Chris AdairDevonport
First Patrol
///
"How long until we reach Batazed lads?" Asked Lieutenant Commander Michael Scot, as he moved the cards in his hands about trying to make them show him something that wasn't there. "And Lass." Added Scot as Debbie shot him a glare.
At this moment in time, Jolaw, Scot, Martin, Law and Debbie are sitting in Commander Martins cabin, around a small round, green topped table. Playing poker at Martins invitation, and discussing the random stuff that pops into peoples heads in casual, yet combative atmospheres when you're trying to distract your opponents while keeping your own mind on the game. The Devonport left Starbase 207 a week and a half ago, and was almost finished with the Breen leg of their patrol route.
"If nothing continues to happen, we should reach the Batazed system in 4 weeks. I'll see and raise 10." Answered Law, as he tossed a pair of chip onto the modest pile that was growing in the middle of the table.
"How long until we're to deploy the Dragons?" Asked Jolaw, as he typed instructions to Debbie about what they should do.
"1330 tomorrow. I still think you shouldn't use those. The temptation to cheat is to great."
"I don't cheat! And how am I supposed to teacher Debbie this game fairly if you guys can listen in on what we're talking about." Said Jolaw.
"Their called holodecks, we have 6 rec ones. Or you could meet up privately and teach her." Said Law giving Jolaw a suggestive look and very raised eye brows that caused Jolaw to kick him under the table. Debbie was starring intently at the cards in her hands, appearing completely oblivious to the brief brotherly exchange.
"See your 10." She finally said as she put a chip into the middle of the table. "And if I have to know this game properly before I can play, I'll miss out on all the interesting chit chat. You aren't trying to get rid of me, are you Pete?" Said Debbie.
"I'll see 10 and raise 10" Said Martin.
"Speaking of conversation. I'm new to your evening poker games as well, and I've noticed that our Chief Officer here, doesn't contribute much I that regard." Said Scot, as he picked up the deck of cards that were by his elbow.
"I'll contribute when I have something to add." Said Martin, as Scot started dealing the next card to everyone.
"Then pick the next topic of conversation. What piece of juicy gossip is hidden away inside your head?" Asked Okuda. Leaning forward on her elbows towards Martin.
"I don't have any interest in gossip."
"I bet his just sitting there, accumulating all of our gossip. I can't believe that you haven't noticed anything onboard this ship that may be of interest." Said Pete.
"I do have something that may interest you." Said Martin, creating a hush around the table. "I've noticed that our own Mr Law here has been spending a lot of time, late during ships night, in the Dragons Holo Flight Simulator." Every set of eyes turned towards Law as he just sat there moving his cards around.
"What? There's nothing wrong with trying to learn how to pilot new craft. I haven't flown a fighter since the Academe." Said Law.
"Mr Law, you are aware that Ensign Lowe doesn't have the necessary experience to certify you to fly the Peregrine fighter variants the Dragons use, are you not?"
"Ha Ha. Now this little piece of gossip just got interesting. If Tara can't certify you to fly, what do the 2 of you get up in that Holodeck bro." Asked Jolaw, his antenna pointing at Law and detecting his raised body temperature.
"We fight. We both are in our own fighter and we fight. She says I'm not to bad."
"Considering that the only thing in the universe you care about is flying, we're not to surprised about that. She interested in you?" Asked Scot. Law not looking up to meet any ones gaze.
"Well…"
"All Hands. Battle Station. Senior Officers report to the Bridge." Suddenly burst from the intercom, followed by the Red Alert siren.
"Would you look at that, best get to Battle Station." Said Law as he got up and charged from Martins cabin on his way to the Bridge with everyone else hot on his heals.
"We're not done Law. There's still tomorrow night." Shouted Scot as he went the other way down the Alley way towards the SCE facility.
///
"We're closing on the coordinates of the distress signal." Said the Ensign at the Helm.
"Understood. Take us out of warp. Yota full scan." Said Captain Erick Housen as he stood from his command chair.
"Beginning scan."
"Dropping out of warp."
"Captain, I've detected the vessel sending the distress call, she's adrift. I've ID it as the Whitkirk, a deuterium tanker."
"Plot an intercept course, full impulse. Find her attackers." Ordered Housen as the rest of his senior command crew entered the Bridge and moved towards their stations.
"We have a tanker under attack from pirates, we're on an intercept course. Have you ID their attackers yet Yota?" Said Housen.
"I'm getting an ID now sir. I can't ID the ships. They appear to be cobbled together from many different ship types. I've detected 3 different weapon types, 4 different energy signatures, and 2 different shield geometries."
"Okuda, open a channel." Ordered Housen.
"Channel Open."
"This is Captain Housen of the Federation Starship Devonport, to unknown vessels. You are to cease your attack against your target immediately and prepare to be boarded." Housen then nodded to Okuda who then closed the channel.
"What are they doing now?" Asked Housen.
The attacking ships are moving away, heading towards Cardassian Space. The tanker is still adrift and I think they're trying to rebuild their shields." Answered Okuda.
"Ready a probe, have it follow them." Ordered Housen. "Stand down from Red Alert. Law bring us to within transporter range of the tanker and hold position, Jolaw bring the tractor beam online. When it's ready Yota your to arrest their drift. Martin get security, Medics and Engineering details ready to be beamed over. Okuda hail the Whitkirk."
Housen moved over to his command chair and sat down while his crew went about carrying out his orders. He activated his console and brought up the pirate notices for the region between the Breen and Cardassian borders that the Devonport now occupied.
"I'm now holding position sir."
"Captain, they aren't responding to our hails. I've done a quick scan, and it looks like their communications array has been damaged." Reported Okuda.
"I've arrested the drift of the tanker."
"Away teams are ready in transporter rooms 1, 2, and 3."
"Martin, go over with the security detail first. Make contact with the crew and ascertain their needs. If conditions allow try and get to their bridge."
"Understood sir." Said Martin as he logged out of his console and left the Bridge for the tranporter room where the security detail had gathered.
"Maintain continues scans, I don't want any other pirates out there to get the jump on us during a rescue operation." Said Housen as he went back to reading the Starfleet pirate notices.
///
As Martin beamed into the dark, smoke filled alleyway onboard the Whitkirk, the first thing he noticed was the weapons scoring on the bulkheads of the alleyway. He immediately removed his phaser, and nodded to one of the 6 security people behind him to start taking scans of their immediate surrounds.
"I'm detecting 4 life signs ahead, very weak, on what appears to be their bridge. They aren't armed. I'm not detecting any other life signs. There is also some sort of interference on the Bridge, looks like a ruptured power conduit."
"2 of you with me, the rest cover our rear. You keep scanning."
As the group of uniformed men made there way down the alleyway, they noticed more and more signs of weapons fire on the bulkheads. As they reached the door to what was identified as the bridge, they came across the first body. A Bajorian male, laying on his back, his face, neck and front covered in blood and large holes in his chest which had been cauterised by the thermal effects of a disrupter style weapon.
"Get a tag on him and have the ship beam him to the Morgue." Ordered Martin, as he stepped round the body and examined the door.
"This doors been locked from the other side. These scorch marks appear to be where the pirates tried to gain entry." Said Martin as he scrutinised the dark patches on the edge of the door panel. He started banging on the door.
"Hello. I'm Commander Martin from the Starship Devonport." Martin then waited to see if he got a reply from the people holed up inside. When there was no answer. "We received your distress call. We can't get a lock on you because of interference caused by something on your bridge. Please open the door."
"Commander, one of the life signs has gone." Reported the Security person.
"You 2 take down this door." Ordered Martin as he took a step back.
The 2 security personal he indicated pointed their weapons at the bottom of the door set their weapons for a narrow beam and started cutting through the door. After about a minute, during which time Martin reported back to the ship, a large piece of the door fell into the Bridge.
"Get the casualties tagged immediately and order beam out for them." As Martin moved into the bridge he paused, to consult his tricorder and locate the 2 surviving life signs.
He almost bumped into a foot that was dangling from its owner. As he tagged one of the survivors, and since he heard one of the security personal tag the other, he took a moment to survey his surrounding. The owner of the dangling foot was held in place by the jagged edges of one of the Bridge Frames broken Transverse Girders. The metal was sticking out of his chest, and Martin could see that in almost completely cut through his entire torso. He attached a tag, set it for the Morgue and watched the mangled body disappear.
"Tag any bodies you find and have them transported to the Morgue." Said Martin, as he continued to look around at the destroyed and gore splattered bridge. He found another corpse by the navigation console by the Port hand side bulkhead. This one covered in horrendous burns over his face, chest, arms, and legs. "You 2 are going to come with me to engineering. The rest of you brake into pairs and search the rest of the ship. Devonport this is Martin. Medical teams can stand down. The tags can get a signal through the interference, which is caused by a ruptured power conduit. Engineering teams can start their assessment and entering areas that have been cleared by the security detail, at the moment that's just the Bridge. I'm on my way to their engine room."
"That's all copied Commander." Said Housen over the com. "Keep us informed."
Martin stepped back into the alleyway, followed by his security detail that then split up and started moving down different alleyways as they reached intersections. The Whitkirk was a standard tanker with a small inhabitable area. The walk to its engineering deck took about 3 minutes along the dark alleyways. Bulkheads damaged by explosions, and energy weapons could be seen down every signal passage. Other bodies were found along the way as well. Martin tagged them and noted that all the bodies he had seen so far were Bajorian. As Martin and his team reached the door to engineering, he saw yet another Bajorian body. This one slumped against the wall, facing it, part of his right hand fussed to the locking mechanism and phaser burns on his back and up his left leg. As with the other bodies, Martin tagged it.
"Scan beyond the bulkhead." Ordered Martin. One of the security personal behind him pulled out his tricorder and started scanning.
"There are 4 life signs inside. All of them are giving off strong readings. I am detecting a weapon? However I can't determine its type. What ever it is, it doesn't have much power left in it."
Martin moved up to the door and banged on it.
"Hello. My names Commander Martin. I'm from the Federation Starship Devonport. Respond please." Shouted Martin.
"Prove your Starfleet!" Was the response Martin got through the door.
"Commander the energy signature from their weapon has moved closer to this door." Reported the security guard.
"You have my word." Martin shouted back. "I going to contact my ship and see if they can get a transport lock on you. You'll be beamed to our sickbay in a few moments if they can." Shouted Martin.
"No you're not!"
"Sir, I'm now detecting interference. Looks like they've rigged a scrambler."
"How attacked you." Shouted Martin again.
"Cardassians." Shouted the person on the other side of the door, almost spitting the word out.
"Do you have any scanning devices with you? I'm Vulcan, my associates are human." There was now a pause. Nothing was shouted back through the door. After about 30 seconds Martin took a deep breath and was once again going to shout through the door, when it suddenly popped open and a bright light was shown into Martins and his security teams faces. Martin and his team took a step back and raised their arms to try and shield their faces. When Martins eyes adjusted and he looked round at the door. He saw 2 figures holding a large unwieldy cobbled together weapon.
"I'm Command Martin. We need to get you seen to as soon as possible." Said Martin as he took a step towards the 2 silhouetted figures.
"Ok. There are 2 others in here that are injured." Said the taller of the 2 silhouettes.
"Understood." Said Martin as he started turning towards one of the security guards. "Go tag them and shut off that scrambler. I'll need to send you over to our ship as well, to have you checkout by our medical person." Martin moved towards the pair and placed tags on them, set them to sickbay and watched them dematerialise.
"Sir,.." Said the security guard who went in to tag the other 2. "The other casualties have been transported to sickbay. This area is relatively untouched. Apart from a few blown power transfer conduits, and what they ripped apart in order to build their weapon. No other bodies are in there." Finished the security guard as he moved out of the engine room and stood before Martin.
"Good. Let's clear the rest of this ship and turn her over to the Engineers." Said Martin as he turned and started leading down another alleyway.
///
"Captain. We're receiving a data package from Command. It's a response to our preliminary report, as well as the information about the tanker handed over by Whitakers." Reported Okuda from her console.
"Transfer the information to my console." Said Housen, who then started going over the information being transferred to him. A few minutes later, Commander Martin walked onto the Bridge, his uniform a little sooty from walking thought the smoke filled alleyways on the tanker. As Martin entered the Bridge, Housen started transferring the data to his computer in his Ready Room.
"Commander, my Ready Room please." Said Housen as he stood and started walking towards the door on the Port side of the Bridge.
Housen moved behind his desk and gestured for Martin to sit down.
"What's the situation over there?" Asked Housen as he again brought up the information handed over to Starfleet by Whitakers.
"7 Bajorans have been transported to sickbay alive. I expect that Doctor Prescot will brief you on their condition when they are stable. Lieutenant Pom gave me a quick brief on the ships status just before I transported back. The damage done to the ship, was primarily caused by overloads to their power grid when they were fired upon, and despite my first impression from the debris everywhere, it isn't as bad as it seemed from a visual inspection. Inside the ship was heavily scarred, some damage due to the ship being fired upon, most because of the boarding. Their was extensive damage caused by Phasers and Disruptors. Their was also evidence of a Disintegrator being used. The Tactical team went over the blast patterns in the alleyways and have determined that the assailants had no military training, those who were using the weapons weren't aiming properly. Shots were going low into the deck plates, strafing along the bulkheads. Evidence to their presence and possible identity were left in the alleyways and nearly every room that they were able to gain access to. The Whitkirks main communication array is missing, it looks like the assailants took it with them. The vessel has no weapons, their shields were almost back online when we arrived and their environmental systems were on the verge of collapse. There was very little damage done to the tankers cargo holds. Pom has started repairs to the tanker and says that the few problems I've outlined will be repaired in a few hours. The tankers engines and secondary control systems have suffered very little damage. I'd say the assailants wanted to capture and then pilot the vessel back to their base. Have we received any information from the probe?" Asked Martin from the opposite side of Housens desk after delivering his brief oral report.
"They detected and destroyed the probe about 5 minutes ago. They were staying on a steady heading and another probe has been launched along that same path. We've also been contacted by Starfleet about the report on our situation. Whitakers, the company that owns the tanker, has given us all the information about this ship, its crew and the cargo. This ship has an 18 person crew, all Bajoran."
"I can tell you that that's true. We found a further 8 dead bodies and DNA samples from 3 others that were shot with the Disintegrator." Said Martin.
"This ship operates as a Bunker Barge inside the Bajoran Sector. This trip for them was a one-off delivery to a Cardassian Starbase, which was destroyed during the war. It looks like the contract was a fake, and a cleaver one. The cargo is a very highly refined Deuterium, very difficult and time consuming to get." Finished Housen.
"It would appear that the assailants set up the delivery and then attacked the vessel."
"I would agree." Said Housen as he closed the file about the tanker and opened the Pirate Notices again. "But the type of attack against this vessel was brutal for this ships crew. It doesn't match up with other attacks in this area for hijackings. I think something else maybe at work here. Get Okuda to start digging into this delivery contract, she might be able to find something. Make a start on your report to command, dismissed."
"Aye sir." Said Martin as he stood and exited the Ready Room.
"Housen to Tomoc." Said Housen after Martin left.
"Tomoc here sir." Came the prompt reply from the Dragons Squadron Leader.
"I want you to launch from here. Make the necessary preparations with Paytec. The rest of your mission is unchanged. We'll see you at Batazed."
"Understood sir. We should be ready in 5 minutes. Tomoc out."
Housen turned and went back to the Pirate Notices.
"You sound different Erick. Less arrogant, more commanding, more cold unfortunately." Said the man that suddenly appeared in front of Housens desk, in a British accent. "You have a good ship here. I'm not sure about the Bridge being on the lowest deck, but then again I was never a designer."
Housen turned from his computer console that had taken on an odd glow and looked up at the figure standing before his desk. Slightly stout, appearing middle aged, dark hair. Captain John Matthews. Commander of the late starship Noble.
"How can you be here?" Said Housen after a few seconds. "You killed yourself, and 23 of our crew." Continued Housen as he stood from his chair. "Including P'Rol. Get the hell off my ship!" Yelled Housen as he punched the com system panel. "Housen to security. Report to my Ready Room."
"We're not on your ship Erick. I brought you into the Celestial Temple. I need you to hear what I have to say."
"Bull! And I don't have to hear a word that comes out of your mouth." Housen reached under his desk for the hand Phaser that he kept inside a hidden pocket.
"Your Phaser isn't there. We're not on the Devonport. Look around you. Does your Ready Room glow?!" Said Matthews as he fell onto the settee along the Forward most Bulkhead. "Will you listen to me now?" Matthews said as Housen moved round his desk looking around the slightly glowing Ready Room.
"What do you want?" Housen all but growled at the man sitting on the couch.
"What I want is nothing. What I need is your help. I also have information about this Pirate attack against the faithful."
"The moment I start hearing rubbish about the Prophets. I'm going to suddenly become deaf." Cautioned Housen.
"Well, the attack was religiously motivated. So this is going to be hard to explain if I can't say anything about the Prophets." Said Matthews as he leaned forward.
"Fine! Speak." Housen said as he leaned back against the desk and crossed his arms.
"The people who attacked the faithful worship false Prophets. They're a group who were banished from the Temple, for heresy against the faithful. We call them the Par Wraiths. They've tried to take the Temple several times over the last decade or so, and their attacks are becoming harder to avoid. The Par Wraiths are tampering with their followers, telling them what to do, giving them access to some very dangerous technology that has lain dormant for eons, permanently possessing some of their bodies in order to facilitate selective breading. They used the war to increase their power base, and a number of them escaped from the Fire Caves at the wars end, and now they are in a position to unleash a new war upon our galaxy, with the sole purpose of securing the Temple and using it to spread fire across every world, every where. I believe a few planets in Cardassian space will be attacked in the next few months, as these Par Wraith Cults test their abilities. I need you to help me get to these planets so that I can face this threat."
"Go then. If what I've read about the Wormhole aliens is true then you don't really need our assistance." Commented Housen.
"Your right. The Prophets don't need any help, but they won't interfere. The Prophets guide, not rule. I, on the other hand, am not a Prophet. I'm still for the most part, human, who has been granted power though faith. They choose me to be their protector, and the Protector of Bajor. I am to be their army in the battles to come. But I need help. Your help."
"No. I have a mission to complete, and apart from a delusion telling me otherwise, I have a Pirate attack off my bow."
Matthews slumped his head slightly and took a deep breath. "We'll talk later when you come to collect me from the Temple." Matthews disappeared and the Ready Room stopped glowing and Housen found himself sitting behind his desk.
"Housen to Prescot. Report to my Ready Room, with a Med kit."
///
"I can't find anything wrong with you sir. Everything appears normal. Can you give me any information about what you think is wrong with you?" Asked Prescot as she closed her tricorder and looked down at the Captain, who was sitting in his chair in the Ready Room, with an unusually severe scowl.
"No I can't. Forget it. I'm probably just going slightly nuts. I'll pop down to sickbay later for a more thorough examination. What's the status of the Tanker crew?" Asked Housen.
"2 are still in critical condition, so I'm going to head straight back up there. If you'll excuse me." Said Prescot, who turned on her heels and left without waiting for a reply.
Looks like she got a hold of her shyness, or maybe she just isn't shy when she has Patients.
After a few seconds, Housen stood and walked out onto the Bridge.
"Ensign Law. Prepare for Warp tow and set course for the nearest starbase." Said Housen as he walked over to his command chair.
"Aye sir"
"Housen to Pom. Tell your teams to pack up and get back over here. We're going to head out, and take the tanker under tow."
"Understood sir, we'll be off in a few minutes."
"Captain I've set course for Deep Space Nine. We can be their in 7 hours at warp 6."
"Understood, standby. Okuda hail DS9."
"Aye sir, hailing. We are receiving a response."
"On screen."
"Devonport this is Deep Space Nine. What can we do for you?" Said the Bajoran Officer sitting at a Cardassian console.
"We have a tanker in tow that usually operates in your sector, the Whitkirk. They were attacked by pirates. We wish to deliver the tanker and the surviving crew members to your facilities." Said Housen.
"That ship does operate in our sector. A number of berths are available and we'll be able to accommodate them without any trouble. What's your ETA?"
"About 7 hours. We'll send you the information we have about the tanker and its current status and that of its crew in a few minutes. Thank you DS9. Devonport out." Okuda closed the channel.
"Transport room 1 to the Bridge. The Engineering teams have been brought back aboard."
"Understood. Law engage, warp 6. Okuda compile the reports about the tanker and transmit them to DS9 and to Command."
"We are at warp. The tractor beam is holding."
"Very good. Yota, you have the con."
///
"Sir. The Devonport has just jumped to warp and it appears that they've taken the Whitkirk with them." Reported Knot from Ramoths navigation console while Tomoc used the main command console to log into the navigational computers onboard the Peregrine Class Fighters that made up the rest of the 8th Tactical Recon Squadron, the Watchful Dragons.
"Can you determine their heading?" Asked Tomoc.
After a pause, while Knot consulted her console further.
"Their heading towards Deep Space Nine at warp 6. There shouldn't be a risk of a close quarters situation."
"Understood." Responded Tomoc as he finished slaving the navigational computers of the fighters around Ramoth to Ramoths own computer.
"We have control of the squadrons navigational computers, We're now on navigational watches. I'm going to knock 4 of them off and then I'll relieve you and take the first watch." Said Tomoc as he moved into the accommodation section and informed the squadron of what was going to happen for the week log trip to the asteroid field and then transported 4 of his pilots onto the Ramoth, leaving their fighters slaved to the Ramoths navigational computer, the other 2 pilots were keeping a lookout using their fighters sensor suite. The knocked off members of the fighter squadron left for their bunks to try and get as much sleep as they could before they had to begin their own watches. Tomoc walked back to the Ramoths small bridge.
"Knock off. I'll call you 5 minutes before your watch is due to start."
"Understood sir" said Knot as she got out of her co-pilots seat and headed to her bunk.
"Time to get comfortable." Said Tomoc as he geared himself for the 3 day long journey.
///
"Commander, we're approaching Deep Space Nine." Reported the Ensign at the helm.
"Understood Ensign take us out of warp."
"Aye sir. Slowing to sub light."
"Open a channel to the station."
"Aye sir, opening channel." Said the female cadet at the ops console with Okuda watching over her shoulder.
"DS9, DS9, this is Devonport."
"Devonport this is Deep Space Nine." Said an aging man standing in DS9s Command Deck. "This is Commander Vaughn. Our workbees are standing by to move the ship to a free berth, and our medical staff is standing by to receive the patients. Transmit their coordinates to us and we'll transport them to our facilities, also if you could present an aspect of 180 mark 135 to the station, our workbees will move into position immediately."
"Understood Commander. Helm, bring us about and to the appropriate elevation relative to the station. Ops, transmit the patients coordinates to DS9s C`n`C." Said Martin who then started entering commands into the Command Chair Console. "Commander Vaughn, our medical staff have stabilised the patients and have cleared them for transport. Our Doctor has also prepared a data packet for each of the patients describing in detail what she's done and possible courses that could be taken to further their recovery. I'm transmitting it to you know."
"Sir, we're receiving the data packet." Said a voice off the screen to Vaughn left, which he acknowledged with a nod.
"Commander we're in position." Said the Ensign at the helm. "The workbees are moving around the Whitkirk."
"Understood. Tactical, monitor the workbee crews and cut the tractor beam on their order."
"Yes sir." Answered one of Yatos lieutenants.
"Well this is the workbees show now. I'll hail you again when the Whitkirk is secure. DS9 out." Said Vaughn who then closed the channel.
"Debbie?" Asked the cadet at her station. "I'm detecting elevated Verteron Particle Emissions from the coordinates of the Wormhole?"
"That's not surprising Cadet. Elevated Verterons usually occur when the wormhole is about to open." The Cadet then brought up the wormholes coordinates on one of the monitors, and sure enough a second later the wormhole opened with its recognisable brilliance.
"It's beautiful. How often does it just open like that?"
"It shouldn't." Said Okuda with a confused look starting to come over her face. "The aperture is triggered when a ship chooses to either exit or enter the wormhole. The few times it opened for no reason unusually spelled trouble. I'll need my console back cadet." Said Okuda. The cadet quickly got out of Okudas chair and stood behind it as Okuda herself took over the station. "Nothings happening? This is really weird." Said Okuda to herself as she directed every type of sensor she had at her command at the wormhole.
"Sir. The Bees are ready to take the Whitkirk. I'm disengaging the tractor beam. The Whitkirk is away and being manoeuvred towards one of the stations upper pylons."
The ship suddenly kicked upwards. Everyone was pushed forcefully into their seats before the dampeners could react, apart from the cadet who fell to the deck. The Red Alert Siren started going, and the bridge was now bathed in a red light.
"Report." Said Martin.
"We're being pulled towards the wormhole." Reported Okuda. "There's some sort of gravity effect. I've never seen any type of field like this though. It's not having any effect on the station, or even the workbees."
"Helm, full impulse away from the wormhole."
"Yes Sir."
"Commander. We're being hailed by the station."
"Put them on."
"Devonport. What's going on over there?!" Yelled Vaughn "The wormholes acting weird and your ship appears out of control!"
"The wormhole is pulling on the ship with some type of gravity field. Ensign? What's our status?" Martin asked the Helmsmen.
"We're at full impulse. We're still heading towards the wormhole."
"Prepare to engage warp engines."
"Belay that!" Yelled Captain Housen as he exited the turbolift in his personal fitness clothing and walked down to his chair as Martin vacated it and moved to his own console.
"Tactical. Lock a tractor beam onto the station, try and use it as an anchor." Housen then turned and faced the view screen. "Commander, bring your Dynamic Positioning system online and be ready to use it if he doesn't let go."
"Are you nuts!" Shouted Vaughn back over the channel. "No ship can withstand the types of pressure you're going to be putting yours under."
"I know, and so does the man who's pulling on my ship."
"Captain. We're locked on." Said the lieutenant at the Tactical Station.
"Engage. I'll explain later Commander." Housen then turned to face Okuda. "Close the Channel."
"Tractor Beam active Sir." Said the lieutenant at Tactical.
"We're starting to compromise structural integrity sir. 94% and falling. The station is effectively combating the pull towards the wormhole." Reported Okuda, a slightly worried expression on her face, the cadet behind her holding onto Debbie's chair as if it were a life line. Despite the fact that the inertial dampeners had already compensated for the new forces acting on the Devonport.
"What's the status of the station?" asked Housen. Still standing just ahead of his command chair.
"Their structural fields are a lot more powerful than ours, their doing just fine." Answered Okuda.
Yota then picked this moment to stumble through the turbolift doors and moved over to his station.
"Sir the structural integrity field is at 50%. I anticipate structural failure in 2 minutes" Said the lieutenant at Yotas console, who then turned it over to him as he walked up behind him.
"Let go of my ship. Matthews." Said Housen under his breath as he remained standing in front of his command chair.
Suddenly the ship jerked again. The inertial dampeners responding, allow Housen and the cadet to keep their footing.
"We've been released." Reported Okuda.
"Disengage Tractor Beam. Helm. Put the station between us and the wormhole, stand down Red Alert." Ordered Housen as he moved to and sat in his command chair. A second later the Yellow Alert sounded throughout the ship, replacing the Red Alert that automatically sound eailer.
"Captain, we're being hailed by DS9." Said Okuda.
"Put them on."
The view screen replaced the image of the star field and part of the station and replaced it with the image of a Bajoran woman wearing a red Militia uniform, displaying a restrained scowl.
"This is Colonel Kira Nerys. Commanding Officer of Deep Space Nine. I want to know what the hell just happened here Captain."
"I'm sorry Colonel, but I'm afraid you're asking the wrong person. I'd recommend you get into contact with Mr Sisko. Now you'll have to excuse us but we have to get back to our patrol. Devonport out." And with that Housen manually closed the communications channel from his command chair and turned to face the rest of his bridge crew. Every one of which was looking directly at him with a confused expression. "Helm, take us back to our patrol path, remain at Yellow Alert until we exit Bajoran Space. Martin you have the con." Housen then walked towards the turbolift and exited the bridge, as Martin moved to the command chair.
"You heard our orders. Plot a course back to the Cardassian border. Tactical remain at Yellow Alert."
"Aye sir." Said the helmsmen.
The Devonport started moving away from the station and a few minutes later went into warp and exited the Bajoran sector.
///
"Hello Nerys. Always a pleasure to see your face. What's wrong?" Said Benjamin Sisko when he noticed Colonel Kiras expression on the small console inside the sitting area of his log cabin on Bajor.
"Emissary, a while ago a Federation Starship delivered a crippled deuterium tanker to the station. Almost immediately after releasing it the wormhole tried to pull the ship in…"
"You are referring to the Devonport. Under the command of Captain Erick Housen." Interrupted Sisko.
"That's right Emissary." Said Kira, looking as if she wanted to ask how he knew that. "He used the station as an anchor saying that the person trying to pull on his ship wouldn't let it be destroyed by the mounting forces acting upon the ship. When the Prophets released the ship and I asked what happened. He told me to ask you, and then he left." Finished Nerys.
Sisko, looked down for a second before answering.
" The Protector wants Housens help with the battles that are to come against the
Par Wraiths. Unfortunately, due to curtain circumstances, Captain Housen would rather put a phaser to the Protectors head than stop the unholy fire spreading across the entire galaxy." Said Sisko, his deep voice and unflinching gaze somehow settling Kira, and defusing the dooming proclamation.
"Oh…" Responded Kiras, as she tried to pull her thoughts back together. "Who's the Protector?"Asked Nerys after the pause.
"He was Housens former captain during Operation Return. The Prophets called to him to serve and he did. His actions however lead to the destruction of his ship and the deaths of a number of his crew. Including Captain Housens fiancée."
"Well, that may explain his attitude about the situation. Is there anything that I can do for the Prophets?" Asked Kira.
"No unfortunately. The Protector needs Housen. His already taking steps to secure his help. Don't worry Nerys. The Prophets won't let the Protector fail." Answered Sisko, with a smile forming across his face.
"Very well Emissary. You know I'm ready to help if needed."
"Don't worry. The Prophets know the strength of your faith. Good Day Nerys."
"Good Day Emissary."
///
"Dragons, report in." Ordered Tomoc over the secure com link between the 7 ships that made up the Federations 8th Tactical Recon Fighter Squadron, the Watchful Dragons.
"Mnementh. All systems green."
"Fidranth. Online."
"Branth. Standing ready."
"Salth. Ready."
"Gyamath. All systems ready."
"Tiroth. I'm ready."
Answered all the fighter pilots in seniority order.
"All received. T minus 1 minute till we disengage warp engines. Engage stealth devices and be ready to engage weapon systems." Ordered Tomoc again before he closed the channel. "Knot, anything new on our DOW point?"
"Scanning. Negative sir. New scans match with our projections of the field." Reported Knot.
"Good. I hate surprises with a passion. Prepare to drop out of warp."
"Aye sir. Standing by."
///
"Sir. The Dragons are approaching. They should be dropping out of warp in under a minute."
"Understood Ensign. Send a message to the rest of the fleet. Order them to prepare to drop cloak and power their weapon systems."
"Yes sir"
///
"We are ready to drop out of warp." Reported Knot
"Understood. Disengage warp engines. Take us to sub light."
"Disengaging warp engines."
All 7 ships that made up the fighter squadron dropped out of warp as one, and immediately fell into a defensive formation around the Ramoth as the flight of ships made their way under impulse towards the unknown probe that they discovered almost 4 and a half weeks ago.
"No targets on sensors. All vessels in formation." Reported Knot.
"Time to target?"
"20 seconds…I'm detecting targets de-cloaking. 15 vessels, right ahead of us. They are powering weapons." Reported Knot, sounding a bit alarmed at the 2 to 1 odds that suddenly appeared on her sensors.
"Tomoc to Dragons. Power your weapons and prepare to engage the targets on my mark. Omicron 15 manoeuvre." The fighters immediately moved behind the Ramoth in 2 groups of 3 getting ready to follow the Ramoth towards the other fleet, using the Ramoths more powerful shields to close right in with the other fleet and concentrate their fire power on individual targets while using the other fleets own ships to shield the dragons from return fire.
"Can you ID them Ensign." Asked Tomoc.
"They're Starfleet? 10 Peregrines, 4 Thunders, and a Steamrunner. They are hailing."
"All stop. Open a channel."
The head and shoulders of a human appeared with dark brown hair wearing a nondescript black uniform.
"Commander Tomoc. Order your fighters to stand down immediately. You and your fighters will then transfer your flight computers to our control. Failure to comply will result in the use of force against you." Said the unknown man.
"You have not stated any authorisation codes, or identified yourself. We will not comply." Said Tomoc.
"You don't need to know who we are, and I suggest you re-consider." The unknown person nodded to someone off screen.
"Sir, more ships are de-cloaking an additional 30 fighters, and a pair of Sabers."
Tomoc knew that 7 to 1 odds was an extremely difficult situation to be in, in a straight engagement against theses forces now, would be suicidal.
"Tomoc to Dragons, release your navigational computers to the Norway class vessel ahead of us. Do not offer any resistance."
"Thank you commander. We are now assuming navigational control of your ships and have begun transporting your pilots aboard. Stand by." The small screen went black.
Knot and Tomoc sat back in their seats and waited. A few seconds later Tomoc felt the transporter effect ensnare him and he found himself standing in a Starfleet brig by himself, he could see the rest of his squadron pilots in their own individual brigs along the opposite wall.
"Get comfortable everyone. We maybe here for a while."
Tomoc moved away from the force field and went to sit down on his bunk.
"I hate it when things like this happen" Tomoc said to himself.
///
"How are those strips coming along Toeck" Asked Lieutenant Commander Michael Scot, as he walked into one of the dosens of large work floors that are all over the SCE half of the Primary Hull. "The mounting and power plants are ready." Scot said to the Vulcan that was laying under the large grey ship grade phaser array.
"The weapon will be ready momentarily. I'm calibrating the last coil now. Could you go and take control of the cargo transporter sir." Said Toeck, Scots second in command for the SCE contingent.
"Not a problem. Give me the word when you're ready." Responded Scot as he walked over to the transporter controls on the wall next to where Toeck was working.
"Paytec has his hanger deck ready to receive these platforms when we finish them. When we get to Batazed we'll be able to deploy them straight away, and by that time we should be almost finished with the second batch of platforms. I've also received the final draft for the deployment. The Batazoids are going to have a hard time maintaining and keeping these things up to date. They already have nearly 150 of these thing deployed already." Commented Scot as he powered up the transporter.
"The Batazoids suffered greatly at the hands of the Dominion. It isn't surprising that they have become paranoid about leaving their home vulnerable. The occupation was a shock for them considering their relative naivety before the war started."
"That's a bit harsh lad. The Batazoids relied on Starfleet for their defence for centuries, and until the war no hostile craft had ever entered their star system. They had no reason to doubt starfleets ability to protect them." Said Scot as he finished powering the transporters and locked in the phaser coils position.
"Be that as it may, nearly every other species has developed and maintained its own defence systems and some even maintained a continuous fleet presence such as Earth, Vulcan, and Andor. From what I've read about the pre-occupation government manoeuvrings, they decided to forgo upgrading their planetary defence network in favour of diverting funds to social projects, despite the Federation being at war and the network being over 70 years old. Against the Dominion, their defences were worthless. The weapons ready, transport it to Assembly Floor 2." Toeck stood and moved next to Scot, as the coil vanished in a blue swirl of light and headed to Assembly Floor2, where the mounting and power plant were waiting for the phaser array. After the weapon vanished, Scot and Toeck started towards the exit of the workshop and towards the 2nd of the 3 cavernous Assembly Floors.
"Your forgetting that the Batazoids aren't as prone to violence as Humans and Andorians, and Vulcans too I might add lad. Now don't take offence boy, I'm telling you what I've seen." Added Scot as Toeck turned to object. "It was one hell of an effort for them to dig themselves out of their civilian shelters and begin to fight back." Commented Scot.
"I have nothing but respect for the people that took back their world, and the Batazoid people aren't naïve any more. They've lost something in taking their world back." Said Scot as he and Toeck continued down the alleyway towards one of the hundreds of intersection throughout the ship, both of them curving to the right as the corridor went from Port to Starboard.
"What they've endured to take back their world doesn't excuse the poor chooses they made before the invasion. It's just a matter of time to see if they learn from this, or let this new defence network age as well. Wasting all this effort."
"Damn it boy. This is cold, even for you. Logic is one thing, but this is bordering on complete distain." Said Scot as he stopped in the alleyway and stared at Toeck.
"I don't see how the blame can lay anywhere but with the Batazoids. They invited this tragedy with their own short sightedness." Said Toeck calmly, as he turned back around and continued towards Assembly Floor 2, the large double doors now visible down the corridor.
Scot just followed him, knowing that he'll have to warn the other engineers already in the Assembly Floor that Toeck is in his universe judging mood, and that the best thing to do for a bit was to not engage him in conversation until his back to normal, i.e. when he stops doing the very Vulcan thing of over thinking everything.
///
"They haven't even tried to interrogate us. This doesn't make any sense to me." Said Lieutenant Vara Neran, the female Andorian pilot of the Salth, as she paced in front of her bunk, behind the force field. "We've been held here for nearly a week."
"What's wrong. You feeling a little frustrated?" Commented Lieutenant Thomas Parker, pilot of the Gyamath, as he smirked in his own cell across the brig.
"Careful Parker." Neran snapped. "You'll be the one sating my frustration when we get out of here."
"So long as you don't break him again. It was an embarrassing medical report I had to fill out last time." Said Tomoc, with a barely concealed smile on his face.
"Sorry sir, but from what I remember it was really worth it, and she hasn't been denied for this long before."
"You know that you're not funny, don't you Tom?" Said Knot.
"Yeah, I hear that a lot. That doesn't stop you guys from laughing all the time though."
"I don't laugh." Said Lieutenant Commander Po'vak, the Vulcan man who pilots Mnementh, and is also second in command of the Watchful Dragons.
"You and Ti'rol don't count since nether of you have a sense of humour, also Bo'gril doesn't count either since Takarans barely have a sense of humour." Answered Thomas.
"That's half the squadron Thomas." Said Lieutenant Bo'gril, the Takaran male that pilots Fidranth and is third in command of the squadron.
"Are you saying that only 4 people find you funny." Continued Knot.
"See what I mean about the barely having a sense of humour thing."
"It's nice to see that you can keep up your spirits while being incarcerated." Said a rather non-descript dark haired human man in a black uniform as he walked into the brig through the almost silent doors at one end of the brig.
"Tell us why we're being held here." Said Tomoc, moving towards the force field of his cell.
"You are bait Commander. We need you to attract Captain Housen to this asteroid field. We've already taken steps to ensure that the Devonport will arrive here in about 2 weeks. I've been authorised to allow you and your squadron some access to this facility. Depending on some conditions of cause."
"What conditions? Also where have you taken us? Are we still in the asteroid field" Asked Tomoc while the rest of the squadron stood silently waiting and listening to the exchange.
"You are still in the asteroid field Commander, you're inside a top secret Starfleet Shipyard facility operated by the Bureau. You probably have no idea what I'm talking about Commander, but you will have some access to our computer system if you wish to do some historical research. The conditions I'm talking about are sub-dermal locators. Your positions will be constantly monitored while aboard, If you try to remove these devices they will detect their exposure to air, stun you, and activate our intruder alert measures." Finished the non-descript man.
"If you're part of Starfleet, why did Starfleet send us here to investigate the field?" Asked Tomoc.
"That's something you can investigate for yourself. You'll be here long enough, and you'll need something to take up the 2 weeks that you'll be here."
"I agree to your conditions. I'll want Lieutenant Ti'rol to examine the devices before they're implanted." Said Tomoc.
"That's not a problem Commander." The man reached up and tapped just behind his ear. "Please come in Lieutenant."
The doors opened again, with barely a sound, and 6 people marched into the brig. All these people where dressed in black uniforms, all were armed with slightly different looking hand phasers. One of them was carrying what looked like a medical bag.
"Lieutenant, please let the female Vulcan examine the sub-dermal injector and the locators."
The man carrying the medical looking bag walked over to the Ti'rols cell and reached into his bag and pulled out a small silver tube. He pressed the panel next to the force field. The field fell and the Lieutenant held the device out towards her. Ti'rol took the device and moved to her bunk and started examining the device as the Lieutenant reactivated the force field and move back into formation with the other men that had just walked in.
"This is a slight variation on a standard hypospray, and the device has no inputs that could be used to introduce anything into our systems. To stun us it overloads its power supply. It would only be able to stun anyone once, and only for a brief period of time." Said Ti'rol, pilot of Branth and the squadrons principal medic.
"You will also be able to access unclassified medical information such as the development history of that device."
"Squadron, if you don't want to take this device you don't have too. These people have captured and held us, but they have claimed to be working for Starfleet. So long as we behave, I believe we will not come to any harm. Inject me first." Said Tomoc as he turned to face the non-descript man standing on the other side of the force field.
"Lieutenant, inject the locator into Commander Tomoc first, then proceed to inject the others if they wish."
The man that walked forward before did so again, heading straight towards Commander Tomocs cell. He deactivated the cell and injected the locator into the arm that Commander Tomoc presented. He then left and went to the next cell. All the Watchful Dragon squadron members agreed to be injected with the locators. After he was finished he went back into formation with his comrades and they left the squadron alone in the detention area, in inactive cells with the non-descript representative of the Bureau.
"If you would all follow me please. I'll brief you on this facility, what areas you will have access to, and try and answer any questions you may have." Said the human. Who them turned around and walked out the detention area and down a very wide corridor. The Dragons followed.
///
"Sir. We're approaching the Batazed system." Said Ensign Peter Law at his helm console.
"Drop us out of warp Law. Okuda, hail Batazed System Control." Ordered Housen.
"Aye sir. Establishing contact."
"Dropping out of warp, engaging impulse."
"Captain. I have BSC, putting them on screen." Said Okuda as she manipulated her console.
"Devonport. This is Batazoid System Control. We have you on our sensors. You are cleared for Batazed orbit, we are transmitting a flight plan through the system. Please follow it."
"We have the course sir." Said Okuda.
"Our construction ships and tugs are out throughout the system, so be watchful for them. I'll inform the System Defence Council of your arrival" Said the blonde haired black eyed woman on the view screen.
"Thank you. Has our Fighter Squadron, the Watchful Dragons arrived here yet?" Asked Captain Housen from his command chair.
"Sorry Captain, they haven't. If the did they would be waiting on the edge of the system. Since the end of the occupation no non-Batazoid Fighter craft have been aloud in the system out side of their parent vessel." Said the Batazoid woman.
"Understood. Thank you. Devonport out." Said Housen finishing the conversation. The Blonde woman disappeared from the screen as the channel was closed.
"Law, follow the course given to us by BSC and engage. Yota, Okuda, I want us scanning as far as we can for our squadron. They should have been here 3 days before us."
"Understood sir." Said Yota.
"Yes Sir" Said Okuda. Both of them speaking at the same time.
"Sir. ETA orbit of Batazed 3 hours. I'm only going at 3/4s impulse since BSC asked us to watch out for little ships flying around." Said Law.
"Good call Law. Go over the Dragons flight plan. Find out if there's anything that could have caused an alteration of course that would slow them down."
"Yes sir."
"Martin, you have the con" Said Housen as he got up out of his command chair and headed towards his office.
As Housen moved behind his desk and sat down he activated his computer console.
"Computer open a channel to Starbase 207, Admiral Hopkins office."
"Working…Contact established."
The head and shoulders of Admiral Hopkins appeared on Housens computer display.
"Captain, although the interruption of this paperwork drudgery is appreciated, I really have to finish please be brief." Said the Admiral as he placed the pads he was holding onto the desk Housen assumed was in front of him.
"The Dragons haven't arrived at Batazed. I estimate that they are 3 days behind schedule. I'll like to now if there's a starship that can search long their flight path?" Asked the Captain. Hopkins turned away from his own view screen and appeared to start using a computer terminal.
"The only ship that's within a few light years of the asteroid field is the Vienna, a Norway class Diplomatic ship on its way to the Cardassian Border to meet with Cardassian Government representatives. I'll tell them to drop out of warp and search for your lost ships for as long as they can before heading to their rendezvous point." Said Admiral Hopkins. "Can you give me an update on your mission. You should be at Batazed by now?"
"We've arrived in the Batazed system, and are making way towards the planet Batazed ETA 3 hours. We'll then start deploying the Weapons arrays to the Batazoids specifications while the engineers onboard finish off the next batch of arrays. Please keep me informed about my squadron sir." Replied Housen to the Admiral on screen.
"Will do Captain. Starbase 207 out." Answered the Admiral as he closed the communications channel.
///
"Captain, we're approaching the coordinates given to us by Starbase 207." Reported the helmsmen of the Vienna 3 hours later.
"Understood. Drop us out of warp." Replied the Commander sitting in the command chair. "Tactical, Ops, begin full sensor scans, Helm take us to the insertion point the fighters used." Ordered the commander. "We only have a few hours to find the squadron before we have to return to our original mission to meet the rendezvous deadline."
"Sir. It would take a single starship months to search this entire asteroid field. Even with the squadrons insertion point, odds are we aren't going to find them with only a few hours to search." Replied an ensign at the science console.
"We might get lucky. Send a message to Starbase 207 stating that we have arrived at the asteroid field and are beginning our search."
///
"I've just heard back from the Vienna, they haven't found the Squadron. I'm sorry Captain. Another vessel won't be available to investigate that area for the next couple of weeks. I've already sent a message to the Batazoid government, you'll be able to leave the system and investigate the field after fully deploying the system defence satellites, they said that they'd be able to handle the construction of the Starbase." Said Admiral Hopkins on the wall mounted display in the briefing room, while the senior staff watched the recording of the conversation between the Captain and Admiral.
"Understood Admiral. I'll inform my staff and relay the news." Said Captain Housens voice from the wall speakers. While he was sitting at the head of the table.
"Sorry it isn't better news Captain. 207 out." Finished the Admiral as the screen went blank.
"Time to the field at best speed?" Asked Housen after the screen went blank.
"4 days at warp 8, after that we'll have to purge the nacelles and inspect the coils." Answered Jolaw, sat mid way down the table.
"What about the satellites? How long?"
"Roughly 10 days if everything goes smoothly." Answered Scot, sat next to Jolaw.
"Sorry this isn't turning into the Engineering adventure you hoped for Scot. I promise I'll make it up to you."
"Don't worry captain. The Devonport beats the old engineering ships any day, and don't forget that those pilots are our comrades too." Replied Scot. To which the captain nodded.
"Sir, in 2 weeks the situation in the field would change beyond the point where useful information can be gleamed from it. Any debris would be scattered, and any drive wakes dissipated." Said Martin. Sitting directly to the captains right.
"According to the Viennas sensor logs, there was no debris in the area of the Dragons insertion point and a large cluster of near undetectable impulse drive signatures where detected heading into the centre of the asteroid field. It's my opinion that they have been captured by what every they were sent there to investigate, and the signatures were all Starfleet. So I have high hope for their health. Get these satellites deployed as fast as you can without compromising regs or your crews." Said Housen, directing his orders to Scot. "Tell them why we need to go faster Michael. Their friends are in danger. Dismissed."
With that word everyone got up from their seats and left the briefing room and Housen.
The Captain sat in his chair wondering if the disappearance of his squadron had anything to do with the dead man that visited him a few weeks ago. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being drawn into a trap.
To be continued.