Episode 108. In the Snap of a Finger
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 8:07 PM
- Location
-
- Alpha Quadrant
- Tellar Sector
- Tellar System
- USS Enterprise
- Deck 1
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously on Trek Outta Time
-
The Orion pirates, led by the Ferengi Blunderbust Braggart, seized control of the Enterprise and demanded a ransom. Agnes refused to negotiate and organized a counterattack by splitting her team: Tarsi and K'hoka to starboard, herself, T'Met, and Gornok to port. Thanks to a diversion orchestrated by Lingua, Tarsi and K'hoka neutralized the pirates and cleared the corridors leading to the bridge. The ultimatum is nearly over, and the retaking of the starship is about to begin.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
| T'Met | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Captain | Vulcan | Prime Timeline |
| Robert Gomard | NATO / Army | Colonel | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Charlene Savea | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Manu | NATO / Special Fleet | Requisitioned Civilian | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign | Human | Schak'Irra 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 |
| Blunderbust Braggart | Independent | N/A | Ferengi | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Orion Pirate Leader | Orion Pirates | Leader | 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 |
|
| Detainees | Vladimir Joseph Putin and his bodyguards |
TL;DR
Tarsi and K'hoka join Gomard and Vitos, then wait for Agnes, T'Met, and Gornok to arrive before launching the final assault. After a tense exchange, Agnes enters the bridge and, with a simple snap of her fingers, makes the Ferengi and the pirate leader vanish without understanding how. Lingua confirms that they are now aboard their own privateers. The crew retakes control of the Enterprise, frees the hostages, and breaks the grappling cables. Under enemy fire, the Enterprise jumps to warp and escapes the Tellar system at full speed. Destination: Proxima Centauri B.
Story
While I take care of the last Orion pirates on the port side with T'Met and Gornok, the starboard team, made up of Tarsi and K'hoka, heads to the bridge entrance, where the pirate leader and the Ferengi are located.
K'hoka Khol'a
This starship is huge. Is it much farther?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
No, the bridge is only a few meters away, but before we go in, we need to locate the ventilation duct where Eros and Robert are hiding.
Lingua, the ducts in this corridor are not labeled. Guide me, please.
Lingua
[beep] Duct XD-01-E is the one above you on your right, Commander Tarsi.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Thank you, Lingua.
K'hoka, give me a boost.
K'hoka Khol'a
A boost?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Cup your hands so I can step on them, then lift me up.
K'hoka Khol'a
Aaaah okay. Go ahead...
Once she reaches the duct, Tarsi removes the grille and looks inside. She whistles softly, trying to catch the attention of those inside.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Yoo-hooo, anybody in there?
Robeeeeert, Erooooos, are you there?
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Of course we are here. Do not shout too loud, there is an armada of Piccolo-Hulks wandering around the starship.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Well, look at the brave male team. You can come down from your hiding place, we cleared the deck!
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Are you sure there are none left? I would rather not fall under the spell of those steroid-pumped males, if you know what I mean.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Ha ha ha.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Why are you laughing?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Only Orion women like K'hoka produce pheromones that can influence and control humanoid males.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Oooooh, a green woman! Watch out! I've got you, pirate!
K'hoka Khol'a
Heeeeeey, let go of me, redhead!
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Vitos! Leave her alone! She is with us!
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Ah, uh, sorry, Colonel.
Delighted to meet you, charming young lady. Eros Vitos, at your service...
K'hoka Khol'a
K'hoka Khol'a.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
I love sodas too. I can bring you one as soon as possible.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
That is her name, Ensign!
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Oooh. Dear K'hoka, once we are in the mess, I will let you taste GreenBull in zucchini-pickle flavor, the nectar of the gods in ultra-absorbent diapers.
K'hoka Khol'a
With pleasure, handsome mysterious mustache man.
Col. Robert Gomard Army
Stop playing the pretty boy, Vitos!
What is the situation, Tarsi?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
The Ferengi and the Orion leader are holding four officers hostage on the bridge. We are waiting for Agnes, T'Met, and Gornok before going in.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Speaking of which, here comes our captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
The port side is clear. Are you done on your side?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Yes, Agnes. We are ready to settle things with the runt and the bargain-bin Rambo.
Capt. T'Met
Given that Gornok, K'hoka Khol'a, and I are the bargaining chips, it would be wise for us to stay out of the way.
Gornok
Grr... Gornok would like to beat that little big-eared monkey to a pulp.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Sorry, Gornok. Captain T'Met is right. All three of you go back to Charlene in engineering and make sure warp is operational within the next few minutes. We may need it.
K'hoka Khol'a
Uh, I'm not a mechanic.
Gornok
K'hoka, if you know how to swing a sledgehammer, you are a mechanic.
So let us go!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Robert, Tarsi, and Eros, you are coming with me. We're going to have a little chat with those two clowns.
Lingua, follow our movements.
We take up position in front of the bridge entrance. Lingua opens the doors and we go in. Inside, the Ferengi is enthroned in my captain's chair. As for the Orion leader, he is standing beside him. In a corner, lying down and tied up like sausages, are my officers: Angie, Emilie, Manu, and Eric.
Blunderbust Braggart
Right on time, underdeveloped Gomardian. Do you have the merchandise?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I don't negotiate with hostage takers. Release my officers, and I'll let you live.
Orion Pirate Leader
You're not in a position to give orders, female!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
That is what you think, big guy! It's obvious you have never seen me angry! All I've to do is snap my fingers to send both of you back to your privateers! [snap]
The instant I snap my fingers, the Ferengi and the Orion pirate vanish before our stunned eyes...
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Lingua! Why did you transport them?!
Lingua
[beep] I am sorry, Captain Rodriguez. I did not transport them.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good God! Where are they???
Lingua
[beep] Scan in progress... They are no longer aboard the Enterprise, Captain Rodriguez. I am scanning outside... I have confirmed that the Ferengi and the Orion leader are in the lead privateer towing us.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Impossible!
While I try to understand what just happened, Tarsi, Eros, and Robert immediately free my officers, who return to their posts at once.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Captain Rodriguez, we are receiving a video communication from one of the privateers.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
On screen, Flores.
Blunderbust Braggart
You! Witch! Your dark magic does not impress me! You managed to expel me from your rust bucket, but I will not stop here! Hand over the merchandise or I open fire!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Flores, cut the communication!
Lingua, transport the Orion prisoners to their privateers!
Tarsi, the tactical console is yours!
Mr. Corda, prepare to get us out of here!
Angie, raise shields!
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Schak'Irra's new plasma turret is deployed, Agnes!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good, Tarsi. Target the grapnel cables and free the Enterprise.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Shots fired. The grappling cables have snapped.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Full ahead, Mr. Corda.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Propulsion engaged, Captain!
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
The privateers have opened fire, Captain!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Shield status?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Shields at 99%. The new frequency settings are effective. Their beams are harmless.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
I am going to return fire. They will see what it means to mess with 26th-century technology!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Negative, Tarsi! So far there have been no casualties on either side, and we are going to keep it that way!
Lingua, calculate a trajectory toward the Proxima Centauri system and enter the data into Mr. Corda's flight console.
Lingua
[beep] Trajectory calculated, Captain Rodriguez.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Captain, I cannot shake the Orion ships with conventional propulsion. What do I do?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Keep them busy, Mr. Corda.
Flores, connect me to Gornok.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Link established with engineering, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Gornok. Is the warp engine operational?
Gornok
Grr... Two little seconds. There. On Gornok's honor, the young lady is ready to run at full power. Do not forget, Captain, maximum warp 5!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Gornok.
Mr. Corda, floor it!
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
With pleasure, Captain...
Our pilot presses the control button, and the USS Enterprise flashes into warp. The stars turn into luminous streaks as the starship races through space at a dizzying speed. The Orion ships vanish from our screens, unable to keep up with us...
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Status, Number One.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
We are leaving the Tellar system and no longer detect our pursuers. There is no damage to report, and we suffered no losses. Dr. Calpel only reports a few minor scratches.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Perfect.
End red alert.
Mr. Corda, keep us on course.
Manu Requisitioned Civilian
Captain, where are you taking us?!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
On vacation to Proxima Centauri B, Attaché Manu.
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