Chris AdairDevonport

The Black Cluster

///

"Stupid piece of crap!"

Every head in engineering turned to the open Jefferies Tube by the Warp Core as they heard their Chief Engineer echo throughout the cavernous space which housed Main Engineering aboard the prototype starship. A second later a soft humming crescendo and settled into a comfortable, comforting background rumble.

"About bloody time."

A few seconds later, a pair of blue antennae followed by snow white hair and a blue head appeared out of the Tube.

"Pom, check the plasma transfer feeds, what's the efficiency of the Transfer Conduits?"

"They're at about 98% sir." Answered the young Ferengi at the console a meter away from Commander Jolaws seemingly disembodied head.

"What do you mean, `about`. What is the exact figure?" Commanded Jolaw.

"I'm sorry sir," said Pom, "98.14% sir."

"Thank you Pom." Said Jolaw sarcastically as he pulled himself out of the Jefferies Tube and stood next to Pom. "Keep an eye on the efficiency levels, as well as your own work on the Intermix Chamber."

"Do you expect the level to fall sir?" asked Pom.

"Of cause not. I got E3 working on the Feed and Conduit with a new tool I've been developing. I expect the levels to increase." Answered Jolaw.

"I'll keep an eye on it sir. Sir I've noticed that you always ask E3 to work with you, I'll like to know why? All the other Exocomps are just as intelligent and helpful."

"E3's the best of them, plus he worked with Commander Data on the previous Enterprise when he was investigating their sentience. I like him, and he has a few stories."

"Him? I thought they didn't have a gender specific personality." Said Pom.

"The others don't, E3 does." Answered Jolow.

"lieutenant Commander Jolaw. Report to the Bridge please." Then came over the Comm System.

"On my way." Said Jolaw to the audio pickups in the ceiling. "See ya in a bit Pom. Don't let all our hard work fall apart now. I think Housen wants our ship to actually start moving."

"What is it with Human Captains and going places. A Ferengi Captain would be happy to sit in orbit for months so long as he got paid." Commented Pom as Jolaw turned to leave and head out of Engineering.

"Maybe that's why the Federation encompasses 8000 light years and the Ferengi Alliance doesn't." Said Jolaw as he crossed the threshold, left engineering and started down the Alleyway towards the turbolift.

"I guess, but smaller empires are cheaper to run." Said Pom, as he returned to his work on the Intermix Chamber.

///

Jolaw couldn't believe how lucky he was to be onboard the Devonport. This ship was every engineers dream. Unlike the support tenders and retrofitted starships that build starbases, outposts and repair starships during combat. The Devonport is a fully fledged purpose built starship, that can do everything a normal ship of the fleet can, as well as build starbases, outposts and repair starships during combat while fighting along side them, and in a universe where there are hundreds of starbases that need rebuilding, and a diminished fleet struggling to protect the Federation, a self-sufficient construction ship that can protect itself and what it's building is what the Federation needs. The Devonport itself is 780 metres long. The Primary Hull is essentially a huge hanger bay in the Dorsal half, and a major industrial fabrication facility in the Ventral half and cabins surrounding these 2 massive spaces.

Everything else is in the secondary hull, the bridge is on the lowest deck of the ship. Main engineering is on deck 30. The bar, which is very important, was forgotten by the Devonports designers and Jolaw and the rest of the engineers have been looking for a free space that can be converted, but that will have to wait until everything else has been installed onboard the ship. The science labs where expanded at the last minute on deck 18, meaning the first location Pom found had to be abandoned.

"Hi sir." Said one of Jolaws engineers as Jolaw walked round the corner.

"Hey, is that damn turbolift operable yet?" asked Jolaw as he continued down the corridor to the turbolift.

"It is. It'll take you anywhere in the Secondary Hull. The Verbal Interface in it isn't working yet, so you'll have to enter your destination manually." Answered the engineer.

"Great! Why isn't the interface working?" Said Jolaw, as he stood above the engineer who had his arms inside a lower wall panel.

"I've been making sure that the Power Conduit to this lift wasn't going to blow out again. Is that alright sir?"

"Don't get too sarcastic with me boy, just because you're in the right this time. Carry on."

Jolaw continued down the corridor and entered the turbolift, waited for the doors to close and started chuckling as he entered his destination into the turbolift panel.

As the turbolift doors opened on deck 42, Jolaw was assaulted by a wall of his engineers.

"We're done with the Bridge sir." The closest one said. "Everything down here's ticking over like a finely tuned instrument." Said another.

"That's a good thing, considering that the Bridge is full of instruments that may blow us all up if they're not finely tuned. Now, make a path. I have to see what our captain wants." Replyed Jolaw.

As a path was made, through the mass of Jolaws engineers, the Devonports back-up Tactical Officer for the 4 to 8 watch looked round at the commotion by the turbolift compared to the orderliness of the rest of the Bridge.

"Sir. The senior officers are all gathered in the Briefing Room and are awaiting you."

"Thank you Lieutenant."

Jolaw walked round the Aft section of the Bridge, passed the 2 Engineering and 3 science stations, and through the double doors that lead straight into the Bridge Deck Briefing Room.

"Excellent, have a seat Lieutenant Commander." Said Captain Housen, who then stood up from his seat and looked down the conference table at his Command Crew. "I asked you all here so that I could have a personal account of the ships status, before I brief you on what command wants us to do."

"Sir." Piped in Commander Martin, the Devonports Vulcan First Officer. "I was under the impression that our orders were to re-establish and repair Starfleet Outposts, Starbases, and assist in high priority civilian and military industrial projects in unstable or contested areas. As well as Broaden and Defend Federation interests." Said Martin, quoting the Devonports mission profile. "And that we'll be starting at Batazed."

"Your right, but I received a transmission from Admiral Nechayev of Starfleet Intelligence." Answered Housen as he sat down at the head of the table. "We're to build, transport, and deploy an experimental Sensor Array in the `Black Cluster`. The trip there is going to be all we get of a shake down cruise".

"Sir? Why would SI be interested in studying a funky collapsed Pulsar, and aren't there science vessels already studying it?" Asked the Devonports suspicious Tactical Officer and Security Chief, Lieutenant Yota.

"I don't know. I'm telling you everything that I know. Commander Scot, the schematics for this array has already been forwarded to your department, is your SCE fabrication facilities up and running?" asked the Captain.

"Aye, it is sir." Replied one of the few relations of the famous Captain Scot, who now liaisoned between Starfleet and the SCE. "The industrial mass replicators are ready and raring to go." said the heavily accented Scottish voice. "Rabbits wouldn't be able to replicate as much or as fast as my babies, and my engineering crews are just waiting to get to work."

"Excellent. That's just what I wanted to here." Said the Captain with a large smile.

"Aye sir. We're here to please." Replied Scot.

"Jolaw, what's the status of the ship? We ready to leave this Starbase? Earth's pretty, but I want to be elsewhere."

"We just finished on the Warp Engines, and it's warming up. Impulse is online. The Main computer is online. Deflector and inertial dampeners are ready. Some areas of the Structural Integrity Field still aren't as good as they should be, but E1 has told me that it and its fellows can continue the work and finish inside 3 days. All back-ups are ready. This ship is good to go." Finished Jolaw.

"Good, Lieutenant Yota, what's our tactical status?" Asked Housen.

"The SCE have produced a full compliment of Photon and Quantum Torpedoes, the Point Defence System is fully operational. The Main Phaser Arrays aren't yet online, there are still a few bugs in the initialising sequence. My people will have it cleared up by tomorrow afternoon. We have full shields." Finished Yota. "Sir. I recommend that we wait until we have full weapons online before leaving for the Black Cluster." Added Yota.

"Your recommendation is noted Hito, but we're 3 weeks from the Black Cluster at warp 6, and all that time we'll be inside Federation Space. Also, and this was something I was going to tell you all later in the meeting, we've been assigned a Recon Fighter Squadron. We'll be receiving them at Ceres. That's another job for you Commander Scot. You're to coordinate with Paytec and his Hanger crews and prep an area for the Squadron to make berth. The addition of these assets should alleviate your concerns somewhat Hito." Replied Housen.

"They do sir. Thank you." Hito Answered.

"Will there be any support staff for the Fighters sir?" Asked Commander Martin.

"There will not be no, just 6 pilots, and a Commander and an Ensign for the Cats Eye. Lieutenant Paytec, what's the status of the Hanger Deck?" Housen asked the Devonports Cardassian Flight Operations Officer.

"My crews have the Hanger Deck in order and were stowing our equipment for the auxiliary craft when I was summoned here. I'll have them brake out the equipment, again, and prep for constructing additional berths for when Lieutenant Commander Scot gets the materials up to us." Answered the broad ex-resistance fighter.

"Good, if no one has anything they wish to add we'll be heading out immediately."

"Sir?" Said Yota. "When the Squadron gets here I'll like to run a series of combat drills with them, to find the best ways that they can compliment the Devonport in combat."

"I don't see way that would be a problem. Security has its own dedicated holodecks for combat exercises. Oh, when we leave Ceres, there's going to be a gathering in Poms make shift bar, he found an over looked space between decks 18 and 19 Aft, he's told me that everything's prepared. You got a good man there Jolaw." Finished Housen.

"A crafty one is well it seems." Muttered Jolaw.

"Sir, I actually meant, Live Fire Exercises. To train my officers and calibrate the weapons under practical circumstances. As well as practise coordinating with the Fighter Squadron." Continued Yota.

"Hmm. When we exit the system begin scanning for an appropriate site for your weapons tests. We would have to make a stop to test them anyway. To your Bridge stations everyone. We leave in minutes."

Captain Housen stood and led his officers through the Briefing Room doors that lead straight to the Bridge. All the consoles on the Bridge, apart from the ones on the Aft bulkhead were facing Forward. From the Captains Chair in the centre of the Bridge, you have the Helm/Navigation consoles Right Ahead, the Flight Ops Consoles on the Port hand bulkhead with the door to the Ready Room Ahead and the Tactical Station behind. On the Starboard Hand side of the Bridge is the First Officers Station with the Ops Console behind that, and a second turbolift Ahead. Behind the Captains Chair on the Port side by the Turbolift is a small alcove with dedicated Engineering Consoles that are Jolaws home away from home when his not in Engineering. Next to that on the Starboard side is the SCE console. Continuing round to Starboard are 3 multi-consoles that can be configured to assume any of the other stations or act as independent Science Consoles, and then there's the door to the Briefing Room. Right at the head of the Bridge is the Main View Screen. The Captains chair is on the centre line Fore and Aft of the Bridge, with a large multi-functional console on a swivel atop a pedestal.

Everyone took their stations and waited for their Captain to give the first order that would begin the de-mooring process.

"Ensign Okuda, Hail the Starbase and request permission to depart." Said Housen as he sat in his chair.

"Aye sir" Answered the slim Chinese Ops Officer as she contacted the Starbase. "We are receiving an Audio only message from the Starbase." Said Debbie looking over her left shoulder at the Captain.

"Put it on Ensign."

"Aye sir"

"Devonport, Devonport. This is Starbase 1. Departure Clearance granted. Good Journey." Came over the Speakers.

"Thank you Starbase 1." Thanked Housen as he signalled for Okuda to close the channel. "Ensign Law, Activate Navigational and Running Lights, Thrusters to station keeping. Ensign Okuda, Release umbilicals." Ordered Housen.

"Aye sir. Nav and Run Lights active, Thrusters online, maintaining attitude with the Starbase." Reported Law.

"Umbilicals have been disengaged and are in their stowed position on the Starbase." Reported Debbie.

"1/8th impulse Ahead until we clear the inner structure, then take us to the Space doors."

"1/8th impulse power Ahead. Aye sir"

The Devonport started moving for the first time under her own power. She's been moved before by tugs when her essential systems were completed 4 months earlier back at Utopia Planitia, but this was under her own power. Those people who where standing at the end of Devonports berth looked out, as anyone would when a Federation Starship left the nest. The huge and slightly fatter than normal saucer section was moving by the large windows in the Starbase. The 2 torpedo launchers clearly visible in the Bow and 2 of the 6 Point Defence Phasers on the starboard side, one on the Ventral Hull and one on the Dorsal Hull. The Starboard and Bow Ventral and Dorsal Phaser Strips a dark grey were also visible. The Starboard hand Nav Light could be seen alight and the Ships name, USS Devonport NX 57438 was proudly illuminated on the vessels hull right underneath the massive hunger bay doors that could swallow whole a pair of Defiant Class Starships beam to beam. As the Devonport continued, the secondary hull came into view. It's connected straight onto the Saucer, curving down to the 2 Aft Torpedo launchers at the very Stern most part of the Ship, and another 2 PDPs just forward of them. 1 Phaser strip was on the Dorsal part of the hull, with the Main Impulse engine just ahead of it. A blue and red glow was absent from the ship, which set it apart from those ships around it. The warp nacelles were still inactive as the warp core wasn't yet providing them with Plasma. The nacelles then flared to life bathing the Ventral half of the Secondary hull in blue and red light, making the ventral hull visible from its shadow and displaying the Ventral phaser strip that ran almost the entire length of the Ventral hull. The nacelles coming to life was an indication that orders were still being given on the bridge of the new starship.

"Nacelle Plasma flow at 100%, we can create a warp field at your order, anytime." Reported Jolaw from his cubby hole on the Bridge.

"Excellent Chief. Helm, Status?"

"We're clearing the berth. Moving into the Inner Starbase Traffic Pattern. 10 seconds until we reach the space doors." Report Peter.

"Space doors are opening sir." Said Debbie.

"Sensors indicate nothing on the other side." Report Hito.

"Thank you Tactical. Take us out Helm."

"Aye sir. Exiting the Starbase in 5…4…3…2…1…We've completed departure and are free to navigate."

"Excellent!" Housen almost shouted. "Set a course for Ceres." Ordered Housen.

"Aye sir, Course plotted and Laid in."

"Full impulse. Engage."

///

"I'm sorry Admiral. Can you say that again?" Asked Lieutenant Commander Tomac. The half Romulan, half Vulcan Squadron Commander of the Federation 8th Tactical Recon Squadron, The Watchful Dragons.

"I said, Lieutenant, that your Squadron is being assigned to the Starship Devonport. Is there something wrong with your equipment, or is your low opinion of this assignment clouding your brain?" Asked Admiral Nechayev.

"The equipment here is fine Admiral." Answered Tomac, raising to the bait a little to the thought that someone could even think that there was something wrong with his Cats Eye Class varient, Ramoth. So named after Anne McCaffreys, Queen Dragon from the Legend of Pern Stories. "I just don't understand why a Fighter Squadron is being assigned to what is essentially a glorified Support Tender? I would have thought that we would be of better use on Deep Space Vessels on the Frontiers?" Not to mention that my squadron's the best out here. Tomac decided not to voice that particular thought, lest it back fire on him. Having defected to the Federation 9 years ago, he had amply time to learn that Humans can be a very unpredictable bunch. Especially when challenged.

"The Devonport's as much a simple Support Tender, as your Fighters are shuttle craft, and we have some big plans in store for a ship of her capabilities, and since you're so wanting to face the dangers of the Frontier, you should know that the Devonport's going into the most contested and volatile areas of known space, starting with the areas along the Breen Border, and as you've no doubt heard from your fellow squadron leaders in that area, the Breen are the most well off of our former Dominion enemies. The Devonports ETA is 2 and a half hours from now. Be ready for her. You're to report straight to Captain Housen when you dock. Nechayev out." The screen went blank before Tomac could even respond.

Oh well. A few months of tedium on Devonport might do us some good. thought Tomac. Either that or we'll go insane.

///

"Captain, we're approaching Ceres." Reported Law.

"Understood Ensign, enter orbit and maintain a geo-stationary position above the Fighter Complex." answered Housen, leaning forward in his chair a bit now that decisions needed to be made after the tedium of reading and acknowledging reports for the last 2 and a half hours.

"Sir? I'm detecting 500 orbital batteries orbiting Ceres. I had no idea this little Pluton was so heavily defended?" Said Yota.

"And 20 minutes after we leave sensor range you'll find that the sensor records of that fact will disappear. Ceres is Starfleets principle weapons research and testing facility, as well as our last effective fall back position. It's the single most heavily defended object in know space." Answered Housen. "Okuda, hail Ceres C`n`C."

"Aye sir, Ceres Command is responding."

"On screen."

"Devonport, this is Ceres Command." Said the very Buff officer that appeared on the screen, his S.I. insignia clearly visible on his collar, on the opposite side of his Lieutenant Rank insignia. "You are cleared to traverse Ceres space. Hold position over the Fighter Complex and await a signal from the 8th Tactical Recon Squadron." With his message sent the screen went blank without another word.

"I always thought that the Ceres Complex was a myth. Like that Section 31 group. It's a pity that some Starfleet people haven't learned from Obsidian Orders mistakes." Commented Paytec.

"We're no where near that bad." Said Jolaw. "S.I. answer to the people, just like everyone in the Federations Service. We don't have any autonomous agencies running around making up their own rules and laws."

"How would you know? Organisations like that are outside of the system. You're not some sort of super spy are you." Asked Debbie Okuda in her playful manner that was always present when she wasn't working her console and offering serious comments or delivering reports.

"No, I'm not a spy." Said Jolaw.

"Captain." Said Peter Law, louder than usually to make sure that he got the Captains attention. "Sorry to interrupt the social analyse and Jolaw bashing, but we've entered orbit and are maintaining position over the Fighter Complex." Reported Law.

"Thank you Ensign. Okuda, Keep an ear out for the Dragons." Said Housen.

"Yes sir. We're being hailed now."

"Put it on screen."

A head and shoulders appeared on screen. Jet black hair. Pronounced brow, and pointed ears. This man was wearing a white Starfleet jump suite designed for Federation fighter pilots and with Commanders Pips on his collar.

"Devonport this is Ramoth. We are preparing to launch. Our ETA with you is 2 minutes. Acknowledge."

"Acknowledged Ramoth. When you are on final approach liaise with our Flight Ops Officer, Lieutenant Paytec. He and his Deck Crew have prepared the berths for your Fighters." Answered Housen.

"Understood Devonport. We are now climbing and are now 1.8 minutes from orbital rendezvous. Ramoth out." And the screen went blank as the transmission was terminated.

"Is everyone on this rock that anal? I hope these guys can learn to lighten up when off duty." Commented Jolaw.

"Our Fighter pilots are in a dangerous game. If they don't take it seriously, they die." Answered Law. "Remember the battle for Deep Space Nine? That lone fighter pilot that was the only survivor from his entire squadron? He did a victory roll over the Primary hull of the Boston, and his Deuterium fuel cell ruptured. He crashed right into the Bostons Bridge."

"Thank you for reminding us about THAT battle Law." Said Housen in a tone of voice that told everyone on the Bridge that his mood had changed to a decidedly less jovial state. "You are right though Law. Every precaution has to be taken out here. Especially for those that are all lone in their ships." The topic of conversation, thankfully, had moved away from a battle that was very personal to most of those on the command crew, namely Housen, Jolaw, Martin, and Law, the only survivors from the Bridge of the starship Noble. The silence was broken when Ensign Okudas console started beeping in a manor that told it's user that there was an incoming message.

"Lieutenant Paytec, the Ramoth is requesting docking instructions."

"Understood. Put him through to me please."

Housen looked up to look at the main viewer and saw 6 Peregrine fighters and what looked like a Cats Eye class vessel, although it was missing the large and sophisticated sensor package those ships usually carry, and appeared a bit leaner.

"Putting him through now."

"Ramoth. This is Lieutenant Paytec, are you receiving me?"

"I am Lieutenant, I'd like my ships to come in on manual. Start getting them use to landing in your hanger bay. My pilots are monitoring this channel and will follow your instructions." Ordered the voice that now came over the speakers near Paytecs console.

"Understood. My deck crews will be ready to guild your ships in. You are to make your approach from Right Ahead. The Fighter Berths are ready and located at the very aft most section of the bay. Fly right in and follow the signals from my crews. Turntables will bring your ships About. When you come to a halt, you may power down your systems. Acknowledge."

"Acknowledged Lieutenant. We'll keep this channel open. Dragons, form up on me and follow me in…."

Housen tuned out the com chatter, never wanting to listen too much of anything when ever he was reminded about the Battle for Deep Space Nine. The battle where aliens took over his captain and forced him to ram a Dominion Battleship, all because they wanted Captain Sisko kept alive. Despite Siskos, not insignificant contribution to winning the war, Housen would have preferred his friend, his fiancé and that special little ship he was first assigned to as an officer, back and flying around. Even if he wasn't flying with them. Selfish thoughts, Housen knew that, but that knowledge didn't change how he felt about that whole situation.

"Captain, the Recon Squadron is down and are being seen too by my people. Permission to leave the Bridge for the Hanger Deck?" Asked Paytec.

"Permission granted Paytec. Say hello to our new Fighter Squadron and ask them if they'll like to attend the opening of Poms. I'd like you to send Commander Tomoc to my Ready Room, as soon as his fellows and craft don't need him." Said Housen.

"Understood sir. If you'll all excuse me." With that, Paytec secured and logged off from his station and left the Bridge.

"Ensign Okuda, hail Ceres Command and tell them that we have received the Recon Fighter Squadron and are leaving orbit. Law… Brake orbit and set course out of the system. Commander Martin. You have the con. Let me know when we exit the system."

With his orders delivered and his mood worsening. Housen got out of the command chair and went into his ready room.

"Bloody hell Law…"

"Enough, carry out your duties." Interrupted Martin, cutting Debbie off from what ever she was going to say to Law. She turned back to her console and hailed the command centre, while Law manoeuvred the Devonport out of orbit and made a sweeping turn towards the outer solar system.

"That boys got the brain of a fish." Muttered Jolaw, as he monitored the impulse engines as Law, Jolaws adopted brother by law increased the amount of thrust he wanted.

///

Housen sat in the chair behind his desk, looking at a 2D image of a woman. Long black hair tied into a loose ponytail, dark eyes, eye brows that extended a little bit further than what they would on a human, pointed ears and full lips that were curved upwards into a smile. P`Rol. A gifted scientist, a unique person and Housens fiancé. One of a small group of vulcans who had been able to balance their emotions. To navigate the storm that most vulcans tried with all their might to suppress.

During the battle for Deep Space Nine, Housens former Captain, Captain Matthews had ordered all personal to abandon ship when he was being controlled by `Wormhole aliens` from Bajor. He then crashed the ship, Noble, into a Dominion Super Battleship in order to save Captain Sisko. All surviving personal made it to the Escape Pods, but of the 56 Escape pods a Saber Class Ship carries. 30 were collected. The other 26 were never recovered. P`Rols was among those that weren't found. None of the science department Escape Pods where found. All Housen could do whenever he was reminded of that battle and his personal loss of one of the most unique and irreplaceable people in his universe, was stare at a 2D picture and fight against the grief and tears. It was getting easier, and he hated that.

A chime came over the comm system, signalling that someone was outside his Ready Room door and requesting his attention. Instead of replacing the picture in a draw in his desk, he decided that P`Rol would prefer to be looked at when he wasn't anger about his loss. He placed it on his desk, next to his computer interface.

"Come in."

The doors opened and a tall, not particularly broad man walked into the Ready Room. He stopped in front of the Captains desk at attention and waited. This man had jet black hair, pointed ears and a pronounced brow, identifying him as a Romulan.

"I didn't know there were any Romulans in Starfleet?" Asked Housen. His dark mood having been replaced by curiosity.

"I don't know of any Romulans in Starfleet either sir. I'm half Vulcan." Said the Lieutenant.

"I'm sorry if I offended you Commander. I was only curios. Have your fellow pilots received the invitation to the gathering in Poms?" Asked the Captain.

"They have sir, and they have accepted." Replied Tomoc. Still standing at attention and not showing any sign of, well, anything.

"At ease Commander. You may sit down if you wish."

Tomoc changed his stance to Parade Rest.

"I'll like to discuss your mission with us. From the reports I've read, your Squadron is an outstanding outfit. We're lucky to have you." Housen decided to pause to see if any reaction would appear on the Commanders face from the complement give. Nothing apart from "Thank you sir."

"Your Squadrons primary roles will be patrolling around the Devonport when we are engaged in construction or support, acting in concert with the Devonport when engaged in combat, Exploring adjacent sectors during patrols and the odd Recon mission behind the boarders of foreign hostile powers when the need arises. All of this is stuff that you and your squadron is very good at, and very experienced with I have no doubt." Said Housen, finding this conversation very uncomfortable and very one sided.

"Feel free to add to the conversation Commander Tomoc."

"Sorry sir. We are well suited and experienced in the tasks you've outlined." Said Tomoc, just before he stopped talking, and the silence was heavy. Housen leaned back in his chair and let out a heavy sign.

"What is it Commander? Given your accomplishments during the war, do you believe that the Devonport isn't worthy of you?"

That's it! Tomoc thought. Proof! Humans have to be Telepathic!

"I'm giving you a chance to speak freely Commander. Please do so. I asked you here so I could get to know my Squadron Leader one on one." Said Housen.

"I'm sorry sir. I don't mean any disrespect to you or this ship, but my fighter squadron is the best. This assignment isn't what I would describe as one that makes the most of our abilities."

"Don't worry Tomoc. I have a funny feeling that you're going to find this assignment very interesting. Would you join me for a drink in Poms? I have a few slips hidden away if he intends to charge everyone" Asked Housen.

"Thank you sir." Can you hear my thoughts captain?

"Excellent," said Housen as he stood from his chair and started walking round toward Tomoc. "Perhaps a casual environment with enable us to get to know each other better."

Your faking aren't you. I'll prove your all Physic.

"I wonder what this bar of Poms is going to look like?"

///

"How, in the name of every old god, prophet, and deity on Andor did I miss this bloody huge space!" Yelled Jolaw as he was lead into Poms, by Pom himself and a few of his Engineers that served under Pom during his watch. "I couldn't have missed this." Said Jolaw, a bit more calmly as he stood still in the doorway, blocking it, while going over the Devonports schematics in his head. "I didn't miss this space. It shouldn't be here. Explain very fast where this space came from." Ordered Jolaw in his most dangerous and commanding voice which never failed to intimidate his subordinates. He was pleased to see that Poms Engineering crew took a simultaneous and collective step back. Pom didn't. That meant that the next words to come from his mouth weren't going to anger Jolaw. They had both become very good at reading each others moods over the years.

"I changed your copy of the specs and made sure that everything in this area of the ship was always running a 100%. I wanted first dibs on the new bars name and its layout, and if you found it you would have taken over this little project with your usual enthusiasm. Sorry Boss." Finished Pom with a shrug.

"I want the correct specs in front of me in the next 10 seconds, and an Andorian Ale within the next 30. If these things don't happen my mood may be effected." Said the Andorian to no one in particular, in his cold voice that sent at least 6 engineers running to the bar. Pom just stood there and handed a Pad to Jolaw that he was hiding behind his back.

"Thanks." Said Jolaw, giving his second a side ways glare before walking out of the entrance in search for a place to sit.

"No decorations Pom?" asked Jolaw.

"Nope. I prefer this utilitarian feel, and adding additional bulkheads would mean more work for us and more materials, and if their ever were a problem with any of the equipment in here we won't have to get though a new wall to get to the problem."

As Jolaw looked around he could make out a corner of the auxiliary deuterium tank, a number of walls that were the outside of various rooms on decks 18 and 19, conduits snaking around all over the place, there was even a jefferies tude access a metre off the deck behind one of the bigger tables.

"I had to put this floor in of course, can't have people jumping from conduit to conduit. What did you think of the entrance?" Asked the Ferengi.

"That was very interesting, but is the restraining field really necessary?" Asked Jolaw as he thought back to the anti-gravity chute that brought him here from deck 18. "The hole seemed quite smooth and it wasn't very quick?"

"I know, but I thought better to err on the side of caution."

"Your drink sir." Said one of his engineers who walked up to him.

"Thanks Timmy. I can't see any replicaters at the bar, or anyone manning it for that matter. Where'd this drink come from?"

"The replicaters are on the ceiling sir." answered Timmy as he returned to his friends at the bar.

"Why are the replicaters on the ceiling Pom?"

"There were already power taps and computer interface nodes in the room above this area. We extended them, but then I came up with something that was a sheer stroke of enlightenment. I did away with the Barmen and decided to have the computer receive the order, create and believer the drinks and a few select snacks. Computer, Maintenance Lights." The ceiling was suddenly brightly lit making visible the 8 food replicaters that were attached to the ceiling and a pair of force field generators.

"Every table, and the bar, have audio pickups in them. You tell the computer what you want and the replicaters create it. The drink falls into a force field chute that leads to the table that the order was generated from and the Anti-grav field generator in the centre of each table slows the drink down until it lands softly in the centre of the table. Computer slime cola."

Jolaw looked up just in time to see the nearest replicater produce the canned drink. It fell straight down for a few feet and then started to change direction and fell towards the table where Jolaw and Pom sat. The drink started to slow down about a foot above the table and then landed softly.

"Very nice Pom. I like that." Said Jolaw.

"Thank you sir. Computer Maintenance Lights off. Here's the Captain. Who's the life of the party with him?"

"That my friend is our new Squadron Commander. Erick, over here." Called Jolaw as the captain looked about the new bar, and walked over at Jolaws call.

"Afternoon gents. Commander Tomoc, this is our Chief of Engineering, Lieutenant Commander Jolaw, and his second, Lieutenant Pom. Jolaw, Pom, this is Commander Tomoc, the Watchful Dragons Squadron Commander." Said Housen as he and Tomoc sat in the 2 seats left at the round table. "I notice you have a drink in your hand Jolaw. Where can I get one?"

"Tell the computer what you want Erick."

"Computer, Synthahol."

Jolaw and Pom tried to hide their smirks as the drink floated down and made their captain jump as he looked back over at Jolaw after looking around trying to find where his drink would come from.

"That is very cool. Did you come up with this Pom?"

"I did sir."

"Computer, Water." Said Tomoc as he ordered his own drink.

"So Tomoc, have you and your Squadron been anywhere interesting?" Asked Jolaw.

"Quite a few places…" Said Tomoc as he reached for his drink. "We were everywhere during the war. The Dragons were the first to engage the Dominion at Deep Space Nine. We were at the Chintocha offensive, we took part in several raids against them, and we were there at the end, over Cardassia. Then my Squadron was turned into a Recon outfit. We've preformed a number of reconnaissance missions in Breen, Cardassian, and Tholian territory. Now we're here."

"And with a track record like that we're glad to have you. With our weapons offline, Hito's been on edge expecting something to jump out and attack us. He finally stopped twitching when your Squadron came on board." Said Housen.

"Thank you sir. If you'll excuse me. My pilots just walked in." and with that Tomoc stood and walked over to one of the larger tables where 7 white jump suite clad figures where taking a seat.

"Are you alright sir?" Asked Pom. Concern all over his face.

"I am Pom. I reached a conclusion earlier, and it's the right conclusion, and no I'm not going to tell you what it is before you ask. I'll see you guys later." Said Housen as he finished his drink. "I have some work I want to finish before I go off watch."

///

"Ships Log Stardate 56898.0. Captain Erick Housen reporting. The Devonport has preformed above expectation on her first week of continuous flight. No defects have been reported, and no equipment has suffered a decrease in performance. The crew have melded together very quickly. Nearly all the crew are from one engineering back ground or another which has probably helped. The Fighter Pilots have also become very popular with the crew, open and very forth coming. At the moment, the Squadron is working with several of Scots engineers in their off duty time to put together a top notch Flight Simulation Holodeck. They're converting one of the empty cargo bays adjacent to the squadrons quarters. I've authorised the conversion for 2 reasons. 1, to allow the Squadron to maintain their fighting edge, and 2, this will allow the training of other crew members in the operation of our small fleet of auxiliary craft. I feel that the more people who are qualified to fly, the better, and a dedicated Flight Simulator outperforms the box standard rec model holodecks any day. As of yet, we haven't found a suitable area to test and calibrate our weapons and allow the Squadron to practise their drills. There is a large, depleted asteroid field an hour ahead that may suite our purpose. End Log."

"Commander. We're approaching the Asteroid Field." Said Lieutenant Yota.

"Thank you Lieutenant. Ensign Law, disengage Warp Engines and take us to Impulse." Ordered Commander Martin. "Captain. Please report to the Bridge."

"We are now at Impulse Commander. The Asteroid Field is Right Ahead." Said Law as Captain Housen exited his Ready Room.

"Report." Ordered Housen.

"We've dropped out of Warp and are approaching the Asteroid Field Lieutenant Yota detected. We are approaching optimum scanning range." Answered Martin as he stood from the Command chair.

"Very well Command. I have the Con. Okuda begin scanning when we are within range, report your findings to Yota, also hail the Ramoth." Finished Housen.

"Aye sir."

Housen moved over to the Command Chair and sat while Okuda got into contact with the Watchful Dragons Squadron Commander, who declined the offer of a cabin aboard the Devonport in favour of staying aboard his own ship.

"Ramoth is responding sir."

"On screen."

The star field was replaced by the stony face of Commander Tomoc. As crisp as ever.

"Afternoon Captain."

"Good Afternoon Tomoc. We're approaching an asteroid field that may be suitable for our weapon tests and joint manoeuvring exercises. We'll be conducting our analysis shortly, tell your squadron to prep for launch, I'll let you know shortly if this area is viable." Finished Housen.

"Understood Captain. We'll be standing by." Answered Tomoc and he cut the communications channel.

"We are within optimum scanner range. Feeding scanner results to Tactical." Said Okuda.

"I'm receiving the raw telemetry Okuda…" Said Yota. "Everything is slow moving out there. Some extremely large Asteroids are in the centre of the field, possible the beginning of a new pluton. Medium and small asteroids are moving in a very uniform orbit around the larger Asteroids. The Asteroids themselves are just ice and rock. I'm not detecting anything left that may be of value. Well there's nothing here that's going to test our Tactical Training, but it'll be good enough for our weapon tests." Finished Yota. Satisfied with his brief report.

"Good…" Said Housen leaning forward in his chair. "Time for a few drills I think…" Housen reached over and pressed the ship wide intercom. "All Hands! Battle Stations!" The Red Alert alarm sounded throughout the entire ship. Crewmen jumped up from what ever they were doing and started running to the assigned Battle positions aboard ship. Security officers where handing out weapons and securing sensitive areas of the ship in case of boarding. Engineers, where running around securing everything that contained potentially explosive material behind force fields and bringing auxiliary generators online so as to be able to increase power to where ever it might be needed. The Medical personal under Dr Samantha Prescot, equipped there emergency response personal and deployed them throughout the ship. The 15 Exocomps left their room or their assigned duty area and began deploying themselves throughout Engineering.

On the Bridge, Law primed every piece of manoeuvring equipment in order to send the Devonport in any direction in a second. Okuda activated and made ready sensor and communication jamming equipment. Paytec communicated orders to his crews, ordering them to secure everything in the Hanger Bay to prevent debris flying everywhere and to raise the Dragon Squadron into launch position. Yota activated his secondary and tertiary tactical sensor arrays readied the auto loaders in the forward and aft torpedo magazines, charged the Main Phaser Banks and PDPs, and activated the Devonports Primary shields and warmed up the secondary Shield Generator. Jolaw monitored his own crews, and monitored and adjusted the ships systems. Scot monitored his crews as well as they powered down the power hungry Industrial Replicators. Martin monitored the whole crew and the ships status. Making notes of where improvements could be made. Housen activated his tactical computer and brought up the tactical sensor scans on his screens and tried to hide a small smirk.

10 seconds after Housen ordered Battle Stations, Martin reported that the ship was ready for combat. Housen noted that before the war, 30 seconds would have been considered a good time.

"Very good Commander. Paytec status of the Dragons?" Asked Housen.

"The Fighters are in their launch positions, Pilots are aboard and I'm getting green lights from all of them." Reported Paytec.

"Open hanger doors. Housen to Dragons. Launch." Ordered Housen.

The Fighters activated their Impulse engines at full power and torn through the atmospheric force field, just as the Hanger Bay doors reached their open position. A second later the hanger crews closed and sealed the hanger bay doors.

"Devonport to Dragons, assume defensive formation Devonport Alpha."

The Fighters came about and headed for their assigned positions surrounding the Devonport. Everything went just as smoothly as it had during drills on the holodeck.

"Law, Ahead full Impulse. Take us into the field." Ordered Housen.

"Aye sir, Ahead full."

Housen entered commands into his console for a second.

"Yota, target the asteroid at 335 mark 290 degrees relative. Main Phasers."

"Target locked. Main Phasers ready."

"Fire." Ordered Housen.

A Red Lance erupted from the Devonports Forward Dorsal array, cutting into the asteroid and shattering it into hundreds of ship sized chunks and thousands of small pieces.

"Dragons, in formation target debris as it bears. Fire." Ordered Housen.

The Fighters that were surrounding Devonport stayed in formation but pivoted towards the expanding cloud of rocks and fired controlled, expert shots. Very few missing their target.

"Cease fire." Housen ordered. "Target bearing 158 mark 194 relative. Photon torpedoes."

"Target locked, Torpedoes loaded." Answered Yota.

"Shockwave sequence. Fire."

A pair of torpedoes were thrown from the Aft launcher and headed towards the next doomed asteroid. One torpedo pulled ahead of the other and impacted on the asteroid, destroying it. The second torpedo detonated at the same instant the first reached its target. The shockwave forced the resulting debris away from the Devonport.

This carried on for several hours. Housen ordering different weapon type to be employed in different way. The Starship and her Fighters rushing through the asteroid field performing different evasive manoeuvres and simulated attack runs against enemy asteroids.

"Weapons status?" Ordered Housen.

"Main Phasers are online. Operating at 83%. PDPs are online. Operating at 92%. 27% of our Photon Torpedo compliment has been expended. Shields are at 100% and have registered no impacts." Answered Yota, after briefly consulting his Tactical Console.

"Devonport to Ramoth. Status."

"All Fighters are at 100 %. Torpedo compliment at 25% squadron wide."

Housen reached over to the ship wide intercom and pressed the activation pad. "All Hands, Stand Down from Battle Stations. Good job people." Housen then deactivated the intercom. "Devonport to Ramoth. The ship will be moving out of the Asteroid Field and holding position for the next few hours while we go over the results of the drill. We'll be waiting for you when you finish you single ship exercises…" Housen nodded to Okuda and she de-activated the main audio outputs and pickups on the Bridge, but still listening to the Dragons herself in case they needed help. "Law take us out of the field, Half Impulse." Ordered Housen.

"Aye sir."

"Staff meeting in 30 minutes. Martin you have the Con." Housen stood up an exited the bridge to his Ready Room and started going over the just concluded drill information, after sparing a second to smile at the picture on his desk.

///

"Dragons, assume Rock formation on me and go silent." Ordered Tomoc over the encrypted communications channel.

"Ensign, deploy the Narrow Beam transmitter and prepare to transmit the search pattern to the fighters."

"Aye sir, deploying transmitter and retrieving search pattern parameters from secure memory." Answered the Bolian ensign sitting in the co-pilots seat.

"Transmit when ready along with a break countdown of 10 seconds from my mark. Mark." Ordered Tomoc.

"Transmitting."

The Watchful Dragon Squadron were now just drifting close to one of the medium sized asteroids in a formation that was designed to make the squadron look like another piece of debris on sensors. 10 seconds after receiving the Narrow Beam transmission, the formation broke up and each fighter took a different heading in a simulated Search and Rescue search pattern.

After the hours of combat exercises that Captain Housen just put them through, Tomoc had to admit, if only to himself, that he wasn't just another chauffeuring captain for the S.C.E. and the Devonport wasn't just another construction ship. The Devonport had teeth. After the first 10 minutes of the exercise Tomoc noticed that the jovial tone in the captains voice had vanished, and was replaced by a steely determination. The Devonports captain wasn't a stranger to combat. Tomoc decided that he would have to ask the captain about his combat record. The Female Ensign chose this moment to intrude on the Commanders thoughts.

"Sir. I'm detecting a faint energy signature in our Forward Starboard Quarter, Dorsal Hemisphere. I'm having trouble localising with all of this residual weapons energy." Said Ensign Knot, intently working her console.

"Understood Ensign. Continue trying to locate the source. I'm altering course to 333 mark 023."

The Cats Eye class ship, Ramoth changed course to head into the centre of what was their Upper Forward Starboard Quarter. The ship had to keep changing course to avoid asteroids, but Tomoc loosely followed the course he stated.

"I'm now tracking the energy source. Relative Bearing. 011 mark 353. 278 kilometres."

"Good. Send a short range burst transmission to the other Dragons. Fill them in and tell them to rendezvous with us."

"Aye sir."

Tomoc altered course to head for the energy source, Ensign Knot was preparing the contents of the burst transmission, the Ramoths position, her course and speed, and a brief description of the energy signature she found.

"Transmission ready."

"Transmit. We're approaching the source, anything new on sensors?" Asked Tomoc.

"No sir. We should be inside visual range. Wait…" Knot scrutinised her console further, trying to pick out pieces of information about her possible find.

"I've located a small metallic cylinder, about 2 metres long. No communications equipment. No sensors. No propulsion. From what I can tell it's just generating a small amount of energy."

"Launch a Dexterous Probe." Order Tomoc. "I'm going to hold position here."

"Aye sir. Probe away. Contact in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1... Contact. I have control of the probe." Knot turned to her right and started guiding the probe over the object. The video stream showed just what Knot described, a small grey cylinder. The readouts from the probe showed that only a small portion of the object was actually giving off the energy.

"I don't know what to make of this sir. I'd like to use the probes phaser to cut into the objects casing." Asked Knot.

"Go ahead."

Knot ordered the Probe to deploy its tiny phaser emitter and started to cut into the objects casing.

After a minute of careful direction, a small square of metal was removed from the object and left to float next to the probe. This happened just as the rest of the Watchful Dragons arrived and took up positions around Ramoth.

"I'm now getting sensor readings from inside the probe. It's a passive sensors array. There's also a Laser Transmitter directed towards the centre of the asteroid field. This doesn't make sense. A Laser Transmitter isn't a very practical way of communicating data across a large distances, especially in an asteroid field." Said Knot. Obviously getting a bit angry at this little puzzle that she found.

"Maybe who ever this belongs to does need the info in a hurry, and can afford to have the occasional transmission blocked, and unless you're in the path of the beam there's no means of communication that's more secure. How long will it take us to get to the centre of this asteroid field?" Asked Tomoc.

"About 14 hours sir." Answered the Ensign after consulting her console briefly.

"Too long. Launch a long term probe and have the Dexterous one collect the piece of the object you cut off. Prep a second long term probe as well. Have it fly to the centre of the field."

"Aye sir." Answered Knot as she again turned to the right and started giving orders to the probe out side.

"The Dexterous probe's on its way back with the segment of hull casing. I'm launching the first long term probe now." The probe shot passed the one returning and held position near the sensor.

"Second probe away." The next probe turned to Port and headed straight into the centre of the asteroid field.

"We're going to head back to the Devonport. Tell the other Dragons that we're going to practise our high speed bombing runs on the way out. Coms silence is no longer in effect." Ordered Tomoc.

"Aye sir."

On the way back to the Devonport, Tomoc orchestrated dosens of bombing runs against ever more challenging asteroids. When the Dragons exited the field, Tomoc asked Knot the take the helm and pilot Ramoth in for docking. Tomoc went into the Aft accommodation section and started composing his report for the Devonports captain, as the rest of his well drilled squadron automatically fell into formation for docking.

///

A few days later in a small office in a secure compound beneath the surface of Ceres, a number of important but unknown figures to galactic politics and security discussed the latest report to come across their desks concerning one of the many types of ship they want to make us of.

"All in all, I'd say the drills onboard the Devonport went very well. Her security forces responded with particular speed and efficiency."

"The response time of her crew isn't important. There's no guaranty that another crew will respond in the same way."

"Agreed. The potential for the ships class should be the main object of our discussion. Although they weren't tested the addition of 2 shield generators theoretically greatly adds to the vessels survivability both in combat and hazardous environments. Although the lack of armour is a cause for concern is the ship ever comes into contact with a race that possesses weapons that our shields aren't effective against."

"According to the weapons statistics, she is capable of wielding far more powerful armaments then what she currently has, despite her already obvious destructive potential."

"The amount of room in her hanger bay is also very interesting. The Devonport carries dosens of Tugs of varying types, and 50 workbees. As well as the usual assortment of shuttles and runabouts. These are obviously in place in order to facilitate her public role of construction ship, however, with out them she can carry several hundred Peregrines. With some time to prepare I believe she could carry a pair of Defiant Class Starships, and a sizable Fighter force."

"Our contact wanted us to research a class of ship that can act independently, and can sustain a large force for extended periods, but that isn't unknown to Starfleet. I believe the Harbour Class may be the vessel type he needs. Despite the extensive modifications the original plans will need."

"I agree. I will inform him."

The last speaker stood from his chair and looked around at those that were also seated around the lone table in this dimly illuminated room. The others stood as one and activated a hidden device implanted into the necks and they de-materialised, exiting the room that had no doors.

"Computer. Initiate the Slone Contact Algorithm."

///

"Captain, we are approaching the Black Cluster." Reported Ensign Law.

"Very good. Take us out of Warp. Housen to Engineering." Said Housen to the pickups in the ceiling.

"Go ahead Captain." Came the reply from Pom.

"Pom, we're approaching the Black Cluster, dampen all external fields and power down the warp engines, and where's Jolaw? Asked Housen.

"He left just a minute ago for the Bridge, he should be down there shortly." Finished Pom, and sure enough the turbolifts doors opened and Jolaw walked out and headed to his Engineering Alcove.

"His just arrived. Thanks Pom. Jolaw, I've just asked Pom to dampen our external fields and power down the warp engines." Said Housen as Jolaw activated his consoles and started monitoring the ships systems as they stood down from warp.

"That should smoothen the ride a bit more, but so long as we keep our shields down we shouldn't have a problem." Responded Jolaw.

"Law, plot a course to the drop-off coordinates, half impulse." Ordered Housen as he turned back around to face the view screen.

"Course plotted and laid in. Impulse engines ready."

"Engage".

The Devonport started moving ahead into the swirling dark mass.

"We have penetrated the anomaly. Sensor efficiency has dropped dramatically. Multiply sensor ghosts. I can't get any reliable readings." Report Okuda. "Sir, can you give me the software for the probe. I might be able to integrate it into our computer systems and clean up our sensors."

"Sorry Ensign. The probe doesn't have any software. What ever programming it uses is integrated into the probes computer hardware." Answered Housen.

"Why would SI need information about this thing kept secret. Everyone already knows about it." Commented Lieutenant Yota. "I still think it's a Spy Satellite."

"Be glad I'm not a spy. I might have had to kill you." Said Jolaw.

"Okuda. There's a very persistent ghost out there. Off our Starboard Bow. Can you confirm." Said Housen after consulting his console intently during the brief exchange on the Bridge.

"That's confirmed sir? It appears to be holding position close to the coordinates where we're to drop off the probe. It should be in visual range in about 20 minutes."

"I want an ID for what ever it is as soon as possible. If SI wants what ever that thing is studied, it can't be too friendly." Said Housen.

"Captain, what about tying our systems into that of the probes. Can we scan with the probe and view its results?" Asked Okuda.

"Nope. There isn't a coms array to content to, and the one physical data link is protected by god knows how many fail safes and security protocols. You'll have to do your best with the Devonports sensor suite."

"Captain, I might be able to get a basic silhouette from the object when a wave front passes it." Said Yota.

"Do it."

"Scanning…" Said Yota who then concentrated intently on his console for a few minutes, as the Devonport continued to close on their Drop-off position. "Sir. The computer has matched the silhouette to a Breen Destroyer."

"Bloody Hell!" Muttered Housen. "Law all stop." Housen then reached over and activated the intercom. "All Hands. Battle Stations. Yota keep the shields down. Okuda, open a channel to the Ramoth." Ordered Housen as the Red Alert siren started sounding.

"Aye sir, Channel open."

"Tomoc this is the Captain. Ready your fighters for launch. They are not to raise their shields for any reason. Acknowledge." Said Housen, who then sat and waited for a reply.

"Acknowledged sir. Keep shields down Aye." Came the response over the com.

"Paytec, this is Housen. Raise the Fighters to their launch positions, and stand by the hanger doors."

"Aye sir. Standing by." Answered Paytec from the hanger bay.

"Okuda, has the Breen Ship showed any signs of noticing us?" Asked Housen as he sat forward in his chair, eyes glued to the view, trying in vain to punch through the mass of dark colours.

"Negative sir, but then again we can only make out their position. I can't get anything on their status."

"We should proceed as if they know about us, and that they're combat ready. They have attacked every Allied ship they've come across since the war." Commented Martin. "Agreed, we can't deploy the probe with them watching. They'll simply destroy or capture it. We can't go in and ask them to leave, since the Breen haven't answered any hails since the war, and we don't have a claim on this area anyway. Looks like we're going to have to play the waiting game. Law, come about. Half Impulse."

"Coming About."

As Law started to input the commands into his console the ship was pushed slightly causing everyone to grab hold of their arm rests or consoles.

"Easy Law."

"Sorry sir, but it wasn't me." Said Law as he went over his console checking the commands he put in.

"Captain, I believe that may have been caused by our weapons. The slight energy field they generate when active must be interacting with the wave fronts when they pass." Said Jolaw as he consulted with his console.

"It's also made us visible to the Breen. They are on an intercept course. ETA 10 minutes." Said Yota.

"Law, Full Impulse. Get us out of this thing. Yota ready Shields."

"Full Impulse Aye." Responded Law.

"Shields Standing by." Responded Yota.

"Okuda Hail them."

"Aye sir."

As Housen waited to see if the Breen would answer, he swung his console round and started going over the tactical information on the Breen Destroyer ship type.

"I can't get a good signal through this mess. They may have heard us and not replied, or they may not have heard us." Said Okuda, while still trying to get a decent signal out.

"Understood. Hail them again as soon as they exit the anomaly." Ordered Housen.

"We are exiting the anomaly now." Reported Law.

"Raising Shields." Reported Yota.

"The Breen ship will be exiting the anomaly in 5 minute." Report Okuda.

"Maintain course and speed." Said Housen as he started working out attack patterns and defensive soft spots on the Breen ship after having gone over the tactical data.

"Sir. The Breen ship has exited the anomaly. I'm attempting to hail them."

"Understood. Law Come About, and hold position." Ordered Housen.

"Coming About. Aye."

"Sensors indicate that their weapons are active." Reported Yota.

"They haven't responded to Hails." Reported Okuda.

"Holding position."

"Open a Channel." Ordered Housen as he stood and walked into the centre of the Bridge.

"Channel open sir."

"Breen vessel. This is Captain Erick Housen of the Federation Starship Devonport. If you attempt any hostile act against this ship, we will defend ourselves."

Housen turned to face Okuda and flicked his index finger across his throat as a signal to close the Channel.

"Channel closed."

Housen moved back over to his command chair and activated the ship wide button.

"All hands brace for combat." He deactivated the com as he sat back into his chair. "Paytec, Housen. After the initial pass, launch the fighters. Ramoth, Housen. We're outside the anomaly. After launch hit their engines hard. Then move out of range, and harass them when ever you see the opportunity."

"Aye sir."

"Understood captain." Came the replies.

"Law Full Ahead straight towards them. On my mark, full Port lateral and keep our bow on them." Ordered Housen.

"Aye sir, Full Ahead. Inputting manoeuvring data now."

"They fire first Yota. Respond with torpedoes and phasers. Just give them a good knock."

"Aye sir. 10 seconds to firing range."

The Devonport tore towards the Breen ship. Teeth ready. The curved crescent and centre sections that made up the Breen ship were getting bigger on the Main View Screen, and 10 seconds later green fire was thrown towards the Federations Starship.

"Incoming fire. Responding." Reported Yota.

Orange stars and Red lances of fire burst from the Devonports Forward weapons arrays before the shields were even hit.

The Bridge rocked violently as the initial attack from the Breen hammered into the larger grey ships shields. Through the initial attack, Housen stared at his console as it showed him the actions of his target so that he would know when his first manoeuvre would need to be called into service.

The 2 starships continued to pound away at each other as they tore towards each other in open space.

Okuda screamed as her console exploded, sending pieces of the console into her face, neck and chest. Housen, remained intent on his console.

"Their starting to veer to Port."

"Now Law!" Ordered Housen.

"Aye."

"Medical team to the Bridge." Ordered Martin over the Intercom.

The Breen ship turned to avoid a collision, the Devonport shot sideways to port while the ships bow remained pointing at the Breen ship.

"We're on their tail sir." Reported Law.

"Ramoth, Housen Launch. Yota hold fire."

The Watchful Dragon Squadron burst from the Bow of the Devonport like bullets from a gun. They immediately starting hammering away at the Breen ship with their Pulse Phases and Mini Torpedoes. Closing the distance between them and the Breen ship all the time.

"Report."

"Our Bow shields are down too 79%. The Breens Bow shields are at 53%. The Dragons have reduced their Aft shields to 57% already." Reported Yota.

"Minor structural damage to the outer hull. Nothing serious. Damage control teams are responding." Reported Jolaw.

"Okuda is the only injury.." Said Martin who was treating her with the Bridges Medical Kit. "Medics are on their way."

"What's the Dragons status?" Ordered Housen.

"Continuous bombardment of the Breens Ships Aft shields. Now at 41%."

"The Breen ship is coming about!" Said Law.

"Dragons! Brake!" Ordered Housen over the Com. "Load Quantums, bring their shields down."

"Aye sir."

After a pause, to allow Yota to do his job. "Fire!"

Blue stars shot from the Devonport heading straight towards the Breen ship. As they impacted against their shields the ship visibly shock, under the assault. Their shields flared and then collapsed after the 3rd impact.

"PDPs. Hit their weapon hard points." Ordered Housen. Just as the Medical team entered the Bridge and headed towards Martin who was waving them over.

"Aye sir. Firing.

The Point Defence Phasers unleashed a storm of Pulse Phaser fire onto the unshielded Breen warship. The Defensive and highly accurate weapons originally designed to take out the massed firing of Dominion High Yield Torpedoes, were now trashing the weapons on the Breen ship.

"Their Port Lateral Array is destroyed. We'll need to move into a new position in order to take out the rest." Reported Yota.

"Sir. The Breen vessel is moving away at ¼ impulse power. I don't believe her warp engines are still online." Reported Law.

"Stay in weapons range and match speed. Martin, scan them. What's their status?" Asked Housen, as the Medics waved an assortment of interesting humming tools over Okudas face.

"They don't have warp. They only have their Bow Weapons Array online. Their Impulse engines are fine, it's the plasma exhaust that's been damaged. They either go slowly or their engines explode. Other than that their ship is structurally sound." Reported Martin.

"Captain, we need to take Ensign Okuda to sickbay. She'll require surgery to remove the remaining fragments from her eyes and then repair them." Said one of the Med tecs.

"Understood. Tell Dr Prescot I want to be kept informed."

"Yes sir."

"Yota, tell the Fighters to stand by. Martin. Open a Channel to the Breen." Ordered Housen.

"Channel open sir."

"Breen Vessel. Stand down your weapons immediately and prepared to be transported into our detention facilities. Respond."

"Sir, the Breen vessel is coming about, and she's increasing speed. I'm detecting a huge pressure build up in their exhaust manifold." Reported Martin.

Housen practically hit the com system integrated into his Command Chair.

"Dragons, move behind them and finish off their engines." He cut the connection a little more gently. "Yota PDPs, take out their Bow weapons array as they come around."

"Jolaw, route additional field power forward." Said Martin.

Once again the too ships stood facing each other. Racing towards each other at a much more sedate pace. Disrupter fire once again slammed into the forward shields of the Devonport, but almost immediately after one disrupter bank fired it exploded as the Devonports Forward PDP arrays tore into each one of the unprotected weapons.

The Watchful Dragons Fighter Squadron had taken this opportunity to move behind the Breen ship and started to surgically cut into the engine casing of the Breen ship, which was now taking fire from both Ahead and Astern.

"Their weapons are gone. So are their engines." Reported Yota. "Our shields are holding."

"Ready the Brig, and have your security forces on alert. Close to within transporter range. Power up the tractor beam."

A string of Aye sirs, followed. Then a flurry of activity as orders were sent to other people across the ship.

The Main Detention facility was activated and a squad of armed security personal arrayed in front of it, and the rest of the security division on standby. Law slowed the Devonports progress and came to a halt a thousand metres from the Breen Ship. Martin asked for additional power from Jolaw and activated the tractor beam, holding the Breen Ship and arresting its tumble.

Housen reached over and pressed the intercom.

"Transporter Rooms. Lock onto every life sign on that ship and transport them to the Detention area. Make sure that every piece of equipment they may be carrying is left in the transporter buffer. Doctor Prescot, send some medical teams to the Detention area and expect Breen casualties." Housen deactivated the com and turned towards Yota. "Ready a boarding party. Secure that ship. I want every inch searched for any traps. Jolaw, when Yota deems it safe you and your engineers are to power down everything on that ship, after copying everything from their computers into secure storage."

"Transporter Room 1 to the Bridge. We're finished with our transports captain. No more life signs are on that ship." Said the Transporter Chief.

"Understood Chief. Get me the Dragons."

"Opening a channel." Reported Martin

"Tomoc. I want your Fighters patrolling around our present position. You are going to escort one of our tugs back into the anomaly and deploy the Probe, while we secure the Breen Ship." Ordered Housen.

"Understood sir."

"Paytec, Housen. Ready a Tug. It's going to deploy the probe. Then make as much space in the Hanger as possible. I intend to secure the Breen ship and take it to a Starbase."

"Understood sir. I'll need the Ships dimensions." Responded Paytec.

"I'll transmit them to your office in a few minutes."

"Aye sir."

"Commander you have the Con. I'll be in my ready room." Said Housen as he stood and walked towards the Ready Room doors. "I want a complete damage report within the hour."

///

"The Breen ship is secure in our hanger. Yotas people found a partial activated self-destruct sequence on the Breens Bridge, apart from that there were no signs of sabotage." Reported Martin an hour later in the Captains Ready Room. "The power down went without incident. Jolaw, reports that Okudas console exploded because of a faulty power coupling in her console, it's something we would have found eventually, but with trying to complete the shake down into 3 weeks instead of 6 months, caused it to be over looked. The Exocomps have repaired the minor hull damage we sustained during the battle. E3 has proposed some addition reinforcement for the outer hull, it and Jolaw are readying a proposal for you and the Harbour class design team. The probe was deployed without incident, and reportedly functioning properly. All craft have been retrieved." Finished Martin who was sitting across from the captain, who was listening at his desk.

"Very good Commander, I've talked to Command and we're to drop off the Breen Ship at Starbase 207. We're to meet up with another starship on route to transfer the prisoners, who will then be delivered back into Breen custody. Command hopes this incident will deter further Breen aggression for a while. When will Doctor Prescot be presenting her report?"

"I don't know sir. She was suppose to be here, but hasn't…" Martins comment was cut off by the door chime.

"Enter." Said Housen, and the doors opened to admit the Devonports CMO. She entered the Ready Room with a shyness that was fast becoming the doctors known for thing, and caused Housen to suppress a smirk. Samantha Prescot, is a smallish woman, at about 5 feet tall. She has short blonde hair, very dark blue eyes, and was clad in her professions traditional white work coat over her Starfleet uniform that had on its collar lieutenant pips.

"Sorry I'm late captain…" She started, as she walked into the Ready Room. "I asked the turbolift to take me to deck 1. I'm still getting use to the Bridge on this ship being on the bottom. I have my report on Debbie and the Breen for you." Said the Doctor, who was now standing before the Captains desk holding her report.

"Very good doctor. Martin you are dismissed. Set course for Starbase 207."

"Aye sir." Martin then got up and walked out of the Ready Room and onto the Bridge.

"Have a seat Sam. Please give me your report."

"Yes sir…" Said Prescot as she took the recently vacated seat opposite the Captain. "Okuda will be just fine sir. I've removed the few remaining fragments that couldn't be removed on the Bridge and repaired the damage they did to her eyes. She's been cleared her for her next Bridge watch, but to call me if her eyes give her any trouble. Unfortunately the Breen aren't as good a success story. 3 died after transport due to the extensive injuries they had sustained. A further 12 were left dead on board their ship. The ones with minor injuries have received medical attention and are still in the Brig. I've moved the critically injured that are still left to sickbay, the Breen doctor wasn't injured and offered his services. His helping in sickbay, with an escort. Yota, assigned 4 actually. They are taking up a bit of space Captain. I'd like at least 2 of them gone."

"Understood, I'll tell Yota that 2 of his personal are to be reassigned out of your sickbay."

"Thank you sir. In total 26 Breen are alive onboard, 4 in critical condition. 22 non-critical. 15 dead. The Breen doctor has been asking me if we'll allow them to perform a burial ceremony, he'd like their senior officer to speck with you." Finished the doctor.

"Thank you doctor. Tell the Breen Medic I'll go to the Brig and meet with their senior officer about any burial arrangements. How has their mood been?" Asked the Captain.

"I'm not sure sir. I can't really figure out what any of them are feeling. No facial expression, although their body language is quite pronounced. We can't remove the face masks, or their suites. We can't even beam them out of them, but somehow they don't impede any surgery. It's really weird. I've been able to gather a mountain of medial info about them, but what their skin looks like is something I can't tell you."

"Oh well. Continue with your work. The senior officers will be meeting in Poms after this watch. I'd like you to come along." Offered Housen. "You've become quite popular with the rest of the staff."

"Really. I had no idea. Sure I'll be there. Poms has become a pretty major place to gather since it opened. I love that falling drinks thing."

"Good I'll see you there then, dismissed." Said Housen.

"See you later sir." Said Prescot as she got up and left the Ready Room, a little more confidence in her step, that Housen knew would gradually subside.

"I'm going to have to work on her a bit. Being confident in just her sickbay, may not be enough." Said Housen to the picture on his desk after the doors to the Bridge had closed behind Doctor Prescot.

///

"I am Captain Housen. Who among you is the senior officer?" Captain Housen was standing before the Brig on deck 21. In the middle of the extensive security area on board the Devonport that took up a good percentage of this deck. In the holding cell in front of him were 12 Breen. Their body language very telling about their situation. Slumped, heads down. At the sound of Housens voice, all the Breen looked up at him. One stood and moved towards the force field, and started speaking in the Breen barking like language.

"I am 5th." He said. Stopping about 2 feet from the force field.

"I'm here to discuss the situation of your dead. I'll allow you to visit the bodies in small groups under supervision, but I can't let all of your people congregate in private, for any type of ceremony that you may wish to perform." Said Housen.

"Understood." Said the Breen.

"I'll keep the bodies preserved and make sure the starship we transfer you to do as well. Is there any thing we should or shouldn't do that may cause offence to the deceased?"

"No." Replies the Breen.

"Understood." Said Housen who then turned and exited the Brig. So much for getting any information about their culture.

///

"Hey Erick. Did you find out anything interesting about our guests?" Asked Jolaw as Housen walked over to the `command` table in Poms.

"Not a damn thing. Not that I was willing to press them for information considering my reason for going down there." Said the captain as he pulled out a chair and sat down, deliberately, not, sitting in the chair at one of the ends of the unadorned metal table.

"I still think it's a bad idea to let them go. We should keep them in custody and question them all in depth." Said Hito. His been a little bit sulky since command sent orders to the Devonport that the Breen weren't to be interrogated. "They attacked us, for Christs sake. It's not like we don't have cause."

"This will send a message to the Breen Government, that's just as clear, and the complete opposite, of what would be sent by holding their people." Said Housen. "We're not your enemy. No amount of secret information we may get from our prisoners would out weight that message. If we can get that message across and they bother to listen."

"The Breen won't listen. They never listen."

"If you can be more cynical, please don't let me know. Warn me as well if you're going to start ranting about crap. Captain, where's Doctor Prescot?" Asked Debbie. After making sure that Hito understood that Debbie was becoming slightly annoyed with his continuous bad opinion of ever one and every thing.

"I don't know, she's usually here by now, and I made a point of inviting her this evening." Said Housen.

"I want to thank her again. I think she mended my eyes terrifically. When I look in the mirror I swear they are a little shinier then before."

"No. That's just your usually charm." Said Jolaw. A little affectionately since everyone but Debbie turned and starred at him. "Hmm. Bro, what do you think?"

"About what?" Said Law. Not even turning around from starring longingly at what has become the `Dragons` table.

"Debbies eyes after the treatment to have them repaired." Said Jolaw, getting a bit exasperated.

"What, aren't they in her head anymore?" Said Law. At which point Jolaw slapped him round the back of the head.

"Please excuse my brother Deb. His an idiot."

"He is, but I don't think that's his current problem. Sorry I'm late everyone." Said Doctor Prescot as she sat down beside Debbie. "I think his a little infatuated."

"His still an idiot. Do you even know her name Pete?" Asked Jolaw.

"No."

"Which young lass has caught our Mr Laws eye Jo?" Asked Scot after draining the glass of whiskey in front of him.

"Her names Lowe Tara. She's the Bajorian Redhead." Answered Jolaw.

"Oh. I see her. She seems a bit withdrawn, sitting at the end of the Dragon table, not really talking a lot to her fellow pilots."

"She was only assigned to the Dragons a little over 2 months ago, to bring them back up to strength after combat losses. According to Tomoc, she's a great pilot, just shy out side of her fighter. His worried that he may have to try and replace her if she can't overcome her shyness." Commented Housen.

"I don't recall any problems with her during drills, or against the Breen." Said Yota.

"It's not her ability as a Fighter Pilot that's the problem. It's the Recon element that's the problem, she's hesitant on the ground."

"I like her." Piped in Law. "The shyness makes her vulnerable, and if I can get close to her, she may decide that I'm the one who can protect her, plus she flys like a possessed Banshee." Finished Law. Not turning around once.

"And if she couldn't fly, I bet you wouldn't have even noticed her." Said Debbie.

"How long until we reach the Starbase?" Asked Samantha.

"Another 2 days. Paytec. How's our prize doing?" Asked Housen.

"Fine sir, Computer Kanar." Said Paytec as he sat at the last free chair at the command table. "The ship just fitted though the doors. We've had to move a lot of material into spare cargo bays, and a few ships had to be transported to the larger SCE work floors, thanks again Scot." Said Paytec as he reached over and picked up his gooey drink. "We don't have access to 3 of our tugs and half our bees until the Breen ship is off of the Deck access to the SCE areas."

"Understood. We shouldn't need then until we reach 207 anyway." Answered Housen.

"What the Hells wrong with Law?"

"Don't ask."

///

"You and your crew are to be commended Captain. The Breen ship appears to be of recent construction. It maybe of immense importance to Starfleet Intelligence." Said Admiral Hopkins, the senior Officer at Starbase 207. At present he is sitting across from Housen in the Captains Ready Room. "I have your new orders from command." Said Hopkins as he handed Housen a Pad. "You're to follow a patrol route along the Breen, Cardassian, and Romulan borders. This patrol will end at Batazed, where you are to assume command of the construction efforts for a new Starbase and system wide defence grid. I also understand that your Fighter Squadron deployed a pair of long term probes in an asteroid field where you conducted your weapons trials. At your Closest Point of Approach to that field I want you to send your Recon squadron to retrieve those probes, myself and others have concerns about what's going on inside that field. We would like our fears either confirmed or put to rest. You are to contact me and me alone when you have the data." Finished the Admiral as he stood and prepared to exit Housens Ready Room.

"Admiral. What do you think maybe going on inside that field?" Asked Housen as he too stood. "I don't want to send my Pilots in to any situation where they don't have all the facts."

The Admiral breathed out a sigh and turned to face Housen.

"That entire Asteroid Field has changed shape over the last 40 years. Its current form is to uniform to be natural and considering the speed at which the field changed shape… Someone has changed that Asteroid Field for some purpose, and if I'm right, your Fighter Squadron may have gotten you involved in an internal Starfleet struggle that has been raging since Starfleet was founded. We need that information Captain." After that the Admiral turned to the door and left the Ready Room without another word.

Housen sat back into his chair and sighed as he reached over to activate the com unit in his desk.

"Commanders Martin, Tomoc, and Lieutenant Commanders Jolaw, and Scot. Report to my Ready Room immediately."

"That is a sobering thought. I had no idea about any type of internal struggle inside Starfleet. Who's who in this struggle?" Asked Jolaw after Housen briefed the 4 officers in the room about Hopkins suspicions and the Dragons assignment.

"I don't know. What can you tell me about the hull casing Tomoc recovered." Asked Housen. "It's possible a clue to our mystery agency is in it."

"Well apart from being a very odd assortment of materials, all of which are known to Federation science, there isn't much to tell. Because of the materials involved, creating this metal is very time consuming, and it's sensor nullifying properties are a direct result of this combination of materials. I would say that whoever created this substance is very patient, and is in a very secure position to be able to wait for this stuff to be developed and then manufactured." Said Scot.

"I want you to submit a complete report to me as soon as you've finished your analysis."

"Understood sir. I've had this project on the back burner for the last couple of weeks, I'll make it a priority."

"Good. Tomoc. Get your pilots as good as they can be, for manoeuvring inside asteroid fields. Plan for every possible contingency."

"Very good sir."

"Martin, brief the rest of the Bridge crew and prepare for departure. I want us ready to go in an hour."

"Yes sir."

"You are all dismissed."

"Yes sir."

To be continued.

Note: Cats Eye class vessels were made up by Richard A. Merk. Writer of `Banshee Squadron`.