The Fog of War

Four


"Both scouts are currently out on patrol in distant parts of the sector. We can drop our shields for at least 10 seconds before they get a lock. That gives us time to beam down half the supplies." LaForge turned to Yar, who turned her attention to the rest of the senior crew and continued the briefing.

"If the Warbirds are engaged, I'd say our window goes up to 20 seconds. We can repeat the maneuver once, but after that the odds change. They'll be looking for us, and once they get our signature, I don't think our cloak will be foolproof." Yar sighed and sat down.

"Then we're going to rely on Jack to keep those Warbirds distracted. Starfleet has sent us a very precise timeline for the operation. Let's make the best of it, shall we?" Picard raised his eyebrow and turned his attention to each of his officers before rising.

"Dismissed."


"Commander R'Nau. There is a large disturbance on the Western front. Our field captains are asking for assistance."

"What kind of disturbance?" R'Nau turned from her study of the stars.

"The Federation has diverted forces from other theaters. If we move now, we may be able to defeat them and take the planet. But we must move now, Commander."

R'Nau stood abruptly. As she did a cup of tea beside her toppled and smashed on the floor. "You would not presume to speak for me, nor to divine strategy for our forces." She walked purposefully to where the Lieutenant had entered her chamber. She paused in front of him, and then slowly circled. "We will wait. Tomorrow 2,500 troops are to arrive from Romulus. When they do, we will strike. The day after, another 2,500." She stood again in front of the boy and slowly clenched her fist. "And then we will crush them."

"Yes sir. Is that all, sir?" The young Romulan swallowed hard, his adam's apple sliding up and down his throat. No one on the ship could stand next to R'Nau for more than a minute without breaking out in a cold sweat. There were rumors rampant that she had slain more than one subordinate on mere whim.

"If the Captains are so wary, then we will assist them. Move us into transporter range." R'Nau waved her arm in dismissal.

"Aye sir." The young man bent in defference and hastily exited.


"We're nearing the far range of Starfleet's timeline for the operation, Captain." Data handed Picard a padd and returned to the forward conn.

"Understood, Data. I have faith in our Commander Crusher. Stay sharp, everyone." Picard tugged anxiously at the hem of his tunic and sat in his chair. Tense moments flew past as the bridge crew stood at attention.

"Whatever Crusher did, Captain, it's working." Five minutes later, Yar piped up from the back of the bridge. "The Warbirds are moving off to the far side of planet."

"Very well, Lieutenant. As soon as they're out of weapons range, beam down the first cache of supplies. On my mark, begin the second transport." Picard smiled. "Well done old friend, well done."


Howard's team descended on the first wave of supplies as soon as they shimmered into existence planet-side.

"Not a moment too soon." She was aware of Crusher's strategy in creating a diversion for the Enterprise – but it had come at a price. Casualties were pouring in from other parts of the planet. They were hemmoraging people. She'd heard rumors that the Romulans were about to ship in thousands of reinforcements. And if that were the case, she and the rest of the Federation troops on Aeron V were about to meet their maker.

"Get this into the tents and get it distributed." Howard nodded to her people and turned to Crusher. "This Captain Picard's a punctual character."

"You can set your watch by old Johnny, that's for sure." Crusher turned. "I trust you've got everything in hand, here, Beverly?"

She raised an eyebrow and gave Crusher a stern look. "I'd say I've got a lot of things in hand, Commander."

He grinned and winked. "I guess we'll see about that later, Doctor."

They smiled at each other before turning back to their duties. It had been little more than a week since they'd had dinner by the lake. Howard had found Crusher amusing and charming – that night and all of the following.

"Jack." Beverly's tone was serious, and Crusher noted the change. "We needed these supplies. But I don't think they're going to be enough to deal with the cost we sustained in personnel to get them." She spoke quietly.

"I know Beverly." He walked over to where the Doctor stood and laid a hand on her shoulder. "I've sent word to Starfleet. We can't last much longer here."

"And what was their response?" Beverly's tone took on an agitated edge.

Jack's brown eyes darkened. "Hold position."

"That's it? Hold position? What the hell position do they think we're holding?" Beverly's eyes danced in anger and her hair fell into her face. She pushed it back angrily as the second wave of supplies from the Enterprise appeared.


"They're sustaining massive casualties, sir. I estimate that without aid the Romulans will take their command unit in another day." Yar looked down over the aft conn at Picard. "They're sitting ducks – it's only a matter of time."

Picard turned to Riker. "We can't leave Jack down there like that." Riker nodded his assent.

Picard looked back at Yar and Worf. "I want options. I want to get as many of those soldiers out of there was we can beam onto this ship." He turned to the forward view screen and tapped his com badge. "Picard to Engineering."

"LaForge here, sir."

"Mr. LaForge, in the next 12 hours, we are going to need maximum power for the transporters; and then we are going to need everything we can spare to the warp engines. We may need the phaser banks and the photon torpedoes as well. Do you understand, Commander?" Picard's steely grey eyes fixed on the forward view screen; a serene blue and green image of the planet below encircled in tufts of silver-white clouds.

"Sounds like we're going to be making some trouble, Captain." LaForge chimed in response, his tone light. "I'll see what I can do."

"Very good. Picard out." He turned to Data. "Mr. Data, I'm going to need you to get a message to Jack Crusher. A set of coordinates and a time. You will work with Lieutenants Yar and Worf, and with Mr. LaForge."

Picard walked to the aft and stood next to Commander Riker. "Number One, you'll coordinate the effort. They have at least 1000 Federation troops still down there. I want them all out by 0500 hours tomorrow."

Riker stood. "Aye sir." He inclined his head to Yar, Worf and Data. "You heard him. Let's get on it. Now." He stalked toward the observation lounge. The officers tapped briefly at their conns before swiftly following behind.


"I'm not leaving. These people are not stable enough for transport!" Howard slammed shut her tricorder and practically stamped her foot.

Jack grabbed her forearm, undeterred by her tantrum. "Oh you're leaving Commander, if I have to throw you over my shoulder and drag you out. It's suicide to stay here."

Their eyes clashed and sparks flew between them. "Take your hands off me." Beverly's blue eyes were crystalline and intent, her voice low and menacing. "These are my patients. I won't just abandon them."

Jack let go of her arm reluctantly, but stayed close. "I'll let you stay until the last transport. But you're beaming up to the Enterprise." He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to protest. "We'll send up all the patients, directly to sickbay. If they make it, they make it. I'm not going to leave them here for the Romulans." He spat the last, the thought of it souring his stomach. Beverly's posture had softened, but he could see she was still resolute. "That's an order, Commander."

"Fine." Beverly, enraged by the fact the Crusher was right, snatched up the tricorder and stalked off to where the medical personnel bustled to ready their patients for transport. Her blue jacket swished angrily behind her, emphasizing her agitated stride.