News Report

 Episode Name:  News Report

   Written By:  Belgarath

         Cast:  Belgarath, Fioravanti, Foster, McCauley and Niel.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Belgarath

     Aired On:  Wed Nov 24 03:35:36 2004

     Stardate:  54556.8

Time: Wed Nov 24 02:16:03 2004

Stardate: 54556.6

On the screens, the emblem of the Ferengi Alliance dominates, with a smaller image of the Rynkan Confederacy below. Ferengi words are along the bottom of the screen.

The emblem disappears, replaced by a collage of images fading in and out as well as Ferengi words scrolling across the screen. When everything settles down, a well-dressed Ferengi appears on the screen. In a nasally voice, he says, "Good morning, afternoon, or evening. I am Prog, and thank you for tuning in to the Brot Rynkan News Network, which provides you with the most accurate and most up-to-date news reports anywhere in the sector. As you are all aware, Teirian rebels have seized control of the planet Teirra, with one of them claiming royal status amongst the Teirians."

Fioravanti settles back to watch, but the expression on her face, well, it's not pleasant. She looks uncomfortable, to say the least.

Niel motions towards all the people, "As you can see, we have a nice buffet of various meals set up over here, all provided free for your needs this evening. Feel free to mingle or just watch with curiousity. Looks like it's starting." He moves to sit down at one of the chairs that's puled asside near the cribs.

McCauley is still making way to a seat. For whatever reason he chooses a seat beside the Timefleet Ensign, probably the only person he knows. He takes the seat quietly though.

Fioravanti offers Mac a tense smile, then says quietly, "I feel rather ghoulish coming to watch this. I'm coming to watch a bloodbath, voluntarily. But...I feel I have to."

The screen now shows King Perival of Teirra saying, "We will take back what is ours, and all who have sided against us will personally know the pain you have caused us. From the rubbles of the old Union will a vast new one be born."

Foster steps in from the bustle of the mall.

Foster has arrived.

Niel says, "You might be surprised. History s replete with things that looked like they'd be bloodbaths and have had far different outcomes."

Foster meanders in, hand covering his mouth as he yawns (again). He looks about blearily, and begins to head in the direction of the fiction section.

McCauley glances to her and shrugs. His frown speaks volumes about his distaste for the proceedings.

Fioravanti starts to her feet, nodding to Niel. "Perhaps," she says, a little tensely. "LT? Would you care for any of the fine food that's been lain out? It looks gorgeous."

Back to the Ferengi anchor, "Both Ferengi and Rynkan authorities have agreed that these rebels need to be arrested in order to free the innocent Teirians, who make up a majority of the world's population, from the rebels' captive hold, and return the planet to its former, productive glory."

"Since the rebellion broke out," continues the Ferengi anchor, "the rebels have struck various Rynkan structures, which the Alliance forces have since retaken and reestablished. The main fleet is now en route to put an end to the rebellion, but is operating under communications silence until the fighting begins. We take you to our combat specialist Crob to discuss what is expected in the Teirra System."

Niel stands up as Foster enters. "Welcome Lieutenant. Feel free to have a seat anywhere, and help yourself to the food."

Another yawn from the Timefleet Lieutenant. "Eh? What?"

McCauley shakes his head to Brie. "No. Thank you, but no."

"Thank you, Prog," says a different Ferengi on the screen. "The resistance at Teirra will be tougher than one would expect. At the start of the rebellion, the Teirians managed to take control of a number of Rynkan warships with the help of collaborators within the Rynkan military." A picture appears in the corner showing Rynkan vessels. "While these Rynkan vessels posed little threat several years ago, the Rynkan Confederacy has since then joined the Alliance and have steadily upgraded their technology to be more on par with the rest of the quadrant. Because of this, the captured Rynkan ships that the rebels are using pose a reasonable threat to our forces. There are also reports of several Teirian ships operating in that system, but they appear to be unmodified, and so their outdated laser weaponry should prove to be of little use."

Fioravanti offers a grin to Foster, but it's a thin one. "We're preparing to watch more bloodshed on Teirra," she tells her teammate. "Necessary or not, it is probably going to be a bloodbath.

Foster turns towards the screen, and stares for a long moment. "Oh, this. Why are we airing this again? Won't it be enough to see the statistics in the morning from what happens here?"

. o O Foster thinks "Entirely MORE than enough."

Niel says, "Something tells me we might be watching the liberation of Teirra, but that might just be my hopes being up."

The image becomes a split screen between the two Ferengi. "Now, Crob," the anchor says, "don't the Teirians possess nuclear technology that can potentially be devastating?"

"We might be watching that, yes," Foster says. "But the Ferengi technique of doing so is not exactly the best way to do things."

Niel smirks, "I meant with the Ferengi losing."

Fioravanti grins wryly at Niel and chuckles a bit. "Right. That's definitely a hope. It may be a vain hope, but it's a hope. Besides, what's a bloodbath without cheese, crackers, and these cute little gherkins?" She pops one in her mouth and goes to sit down again next to Mac.

Foster looks rather nonplussed at Fioravanti. "I'd think that you probably have had your fill of blood in your life."

"They have the technology," Crob nods. "But all nuclear arms on Teirra have been confiscated and dismantled by the Rynkans over the past two years."

Fioravanti smiles a bit at Foster. It's a rather terse smile. "I wouldn't be here if I had a choice, Caleb," she says quietly, then points to the screen. "We'll be back there within a week. I want to know what I'm walking into."

McCauley just watches the screen, at first not seeming to pay attention.

"What kind of resistance is expected on the ground?" Prog asks.

The picture switches back to a full screen of Crob. "There will more than likely be guerilla warfare going on, especially in the cities. It'll be easy for the rebel to know who the Rynkans and Ferengi are, but it'll be extremely difficult for our troops to know whether a Teirian is an innocent or a rebel, which gives the rebels a huge advantage. Many traps are expected, such as mines, but with the help of our more advanced technology, we are hoping that traps would not be a big problem."

"How will our forces track down all of the rebels?" asks Prog's disembodied voice. "The authorities believe that many of these rebels come from resistance cells that were never found by the Rynkans."

Foster shakes his head. "I'd still much prefer the statistics."

Fioravanti shrugs and grins a bit. "Beats watching the bloodshed, I guess. I'm a sucker for punishment."

Crob bobs his head. "That's right, there's been trouble finding all of the Teirian resistance cells these past two years. But the Ferengi Alliance has agreed to put more funding into locating the hideouts of these rebel bands. A planet is a big place, though, with many places to hide. Even with all our advanced scanners, it could take some time to arrest every last rebel."

McCauley frowns a little. "Problems telling the rebels from civilians? Why does that sound like an excuse to shoot anyone."

"Thank you, Crob," says Prog, as the screen shifts back to him. "We have interviewed Daimon Gar, commander of the fleet dispatched to retake Teirra from the rebels - wait... It seems the communications silence has ended. We're receiving a feed from our on-site reporter Lon. Hello Lon, where are you and what's happening right now?"

Fioravanti tenses as the announcement is made. She reaches for a drink and curls deeper into her chair.

The image switches to another Ferengi. "Hello. I'm aboard the Grataaz, command ship of the combined Ferengi and Rynkan fleet. We've entered the Teirra System and are on approach to the planet. Rebel ships have detected the fleet and are positioning themselves near Teirra for the upcoming conflict. Here is the view from some of our sensor ships that came along with the fleet."

"Because that's what it is, sir," Foster replies.

Niel frowns as he watches slightly.

The picture blinks over to a black field with a couple dozen ships of Ferengi and Rynkan make, then shifts over to the rebel fleet in orbit of Teirra, composed of Rynkan and Teirian ships.

"We are just minutes away from engaging the rebels," says Lon's voice as the image continues panning over the starships.

The image now changes over to a split screen between Prog and Lon. "What is the atmosphere on the bridge of the Grataaz right now?" asks Prog.

"Tense," answers Lon. "The fleet has been order to disable the rebel ships, not destroy. Whereas the rebels wouldn't hesitate to blow us up. This makes the jobs of our soldiers much harder." Lon's head quickly swivels to the side. "It sounds like the first waves of ships are engaging. Let's move to our cameras on the sensor ships."

Back in the void of space, a wing of Rynkan frigates zoom toward the Teirian line, and the battle begins.

The picture suddenly goes back to the anchor. "This just in. It appears several Teirian-controlled Rynkan vessels have managed to sneak into the Rynkan System and executed a surprise attack that took out several Rynkan and Ferengi patrol ships. The Teirians are attacking Rynka at this moment. The public is advised to remain calm, as the remaining Alliance ships not a part of the fleet is nearby and will intercept these rebel ships shortly. And now, a word from our sponsors..."

Fioravanti mmms quietly. "Of course, that would be the government party line," she says in a low voice. "The rebels are always in the wrong and the others are always right. No one realizes that ANYONE who causes bloodshed is in the wrong." Yup, Ms. Idealistic at it again. "But it's a fact of warfare."

Several commercials go on, ranging from anything from Sluggo Cola to self-sealing stembolts.

Niel closes his eyes for a moment looking down. He looks up in surprise when the special announcement comes on.

Prog reappears on the screen. "The battle over Rynka is still ensuing. Those living on the Yinarr Continent should move underground or to some protective structure to avoid falling debris. Back to the battle at Teirra. Lon, what's happening now?"

Some people might be happy to hear the Teirians are fighting back. Apparently not Mac. He frowns even deeper if anything. "This is getting worse by the minute."

The picture shows the fighting, with Lon being in a corner of the screen. "More ships have engaged. Several rebel vessels have been destroyed, especially since the Teirian vessels are not as hardy as the Alliance ships are. But the fleet is still trying to - whoa!"

Fioravanti sits quietly, holding onto her drink. For a supposedly hardened timefleeter, she's gone a little pale.

On the battle screen, green disruptor fire appears from off the screen, hitting both Alliance and rebel ships. The camera swivels, and catches green Romulan warbirds flying in at high speeds.

Niel looks up in shock, "Oh my... what are they doing there?"

Foster slews around at that last sound, having not been watching. Apparently he recognizes the sound of Romulan weapons. Then... he shrugs. "Who knows?"

Fioravanti leans forward, eyes wide.

More Romulan ships continue to decloak. Several shots of disruptor fire fly straight toward the camera, and the sensor ships are soon all taken out, showing nothing but static.

. o O Foster thinks "Maybe they should destroy them all. Put them out of our misery. Now, now, Caleb. They deserve to live. But this whole thing just sickens me."

The image changes back to Prog, who's staring off to the side with his mouth hanging open. "Uh-um-it looks like we're having some technical difficulties. As for the battle here at Rynka, things are going well as - wait. It...what? Romulan starships here? Wait -"

The picture goes away, replaced by a "Please Stand By - Technical Difficulties" image.

McCauley settles forward, elbows on his knees. He frown is on full bore, and other than that there is silence from the Chief Engineer.

Fioravanti takes a slow sip of her drink. "I'm not an analyst," she says quietly. "But I don't think that was a good thing."

As the feed cuts the Chief Engineer stands abruptly and heads for the door.

Niel looks up really surprised. "I think that things were as interesting as I expected, but not in a good way."

"Well, still anxious to see what's happening there, Fioravanti?" Foster says. "I'll tell you that the Romulans can probably make things pretty interesting there."

Fioravanti stands, putting her cup aside, and looks at Foster, a bit shaky. "Don't mock me, Foster. I didn't watch because I wanted to. But because I had to. What's your excuse?"

"I didn't watch," Foster says. "Well, until I heard the Romulan disruptors. I've been trying to figure out what book to pick up." He IS still standing near the fiction section.

Fioravanti snorts a little and shakes her head, finally grinning a bit. "You're as bad as the rest of us, Caleb," she says in a low voice. "I'd suggest either "Hamlet" or something similar.