttles, Barnes climbed down from his fighter and entered the admin building. To his surprise, upon entering, he saw a man he knew all too well. Colonel John Patrick Barnes (Ret.), known as Jack to people who knew him, stood there grinning and dressed in a very calypso style outfit. Jackson came in fast and hugged his father, the two of them clapping each other on the back before separating. Laughter and joy was at an all-time high as they began to walk and talk, to catch up on all that had transpired since last they had spoken. Walking outside they looked like complete opposites, one in vacation garb, the other dressed for business as a Starfleet Marine. As they talked their eyes scanned around them casually, seeing the tall communications/transporter towers placed sporadically but strategically in certain areas designated as starbase territory. Two of which were built right on the beach ahead of them, spaced enough to not interfere with the aesthetic beauty of the beach and the personnel. Jackson could see some people using the towers as their shade tree when needed.

Father and son continued to talk, with Barnes Sr. explaining he had one more day before he had to depart for another assignment. As a retiree, he was now a consultant for Starfleet, both Marines and Starfleet Security personnel, aiding in the training of tactical officers for the future.

***

All others were here, there, and everywhere. Enjoying a tropical world with very few predators to hinder relaxation, they were all spread about doing their own thing.

-NOW-

A group of mercenaries disguised as Starfleet engineers/OPS, had come onto the beaches. They did not bother anyone as they saw to their duties, explaining to those who asked that they were just performing routine maintenance on the comm towers. Nothing to worry about. People shrugged and turned away as they figured the two groups of five knew what they were doing, and it was common practice. The two groups split apart, each of them heading for a comm tower as they carried duffels of tools, as well as backpacks. Engineers vests often denoted that things needed to be replaced and they obviously had with them all they needed to conduct their repairs.

Isaac was on the beach playing with his sister when he noticed the Starfleet people going to the towers. Instead of tossing the ball back to his sister he came in close to her, dropping it to the sand and putting his foot atop it to keep it still; and to look casual. "Alona," he whispered. "Look." He chinned behind her so she half turned to look back over her shoulder.

"So?" She responded.

"I want to see inside the towers. Maybe they'll let me go to the top and look out across the sea." Isaac kept whispering.

"Why are you whispering?" Alona asked.

"Because I don't want to be stopped before I even begin."

Alona gave a sigh of pseudo-frustration, knowing that her brother could be very stubborn when he had come upon a decision, and changing his mind was near impossible. "Fine," she said in a low tone, but not whispering. "I'll come with you. But, if I say it is time to go, we go. No arguments."

Isaac gave a chuckle and hugged his sister. "Deal." He glanced around furtively, seeing no one was paying much attention to just another two children playing on the beach. "Come on, let's go." He picked up the ball as he planned to use it as the excuse as to why they are near the tower ground entrance. The two of them began to play football (soccer) between them, with Isaac making sure to kick the ball all awry on occasion to fit the ruse. It went passed Alona and ended up bumping lightly against the door. The two of them gave another look around, seeing no one who had seen them, and ducked inside the tower door as it slid open and then closed behind them.

Jackson, having spent a couple of hours with his dad, and calling Money to let her know why, he then told pops he would be back in a few hours for dinner with him, and that he would bring Shannon along since she was kind of his date for this bout of shore leave. Jack Sr. gave a grin as he expressed his agreement with the evening plans. With that said Jackson turned and made his way towards the pad that held his fighter. Behind him he heard his dad speak.

"Did you see that?"

JJ had stopped and looked around, the hint of concern in his dad's voice putting his head on a swivel. "See what?"

"Two kids just went into that comm tower over yonder. That soccer ball next to it is theirs."

"Well," Jackson said, grinning. "I'm sure the workers will tell them they can't be in there. If it bugs you, dad, go see to it. I'll be back later." He then headed for his fighter again as he noiced his dad heading for the tower.

***

The Klingon father, Rekar, after speaking to the two females for about an hour, introduced them to his mate Azera. Hearing that they were exploring the ruins in hopes of using them as a place of refuge for the Meji Order, which he had also heard of, he had them sit to enjoy a meal and some bloodwine. Ainkara and Ro accepted his gracious offer and sat down while Azera broke out a cast iron flat griddle as her mate moved the tripod hangars and replaced them with another wrought iron device to hold the griddle in place over the flames as she cooked. There were a variety of foods, mainly seafood from the ever providing coast. Neither woman sat back idle, instead choosing to aid in the preparations as they continued to speak with the family and get to know them better.

The afternoon went by with laughter and conversation, with Azera, Rekar and Higan telling them all the highlights for the local coastal area. He did not fail to mention that he too was a scientist, with archaeology being a focus of his among the disciplines he knew. So, before the Federation had ever come to this world and claim it for a base he had laid claim to the ruins as his, for Klingon scientific research and exploration. Starfleet came and went, sending people out to also do their explorations, but they were instructed to follow Rekar's bidding when it came to the site, for it was for all intents and purposes, his land. That was how Klingons rolled. Stake a claim, it is yours.

Green felt a disturbance in the Core, and even as she herself got that ripple she saw Ainkara straighten up in a way that denoted that she too had felt it. In sync they set their plates aside and stood up.

"I sense death. And fear." Ainkara said.

"I sense it too," Green responded. "Something terrible has happened."

Rekar set his own platter aside and stood. "Are we under attack? I hear nothing."

Green looked at him with serious eyes. "We have abilities which allow for us to sense these things, through the natural energy of the universe. There is death and danger."

"I have read about your proposal to the Federation Council," Rekar said. "I know you can feel this Core energy, as you call it." He turned and went into the larger hut, coming out a few moments later with what appeared to be a rolled up carpet, or mat. Setting it on a work table he unrolled it to reveal a mekleth, two bat'leths, and several D'k'taghs. "We stand ready to assist. We are Klingons, this is our home, and we will fight to defend it!"

There was a loud booming sound, followed by several smaller booms. All of them ran to some steps to get up along the outer wall for the ruins, and once they got there and were able to see they all took in a breath. The two comm towers were blowing apart from the inside out. Large sections of fiery debris blew into the air, crashing down on the pristine beaches and endangering the people there. Already, several groups of people had been crushed or shredded by the shrapnel caused by the explosions. Green's eyes had gone to where they had all been, together as a family, on the beach, even being several kilometers away. There was no sign of their beach camp, instead there was a massive section of twisted metal and flames where they had once sat and enjoyed the sun and surf.

As quickly as she had switched her gaze, Green clutched her chest over her heart and went to a knee. "No!" Came out as a harsh whispering. She had felt her children, then a swath of fear, and then they were gone. "No, no, no." She said, closing her eyes to reach out with intent, seeking her children, Dwight, anyone she knew intimately. Nothing. They were all either cut off from her Sense, or they had been killed with the explosions.

Rekar went to a knee next to her, as did Ainkara. "What is it Master Ro?" The Klingon asked.

Ro knew in her heart that they were gone. With her experience using the Core, she would have detected them by now. Tears ran down her cheeks but she did not sob, instead her breathing becoming harsh and pushed through gritted teeth. As it was she was not looking at them, her gaze down towards the stones she knelt upon. But, when her face came up it was a face twisted by pain and wrath. Rekar, a seasoned Klingon who had seen many things in his life, let go of her arm and leaned his upper body back as his eyes widened a bit. Green's eyes had turned from their beautiful blue to a dark, glowing amber color, with dark circles forming under them even as he watched. "My family is dead! They will pay with their lives!"

Standing up quickly Ro took off at a sprint, using the Core to add to her already powerful body for added speed, strength, and stamina. Ainkara immediately stood and followed, yelling back. "Hold the ruins! We'll need them as a base!" Then they were both gone.

"Azera, prepare for battle!" Rekar ordered as he too stood and looked off to the destruction. The Federation really needed to get its act together, he thought.

OFF:

and TBC, for a few things...