Star Trek: The Mercury Scenario

by Ariston-1

Several months after the Dominion Surrender at DS9, Starfleet Command instituted a pilot program to test the feasibility of a new Starship design, based on an active service Science ship. What followed, was a simple War Game, one ship against the entire Eighth Fleet and Starbase 47.

2. Chapter 2

Chapter Two.

Eight days, four hours and fourteen minutes later…

The pride of the Federation and Starfleet, a ship with a proud named legacy dating back to before the formation of the Coalition of Worlds, the predecessor to the United Federation of Planets. A vessel displaying the name of Earth's first deep space exploration vessel and the service number of The most famous starship in the history of the Federation, USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E. A ship, considered as one of the largest and most advanced vessels in service to Starfleet, the Sovereign class vessel. Almost like a speck of dust next to the large starship, the tiny Nova class refit vessel, a one-off prototype of a long since forgotten dream of creating a powerful escort class vessel of the same design, cruised harmlessly alongside of the gigantic vessel as her crew of just forty officers and enlisted, continued with their preparations for the up and coming war-game scenario against a large and formidable force of some of the most advanced ships in the fleet. How could such a small ship, take on such a large force and survive to complete their orders? A question which had continued to echo in the minds of the crewmembers of the USS Mercury.

Entering the observation lounge, behind the bridge of the flagship of the Federation, the acting commanding officer instantly stood to attention before the legendary Captain and his command staff as she announced her arrival to await her final orders from the Captain.

"Captain Jean-Luc Picard. I am Commander Hailey Dodge, acting commander of the USS Mercury, reporting as ordered Sir"

"Welcome commander, your reputation proceeds you"

"So I hear, Captain. At least it means that I am never late for appointments. Sorry sir, just a bad joke. May I introduce, Doctor Sara Harrison? Acting Chief Medical Officer"

"Commander, Doctor. Please take a seat. I understand that you have already lost fully a half of your crew?" Captain Picard asked, with a slight smile as the two sat in empty seats.

"Um, yes Captain. Apparently? They appeared less than happy, to work with me. I can't say that I blame them, I wouldn't want to work with me either"

"Commander? That is not an official rank insignia…"

"No Commander Data, it isn't. Three gold and one black pin? I just thought it was funny. I'll remove it"

"Keep it, Commander Dodge…" Captain Picard replied, with a slight smile. "I have recently been advised of a change in the eighth fleet's status, one more vessel has been added to the roster…"

"Would that be the USS Long Beach, by any chance Captain? We picked her up on sensors three days ago, heading towards SB-47"

"Does that change things for you, Commander Dodge?" Commander Riker asked, with no respect for the officer sat before himself.

"Should it, Commander Riker? I know that ship, like you know Enterprise. I've spent my entire career on that vessel, from junior Lieutenant to Commander and XO, and yes Sir, it was in eight years. I know her Captain and her crew, I also know their strengths and weaknesses…"

A simple briefing on the rules and regulations of the war-game scenario, had passed as the acting Captain and Doctor finally stood and bowed with respect for the officers before themselves. Echoing with her own confidence in herself, her new crew and vessel, the Commander stepped towards the door before turning back to look directly into the eyes of the Enterprise's first officer with a slight smile as she spoke before leaving the briefing room, onto the bridge before returning to her first command. 'Gentlemen, Ladies… Commander Riker? I'll see you at the finish line, in under the projected five days'.

"Impressions?"

"She's going to be a problem Captain, she's arrogant and disrespectful"

"And confidant Captain, that much is certain…" Councillor Troi continued, as Commander Riker sighed deeply. "But, she's also afraid"

"Afraid of what, Deanna?" Commander Riker asked, with a slight smile.

"The Long Beach, Will. The moment she mentioned the name of her former assignment? She became worried about loosing, her former Captain knows her as much as she knows him"

"This, is going to be fun…" Laughed Geordie La Forge, with a large smile.

The USS Long Beach, a ship that I know better than I know myself, why did it have to be the Long Beach of all ships? I guess that I should have known that Pollox would stack the deck in his favour, as if forty ships wasn't bad enough, forty-one, is just over-kill. However, I could not be more proud of what this crew has accomplished in such a short space of time, considering the fact that we are down to half of the compliment needed. We had set several plans in motion, several unique ideas as suggested from the entire crew to complete this mission of ours, several unusual upgrades to the Mercury herself. I know that they're not exactly Starfleet standard procedures? One or two could be considered as borderline illegal actually, but as our orders have clearly stated 'Think and Act, Like a Pirate', so that is what we have done, acted like a Pirate ship, like a Rogue Starfleet crew. All upgrades which are borderline illegal, will be torn out and destroyed the moment this little game is completed.

As we arrived at SB-47, I broadcast the full extent of what we're up against across the entire ship. I hadn't seen such a gathering of ships, since the war. Every class of ship from Akira, Defiant, Excelsior, Galaxy, Intrepid, Miranda and Nebula class starship, lay before us in as many screens as possible as we cruised into position at the portside flank of the fleet, once our orders had been confirmed. But where, was the USS Long Beach? She wasn't in the fleet as far as we could see. That's what had me worried, as we received orders from the USS Enterprise to commence with the scenario. The largest fleet assembled, since the end of the war had been confined to a grid, a small region of space between the two star systems. Having alerted Starfleet allies to the gathering of ships for a war-game scenario, prior to the arrival of the fleet as we could have looked like an invasion fleet for any Empire, even though we where deep inside of Federation space. The preverbal 'Coast, was clear to begin'. Five days, was what had been allotted for the war-game, just five days for us to make our move and act as renegades against the fleet. We where under no illusions that it would be difficult, but at least it would be fun and the fun is in trying and winning.

Think, like a Pirate and Act like a Pirate, a Rogue ship and crew, right? So we did, I requested that each member of the crew call myself and each other by our names, not our ranks. Putting everyone on an equal level, regardless of rank and status. Well, at least while we hadn't been speaking with the other ships of course. As with each ship, we had a direct link established to Enterprise as the observational vessel and the other ships, outside of the usual communication channels. But, only the Enterprise knew that we where the target and that we had a secure link on a sub-channel to the gallant vessel and her crew, whom could not interfere with the fleet at any time.

"Time?" I called out, with a slight smile, to hide my own nerves as I knew that we where about to make our move.

"Twenty seconds, Hailey"

"Alright everyone, hold onto your butts… here we go. Now, Charlie"

"I've tapped into the fleet's sensors, transmitting the false image" Called out the Science officer on duty.

"Hailey, the Orlando is hailing us on fleet-wide. As planned"

"On-screen Susan. Captain Parsons, to what do we owe the pleasure sir?"

'Captain Dodge, our sensors are picking up what appears to be a small scout class vessel, on the rim of this system. It could be nothing, but you are the closest ship to the reading. Break from the fleet and move to investigate. I'll have the Washington take your place'

"Of course Captain, Ensign Harper?"

"I have the location Captain, setting course, full impulse speed"

'It could be nothing, but we need to investigate'

"Of course Captain, I have it on the board now, ETA… five minutes. Orders Captain?"

'Investigate, but do not engage. I repeat, do not engage. Call for back-up if needed. I'll have the Mayflower and the Sigmund on standby to assist'

"Understood Captain, this ship isn't set up for much of a fight. Mercury out…"

As we broke away from the largest fleet assembled since the end of the war, at least in that region anyway? The false image we had projected to the other ships, seemed to move behind gas giant, at least from their perspective anyway as moved to 'Investigate'. Once we had moved behind the gas giant, four minutes later and beyond the range of the fleet's sensors? Our plan can into operation. One thing about the Mercury, was her forward cannons which had been hidden behind a false deflector, on the primary hull of the ship, which when active, would slide upwards and inside of the hull to reveal the new forward cannons. Now, the delicate part? Was slipping past the fleet and their sensors. We had rigged up several of our probes to transmit a false warp signature, some identical to our own and the rest, transmitting several different signatures, artistic licence.

From behind the gas giant, we launched three of those probes, one of which sent out our own signature to make it appear as if we where at low warp speeds, within the parameters of the scenario of course, which warped away from the system at warp two and appearing as if we where in pursuit of two different scout class vessels.

"Orlando, we've got them! Two ships, at warp speeds. Transmitting co-ordinates and details… now!"

'We read you Mercury. Help is on the way. All ships, listen up! wings one through four, move to assist the Mercury'

"Sir, the orders don't say anything about a second vessel, maybe the target is not one ship, but two maybe three working together?"

'Maintain your pursuit, We're on our way. Orlando out…'

It was fun watching those ships leap into low warp in pursuit of those three probes, especially as we had hidden in the upper clouds of the Gas Giant as they passed by our position before leaping into warp speeds, although it was a part of our plan? We still had thirty more vessels to slip past and this is where our borderline illegal upgrade and tactic came into play. I know what you might be thinking when you hear about our little plan? You'd be wrong, it wasn't a cloaking device by any definition of the name, it was merely a holographic camouflage which we had wrapped around the ship in order to hide from sensors, the only problem was? If anyone had been looking out of a window at the time, they would have seen us pass by the fleet and alert their superior officers to our presence and we'd be dead, metaphorically speaking of course.

Once the coast was clear, we made our move towards the uninhabited planet, in the opposite direction to what we had sent those ships in chase of those three probes. We knew that it wouldn't take those ships long to realise what was happening, so we had little time to act. This is when it became fun, it was a suggestion of the Acting Chief Engineer, to flood the warp nacelles to capacity and push to warp one for exactly one second, before shutting down the engines and coast the rest of the way to the planet, using our own inertia to push the Mercury through space and towards the planet. A delicate move to make, especially if our calculation was off, even by a fraction? Those thirty other ships would see us and move in for the kill, we just had to remain hidden for long enough behind that gas giant to make it work effectively.

"Franco, it's all on you now"

"Always wanted to try this. Engine room? Charge the nacelles to one hundred percent capacity, give me a one second burst at warp one, then shut down the engines. I'll do the rest with thrusters"

'Aye, Charging the nacelles, fifty percent, ninety, one hundred percent… Warp One, shutting down the core' Called out the Irish Acting Chief Engineer, over the bridge speakers, as the ship leapt forwards before everything fell silent as we cruised through space, towards the planet.

"Thirty seconds Franco…"

"Thank you for the countdown, standby"

"Attention all hands, stand by maximum reverse speeds. Better hold onto something, this may get a little rough!" I called out, into the intercom.

USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E.

An observational status only, that was the only role of the Federation's flagship during the war game scenario, an assignment which had the majority of the Command Staff watching with interest as the tiny Nova class vessel seemingly slipped past thirty of the fleet's most advanced and deadly starships in operation to date. Having dispatched of ten starships on what had been called 'A Wild Goose Chase', by Commander William Riker, questions began to fly around the crew from both the Stellar Cartography Lab and those observing on the bridge, questions such as 'How could they slip past three quarters of the fleet, un-noticed'.

"A cloak, Captain? Does the Mercury have a cloaking device onboard?"

"I doubt that Number One"

'Captain, Commander? I believe that I may have an answer. We would not have detected the USS Mercury, without the transponder which is encoded to the Enterprise only. However, for a moment? Sensors have detected what appears to be, a holographic signature around the hull of the USS Mercury'. Called out Lieutenant Commander Data, over the intercom channel.

"A hologram? Impressive"

"Very, Commander. Have you read Commander Dodge's file?"

"Yes, after she returned to her ship. Impressive officer, a little unhinged? But impressive"

"Indeed, Number One. I was particularly impressed with her handling of the Dominion ambush, during the war. Even though injured, she commanded her ship to destroy three fighters and cripple a cruiser to the point where it had no other choice, but to withdraw"

"Earning her a promotion. From Junior Lieutenant, to Commander and possibly even Captain, in almost nine years? That, is more than impressive"

"The colour green, doesn't suit you Will" Captain Picard replied, with a slight smile.

'Captain? The USS Mercury, has arrived at the designated planet'

"Thank you Mister Data, we see that. What is she doing? Why are they just sitting there?"

"An unknown, Will"

'Captain, I am detecting a low power transport in progress. Something is being transported next to the Probe. It is a part of the warhead, of a Photon Torpedo, which has been attached to the probe'

"That's delicate work, impressive"

'The USS Mercury, is moving away under thrusters. I am detecting another vessel on approach from the southern pole of the planet. It is the USS Long Beach'

"Now let's see just how good she really is"

"Indeed, Number One"

'The USS Long Beach, is Hailing the USS Mercury. Channel is open Captain'

'Well, Well. Imagine seeing you here Hailey. What the hell are you doing to that probe, Commander?'

'Oh, just insuring that the package is safe Captain. I had a feeling that you'd be in the area'

'Come on Hailey, this is beneath even you. What's really going on?'

'Well? It was good catching up with you Captain? But, I'm afraid that I'll have to leave you now. See you in under five days. Mercury, Out!'

'Oh God No! Attention all ships, this is the Long Beach. The Mercury, is the Target. I repeat, the USS Mercury, is the Target!'

I had a feeling that the Long Beach would be apart of the search and destroy fleet as we had seen the ship heading towards SB-47, several days earlier. They must have lay in wait above that planet, watching the probe to see who would show up. I doubt that even Jack knew that he would be sent to face off against myself, someone who knew his own command style and the Long Beach herself. Before they could arrive at the probe to dismantle our little device, which had been set at the lowest possible yield, as not to create a shockwave which would damage any other ships close by? We detonated the warhead before leaping into warp speeds, away from the combat zone. Now, I had higher orders than those of the rest of the fleet, orders from Admiral Pollox himself, orders to think and act like a Rogue officer and one thing that Rogue officers will do? Is break orders while the rest of the fleet, follows their orders to the letter. By that time, our warp engines where back on-line and with one command to the helm officer, we leapt to warp three away from the system. Only warp three, as not to overshoot the 'Combat Containment Zone'.

The only problem was by that time? The Captain's and crew of forty starships, including my former Captain knew that I was their target commander and within minutes, would be aggressively searching for the USS Mercury and her crew. We had to find someplace to hide and regroup, to think about our next target. The drone ship and dry-dock close to SB-47. The problem was, every ship and captain knew the hiding spots throughout the containment zone, so we had to think of something else. We had to think out of the box and quickly, if we where to survive the scenario and win the game. Three and half hours, after we had destroyed the probe, as per the rules of the game? We received a call from Captain Picard on the Enterprise, whom had acted as a relay for a joint communication between ourselves, the Captain of the USS Orlando and the USS Long Beach, whom we had thoroughly embarrassed with our unusual tactics. The bridges of the three ships, where transmitted to the view screen and across the entire ship, just for fun.

'Captain Dodge, Hailey? Congratulations on your, unusual tactic. I should've known they'd choose you for this game'

"Sorry about that Jack, how's the ship. No problems I hope?"

'We're fine. A few bruised egos over here? But we're fine'

'Captain Dodge, more than impressive work'

"Thank you, Captain Picard. But, the praise must go Franco here, it was his idea and his exceptional piloting skills. We all pulled in on that one sir. Which reminds me Jack? Care to surrender now, or do you want to try and chase me across the entire zone"

'Captain Harrison, do you permit your former officer, to speak to you in such a way?' Called out the Captain of the USS Orlando.

'I found that when it comes to Hailey Dodge, it's wise to let her do what she does best, Captain. I realised that very quickly. She doesn't speak much, but when she does? She speaks her mind. Regardless of regulations'

'Very well. Captain Dodge? Congratulations on the completion of the first half of the scenario. Just know this, Commander… I have never lost a war-game'

"Neither has Captain Hailey Dodge, Sirs. We still have a little over five days left, I'll see you soon. Dodge out!"

So, for a little under twenty hours we hid, in plain sight actually. An old surplus yard where obsolete vessels had been sent to await their eventual fate. A yard which was just inside of the containment zone, a Starfleet owned and operated salvage yard. It gave us time to think and to regroup. The best place to hide, is always in plain sight, so that's what we did. We found the remnants of an old starbase simply floating on the outer edge of the yard, a base which had been torn apart for it's materials and technologies for decades. It was perfect, and just large enough to back the entire ship, inside of the opening to hide. Hell, if any ship passed by? They wouldn't even detect us due to all of the debris floating around. By this time, the crew had come around and was actually enjoying themselves, laughing and joking about wishing they had seen the faces on those ship captains, when they realised who their target was, more so those ships which had been sent on that little run to chase down three drones. I doubt that they would fall for that one, again any time soon.

I was never one for parties, nor crowds of any kind. Which is unusual considering my choice of careers on often crowded starships. I chose not to attend the party, in the messhall, I actually returned to my quarters to study and to plan our next move. But the ship's doctor, my old friend from the Academy had other ideas.

"Am I bothering you Hailey?"

"Not at all, come in. I was just planning our next move"

"I thought you might be, they know who we are now, and with your former ship, the Long Beach in the mix?"

"I know. Jack knows most of my tricks, but it's his new XO, which has me worried. I don't know him, I don't know anything about him. And if I know Jack as well as I think I know him? If we encounter the Long Beach again? He'll insure that his new XO, gives the orders and that has me worried" I replied slowly, with a deep sigh.

"His name, is Lieutenant Commander, Simon Hart. Former second officer of the Rutledge. He's forty-one years old"

"Rutledge, are you certain Sara?"

"Very, I was at medical during the war when he came in with the wounded from the Breen Attack on Command"

"Is he any good?"

"They call him one of the best, Hailey. Maybe even better than you, but? He thinks logically. He was born and raised on Vulcan to the point where he has adopted their own ways"

"Perfect! Hmm, he's adopted the Vulcan way of life? I could make that work. Hailey to bridge"

'Jonny Here!'

"Jonny, keep an eye out for any civilian traffic in the region, no matter what it is, I want to know about it as soon as you see it, and where is that genius engineer of ours? I have an idea that I need his help with. Can you send him to my quarters as soon as possible?"

'Of course, if there is nothing else?'

"Not at the moment, Hailey out. Computer, display personnel file of Hart, Lieutenant Commander Simon"

I was impressed by the commander's file when it had appeared on the screen in my quarters, Sara was right, he is an impressive officer and cited several times by Starfleet Command for his actions before and during the Dominion war with an impressive list of medals and commendations. He was definitely going to be a challenge to compete against during this war game. Twenty minutes later, the Engineer finally stepped into my quarters as I stood with a slight smile upon my face, which almost matched his own smile as I wore my usual off-duty attire, shorts and a t-shirt although with the Starfleet logo on both items of clothing.

"You wanted to see me Hailey?"

"Yes, that little… stealth idea of yours. How long would it take to equip the same tech, to one of our support craft?"

"An hour, maybe two. It'll go a lot easier being that you want a shuttle equipped…"

"I don't mean a shuttle, I mean the Rider. The so-called, Captain's yacht"

"Then definitely two hours, what do you have in mind?"

"Aside from being an engineer, you're also a level six pilot am I right?" I asked with a slight smile.

"No, level seven…"

"Impressive, I'm level five myself. Can you outfit the Rider, with your tech and also a few torpedoes? Just as back-up in the event things go south for us"

"I can do that, do you want me to have a crew on that ship, around the clock? I think I know what you're thinking. It's a good idea"

"No more than three people, including yourself"

"I'll see to it, you are good, crazy? But good, Hailey"

"You ain't seen nothing yet my friend, no one has… but they will. Start tomorrow, get some rest while you still can. It won't take the fleet long to realise where we are and then we'll have to run like hell"