Chapter Four: The Kresh'nar Ambush
Mission
The Tzlih has been ordered to scout the Kresh'nar Nebula near the Cardassian/Romulan border. There have been reports of high amounts of dilithium present inside the nebula. If these reports are true then orders are to retrieve as much of the dilithium as possible and prevent the Romulans from getting any.
Mission Date:
199th day in the 2368th year of Molar
"Scan sector twenty-six for any traces of dilithium lieutenant," came the captain's orders.
"I'm not detecting any dilithium there either sir. Not even a single molecule." The lieutenant went over the scans a second time to make sure he hadn't missed anything. After verifying that he was right he looked at his commander and shook his head.
"Very well. Helm, take us to sector twenty-seven. Once we arrive begin scanning as soon as possible lieutenant."
"Aye sir," came the quick, trained response.
The impulse engines activated, propelling the warship forward. The forward section almost acted like a knife, slicing its way through the murky green nebula. The nebula was a barren wasteland that was completely empty, save for a blue planetoid located near the center. It was this planetoid that had gotten the Alliance's interest. While a new source of dilithium seemed unimportant to an ordinary soldier, the more experienced knew that they needed every resource they could find. That and ensuring that the Romulans didn't get their hands on it.
This war seemed like it would last forever. Six years since the Breen had joined the Alliance and what did they have to show for it? Did they have new technology, safety from their enemies, or even expansion of their territory? No, of course not. They had gained nothing and lost nearly everything. The glorious shipyard at Tectonia Prime was the most prized possession in all of Breen history, but now it was forever lost. Nearly half of the Breen's fleet had been destroyed as well. And soldiers numbering well into the hundreds of thousand were gone too.
Why were they even fighting this war? Protection from the Romulans? In all of the Breen's stellar history the Romulans had not attacked a single vessel. They were the problem of the Klingons and Cardassians when this god-forsaken war had begun. The Romulans had no interest in the Breen at all. They could have lived in peace with the Romulans and no bloodshed would have come between them.
But of course the military leaders had delivered such an immaculate speech that made every person on the home world stand up and beat the drums of war, everyone including himself. What a fool he had been. What fools they had all been. He could still recall some of the top war general's speech.
"I call upon all of you, my friends, my brothers, my fellow patriots. The Romulans have begun to tear through our galaxy on a quest for domination of us all. I know what you are thinking. Why should we join the Klingons and Cardassians in this near hopeless conflict? Because we are Breen! And because we are a people of war! With our help the Romulan threat will be easily defeated. Then and only then will we be able to live in peace. Are you with me?" The crowd had instantly roared with approval.
Lies, they were all lies. They had been too confident and they had paid the ultimate price for their arrogance. Tons who had cheered that day no longer could, including the general who started them on this path. With the deaths of these individuals came a line of new soldiers, who yearned to avenge the lives of their fallen brethren. Everyone that had survived these past six years did so with heavy hearts, and pieces of their being missing.
"Sir, we are arriving at sector twenty-seven," spoke up the helmsman, jolting Captain Zelbreghn from his thoughts.
"Very well. Lieutenant, begin scanning immediately for any trace of dilithium."
"Aye aye sir." Almost instantly the officer began punching buttons on his console, and scrutinizing the results.
Zelbreghn tapped his gloved fingers on the side of the command chair, anxiously awaiting the scan results. He sincerely hoped that they wouldn't have to search this murky nebula for much longer. It had been three days since they had arrived at the nebula, under constant communication silence. The entire time both he and his crew were wondering how the war was progressing and if there had been a major loss to either side. Though he longed to have this mission over with he would never complain about it. No, that was only something a whiney Cardassian would do. They had been given orders and nothing would stop them from completing them.
"Sir, there isn't any dilithium here either," came the lieutenant. As he spoke Zelbreghn could tell that he was growing tired of this search, as all the others probably were.
"This random searching isn't getting us anywhere. I'm open to suggestions to where we should look next." Zelbreghn stood up and looked at each of his bridge crew, hoping one of them could produce a fruitful suggestion.
"Well sir, perhaps we should try sector thirty-nine." It was the science officer Stremuln who spoke up. She was the only female in the bridge crew. "It's closer to the planetoid which might have brought the ore here in the first place. Stands to reason that there would be at least some dilithium around there."
"Good idea Stremuln. Helm, set course for sector thirty-nine, maximum impulse." As the ship took off both Zelbreghn and Stremuln sat back down. Zelbreghn could only imagine the smile that Stremuln had on under her soldier helmet. She had performed her duties well and everyone knew it, even if they didn't believe a female should be there. Normally they weren't aloud to serve in the military, forced to stay home and tend to children among other things. During the war though they had lost too many soldiers to continue with that practice.
Many things had changed during the war. That is one of the certainties that come from war, change. Each soldier seemed to not know what was going to happen from one day to the next, but they did know that somehow it would change them and the world around them. When it came down to it war was just a test. A test of each person's ability to live and grow and change while still being able to stand firm and accept the barrage of confusion and panic that was thrust upon them. Anyone that can accomplish this survives the day and ends up truly victorious in the end.
This was the code of a warrior, soldier, or whatever title that was chosen to be used. It was not something that anyone with a sane mind would want to do, but it was what must be done.
As they reached their destination the ship slowed to almost a creep. The humming of the engines dulled and the slight vibrations of a ship in flight ceased. They had arrived at sector thirty-nine. It was unremarkable and looked like a cloud of green gas, the same as the rest of the nebula.
"Begin your scans lieutenant," Zelbreghn suddenly said after a seeming eternity of silence. "I want as thorough of a scan as you can get. Don't miss a single speck of that nebula."
"Of course sir. Beginning scans now." The lieutenant pressed the console buttons as fast as he could to try and hurry up the process. He held his breathe the entire time hoping that they would find what they were looking for so they could collect it and leave the dreadful place. Suddenly a beeping sound came from the console and an indicator pointed to an area with a positive match. "Sir!" came the eager lieutenant. "I believe I have found some dilithium."
"Good work lieutenant. Tell me how much of it and where to pick it up at."
"It looks like there's about five isotons of ore at coordinates four-three-seven by two-eight-six."
"Put those coordinates on screen lieutenant." Seconds later the screen switched images from an empty green haze to a green haze with a large blue rock floating in it. "Good work lieutenant." With the sight of the rock came the completion of their long and tiresome mission.
"Sir, my long range scans have found several dozen more rocks of ore spread out in the nearby sectors."
Zelbreghn put his hand under his chin in thought for a moment. There was too much ore for them to carry back, but they couldn't abandon it with the threat of Romulans nearby. "We'll have to head out of the nebula and go to the nearby processing facility at Empok Nor and get some backup to help us out. I want that chunk out there beamed aboard. After that is done set course for the edge of the nebula."
The officers made quick work of their orders and beamed the ore onboard as quickly as transporters would allow. As soon as the transporter room verified that the ore was safely onboard the helmsman punched in the coordinates for the nebula's edge and told the ship to engage. With the slightest of noise the ship did a near one-eighty degree turn followed by the activation of engines.
As they got under way Zelbreghn could feel the crew's mood improve almost instantly. His crew was not trained for such small and uneventful tasks. They were soldiers, trained to fight and fight well. After they came back for the last of the ore he would request that they were given a combat mission next. A small base or outpost which could be easily destroyed by this crew, but would provide them the satisfaction of a real victory.
The ship slowed to nearly a stop when they reached the edge of the nebula. It began to slowly creep across, almost as if it didn't want anyone else to know it was leaving. When the ship was clear of the nebula it came to a stop.
"Helm set course for Empok Nor and..." Zelbreghn was interrupted as the ship suddenly shook. Instinctively he looked to his tactical officer. "How many are there?" He asked, knowing what had just hit them.
"One D'Deridex class warbird off our port bow. Another one is incoming from starboard at maximum impulse."
Two warbirds. Even with a full payload of weapons Zelbreghn knew they were outgunned. The battle would be a tough one, and it would probably destroy them. There was no way that they would run, but they couldn't commit a suicide attack and lose this nebula to Romulan control. Only one clear choice came to his mind.
"Helm, take us back into the nebula." Zelbreghn clenched his fist trying to come up with a battle strategy.
"Sir?" The helmsman asked with a puzzled tone.
"That nebula contains high amounts of trielxlide. Trielxlide has a property that prevents ships from raising shields and blocks most sensor scans. We have the best chance of winning this battle if they are blind."
"But won't we be as crippled as them sir?" The helmsman persisted.
"Are you forgetting that we are Breen?" Zelbreghn said turning the helmsman's doubts back on himself. "We are soldiers, and we will prevail. If you still have doubts then remember who you are, who we as a people are, then you should have the confidence needed to complete this task." His speech almost seemed to be an echo of the war general's who prompted their involvement in this bloodbath. The words left a bad taste in Zelbreghn's mouth but he knew that those words were needed to boost his crew's spirits.
"Aye sir. Heading back into the nebula. What coordinates should I input into the computer sir?" The soldier at helm spoke with a new vigor and passion that only a warrior about to engage in combat could possess.
Zelbreghn sat in silence for a moment, trying to plan out how the battle would progress. Finally an idea came to him. "Take us to sector fifty-two."
"The center of the nebula sir?" Doubt was beginning to creep back into the helmsman's voice.
"You heard me helm. The deeper we go in then the deeper they will have to come to get us. Plus there will be more of this nebula surrounding them so there will be a better chance for us to sneak up on them."
"Very well sir. Setting course for sector fifty-two, maximum impulse."
The ship lurched forward towards its destination. Without any notice the ship shook for just a second then stopped. A stray torpedo had passed by them, a reminder that the Romulans were on their tail. It didn't matter though, the odds that the Romulans could hit them at this distance was very high. In order for a successful hit both ships would have to be practically right on top of each other. That's why they needed this nebula. So they could strike at the Romulans before they could strike back. The ship slowed to a halt as they reached their destination.
"What do we do now sir?" asked the helmsman once again.
"We wait soldier. We wait for the Romulans to come and meet their death."
They sat there as silent as possible, not even taking a loud, deep breath. The Romulans were on their way and the whole ship knew it. All they could do was sit and wait, wait for the fierce battle that was sure to ensue.
Zelbreghn knew that a one on one battle would be a tough one, but if the second warbird came then they would be done for. They needed a plan to quickly take one out before it could signal its sister ship. An idea suddenly came to mind. "Stremuln, what type of probes do we have on board?"
"Just your standard signal-relay ones. How come sir?"
"Just the type we need. I want you to prepare to launch one."
"I take it you have a plan sir. Mind sharing it?"
"We are going to lay down a probe here and then take a position two-hundred kilometers above it. Once there we can tie our sensors into the probe and use it as an extra sight. When the Romulans pass by here the probe will pick them up and send a signal back to the ship letting us know their position. Then all we do is sweep down and hit it with everything we've got, destroying it before they realize what's going on."
"That's ingenious sir," Stremuln said with excitement in her voice. "I'm going to need lieutenant Menlezk to help me with a few modifications, then she'll be ready to launch."
"Very well, but be quick about it. We don't know how long it will be until one of those warbirds arrive." Zelbreghn eased back in his chair as Stremuln and the lieutenant manning the sensors left the bridge, heading to the probe bay. If this idea worked then not only would they defeat the Romulans but also they would all be proclaimed heroes.
Zelbreghn began tapping his fingers on his armrest as he anxiously awaited the readiness of the probe. After several minutes Stremuln and Menlezk came back onto the bridge and returned to their stations.
"Its ready sir." Stremuln said as she sat back down at her station.
"Very good work you two. Launch the probe and take us up to a position exactly two-hundred kilometers above the probe." A hatch underneath the ships opened and a small metallic sphere floated out. As soon as the probe was nestled in it's position the Tzlih started to ascend up into the foggy nebula.
Time almost froze as they waited for one of the Romulan ships to pass by the probe. Their sensors had been tied in with the probe using a signal piggyback, which worked similar to an old radar. The only noise that was present on the bridge was a repeating beeping sound coming from the sensor console. After several agonizing minutes passed by the beeping noise quickened and a dot appeared on the sensor readout screen. It was one of the warbirds, and it had just crossed into the kill zone.
"Helm take us in, slowly. Tactical prepare to launch everything we've got at them." For the first time since this mission had started Zelbreghn was excited. He was a soldier, trained to kill his enemy, and that's what he thrived on the most.
The Tzlih crept as slowly as possible on the Romulan ship, like a Telrakian owl descending upon a field mouse. As it did the dark green nebula parted as slowly as possible and drifted to either side of the Breen warship. When the gas in front of them had passed by an image of the rear of a Romulan warbird appeared on the view screen.
"Fire!" Zelbreghn shouted with all the power he could muster.
Several torpedoes flew from their launchers and struck the warbird's port nacelle. After a few shots from their phasers the nacelle was ripped to shreds, tearing it and the surrounding bulkhead apart. A light green stream of particles spewed from the remaining nacelle fragments. All of a sudden the ship began to spin, whether from only having one nacelle or from the force of the explosion Zelbreghn was not sure. With a quick barrel roll the ship disappeared deeper into the nebula.
"Follow them, then finish them off," commanded Zelbreghn. The order had barely left Zelbreghn's lips when suddenly the ship shook around him. "What's going on tactical?"
"Sir, the second warbird has appeared behind us and is firing it's payload."
"Helm, turn us around so that we can stare right down the throat of that gesh'mona! Tactical, fire all weapons! Port, aft, starboard, I don't care just get that ship out of my sight!" A fiery rage was in the captain's tone; he would make them pay for harming his ship.
As the Tzlih turned it was hit by several disruptor blasts, one that tore the ship's left wing clean off. Without any warning all of the Tzlih's weapon launchers targeted the Romulan warbird and unleashed a volley of fire the likes that had only been known in long ago stories. The Tzlih's phaser fire concentrated on trying to sever the mighty ship's wings off while the torpedoes were aimed at the vessels forward section. Both ships exchanged fire for several seconds until the Romulan ship no longer could. Fires erupted from all over the ship's outer plating until it no longer could withstand it. The ship exploded into a brilliant ball of fire.
"Yes! Take that you vile things!" came the tactical officer. Several more retorts came from the other bridge officers until Zelbreghn silenced them.
"Don't celebrate just yet my fellow soldiers. We still have another enemy to take out. Anyone know how to find our wounded prey?"
"I noticed it was leaking neutrinos from its damaged nacelle. We could use our scanners to search for them."
"Another great idea Stremuln. Menlezk, begin scanning for neutrinos right away. Tactical, be prepared to fire everything we got in our torpedo tubes at the Romulan ship. I want them dead!" As he waited for the scans to be completed Zelbreghn tightened his gloved fist before relaxing in his chair. It took only but a moment before Menlezk spoke.
"Sir, I think I've found them."
"Where at soldier?" Zelbreghn sat back up in his chair, eager to finish off the Romulans.
"Yes I'm sure of it," Menlezk said in a confirming tone. "There is a cluster of neutrinos in sector forty-six."
"Helm set course for sector forty-six, maximum impulse!"
"Aye sir!" The helmsman used the same tone as everyone else, showing that he was just as eager as the rest of them.
As Zelbreghn sat there he couldn't help but notice that the engines seemed to hum a little louder then before. He laughed to himself for a moment, it appeared that the ship was as eager as the rest of them. After all it was a warship, made to kill, slaughter, and maim. And it had served him well during this mission.
The waiting didn't last long and they soon arrived at their wounded prey. The ship looked like an injured bird trying ever so hard to make some use out of a broken wing. As the neutrino particles spewed from the destroyed nacelle the ship spun violently. Whether they were attempting to turn or run no one could be sure of. Crippled or not they were the enemy, and it was their job to kill them.
"Take us within four-hundred kilometers then open fire," came Zelbreghn's cold orders. If the situation was reversed the Romulans would not hesitate to destroy them, Zelbreghn wouldn't let himself hesitate either.
They closed in on the vessel but before they could open fire the Romulans sent a surprise of their own. Apparently the warbird's rear launchers were still active because they let forth a force that had only been dealt by its sister ship. Several torpedoes smashed into the warship's forward sections, tearing them apart like a thin piece of paper. One of the torpedoes struck near the warship's command center, causing several of the stations to explode. The first to explode was the science station, which sent Stremuln flying across the room. Her body made a hard thud before going limp.
"Send that ship to a fiery death!" The tactical officer could barely hear the order over the loud commotion. He quickly pressed the fire button and sent a wave of torpedoes down the spine of the Romulan ship. The collision of the weapons started a cascade reaction causing the ship to explode in an awe-inspiring brilliance. A wave from the blast went flying in all directions, one such wave pounded upon the Tzlih and tossed them aside in the murky green depths.
Mission
The Tzlih has been ordered to scout the Kresh'nar Nebula near the Cardassian/Romulan border. There have been reports of high amounts of dilithium present inside the nebula. If these reports are true then orders are to retrieve as much of the dilithium as possible and prevent the Romulans from getting any.
Mission Date:
199th day in the 2368th year of Molar
"Scan sector twenty-six for any traces of dilithium lieutenant," came the captain's orders.
"I'm not detecting any dilithium there either sir. Not even a single molecule." The lieutenant went over the scans a second time to make sure he hadn't missed anything. After verifying that he was right he looked at his commander and shook his head.
"Very well. Helm, take us to sector twenty-seven. Once we arrive begin scanning as soon as possible lieutenant."
"Aye sir," came the quick, trained response.
The impulse engines activated, propelling the warship forward. The forward section almost acted like a knife, slicing its way through the murky green nebula. The nebula was a barren wasteland that was completely empty, save for a blue planetoid located near the center. It was this planetoid that had gotten the Alliance's interest. While a new source of dilithium seemed unimportant to an ordinary soldier, the more experienced knew that they needed every resource they could find. That and ensuring that the Romulans didn't get their hands on it.
This war seemed like it would last forever. Six years since the Breen had joined the Alliance and what did they have to show for it? Did they have new technology, safety from their enemies, or even expansion of their territory? No, of course not. They had gained nothing and lost nearly everything. The glorious shipyard at Tectonia Prime was the most prized possession in all of Breen history, but now it was forever lost. Nearly half of the Breen's fleet had been destroyed as well. And soldiers numbering well into the hundreds of thousand were gone too.
Why were they even fighting this war? Protection from the Romulans? In all of the Breen's stellar history the Romulans had not attacked a single vessel. They were the problem of the Klingons and Cardassians when this god-forsaken war had begun. The Romulans had no interest in the Breen at all. They could have lived in peace with the Romulans and no bloodshed would have come between them.
But of course the military leaders had delivered such an immaculate speech that made every person on the home world stand up and beat the drums of war, everyone including himself. What a fool he had been. What fools they had all been. He could still recall some of the top war general's speech.
"I call upon all of you, my friends, my brothers, my fellow patriots. The Romulans have begun to tear through our galaxy on a quest for domination of us all. I know what you are thinking. Why should we join the Klingons and Cardassians in this near hopeless conflict? Because we are Breen! And because we are a people of war! With our help the Romulan threat will be easily defeated. Then and only then will we be able to live in peace. Are you with me?" The crowd had instantly roared with approval.
Lies, they were all lies. They had been too confident and they had paid the ultimate price for their arrogance. Tons who had cheered that day no longer could, including the general who started them on this path. With the deaths of these individuals came a line of new soldiers, who yearned to avenge the lives of their fallen brethren. Everyone that had survived these past six years did so with heavy hearts, and pieces of their being missing.
"Sir, we are arriving at sector twenty-seven," spoke up the helmsman, jolting Captain Zelbreghn from his thoughts.
"Very well. Lieutenant, begin scanning immediately for any trace of dilithium."
"Aye aye sir." Almost instantly the officer began punching buttons on his console, and scrutinizing the results.
Zelbreghn tapped his gloved fingers on the side of the command chair, anxiously awaiting the scan results. He sincerely hoped that they wouldn't have to search this murky nebula for much longer. It had been three days since they had arrived at the nebula, under constant communication silence. The entire time both he and his crew were wondering how the war was progressing and if there had been a major loss to either side. Though he longed to have this mission over with he would never complain about it. No, that was only something a whiney Cardassian would do. They had been given orders and nothing would stop them from completing them.
"Sir, there isn't any dilithium here either," came the lieutenant. As he spoke Zelbreghn could tell that he was growing tired of this search, as all the others probably were.
"This random searching isn't getting us anywhere. I'm open to suggestions to where we should look next." Zelbreghn stood up and looked at each of his bridge crew, hoping one of them could produce a fruitful suggestion.
"Well sir, perhaps we should try sector thirty-nine." It was the science officer Stremuln who spoke up. She was the only female in the bridge crew. "It's closer to the planetoid which might have brought the ore here in the first place. Stands to reason that there would be at least some dilithium around there."
"Good idea Stremuln. Helm, set course for sector thirty-nine, maximum impulse." As the ship took off both Zelbreghn and Stremuln sat back down. Zelbreghn could only imagine the smile that Stremuln had on under her soldier helmet. She had performed her duties well and everyone knew it, even if they didn't believe a female should be there. Normally they weren't aloud to serve in the military, forced to stay home and tend to children among other things. During the war though they had lost too many soldiers to continue with that practice.
Many things had changed during the war. That is one of the certainties that come from war, change. Each soldier seemed to not know what was going to happen from one day to the next, but they did know that somehow it would change them and the world around them. When it came down to it war was just a test. A test of each person's ability to live and grow and change while still being able to stand firm and accept the barrage of confusion and panic that was thrust upon them. Anyone that can accomplish this survives the day and ends up truly victorious in the end.
This was the code of a warrior, soldier, or whatever title that was chosen to be used. It was not something that anyone with a sane mind would want to do, but it was what must be done.
As they reached their destination the ship slowed to almost a creep. The humming of the engines dulled and the slight vibrations of a ship in flight ceased. They had arrived at sector thirty-nine. It was unremarkable and looked like a cloud of green gas, the same as the rest of the nebula.
"Begin your scans lieutenant," Zelbreghn suddenly said after a seeming eternity of silence. "I want as thorough of a scan as you can get. Don't miss a single speck of that nebula."
"Of course sir. Beginning scans now." The lieutenant pressed the console buttons as fast as he could to try and hurry up the process. He held his breathe the entire time hoping that they would find what they were looking for so they could collect it and leave the dreadful place. Suddenly a beeping sound came from the console and an indicator pointed to an area with a positive match. "Sir!" came the eager lieutenant. "I believe I have found some dilithium."
"Good work lieutenant. Tell me how much of it and where to pick it up at."
"It looks like there's about five isotons of ore at coordinates four-three-seven by two-eight-six."
"Put those coordinates on screen lieutenant." Seconds later the screen switched images from an empty green haze to a green haze with a large blue rock floating in it. "Good work lieutenant." With the sight of the rock came the completion of their long and tiresome mission.
"Sir, my long range scans have found several dozen more rocks of ore spread out in the nearby sectors."
Zelbreghn put his hand under his chin in thought for a moment. There was too much ore for them to carry back, but they couldn't abandon it with the threat of Romulans nearby. "We'll have to head out of the nebula and go to the nearby processing facility at Empok Nor and get some backup to help us out. I want that chunk out there beamed aboard. After that is done set course for the edge of the nebula."
The officers made quick work of their orders and beamed the ore onboard as quickly as transporters would allow. As soon as the transporter room verified that the ore was safely onboard the helmsman punched in the coordinates for the nebula's edge and told the ship to engage. With the slightest of noise the ship did a near one-eighty degree turn followed by the activation of engines.
As they got under way Zelbreghn could feel the crew's mood improve almost instantly. His crew was not trained for such small and uneventful tasks. They were soldiers, trained to fight and fight well. After they came back for the last of the ore he would request that they were given a combat mission next. A small base or outpost which could be easily destroyed by this crew, but would provide them the satisfaction of a real victory.
The ship slowed to nearly a stop when they reached the edge of the nebula. It began to slowly creep across, almost as if it didn't want anyone else to know it was leaving. When the ship was clear of the nebula it came to a stop.
"Helm set course for Empok Nor and..." Zelbreghn was interrupted as the ship suddenly shook. Instinctively he looked to his tactical officer. "How many are there?" He asked, knowing what had just hit them.
"One D'Deridex class warbird off our port bow. Another one is incoming from starboard at maximum impulse."
Two warbirds. Even with a full payload of weapons Zelbreghn knew they were outgunned. The battle would be a tough one, and it would probably destroy them. There was no way that they would run, but they couldn't commit a suicide attack and lose this nebula to Romulan control. Only one clear choice came to his mind.
"Helm, take us back into the nebula." Zelbreghn clenched his fist trying to come up with a battle strategy.
"Sir?" The helmsman asked with a puzzled tone.
"That nebula contains high amounts of trielxlide. Trielxlide has a property that prevents ships from raising shields and blocks most sensor scans. We have the best chance of winning this battle if they are blind."
"But won't we be as crippled as them sir?" The helmsman persisted.
"Are you forgetting that we are Breen?" Zelbreghn said turning the helmsman's doubts back on himself. "We are soldiers, and we will prevail. If you still have doubts then remember who you are, who we as a people are, then you should have the confidence needed to complete this task." His speech almost seemed to be an echo of the war general's who prompted their involvement in this bloodbath. The words left a bad taste in Zelbreghn's mouth but he knew that those words were needed to boost his crew's spirits.
"Aye sir. Heading back into the nebula. What coordinates should I input into the computer sir?" The soldier at helm spoke with a new vigor and passion that only a warrior about to engage in combat could possess.
Zelbreghn sat in silence for a moment, trying to plan out how the battle would progress. Finally an idea came to him. "Take us to sector fifty-two."
"The center of the nebula sir?" Doubt was beginning to creep back into the helmsman's voice.
"You heard me helm. The deeper we go in then the deeper they will have to come to get us. Plus there will be more of this nebula surrounding them so there will be a better chance for us to sneak up on them."
"Very well sir. Setting course for sector fifty-two, maximum impulse."
The ship lurched forward towards its destination. Without any notice the ship shook for just a second then stopped. A stray torpedo had passed by them, a reminder that the Romulans were on their tail. It didn't matter though, the odds that the Romulans could hit them at this distance was very high. In order for a successful hit both ships would have to be practically right on top of each other. That's why they needed this nebula. So they could strike at the Romulans before they could strike back. The ship slowed to a halt as they reached their destination.
"What do we do now sir?" asked the helmsman once again.
"We wait soldier. We wait for the Romulans to come and meet their death."
They sat there as silent as possible, not even taking a loud, deep breath. The Romulans were on their way and the whole ship knew it. All they could do was sit and wait, wait for the fierce battle that was sure to ensue.
Zelbreghn knew that a one on one battle would be a tough one, but if the second warbird came then they would be done for. They needed a plan to quickly take one out before it could signal its sister ship. An idea suddenly came to mind. "Stremuln, what type of probes do we have on board?"
"Just your standard signal-relay ones. How come sir?"
"Just the type we need. I want you to prepare to launch one."
"I take it you have a plan sir. Mind sharing it?"
"We are going to lay down a probe here and then take a position two-hundred kilometers above it. Once there we can tie our sensors into the probe and use it as an extra sight. When the Romulans pass by here the probe will pick them up and send a signal back to the ship letting us know their position. Then all we do is sweep down and hit it with everything we've got, destroying it before they realize what's going on."
"That's ingenious sir," Stremuln said with excitement in her voice. "I'm going to need lieutenant Menlezk to help me with a few modifications, then she'll be ready to launch."
"Very well, but be quick about it. We don't know how long it will be until one of those warbirds arrive." Zelbreghn eased back in his chair as Stremuln and the lieutenant manning the sensors left the bridge, heading to the probe bay. If this idea worked then not only would they defeat the Romulans but also they would all be proclaimed heroes.
Zelbreghn began tapping his fingers on his armrest as he anxiously awaited the readiness of the probe. After several minutes Stremuln and Menlezk came back onto the bridge and returned to their stations.
"Its ready sir." Stremuln said as she sat back down at her station.
"Very good work you two. Launch the probe and take us up to a position exactly two-hundred kilometers above the probe." A hatch underneath the ships opened and a small metallic sphere floated out. As soon as the probe was nestled in it's position the Tzlih started to ascend up into the foggy nebula.
Time almost froze as they waited for one of the Romulan ships to pass by the probe. Their sensors had been tied in with the probe using a signal piggyback, which worked similar to an old radar. The only noise that was present on the bridge was a repeating beeping sound coming from the sensor console. After several agonizing minutes passed by the beeping noise quickened and a dot appeared on the sensor readout screen. It was one of the warbirds, and it had just crossed into the kill zone.
"Helm take us in, slowly. Tactical prepare to launch everything we've got at them." For the first time since this mission had started Zelbreghn was excited. He was a soldier, trained to kill his enemy, and that's what he thrived on the most.
The Tzlih crept as slowly as possible on the Romulan ship, like a Telrakian owl descending upon a field mouse. As it did the dark green nebula parted as slowly as possible and drifted to either side of the Breen warship. When the gas in front of them had passed by an image of the rear of a Romulan warbird appeared on the view screen.
"Fire!" Zelbreghn shouted with all the power he could muster.
Several torpedoes flew from their launchers and struck the warbird's port nacelle. After a few shots from their phasers the nacelle was ripped to shreds, tearing it and the surrounding bulkhead apart. A light green stream of particles spewed from the remaining nacelle fragments. All of a sudden the ship began to spin, whether from only having one nacelle or from the force of the explosion Zelbreghn was not sure. With a quick barrel roll the ship disappeared deeper into the nebula.
"Follow them, then finish them off," commanded Zelbreghn. The order had barely left Zelbreghn's lips when suddenly the ship shook around him. "What's going on tactical?"
"Sir, the second warbird has appeared behind us and is firing it's payload."
"Helm, turn us around so that we can stare right down the throat of that gesh'mona! Tactical, fire all weapons! Port, aft, starboard, I don't care just get that ship out of my sight!" A fiery rage was in the captain's tone; he would make them pay for harming his ship.
As the Tzlih turned it was hit by several disruptor blasts, one that tore the ship's left wing clean off. Without any warning all of the Tzlih's weapon launchers targeted the Romulan warbird and unleashed a volley of fire the likes that had only been known in long ago stories. The Tzlih's phaser fire concentrated on trying to sever the mighty ship's wings off while the torpedoes were aimed at the vessels forward section. Both ships exchanged fire for several seconds until the Romulan ship no longer could. Fires erupted from all over the ship's outer plating until it no longer could withstand it. The ship exploded into a brilliant ball of fire.
"Yes! Take that you vile things!" came the tactical officer. Several more retorts came from the other bridge officers until Zelbreghn silenced them.
"Don't celebrate just yet my fellow soldiers. We still have another enemy to take out. Anyone know how to find our wounded prey?"
"I noticed it was leaking neutrinos from its damaged nacelle. We could use our scanners to search for them."
"Another great idea Stremuln. Menlezk, begin scanning for neutrinos right away. Tactical, be prepared to fire everything we got in our torpedo tubes at the Romulan ship. I want them dead!" As he waited for the scans to be completed Zelbreghn tightened his gloved fist before relaxing in his chair. It took only but a moment before Menlezk spoke.
"Sir, I think I've found them."
"Where at soldier?" Zelbreghn sat back up in his chair, eager to finish off the Romulans.
"Yes I'm sure of it," Menlezk said in a confirming tone. "There is a cluster of neutrinos in sector forty-six."
"Helm set course for sector forty-six, maximum impulse!"
"Aye sir!" The helmsman used the same tone as everyone else, showing that he was just as eager as the rest of them.
As Zelbreghn sat there he couldn't help but notice that the engines seemed to hum a little louder then before. He laughed to himself for a moment, it appeared that the ship was as eager as the rest of them. After all it was a warship, made to kill, slaughter, and maim. And it had served him well during this mission.
The waiting didn't last long and they soon arrived at their wounded prey. The ship looked like an injured bird trying ever so hard to make some use out of a broken wing. As the neutrino particles spewed from the destroyed nacelle the ship spun violently. Whether they were attempting to turn or run no one could be sure of. Crippled or not they were the enemy, and it was their job to kill them.
"Take us within four-hundred kilometers then open fire," came Zelbreghn's cold orders. If the situation was reversed the Romulans would not hesitate to destroy them, Zelbreghn wouldn't let himself hesitate either.
They closed in on the vessel but before they could open fire the Romulans sent a surprise of their own. Apparently the warbird's rear launchers were still active because they let forth a force that had only been dealt by its sister ship. Several torpedoes smashed into the warship's forward sections, tearing them apart like a thin piece of paper. One of the torpedoes struck near the warship's command center, causing several of the stations to explode. The first to explode was the science station, which sent Stremuln flying across the room. Her body made a hard thud before going limp.
"Send that ship to a fiery death!" The tactical officer could barely hear the order over the loud commotion. He quickly pressed the fire button and sent a wave of torpedoes down the spine of the Romulan ship. The collision of the weapons started a cascade reaction causing the ship to explode in an awe-inspiring brilliance. A wave from the blast went flying in all directions, one such wave pounded upon the Tzlih and tossed them aside in the murky green depths.