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Episode 107. Counterattack in the Corridors

Book 1 - Episode 107 - Counterattack in the Corridors

Context

Coordinated Universal Time
Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 7:53 p.m.
Location
  • Alpha Quadrant
  • Tellar Sector
  • Tellar System
  • USS Enterprise
  • Corridors
Timeline
Schak'Irra Timeline
Previously on Trek Outta Time

While the Enterprise was undergoing repairs at Zorek Spaceport, a surprise attack by Orion pirates turned everything upside down. Their leader, the Ferengi Blunderbust Braggart, took the bridge and demanded a ransom of 500 bars of latinum, along with the surrender of Gornok, K'hoka, and T'Met. As Lingua tried to isolate the intruders, Agnes, T'Met, and Gornok formed a counterattack unit. The ultimatum is nearly over: only a few minutes remain before the pirates execute the hostages.

Characters

Name Affiliation / Branch Title / Rank Species Original Timeline
Agnes V. Rodriguez NATO / Special Fleet Captain Human Schak'Irra Timeline
Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi Starfleet / Temporal Division Commander Andorian Prime Timeline
T'Met Starfleet / Temporal Division Captain Vulcan Prime Timeline
Lingua Starfleet / Temporal Division N/A Artificial Intelligence Prime Timeline
Gornok Zorek Entrepreneurs' Assembly Chief Tellarite Schak'Irra Timeline
K'hoka Khol'a Independent Étoile Diamantée des Astres Pétillants Orion Schak'Irra Timeline

Manifest

USS Enterprise
Affiliation NATO
Location Being towed through the Tellar System
Captain Agnes V. Rodriguez
First Officer Angie Chen
Artificial Intelligence Lingua (Unofficial)
Pilot Eric Corda
Communications Emilie Flores
Operations Charlene Savea
Tactical Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi (Unofficial)
Science T'Met (Unofficial)
Advanced Weaponry Eros Vitos
Security Robert Gomard (Unofficial)
Sickbay Victor S. Calpel
Counselor/Consultant Manu
Custodian Manu
Passengers Robert Gomard's squad
4 Vulcan survivors from Schak'Irra
Emmanuel Macron
K'hoka Khol'a
Detainees Vladimir Joseph Putin and his bodyguards

TL;DR

Agnes launches a counterattack by splitting the team into two groups: Tarsi and K'hoka for the starboard flank, Agnes, T'Met, and Gornok for port. While the debate heats up, Tarsi puts her plan into action: Lingua blasts Benny Goodman's swing "Sing Sing Sing" at full volume to distract the pirates. Taking advantage of the confusion, Tarsi and K'hoka neutralize the Orion guards and have them transported to Tal'Kyr's cells. Access to the bridge is now clear: the retaking of the starship can begin.

Story

Time is running out. Of the 60 minutes the Ferengi gave us, only 14 remain to comply with demands I have no intention of meeting. Our plan is simple: retake control of the saucer and the bridge in close quarters. To do that, we split into two groups. Tarsi and K'hoka will clear the starboard side, while T'Met, Gornok, and I handle port.

Capt. T'Met

Captain Rodriguez, I am not convinced it was wise to pair Tarsi and K'hoka for this operation.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

I do not see why. They seem to have been getting along since their little clash at L'Étoile Diamantée des Astres Pétillants.

Capt. T'Met

The Federation archives of the Prime temporality revealed that K'hoka was considered a criminal.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

I know, I read the file. If we had not intervened in her establishment, she would have been captured and then executed on Orion Prime. Would you have preferred that we let it happen?

Capt. T'Met

Precisely! Starfleet's Temporal Prime Directive forbids any interference.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

I am not Starfleet, and you are not exactly in the best position to lecture me. You should have thought about your famous directive before crashing Schak'Irra at the North Pole in 1954. May I remind you that your interference created a new temporality in which humanity is doomed to extinction!

Gornok

Grr... Gornok does not understand your conversation. You are time travelers?

Capt. T'Met

Uh, no...

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

What is the point of hiding it from him, Captain T'Met! You see, Gornok, T'Met and Tarsi come from the future of a parallel reality. As for me, my crew, you, and this entire universe, none of us are supposed to exist...

Capt. T'Met

Captain Rodriguez! Be quiet!

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

No, Captain T'Met, your little act is over! We are in an already contaminated temporality. Whether it is a little more or a little less contaminated will not change anything!

Lingua

Audio channel

[beep] Port team, stay focused. You are approaching several pirate groups.

Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez

Good, Lingua. Any news from the starboard team?

Lingua

Audio channel

[beep] The starboard team is advancing faster and more stealthily than you are. I advise you to do the same.

At the same time, on the opposite side of the saucer, Tarsi and K'hoka have hidden at an intersection where they are watching a first group of Orions standing guard in the corridors.

K'hoka Khol'a

Hey, why are you making hand signals at me?

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

It is an old Earth military tactic for communicating instructions without being spotted.

K'hoka Khol'a

That tactic does not look very effective. I did not understand a thing. How do we go about intercepting them?

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

Hmm, I have an idea. Lingua, are you still there?

Lingua

Audio channel

[beep] Yes, Commander Tarsi. Are you going to start neutralizing the pirates?

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

Yes, Lingua, but first, search Angie's database for the file G7fARRnhWSg. We will charge when you play it at full volume in the corridors.

Lingua

Audio channel

[beep] Music? I do not understand, Commander Tarsi.

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

It is a diversion. Did you find it?

Lingua

Audio channel

[beep] Yes, Commander. The file is an MP3 named Sing Sing Sing, a 1937 Earth swing piece performed by clarinetist Benny Goodman and his Big Band.

K'hoka Khol'a

Sing? But I do not know the lyrics!

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

No lyrics needed! Launch the charge, Lingua!

Lingua

Audio channel

[beep] Chaaaaaaaaarge!

A true musical tornado, packed with energy and frantic rhythm, echoes through the corridors of the USS Enterprise, catching the pirates' attention. Tarsi and K'hoka use the diversion to slip quietly behind them and launch their attack with perfect synchronization.

K'hoka closes her eyes for a moment, focusing so she can release her pheromones. A soft fragrance spreads through the air, and the Orions begin to look disoriented. Their vigilance fades as the effect of the chemical molecules intoxicates them. Tarsi, quick and precise, neutralizes two of the guards with well-placed blows. K'hoka, using brute strength, throws another pirate against the wall, knocking him out instantly. At the other end of the corridor, another group of Orions, finally realizing what is happening, tries to fight back, but the enchantment slows them considerably, leaving them unable to defend themselves effectively. In a few minutes, the corridor is clear.

K'hoka Khol'a

That was intense! Are we going to leave them here?

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

No, we are going to tie them up with these plastic cable ties, and then Lingua will transport them to Tal'Kyr.

Lingua

Audio channel

[beep] The transporter room is secured, Commander Tarsi. I am only waiting for your order to send them there.

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

You may begin, Lingua.

K'hoka Khol'a

Wow, that transport system is magic. It is surprising I have never heard of it.

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

Normal, it is technology developed by humans.

K'hoka Khol'a

Humans? They do not seem advanced enough to design such an invention.

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

You are right. We helped them a little. Hee hee hee...

Lingua

Audio channel

[beep] Starboard team, you may continue along your route. The way is clear to the bridge entrance. Along the way, you will cross paths with Colonel Gomard and Ensign Vitos, who are hiding in ventilation duct XD-01-E.

Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi

Of course, the girls are doing all the work again. Let us go get them...