The following tags have no closing tag: note
Uplink Confirmed. Log 1, Stardate 87964.37
Automatic Transcription Follows
[background humming and whirring of shuttlecraft systems]
Zaijel: Expedition Lead Zaijel beginning audio logging of the recovery and investigation of what is being tentatively referred to as Tal Shiar Complex Number 79. At present, there are only fragmentary records available on this complex, which was abandoned during the chaos following the destruction of Romulus and Remus. Forensic Archivist and Data Recovery Specialist Bihisa can provide further information.
Bihisa: Just Bihisa is fine, Zai. This’ll probably all get polished when we write the report anyway. That said, yes, I have more information. While much of the Tal Shiar’s logistical and administrative system and chain of command were destroyed during the Hobus event, and much of what’s left is being used by Hakeev and his goons, the Republic has obtained some fragments of data from local servers at other Tal Shiar bases that fell into our hands. While combing through the recovered info, we saw that this location got mentioned multiple times. And, well, at that point you have to wonder what’s hiding here, since there’s not really anything much to go off of other than that it exists.
Zaijel: Thank you, Specialist Bihiza. Initial surveying work was undertaken by the RRW Irese. However, despite this being a Class M planet, electromagnetic interference led to an incomplete and imprecise scan. As such, this research team has been organised in order to survey the location in person. Current objective is to locate the computer core and transfer any surviving data to our ship. However, we cannot ignore the potential risks involved.
Natheema: What risks? It will be run-down and dilapidated, but that won’t pose a problem. Not when I can bypass and repair any potential issues.
Lillena: You say that, but there could be booby traps, not to mention possibly unfixable issues. Beyond which, this place has been abandoned for who knows how long, there could be structural collapse on the lower levels if we’re not very careful. And, frankly, I don’t want to be patching any of you up unless it’s really necessary.
Natheema: The original survey showed a sound structure. All we have to worry about is that all of us can do our jobs properly, Lillena.
Jorail: Strictly speaking, no it didn’t. It showed that the base is largely intact, which isn’t the same thing. I’m sure that you can repair most damage, but we’ll definitely want to be careful, especially to avoid accidentally destroying evidence. And we certainly wouldn’t want that to happen.
Zaijel: Alright, that’s enough, all of you. We will be cautious, but there’s no reason to worry unnecessarily over the unknown. 30 minutes to landing, make sure that all your equipment and rations are stowed in your bags. We may be here for some time in order to fully map everything out–
Lillena: Oh, wonderful.
Zaijel: As I was saying, we may be here for some time in order to fully map everything, but since there is no reason to believe that communications with the Incepteris will be interrupted, if necessary, we will be able to request additional tools and supplies. Further logs will be made as we arrive at the complex and begin our work.
Uplink Confirmed. Log 2, Stardate 87964.54
Automated Transcription Follows
[Sputtering whines and whirrs from the base power systems]
Zaijel: Expedition Lead Zaijel beginning audio log update. It has been one hour since we made planetfall. Initial progress on the base has been promising, power has been partially restored to the upper levels. Additionally, we have gained limited access to some of the computer systems.
Bihisa: Wellll, saying that is kinda optimistic, Zai. We can get to the systems on this level, not really anything else. The data system structure in this base is deeply odd, it’s far more distributed than basically anything I’ve seen before. Still, even the systems accessible from here have had some fascinating information. From what I can tell, these systems were mostly used to process the logistics, along with inbound and outbound landings at the site. Of course, I’m sure we could get more information if Natheema could get the connections with the rest of the on-site network going.
Natheema: Yes, thank you, Bihisa. As it turns out, though, when the connections are physically severed in places where I simply cannot reach yet, even my skills can’t repair them.
Zaijel: Enough. Specialist Bihisa, you will have plenty of opportunity to study the rest of the network as we advance through the lower levels of the base. And Natheema, you will fix breaks in the network connection if we find them. To continue the report, Bihisa, please explain the new information recovered on accessible systems for the record.
Bihisa: Of course! As I said earlier, this node seems to have been mainly used for logistics management and flight control of inbound and outbound landings. The last entries seem to date to 2391 , which proves the initial assumption correct that this complex was abandoned in the chaos of the Hobus event. That said, what’s far more interesting is just how old this complex seems to be. I thought that it was at most a few decades old from what you’d said, but there are logs going back centuries! There’s every chance that there’s far more data to be recovered further in.
Jorail: Maybe so, but if the structure is as old as those logs seem to say, then we’ll have to be more careful about how we make our way than we thought. It probably goes without saying, but a centuries-old structure is a lot more likely to have some significant amounts of wear and decay. We should be able to find detours, though. From the recovered maps, it seems as though the lower levels especially are significantly larger than initial scans indicated, likely due to the sensor interference.
Verren: The lowest levels are also probably newer, dug as needed. It’s the upper underground levels that might be issues.
Jorail: A very fair point, and one I was getting to, yes. There do, however, seem to be multiple ways down, and different routes to take, even on the most vulnerable levels. It’s all almost a maze, so we’ll need to make sure we stay together.
Zaijel: Thank you for the analysis, both of you. As stated, we will not divert and split apart for any reasons. And we will contact the ship if further equipment proves necessary due to blockages and cave-ins. For the time being, though, we can assume that our present equipment and plan is adequate. Further updates to the log will be made as we explore further.
Log 3, Stardate 87964.91
Automated Transcription Follows
[quiet hissing along with repeated, pained whirring and the occasional sound of impacts]
Zaijel: Expedition Lead Zaijel beginning supplemental audio log. It has been multiple hours since the last recorded log. As can likely be heard in the background, we are presently attempting to gain access to a vertical conduit that should allow us access to the level directly below us. For unknown reasons, the map seems to already be less reliable than on higher levels. It seems likely that we will have to proactively map where we are rather than relying on–
[Loud clunk followed by a pneumatic hiss]
Natheema: Alright, conduit’s open now. Looking inside, there seems to be plenty of space for us to climb down one at a time.
L
illena: And you’re sure that it can actually be safely climbed down? We already had a close call with the turbolift shaft, don’t forget.
[The sounds of a tricorder conducting detailed scans follows for several moments]
Jorail: Looks like everything should be safe enough to hold the weight of any of us. We’ll need to be careful, though, and we might want to get some rappelling equipment. Zaijel, can you please contact your ship to get some sent down?
[Repeated combadge activation attempts]
Zaijel: Looks like comms are down. Specialist Bihisa, is there any sign at all that you might have tripped something while recovering data? Set up a jamming field by accident or something like that?
Bihisa: No, of course not! If that’d happened, I would’ve noticed and stopped it. And if I couldn’t, we’d still be at the computer until I figured it out. It’s probably just the same sort of EM interference that caused problems for whatever ship first did the scans, nothing major to worry about. I’d be more worried about the structure. I know Jorail has said that it seems sound, but some of the noises from the supports have me nervous.
Zaijel: If you say so. And if you come up with any explanation for how a jamming field could start up on its own, you will let me know. That is an order, specialist. In that case, though, do we continue or do we abort mission? I do not believe that there’s a reason to cut things off right now, ample supplies remain available. That said, if anybody has objections, you may lodge them at this point.
Lillena: I’m sorry, but going further in, when we don’t even know what to expect, without the ability to call up backup? This is a terrible idea that is going to fail badly, and I want that on the record.
Zaijel: Objection has been noted and logged. Jorail, Natheema, start setting up descent gear. One way or another, we’ll make our objective. If the handful of systems that Specialist Bihisa has restored are any indication, there is a significant amount of potentially valuable information to be gained.
Lillena: Yes, it may be useful, but the risks–
Zaijel: The risks will be dealt with. Our map, while imperfect, still provides a usable general layout. The power systems, while in bad shape, are stable for what we need. We will continue. End recording.
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 4, Stardate 87965.26
Automated Transcription Follows
[staticky whines, along with hisses of leaking pipes and the hum of fans]
Zaijel: Expedition Lead Zaijel, commencing audio log recording. We have been continuing our exploration of the facility. The deterioration previously observed above seems to only have worsened the further down we go, and what computer systems we have found are of types considered obsolete even at the time that this facility was abandoned.
Bihisa: Oh yes, those were a fascinating discovery! I don’t believe that there were records before this of the Tal Shiar using a tritronic system, this seems to have been an experiment, which, going by what data could be recovered, looks like it was unsuccessful. It is a pity that there wasn’t any connection to the rest of the facility, though. Just the physical adapters needed for integration into a modern isolinear/optronic system would be impressive enough to be worth a couple research papers.
Verrem: Weren’t there some rogue multitronic systems that Starfleet had to destroy? Might be best that that system was isolated.
Bihisa: Well, yes, that did happen, but those had far more autonomy and points of failure involved. These systems were very heavily limited in scope, only really useful for speeding up data processing rather than anything as advanced as those failed experiments.
Lillena: Did you see those support beams, though? We’re lucky the damn room didn’t collapse on us, right, Joraill?
Joraill: It wasn’t luck, they just weren’t quite that dilapidated yet. I’d give them maybe a handful of years before collapse, though, hopefully–
Natheema: Could you all shut up for a moment? This door mechanism is being a real fuc–
[Explosion]
Natheema: Oh god, help! Lillena, somebody, anybody!
Lillena: Okay, hold still, Jorail get my–
Joraill: It’s here! Everyone else, get away from the–
Zaijel: What the hell was that explosion? Verren, check the—
Verren: Hell no, not when it’s just–
Natheema: Fuck, my hand, it’s just gone.
Lillena: Stay still, I’ll stop the bleeding. We need to–
Zaijel: Let me past, I need to see the door. We need–
Lillena: We need to fucking leave this place, now!
Zaijel: We need to see if we can continue, if this was a booby-trap or failure, how safe things are. The size of the blast seems almost like one of my detonators could've done it, and those are a standard yield.
[A tricorder whirrs momentarily, along with the noises of medical equipment]
Lillena: Alright, I’ve done what I can. You’re not going to die, and when we get back to the ship, we can replace or regrow your fingers as needed. The sooner we get back, the better, though.
Natheema: Fuck, I can’t feel anything. I need to get back–
Zaijel: Can you still walk?
Lillena: If you’re asking what I think you are, you can forget it. He’s still heavily injured, and needs to get back to the ship.
Zaijel: Be that as it may, he is the only one who knows enough about the mechanical systems here to be able to get us through, even if it means talking one of the rest of us through it.
Lillena: No. Absolutely not. As the closest thing to a qualified doctor here, you can not make somebody this injured–
Natheema: You need me?
Zaijel: You’re the only one who knows enough to be able to get us to where we need to be.
Lillena: Oh, that’s a low tactic. Natheema, you don’t have to–
Natheema: I’ll do it. Need to prove my skill again, don’t I?
Zaijel: You heard him, Lillena. I want him in a state to walk and help in an hour. We’ll start moving then.
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 5, Stardate 87965.60
Automated Transcription Follows
[Creaking groans and intermittent pneumatic hissing noises]
Zaijel: Expedition Lead Zaijel. It has been 3 hours since the previous log, and progress has been slow. As such, I have decided to begin recording this update while we continue to traverse this level of the facility. Records and maps have the wing we are attempting to reach at present marked as ‘processing’. From what Specialist Bihisa could determine, the systems here were almost as heavily interconnected with everything else as the main data systems, indicating some level of priority given to this above everything else. Is that a reasonable analysis?
Bihisa: Yes, so far as I've been able to determine, every node that we encountered other than the tritronic experiment seems to consistently have connections to the central systems and the processing wing. Sadly, what those connections were for isn't clear, as a lot of the data has degraded. Still, it seems to have been one of the primary aims of the facility.
Zaijel: Thank you, Specialist. Given all that, it is possible that a direct connection to the central systems may be intact and existent in Processing, in which case, we may be able to return to the ship sooner than thought.
Lillena: For your sake, and for Natheema’s sake, I hope so. My objections to his continued presence on the expedition, he shouldn't even be standing right now, let alone providing support to anyone. If his hand is irrecoverable, it is you who will be responsible.
Natheema: Please stop, Lillena. They need me, need my skills. I can manage, I will manage.
Lillena: No, you can't. It is taking a great deal of effort just to keep you awake and active without passing out from the pain. You need to leave, and if the team can't somehow manage with Veren, then we should all leave. Besides–
[A loud, spluttering hissing noise drowns out everything else on the recording for several seconds before reducing in volume somewhat]
Zaijel: We've got a plasma conduit leak! Joraill, can you seal it off?
Joraill: Not a chance! The outflow is far too rapid, the breaks too big. Even if I could get close enough, I don't have the tools or materials to deal with it.
[Zaijel’s combadge activates]
Lillena: Natheema got a blast of the plasma just as the conduit burst, Zaijel! He can't stand without support, and needs urgent care on the ship. We'll take the shuttle and bring relief as soon as possible!
Zaijel: Understood. We will continue our mission in the meantime.
[No voices detected for several minutes.]
Bihisa: Well, fuck. On the bright side, at least things can't get that much worse, and there's still the chance that things will be over soon.
Zaijel: Verren. Do you feel that you are capable of overriding the door systems in this section?
Verren: I can't promise anything, but from what I've seen, it should be possible.
Zaijel: Excellent. Bihisa, check the map. I want to see exactly how far away we are from the processing wing, and what routes there are to return to the landing pads. Meanwhile, Joraill, I want your honest assessment. Do you think the plasma conduit failure was natural?
Joraill: It was definitely an odd failure. Despite the generally run-down nature of this facility, the plasma conduits seemed in reasonably good shape. It could very well have been natural, though, it's hard to tell just looking from the outside, and Natheema had most of the tools. Why do you ask?
Zaijel: Just wondering. It seems like too good a coincidence, splits our team up, makes us easier targets to take down. Still, you're probably right. It'd be impossible to set something like that up. Bihisa, any update on the maps?
Bihisa: Looks like, short of fixing that leak or cutting a home someplace, we're not getting back up to the surface any time soon. That said, it's only 20 meters to the entrance to Processing.
Zaijel: Understood, thank you. In that case, let's go. We'll figure out a return route once our primary objective has been obtained. Until then, eyes on the prize.
Bihisa: Understood. Entrance to this wing should be the next door on the right. Looks like it's open, even.
Zaijel: Well, time to see what exactly is so important to this facili– oh fuck.
Bihisa: Zaijel? What's going on? Are you alright? What's in– oh shit.
Zaijel: Fuck, I can't go back, not again! I'll die before I go back in there!
Bihisa: Zaijel, breathe. You're safe. There's nobody in there. It's just an abandoned room. Just, breathe, and stay with me.
[quiet sobbing, but otherwise silence]
Zaijel: Shit. I'm okay. I'm okay. Let's keep going.
Joraill: Are you sure? That seemed, ah, intense. There's no shame in taking a–
Zaijel: I'm sure. We need to get this all done. My… History, with such treatment is something that I'll have to get over. I suppose that does explain what processing was, though.
Bihisa: Well, if you're certain. While you were recovering, I got Verren to try and scout out where the computer systems would be. Most likely they're a level down, still in this wing. Here, let me–
Zaijel: I can stand on my own. That said, thank you. Let's start heading towards the computers, then.
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 6, Stardate 87965.71
Automated Transcription Follows
[background hissing and whirring, with muffled noises of a tricorder interspersed throughout]
Zaijel: Expedition Lead Zaijel, beginning recording now. This log will likely not include commentary from the others on this expedition, as I asked them for privacy while I recorded. The explanation which they are free to assume is the case is that I am still recovering from my… experience seeing the torture chambers once again, but that isn't my primary reason for this.
[sighs quietly]
Zaijel: Ever since the plasma conduit burst, I've been thinking. It seemed like too much of a coincidence, such a convenient time and place for a failure, and the first to happen while we've been here. My first thought was that it was just a booby trap. God knows that the Tal Shiar is plenty good at that. But in that case, it would've actually done something, taken out the whole group, or even just injured more than one of us. This way, though? It split off two of the team, ones who would be crucial for finishing this mission. The precision needed for that would need somebody to be watching to set things off at the right time. No life signs were noticed when this place was scanned, though. Maybe it was somebody on–
[a knock on the door]
Bihisa: Hey, Zai. I know you said not to interrupt while you were recording, but I wanted to give you some updates on the computers here, like you asked
Zaijel: Alright, elaborate, please. What have you found here? And, importantly, what is the state of the connection with the main core?
Bihisa: Well, there's good news and bad news, ultimately. The good news is, it looks like the storage systems are generally intact, and there might even be an extant connection to the central core by which we could get all the information from there.
Zaijel: Understood. That is certainly an encouraging sign. In that case, though, what's the bad news?
Bihisa: Well… as it turns out, the local hardware itself is in very bad shape, it doesn't reliably read the data in question and certainly can't decrypt it. And, of course, this being the Tal Shiar, it is encrypted. Now, in principle, I should be able to repair the damage and get at all the data that was left for us, but it will take a while, and I can't guarantee that it would allow access to the data core.
Zaijel: Sorry, what do you mean, left for us? That said, in that case, I assume you want additional time to repair this node of the system?
Bihisa: I meant, well, the data that was left behind when they fled. What else? And yes, I need extra time, otherwise we can't get at this system. Given that I can't promise connection to the central core will be possible, though, it might be for the best if the rest of you went on ahead.
Zaijel: What, and leave you here to deal with a plasma leak, or an exploding conduit, or something else, on your own?
Bihisa: Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine, Zai, but thanks for worrying. I've made sure to carefully inspect this wing as much as possible, while waiting for some of my diagnostics to run. And besides, our combadges still work, so worst case, I can just get your help.
Zaijel: And what if we need your help to access the core?
Bihisa: Well, the same applies. Ask for help, and I'll come running as quickly as you need.
[No voices detected for a few minutes]
Zaijel: I hate this. I can't argue with it, it is the most likely route to success. But something feels off, like it's all going to go wrong. You promise that you'll ask for help as soon as possible?
Bihisa: I promise. You big softie, you really do care.
Zaijel: I'm hardly soft, all this is, is a reasonable response to the risks of this situation. In that case, we split in 30 minutes.
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 7, Stardate 87966.06
Automated Transcription Follows
[quiet snoring melded with hisses and creaking]
Zaijel: Starting a recording now. Zerren and Jorail are asleep at present, and unlikely to listen in. I don't know just how much they can be trusted. God, I don't know how much anybody I went down to this godforsaken place can really be trusted.
[A distant groan of fatigued metal]
Zaijel: It has been 3 hours since the last log, so I'll catalogue what happened for the sake of a complete record. I don't know who can be trusted to see this, but it is worth doing nevertheless.
[a quiet sigh, likely from Zaijel]
Zaijel: As soon as we were about 70 meters away from the processing wing, we heard a scream from Specialist Bihisa. Ran back, and got blocked by a blast door. No idea why or how it closed. We tried to use our combadges, no response. I think whatever jamming field blocked things before has intensified.
[In the distance, something unidentified crashes to the floor]
Zaijel: Fuck, what was that?
[No voices recorded for approx. 2 minutes]
Zaijel: Must've just been something in this place continuing to decay. Back to the log. From what I can tell on the copy of the map that Bihisa provided before we split apart, that door is blocking the only route back to processing. She's just completely cut off now. Asked Jorail if he could cut through the door, but apparently the risk was high enough of that causing a structural failure that that wouldn't be possible. So, we have no choice, we have to go deeper and further still. I'm sure Bihisa can figure something out. She's probably more competent than any of the rest of us.
[No noises outside of ambient background recorded for ca. 2 minutes]
Zaijel: Still. It doesn't matter how good she is, if my suspicions are correct. Because all these events, the failures of conduit and blast doors, the explosion of that door mechanism, all of it points to one possibility. Somebody or something else is here, watching us, trying to stop us. It could be a coincidence, sure, but if so, it's one that has somehow managed to separate us out, divide and weaken us. The only real question is, why? What's so damned important that we all need to be killed off like this? And who the hell is doing it, anyway? There wasn't anyone alive in the scans from orbit, and no signs of life other than us as we've been exploring. It almost has to be one of our team, but who would that be?
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 8, Stardate 87966.97
Automated Transcription Follows
[hissing and whirring in the background]
Zaijel: Once again, Expedition Lead Zaijel, recording an additional log. We have been operating in this facility for nearly an entire day, and despite some progress, it seems increasingly unlikely that we will be able to complete our mission.
[quiet sigh, most likely from Zaijel]
Zaijel: Despite having nominally agreed to a shift system of watches to make sure everyone could rest and we could get advance warning, I decided to stay up throughout. I didn't want to risk the possibility of two of us not waking up again, if the traitor was among us. Not as though I would've been able to sleep regardless, given everything, but this gave me added reason to do so.
[No noises beyond the ambient background recorded for ca. 1 minute]
Zaijel: I'm still trying to figure out who here, if anyone, would be willing to do all of this. I looked through the records of the team before we left, and none of them have any good reason why they'd willingly betray us to the Tal Shiar. So, whoever it is, they must have been able to hide their background at least as well as I did, back when I fled. So, what now? What can I do?
[A loud groan from somewhere within the facility]
Zaijel: God. I need to get away from here before it all falls apart. I know Jorail has been saying it’s safe, but what if that’s a lie to try and get everyone to go too deep and get stuck as the facility falls apart? If I can get my hands on some of his scanners, maybe I can check, but to do so, I’d probably need to be away from him so he doesn’t question it. Getting away from the rest of the team might be a good idea in general, though. Ultimately, I don’t know who’s loyal and who isn’t. And if this is the Tal Shiar, they likely know my own past. They’d have access to the original records, after all, as much as I tried to lay low.
[No noises beyond ambient background recorded for ca. 3 minutes]
Zaijel: First step of the plan has to be to have control over the lion’s share of resources. I’ll leave enough rations for the both of them, but if I need to hide away here, I’ll need to be have more than them. Additionally, some of the tools and equipment that the both of them normally carry would be useful. On the other hand, reduced load means I can be swift and sneaky, make it harder for whoever is the traitor to find me. Will have to think on it more. Definitely want to split off in the next few hours, though, one way or the other. Still need to figure out why go to the trouble of doing all this, though. Nothing I’ve seen indicates that this place is anything special. Unless… what if the reason is that I’m here? The Tal Shiar still probably has records of me. They know my past, so they know I could reveal what I did for them. But then, how could they plan this out? It has to be something else. We’ll find out when I find the data core, one way or another.
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 9, Stardate 87967.20
Automated Transcription Follows
[Hissing in the background, along with intermittent groans and creaks]
Zaijel: Expedition Lead Zaijel, commencing recording. We are once again underway, attempting to reach the data core. Our limited maps indicate that it shouldn’t be too far away at this point. I can certainly say that I hope such is the case, given the increasingly dilapidated nature of the facility. This decay does, however, raise an interesting point. Initial assumptions were that this facility was built from the top down, adding further sub-levels as needed. Given the state here, it may, however, be the case that a central ‘core’ was built down to near the maximum depth, and expanded with further wings as needed. Jorail, what’s your assessment?
Jorail: Well, I don’t exactly have the resources to reliably date the structure, since we were expecting a relatively simple trip to get the data core and come back. So actually saying with certainty exactly how old everything is is, of course, impossible. That said, a gradual expansion from a central core would certainly explain this state of structural instability, along with why… Processing was in relatively pristine shape. One assumes it was a relatively recent addition to the structure, in this theory at least. Why would they make a building where the only way in or out is the most unstable and dangerous part of it, though?
Verren: What difference does it make why? It’s all a damn death trap regardless.
Zaijel: It makes plenty of difference. The way that this place is laid out could make quite a difference in our efforts to survive this, as you put it, death trap. If we can find a safe way up or down in one of the better-maintained sections, that could solve quite a bit of our–
[A rumbling crash drowns everything out for an extended period of time.]
Zaijel: Fuck! Status report, are the two of you alright?
Verren: Alive, despite everything.
Jorail: Shaken, but I’ll live! How the hell did that happen, though?
Zaijel: Well, plenty of time to take scans, looks like unless we bridge this gap, we’re not going to be able to move on as a group. Deeply fuckin convenient that we get structural failure like that right between us, though.
Jorail: Sorry, what do you mean with convenient? It’s all just an old structure falling–
Zaijel: No it isn’t! It can’t be! Not when it’s actively stymying our progress! This base has a goddamn vendetta against us, it’s trying to split us all apart!
Jorail: Zaijel. Calm down, please. It’ll be alright, we’ll get back to the surface soon enough. Just take deep breaths for now.
Zaijel: No. Calm can only help your threats when you’re surviving, it breeds complacency, and complacency is death. You need control, and you need fear, or anger, or sheer stubbornness or motivation. I am… more controlled now, though, so thank you. The question, ultimately, is, what now? I don’t see any way to cross this chasm, and it looks like there’s no connections between our segments of hallway.
Jorail: What, none at all? That’s… one hell of an unfortunate failure, then. I might be able to find a way to bridge the gap, just need some material that works.
Zaijel: No. If this material is anything close to how this base is, it’ll fall apart at the worst time. We split apart, see if we can find alternative routes to meet up. This map isn’t accurate, there’s probably something missing. If we can’t find anything, we try to each reach the data core. Rescue can happen some other way, probably, but all this will have been useless if we can’t bring something to show for it
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 10, Stardate 87967.44
Automated Transcription Follows
[quiet whirring and whining noises]
Zaijel: Expedition Lead Zaijel beginning recording. Although I suppose there isn't much reason to say that anymore. The whole damn expedition has basically fallen apart, and there's no real reason to believe that it's recoverable. Maybe one or the other person who wasn't in on this from the start can get away, but if so, who's to say they won't be stopped, or that our saboteur hasn't set up the shuttle to explode. So, assume that this is a long-term survival situation.
[A long, drawn-out sigh can be heard]
Zaijel: Well, not the first time I've done this, at least. Hopefully everyone else can manage, don't think that there's much I can do other than serve as a distraction. And if I'm going to do that, might as well start heading for the objective. Shouldn't be too long to get there, and then we can see about getting as much info as possible. Hopefully it's not completely broken down.
[No voices recorded for ca. 2 minutes, only the noise of movement]
Zaijel: Alright, here we go. Data core seems to be in decent enough shape, let's see if the tricorder can show what's wrong with this thing.
[The warbling of a tricorder can be heard]
Zaijel: Well, at least that works out alright. Looks like the storage is intact, basic processing can run on the backup systems, all that's needed is a bit of power, and it's already connected to the power supply. So… Let's see what's going on here. I'll say, for whoever has to compile a report based on this recording, I'm not any sort of tech expert here. I knew some of how the Tal Shiar normally organise their shit, but actually breaking in or anything like that is definitely beyond me. Guess they must've assumed nobody would be trying to break in, though. It's all just completely unsecured… Which again seems far too convenient given everything else. At the same time, this is what we all tried to obtain, so what choice is there? So, let's start with the basics, what was this facility for?
[Beeps and long synthetic tones, no voices recorded]
Zaijel: Initial impressions, it's a jumbled mess. There's storage, research and development, interrogation, data analysis, basically anything that the Tal Shiar could need. Which, if there's a follow-up mission, there could be a lot to find in here. That goddamn map we found up top was absolutely incomplete. Still doesn't explain what this place was all about, and why there's this much effort being put into guarding this shit, to the extent of infiltrating our mission… Maybe I can see what Bihisa was stuck trying to retrieve back in… processing. If that includes some of who was a victim of that torture could be useful, at the very least in finding people who can speak out.
[Beeps and long synthetic tones, no voices recorded]
Zaijel: Looking through this, it's definitely a list of victims. Records are less than perfect, but that's to be expected with the decay in question. It's odd, though. These all seem to be members to some extent of the Tal Shiar. Analysts, agents, informants, researchers, whatever. Maybe there's others further in.
[No voices recorded for ca. 2 minutes]
Zaijel: Oh fuck. That's me. Sublieutenant “Investigator” Zaijel, serial number RE629163057, no reasons given for the “processing”. Fuck. They have to know it's me, whoever’s been setting these traps. They know I'm here, maybe they even fucking set me up. If they didn't, why would I be the one seeing this? Gotta be a message to me, a trap for me… I need to run. I need to get away, get a message out, somehow.
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 11, Timekeeping Functions Disabled
Automated Transcription Follows
[Rapid movement and footsteps, along with hisses and whirrs]
Zaijel: Fuck, where's that corridor? Map says there should be a junction here, where is it? Need to make sure I can get out of here and back to my ship, there has to be some more people involved. It sure as hell can't have been a coincidence that I was in charge of the nearest ship to this place. Assuming that's even true and wasn't yet another lie, of course. Why, why, why, there are so many God damn questions! But the only way to answer them is to escape. So, need to get away. If that junction is fake then it's possible this whole map is funneling me into some trap. Need to stop being predictable, then.
[Wheezes from Zaijel are recorded as the movement stops for a moment]
Zaijel: Fuck. What direction do I go? Got rid of my tricorder and tried to purge this recorder of anything but the most basic elements, need to make sure that none of it's compromised, after all. They could be listening to comms, for all I know, and there'd be nothing to stop them from tracking me. Still, does mean that I can't figure out what's a trap.
[Loud groaning can be heard a long distance away]
Zaijel: Whatever the case, that's definitely a trap. Can't trust that the floor won't fall out under my feet, or the ceiling onto my head, but I can definitely head away from that.
[Rapid movement and footsteps]
Zaijel: Unless, of course, the whole point of shit like that is to continue funneling me, taking more and more options away until I'm trapped, helpless and at the mercy of these bastards once again. Fuck… no, that's not going to happen. Not again, not ever. I've survived before, in the war and the Tal Shiar, and I'll survive again. You hear that, you bastards?! You're not going to see the last of me!
[No voices recorded for ca. 3 minutes]
Zaijel: Hopefully that distracts them for a moment. If they think I'll do a glorious last stand here, they might try to come in with their firepower rather than letting me come to them. And in the meantime, I can sneak away, see if other routes to the surface exist, see if anyone else might've survived, and might still be loyal. But would anyone else even be loyal? Fuck knows the Tal Shiar have their strings wrapped around pretty much anyone and anything, and if this mission was a ruse to eliminate me, they could have set upan entire goddamn team to bring me further and further in until I can't get away.
[Sound of movement ceases momentarily]
Zaijel: Still, the reckoning can come later. Right now this data needs to get away. Can't be sent by comms, they'd be being watched if they weren't already jammed. Can't use any sort of rocket or signalling system because underground, and even if I weren't, it'd be giving everything away for something that could easily be intercepted. Only real solution is I can be a courier. Anyone else would just destroy the info and destroy me, but if I can get away, I can make sure it gets revealed, and start to bring this whole damn thing down. All else aside, maybe I can get at least a tiny bit of revenge on the pricks who worked here, forced people back into line on a whim. Not like I was innocent, sure, but I did what I needed to do.
[Sudden loud hissing noise]
Zaijel: Fuck, there goes another plasma relay. At this point, it has to be a set up, there's no other possible explanation. They'll pay for it, though. They'll pay for it all, one way or another. The Incepteris is still my ship, and I know the crew will have me come hell or high water. And even if that means being outnumbered, I still know more than well enough how to fight, how to win, how to hide and run and keep safe until it's the right time to kill. I can– wait, what's that noise? Fuck, that's footsteps, they're coming for me. I need to hide, now.
Uplink Failed
Fallback to Local Storage
Log 12, Timekeeping Functions Disabled
Automated Transcription Follows
Unidentified Personnel, distant: Zaijel, where are you? We know you need food, come out and let's get back home!
Zaijel (whispered): As though I'd come out and let myself get taken by those bastards again. No matter what, I won't go back. I won't, I can't, I couldn't.
Unidentified Personnel: Come on, Zaijel, all that we need for the Incepteris to return to base is for you to come with us. It's been days now, and from what Jorail said, you're already injured and tiring yourself out.
Zaijel (whispered): They can't find me. No matter what, I have to stay hidden. Either they're lying about the Incepteris and she's destroyed already, or they're telling the truth and she's just as infiltrated as the research team was, as much as the rest of the Republic has to have been for all this to have been possible to pull off. Either way, I know I wouldn't be seeing the bridge ever again if I surrender to these people. I won't be able to reveal the crimes of so many people, take my revenge for what happened, and that cannot be the case. I need to make sure that I can avenge myself. So, time for a bit of turnabout. They set traps, to try and funnel me into a vulnerable place, an open place to deal with me, so it's only fair that I set some in return, isn't it? It's only a reasonable approach. Let's see how they end up enjoying this.
[A large distance away, small explosions followed by loud hissing noises can be heard]
Unidentified Personnel: What the fuck?! Oh god, somebody help!
Zaijel (whispered): That was one of the plasma conduits. I checked carefully, and there was no existing sabotage on that one. So, did my own little tweaks, added one of the detonators I keep just in case of something like this, and boom. Nobody would've expected that specific conduit to burst, and why would they? For all they know and care, I'm stuck, alone and helpless. But while I may be alone, I'm never helpless, and never will be. Not now, and never again. And if things ever get so far that I am, well, there's a reason why I have one last detonator in my back pocket. Just in case. Need to have one last way out, after all. For now, though, let's see if these bastards are going to be leaving.
[Muffled noises of general commotion and movement, discussion too far away for reliable transcription]
Zaijel (whispered): Fuck. They seem determined to stay. Guess I just have to outlast them, make sure that one way or another, they end up giving up. Shouldn't be too hard, really. They're not going to be expecting a fight. The Tal Shiar never do. So, I'll give it another couple minutes, and then we can see what the next surprise will be. I promise, whoever’s goes through this later, it will be one hell of a surprise.
[Continued distant commotion, no distinguishable voices recorded for ca. 5 minutes]
Zaijel: Well, looks like time’s up for them. Once this goes off, I start running, try to get back to the surface, steal the ship and see what the situation is, get rid of anyone and everyone that I don't trust, make sure the crew is loyal. If they aren't, well, they can be set loose on this death trap.
[Muffled sound of an explosion, followed by loud creaking and groaning for a few moments, and then, massive crashing noises drowning everything else out]
Zaijel: And now, let's get out of here. They'll be too distracted, so I should be able to make it.
[Rapid footsteps and movement can be heard, no discernible voices recorded]
Zaijel: Wait, Bihisa, what are–?
[A disruptor blast can be heard, footsteps cease]
Automated After-Action Report
Recovery Operation, Tal Shiar Complex No. 79
- Mission Objective: Surveying of Complex No. 79, Recovery of as much data and records as feasible
- Mission Members:
- Subcommander Zaijel, Expedition Lead
- Bihisa, Data Recovery Specialist
- Natheema, Lead Technician
- Verem, Assistant Technician
- Lillena, Medical Forensics Expert
- Jorail, Structural Engineering Specialist
- Mission Outcome:
- Objectives fulfilled, primary data storage accessed and retrieved
- Natheema permanently injured
- All other mission members wounded, but with a positive prognosis for recovery
- Additional Notes:
- Mission duration was significantly longer than expected
- Due to hazards within the facility and loss of contact with agents within, a rescue and recovery operation was carried out.
- 3 additional personnel were injured during this operation due to apparent structural instabilities, but all have a positive prognosis for recovery.
https://www.stonewallgaming.net/photos/181412
