Chapter 16
The Rescue Plan
15 minutes later
The Defiant has just completed docking with the Andromeda. Tyr and Data waited patiently for the airlock cycle to complete. The airlock door swings open and Dax, Worf, Bashir and O'Brien step aboard. The airlock then swings shut, and as soon as the airlock is de-pressurised the Defiant heads away from the Andromeda and vanishes as the warp drive is activated.
Worf and O'Brien greet Data warmly and then Tyr leads the way to the command deck. On the way Data asks Worf why the Defiant could spare four of its senior crew at such a time
" The Defiant was in thick of the fighting and has taken severe damage two its shield generators, so it is escorting the surviving hospital ships out of the area" The Chief answers " Captain Sisko decided that we could be of more assistance here. It wasn't until we contacted you that we leant of Captain Hunt's abduction. "
" Permission to go to your medical deck ? " Bashir asks Tyr.
" Ship, show him the way "
" Aye " comes the reply, as the holographic version appears.
The rest of the party continue in silence to the command deck. As they got there Beka was standing by Harper's shoulder, while Rommie stood a few meters away.
" Anything yet ?"
" Beka, there wont be anything for another " Harper looks at a timer " 9 minutes "
Tyr marches to the weapons console, with Worf following close behind. Rommie moves nearer the remaining assembled star fleet officers
" The tracking device we attached to the shuttles hull has a transmit delay timer " she explains " It will wait half an hour before transmitting its location, and then re sends every time the vessel moves again "
There is a tense silence during which Beka and Harper grow more and more worried. Dax and Data move closer to Harper's console, Dax having a basic understanding of the consoles readouts from her time helping, or attempting to help Harper figure out a way home, and Data figuring it out within seconds.
La Forge and O'Brien wandered to a secondary engineering panel at the rear of the command deck and examined the displays, trying to understand the engineering principles that allow the Andromeda to operate. Every time they tried to move further into computer system, a security program kicked in and aborted their entry attempts, until holographic Andromeda appeared and simply told them to ask her, instead, and she would answer anything that wasn't classified.
Suddenly all attention was drawn to Harper's console as he calls out.
" I have the shuttle " He then focuses on the screen " Look " All eyes on the command deck look at the screen he was indicating.
A display of the surrounding sectors appears, and then zooms in to a remote sector of space with no inhabited planets. The beacon indicates they have landed on a moon in orbit of the second planet.
" The tracker feed also indicates that they docked with another vessel before landing, and that the moon has a breathable atmosphere " He quickly consults some charts " It appears to have quite a jungle like terrain "
" Out of all Dominion vessels only Jem Hadar attack craft have landing capabilities " Worf states, and then adds thoughtfully " It must be a secret base, maybe a supply base "
" Feed indicates no long range sensor beams are being transmitted, only short range passive alarms. From the number and location of the sensors even a vessel the size of the Maru would be detected in that system" Harper adds " But not slip fighters in stealth mode arriving on the far side of the system"
Beka sums up the options
" Andromeda, how is Trance ? "
" Recovering. She should be back on her feet within an hour, maybe two "
" Right " Beka moved closer to the screen " We'll move the Andromeda to the nearest system, and launch slip fighters from there. Infiltrate the base, get Dylan and get out. If the alarm is raised, we then hold them until the Andromeda arrives. "
" If we do become cut off from the slip fighters while we are on the ground, Rommie could auto pilot them to us or Andromeda could deploy the planetary warfare bots to protect us once she arrives in the system." Harper offers.
" Permission to accompany rescue party " Worf asks Beka, as he Data, O'Brien, Dax and La Forge also step forward
" We only have two available pilots to navigate slipstream, which means we can only take three people " Beka begins, shaking her head, before being cut off by Harper
" Wait a minute, I'm coming to "
Worf also interrupts
" I have received adequate training in slip stream piloting to pilot a craft "
There is silence while Beka considers what they are all offering to do.
" Ok, here's what is going to happen " Beka takes a deep breath " I will pilot the lead fighter, Tyr will pilot the second, Harper the third and Worf the fourth. Rommie will take the reserve seat in mine, Dax will go with Tyr, La Forge with Harper."
Data and O'Brien begin to protest, but Beka interrupts them.
" Mr Data, Mr O'Brien I need you to stay on board with Trance, Mr Riker and the Doctor. If the Andromeda is needed, Trance can handle the short journey into the system. However, if the ship takes damage and the brig loses power, I need someone here capable of handling the Jem Hadar, unless you would like to chance the ship being captured by the Dominion ? "
" But you have one seat empty in Worf's fighter " O'Brien points out.
" And, if by some chance we do get Dylan without raising the alarm, we are going to need a seat to bring him out in, that means an empty one going in "
Beka knew that the last reason would take all the wind out of any protests.
" Once we arrive in the next system, l want everyone to have some rest before we go. Andromeda, prepare four fighters, make sure there all in top working order "
Tyr then adds
" Mr Worf, I think it would be best if you report two hours early to the hanger bay. I believe we never showed you the weapons systems of the slip fighter did we ? " Worf shakes his head. " I believe that could be a wise precaution "
Beka nods and then jumps into the slip chair
" Prepare for slip stream in 5 seconds"
**************************************************************************** *************
Riker awoke slowly. His body was screaming out in pain. He heard light snoring to one side. Opening his eyes he saw a star fleet doctor dozing in a chair. He was in the Andromeda sick bay he realised, and the doctor looked like Bashir, the resident Doctor on DS9.
Bashir suddenly woke and shot to Riker's side
" Don't move, the Jem Hadar did quite a number on you. " Bashir studies the instrument panel at the head of the bed " Your healing nicely, the nanobots have healed your...."
Riker suddenly bolts upright, wincing at the pain
" Nanobot's ? Who put them in me?" Panicking at the thought of Borg assimilation.
Bashir tries to calm down the panicked officer
" Commander, it's ok, I had my concerns as well, these people have developed a level of nanotechnology way beyond even the Borg. These are simply a medical variation. On DS9 you would still be unconscious for another day or so "
" Ok " Riker started to relax on the bed again when the memories of what happened on the Hotspur came flooding back "What's going on, the last thing I remember is... "
" Me being shot " came Rommie's voice from the doorway. The two officers turned toward the Avatar as she entered the room. She was wearing full High Guard body armour, a force lancer in a holster on each hip and a ankle long leather jacket.
" I'm glad to see you back on feet, even if you should have received doctors orders to stay in bed for another 12 hours " Riker joked, indicating his own predicament " What happened to you, you fell, I figure that even you could not have survived that kind of fall. The interference from the Warp Core made transporters inoperable, how did you survive falling 16 decks? "
" I have an in built artificial gravity generator " Rommie starts to explain " As I fell I activated the field so that the fall would not be fatal, but the weapons fire caused a software glitch. When I landed at the bottom of the shaft, my AG field was holding me down, and I could not alter the field until I regained my link with the Andromeda. I regret what happened to you however. I should have foreseen the bridge been taken and......."
" Rommie its really ok, nobody else is in here recovering, and nothing perman....... " Riker said starting to reassure her
" you have not told him " Rommie said accusingly at Bashir without waiting for Riker to finish his sentence.
" He's not been awake long enough " Bashir shot back
" Told me what ? "
" Dylan and Trance where also surprised, as we were. Trance was beaten, like you, but they took Dylan. We are about to launch a rescue mission "
" Who's we? " Riker asks, " You don't have many crew left, let me come as well "
" You are in no fit state to be left alone right now Commander " Bashir interrupts, before Rommie could speak " let alone engage on a covert rescue operation"
" We have Beka, Tyr and Harper from the Andromeda crew, being accompanied by Commander's Worf, Dax and La Forge. Trance, yourself, the Doctor, Commander Data and Chief O'Brien are remaining on board. "
" What's the rescue plan ? " Riker asked
" I will explain it to you, but right now my Avatar is due in the hanger bay " holographic Andromeda says appearing next to Rommie, who left straight away "But not before you return to your medical bed "
**************************************************************************** *************
Four slip fighters, which looked like tiny versions of the Andromeda, appeared in a flash of white light. One assumed a position slightly in front of the others and the remaining three form in a line abreast, Beka in the lead, Worf in the middle and Tyr and Harper either side. All four fighters headed towards the moon ahead.
" No sign they have detected us. " Rommie's voice said into the Comm. I am detecting Dylan's personal Nano trackers, he is still on the Moon "
" He Is being held in a lower level at the centre of the building. "
" There are a lot of Jem Hadar on the same floor and two floors above, the actual base stretches underground for 5 levels "
Rommie kept reporting as the slip fighters scanners picked up more and more details of the base as they got closer to the moon.
" We should enter the atmosphere on the opposite side of the moon, and then land at a distance of 5 km from the base, I'm picking up patrols stretching 1.5 km from the base "
Worf, piloting the central slip fighter, was surprised when his central montior, just below his canopy came to life. It revealed the moon, and then zoomed in on the base. The base itself had a perimiter wall with four watch towers, one in each corner and two buildings, one much larger than the other. The base itself was located in a crater and the surrounding area was overgrown underbrush and trees.
" They probably would expect any rescue party to use transporter's to effect a rescue, which means that they would employ transport inhibitors which normally have a range of roughly 2 KM, but they can be reduced by terrain " Worf says into the link " Like a Jungle. "
" Which means they are gonna be in for one hell of a surprise " Harper said excitedly
Dax had been looking at the display screen over Tyr's shoulder. As they grew closer to the base more and more details were becoming clear. They could now even scan the power distribution of the base
" It looks look they have power going to defensive turrets at each corner of the compound, not enough to damage a star ship, but would destroy any sort of shuttle "
Dax was so engrossed that she was taken completely by surprise when the small fighter began buffeting up and down. She relaxed when she realised that they had already entered the atmosphere. Looking forward, she saw the friction trails from two more of the fighters travelling fast through the moons sky, and assumed that either Harper or Worf were following behind.
Within 30 seconds they levelled off and began a tight spiral decent to the surface. After locating a small clearing, the fighters landed within meters of each other, and Tyr quickly powered down the slip fighter and opened the cockpit.
Dax climbed out of the rear of the cockpit and looked round to see only two other fighters. Worf was already out of his fighter, and Harper was helping La Forge out from the rear of their craft. As Dax climbed down the side of the fighter she took the opportunity to look up and saw the fourth streaking through the sky, descending quickly. A quick glance revealed they had landed in a small meadow.
Once the remaining fighter had landed, Beka and Rommie exited. The rescue team quickly checked their equipment for once last time, the Star Fleeters not quite as used to the High Guard equipment. The only person not carrying a force lance was Tyr, who had one in his pack, but carried his massive gauss rifle.
The Rescue Plan
15 minutes later
The Defiant has just completed docking with the Andromeda. Tyr and Data waited patiently for the airlock cycle to complete. The airlock door swings open and Dax, Worf, Bashir and O'Brien step aboard. The airlock then swings shut, and as soon as the airlock is de-pressurised the Defiant heads away from the Andromeda and vanishes as the warp drive is activated.
Worf and O'Brien greet Data warmly and then Tyr leads the way to the command deck. On the way Data asks Worf why the Defiant could spare four of its senior crew at such a time
" The Defiant was in thick of the fighting and has taken severe damage two its shield generators, so it is escorting the surviving hospital ships out of the area" The Chief answers " Captain Sisko decided that we could be of more assistance here. It wasn't until we contacted you that we leant of Captain Hunt's abduction. "
" Permission to go to your medical deck ? " Bashir asks Tyr.
" Ship, show him the way "
" Aye " comes the reply, as the holographic version appears.
The rest of the party continue in silence to the command deck. As they got there Beka was standing by Harper's shoulder, while Rommie stood a few meters away.
" Anything yet ?"
" Beka, there wont be anything for another " Harper looks at a timer " 9 minutes "
Tyr marches to the weapons console, with Worf following close behind. Rommie moves nearer the remaining assembled star fleet officers
" The tracking device we attached to the shuttles hull has a transmit delay timer " she explains " It will wait half an hour before transmitting its location, and then re sends every time the vessel moves again "
There is a tense silence during which Beka and Harper grow more and more worried. Dax and Data move closer to Harper's console, Dax having a basic understanding of the consoles readouts from her time helping, or attempting to help Harper figure out a way home, and Data figuring it out within seconds.
La Forge and O'Brien wandered to a secondary engineering panel at the rear of the command deck and examined the displays, trying to understand the engineering principles that allow the Andromeda to operate. Every time they tried to move further into computer system, a security program kicked in and aborted their entry attempts, until holographic Andromeda appeared and simply told them to ask her, instead, and she would answer anything that wasn't classified.
Suddenly all attention was drawn to Harper's console as he calls out.
" I have the shuttle " He then focuses on the screen " Look " All eyes on the command deck look at the screen he was indicating.
A display of the surrounding sectors appears, and then zooms in to a remote sector of space with no inhabited planets. The beacon indicates they have landed on a moon in orbit of the second planet.
" The tracker feed also indicates that they docked with another vessel before landing, and that the moon has a breathable atmosphere " He quickly consults some charts " It appears to have quite a jungle like terrain "
" Out of all Dominion vessels only Jem Hadar attack craft have landing capabilities " Worf states, and then adds thoughtfully " It must be a secret base, maybe a supply base "
" Feed indicates no long range sensor beams are being transmitted, only short range passive alarms. From the number and location of the sensors even a vessel the size of the Maru would be detected in that system" Harper adds " But not slip fighters in stealth mode arriving on the far side of the system"
Beka sums up the options
" Andromeda, how is Trance ? "
" Recovering. She should be back on her feet within an hour, maybe two "
" Right " Beka moved closer to the screen " We'll move the Andromeda to the nearest system, and launch slip fighters from there. Infiltrate the base, get Dylan and get out. If the alarm is raised, we then hold them until the Andromeda arrives. "
" If we do become cut off from the slip fighters while we are on the ground, Rommie could auto pilot them to us or Andromeda could deploy the planetary warfare bots to protect us once she arrives in the system." Harper offers.
" Permission to accompany rescue party " Worf asks Beka, as he Data, O'Brien, Dax and La Forge also step forward
" We only have two available pilots to navigate slipstream, which means we can only take three people " Beka begins, shaking her head, before being cut off by Harper
" Wait a minute, I'm coming to "
Worf also interrupts
" I have received adequate training in slip stream piloting to pilot a craft "
There is silence while Beka considers what they are all offering to do.
" Ok, here's what is going to happen " Beka takes a deep breath " I will pilot the lead fighter, Tyr will pilot the second, Harper the third and Worf the fourth. Rommie will take the reserve seat in mine, Dax will go with Tyr, La Forge with Harper."
Data and O'Brien begin to protest, but Beka interrupts them.
" Mr Data, Mr O'Brien I need you to stay on board with Trance, Mr Riker and the Doctor. If the Andromeda is needed, Trance can handle the short journey into the system. However, if the ship takes damage and the brig loses power, I need someone here capable of handling the Jem Hadar, unless you would like to chance the ship being captured by the Dominion ? "
" But you have one seat empty in Worf's fighter " O'Brien points out.
" And, if by some chance we do get Dylan without raising the alarm, we are going to need a seat to bring him out in, that means an empty one going in "
Beka knew that the last reason would take all the wind out of any protests.
" Once we arrive in the next system, l want everyone to have some rest before we go. Andromeda, prepare four fighters, make sure there all in top working order "
Tyr then adds
" Mr Worf, I think it would be best if you report two hours early to the hanger bay. I believe we never showed you the weapons systems of the slip fighter did we ? " Worf shakes his head. " I believe that could be a wise precaution "
Beka nods and then jumps into the slip chair
" Prepare for slip stream in 5 seconds"
**************************************************************************** *************
Riker awoke slowly. His body was screaming out in pain. He heard light snoring to one side. Opening his eyes he saw a star fleet doctor dozing in a chair. He was in the Andromeda sick bay he realised, and the doctor looked like Bashir, the resident Doctor on DS9.
Bashir suddenly woke and shot to Riker's side
" Don't move, the Jem Hadar did quite a number on you. " Bashir studies the instrument panel at the head of the bed " Your healing nicely, the nanobots have healed your...."
Riker suddenly bolts upright, wincing at the pain
" Nanobot's ? Who put them in me?" Panicking at the thought of Borg assimilation.
Bashir tries to calm down the panicked officer
" Commander, it's ok, I had my concerns as well, these people have developed a level of nanotechnology way beyond even the Borg. These are simply a medical variation. On DS9 you would still be unconscious for another day or so "
" Ok " Riker started to relax on the bed again when the memories of what happened on the Hotspur came flooding back "What's going on, the last thing I remember is... "
" Me being shot " came Rommie's voice from the doorway. The two officers turned toward the Avatar as she entered the room. She was wearing full High Guard body armour, a force lancer in a holster on each hip and a ankle long leather jacket.
" I'm glad to see you back on feet, even if you should have received doctors orders to stay in bed for another 12 hours " Riker joked, indicating his own predicament " What happened to you, you fell, I figure that even you could not have survived that kind of fall. The interference from the Warp Core made transporters inoperable, how did you survive falling 16 decks? "
" I have an in built artificial gravity generator " Rommie starts to explain " As I fell I activated the field so that the fall would not be fatal, but the weapons fire caused a software glitch. When I landed at the bottom of the shaft, my AG field was holding me down, and I could not alter the field until I regained my link with the Andromeda. I regret what happened to you however. I should have foreseen the bridge been taken and......."
" Rommie its really ok, nobody else is in here recovering, and nothing perman....... " Riker said starting to reassure her
" you have not told him " Rommie said accusingly at Bashir without waiting for Riker to finish his sentence.
" He's not been awake long enough " Bashir shot back
" Told me what ? "
" Dylan and Trance where also surprised, as we were. Trance was beaten, like you, but they took Dylan. We are about to launch a rescue mission "
" Who's we? " Riker asks, " You don't have many crew left, let me come as well "
" You are in no fit state to be left alone right now Commander " Bashir interrupts, before Rommie could speak " let alone engage on a covert rescue operation"
" We have Beka, Tyr and Harper from the Andromeda crew, being accompanied by Commander's Worf, Dax and La Forge. Trance, yourself, the Doctor, Commander Data and Chief O'Brien are remaining on board. "
" What's the rescue plan ? " Riker asked
" I will explain it to you, but right now my Avatar is due in the hanger bay " holographic Andromeda says appearing next to Rommie, who left straight away "But not before you return to your medical bed "
**************************************************************************** *************
Four slip fighters, which looked like tiny versions of the Andromeda, appeared in a flash of white light. One assumed a position slightly in front of the others and the remaining three form in a line abreast, Beka in the lead, Worf in the middle and Tyr and Harper either side. All four fighters headed towards the moon ahead.
" No sign they have detected us. " Rommie's voice said into the Comm. I am detecting Dylan's personal Nano trackers, he is still on the Moon "
" He Is being held in a lower level at the centre of the building. "
" There are a lot of Jem Hadar on the same floor and two floors above, the actual base stretches underground for 5 levels "
Rommie kept reporting as the slip fighters scanners picked up more and more details of the base as they got closer to the moon.
" We should enter the atmosphere on the opposite side of the moon, and then land at a distance of 5 km from the base, I'm picking up patrols stretching 1.5 km from the base "
Worf, piloting the central slip fighter, was surprised when his central montior, just below his canopy came to life. It revealed the moon, and then zoomed in on the base. The base itself had a perimiter wall with four watch towers, one in each corner and two buildings, one much larger than the other. The base itself was located in a crater and the surrounding area was overgrown underbrush and trees.
" They probably would expect any rescue party to use transporter's to effect a rescue, which means that they would employ transport inhibitors which normally have a range of roughly 2 KM, but they can be reduced by terrain " Worf says into the link " Like a Jungle. "
" Which means they are gonna be in for one hell of a surprise " Harper said excitedly
Dax had been looking at the display screen over Tyr's shoulder. As they grew closer to the base more and more details were becoming clear. They could now even scan the power distribution of the base
" It looks look they have power going to defensive turrets at each corner of the compound, not enough to damage a star ship, but would destroy any sort of shuttle "
Dax was so engrossed that she was taken completely by surprise when the small fighter began buffeting up and down. She relaxed when she realised that they had already entered the atmosphere. Looking forward, she saw the friction trails from two more of the fighters travelling fast through the moons sky, and assumed that either Harper or Worf were following behind.
Within 30 seconds they levelled off and began a tight spiral decent to the surface. After locating a small clearing, the fighters landed within meters of each other, and Tyr quickly powered down the slip fighter and opened the cockpit.
Dax climbed out of the rear of the cockpit and looked round to see only two other fighters. Worf was already out of his fighter, and Harper was helping La Forge out from the rear of their craft. As Dax climbed down the side of the fighter she took the opportunity to look up and saw the fourth streaking through the sky, descending quickly. A quick glance revealed they had landed in a small meadow.
Once the remaining fighter had landed, Beka and Rommie exited. The rescue team quickly checked their equipment for once last time, the Star Fleeters not quite as used to the High Guard equipment. The only person not carrying a force lance was Tyr, who had one in his pack, but carried his massive gauss rifle.
