Mission 1 - Klingon Neutral Zone - Part 2

[Melissa Richards]

Lt. Cmdr Jill Vodden
CMO

The work continued. So far they hadn't been hurt any worse then they had before. That gave the sickbay staff time to recover now that the most critical cases were either in post-op or critical care. The less concerning had either been discharged with orders to return later, or were sill here, but likely going to be sent out soon. Jill silently prayed that they'd seen the worst of this crisis.

With a brief moment open, she went and sat down and listened to the bridge monitor trying to get an idea of their current status. Hopefully Captain Cindy wasn't going to get them killed anytime soon...

tags if wanted

[T-Prime]

TK groaned softly.

You don't tell the people you send on a suicide mission that it's a suicide mission. It's just depressing.

"ENSIGN, GRAB AN E.V.A. SUIT AND MEET ME IN THE SHUTTLE BAY. GET STARTED ON THE PHASER MODIFICATIONS, I MIGHT BE A FEW MINUTES."

Risking two shuttles and crew members rather than using the ship mounted systems seemed a waste to TK, but the XO at least had some sound reasoning behind it. Too bad there wasn't enough time to rig the shuttles for remote flight.

He found no fault with the choice of pilots either. He was likely the only person on board with experience running stealth shuttle ops under an advanced Romulan warship. Probably the only one in Starfleet. Still the plan could use a little "polish".

In the turbolift, after turning over his station to the junior tactical officer, TK made a private call to the ships Loadmaster.

...

"You're out of your mind, Sir."

"I'll make an appointment with the Ship's Councillor as soon as I get back, Chief. Just do it."

The comm channel went dead, but TK was certain his orders would be followed. Most people had the sense not to argue too much with Tactical Personnel right before a battle.

TK arrive at the shuttle bay a few moments later decked out in full E.V.A. gear. After checking in with the Loadmaster for a report, he began making the necessary modification to the phaser array of the second shuttle.

He was no engineer, but he made a point to know the ins and outs of his weapon systems, so the work proceeded quick. Before boarding and preparing for launch he called Ensign Norson over for a last minute brief.

Tag Aislinn

[Iar Edra]

[T-Prime]

[Amanda Rose]

Cindy responded to Nav, "We see the ships on our readings extrapolated from the known data. Good job, Nav!"

tag - Nav

She then heard Williams state over the com, "BRIDGE, THIS IS MENDOZA. WE'RE READY TO LAUNCH ON YOUR ORDER."

Cindy looked over at Phil and said, "Remind me that when he gets back that he should see our Doctor. We are also going to have to have words with him about his use of such weapons against the crew. A simple spray bottle would have done the trick. He definitely is an overkill type of person."

tag - Phil

Cindy then commanded, "Luke, open the shuttlebay doors."

tag - Luke

"You are clear to launch. Good luck to both of you."

tag - Williams, Aislinn

Navigation shortly reported, "Captain, we have three Klingon vessels approaching."

Communications seconded the report, "They are hailing us."

Cindy held her breath, gave a look at Phil and said, "On screen,"

A gruff Klingon with a goti stated, "Federation ships. You are in violation of the Neutral Zone. This is an act of war. To avoid it, you must forfeit your ships. Lower your shields and prepare to be boarded."

Cindy responded, "Klingon vessels, we have only entered to destroy the cowardly Romulans who have entered both of our territories to break our peace. We mean no harm to you. We ask for your cooperation in assisting us destroy the Romulan vessels."

The Klingon growled, "The Federation is weak. They send a weak human female to violate our space. You will lower your shields and be boarded or you will be destroyed and your remains hauled back to Qo'nos as a trophy and reminder for those who are weak not to invade our space."

Cindy's smile turned to a grimace. She dug her right hand's fingernails into her right thigh, making clear impressions in her leg. Blood was likely to follow but whether it was from her nails or a firefight, she was not certain. "We have sent you all of the data on the Romulans and their ships. If we wished to invade, why would we do that?"

The Klingon seemed further infuriated. "Plausible deniability. A trick. Nothing more. You have one minute to lower your shields or we will fire. K'Mtar out!"

The screen went blank.

Cindy ordered, "Nobody on this ship fires at the Klingons! Do I make myself clear? They are not our enemy. Keep shields raised and phasers locked on the Romulans." She moved close to her commander and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Phil, would you take Tactical and see that my orders are followed. Seems that we are knee deep in it, now, hey?"

tag - Phil

"Mendoza," Cindy stated calmly, "please start painting the Romulans. Our Klingon friends are going to be here soon and are likely going to start opening fire on us."

tag - Williams, Norson

[T-Prime]

[lucasausems]

Cindy then commanded, "Luke, open the shuttlebay doors."

Luke did as commanded: "Shuttlebay doors fully opened, Captain Cindy, Ma'am."

He sure hoped this would work. It was a daring plan. It was either the plan of a madman or a genius, the outcome would decide which one the histories would favour. He kept an eye on the shuttle and the sensor scans, waiting for the inevitable to happen.

When the console finally started beeping, it still startled Luke. Funny how that is, when you know something is going to happen and it keeps on taking you by surprise. But he figured he would not be the only one acting jumpy when three Klingon Battle Cruisers suddenly announced their presence.

He shortly reported, "Captain, we have three Klingon vessels approaching."

It seemed that the shit had hit the fan. When Phil had taken up Tactical, Luke communicated with him through the consoles to synchronise attack plans and evasive manouvers, relaying them to the shuttle as well. Whatever would happen, the Legacy was primed and ready for a fight, either for attack, or survival.

tags

[Cmdr Phil]

Cindy looked over at Phil and said, "Remind me that when he gets back that he should see our Doctor. We are also going to have to have words with him about his use of such weapons against the crew. A simple spray bottle would have done the trick. He definitely is an overkill type of person."

Phil grunted. “We have a few that would benefit from a spot of team building - start thinking of their colleagues as being on the same side…”

tag - Cindy

“Is Norquay busy at the moment?” Phil asked. “Either its going to be quite a show or we ought to leave a decent log for anyone to learn from…”

tag - Cindy, Marian

Cindy ordered, "Nobody on this ship fires at the Klingons! Do I make myself clear? They are not our enemy. Keep shields raised and phasers locked on the Romulans." She moved close to her commander and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Phil, would you take Tactical and see that my orders are followed. Seems that we are knee deep in it, now, hey?"

“Aye, sir.” He responded, sliding into the freshly vacate seat and tapping in his ID. An electronic wave crossed the console as the layout reset to his own chosen theme, several piano-like sets of keys and in the middle a solitary big red button. You knew where you were with a big red button. You knew it meant business, that something important would happen if you hit it.

When Phil had taken up Tactical, Luke communicated with him through the consoles to synchronise attack plans and evasive manouvers, relaying them to the shuttle as well. Whatever would happen, the Legacy was primed and ready for a fight, either for attack, or survival.

“Luke - paint a line between the Klingon gun ports and the target, so the shuttles can avoid the likely crossfire. So long as they stay out of that path, they should only need to worry about the Romulan…”

tag - Luke, shuttle team

[KendleRJ]

Cindy responded to Nav, "We see the ships on our readings extrapolated from the known data. Good job, Nav!"

She took a deep breath and a moment. "Glad to hear it." She paused with some relief before she responded, "Thank you, Captain Ma'am." At least the whiskers were still useful in this fight. And at least someone thought she was doing a good job. There was a lot to do in Engineering, and still probably quite a lot to come before the crisis was over.

It might not have been quite an hour yet, but she wasn't sure when she might next have the time to contact Sickbay, so she pressed the comm button and called to Doctor Vodden. "Ensign Khangura checking in. Still vertical, and still on duty. And still in the midst of a crisis."

~Tags Vodden / Everyone

[Amanda Rose]

Cindy answered Nav, "We have the images coming on our screens. Thank you, Nav."

tag - Nav

Cindy looked over at Phil and said, "Remind me that when he gets back that he should see our Doctor. We are also going to have to have words with him about his use of such weapons against the crew. A simple spray bottle would have done the trick. He definitely is an overkill type of person."

Phil grunted. “We have a few that would benefit from a spot of team building - start thinking of their colleagues as being on the same side…”

Cindy nodded in agreement. What more could be said. "Team building exercises once we're done with this. Perhaps we should have a bowling league? What do you think of that?" Cindy asked, almost off handedly.

tag Phil or not?

“Is Norquay busy at the moment?” Phil asked. “Either its going to be quite a show or we ought to leave a decent log for anyone to learn from…”

Cindy cringed at the mention of Norquay. "She was in medical last I checked. We probably should get her up here for the brass." She called out on the con in a cold professional voice, "Lieutenant Marian Norquay, please report to the bridge."

tag - Marian

Cindy ordered, "Nobody on this ship fires at the Klingons! Do I make myself clear? They are not our enemy. Keep shields raised and phasers locked on the Romulans." She moved close to her commander and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Phil, would you take Tactical and see that my orders are followed. Seems that we are knee deep in it, now, hey?"

“Aye, sir.” He responded, sliding into the freshly vacate seat and tapping in his ID. An electronic wave crossed the console as the layout reset to his own chosen theme, several piano-like sets of keys and in the middle a solitary big red button. You knew where you were with a big red button. You knew it meant business, that something important would happen if you hit it.

Luke reported, "Captain, we have three Klingon vessels approaching."

When Phil had taken up Tactical, Luke communicated with him through the consoles to synchronise attack plans and evasive maneuvers, relaying them to the shuttle as well. Whatever would happen, the Legacy was primed and ready for a fight, either for attack, or survival.

“Luke - paint a line between the Klingon gun ports and the target, so the shuttles can avoid the likely crossfire. So long as they stay out of that path, they should only need to worry about the Romulan…”

tag - Luke, shuttle team

Cindy watched the readouts and noticed that one of the shuttlecrafts was not heading towards the Romulans. It did not take much for her to guess what was happening. She dug her nails more sharply into her thigh. "Damn it, Phil! He's heading towards the Klingons and I can't order him back or it will look we planned an attack against them. He's going to get us all killed!"

tag - Phil

As Norson painted the first Romulan, Cindy called out to the Klingons, "Look at your true enemy! Aim your phasers at it!"

As if realizing there were no other options, now that they were likely to be completely visible, the painted Romulan uncloaked, fired at the Klingons whereas the unpainted Romulan decloaked and fired its plasma torpedo at the three Klingons. Its trajectory was above Williams' shuttle.

Cindy thought, God, I hope our phasers do not overload this time. Hope you did good work, Nav. She then commanded on the open channel to her crew and the Klingons, "Fire into the center of plasma blast with our phasers and a photon torpedo! That should dissipate it!"

tag - everyone