TEST DRIVE #6 - The Bridge and Ten Forward

[ten_fwd_mods]

Option 01. Ten Forward: The first thing you see is a bar. A large, lively bar filled with many different faces and many different smells, sights and sounds. This is Ten Forward, the Enterprise's off-duty lounge; feel free to get acquainted with your fellow travelers and try to find somebody who's in charge: this is your new home now, after all...





Option 02. The Bridge: Well, aren't you a lucky duck? You've found yourself in hallowed quarters. Wherever you were before, you're not there anymore. Now you're in a room that could be some kind of command center or control room; there's a captain's chair flanked by seats for his chief officers, computer panels and stations at each interior wall, and before you a broad viewscreen that shows the wide expanse of space rushing towards you. Have you ever wanted to be a starship captain for a day? Well, here's your chance. Feel free to roam around, but try not to touch anything shiny.


[OOC: The Bridge isn't usually available for in-game posts, so if you've ever wanted to play there, here's your chance!]

Comments

Khan Noonien Singh | Star Trek AOS | Option One

[savagemind]

The Vengeance was in a barely-controlled suicide plunge, her broken metal corpse screaming through the atmosphere. Khan managed to haul himself up onto the controls, snarling out a new destination - Starfleet Headquarters - and pushing the dying ship to her absolute limit in his rage.

They'd taken everything from him, and he would repay them a hundredfold.

He felt the first impact, hull squealing as the dreadnought cleanly scoured Alcatraz off the map. The viewscreen flickered, alarms blaring, and Khan watched with vicious satisfaction as the San Francisco skyline filled the viewport.

The augment didn't brace himself, didn't even care to try - survival wasn't the goal. He'll go down with his ship, with his crew, and damn the rest of them. So he wasn't surprised when he was thrown forward with the second impact, the behemoth of a warship carving out a path of destruction through the city. His body cracked against the crumbling control panels, bridge warping and tearing in the chaos, until finally, finally, there was a wash of pain and everything went white.

When reality snaps back into focus, the Vengeance is gone. So is San Francisco, and so is Earth. He is in, of all things, a... bar. A Starfleet bar, judging from the uniforms. This is undoubtedly a Federation vessel, and Khan can feel the fury boiling beneath his skin.

On of the patrons notices him, and his physical state - favoring his right side, breath rapid and shallow, streaked in his own blood - and approaches. But the adrenaline from his fight is still coursing through him, and the second the crew member draws near, Khan lashes out. A sweep to the knees gets him on his back, and the augment is instantly upon his prey, hauling him with a crushing grip to his throat.
"Where am I?"

The question is snarled, but directed to the room at large. And if one of them dares to approach... well. Khan's killed hundreds, perhaps thousands today. One more is nothing.

Re: Khan Noonien Singh | Star Trek AOS | Option One

[heirtothechair]

There are people better equipped for this, better trained.

Bigger, for all that Marika is not a short girl. She'll just have to stall until one of them gets here.

"The USS Enterprise, under Captain Picard," is offered from well out reach.

Marika can project her voice far more easily than she could win a hand-to-hand fight. Let's hear it for stage training.

[savagemind]

The poor ensign struggles, futilely, but there's no breaking out of Khan's grip, and the augment only has to tighten his hand slightly for the man to still in fear for his life. A pale gaze lift to meet the girl's, and his voice rumbles dangerously. "This is not the Enterprise."

He knows that ship, studied it intently before he'd ever stepped aboard - he'd even based much of the Vengeance on her. This was not it. And this Captain Picard was wholly unfamiliar to him - unless, of course, he was Section 31. Trans-warp beaming gone wrong, perhaps?

No matter. He won't allow himself to be captured again.

[heirtothechair]

"It is," says Marika, her eyes darting away from Khan's for just a moment to look at the ensign, then back again, "The Enterprise D. Fifth ship with the NCC-1701 registry. It has a legacy to live up to apparently."

Khana knows the name, but not the captain. So, more local than Marika or say Ahim, less so than the actual crew or some of the other abductees. There may be a slight edge there.

It surely isn't in physical conflict. Poor ensign. It makes Marika want her hold out pistol. That, alas, is back on the Bentenmaru with her security and weapons officer. Which she would also like to have right now, since he's a seven foot tall cyborg with built in weapons.

[savagemind]

The fifth ship with that registry? Impossible. The Enterprise was Starfleet's gleaming new flagship, elder only to Khan's. After the Narada incident, she'd barely--

The Narada. Khan's eyes abruptly narrowed. "What is the current stardate?"

Because it was possible. He'd read the classified report, the one that had been buried deep and kept from the press. Vulcan had been destroyed not by a band of renegade Romulans, but a band of Romulans from the future. This situation didn't match - there had been no 'lightning storm' when he'd brought down the Vengeance, but the possibility was there, however remote.

[heirtothechair]

Marika makes a bit of a face trying to remember the string of digits.

"43464? 65? I'm still not used to the dating system here, we don't have anything like it at home."

Where is security? Seriously. They should be able to use their ridiculous teleporters or knockout gasses or just zap everyone in the room with a stunner or something by now.

[savagemind]

Over a hundred years, then. Khan's hand twitched, and the ensign gave a hiss - his neck was already ringed with rapidly-purpling bruises. Khan growled an order for him to stay quiet, but his attention was clearly on the room around him, and not his convenient hostage.

His options were limited, that much was undeniable. But this... jump in time might prove to his advantage. Collectively, human memory was nothing remarkable, and small details - a date, a name - were easily lost to time. Perhaps it was time to bring back his old identity.

"I am Commander John Harrison," he said, and there was something different about him. He wore authority like a well-worn coat, despite his apparent injuries, and the fact he had a crew member by the throat.

A crew member that was, after a moments pause, released. The man immediately scrambled backwards, taking deep lungfuls of air. Khan didn't even knowledge him. "And I would like to speak with your Captain."

[heirtothechair]

Things Marika Kato doesn't say to the human chameleon in front of her (assuming that he actually is human, some of the local aliens can be remarkably hard to tell from her own species): I am my own Captain, we have a surplus; I'm sure he'd love to know why you thought choke holds were a good introduction; it's about time you introduced yourself - injuries are no excuse for poor monologuing skills.

What Marika actually says: "That will be up to Captain Picard, I expect. He's apparently a very busy man."

But hey! Choking a crew member is a great way to get the attention of a Captain! Not benevolent attention, but you'll probably hear from him soon. And Marika is willing to talk as long as it takes, because talking isn't fighting.
It's almost like winning.

[savagemind]

"I'm sure he'll find the time."

It's said with absolute certainty. Khan's no fool - already several people have edge out the doors, no doubt on their way to alert security to the presence of a dangerous new arrival. But he's lived as John Harrison for over a year - slipping back into the man's skin was almost easy, if infuriating.

A story was already forming in his mind: a battle, the capture of the vessel he served on, the trauma behind it... was it any wonder he'd reacted badly upon being relocated to a strange ship?

oh this is going to go fabulously well

[asklepian]

Julian is quick to approach--the blue of his uniform marks him as medical or science--despite it being different from the solid blue tunic of Khan's timeline, even different than the blue-shouldered ones most of the others wears. He has his hands up in a gesture of 'I mean you no harm,' his expression is calm--but he's certainly cautious.

"Let him go. You're under no threat here. I'm a doctor, I can treat your injuries."

oh completely. khan is well-known for making friends everywhere he goes

[savagemind]

There are eyes on him now, panicked ones, and Khan can see a few crew members edging for the doorway even as this one approaches. He's still riding on a high of pain and adrenaline, and that familiar shade of Starfleet blue does nothing to set him at ease. If anything, it makes him tense even more, shoulders wire-taut and gaze narrowed.

Starfleet's medical wings had been somewhat less than kind to him, since he'd been awoken.

"The only thing I require, doctor," he growls, voice startlingly deep, "is our current location and a way to leave it."

In an untraceable, warp-capable vehicle, if at all possible. But that likelihood is infinitesimal - he's far, far more likely to end up fighting his way through this ship as well. And in that case, a hostage - such as the young man currently squirming in his grip - was handy to have.

[asklepian]

Julian stops--well outside a range, he thinks, that could be considered an imminent physical threat. His reaction time, enhanced as it is, might be enough to help him should the man decide to let go of the other officer and come at him--but he doesn't plan on fighting today.

"Leaving is something you'll have to take up with the being that brought you--and I--here, I'm afraid."

His hands are still well in sight. He doesn't want to offer any threat, nothing that will make life more difficult for this man's captive. Julian keeps his voice level and calm.

"We're on the Federation starship Enterprise. You've been brought here by an extradimensional being that we call Q."

[savagemind]

The doctor is clearly trying his best to defuse the situation - non-threatening posture, a steady voice - and it rankles, bristling under skin. He's not some mindless beast to be tamed by a friendly hand and a soft voice - say what you like about him being a cornered animal, but if there's one thing that Khan knows, it's that he's better.

"Given the fact that the Enterprise was a smoking wreck not an hour ago, I find that I don't believe you."

He shakes the ensign briefly, in emphasis, and the man twists to strike him - brave, but stupid. Khan is fast, far faster than a human, and all it takes to render the crew member unconscious is a swift blow to the temple.

He allows the man to slump to the ground, but keeps one hand fisted in the collar of his uniform. When his gaze raises back to Julian's, it's very nearly predatory.

"Now. Where am I?"

[asklepian]

Julian's eyes narrow, for just a moment, as he judges the speed at which the other man moves. He has to reassess--there's definitely something other than human about him. Of all people to be qualified to make that assessment, Julian's sure he's one of them. If anything, he's reminded of a Jem'Hadar soldier.

He puts his hands down, voice going from conciliatory to cool. He's still rooted to the spot, and there is no waver in his voice, no tic to peg him as lying--because he's not.

"The USS Enterprise-D, Galaxy-class, under Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The year is 2366."

[savagemind]

It's the year that stills him, pale eyes immediately searching the doctor's face for any hint of deception. When he can find none, his grip slackens tentatively. A hundred years. More than enough time for records of his identity to be destroyed, perhaps. But he has to be sure.

"And what of Captain Kirk?" There's a peculiar tone to his voice - anger, though that could be chalked up to circumstance, but also some thread of respect. Khan didn't particularly like Kirk, but he could respect a man who commanded that much loyalty from his crew. Kirk had a conscience - it was just a pity that he'd turned on Khan first.

[asklepian]

Depends on which identity he was counting on to have been destroyed.

Julian tilts his head--of course Captain Kirk was famous, but he didn't think--with the anger there in his voice, which made sense with his boast of the Enterprise being a wreck, and the fact that he attacked an Ensign, Julian didn't think Kirk would have been one of this man's first concerns.

"He was killed in action on the maiden voyage of the Enterprise-B in 2293." Presumed, because he actually hadn't been. But that would be calling on knowledge that wouldn't become commonplace until a few years from now.

[didnotwant]

Marion drains her drink in one go. The drink literally does nothing for her but the taste is passable. She glances around the bar accessing the situation silently.

This man is coiled violence that is about to snap. Maybe he already has? Aside from striking out at the crew member who had tried to approach him.

"Bar. Called Ten Forward." Marion loops her thumbs through the belt loops of her jeans as she ambles closer to Khan. She is just within striking range should he decide to lash out but she is confident she can take him if she has to.

"Let him up and I'll be happy to tell you more, pard. Even how you got here."

[savagemind]

There's a noticeable pause where Khan keeps his forearm pressed tightly against the crewman's throat, expression calculating. He's making a point - he won't be ordered, even when it comes couched as a suggestion, and whatever authority these people think they might have here is worthless to him.

Still, he wants answers. Feeling his point sufficiently made, he hauls the man up by the collar, letting him breath but not quite letting him go. His own gaze rises to meet the newcomer's, shoulders taut with ill-concealed violence.

"Then explain."

[didnotwant]

She knows her place here. Marion has literally no authority here. She is a guest waiting for the chance to go back where she belongs. Marion was a touch annoyed at Khan's display. The look on his face has her inner wolf clawing forward angry at him for not just backing down at letting the crewman go.

"USS Enterprise. D, I think," she supplies.

"A bunch of us, yourself now included, have been abducted to this ship by an extra dimensional alien known as Q. He's... playing some kind of complicated game."

A frustrated look crosses her face. She rakes her hand quickly though the bangs of her hair. "It's 2366. If that helps."

She leans forward slightly watching Khan more than anyone else in the room. Marion wants to be certain that should this get messy she is prepared to fight back. Boy does she miss her sword. It is excellent for aggressive negotiations. "Now let him go. Please."

[savagemind]

There's something in her posture that Khan recognizes - aggression. It mirrors his own, veins still thrumming with adrenaline from his suicide crash-landing in San Francisco. He itches for a fight, just beneath his skin, wanting to take all that fury and grief and break someone with it.

His target had been Starfleet. This supposed Enterprise might be a worthy substitute.

"So you can call security the moment I do so? No." His grip on the ensign - who's shaking like a leaf - doesn't loosen.

Give him a reason, and he'll give you a fight.

[didnotwant]

She is trying so very hard to not spring at him. Marion wants to get that crewman out of danger. Let her deal with this asshole. She can take him. Marion is so cocksure of her ability to deal with Khan that his true strength will shock her.

Then she'll smile. But that hasn't happened yet.

"Pretty sure they're already on their way," Marion said with a slight tug at the corner of her mouth.

"Even if they weren't? If you don't let go I'll break your arm and feed it to you. Inch by inch."

She is very calm about that threat.

KHHHAAAANNnn--I think I've played with you before. dunno where

[greenbloodedhobgoblin]

"Put the man down." A voice comes over the now crowd as they all leap from their seats to the show of unexpected aggression within a normal social setting. Spock will worry of their whereabouts, and the different status of the ship, later. For now there is a liability on board by the name of Khan Noonien Singh.

"You are on a Federation starship, one that is different from the last, and you have no right to threaten a second crew now put the man down, Khan."

It took massive amounts of willpower, even for a Vulcan, to resist outright attacking him but the Khan he knows of was tucked away in cryotube with the rest of his people. Judging by the state of this man Spock discerned that he is either from a different time point, or he decided to start yet another coup which from the blood appears to have gone unsuccessfully.

[savagemind]

Khan knows that voice.

Attention immediately dropping from the ensign, Khan turns, grip tightening on the poor crewman and a snarl forming on his lips. The fury in his chest - not particularly restrained to begin with - flares to life, nearly choking him with his own grief and rage.

This is the man who murdered his family.

"Spock." The name sounds more like a curse coming from Khan, all twisted and jagged hatred. He doesn't drop the ensign - instead, he hauls him closer, effortlessly, ugly bruises beginning to ring the neck of the weakly-struggling man. "I have every right," he snarls.

Because of course it would be him, this treacherous half-Vulcan who had stolen away everything thing in the universe Khan had held dear. He had seventy-two reasons to live, seventy-two reasons to endure - now he had nothing. Nothing except bitter vengeance.

[greenbloodedhobgoblin]

Spock's eyes flicker to the ensign. He has several options. Try to reason with an unreasonable man, stun him, or find a way to redirect the aggression. He has no desire to add to the body count that Khan has already racked up in their timeline. Further endangering any form of the Enterprise is something the commander will not allow to happen. "Then properly direct that right at me." He states, affirmatively.

No sense in keeping his distance this will get ugly. There is no chance that it won't. He pulls out his phaser and points it directly at Khan. "Put the man down, and I don't have a reason to use this." It does not matter that it won't work or that Khan has the physical resistance to nullify the effects. It does not matter that Spock has minimal chance of success.

One thing he has learned from their encounters is that violence is unfortunately necessary.

[savagemind]

"You would risk his life?" Khan cocks his head, something feral in his eyes. "Come now, Commander. We both know you value the lives of your crew. And you know I could snap his neck before you ever bring yourself to fire that phaser."

He'd learned ruthlessness as a child, caution not long after. Spock's attempt to goad him into a fight is as plain as daylight, and so Khan clings harder to the stalemate between them. It might be considered too reactive - he'd always been known for fighting defensive wars, after all - but if Spock wants this to end, he'll have to act first.

And that? That would just give Khan an excuse.