Chapter 7

Researcher Rescue

Personal Log: Lieutenant Commander James Maxwell, acting Captain of the U.S.S. Sentry NCC-61890-A, a Saber-class escort. The new ship is working out very well. She's highly maneuverable, which will come in handy with the pair of phaser cannons she came equipped with. Though I had my eye on a newer Gladius or Exeter-class ship, the Sentry will do just fine. We are currently on an inner system patrol near the Orion system. Being so close to the Orion homeworld, our chances of encountering Orion pirates are high but…

"Bridge to Captain Maxwell." Came Flores' voice over the comm.

"Go ahead." He replied

"We're receiving a distress call. The ship is identified as the S.S. Azura II. Commanded by Captain Brott." She reported

"Alter course to intercept and increase to maximum warp. I'm on my way." He replied

A moment later he arrived on the bridge. "Report."

"The S.S. Azura II reports multiple Orion Corvettes closing in on their position. They've taken refuge in the atmosphere of a nearby gas giant. It should hide them for some time." Reported Flores

"Let's hope it's long enough to get there. Time?"

"Ten minutes."

"Any other Federation ships in the area?" he asked

"All other available ships are an hour or more away." Reported T'Vrell.

"Guess it's up to us then."

The ten minutes went by faster than Maxwell thought, but by the time they dropped out of warp a diagnostic had been run on the engines, weapons and shield systems. Sensors were also calibrated. "Scan the area."

"I'm detecting six Orion Corvettes conducting a search of the gas giant, but I'm not detecting the S.S. Azura II in the atmosphere." Reported T'Vrell

"Debris?"

"None."

"Hail them."

"No response."

"Sir, they're charging weapons!"

"It's a trap!"

"Evasive maneuvers, pattern Delta-5. All weapons fire at will."

The Saber-class ship went into an evasive roll, firing phasers and torpedoes wildly. Two corvettes lost shields; the rest turned to pursue. The mass of the gas giant prevented the ship from going to warp. It was the perfect ambush.

However, what the Orions didn't count on was the amount of patrols going through the system. A trio of Centaur-class tactical frigates dropped out of warp, having detected the battle and rushed to aid the Sentry.

A flurry of torpedoes from all three ships hit the remaining four corvettes and drained the shields by nearly half. The battle degraded into a 'dogfight' of sorts only instead of fighters, small starships were chasing each other around. The Sentry dropped in behind one and fired its forward weapons. Pulse phasers, phaser beams and torpedoes dropped the corvette's aft shield and caused a core breach.

One of the frigates lost its port nacelle, but was avenged by its comrade firing two high yield torpedoes into the offending ship. Phaser beams crisscrossed space with disruptors adding a green color to the light show.

"Open a channel to the frigates. This is Lieutenant Commander Maxwell, all ships fall back and assume attack formation Alpha-1"

"The remaining frigates have acknowledged our signal, sir." Reported T'Vrell.

"We need to end this fight fast before the Orions finish off the disabled ship," said Maxwell.

"The frigate's shields are still up although weaker than normal. Their warp core is destabilizing! If we don't hurry, there will be a core breach," reported Flores

The four remaining Orion ships had moderate damage and luckily decided to ignore the disabled ship and focused on the active threats. While the choice was tactically wise, they didn't last long against three relatively undamaged Federation starships.

When the last Orion ship exploded, the Sentry immediately began evacuating survivors from the disabled frigate. It didn't take long with two other ships assisting in transport. Unfortunately, the ship itself succumbed to its wounds and exploded as the ships jumped to warp.

The Sentry arrived in orbit of earth and docked at Earth Spacedock. Maxwell went directly to Quinn's office after receiving a message from him.

"Commander Maxwell. Please come in. Have a seat. Nice work getting out of that ambush and for rescuing the crew of the disabled ship."

"Thank you, sir. But we wouldn't have made it if they hadn't shown up. We were outnumbered six to one."

"Steep odds."

"We were lucky, sir."

"Indeed. But that's not why I called you here. I have a mission for you. We've lost contact with our science station in the Kassae system. All communications from Kassae II have to be boosted by satellite due to metreon isotopes prevalent in the system. This may be a simple repair job, but be prepared for anything. So, take your ship to the Kassae system, assess, and if necessary, repair the satellite and reestablish comms with our station there. Good luck."

"Yes sir."

Maxwell returned to the Sentry and the ship exited Spacedock on maneuvering thrusters. Once it was clear, the ship jumped to warp. With its improved warp core, the Sentry made it to the Kassae system in three days. Dropping out of warp, the ship immediately scanned and detected a trio of Gorn Vishap-class frigates.

"Well, I guess we know what happened to the communications array. I'm getting a jamming signal with Gorn characteristics. I recommend we deal with them first before trying to fix the relay." Flores said.

"Agreed. Helm take us in. Attack Pattern Alpha Two."

The Sentry swooped in from above and fired a spread of torpedoes at the three ships. One was destroyed instantly, the other two returned fire as the Sentry opened up with its forward weapons array. A phaser beam, a set of dual heavy cannons and a torpedo launcher fired at once. Three beam hits drained the forward shield of one of the frigates, three more cannon shots and a torpedo finished it off. Then the Sentry turned to the last one and focused its weapons on it. The last frigate fought hard but didn't last any longer than the other two.

"T'Vrell, scan the relay." Maxwell ordered

"I'm detecting significant damage to the relay sir. They are not responding to hails but I'm detecting both Federation and Gorn lifesigns along with multiple fires on the station. I recommend we send an assault team to clear the Gorn and recue the researchers." She said

"Agreed. Have a security and medical team met me in transporter room one. Flores, you have the bridge." He said

Maxwell met three security officers and three medics in the transporter room. The entire away team was decked out in full combat gear. Energy dampening armor, personal shields and full auto/split beam rifles. "Energize."

The seven-man team appeared on the station, smoke filled the air and one team member coughed. Running up to them was a scientist, surprisingly a Cardassian Female.

"Thank goodness you're here. The Gorn, they just stormed in shooting everything. There are only a few of us left. Hostages. Please you have to help them."

"Why is the automatic fire suppression system not working?" asked one of the medics.

"The Gorn destroyed our computer core and many of our automated systems, including fire suppression. There are auxiliary fire suppression devices in the walls you can use." She replied

"Thank you. You'll be safe on the Sentry. We'll try and help your colleagues. Maxwell to Sentry, we've found a survivor. Beam her up immediately."

"Acknowledged."

The scientist disappeared in the transporter beam and Maxwell retrieved a set of fire extinguishers. He passed them out to the medics and told the assault squad officers to take point. One medic put out a fire blocking their path then the assault officers opened fire on a trio of Gorn. Two were fairly small, the third took several phaser hits to put down. Maxwell tagged an Andorian scientist for transport and they moved up a floor. The team stormed a bigger room with several Gorn, fires and two scientists. Maxwell and the marines did most of the heavy fighting, with the medics hanging back to put out the fires. Once the room was clear of Gorn, the medics finished putting out fires while Maxwell tagged two more scientists.

The team moved into a hallway, one direction was blocked by debris and led back to the beam-in point. The other was blocked by fire. Maxwell told the medics to put the fires out then moved on. The team entered a large room with an upper level. There were fires everywhere…and Gorn. Several smaller 'Ranger'-class Gorn attacked with disruptors. Maxwell and his team responded with phaser fire. From the left however came a chunk of the floor hitting one of the medics. A 'Hudch'-class Gorn had hurled the debris at the team. This Gorn was massive, strong enough to rip sections of the floor and throw them at the team.

Another chunk of flooring was hurled at Maxwell. He saw it coming and rolled to the right, dodging the projectile. "Redirect fire on Godzilla!" he yelled and fired his full auto rifle at the massive reptile. The three phaser pulses just seemed to tick it off though. However, three more phaser beams hit it and combined with Maxwell's rifle and a medic's pistol the big Gorn went down. "Anyone hurt?" asked Maxwell.

The team answered in the negative and Maxwell issued new orders. "Ensign Mallard, put out as many fires as you can, the rest look for anymore survivors." Maxwell tapped his combadge. "Maxwell to Sentry, uplink with the stations computer and see if you can download the logs. Try to find out why the Gorn would attack an archeological research station."

"Acknowledged."

Maxwell found the last scientist trapped between two fires on the upper level. After putting out the last fire, the Starfleet officers and one last scientist beamed aboard.

Flores met him in the transporter room. "Captain, the other scientists we rescued said there was a team at a dig site on Kassae IV. I tried to contact them to make sure they are safe but haven't gotten a response. I think we should check it out."

"Agreed." Maxwell nodded and hit a comm. panel on the turbolift. "Bridge, this is the Captain. Set course for Kassae IV, warp five."

"Course laid in sir."

"Engage."

The U.S.S. Sentry arrived at Kassae IV in just a few seconds. They found a Gorn cruiser in orbit which immediately opened fire.

"Return fire. All weapons." Ordered Maxwell.

The ship's main weapons, a pair of phaser pulse cannons bored into the forward shields. A phaser beam scorched the hull. A second later three quantum torpedoes buried themselves in the hull which exploded violently.

"T'Vrell, scan the surface for human and Gorn lifesigns."

"Aye sir."

"Flores, prep a squad of marines. Looks like we're gonna have to rescue more researchers."

"Yes sir."

The 'Marines' Maxwell referred to were a group of assault squad officers. Technically they were closer to Naval security than actual marines but they had the same general combat training. Federation Marines or MACOs as they're officially designated are more specialized assault troops, usually assigned to large cruisers in company or battalion-sized groups. Escorts only carry half a platoon and only in active combat zones.

"Captain, I'm detecting a small group of humans in building on the southern continent. I can't get a transporter lock on them. There appears to be a shield of some sort preventing a positive lock." T'Vrell reported

"Very well. Time to send in the marines. Initiate transport." Ordered Maxwell

On the planet a six-man team of Starfleet officers appeared. All six were wearing the newer Mark IV energy dampening armor and personal shields. These were the latest models and Starfleet was always finding ways to improve them.

"Sentry to ground team. Your orders are to deactivate the shield and rescue the researchers. Any Gorn encountered are considered hostile." Said Maxwell over the comm.

"Understood Sentry. Listen up, the shield is power by three generators. The closest one is that way. Mendoza, take point." Said Lt. Avery Johnson. Johnson was an experienced assault squad officer and well on his way to becoming a MACO.

Mendoza crept through the underbrush until he held up a fist. The signal to 'stop'. He pointed to his ear and to the right. Johnson understood the signal to mean 'sound contact, to the right'. Johnson held up two fingers and pointed left and right a signal for his team to break in two and encircle the generator. The marines moved slowlyas to not alert the Gorn to their presence. Johnson activated his target optics, which would increase the accuracy of his team. Once they were in position the team opened fire. The Gorn were caught completely off guard and were killed instantly.

"McKenzie, deactivate this generator. Then place a charge. We don't want a patrol coming around and reactivating it."

"Yes sir." He replied. The technician tapped a console for a moment then the generator shut down. Another marine with his tricorder out reported a drop in shield power. Johnson brought up a tactical map of the area and found the next generator. His team moved out and a few minutes later found the second generator. The brush around it had been cleared to twenty meters. Too far for an effective ambush. Johnson fell back on an old Marine adage 'when in doubt, call in an air strike'.

"Johnson to Sentry. Have located second generator. Requesting orbital strike at these coordinates."

"Acknowledged. Ordinance is on the way." Replied Maxwell.

A single quantum torpedo burned through the atmosphere and hit the ground near the generator. The Gorn were flash-blinded by the explosion and a few were killed by the shockwave. At the same time Johnson activated the charge placed on the first generator, destroying it to prevent the Gorn from recharging the shields. Johnson's team took out the rest of the Gorn here then deactivated the generator and destroyed it.

The way to the third generator led them past a circular building. A covert look inside revealed a massive Gorn captain and at least one researcher. The marines also found a body outside the building; a human, cause of death: multiple lacerations.

The last generator was protected by a larger force of Gorn. But Johnson was confident he had the tactical advantage. "Ok here's the plan. I'll snipe the trooper on the left. McKenzie, suppressing fire on the rest. Perez, take out the handler and his two dogs. The rest of you pick a target and open fire after the first shot. No one fires until I do."

Johnson raised his sniper rifle and targeted the trooper on the left. A single shot put him down but alerted the rest of the Gorn. From another direction, a flurry of phaser pulse bolts flew from McKenzie's full auto rifle into the Gorn position hitting multiple enemies. A phaser beam set to its highest density punched through a Handler and killed him. His two pets now angered began running toward the marines. Two more phaser beams hit them and they fell. The Gorn shot back with disruptors, but the marines armor and shields were up to the task. As fast as the firefight had begun it ended. McKenzie deactivated the last generator and the shield collapsed. Johnson and his team double-timed it to the building where the researcher was being held.

The six marines stormed the building from different angles putting down the captain's guards before they knew what hit them. The captain himself took several hits but managed to throw a piece of the floor at McKenzie who was injured from the projectile. More phaser fire hit the Gorn captain and he ended up beaming out with the last researcher. Johnson hit his combadge. "Sentry, the Gorn captain was beamed out. Along with at least one researcher. No other Gorn or human lifesigns detected. Requesting beam up."

"Understood. We're moving to engage another Gorn ship in orbit. The researchers are aboard it. Once we bring it's shields down we'll beam you there and you can rescue the researchers. Standby."

"Understood. Ok boys get ready for a boarding action. Once the Sentry lowers the shields of a Gorn ship in orbit they're going to beam us there for the rescue op." he said.

Back on the Sentry, Maxwell held onto the back of his chair as the ship rocked from disruptor and torpedo fire from the Gorn cruiser.

"Shields at seventy-five percent and falling." Flores reported.

"Bring us about, all power to forward shields and weapons. Target their shields, weapons and engines. We have to stop them from escaping."

"Aye sir."

The Sentry quickly turned evading a few shots and a torpedo before returning fire. Dual phaser cannons, phaser beams and torpedoes hit the Gorn cruiser and managed to punch through the shields. In moments the cruiser's shields were down but weapons and engines were only damaged.

"Get a lock on our team on the planet and beam them to the Gorn ship." Ordered Maxwell.

"Sentry to ground team, standby to board Gorn cruiser." Said T'Vrell into the comm.

"This is Lieutenant Johnson, we're ready when you are." Came the reply.

"Initiating transport."

A moment later the six-man team found themselves on the Gorn cruiser in a hallway. "McKenzie, scan for human lifesigns. Then take point." Ordered Johnson.

McKenzie pulled out a tricorder and began scanning. He found them quickly and pointed down a hallway to the right. "They're in the brig Lt. This way."

McKenzie moved up and raised his rifle moving quickly through the corridor they neared the brig. As they came to a corner McKenzie lowered his rifle and took a look around the corner. There was a group of five Gorn guards in front of the door. He held up five fingers, signaling the rest of the team how many enemies there were. Johnson nodded to McKenzie who whipped around the corner and opened fire with his full auto rifle. The secondary full auto sweep kept the Gorn heads down and allowed other members of the team to advance and take cover on either side of the corridor before opening up.

As the team began to engage they heard a rough alarm then a snarl over the intercom. The universal translator kicked in. "Boarders on deck six! Security move to the brig."

The team moved in, increasing pressure on the Gorn guards equipped with only disruptor pistols for defense. One by one the Gorn fell until none were left. "Perez, open the brig. The rest watch for responding security."

Perez worked quickly on the door control and was able to get it open fast. He rushed in and took down three more Gorn guards then looked in the cells. He found a dozen human scientists, most were still alive, all needed medical attention. He quickly deactivated the forcefields and summoned the team's medic. "Lt, I've found the civilians. But they're all hurt and will need medical attention." He said

"Understood. Sentry this is Johnson. We have the scientists. But they're all injured beam them directly to sickbay." He said

"Acknowledged. Initiating transport."

The scientists disappeared in blue light but just before the assault team was to beam out they were engaged by Gorn security forces. These were better trained and carried full tactical gear. An intense firefight broke out and the weapons fire created interference against transporters. The Sentry could only transport one at a time. So they started with the ones furthest from the Gorn and moved up to McKenzie and Perez, then took Salma, a Betazoid technician. Interference prevented them from retrieving Johnson so he began to move closer to the hull but got pinned down in a junction. He was firing his rifle one way and his sidearm another, not really hitting anything but just keeping the Gorn away. Finally, his signal cleared and he materialized on the transporter.

"We've got him."

"Sir, the Gorn ship, I think it activated a self-destruct."

"Go to warp! Any heading!"

The Sentry quickly pulled away from the Gorn ship and jumped to warp as the ship's warp core exploded.

The Sentry returned to Earth with the researchers and put into Spacedock for maintenance and repairs. In the meantime, Maxwell met with Admiral Quinn for his next assignment…