Mission Two: Gimmie Shelter

Rachel Deacon wrote:

[Operations Centre]

As soon as the ship on the sensors had been detected, Rachel had been called out in to the command centre of the station.  With her VISOR back in place over her eyes, she stepped out of her office and took command, looking to the main viewer.

"Put it on the screen, ensign, let's see what we're dealing with."

[Operations Centre]

"Aye sir." Kristen reacted quickly the image of the fleeing vessel quickly appeared in front of the crew in the Operations Centre. Kristen noticed something else entering sensor range. "Sir another vessel... Its a Tholian ship pursuing the unidentified vessel." She scanned her screens again. "Sir, I'm detecting a distress call on all frequencies." She tapped her console and an unfamiliar voice filled the air around them.

"Station, this is Science Director Solan of the planet Ujaan!  Requesting immediate docking and sanctuary!  We have hostile pursuit close behind, and pray your succor!  Repeating, this is Science Director Solan..."

Kristen Young wrote:

"Aye sir." Kristen reacted quickly the image of the fleeing vessel quickly appeared in front of the crew in the Operations Centre. Kristen noticed something else entering sensor range. "Sir another vessel... Its a Tholian ship pursuing the unidentified vessel." She scanned her screens again. "Sir, I'm detecting a distress call on all frequencies." She tapped her console and an unfamiliar voice filled the air around them.

"Station, this is Science Director Solan of the planet Ujaan!  Requesting immediate docking and sanctuary!  We have hostile pursuit close behind, and pray your succor!  Repeating, this is Science Director Solan..."

[Station Ops]

And here Myree thought her shift at Ops was going to be boring.

Well, generally, things tended to be. It wasn't exactly like the bridge of a starsip, which tended to go out of its way to find problems and mess with them. No, on a starbase, you just kinda had to sit around and wait for trouble to find you.

Like today.

"Great Bird," the Orion girl breathed, letting out a low whistle as the sensor specs gave a reading to both the Ops and Science stations. "Reinforced hull armor, rudimentary defense screens. Whoever these people are, they're virtually flying a bloody antique."

And then, of course, there were Tholians. Myree had never had the misfortune of dealing with the obstinate beings. She could have gone her whole life without a change in that status, but the universe didn't always provide. She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. It seemed as if she was going to have her first 'red alert' to suffer though.

Chira Abols wrote:

[Promenade]

"Of course not, Ilana," Chira quietly answered, touching the other woman's knee in a reassuring manner.  "I wouldn't have been happy at all with that."  She was silent for a moment, noting happily that Henriks was finally making his way over.  "Sometimes, though...sometimes, it's not about what we want.  It's about what we need to do.  If I knew that carrying the babies would mean a danger to them or me...yes, I'd do whatever was required, whether it made me happy or not."  She smiled again.  "Once the babies enter the equation, it's not about what we want, anymore."

[Promenade]

Ilana still looked a little uncomfortable, playing with the hem of her sleeve. As a doctor, she was aware of the priorities in place once a female was pregnant. While the wishes of the mother would be respected as much as possible, the ultimate goal was the survival and wellbeing of both mother and child.

"I w-w-would l-l-like t-t-to t-t-try at l-least," she admitted. "I w-w-want t-t-to b-bear h-h-him a ch-ch-child as n-n-normally as p-p-possible."

Henriks Abols wrote:

"How are you today, Ms. Telak?" Henriks asked.

As Chira's husband walked up to them, the Cardassian offered him a faint smile. Although they were in the same department on the station now, she hadn't had a chance to really work with or get to know the human.

"R-r-recovering, th-th-thank y-y-you" she replied. "And y-y-yourself?"

Kristen Young wrote:

[Operations Centre]

"Aye sir." Kristen reacted quickly the image of the fleeing vessel quickly appeared in front of the crew in the Operations Centre. Kristen noticed something else entering sensor range. "Sir another vessel... Its a Tholian ship pursuing the unidentified vessel." She scanned her screens again. "Sir, I'm detecting a distress call on all frequencies." She tapped her console and an unfamiliar voice filled the air around them.

"Station, this is Science Director Solan of the planet Ujaan!  Requesting immediate docking and sanctuary!  We have hostile pursuit close behind, and pray your succor!  Repeating, this is Science Director Solan..."

[Operations Centre]

Although it was generally difficult for her to make out what was being shown on the viewscreen, Rachel could see enough to know that one ship was being pursued by another, even though she couldn't tell what power the vessels belonged to. Thankfully, one of her bridge officers piped up with that information.

The distress call presented her with a bit of a conundrum. This unknown vessel was being chased by the Tholians, a species not well known for their patience or their pacifism, but on the other hand, she had no idea whether the Tholians had a legitimate reason for chasing them.

It only took her a moment to make her decision.

"Give them permission to dock, but put precautions in place to ensure that they don't leave before we say so. And try to open a channel to the Tholian vessel. Let's see what brings them out like this."

Rachel Deacon wrote:

[Operations Centre]

Although it was generally difficult for her to make out what was being shown on the viewscreen, Rachel could see enough to know that one ship was being pursued by another, even though she couldn't tell what power the vessels belonged to.  Thankfully, one of her bridge officers piped up with that information.

The distress call presented her with a bit of a conundrum.  This unknown vessel was being chased by the Tholians, a species not well known for their patience or their pacifism, but on the other hand, she had no idea whether the Tholians had a legitimate reason for chasing them.

It only took her a moment to make her decision.

"Give them permission to dock, but put precautions in place to ensure that they don't leave before we say so.  And try to open a channel to the Tholian vessel.  Let's see what brings them out like this."

Tholians, Kristen was worried. They were not known as a patient or understanding people. They had a habit of pulling the trigger and asking questions later.

"Aye ma'am." Kristen acknowledged the order.

She tapped several commands and opened a channel to reply to the escaping vessel. "Director Solan, you are approved for docking at docking bay 7." She cut off communication and then proceeded to tap her communicator. =/\="Ops to security. Please report to docking bay 7. We have an unidentified vessel docking. Please do not unseal the airlock until ordered to do so. The crew of that vessel is not to be permitted to board this station without Admiral Deacons consent.=/\=

Kristen looked up towards the Admiral. "Sir security teams have been dispatched and I'm opening a channel to the Tholian vessel now." She pointed to the admiral. "Channel open ma'am."

Ilana Telak wrote:

As Chira's husband walked up to them, the Cardassian offered him a faint smile. Although they were in the same department on the station now, she hadn't had a chance to really work with or get to know the human.

"R-r-recovering, th-th-thank y-y-you" she replied.  "And y-y-yourself?"

[Promenade]

"I am doing well enough," Henriks replied, struggling to think of a time that he had ever felt better than he did now. A glance to Chira's abdomen, where two little lives were now growing, filled him with such awe and joy that he could explode. He was just itching to see their round, little faces and tiny little toes. Any day now. "And I am glad to hear you are recovering," he added. How far in the recovery process she was, Henriks was unsure. He didn't know her well and had only briefly seen her medical records, and where the stutter fit into all that... He mentally shrugged away the thought. Working in the same department, they would get to know each other better over time.

Kristen Young wrote:

Tholians, Kristen was worried. They were not known as a patient or understanding people. They had a habit of pulling the trigger and asking questions later.

"Aye ma'am." Kristen acknowledged the order.

She tapped several commands and opened a channel to reply to the escaping vessel. "Director Solan, you are approved for docking at docking bay 7." She cut off communication and then proceeded to tap her communicator. =/\="Ops to security. Please report to docking bay 7. We have an unidentified vessel docking. Please do not unseal the airlock until ordered to do so. The crew of that vessel is not to be permitted to board this station without Admiral Deacons consent.=/\=

Kristen looked up towards the Admiral. "Sir security teams have been dispatched and I'm opening a channel to the Tholian vessel now." She pointed to the admiral. "Channel open ma'am."

[Operations Centre]

Rachel listened in on what the young Operations ensign was relaying to the various teams around the station in order to make any corrections she deemed necessary. In time, she would probably eavesdropping for that purpose, but this crew was still new to her. She wasn't sure which ones she could rely on not to screw up yet and, until then, everyone would be treated to the same level of scrutiny.

"Have the captain of the ship, this... Science Director Solan, brought up to ops. I'll need his side of the story as well," she told Kristen so that she could pass the message down to the security team. With that order given, she then looked up to the viewscreen, even though she couldn't really see it. It was, after all, polite to look at the other party when you were talking to them.

"Tholian vessel, this is Admiral Deacon of Starbase Athena. Why are you pursuing?"

Kristen Young wrote:

=/\="Ops to security. Please report to docking bay 7. We have an unidentified vessel docking. Please do not unseal the airlock until ordered to do so. The crew of that vessel is not to be permitted to board this station without Admiral Deacons consent.=/\=

[Security Office]

Mira had just come back from a routine patrol when the call came in for a detachment to make their way with all haste to one of the docking bays. Glancing to the officer in command and receiving a nod, the hologram did an about face and joined the team heading out.

As they reached the docking bay in question, Mira paused to take stock of the situation: an unknown alien vessel, battle scarred and heavily damaged. Since the orders had been to make sure that no one got off the ship, the hologram shifted a little uncomfortably, wondering what they were supposed to do if someone on the ship needed medical assistance. The admiral's orders were contradicting what the protocols in Mira's programming were telling her to do.

Rachel Deacon wrote:

"Tholian vessel, this is Admiral Deacon of Starbase Athena.  Why are you pursuing?"

[Tholian vessel Mab'v Thol]

Commander Erskine of the Warrior Caste listened as the Federation station hailed them.  A sensation hummed through the communication lattice of the Mab'v, a question that was a feeling rather than words.  Here, within the confines of their own ship, there was no need for clunky vocalizations.  Not like the keening wail of a voice that flooded their comm channel.

Give them only silence, Erskine thought, feeling satisfaction as the subordinates obeyed.  Fifteen point two five of their reckoned minutes.  The violators had chosen to run to the Federation for protection.  Perhaps this could yet be turned into a gain for the caste.

Rachel Deacon wrote:

[Operations Centre]

Rachel listened in on what the young Operations ensign was relaying to the various teams around the station in order to make any corrections she deemed necessary.  In time, she would probably eavesdropping for that purpose, but this crew was still new to her.  She wasn't sure which ones she could rely on not to screw up yet and, until then, everyone would be treated to the same level of scrutiny.

"Have the captain of the ship, this... Science Director Solan, brought up to ops.  I'll need his side of the story as well," she told Kristen so that she could pass the message down to the security team. With that order given, she then looked up to the viewscreen, even though she couldn't really see it.  It was, after all, polite to look at the other party when you were talking to them.

"Tholian vessel, this is Admiral Deacon of Starbase Athena.  Why are you pursuing?"

Kristen sat and awaited a reply. The silence was nearly deafening. She danced across her control panel confirming that the channel was indeed open and the communications systems were functional. "Sir, no response from the Tholian vessel and I've confirmed that the channel is open."

As the Admiral pondered her next move Kristen jumped on her other order. =/\="Ops to security. Please escort director Solan to the operations centre."=/\=

[Docking Bay]

Solan blinked as the bright lights of the station threatened to overwhelm him. After days and days of the dim cabin lighting of his ship, this place seemed a virtual constellation. "Please," the old man said, his lips painfully cracked. He wandered toward the first person he saw, a young woman in a gold-and-grey uniform that he recognized from trader information. "Please you have to...you have," he managed, slumping down to the deck plates. The long pursuit of the wedge-ship had been a slow and inexorable thing, and he and Mariko hadn't had much time for sustenance. Now, it was catching up to him. He wasn't a young man anymore.

"Please..." he wheezed. "They're going to kill us."

Kristen Young wrote:

=/\="Ops to security. Please escort director Solan to the operations centre."=/\=

NPC wrote:

Solan blinked as the bright lights of the station threatened to overwhelm him. After days and days of the dim cabin lighting of his ship, this place seemed a virtual constellation. "Please," the old man said, his lips painfully cracked. He wandered toward the first person he saw, a young woman in a gold-and-grey uniform that he recognized from trader information. "Please you have to...you have," he managed, slumping down to the deck plates. The long pursuit of the wedge-ship had been a slow and inexorable thing, and he and Mariko hadn't had much time for sustenance. Now, it was catching up to him. He wasn't a young man anymore.

"Please..." he wheezed. "They're going to kill us."

[Docking bay]

Mira's dilemma was partially solved by the second call to come in from the operations centre, and it certainly made it easier when one of the people on the ship came up to the airlock seal.

"Director Solan?" she asked, keying in the security code at the airlock to allow him onto the station itself. "You're safe for now. Please, Admiral Deacon has asked for your presence in the ops centre."

Aside, she tapped her commbadge and said: "Mira to medical, please send a responder to the operations centre."

Mira wrote:

Aside, she tapped her commbadge and said: "Mira to medical, please send a responder to the operations centre."

[Promenade]

Henriks was still musing about the two little ones when a message came through his combadge. A medic was needed at Ops, but why, the speaker did not say. They seldom did, and Henriks had grown used to the fact. As it was, a stand medkit would suffice for most situations, and anything more serious usually wound up in sickbay anyhow. So Henriks tapped his comm badge, replying with a short and simple, "On my way."

Looking to Chira, he added, "Sorry, my Lady, but I must be off. Es tevi mīlu." He kissed her quickly on the forehead before giving a quick nod to Ilana. The two ladies were off duty, and he hoped their chat would continue pleasantly while he was gone.

As he set off towards Ops, grabbing a medkit along the way, Teo made to follow him. "No," Henriks told him. "You can't come. Stay and look after Chira for me, won't you?" The cat mewed and padded back into the bar area. Henriks was finally able to go, and soon he found himself in the operations center.

Henriks Ābols wrote:

Henriks was still musing about the two little ones when a message came through his combadge. A medic was needed at Ops, but why, the speaker did not say. They seldom did, and Henriks had grown used to the fact. As it was, a stand medkit would suffice for most situations, and anything more serious usually wound up in sickbay anyhow. So Henriks tapped his comm badge, replying with a short and simple, "On my way."

Looking to Chira, he added, "Sorry, my Lady, but I must be off. Es tevi mīlu." He kissed her quickly on the forehead before giving a quick nod to Ilana. The two ladies were off duty, and he hoped their chat would continue pleasantly while he was gone.

As he set off towards Ops, grabbing a medkit along the way, Teo made to follow him. "No," Henriks told him. "You can't come. Stay and look after Chira for me, won't you?" The cat mewed and padded back into the bar area. Henriks was finally able to go, and soon he found himself in the operations center.

[Promenade]

The call for medical officers made Chira reflexively start to get to her feet, never mind that she was off on personal leave. She smiled a little smile, settling back into the chair. In her condition, she'd likely just get in the way, and distract Henriks from the job that he was supposed to do.

"I love you, too," she said, picking up Teo as the cat leaped up into her lap, true to Henrkis' orders. "You be careful, Apple," she murmured, giving Teo a scratch behind the ears. Unbidden tears welled up in her eyes as she sighed and smiled apologetically at Ilana. "Hormones. I promise, I'm not usually an emotional shuttle-wreck. You can go, if you want...I think I can take care of myself," she dryly added.

Mira wrote:

Mira's dilemma was partially solved by the second call to come in from the operations centre, and it certainly made it easier when one of the people on the ship came up to the airlock seal.

"Director Solan?" she asked, keying in the security code at the airlock to allow him onto the station itself.  "You're safe for now.  Please, Admiral Deacon has asked for your presence in the ops centre."

Aside, she tapped her commbadge and said: "Mira to medical, please send a responder to the operations centre."

"Safe..." Solan said, shaking his head. "None of us are. None of you are! They're monsters...the screeching, the wailing...dear Gods, why didn't they just kill us!?"

[Station Ops]

The old man's body was wracked with sobs as he allowed himself to be taken to what these people called an 'Ops center'. He assumed that was the main command module of this station. The technology here was unlike anything Solan had ever seen in his life. Perhaps, if someone could save him from the crystalline monsters...it could be these people.

NPC wrote:

"Safe..." Solan said, shaking his head.  "None of us are.  None of you are!  They're monsters...the screeching, the wailing...dear Gods, why didn't they just kill us!?"  

[Station Ops]

The old man's body was wracked with sobs as he allowed himself to be taken to what these people called an 'Ops center'.  He assumed that was the main command module of this station.  The technology here was unlike anything Solan had ever seen in his life.  Perhaps, if someone could save him from the crystalline monsters...it could be these people.

As she listened to the Director, Mira made a note in her subroutines to look at trying install a few counselling programs in to herself. She had no idea how to even begin reassuring the distressed humanoid.

Instead, she simply lead him up to the operations centre and hoped that they would know what to do with him.

[Operations centre]

Stepping off the turbolift and into the command hub of the station, Mira quickly scanned the people gathered there before announcing that the director had arrived. Then, her duty technically over except for keeping an eye on things to make sure that they didn't go south, she shot a smile at her only friend on the station: Kristen Young.

NPC wrote:

"Safe..." Solan said, shaking his head.  "None of us are.  None of you are!  They're monsters...the screeching, the wailing...dear Gods, why didn't they just kill us!?"  

[Station Ops]

The old man's body was wracked with sobs as he allowed himself to be taken to what these people called an 'Ops center'.  He assumed that was the main command module of this station.  The technology here was unlike anything Solan had ever seen in his life.  Perhaps, if someone could save him from the crystalline monsters...it could be these people.

[Operations Centre]

Hearing the turbolift arriving, Rachel turned around to see a humanoid and the strange translation her VISOR gave her of their prototype holographic security officer.

"Greetings. I am Admiral Rachel Deacon of Starbase Athena. Could you tell me why the Tholians were chasing you?"

Chira Abols wrote:

[Promenade]

The call for medical officers made Chira reflexively start to get to her feet, never mind that she was off on personal leave.  She smiled a little smile, settling back into the chair.  In her condition, she'd likely just get in the way, and distract Henriks from the job that he was supposed to do.  

"I love you, too," she said, picking up Teo as the cat leaped up into her lap, true to Henrkis' orders.  "You be careful, Apple," she murmured, giving Teo a scratch behind the ears.  Unbidden tears welled up in her eyes as she sighed and smiled apologetically at Ilana.  "Hormones.  I promise, I'm not usually an emotional shuttle-wreck.  You can go, if you want...I think I can take care of myself," she dryly added.

Ilana heard the call come though, but she knew that if anyone in the medical department found out that she had skipped out on her break again, there was going to be trouble. As such, she simply watched with curiosity as Chira and Henriks said good bye to each other.

When Chira apologised, she shook her head dismissively. "It's ok," she replied. "H-h-h-hormones c-can't b-b-b-be f-fun." The Cardassian then pulled a slight face. "I'm n-n-not s-s-supposed t-t-to g-g-go b-back t-t-to w-w-work y-yet."

[Station Ops]

By the time Henriks reached Ops, a considerable sized group had already amassed. His eyes darted quickly from face to face, most of which he recognized, until they fell upon a green skinned man who seemed to be struggling to remain standing on his feet. At first glance, the old man looked to be Orion, but the hair and something that Henriks just couldn't put his finger on suggested otherwise. There was only one way to settle the question, and so Henriks approached, medkit in hand.

As Henriks grew closer, he could see tears glistening from the old man's eyes and down his face to his cracked lips. Henriks cracked open his medkit and pulled out a tricorder. "Sir," he addressed the green skinned man, "I am going to run a few basic scans to make sure you're alright."

Rachel Deacon wrote:

Hearing the turbolift arriving, Rachel turned around to see a humanoid and the strange translation her VISOR gave her of their prototype holographic security officer.  

"Greetings.  I am Admiral Rachel Deacon of Starbase Athena.  Could you tell me why the Tholians were chasing you?"

[Ops Center]

Allowing himself to be settled into a seating position, Solan took a calming breath, and then another. "Tholians," he said, working the word around in his mouth. "There might have been something in that transmission that sounded like 'Tholian'."

Henriks Abols wrote:

As Henriks grew closer, he could see tears glistening from the old man's eyes and down his face to his cracked lips. Henriks cracked open his medkit and pulled out a tricorder. "Sir," he addressed the green skinned man, "I am going to run a few basic scans to make sure you're alright."

Reaching up, he rubbed his temples, nodding once as a man in a teal-necked uniform set to work on him. "I appreciate it. If you have a glass of water, I could use one, too."

"I thank you for your hospitality. I am Solan, Science Director of the Planet of Ujaan. My people have been conducting warp experiments for the past decade or so, but the short version is...something went wrong with the last one, where we tried to push past the barrier that the Vulcans called 'warp five'. We ended up in a region of space uncharted by us. There were three ships. That's when the others appeared."

NPC wrote:

[Ops Center]

Allowing himself to be settled into a seating position, Solan took a calming breath, and then another.  "Tholians," he said, working the word around in his mouth.  "There might have been something in that transmission that sounded like 'Tholian'."

Reaching up, he rubbed his temples, nodding once as a man in a teal-necked uniform set to work on him.  "I appreciate it.  If you have a glass of water, I could use one, too."  

"I thank you for your hospitality.  I am Solan, Science Director of the Planet of Ujaan.  My people have been conducting warp experiments for the past decade or so, but the short version is...something went wrong with the last one, where we tried to push past the barrier that the Vulcans called 'warp five'.  We ended up in a region of space uncharted by us.  There were three ships.  That's when the others appeared."

[Operations Centre]

Rachel nodded to the medic as he stepped in to her operations centre, a new arrival by the name of Henriks Abols, coming to take a look at their guest. Her attention then turned back to the guest in question.

"I have attempted to contact the Tholians, but we haven't received a reply yet. It's unfortunate that your warp experiments took you into their space. They're not well known for listening to reasons or, well, asking questions before they fire when it comes to defending their territory." She wanted to grant them asylum on the station, but until she could verify the story, she wasn't willing to take the risk.

Mira wrote:

As she listened to the Director, Mira made a note in her subroutines to look at trying install a few counselling programs in to herself.  She had no idea how to even begin reassuring the distressed humanoid.

Instead, she simply lead him up to the operations centre and hoped that they would know what to do with him.

[Operations centre]

Stepping off the turbolift and into the command hub of the station, Mira quickly scanned the people gathered there before announcing that the director had arrived.  Then, her duty technically over except for keeping an eye on things to make sure that they didn't go south, she shot a smile at her only friend on the station: Kristen Young.

Kristen brushed the hair from her face as Mira stepped off the turbo lift. There was something about that hologram that made her feel like a school-girl. She regressed by about 10 years every time she came around. She looked to her console when Mira shot her a smile. Kristen looked back up and returned the smile to her friend and then re-directed her attention to the scene taking place in the operations center.

Rachel Deacon wrote:

Rachel nodded to the medic as he stepped in to her operations centre, a new arrival by the name of Henriks Abols, coming to take a look at their guest.  Her attention then turned back to the guest in question.

"I have attempted to contact the Tholians, but we haven't received a reply yet.  It's unfortunate that your warp experiments took you into their space.  They're not well known for listening to reasons or, well, asking questions before they fire when it comes to defending their territory."  She wanted to grant them asylum on the station, but until she could verify the story, she wasn't willing to take the risk.

[Ops Center]

Solan ran his fingers through his hair, resting his forehead on his palm. "They never even made any demands," the old man said, shaking his head. He paused a moment, appearing to reconsider. "Well...none that we could interpret. They filled our comm channel with nothing but screeching...it sounded like stones scraping glass. If that was communication, then obviously they didn't like what we had to say back."

He looked over to Markio, knowing that the other man had lost his wife on one of the other ships. Solan took a sip of his water, then continued. "We didn't even have a chance. Their shots tore through the defense screens, taking out the first ship. The second didn't last much longer. By that point, we were doubling back at maximum speed. That's when...that's when they just started following. Stalking. Like a jungle cat. Great gods...it went on for days...days! They toyed with us!" The glass fell from his numbed hand, thudding dully against the carpeted floor.

Kristen Young wrote:

Kristen brushed the hair from her face as Mira stepped off the turbo lift. There was something about that hologram that made her feel like a school-girl. She regressed by about 10 years every time she came around. She looked to her console when Mira shot her a smile. Kristen looked back up and returned the smile to her friend and then re-directed her attention to the scene taking place in the operations center.

[Ops]

Tapping her lower lip in thought, Myree glanced up as Mira entered with their guest.  She noted how Kristen's face seemed to light up in the hologram's presence, smiling to herself.  That was good - Mira certainly could use some friends.  While she wasn't sure if the AI picked up on such nuances, she knew very well that it was within her programmed parameters.  Emotions were a garden, and all they needed was a little cultivation.

She sidled over to the Ops station, leaning against Kristen's console.  Speaking of cultivation...Myree had only had a few chances to talk to Young in a non-working capacity.  Perhaps she'd make steps to remedy that.  Later, of course...when they didn't have Tholians orbiting the station.  

"This isn't good," she murmured.  "That's a big damn ship.  I haven't detected any scans...have you?  I wonder what the fval they're waiting on."

NPC wrote:

[Ops Center]

Reaching up, he rubbed his temples, nodding once as a man in a teal-necked uniform set to work on him.  "I appreciate it.  If you have a glass of water, I could use one, too."  
....
Solan ran his fingers through his hair, resting his forehead on his palm. "They never even made any demands," the old man said, shaking his head. He paused a moment, appearing to reconsider. "Well...none that we could interpret. They filled our comm channel with nothing but screeching...it sounded like stones scraping glass. If that was communication, then obviously they didn't like what we had to say back."

He looked over to Markio, knowing that the other man had lost his wife on one of the other ships. Solan took a sip of his water, then continued. "We didn't even have a chance. Their shots tore through the defense screens, taking out the first ship. The second didn't last much longer. By that point, we were doubling back at maximum speed. That's when...that's when they just started following. Stalking. Like a jungle cat. Great gods...it went on for days...days! They toyed with us!" The glass fell from his numbed hand, thudding dully against the carpeted floor.

[Ops Center]

The Director, though extremely weary, didn't look as if he were about to keel over, so Henriks lay his medkit down to get him the glass of water that he had requested, returning shortly with a glass. The old man was humanoid in appearance, something the scans would no doubt show as well, which meant quite a lot of his body was made up of water. A little water would go a long way to make the Director feel better, at the very least wet his parched lips.

Now that the Director had his glass, Henriks resumed his work, running a tricorder over the man. He paused a moment to read the data that this scan yielded. For the most part, taking into account what the Director had been through, he seemed to be in fair health. Some of his protein and enzyme levels were a bit low, but nothing that some stress and aging couldn't explain. Henriks prepped a hypospray and pressed it gently to the director's neck. It released its contents with a soft hiss and soon, he hoped, the man's body would return to what passed for homeostasis in his species.

"How is the rest of your crew faring?" Henriks asked.