Red Raven
Posted on 06/05/2020 @ 8:45am by Captain Cian D'Anvers & Ensign Romal Seshel & Lieutenant JG M'Raul Kothar III
Mission:
S1E3: Visit to Starbase 375
Location: USS Crazy Horse
Timeline: Day 2 at 0005
Miss Emma Larkin’s class started as it always did, with eight children being taught the basics of language, mathematics, as well as music, art and the cultures of other planets. The children loved their teacher and she loved them, but today they seemed oddly secretive. Whenever they talked to each other, they did so in whispers and disturbing giggles. Emma couldn’t help but notice it and when she asked what they were saying, it was always the same. “Nothing, Miss Emma.” When they were dismissed, they all politely thanked Miss Emma and raced out the door.
At roughly 7 pm, two children, Mizi & Zain, were waiting at a turbo-lift.
The little seven year old girl with blond pigtails looked at her friend, a tall nine year old boy with wavy dark hair.
“Zain, did you let the others know about Red Raven?” Mizi asked.
“Yes, they should be here any minute now!” the boy replied.
After a few moments past by, they heard the sound of small feet scurrying on metallic floors with lots of giggling, come racing down a corridor to an abrupt halt at the turbo-lift. Six other youngsters joined the two waiting for them.
“None of you said a word to your parents about our Red Raven, right?” Zain asked.
“Course not!” replied Dremon, a red haired, six year old girl. “We deserve a place of our own, anyway. Why should only the grownups have all the fun? It's not fair!”
“Let the grownups have their dumb old Quevrik’s! We got our own place! Our Red Raven is on deck 11. Lets go!” Mizi agreed, then dashed into the turbo-lift, along with her personal robo-dog, Muffy. The other seven children dashed into the lift after her.
Inside the turbo-lift, Mizi called out; “Deck 11, please.” and after a few chirps, the lift began moving and shortly after, opened up at the requested deck.
“Careful now, this is an engineering deck after all. We don’t want to run into any engineers.” Mizi warned her friends and the children begin tiptoeing and ducking out of sight whenever they saw an engineer. Finally, the children arrived at cargo bay 3.
“Hehehehahahaha!” Mizi giggled as she carefully tapped out the combination to the cargo bay seal. “My daddy opened this seal once, but I watched him, so I know the combination!” Suddenly the seal opened and the children (and robo-dog) dashed inside.
The lights automatically snapped on, illuminating the storage bay, which was decorated with lots of paper streamers, balloons and posters. Off to the side was a crudely built bar and in the center were tables and chairs.
“Who will be our waiters at Red Raven?” Dremon asked, seating herself at one of the tables.
“We take turns, I guess, but lets have some music going!” Hallanna, a seven year old, brown haired girl announced.
“Computer, we want some music and make it contemporary rock that’s good for dancing!” Mizi ordered the ship’s computer.
Suddenly the storage bay was filled with the sound of loud blaring music and laughter. The children begin dancing and the bar was stocked with sweat drinks (pretend booze) and food that had been left behind (sometimes swiped) at the mess hall.
“I’ll take a Martian Sunrise!” Belkor, a young white haired boy ordered.
“Mizi then poured him a combination red cherry fiz, with citrus juice.
The party continued for several more hours - the children were having so much fun - none of them noticed the time. That’s when their parents begin coming home after a late night at Quevrik’s. When they saw their children's empty beds, they went into panic mode!
Romal had just come home from Quevrik’s and before he prepared for bed, he was feeling a little guilty about leaving Mizi behind, although he had little choice. Knocking before entering her sleeping quarters, he found himself knocking several times without reply. Thinking Mizi was sleeping so soundly she couldn’t hear him, he opened the door a crack and thought he saw his little girl in bed. Silently, Romal walked in and tried to give her his usual kiss and make sure she was all tucked in. To his shock, all he could find were a couple pillows under her blanket.
Fearing the worst, Romal tapped his combadge and asked to speak to Captain D’Anvers. “This is Ensign Seshel and I apologize for contacting you at this late hour, but my daughter Mizi is not in her room!” It was then that Romal heard several other people on the combadge and they all sounded just as distressed as he was. As Romal listened in, he even overheard their school teacher, Miss Emma, sounding very worried. Noticing that Mizi’s robo-dog, Muffy, was also among the missing, Romal had an idea. First though, he needed to find Muffy’s activation key.
Finding the activation key, Romal decided he had to meet with Captain D’Anvers. Moments later, he reached the Captain’s quarters only to find the corridor filled with distraught parents, all trying to talk at once, with the Captain in the middle of the mess. The teacher was also there, seeming just as worried as the parents.
Romal walked over to Miss Emma, “Do you have any idea what’s happened to our children?”
“I wish I did, but come to think of it, they were acting a little unusual today.” Emma replied.
Just as Romal was going to ask her a few more questions, Captain D’Anvers had the parents back away and was about to say something.
The corridor on which both is and the First Officer's quarters were located was generally a quiet one and that's how Cian liked it. Dressed in loose-fitting drawing string pants, a hastily donned white sweater, and barefoot, Cian stepped into the corridor and silenced the parents with an upraised hand.
"I will assume that you have already searched the more common areas," Cian said, and noted from the suddenly embarrassed looks that some of the parents passed between themselves, that this had not occurred. "Very well," he said. "Computer, locate any group with eight lifesigns including one Deltan."
"Working," the computer responded with a calm for which Cian had a sudden, new appreciation. "Located. One group of lifesigns, seven human and one Deltan, on Deck 11 in Cargo Bay 3."
"Lock Cargo Bay Doors," Cian said. "Permit use only to command and security."
He looked up as the ship's First Officer joined him in the corridor. "Ah, Commander," please join us," he said, his accent somewhat more pronounced than usual, as he gestured toward the seventeen individuals clustered in the corridor near his door.
"And while we're at it, let's have security here as well. D'Anvers to Security."
"Security here. What can I do for you, Commander?" came Tahlin's voice over the combadge.
"Security to my quarters," Cian said. The bark in his voice softened somewhat as Leonie D'Anvers joined him in the corridor and laid one hand on his arm. In the years of their marriage, they had developed a sort of communications shorthand which they both employed as the need arose. Apparently, this was one of those times.
[Chief of Security's Office]
"On our way." Tahlin only stopped long enough to grab M'Raul. "Lieutenant, we're needed."
The Caitian was quick to attention and alarmed. He immediately followed the woman. "Aye" he replied to the woman.
[Corridor]
Tahlin came into sight, taking in the unusual number of people. "What happened here?" she asked, conversationally.
"It would seem that all eight of the children on board are not where they are supposed to be," Cian said as one hand swept the assembled parents. "These are their parents. At the moment, you'll find the children in Cargo Bay 3 on Deck 11 awaiting your arrival."
"All right..." Tahlin looked a bit skeptical. "Cargo Bay III, huh? They can't get into too much trouble in there, I wouldn't think."
"One would hope," Cian said. "Perhaps the parents should accompany you?"
“Cargo bay 3! That’s on deck 11 in engineering! What could my little girl be doing there?” Romal said loud enough for the other parents to hear, including their teacher.
Miss Emma heard it as well, “Oh my god, what would all my students be doing there?”
“Well, my daughter has a robo-dog with her and I have its frequency number.” Romal said, taking out Muffy’s activation key and tapping out the frequency code on his engineer’s Padd. In only a moment's time, he had a picture of a dimly lit chamber, complete with loud music, dancing children and lots of laughter in the background. It was the scene as viewed from the photoelectric eyes of Mizi’s robo-dog, Muffy. As Romal watched in fascination, Miss Emma joined him and stared at the scene, then other parents gathered round and stared. Soon there was a whole cluster of people watching it.
“Can we communicate with them? Miss Emma asked.
“Unfortunately, no. Muffy’s eyes are only made to see.” Romal replied, then sighed in relief, "I’m just glad to know the little devils are all right.“
“You’re right about them being little devils!” Emma said smiling.
“Hey! That’s my Zain! one of the parents shouted, looking at Romal’s small display on his Padd.
One of the parents then turned to Tahlin, “You’re not going to throw our children in the brig, are you?”
“Yeah, they haven't done anything that terrible," one parent said.
"Of course not. Unless the captain orders me to, directly, and I don't think he will. Right, Sir?"
"Of course not," Cian said. He smothered a laugh as he added, "Provided of course, that no harm has come to my ship."
An angry looking mother added, "My boy is really going to get a talking to, when he gets home.”
"Settle down everyone and that is an order," Cian said. "I'll remind you that this is a Starfleet vessel and it was your collective responsibility to keep track of your children's whereabouts. The fact that they are somewhere they don't belong is a conversation I will have with each of you later. For now, go with Lieutenant Lae'Or, collect your children. We can discuss the rest of this tomorrow."
"There is a lot to discuss, Captain. I know I'll be there." Miss Emma agreed, seeming unsettled.
"Come on, everyone. I should be able to override any lockouts that might be in place... Lieutenant, if you'll take the rear, I'll lead."
The Caitian yielded and agreed to take positioning at the rear. He did not mind the call, it was important to keep the others safe. Between the two of them, they were the safest and most defensible should the need arose. With a low grunt the Caitian took his directed position. "In position," he said as he stood ready for whatever may have come their way.
"Thank you, Captain. I'm sure you have their best interests at heart." Miss Emma said smiling warmly, a picture of friendliness in her manors. "I'd better go talk to some of the parents now."
Action at the children's Red Raven was still going strong, even past midnight. Their music was loud, thunderous, along with all the goodies and sweet concoctions they could drink and were readily available. The walls of cargo bay 3 vibrated and shook with the songs of their favorite rock bands. The children had never known such freedom before and they were ecstatic about it!
Mizi felt so free and alive, like walking on clouds, she loved the music, the dancing, the refreshments and everything. She especially loved dancing with the one boy who was her latest crush, Zain! The metallic cargo bay floor felt alive with boys and girls dancing and acting totally silly everywhere you looked.
Suddenly, Muffy heard sounds from outside the cargo bay door and started barking, just as Mizi had trained him to do.
=/*\= Bark! Bark! Bark! =/*\=
Hearing Muffy, Mizi reacted swiftly, "Hey, stop everything and hide! There's people out there!"
=/*\= Bark! Bark! Bark! =/*\=
Zain looked up and shouted a command; "Computer, end music!" and the loud, throbbing rock music came to an end.
=/*\= Bark! Bark! Bark! =/*\=
Belkor cried out; "Where can I hide? Where can I hide?" then he spotted a pile of posters and slipped under them.
Hallanna was near the lights, waiting until all her friends had hid, before snapping them off. The little girl then hid herself behind a few tipped over tables.
Mizi hushed her robo-dog, "Muffy, stop barking!" Scrambling to a hiding place of her own, Mizi found a good spot behind a few big crates.
Dremon scurried about, then hid under the bar.
The remaining children found various places to hide as well.
Everything was now silent and dark, in stark contrast to what the bay was only a few seconds ago. Mizi snuggled up close to her furry Muffy, as she heard the cargo bay door slowly unseal and the voices behind the door, she even recognized a few. The children's private haven, their Red Raven, was now violated by adults and the little ones shivered in hiding.
Lieutenant M'Raul Kothar stood at ready. He waited for the Security Chief's direction.
"Computer, override lock on Cargo Bay III, Lieutenant Tahlin, Security Code Alpha27Delta."
"Override established. Doors opening."
The cargo bay doors opened to complete darkness. "I'm guessing they're hiding," Tahlin told the parents. "Come on in--lets find them... Lieutenant M'Raul, beacons." Tahlin entered, taking a palm beacon from her belt and shining the light around the area.
The Caitian stopped shortly after entering the cargo Bay. The beacon was one thing, but M'Raul had a natural tool at his disposal. "Lieutenant, you are correct. I believe I can scent them" he said with his whiskers twitching.
Romal couldn't take the suspense anymore and walked into the cargo bay. Knowing where the lights were, he reached for them, snapping them on and flooding the bay with light. The Red Raven was a mess, with tables and overturned chairs, food, posters and signs littered the floor. It looked like a wild party had just taken place.
Suddenly he heard a familiar sound; =/*\= Bark! Bark! Bark! =/*\=
"Mizi, I know you're there." Romal called out.
=/*\= Bark! Bark! Bark! =/*\=
"Stop barking, Muffy!" and the little girl with blond pigtails timidly crawled out from behind a couple crates.
"Why, Mizi? - Why?" Romal asked his daughter.
Mizi's eyes were wet with tears, "*Sob!*. . .because. . .. . .because *Sob!* because you left me. . .*Sob!*"
"I'm so sorry, Mizi. Please forgive me?" and Romal held his arms out to her.
Mizi jumped right into them and sobbing, she held her father tight.
Other parents followed Romal into the cargo bay with various reactions, first it was shock, then some anger, but in the end it was simple relief that their beloved child was all right. When they asked their children why they did it, it was always the same answer, the children were just plain bored and they resented being left behind by their parents for a wild evening at Quevrik’s.
Strangely enough, they begrudgingly felt a bit of pride of their child, knowing they had created this Red Raven and had done it under the very noses of every adult on the ship.
Mizi spotted Zain with his parents and looked at him, smiling, then he smiled back at her. She knew that it wasn't the last time they would see each other, outside of school and that made her happy.
Romal noticed his little girl smiling at a boy, but he didn't mind. At least she was making friends with the other children. He was also astonished by all the planning these children must have gone through to have created their Red Raven thing. It was a shame that he would likely have to tear it all down. "You know, this Red Raven thing you and your friends created is fantastic and I'm proud of you. Unfortunately, it will have to be taken down, tomorrow morning, I'm afraid."
"Oh daddy, does it really have to go? We worked so hard on it ." Mizi pleaded, holding onto Romal's leg as he walked.
Romal stopped for an instant and tried to explain, "I know you did, Mizi, and if it were me, I would let you kids keep it somewhere else, but its not my decision to make."
"Isn't there anyone you can ask?" Mizi asked, looking up, looking very sad. "Can you talk to the Captain?"
Sighing, Romal continued to explain, "MIzi, I have to talk to the Captain tomorrow morning, along with the other parents. To say he's 'none to pleased' is an understatement."
"Please, please, please, please. . ." Mizi asked repeatedly.
"Well, all right then, but I doubt you can keep the cargo bay. Maybe somewhere else, I don't know. I just hope he's in a better mood than he was earlier."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Mizi repeated as she hugged Romal's leg some more.
"You know, Mizi, you can talk me into almost anything. - You know that, kid? . . .and us parents are in enough trouble as it is." Romal then mussed up her hair affectionately. "I just hope he doesn't throw me in the brig, just for asking."
"Oh, daddy!" Mizi replied, as she and Muffy walked along with her father to their quarters.
A Post By:
Commander Cian D'Anvers
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse
and
Lieutenant (J.G.) Lae'Or Tahlin
Chief of Security and Tactical
USS Crazy Horse
and
Lieutenant JG M'Raul Kothar III
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Crazy Horse
and
Ensign Romal Seshel
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Crazy Horse
and
Mizi Seshel
Child of Romal
USS Crazy Horse
