Heading Towards Liberty, Literally

Posted on Wed Aug 2nd, 2023 @ 6:43pm by Captain Michael Intermeezo & Lieutenant Commander Awal Kronnelti & Lieutenant Betaras K'ner

Mission: Tomorrow, Before Yesterday
Location: New York City / Starbase One
Timeline: 2025 / 2383

:ON:
{Tourist Boat “Eloise”, Upper Bay, New York}

Captain Beckett, Lieutenant Commander Ezah, Lieutenant Kronnelti, Ensign K’ner, and Ensign Keegan all sat quietly on the tourist boat that was currently taking them over to Liberty Island. The answer to whatever was going on was on that island, and the Starfleet officers were determined to kind it.

“Still picking up energy signals from the Statue of Liberty, Captain.” Ezah reported instinctively without being asked.

Paxton turned to his strategic ops officer; “And Romulan lifesigns?”

Ezah nodded in the affirmative.

“Be prepared for anything.” Paxton nodded. “We don’t know what they’re up to and what caused the anomaly in the future that led us here.”

K'ner sat quietly with one hand making sure the gusty breezes didn't blow her scarf loose. That would lead to too many questions and stares in this time and place.

“Now arriving at Liberty Island, folks.” Came an announcement from the captain of the vessel, “Make sure you all have your belongings before you disembark, and I hope you have a great day!”

The Eloise slowly docked at Liberty Island and her occupants departed the ship one by one. The group of Starfleet officers carefully made their way towards the statue itself.

"Wow, she's tall," K'ner commented, leaning back a bit to look up... "Who is she supposed to be?"

“A symbol of Liberty.” Paxton smiled.

“Sir!” Keegan pointed at a man up ahead, his eyes darting between the man and what he was reading on the tricorder. “It’s a Romulan!”

Paxton looked towards the man and locked eyes with the stranger. After a few seconds, the man darted into the statue of Liberty, running into the huge copper statue he didn’t look back once. “Come on!” Paxton ordered, “Let’s get after him!”

The group of officers ran towards the statue and entered the bowels of Lady Liberty herself.

“Computer, end programme!” Came a bellow from somewhere.

Suddenly the group found themselves standing in a large holodeck.

“Congratulations Captain Beckett. It looks like the crew is ready after all.” Out of the shadows Admiral Charles Star stepped forward. “It appears that you were right.”

“Captain?” K’ner raised an eyebrow. “What is he talking about?”

Paxton lowered his head and sighed. “I’m sorry to say that we never left spacedock. This entire mission has been an elaborate test to see if the crew of the Chuck Norris were ready to head out into space again after being out of action for so long.”

“So nothing we did was real?” Ezah asked. “No anomaly? No time travel? No Romulans?”

“I’m afraid not.” Admiral Star interjected. “Do not blame Captain Beckett for the misdirection. This was my idea. I had to be sure that the crew were ready to be deployed once again. And you all passed with flying colours.”

K'ner looked around at the faces, wondering what the colors had to do with it... and who that tall lady was... She started to unwind the scarf since it was started to warm up. "Is there actually a giant hollow statue like that on Earth? Is that lady a great explorer?" She said, referring to the torch. The others started to drift off and she followed, making a note to do some research later.

“Captain Beckett sir, this was just a training session?” asks Kronnelti. “Does nobody trust the crew on the USS Chuck norris or was this to see how effective we are after having no missions?”

“We just needed to make sure you weren’t rusty.” Star smiled.

“Now we know that the crew is ready and capable, we can get going.” Paxton added. “Report to the Chuck Norris on the double. We’ll be launching in three days. Between now and then, get yourselves comfortable onboard ship. There won’t be much time for R&R after we set off for the big black of space.”

"Aye sir, I'll brief and prep all security stations on the ship and make sure everything is set to go."

Over the following days Kronnelti began running several debriefings in the war room, making sure all security personnel has been trained in weaponry as well as hand to hand combat.


:OFF:

Captain Paxton Beckett
&
Lt Commander Klesh Ezah
&
Lieutenant Awal Kronnelti
&
Ensign Betaras K’ner
&
Ensign Jack Keegan