Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek or any of the characters.
Author's Notes: See Chapter 1.
Many thanks to Just a Crazy-Man, Angel Fire, Whoa, CT-451, ByaSouthernLady, xpredatorx, demon unicron, Fleet Commander, Light Destroyer, I'm Darth Vader, Starfire, Rogue Leader, Raven, Athena, Alvind-rod, vliegenvanger, 1-1 Marines, BSG Legacy, trekaddict, DAX, Rookie One, Angelus, Blaze, Spartan-117, Prime, Katina, Ace, Foehammer, Echo-419, Pink Fluffy, Heartbreak One, Rico, Gaila, Doc, Blue, and LornaWinters for all of the reviews and to everyone reading this story!
This is the last chapter for Book One.
Unsung Heroes
Chapter 7
Bridge of the Vigilance
One could almost feel the tension on the Bridge as the ship gained on the last freighter in the group. The freighters were spaced out by three minutes and all travelling at Warp 3.
The plan was that a small group of Starfleet Marines and Cyrelle would transport over and quickly take over the last ship, then both the freighter and the Vigilance would catch up to the second freighter. The small group would then transfer over to the second ship and take it over. They would quickly disable it and leave both freighters for the Corps of Engineer's ship that was waiting to come disarm and scavenge what they could from it. The Vigilance could then go after the first freighter expediently without fear of one of the other freighters warning them.
It was a good plan. Captain Mathew Redmond had to keep reminding himself of that over and over. He had to have faith that his people could do this and they would advert the crippling of Starfleet and Earth itself.
Lieutenant Myra looked up from her console, "Team One is ready for transport."
Redmond nodded, "Decker, get us as close as possible. K'rinn, have you located all of the Cardassians on board?"
"There are only six on board. I have sent the locations to Major Ryan." K'rinn stated. They would be taxing the transporter by sending them over, but everyone already knew that information, so she felt she didn't need to repeat it.
Redmond focused on the freighter they were quickly approaching, "Cynrik, be prepared to fire and disable the ship - very carefully." he added.
Cynrik nodded, "I have been advised were to aim, Captain." he said calmly. He'd rather be on the boarding party than aiming the ship's weapons, but he would do the task assigned to him and make sure that they all didn't get blown up by a chain reaction.
"K'rinn, drop the cloak and transport simultaneously - now." Redmond gripped the arms of his chair and waited for a knee jerk reaction from the freighter.
They didn't get one.
A minute passed.
"Cyrelle to Vigilance. The Bridge is ours, the rest of the team is heading to the other targets. I will report again once we have confirmation that all targets have been eliminated." she stated.
"Very well." Redmond responded. Some of his tension eased, but he wouldn't let his guard down.
Four minutes later they got the word that all targets had been eliminated.
Redmond sat further on the edge of his chair, "K'rinn, did you have the cloaking system recalibrated?" he questioned.
"Yes, Captain - but we must stay just 100 meters ahead of the freighter in order to mask them." K'rinn frowned. In theory, the Vigilance's cloak could partially mask the freighter, but they would have to travel so close together that no mistakes could be made.
"Did you hear that Cyrelle?" Redmond asked over the comm.
"Yes, Sir. Decker, just tell me if you're going to change course before you do it." Cyrelle stated calmly as pulled up closer behind the Vigilance.
"Yes, Ma'am." Decker replied and kept his focus on flying directly to the second freighter. "We will have to pick up our speed in order to catch up with them." he advised.
Redmond nodded, "Relay speed to the freighter, then proceed when acknowledged. Brooks, jam all comms." He stood up and walked over to the Tactical console and surveyed the information on his screen. "Keep on the lookout for any other ships in the area."
Cynrik nodded, "Yes, Captain."
Redmond went to K'rinn and raised an eyebrow in question.
"All systems indicate that the freighter should be unseen by the second. Once I know the locations of the crew on the second freighter, I will notify Major Ryan." she stated. She lowered her voice, "They have not advised me if they will be able to use the freighter's transporter yet - they are working on it now."
"And if they can't?" he questioned, feeling his stomach twist tighter in a knot.
"Then we will have to use ours." she shrugged.
Mathew Redmond frowned. They would have to drop their cloak. What would the chances be the second freighter wouldn't freak out when two ships seemed to materialize right behind them? "Keep me apprised."
He walked over to Myra, "Time?"
"We are down to forty-six minutes." she stated, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on her console. They had calculated they would have to stop all three freighters before they reached the inside of the Sol system, or the effects of a detonation would be disastrous. If they couldn't take over the freighters by that time, they would have to stop them at all cost - even if it meant blowing them up.
Captain Redmond went back to K'rinn when she gave an elated sigh.
"They will be able to use the freighter's transporter." she confirmed.
"Time to the second freighter?" Redmond questioned.
"Less than one minute." Decker announced.
Redmond went back to his seat. This takeover would be a bit more complicated. Cyrelle had to stay on the Vigilance, and so did Jurot who would be operating the freighter's transporter. As soon as they had word that the Bridge was taken, they could move out of their tight formation. "Who will be flying the second freighter?"
"Teshurr." Cynrik stated.
"Team One is transporting in twenty seconds." K'rinn reported.
"The Montgomery is two minutes out." Brooks reported from the Communication console.
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Team One transported onto the Bridge of the second freighter. The team efficiently took out the three Cardassians on the Bridge.
"Teshurr, take over the flying." Ryan directed as he pushed the Cardassian out of the pilot's seat. "Head out." he directed the rest of the team. He clicked him comm unit, "Cyrelle, inform the Captain we have the Bridge." They quickly headed to Engineering, where the other three Cardassian life signs were.
They reached the Engine Room and came in a rush. They knew where their targets were. They didn't ask for them to stop and surrender. That was not their mission. They were to quickly take out the hostiles and get out.
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Brooks smiled softly, "The second freighter has been secured, Captain."
Redmond nodded, "Open a comm to both freighters." he directed and went on. "All stop. The Montgomery is pulling in. Get ready to transport back. K'rinn, de-cloak and get them back."
K'rinn nodded and quickly went to work.
"We are being hailed by the Montgomery." Brooks indicated.
The screen reverted from the star view to the Bridge of the Montgomery. "I'm Captain Ferrell of the Montgomery. Good work, Captain Redmond. Admiral Gral has advised us on the situation. We will take care of these freighters from here. The Cochrane will be waiting to disarm the third freighter at the edge of the Sol system." the Captain reported.
"All of our crew have transported back on board, Captain." K'rinn advised.
"Thank you, Captain Ferrell." Redmond nodded and indicated for the communication to be severed. He turned his attention to Myra, "Time?"
"Thirty-eight minutes, Captain." she answered. "We will have to travel much faster to reach the first freighter."
"Check with Team One and make sure they are ready. Decker, prepare to jump to warp. K'rinn, Cloak the Vigilance." he directed his crew as he sat back down.
"Team One reports that they are ready." K'rinn indicated as she pushed a few buttons on her console, "We are cloaked."
Redmond nodded and sat back, "Decker, catch up with that freighter post haste."
"Aye, Captain." the young man sent the ship into warp and made a beeline straight for the freighter.
Redmond watched on the screen for the first signs of the freighter ahead of them.
"One minute, Captain." Decker reported as he slowed their ship to just a bit more than the freighter.
Mathew Redmond glanced back at K'rinn.
"Team One is ready. Only three targets on this ship."
Redmond nodded, "De-cloak and transport in thirty seconds." It seemed like time slowed as he counted down the seconds in his head. He was fully prepared to ram the freighter with his ship to stop it, but that was a last resort.
"De-cloaking and transporting now." K'rinn announced.
Mathew Redmond stood up and watched the freighter in front of them.
They waited for four minutes before getting Cyrelle's communiqué.
"We have secured the freighter. Course and speed are locked into the Navigation system, Captain. Suggestions?" she requested.
Captain Redmond looked to K'rinn.
She blinked slowly as she quickly thought of possible solutions. "If we destroy the Navigation console, we should be able to disable the warp core from the Engine room and stop the freighter. I should transport over to the freighter, Captain." she pointed out.
Redmond nodded, and K'rinn quickly left the Bridge. "Cyrelle, K'rinn is transporting over."
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"Understood." Lieutenant Commander Cyrelle looked up as Major Ryan came back on the Bridge.
He glanced at the Navigation console, "How do you want to destroy it?"
She smiled as she indicated her weapon, "A few well placed shots should do it."
"This is K'rinn, I am ready to power down the engines. Proceed to destroy the Navigation system." she directed them over the comm.
Cyrelle and Ryan quickly shot the console eight times each, then waited.
"Navigation is off line. I am powering down the engines." K'rinn stated.
"Cyrelle to Vigilance, the freighter is ours." she reported.
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Redmond allowed a slow smile to spread across his face. "That is good news." He looked around the Bridge and nodded his thanks to each of his officers. He patted Decker's shoulder gently. "All stop. Brooks, tell the Cochrane we are ready for them."
It was another thirty minutes before Team One transported back. Evidently, K'rinn wanted to make sure they were no more automated systems that could be inadvertently activated.
The Cochrane took over the freighter and the Vigilance headed back to the Utopia Planetia Shipyards.
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Secured Hanger, Mars.
The crew of the Vigilance was assembled in the Hanger and stood before their ship.
Admiral Gral and Admiral Picard approached Captain Redmond. They stopped in front of him.
Admiral Jean-Luc Picard nodded, "You and your crew have done a great service for Starfleet and Earth. Your records shall annotate your bravery and dedication to the fleet." He gazed over the assembled crew and gave them a small smile, "Thank you."
Admiral Gral puffed up, "I told you they were the best crew for the mission." he pointed out.
Admiral Picard nodded, "So you did." He turned his attention to Captain Redmond, "We would like to speak with you about another opportunity for you and your crew."
Redmond nodded, "Of course, Admiral." Redmond turned to his crew, "Dismissed." He followed the two Admirals to the lift and stepped in with them. "What will this opportunity entail?" he inquired.
Picard looked at Redmond carefully, "We have decided to take the fight to the Cardassians."
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Book One Complete.
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