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Chapter 10 - War - Part 2

Break in the action:

Despite the erroneous belief that Project Chrysalis' genetic program described in Earth historical records was evil, the program produced some of the most advanced genetic advancements this side of the galaxy. It was ironic that scientists on a primitive pre-warp civilization figured out how to tame their genetic code and find a way to improve upon it unlike any other culture in the nearby systems. The main obstacle of the time was due to the power-hungry oligarchs that ruled the world government at the time. The disinformation spread among the population cast human eugenics programs in a bad light due to various ideological and religious-based reasons. These propaganda campaigns sought to cast a negative light on the benefits of human genetic enhancement despite the fact that it offered up a way to cure and eradicate many of the ailments that plagued mankind for millennia to include all the various cancers of that time. This was truly a renaissance of the making and science had finally found the key to fixing long time diseases affecting human civilization. In the course of time since Khan and his fellow human Augments were brought into Federation society, medical science experienced a golden era of advancements that out-paced the last 300 years on Earth. Since Augment scientists were among Khan's sleeper crew, they were able to use their advanced intelligence to jump-start many of these new scientific discoveries. Much of what was considered 'magical' was or is now proven. Coupled with advanced Federation technology, science made leaps and bounds never before heard of. Of the many advancements that were introduced was the ability to increase or 'augment' a normal human to similar physical improvements as an Augment. Based on what Khan indicated in the first of his interviews with Fed officials, he and his companion scientists did actually bring a method to achieve this result. With the use of 23rd-century technology, it became easier to implement. Since advances in gene splicing were developed for breeding plant life on harsh planetary biospheres, the Augment scientists simply adapted these techniques to normal humans. A positive benefit of all the augmentation programs below was that the augmentation was passed down to descendants and ensured that diseases affecting humans would not be present in future generations. As with any type of new science or technology, first attempts usually are not always successful.

In the first two years of genetic augmentation on normal humans, there were negative results that resulted in serious deformities, and sometimes even death. Despite these risks, many normal humans volunteered for these earlier test trials to become 'augmented.' These first 'augmentations' promoted disease eradication and life longevity. The goal is that the host would be 'hardened' against disease and also have the ability to pass it down to future generations. Eventually, through numerous tests and trials, success was achieved as the first augmented normal human came away from the procedure in complete health within three years of program initiation. This augmentation program is still available to all Federation human citizens.

A second or concurrent augmentation program instituted was designed to study and then implement a way to apply the Augmented strength to the security forces of Starfleet. As in the first program, many of the first volunteers experienced problems and some even died despite being told the risk. Since strength augmentation was simpler than the first type of augmentation to eradicate, the program experienced fewer setbacks. This Augmentation grew in favor among the Starfleet security forces as a force enhancer to the point that newly commissioned ensigns out of Starfleet Academy, if medically qualified, were offered this option prior to shipboard assignment.

The third program in addition to the previous two was the 'complete' augmentation of a normal human to an Augment baseline. Despite the appearance of such a formidable task, many volunteers came forward. Like with two other augmentation programs, there were setbacks, but eventually after five years of experimental trials succeeded in bringing a normal human up to the baseline Augmentee. These successes shaped who would constitute who would be members of this new Starfleet Marine Corps component. Bolstered by an effective PR campaign across the Federation, more and more humans sought out the Marines. The screening process ensured that the human could take the augmentation, but if the person couldn't then they were a candidate for the first type of augmentation and advised to join Starfleet if they so desired. If the Marines were to be an elite fighting force, there had to be a certain selection process for the best that could be developed.

With help from the Augment generals, the establishment of this new component started the new defensive doctrine that Starfleet hoped to implement within a five-year time span. Over the years, as with any new program, processes were streamlined and perfected that by the sixth year, the success rate topped out at 97% for normal humans to become 'augmented.' The admirals and generals in the joint staff were pleased that humans are now better than ever in Earth's history 'equipped' to deal with extant threat alien species. To ensure that these new Augments were not abused, Starfleet instituted strict policies surrounding the use and employment of 'augmented' humans to ensure the public understood their single function to the Federation: defense only. Many of these policies were a way to placate the more peaceful member worlds of the Federation Council. As with any new government policy, these policies were always subject to review and modification, but for the time being, the 'defensive only' doctrine worked for the Federation.

- Back to the Action - Donatu V Invasion -

Since First Contact, the Donatu solar system had always been a system that was contested between the Federation and Klingon Empire. As the new Fed Army got into position to invade the planet Donatu V, the deployment ships were escorted into the system by the twenty ships assigned to that sector.

Led by the U.S.S. Excelsior, the Federation carriers, Thor, and Hercules of which the 1st Division – Mechanized was on board ready to deploy their forces, moved in behind the Starfleet attack fleet. It was on here in the Donatu system, specifically, the fifth planet, the Klingons had established a semi-permanent garrison and it was number on the priority list to remove.

Getting the Klingons out of the Donatu system was going to be tough, but necessary to begin the process of re-taking Federation worlds in this sector. "All ships, prepare to engage the Klingons," Commodore Ler'z commanded.

Across the fleet, ship captains responded their confirmation.

In order to drop the Army, Starfleet had to break through the Klingon lines. It was going to be basically a brute force attack straight into the swarm of Birds of Prey, K'Tinga and D-7 battle cruisers. Coming towards the Fed ships, the sensor operators aboard the Federation starships reported 30 vessels approaching.

"Mr. Johns," Commodore Ler'z ordered his helmsman, "prepare to come about and engage enemy ships. I want to punch a hole right there, "he pointed to a plot on the tactical display, "and get our soldiers to the ground."

"Aye, sir," he responded as he kicked the Excelsior into high impulse and shortened the distance between them and the Klingons.

Ler'z looked over to his weapons officer, Mr. Stab, "I want a full spread of photon torpedoes, and phasers on the large ships first. I need them damaged and I need it quickly. Our battleships and destroyers will occupy the Birds of Prey."

"Aye, sir," he said under the red glow of the Red Alert status of the bridge.

The Excelsior was one of the ships upgraded with the newer warp drive thanks to the efforts of the Augment scientists. Using their unique way of seeing things, improvements in the efficiency of the warp drive was discovered and implemented on about twenty percent of the ships fleet wide. Coming with this advancement, other upgrades of its systems naturally followed. Increased power to defensive shields, improved phaser targeting arrays, improved photon torpedo yields was among the most noticeable benefits. Even the centuries-old impulse drive was improved for increased speed at sub-light speeds. Using this new advantage, the Excelsior and many of the battleships were weaving in and around the enemy vessels. Damaging shots were exchanged, and for the most part, the Excelsior was making headway. As the Excelsior was about to finish off a K'Tinga battle cruiser, a lucky shot from a Bird of Prey hit its ventral shields and overloaded them. Following the shot, the Bird of Prey lobbed a torpedo right behind and damaged the hull on the ship. This caused the ship to abruptly stop its attack on the other ship.

The explosion caught the bridge crew unaware and threw everyone to the floor and disrupted artificial gravity in the area. As some of the bridge crew floated above their seats, (the weapons, helm, and navigator were buckled in at their stations), explosions and the lights dimmed momentarily.

Commodore Ler'z hit his comm on his chair from above, "Damage report, all stations." He looked at Stab, "Get those shields up and target that Bird of Prey. How'd he get by our sensors?" He looked over to the first officer, Commander Rylos.

Stab replied, "Aye, sir, working now. Seems to be a power drain at that section of the ship. Firing now at target."

Rylos replied, "Unknown, sir. It's quite possible that the ship took advantage of the background explosions and momentarily cloaked and got past our sensors. Compensating now for that variance, sir."

"Good work, everyone. Mr. Rylos, what's the casualty count?"

Rylos read over the report coming from Sickbay…. "Sir, sickbay has reported that we have ten killed, fifteen wounded with two in critical surgery right now. Mostly from the sections where the hit occurred. DC teams are continuing to assess and report."

The engineering officer came over the comm, "Commodore, we have damage to the ventral hull, but emergency containment shields are active. Shields are being modified to cover that weakness. Main power is still nominal, but the ship won't take another hit at that location without suffering significant damage to the vessel. Somehow they found our weak area."

"Thanks, Mr. Rohrbach. Just get us to Donatu V. We have to get the carriers through."

"Aye sir, we'll keep it together down here. Rohrbach out." From across the bridge, Stab reported, "Target destroyed, sir. Continuing to fire on the main target."

"Good job, Stab. Let's move it, people. I have a date on Donatu V and I don't want to be late," he smiled.

As the battle continued on, Starfleet pounded the Klingons hard. Of the fifteen ships that started out for Starfleet, eight of the ships finally broke through the Klingon lines. Two of the ships, destroyers were destroyed by the Klingons, the rest were damaged unable to fight but were still able to keep the Klingons busy. The surviving ships kept the Klingons from attacking the cruisers with the Fed Army on board. Somehow they knew what was happening, and they were trying to prevent the Federation from getting to Donatu V.

With the carriers right on their 'ass', the Excelsior along with three other battleships headed at high impulse towards the planet accomplishing Phase 1 of this operation. Their objective was to keep the Klingons busy in space while the carriers dropped their invasion force. Phase 2 of the operation required the newly formed Fed Army to seize and take back the planet from Klingon ground forces.

- High Orbit - Donatu V -

As the super-carriers, U.S.S. Heracles and U.S.S. Thor approached Donatu V, final system preparations were made to drop the entire 1st Army Division. Captain Strickland of the Thor, in coordination with his counterpart, Captain Theron on the Hercules, cross-loaded the division to ensure enough forces made it to the ground. Command of the division fell to one of the Augment Generals, Lt. General Taylor. This division was his design from the ground up. He filled its ranks, equipped and trained it to perfection.

Using ages old doctrine, he used the technology of today and the best of what he could to make it a great example of what an army division could do regardless of the era in which it was. He was currently on the Thor awaiting the drop signal. Knowing that it was a rough ride into the system with the Klingon resistance, he was eager to get his soldiers dirt side.

The general, like all the other soldiers beside him, was strapped into their drop ships awaiting the 'green' light. Passing the time by reviewing some last minute intelligence about the opposing forces and the possible types of terrain his division was going to face, his face projected a calm demeanor as he read the text on the combat tricorder. He was outfitted in the latest ballistic armor, communications gear and an XM-4A rifle, he was almost indistinguishable from the others in the row of troops.

A Starfleet crew chief walked down the aisle towards his seat and got his attention. "Sir, here's the latest intel from the bridge scanners," as he handed him a memory chip for his combat tricorder.

Taylor took it and thanked him, "please have this information sent to all my brigade commanders, petty officer." As he reviewed it, he noted that Klingon forces were around the main centers of populations and there was evidence of particle cannon emplacements already on the ground. The only signs of vessels appeared to be their smaller Birds of Prey parked in various landing areas around the city.

Nodding, the crew chief replied, "No problem, sir. Also, we're 5.6 minutes from the drop window." "Good, let's get this show on the road," he smiled to the crew chief. "Aye, sir," he replied as he walked back to his jump seat in preparation for landing. In addition to the crew chief, the dropship was equipped with everything the Marine version had but was an earlier version. With the two pilots, it had two gunners (not yet positioned until within the atmosphere) on port and starboard mountings for close air support during landings. These side weapons were the 23rd-century equivalent of its historical ancestor the .50 caliber machine gun. Upgraded with modern technology and its projectiles composed of duranium, it was a beast and could take down any sentient life form and severely damage modern duranium-made structures. In addition to the machine guns, it was equipped with air to ground and air to air missiles and photon torpedos but didn't have the agile maneuverability like that of its Marine version. These ships were designed to get the troops to the ground fast and provide what support it could afterward, but not designed for long term air to air engagements. Egress out of these ships was through a rear ramp that could extend past the ship if needed based on the terrain below.

As the Thor and Zeus positioned themselves for their drop several Klingon Birds of Prey attempted to attack the ships. Unfortunately for the Klingons, the super-carriers were not without any type of defenses. Photon torpedo spreads from both ships destroyed the attacking Klingons.

Seeing a break in the attack, and keeping to the schedule, Captain Stickland maneuvered his ship into drop position. "Thor six actual to Excelsior six actual," he comm'd Ler'z, "Executing Operation Thor's Hammer, now."

"Thor six actual, confirm," Commodore Ler'z replied over the communicator. "Space forces will continue to keep opposing assets engaged. Good luck!"

- Donatu V -

As the Thor delivered its entire payload of drop ships, it moved out of the way to make a hole for the Hercules. Once the drop ships landed, thousands of Fed Army soldiers took up temporary positions as units assembled and finished comm checks. Not waiting for long, subordinate units were given pre-orders to move to their individual objectives once they all accounted for. Down to the company level, about a 300 man unit, execution of pre-arranged movements commenced as they approached the Klingon front lines. Even though Klingons were known throughout the galaxy for being fearsome warriors, their ground tactics were mediocre. They preferred the mad rush against enemy forces without regard for evasive maneuvers wielding disruptors and bladed weapons were primitive compared to an actual combined arms force. Well, since the Klingons were not organized like the humans all the way down to a four-man team, this made for any engagement go the human attackers. As the Klingons approached in mass towards the human soldiers, the element in contact immediately laid down suppressing fire while elements behind the lead element (such as a trailing squad) merely shift their travel to either the left or right depending on the terrain and hit the Klingons from the applicable flank with their weapons. Now, some Klingons did manage to engage the human soldiers with their disruptors and did cause casualties, but the rate of fire for the ballistic weapons out-matched any of the disruptor or energy-based weapons.

Another doctrine brought out of retirement and improved with 23rd-century technology was ground-based Artillery. Instead of projectiles, modified photon torpedoes were miniaturized and shot out of motorized canons. These mechanized canons were all-terrain capable vehicles that could go anywhere planetside and reach targets up to 20 kilometers away accurately. Outfitted with modern sensors and communication tie-in with Infantry forces, it was a lethal force multiplier against dug in ground targets. 1st Army Mechanized Artillery units moved against Klingon force structures as they were found and destroyed them. Care was taken not to hit civilian structures in these attacks. Fortunately for Federation forces, the Klingons were prone to leave the buildings and charge across open fields to attack. This simplified the efforts of the Feds by targeting these 'troops in the open' thus minimizing collateral damage. Main targets for the 1st Army was the landed Klingon Birds of Prey in and around the city. They were pressed for speed to get to these targets and destroy them. Forward Infantry units scouting ahead, once they found enemy vessels called in the coordinates and fed these back to any one of the many Artillery batteries for fire missions.

- Starbase 7 -

After many days of constant monitoring, Admiral Mendez finally took a break and got some sleep leaving General Jansen in charge of running the sector battle. Both he and Colonel Flynn who were both 'augmented' and could stay awake for days if necessary. This helped Mendez to take a much needed six hours of sleep.

The on-duty comm controller, Ensign Wilkins, who replaced Lt. Simpson about five hours ago, reported, "Sirs, just received the signal that Enterprise has crossed the border into Klingon space for Operation Pin Prick."

General Jansen acknowledged the report and looked over to the operations officer, Commander Flynn, "Commander, do we have any ships available for back up for Kirk should he need them?"

Flynn looked at his monitor, "Since the space above the Gagarin colony is still free of hostile forces, the ships in that sector have reported no enemy contacts at this time."

Jansen looked over to Yaris, "What do you think, I know Kirk personally, and he's one of Starfleet's best starship captains, but even he may need help."

"Agreed. He's going to need some type of help."

Flynn looked back to Wilkins, "Son, contact the captain of the Hathaway, prepare to send new tasking orders."

"Aye, sir."

- TBC -