Episode 75. The Tsar's Lair
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Friday, August 9, 2024 - 02:03
- Location
-
- Earth
- Russia
- Putingrad
- Underground Station
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
After landing on Red Square and descending into Moscow's underground passages, Agnes Rodriguez's team survived a series of deadly clashes with the Tholians. Delta and Foxtrot Units were decimated, and Alpha Unit had to retreat to the Kremlin command room, where Tarsi pierced the Russian systems: the archives confirm the Minister of Defense's involvement in the July 15 nuclear attack and reveal the existence of aliens captured in 1954. According to militia leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, these prisoners are being exploited by the Grand Tsar Putin, who has taken refuge in a top-secret fortress, Putingrad, on the Black Sea. Agnes then makes an alliance of convenience with Prigozhin to reach it. In one final act of bravery, he sacrifices himself to block the Tholians, giving the team an escape route aboard an antique locomotive. After several discreet stops through underground Russia, the convoy finally reaches mysterious Putingrad: the Tsar's last lair and, perhaps, home to the survivors of the Schak'Irra.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
| Robert Gomard | NATO / Army | Colonel | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Lebeau | NATO / Army | Corporal | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Vladimir Joseph Putin | Russian Empire | Grand Tsar | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Emmanuel Macron | NATO / French Republic | Sidelined President | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Earth Orbit |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical | Eric Corda Charlene Savea |
| Science | Manu |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers | Tarsi (Confidential) Robert Gomard and his squad |
| Ground Teams |
Alpha Unit: Robert Gomard, Agnes V. Rodriguez, Eros Vitos, Tarsi, Lebeau, Charlie Unit: 9 soldiers |
TL;DR
Arriving in Putingrad, the team discovers a ghostly, silent station, almost too clean. Bricked-up passages and half-open doors betray a trap, but they move forward. Guided by Tarsi, they explore the heart of the bunker, a setting of marble, gold, and megalomania worthy of an underground Versailles. Behind a half-open door, the Grand Tsar is already waiting for them, surrounded by guards in suits and kneeling prisoners: the survivors of the Schak'Irra. Calm and icy, Putin greets his guests and reveals the presence of another unexpected hostage: Emmanuel Macron, captured a few months earlier in Azerbaijan. The tension rises. Phasers are raised. The ideological and political duel is about to begin, and for the first time since Moscow, Agnes feels that the real game starts here.
Story
Barely arrived at our destination, inside the car, we gather our conventional equipment along with Russian weapons: mainly ammunition for AK-47s and various types of grenades.
In the station, the area is strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
It is completely deserted.
Tarsi scans the surroundings with her tricorder.
Life signs appear farther inside the complex, but no immediate danger is detected.
Colonel Gomard moves toward the main exit.
It has been bricked up.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Look, Agnes.
This wall was put up in a hurry.
The cement is still fresh in places.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
We could blow it without difficulty... but at the cost of announcing our presence.
Tarsi, did you spot any other exits?
Cmdr. Tarsi
The corridor forms a long spiral up to the surface.
It is blocked every ten meters.
However, by going around it, we can access its center.
There is a stairwell and armored doors on every floor.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
We might as well stay discreet.
We take the stairs.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
I agree.
Lebeau, you're up.
Unlock this door for me.
Cpl. Lebeau (Army)
Uh... Colonel...
The door isn't locked.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Strange.
The most wanted man in the world barricades himself in... and forgets to lock the door?
This smells like trouble.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
It mostly smells clean.
Look at the state of the steps... and the walls.
Cmdr. Tarsi
We still need to climb five floors.
Above us, I detect a group of about twenty life signs.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
That's all?
Only twenty?
Cmdr. Tarsi
No.
There are also four groups of two, scattered through the complex.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Probably the Grand Tsar's guards.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Or maybe our Charlie Unit.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Sorry, guys...
The tricorder doesn't provide that level of detail.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Either way, the balance of power has been restored.
We have a real chance to take control of this bunker.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Six to one, advantage Russians.
Place your bets, Agnes.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Stop.
Don't climb any farther.
The door on this floor is... also open.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Again?!
Putin really should fire his custodian.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Or maybe...
It's the bait drawing in the mice that we are.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Eros, be ready to deploy a force field if necessary.
Do you still have some in reserve?
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Yes, Captain.
Three standard force fields and two triple-action domes.
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Which way now, Tarsi?
Cmdr. Tarsi
We stay on this floor. The group is twenty meters away.
Go right...
Then left...
And right again.
Ens. Eros Vitos (Weapons Engineer)
Good grief...
Look at this decor.
It's like Versailles.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
No doubt about it.
We are definitely in the Tsar's lair.
Only he would have a five-star underground facility built, worthy of ranking among the top three wonders of the modern world.
I notice with surprise that, unlike the Kremlin's underground installations, this place is perfectly preserved.
The walls are dazzling white, immaculate.
Everything is clean. Too clean.
The immense rooms we cross breathe luxury and grandeur.
Every detail seems designed to impress.
Following Tarsi's directions, we arrive in front of a half-open door.
Colonel Gomard approaches slowly and glances inside.
At the center of the room, Putin is sitting, motionless.
Facing him, another figure, barely discernible.
Behind them, armed guards in suits and ties.
In a dark corner, five silhouettes kneel on the floor.
The scene is chilling.
Suddenly, a voice rises from the room.
Vladimir Joseph Putin (Grand Tsar of Russia)
Come in... come in.
I was expecting you.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Uh...
Agnes, is he talking to us?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
It seems so.
What do you see, Robert?
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
We've been spotted.
He's definitely talking to us.
Draw your phasers... we're going in.
Vladimir Joseph Putin (Grand Tsar of Russia)
A very good day to you five.
Don't be shy.
Welcome to my modest home.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Modest.
That's an understatement.
Cmdr. Tarsi
Agnes... look left.
The five prisoners...
They are part of the Schak'Irra crew.
Vladimir Joseph Putin (Grand Tsar of Russia)
Hmm...
You are also an alien.
Cmdr. Tarsi
No kidding.
Did you figure that out all by yourself?
Vladimir Joseph Putin (Grand Tsar of Russia)
Don't be so tense.
Allow me to introduce one of my guests.
You know him well, I believe.
Emmanuel Macron (President of France)
Hum...
Col. Robert Gomard (Army)
Mr. President...
We thought you were imprisoned in Azerbaijan.
Vladimir Joseph Putin (Grand Tsar of Russia)
He was.
I had him repatriated to refresh his memory.
As it turns out, he had forgotten that Azerbaijan and Armenia are Russian territories.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
And you forgot to inform the planet.