Pity is Treason (Part 9)

ORIGINAL WRITING This page was originally published elsewhere as part of a joint sim or fleet effort. It has been duplicated here for posterity.

Characters:	Commodore Zachary O’Connell, Commander Tuann, Lieutenant Wul, Doctor Cortez
Location:	USS O'Carroll, Bridge
Time:	Mission Day 1, 0755
Author:	Greenfelt22
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Commodore Zachary O'Connell exited the turbolift and stepped out onto the bridge of the Akira-class USS O’Carroll. His recent promotion mattered little to him, though when he accepted the orders from Admiral Asislo, Zach didn't think it would entail envoy duty or spending the last month rendering medical assistance to a remote colony on the edge of explored space in the Gamma Quadrant. Yet, the air was strangely quiet, thankfully so after the chaotic last month. The O’Carroll wasn't equipped for medical help, but the Olympic-class USS Hopkins they were now escorting was. It was up to the medical ship to aid the colonists while the O’Carroll kept them safe was the wandering pirates that had infected the colony in the first place.

Still, he was early to his shift, just like his XO, Commander Taunn. Perhaps, he mused, he's just as eager as me to end this mission.

"Report, Commander," Zachary ordered, moving towards the center chair and passing his Bolian First Officer. Even as the Bolian began his usually extensive way of saying all was well, Zachary tried very hard to listen to the man's report which included minor shift variances, an uneventful night watch, a notice that the pending rendezvous with the USS Ottawa to trade cargo and personnel was on schedule, a glitch in the subspace transceiver array, an update on the pool regarding the Chief Engineer's pregnancy--

"Wait!" Zach interjected, snapping his full attention back to the Bolian. "Sunspace Transceiver glitch?"

"Yes, sir,” Taunn replied. “Looked like we were about to receive a transmission from Deep Space 11, but the transceiver blanked out almost immediately."

Behind Zach, his ears picked up the faint sound of a turbolift arriving to the bridge. It was the shift change now, and any moment the doors would open to deposit the command crew. He didn't turn to acknowledge their arrival, nor did he need to. Had he done so, however, he would have noticed that the turbolift did not contain the entire command crew, just the ship's doctor and a few others normally not found on the bridge.

The other turbolift opened its doors, revealing his Chief of Security, the Betazoid Lieutenant Wul, accompanied by two other members of security. He instantly drew his phaser and aimed it at the doctor. "Stand down, Doctor!"

Zachary and Taunn stood and turned to see the doctor and his party with phasers drawn, aiming at various members of the bridge crew. "What is going on here?" He asked, fighting to keep nerves out of his tone.

"Commodore Zachary O'Connell," Doctor Quinn said, not moving his phaser. "I have orders to place you under arrest for sedition and treason against the Federation."

Zach narrowed his eyes, glancing to his Chief of Security who did not flinch at the accusation. "Doctor," he said, looking back to the man whom he served with for the last six years. "Drop the phaser and let's talk."

"Not happening."

The next few seconds were a blur as phaser fire broke out on the bridge. Zach was instantly pinned to the floor by his Executive Officer, with the Commodore realizing all too late that it was the Bolian's final act. By the time Zach had shoved the body off, the phaser fire had ceased, leaving only three people standing on the bridge. Him. The helmsman. And the wounded Lieutenant Wul.

"What the hell is going on, Lieutenant?" Zachary demanded, rushing to help the man up.

"Computer, seal off the bridge," Wul ordered, ignoring the Commodore. As force fields began to go up, he replied, "Something sinister, sir. It happened just a couple minutes ago. I felt nearly thirty minds across the ship instantly change. A hatred unknown. I... I can't explain it."

Zach's eyes widened, not thinking of his ship or its crew, but of the Chief Engineer. Slapping his combadge, he called out, "O'Connell to engineering. Status report!"

Phaser fire echoed through the open channel, then silence.

Zach opened his mouth again, only to be silenced by a female voice. "Commander O'Connell here! Who the hell is crazy enough to bring phasers near the warp core?"

He didn't get the chance to reply, thanks to a sounding alarm, followed by the helmsman's voice. "Sir, the Ottawa. She's turned around, towards Starbase Unity, sir. They're powering up weapons."

Zach didn't hesitate. "Red alert! Intercept course, maximum warp." Just how big was this thing anyway?

Read the Next Part

Accreditation

This post was originally written by Greenfelt22 for Bravo Fleet and posted on the Bravo Fleet forums. Use of Bravo Fleet's Pity is Treason (Part 9) is permitted under the Creative Commons 4.0 License and has been modified to suit the story and purposes of the USS Black Hawk Star Trek Role-Playing Simulation.