Drop And Drag
Posted on Wed May 13th, 2026 @ 5:08pm by Lieutenant Commander Robert Brant & Lieutenant Thoande zh'Vethryn & Lieutenant Rayven Mist PhD & Lieutenant Darla Kennings & Lieutenant JG Tyler Montgomery & Mindy Mist
2,559 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
Episode 1: Shadows of Diplomacy
Location: Risa's North Pole
Timeline: Concurrent with Nighthawk
The shuttle came out of warp directly over the magnetic pole of the planet. It wasn't a smooth transition, nor was it a safe one, given the constant tourist traffic around the planet. Nonetheless, they avoided collision upon their arrival. What they couldn't avoid were the nasty physics from dropping out of warp at emergency speeds directly above the gravity well of a planet. The shuttle shook as if struck by Thor's hammer, and its three occupants thrown to the floor.
Thoande's antennae twisted violently as she was thrown to the floor, and picked herself back up again. "Let's never do that again." She grumbled, settling back in her seat. "These seats need seatbelts."
Darla pulled herself back to her seat, the jewel in her headband flickering. "Well, at least the hard part is over."
Robert quickly pulled himself back into the pilot's chair and hit the controls. "No, that was the easy part," he corrected. Getting them to the ship will be the hard part. Hang on, we're descending," he warned. Behind them, out of the range of the tourist ships, he knew the Scharnhorst was most likely engaged in a firefight, but his goal was below, not behind.
They steadied out as they dropped into the atmosphere and things calmed down. As they watched the arctic landscape approach, Robert nodded to Thoande. "All right, get the sensors ready, and let's see if we can find them quickly."
"Aye, sir. Sensors sweeping... got them." Thoande's antennae twisted inward as if puzzled. "They're in the magnetic pole, sir. They had the same idea as us."
Robert frowned. "What do you mean you found them? Already?" he looked over at her screen. "They had the same idea...hide in the magnetic pole. Slick." He brought the shuttle around to where Thoande had pinpointed them.
"Shuttlecraft Cooper to Risian vessel," Robert said. "This is Robert Brant of the USS Scharnhorst. We're here to extract you and get you back to the ship. Please respond."
Rayven tapped the coms. "This is Lieutenant Mist, we're ready, Lieutenant Montgomery is securing things."
Tyler nodded, as he walked over to the cockpit, and auto-piloted the shuttle to return home, once they left with the Shuttlecraft Cooper. He tapped on his combadge. "Were ready, Cooper. We need to act fast, Mister Brisko forces are closing in on us."
"Acknowledged. Prepare for transport," Robert said, closing the channel. He looked to Thoande. "Lock onto Lieutenant Mist and her daughter first and transport once you have a lock," Robert said.
"Aye, sir." Thoande's brow furrowed as she worked the controls. "I'm having trouble locking on, sir. I'm honestly not surprised."
At the computer's irritated chirping, Robert sighed. "The magnetic pole is interfering."
"Which is why they hid there, and so did we." Thoande sighed.
"Which is why they hid here, yes," Robert sighed, running his hand over his face. He opened the channel again. "Lieutenant, we have a situation. The transporters aren't able to lock on. We're going to land as close as we can, and you'll need to make a run for our shuttle."
Rayven knew how to compensate for the magnetic pull but it was not her call to tell the pilot how to do it. Tapping the coms. "Understood, I'll get my daughter and her dog." Rayven walked over to where her daughter was, "Time to go there is a shuttle landing very close. Zip up your jacket, I'll get Wizzer, The snow is deep here so I'll carry you both. Grabbing a blanket Rayven picked up Mindy, threw the blanket over Mindy's head and picked up the dog, Turning to Tyler. "We're ready."
"Lieutenant, are we sure there's no other option. This knows pretty deep here we're not going to be able to run fast but we'll get there as soon as we can till the closer you can land the easier it's going to be." Tyler said to him, hoping that either they could get a better way to lock onto them or at least get close enough to them that they don't have to run very long in the snow. They would have to run out of the snowcasm that they were hiding in. And what the dog and a little girl that was going to be a little bit of a challenge.
"It's our only option. Get your winter coats on. Brant out." He swung the shuttle around, taking it down quickly, and aiming the door-side of the shuttle towards the hatch of the Risian shuttlepod. He touched down in the snow and looked at Thoande. "Lieutenant, put on a coat and meet them halfway. Make sure they get across." He turned back to Darla. "Doctor, I need you in the doorway. Sorry for the chill, but we need something that can be seen against a white backdrop."
Darla immediately shook her hair out, letting the rainbow-colored locks spread, making her as noticeable as possible. "Understood," she said, standing up quickly.
"Sir, my people are built to survive extreme cold. I think I'll have fairly little problem." Thoande smiled as she stood and made her way out the door - not before replicating coats for their passengers, because they needed them even if she didn't.
Tyler started to make his approach, to the entrance of the chasm. He had decided to take Mindy, and like a little monkey she climbed on his back and hanged onto his neck for dear life. He looked back to make sure that Rayven and Wizzer where on his six. "Still with me Rayven?" He called out as he saw a silhouette approaching them just outside the chasm. Instinctively Tyler reached down for his weapon just to be on the safe side. He was expecting to meet Thoande, but he knew better than to underestimate Eddie Brisko's resourcefulness.
"I'm still here!" Rayven called out, her hand on her own weapon she carried. Eddie was a lot of things but stupid was not one of them. "I forgot how cold the poles are, let's hurry to that shuttle."
Darla replicated coats for herself and Thoande and put hers on quickly and stepped back into her boots. She kept her hair visible as she stepped out into the snow, watching for the their three new passengers and Thoande set out to meet them.
"Over here!" Thoande waved to them - her skin was as pale as snow, of course, but her shirt was colorful enough for her to be seen with no issues at least.
"Are we glad to see you," Rayven said as she got closer to the shuttle, the snow wasn't that deep, it was just cold. Setting the dog down he started to look at the shuttle, then to Rayven and wag his tail.
Tyler had Mindy on his back, she was wrapped up in an oversized snow parka. "We need to get her out of the elements as soon as possible." Tyler suggested as he gently readjusted Mindy. She was really clinging on to him for dear life. He believed partially because she needed to stay warm and also maybe because she was scared but he wasn't certain.
"Mommy I'm cold!" Mindy called.
"We're almost there just hang on!" Rayven told her and she reached out and felt Mindy's cheek and hands. "Tyler she's cold how close to that shuttle are we?"
"How close are we?" Tyler asked, as he looked towards Thoande. The snow was blowing around them with a slight wind chill, even he was a little cold but he wasn't freezing...yet.
"Just a few more minutes." Thoande replied as she trudged onward.
"I see a rainbow!" Mindy shouted.
"I see it too," Rayven said "Looks like there is a shuttle where the rainbow is and we're not far from it. Let's hurry."
Robert checked the engines and looked back at Darla. "Do you see them?"
"They're within view," she said. "I wish we could've gotten closer."
"The ground is stable to walk on, but a good landing surface just wasn't happening," Robert lamented. "This was the best I could do."
"We're dead ahead!" Darla shouted above the wind, hoping her voice carried. She knew Thoande could see them, but keeping track of three people, especially a child, while trying not to get lost was no easy task.
"Let's get out of here. Mr Brisko's forces aren't too far behind." Tyler said, thinking to himself that this Eddie guy was a very resourceful man, and that was alarming and yet scary at the same time. Why would you so obsessed over a daughter that he had abandoned?
"Who is Mr. Brisco? Why is he bothering us?" Mindy asked
"You let mommy worry about him. He's like I told you, a very bad man. You're safe and I'll do what ever it takes to protect you," Rayven assured her as she shot them a warning look to be careful about mentioning Eddie in font of Mindy.
"Your mom's right, we can talk about this later right now let's get you on to that shuttle where it's warm." Tyler said, has he looked to Darla and Thoande to lead them to the shuttlecraft. He knew they were on borrowed time.
"Here." Thoande handed Rayven a parka before ushering her towards the shuttle.
As they finally got closer, Darla stepped out of the shuttle and hurried forward. "Hello all, I'm Doctor Kennings. Let's get you inside." She felt a nudge on her ankle and looked down, seeing a dog. She saved her questions for later and scooped it up, nodding to the others. "Let's go," she said.
As they all rushed on board, Robert brought the engines to full and once everyone was in, sealed the hatch. "Everyone buckle in, this is going to be bumpy," he said.
Tyler quickly put some Mindy into a seat and then buckled her. They were in the aft section, of the shuttlecraft, and the chairs that were attached to the hull where the table was located had seat belts. "You're safe now; it's gonna be a little bumpy." Tyler said as he looked to Mindy .
"Mommy, it's warm in here," Mindy said. "Where are we going now?"
"We're going to mommy's new ship. Once we get there, I'll get us settled, and then I'll have to go report to my new captain," Rayven said.
"I wanna see him too," Mindy replied.
"We'll see how it goes honey," Rayven told her.
Tyler could see that Rayven needed some assistance with distracting Mindy. "He has a daughter around your age, maybe you guys can be friends." Tyler suggested, as he helped her get situated in the seat. Have you been on a Starship before, Mindy?" he asked, trying to distract her from what was really going on around them.
Mindy nodded, "Me and mommy have been a starship. We was just home waiting for mommy's new ship. Maybe captain's daughter and me can be friends."
"I dont see why not, I think Paislee will adore you." Tyler said with a big warm smile on his face. Most kids loved hanging out at her age, so it was not to far of a stretch to tell her that.
Darla didn't go for a seat, but instead grabbed her medkit and pulled out her tricorder, scanning Mindy first. "Hi, sweetie," she said in her 'talking to children' voice. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay; I'm just cold," Mindy said. "My doggie is cold too. Your hair looks like a rainbow."
Darla's perfectly white teeth shone past her rainbow-colored locks as she smiled at Mindy. "Yes it is," she said. She scanned Mindy carefully, idly brushing the girl's hair out of her face. "Well, other than being a bit cold, you're doing just fine," she said, half to Mindy and half to Rayven, giving the woman a more reassuring smile.
"Mommy don't let me get sick, I is allergic to cats and I want one but mommy said I can't have one as they make me sick so grandma and grandpa gave me Wizzer. He a good doggie," Mindy said.
"I'm sure he is," Darla said, smiling. "I have a green cat on board, but he doesn't have allergens. We'll have to do some tests and make sure he's safe for you. He's my loyal protector. I've had him since I was younger than you. Now, sit back and relax, and we'll get you home." She put a hand on Mindy's chest and the jewel in her headband glowed a bit as she hummed a few notes, quietly. Mindy's eyes drooped as Darla stood and left her to rest.
Darla took a moment to smooth her own hair back, wishing she could put it in a ponytail, then picked her tricorder back up and scanned the two adults, as well as the dog. "Doctor Kennings," she said, introducing herself. "I take it you're Lieutenant Mist," she said, looking at Rayven.
"I am; I'm the science chief or at least I will be once I report aboard and meet the captain," Rayven replied.
Tyler walked over to Rayven. "Mindy is resting for the moment. I am going to head to cockpit, to see if I can help out." He said, as he walked by Darla and Rayven.
Rayven watched Tyler walk into the cockpit, she looked over at her daughter who had fallen asleep. Sighing, Rayven couldn't help but wonder if her new captain could trust her. Eddie had been a thorn in her since she'd broken the engagement and refused to let him see Mindy. Wizzer walked over to Rayven and laid down at her feet. Reaching down she patted the dog's head.
"All right, we're clear to launch," Robert said, looking over as Thoande sat down in the copilot's seat.
"Thanks for coming." Tyler started to say, as he overlooked their shoulders. "This Eddie Brisco, is very resourceful, he kept us on the go. I was not sure how long we could hold out for." He started to say, when he saw Robert preparing to launch them. He decided maybe, it would be a good idea to be useful. "What can I do to help?"
"You can sit and hold on to something," Robert said, the shuttle shuddering as it rose quickly into the atmosphere. This time he was ready for the jolt and steered them through the weather-system's turbulence layer a bit smoother, As they rose back into open space, he swung around and headed for the ship. "All right, we'll reach the ship in about twenty minutes at full impulse. Best case scenario," Robert said, "they'll be waiting for us, ready for us to board."
"And what is the worse case scenario?" Tyler asked, as they jetted out of the atmosphere. He was eager to get off Risa, and get his targets to the Scharnhorst. Was that really fare to say, targets? They were people, and very kind people. He really got to know them. And they had been on quite the adventure together.
"Worst case scenario, they're involved in a major firefight, and we're about to fly into the middle of a street brawl."
"Hopefully we can avoid worse case scenario," Tyler suggested as he watched Robert operate the helm. He was eager to see what fate had instore for them.
[TBC]
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