Surprise, Surprise

Posted on Jul 18, 2014 @ 12:29pm by Thomas Varn
Edited on on Jul 18, 2014 @ 2:04pm

Mission: http://thefrpg.com/sim/missions/id/7
Location: USS ARMSTRONG
Timeline: 20 years in the future

("Surprise, Surprise")
(Continued from "Hope Springs")
________________________________________________________________________

“Blast you confounded machine obey my commands,” Thomas shouted pounding his fist lightly against the console that blinked erratically.

“You know as well as I do dear that beating things doesn’t make them work,” Sylvia stated as her voiced rang out beneath a console as she made minor repairs, “I thought you would have learned that by now.”

Wrinkling his nose Thomas smiled slightly before sitting back and sighing, “I have I guess I am just used to getting my way after all these years. It doesn’t get easier when you command a Starship, resign your commission, and then get drafted to be the head of one of the largest research facilities in Starfleet.”


Sylvia laughed, “Drafted? If I remember correctly you jumped on that offer as if it were the last piece of meat and you hadn’t eaten in twenty years. You were practically drooling over those so called orders.”

Thomas chuckled slightly, “well be that as it may. They still used a provision recalling me to active duty against my will. Someone on the station said that it was a clause that hadn’t been used in several hundred years; but, was still there for some reason.”

Slowly pulling herself out from under the console Sylvia chuckled slightly before wiping her hands on legs as if removing dirt or grim. Standing to her feet she just smiled before kissing Thomas’ cheek, “you wouldn’t have given them an opportunity to use that clause. Admit it, you’ve missed this too much, Captain.”

Spinning in his chair and pulling his wife into his lap Thomas smiled, “now, I thought we had agreed that you would only call me that at two times. When we are both on duty or well.”

Sylvia laughed as she watched Thomas wiggle his eyebrows and growl slightly before sitting back in his chair, just a tad bit too hard. Suddenly his entire expression changed as his eyes seemed to gloss over and his body began to shake. Sylvia knew this all too well and gently knelt down in front of him holding his hand and rubbing his arm.

“Do you want me to get something for the pain,” she whispered knowing that there was nothing that she could do, as much as it tore her to pieces.

Finally closing his eyes and taking a sharp breath Thomas’ smile returned, weakened, but there none the less, “no, it wasn’t so bad and it would only deaden the pain to a certain point. Thank you.”

Nodding Sylvia patted his hand before standing to her feet making her way to the back of the runabout, “what would you like for dinner?”

“One of your famous home replicated meals.” Thomas joked as he had since they married and decided to start a family. It had been several years; but, they found the time to eat dinner together most nights even if it was replicated because of their schedules.

“That I can do,” Sylvia Smiled before looking through the library, “did Reko say that this runabout was the only one not experiencing problems before we left?”

Slowly making his way to the back Thomas nodded, “yes, oddly enough he said this was the only one that had not been grounded. It was lucky too, I would have to decline the offer to speak at this year’s symposium.”

“If we don’t get this thing moving again you still may have to,” Sylvia chuckled before making a selection and watching it materialize before them.

“Well if worse comes to worse I’ll just give my lecture to the search party they send,” Thomas stated laughing a bit before taking his plate from his wife.

Sylvia laughed before stopping looking at the cockpit of the runabout. A shadow began to loom and seem to appear as if something was blocking light from a nearby star in the system the runabout had decided to break down in. Slowly walking forward she looked around before stopping, “Thomas, you better get up here.”

Stepping forward Thomas’ eyes widened as if he has seen a ghost, “it can’t be, sh-she’s been mothballed.”

With that sentence the runabout began to spring back to life as if playing possum this entire time, only to begin signaling the incoming hail that was not awaiting them. Blinking and then looking to one another Thomas and Sylvia slowly sat down placing their food on nearby consoles before answering the hail.

Runabout SETI this is the U.S.S. ARMSTRONG, please respond.

Thomas turned to Sylvia before swalling and answering the comm, “ARMSTRONG, this is the SETI, to what do we owe the pleasure of this unexpected and most unusual visit.”

SETI, we were sent to find you as part of a search party when you didn’t,

“Cut the crap son. What are you doing out here and who is commanding that vessel? I personally watched her being mothballed with the rest of the so called un-necessary fleet of vessels used for in system missions. So, I’ll ask again, who is your commanding officer?” Thomas stated staring at the screen watching the young commander step aside.

“Be nice to the young ones Captain don’t start falling back into your old habits,” an unfamiliar voice stated moving into view.

Thomas sat back looking at the face for a moment before sighing, “the face I don’t know; but, the presence and posture I do. When did you get a new host Larx?”

“That’s Commander Larx,” the young female Trill stated before smilling, “and it must have been eighteen years ago. Harvix died saving a young girl from, well we will just say it wasn’t a good situation.”

Thomas sighed before rubbing his forehead, “Harvix was a good man, to active for someone who specialized in what most would consider social work.”

Smiling a saddened smile Vatrina Larx nodded, “he was; but, still a good man none the less. Thanks to him, that young girl has had a chance to grow and now is in Starfleet.”

“Excuse me, but would you please tell us why you are looming over us like a predator seeking their prey,” Sylvia interjected trying to bring her husband back on topic.

Vatrina laughed slightly and smiled, “you were right, she is a bit fiery; but, I see why you liked her and wanted to marry her. Excuse me for the theatrics Commander Varn; but, I can explain if you wouldn’t mind coming aboard.”

Looking at Thomas wearily Sylvia muted the sound, “Thomas something doesn’t feel right.”

Nodding Thomas sighed, “I agree; but, there is a reason she is out here and I may be able to draw it out of her before…”

Suddenly the runabouts systems began to flicker and sputter before cutting off all together. As the ship lost all power Thomas turned to his wife just to see her dematerialize and rematerialize with him in the transporter room of the ARMSTRONG.

“Captain if you’ll,” a young ensign stated moving towards Thomas and Sylvia reaching his hand for Sylvia’s arm.

“Son, if you want to keep that hand and still be able to perform your job let alone have children later in life I would just back away from my wife if I were you,” Thomas stated staring the young man down.

Stopping dead in his track the young ensign swallowed, “I’m sorry sir I meant no disrespect.”

Shaking his head Thomas stepped down taking Sylvia’s hand and helping her down, “it’s not me that you need to worry about.”

With that the young ensign turned his eyes to Sylvia who was staring him down as well before turning back to Thomas, “why are we here?”

“I have my suspicions,” Thomas stated, “let’s head to the conference room.”

As the two walked out the door Sylvia looked at her husband, “how do you know they’ll be in the conference room?”

Thomas laughed, “because the Ensign that almost wet himself will tell them that’s where we are headed.”

Sylvia just smiled and wrapped her arms around Thomas as if she was being escorted. It was true as Thomas had gotten older a few of his mannerisms and ways he looked at life changed. A few months after he had resigned his commission from Starfleet he began a full charge into being with his family. Spending months on end in his family’s hometown in what was once the southern part of what was called the United States. As a result he had picked up on some old southern charm and the slight draw that he inherited form his parents had thickened just a bit.

___________________________________
Scene: Conference Room
Time Index: Thirty Minutes later

The doors to the conference room slowly opened and Thomas laughed softly as the security guard who had been sent to find the two wayward officers allowed them to enter first. Patty the young man on the shoulder Thomas winked at Sylvia before walking to an empty chair on the opposite side of the conference table pulling a chair out for Sylvia before sitting down himself. Folding his hands looking from face to face Thomas nodded.

“No,” he stated before slowly standing and motioning for Sylvia to stand with him.

Standing to her feet Vatrina Larx slammed her fist into the table looking at the man, “sit down!”

Sylvia jerking her head in the direction of the commander looked to Thomas whose aged eyes swirled with yellow and red colorations. Looking down to Sylvia a soft smile is emitted from his lips and he gently pats her hand before taking his seat again. Leaning back in the chair Thomas slowly placed his fingertips together before motioning with a wave of his hand as if to say, you have the floor.

“Thank you,” Vatrina stated beginning to walk the length of the conference table, “as you know there have been some changes in the internal command of Starfleet since you last served. Before the full changes could come to fruition there was one last move by the old “regime” that could not be stopped but would have to be countered.”

Thomas’ eyes furrowed at the word regime before taking a deep breath, “go on.”

“There was a last minute, should I say, last ditch effort at bolstering support in key positions that would assist certain parties if the time should arise; however, that situation was solved by a quick posting change,” Vatrina smiled a crooked smile, “namely Captain Varn, that was the assignment of you and your wife to Jupiter Station as the commanding officer.”



Shifting in his chair Thomas narrowed his eyes being cut off by his wife, “and just how to you intend on correcting this?”



Vatrina leaned over the edge of the table before looking deep into Sylvia’s eyes, “you weren’t meant to leave the station Commander. You both were meant to be there when the change took place; yet, here you both are because of an officer who gained a heart and could not follow orders.”



Thomas took a deep breath before looking at Vatrina and the phaser now visible on her hip. Taking a deep breath Thomas nodded, “so, you are here to correct that and what no one wanted to believe me about has happened.”



Moving closer to Thomas Vatrina nodded before slowly turning her back to him, “yes and now it’s time for you to take your place.”



Quickly jumping to his feet Thomas took the phaser from Vatrina’s hip and pointed it at the now standing senior officers. Most of them had their phasers pointed to Thomas except the two of the officers a medical officer and tactical officer. Pointing the phaser to Vatrina’s temple Thomas narrows his eyes, “lower your phasers or my lovely friend here finds a new host.”



Vatrina struggled before shouting, “do it now!”



With a blaze of phaser fire the two officers that were not aiming at Thomas fired upon those who were. As the officer lay on the group Thomas slowly released his grip on Vatrina before handing the phaser to her. Standing quickly Sylvia’s eyes widened in horror.



Smiling Thomas winked, “it’s alright just had to do some fishing.”



Vatrina smirked, “glad you remembered that day.”



Sylvia shook her head recalling a tale that Thomas had told her when they were younger of a standoff between a young child’s father and the gang that he was with and the two of them; which, had begun as just Thomas against them all. Walking over and punching her husband’s arm Sylvia rubbed the spot that she punched sighing only to stop as the door opened and a security guard rushed in phaser drawn.



“I knew we forgot something,” Vatrina stated looking from Thomas to the officer.



Walking with his hands in the air Thomas smiled, “now son, you have a choice to make here. Either you can lay down your arms and relax or escalate this to a situation that no one will enjoy.”



The young man who was laughing with Thomas was no longer laughing but instead staring at the man as if he was disposable. Walking up to Thomas the young man smiled, “before I kill you old man I’ll make you watch your traitor wife and friends die.”



Stepping back Vatrina motioned for the other officers to move back with her. Watching the trio give Thomas space the officer turned to the man, who was entering his forty-ninth year of living, stopped briefly someone stunned by the deep red hue now showing in Thomas’ eyes.



Taking a deep breath Thomas slowly stepped back stretching his neck, ‘alright son, you want to do it this way. Lay down that phaser and we’ll settle this as men,”

Laughing the young officer holster his phaser before trying to launch a surprise thrust into Thomas only to be met by squarely in the chest by Thomas’ knee. With a sharp sound of the breath being expelled from his lungs the young security officer staggered back a bit shocked. Before he could react Thomas was already behind the man holding his arm by the wrist with his free hand placed on the security officer’s shoulder, “now son, I’ll give you a chance to stop this before I have to put you out of commission.”

The young officer struggled shouting several variations of languages Thomas was not quite familiar with before trying to spin around and land a solid punch on someone until now he thought his elder. With one quick motion Thomas placed force on the man’s shoulder popping his arm out of socket before releasing him to fall to the ground. Motioning with his hands Thomas smiled as the medical officer rushed over and began working.

Vatrina now standing by Thomas looked at him, “now what say you?”



Turning to Sylvia Thomas smiled, “Yes. How many are aboard?”







Location: USS ARMSTRONG

Scene: Bridge

Time Index: Two Days Later





It had taken almost two days for Thomas, Vatrina, and Sylvia to completely find and root out the other hidden elements of the new regime that had infiltrated the ARMSTRONG. Within those two days both Thomas and Sylvia had been brought up to speed and the ultimate changes that have occurred. A coup had taken place not only in one spot but across all of Starfleet with a few exceptions of those that were still loyal to the original mandate. The ARMSTRONG had been brought out of moth balls to be decommissioned properly only to be staffed in a hurry to locate a wayward officer who had been lost.



“That is almost every department that we have taken into someone into custody. Not to mention the department head for medical and her assistant,” Thomas stated as the ship had a skeleton crew as it were.



Nodding Sylvia sighed trying not to let her mind wonder to all those that were now either trapped on Jupiter station or from other reports had been executed trying to escape, “how could this happen?”



Thomas dropped the padd on the desk, “they didn’t listen to me; but, it’s too late now we have to find the others.”



“Others,” Sylvia asked looking at Thomas.



Nodding Thomas handed her a list of ships and personnel that had been reported missing, MIA, or gone rouge, “these ships and personnel are somewhere and we must find them beginning with these two.”



Sylvia walked over looking at the padd her expression changing to a slight sense of dread and urgent need, “oh Thomas.”





Location: Unmarked Detention Center

Scene: Exterior Perimeter

Time Index: Four Days Later





Standing in the small clearing Thomas aimed his phaser before firing back at the neo-essentialist force that was tracking the small landing party. Motioning with his hands, “move, move, we are almost there!”



The group of officer quickly tromped through the vegetation before reaching the designated transportation location. Looking around Thomas frantically searched before looking behind him, “where is Johnson?”



“Wait! Wait,” a young woman screamed moving quickly through the brush desperately trying to escape those that were firing at her.



Thomas’ heart began to race as he knew that their window had begun to close before the ARMSTRONG would be traced and found. Standing there Thomas raised his phaser and fired sending a stream of energy past the running officer into the chest of a neo-essentialist that had begun to take aim. It was to no avail as moments later a marine stepped out from a large section of vegetation and opened fire. With horror the team watched as the young woman vaporized before their eyes and Thomas tapped his commbadge, “energize!”



Location: USS ARMSTRONG

Scene: Guest Quarters

Time Index: One hour later





The ARMSTRONG was on route to rendezvous with a trade who had some information on the where about of their next catch. Thomas had the entire crew on red alert smelling a trap. His argument was even if there wasn’t one it would be better than to be caught with your pants down. Leaning against the doorframe of one of the few guest quarters the ARMSTRONG was equipped with Thomas shook his head.



“Do you need help in there old man,” he shouted before stepping further into the room.



“Yes, one of those young bright faced nurses I saw in sickbay will do,” an aged yet still fiery voice of Cade Foster shot back.



Thomas laughed softly before shaking his head, “you haven’t changed a bit, well except for that one thing.”



Cade smiled as he walked into the room all clean and shaven, “yes, and she is quite the charmer; but, Thomas will she be ok with me…”



Holding up his hand Thomas smiled, “she is already on board and effectively preparing sickbay for its new Chief.”

“Oh, and just who might that be,” Cade prattled before moving around the room.



Standing Thomas sighed, “Listen, we need you and there is no one else that I trust right now.”



“I am old by rights I shouldn’t be mixed up in this mess; but, I had to go sticking my nose where it didn’t belong,” Cade stated leaning against the wall, “and look where it’s got me. Look where it got us.”



Stretching his shoulders in reflex Thomas nodded, “yes, but now is the time that we have to do something. I came back because someone extended me a chance to make a difference and I’m trying to do the same for you.”



“Thanks but no thanks we are leaving,” Cade stated turning around, “thank you for the jail break but there is nothing for us anymore.”



Slamming his hand against the wall Thomas’ eyes swirled, “now you listen to me you pedantic old fart, I know that you were hurt by Starfleet when we tried to show them what we had found and everyone knows I was screwed over when they wouldn’t listen after that nut job surgically removed my wings. Suck it up and get on with it. You are my new chief of medical and you’re going to like it. Now get back into a uniform and consider yourself drafted and reinstated.”



Cade stood there holding back a slight smile as he watched the much older and wiser version of a not so bitter friend/enemy walk out of the room. Neither one would admit it; but, after all these years there was more friend than enemy.





Scene: Guest Quarters

Time Index: Four Weeks Later





It had taken the crew of the ARMSTRONG almost a month after springing Cade Foster out of a detention center to find their next target. The trader that they were to meet was found at the rendezvous point floating in space along with the rest of the debris of his destroyed ship; but, had managed to send an encrypted message with coordinates before losing contact for good. Most of known Federation space has become a battle ground with skirmishes and brush fires popping up here and there. Luckily the ARMSTRONG had moved relatively unnoticed through what used to be known as the briar patch taking a relatively long route to a sector of space that would allow them to find their next target.



“Captain we have arrived at outer sensor edge of Station four thirty-seven,” the helm officer stated as Thomas shifted in his chair.



“Let’s test out that sensor jamming technology that we “acquired”,” Thomas smiled looking back to Sylvia.



Walking forward on the bridge Sylvia nodded before activating the device, “if we keep acquiring things we’ll be a new ship.”



As the ship crossed into sensor range the entire crew waited to see if there would be any indication that a rouge ship had entered sensor range. With any hope the station would not see the ARMSTRONG; but, something else totally on their sensors. The device was technically theoretical and unsure of what would be displayed as the output thus far has been random; but, it was ninety nine percent likely to work according to Thomas colleague that he had met through the years.



“Sir, we are being hailed, text only,” the communications officer stated, “it’s a standard warning message from the station to an unidentified sub light freighter. They are also advising that they are not able to assist in repairs as they have seen our communication array is damaged.”



Thomas smiled raising his eyebrows, “well then, reply with an acknowledgment and that repairs are already underway. Helm, get us out of here full impulse and the moment we are out of sensor range warp five.”





Location: USS ARMSTRONG

Scene: Bridge

Time Index: Present Day





Thomas and Sylvia worked quickly to gain access to the computer and work was going slower that either had anticipated; however, it was still progressing. Thomas looked through the access files as sequence after sequence was unlocked to his access before eventually he had full access to the ships computer. Quickly moving his fingers Thomas changed the command codes to something that neither Bomba or Captain Harcourt knew.



“Commander, we have control,” Thomas stated standing moving towards Aerdan.



Nodding the Andorian turned to the view screen as the space before them had begun to come alive with derelicts that the ship sensors began picking up. So far there were four ships in total but the number was growing as a derelict decloaked and began to emit a signature for distress.



“Sir, we have an outgoing communications trying to be established by Lt. Phia to Starfleet Command,” the young communications officer stated.



Looking to Aerdan, Thomas walked over to the communications console before tapping his commbadge, “Phia 0 this is not a good time to call your cousin for a family chat. I can’t just let communications go out now.”



Phia could be heard sighing from the other end, [[Listen I don’t like admitting I’m related to that social diseased pain in the ass but you don’t need to get your feathers in a knot. This has to do with a breach in Security and it goes high up.”



Thomas sighed rubbing his temple shaking his head slowly only to be interrupted by Cade, [[Oh hell, Wingboy, let it through. I know what she’;s going to say and it’s worth it.]]



With an exhausted look Thomas threw a hand up and open into the air, “great both of you conspiring, this sounds great. Want to tell me?”



[[No,]] the response came back quick and loudly startling a few of the officers around them.



“So happy to deal with both of you again. Like one wasn’t bad enough,” Thomas muttered, “You’ve got two minutes after that the clock goes off, make good use of it.”



Aerdan who had made his way up to Thomas nodded, “make sure she informs her of our situation.”



Thomas nodded, “and Jos, said you better tell her. Varn out.”



Patting the young officer on the shoulder Thomas motioned to allow the communication to go out. Gravitating slowly to the science console Thomas stood there looking at the readout before making a few adjustment and nodding, “good, keep an eye out for these signature and anything like them. Try to scan in a broad spectrum; but, nothing to narrow to show that we have picked up anything that might help. Don’t let them know that we aren’t anything but what they may think.”



“Sir, we have a situation,” the young communications officer stated looking to Thomas and Aerdan.



Moving over both of them looked at the young officer’s screen as she explained, “there seems to be a signal trying to piggy bag on the back of the communication Lt. Phia sent out. It is using access codes that I believe may have belong to Captain Harcourt.”



Aerdan looked to Thomas who was shooting a gland to Aerdan and then to Sylvia, The young officer looked up, “should I stop them?”



Aerdan shook his head, “Thomas, reverse Trojan horse?”



Nodding Thomas smiled, “Sylvia, take over. Let them have access but send them through a maze of non-essential systems like finding a needle in the haystack. Try to keep them off guard; but, at the point where we can cut them off when we need to.”



Sitting next to her Thomas waited until the signal had gained access to begin trying to trace it backwards to its point.





NRPG: Not really fully developing and mostly self focused, well future self anyway.



Justin K. Owens

Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Varn

Science Officer

United Federation of Planets