Chapter Seven
Marrissa laid on her back staring up at the ceiling of her temporary quarters. On a nearby chair was the carelessly tossed uniform she'd taken off to take her shower. The towel she'd dried off with was at the foot of the bed. She'd managed to find the effort to put on a pair of panties before she collapsed on the bed, but no more. She was completely drained. Her tears had run out under the hot water in the shower. She wanted to cry more, but no more tears would come, even with Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings playing in the background.
She was worthless, unworthy, and unfit. Her post was no doubt taken from her. Her reputation was now that of the little girl who couldn't hack it. She was the girl who had broken under pressure, light pressure, infinitesimal pressure. She couldn't even cry about it anymore!
The door chime intruded into her musing. "Go away," she responded. It chimed again. "I said go away!" Instead of chiming again, her door slid open.
In the door stood Jay Gordon in his dress whites. In his right hand was a bouquet of red roses. He stepped into the room and the door slid closed behind him. "Sorry about barging in on you, but I'd heard that you needed cheering up ... and judging from the tune I hear playing, I'd say the rumor I heard was correct. Computer, replace Adagio with Sitok's Vulcan Lute Concerto in C Major Opus Hundred Fifty-two."
"Lieutenant Jay Alan Gordon," Marrissa growled. "Get out of my room."
"No, I brought flowers," Jay said, finding vase to put the roses in.
Marrissa's growl deepened as she scrambled for something to cover herself. "Jay, I'm nearly naked." There was the towel on the foot of her bed.
"So it seems," Jay said looking at her with an impish grin. "I've seen you in less. It's usually more flattering on you than that towel." Marrissa snapped him with the towel. "Ow!"
Marrissa glared at him as she wrapped the towel around her. "You're not leaving, are you?" The question was presented as a fact. Marrissa couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. She tried to stare at him, with her iciest glare.
"No, I'm not, Marrissa," Jay said, staring right back with those blue eyes. "We made a pact years ago to be there for each other when either of us had a hard time."
Marrissa felt his eyes opening up her, and turned away, averting her gaze from his eyes. He'd been there before, when her parents died, and she had pushed him away, locked herself in the Captain's Ready Room. He had still persisted. She could tell he wasn't going away now. "You heard about the Lieutenant," the statement was dry, emotionless. Captain Washington couldn't have done better.
"Harkeness? Yes," Jay said, sitting down beside her on the bed. "Two meters tall, a hundred and seventy kilograms, built like a mountain. He probably could intimidate Captain Portinmire, much less a girl a half a meter shorter and a third his weight."
"He told me I didn't deserve to be a Lieutenant Commander," Marrissa said, feeling Jay's arm going around her shoulders. "I probably don't deserve to be even an Ensign." She shrugged him off for a moment. She didn't want his affection at the moment.
"I think plenty of people disagree with that, Marrissa," Jay said. His hand had snuck back up and was kneading her left shoulder.
"I don't think so," Marrissa said, her voice choked with emotion.
"Computer, citation for presentation of Ensign's rank for Marrissa," Jay said, moving behind Marrissa.
The computer read, "Citation on Stardate 47620 accompanying the presentation of the rank of Ensign conferred on Marrissa Picard, as recorded by Admiral Necheyev, Star Fleet Operations: Seldom do we discover such talents at such a young age. Seldom, even when we discover tactical talent like young Marrissa at the normal time, does that person show it in such a visible manner. Let it not be said that Star Fleet lets such talent get away. I can think of no more deserving young girl to hold the title of Star Fleet's Youngest Ensign."
"That was years ago, Jay," Marrissa said, blushing as Jay started massaging her shoulders.
"So, you need the what have I done lately, your royal highness," Jay said, in a mockingly stern tone. Marrissa shot her left elbow back at his ribs. "Ow! You're dangerous with that elbow." Marrissa knew he was smiling despite her elbowing. She was glad he was behind her because that grin of his was infectious. "I could go on, siting entry after entry in your record, both promotion and awards. No one is going to forget the Seventh Fleet, for instance, any time soon, but I don't think I need to go that far, do I?"
"Not really," Marrissa said. Jay's careful massaging of her shoulders really felt good. "But you can't deny some people don't think I deserve what I have."
"No I can't," Jay said, as his hands on her shoulders drew a moan from her body. "But those who count think you do. Even the Stargazer's noncoms like you and think you deserve what you have."
"Really?" Marrissa squeaked. She was surprised that she had squealed out like that.
"Yes, they tell me so when I eat in their mess," Jay said, kneading her shoulders. "You really could use a full massage, Marrissa. You're tense."
"Are you offering?" Marrissa asked. She knew Jay was good at them, as he'd given her one before, after Commander Riker had arranged the training, but it had been a while.
"Of course," Jay said. "It should be just the thing to pass the time until Dinner. Now, lay down on your belly, please."
Marrissa obeyed and soon her depression melted away as Jay massaged out the knots in her back. The towel slid off as he worked lower on her back, but it felt good, so she let Jay continue as she listened to the calm work of Sitok Jay had chosen. It nearly lulled her to sleep. Jay's massage, she decided, was the most pleasant way she'd spent an hour in years.
...
Captain Portinmire had chosen to host his dinner in the Captain's Dining Room. It was a room that he didn't use much, but it had been on the plans of every starship since before NX-01. His guest list had enlarged a bit since he'd originally made the decision, and everyone was beginning to arrive. His own crew didn't expect a greeting as they meandered in, but he would greet the two from the Stargazer.
His first officer arrived first, of course. Antonio considered that a duty of the First Officer. As usual his dress uniform had a couple small spots of oil paint on it. Otherwise, his uniform was impeccable. He brought in the just finished painting of the Stargazer and placed it in the vacant space on the port side wall. It would remain there until Captain Washington was presented with it.
Next to arrive was his Chief of Security. Lieutenant Commander Pinot had his usual PADD with him. The Vulcan was the tallest of his officers, at exactly two meters tall. He appeared to be working on intruder defense plans, based on the brief glance of the PADD that Portinmire had. Pinot was never satisfied with any plan until he had to use it.
Those were the only crew members that he'd invited, mainly at his First Officer's suggestion. Originally he'd planned to have just himself and Lieutenant Commander Picard dining tonight, but Antonio had made a convincing case. A young officer like Picard could clam up if it was left to just one on one. So, he'd bowed to inviting his First Officer and Chief of Security, even if it meant that the Chef would serve that odorous Vulcan soup, and the squash risotto his first officer would have ...
The door opened to reveal his final two guests for dinner. Lieutenant Jay Gordon had obviously led Lieutenant Commander Marrissa Picard here. True, it was her arm that was demurely linked inside his, but he stepped forward first. Both were dressed in their dress whites, perfectly arranged.
Portinmire focused his attention on Lieutenant Gordon at first, as the Lieutenant made the courtesy acknowledgment of those higher in rank already in the room. He would be the lowest ranked officer at the table. The Lieutenant was fourteen, and stood just 163 centimeters high. His blond hair was short, but not buzz short. It was cut with bangs across the front, enhancing the Lieutenant's young appearance. He didn't know the Lieutenant. It was clear that the Lieutenant was a long time friend of Lieutenant Commander Picard. It took only a glance at their respective records and a molecule of intelligence to put that together.
His glance shifted to Lieutenant Commander Picard as the Lieutenant pulled out the chair for her. Where as the Lieutenant had made no effort either way to disguise his age, Picard had. Star Fleet Uniforms did not make it easy to do this. Unlike when he'd last seen her, her pony tail had been replaced by a tight French braid. There was just a hint of lipstick on her lips, as well. Her overall appearance, Portinmire judged, was that of a competent officer, and her record seemed to bear that out.
"Marrissa, I trust that you got the pips I sent Ensign Bates to return to you," Portinmire said, intentionally beginning to put the meal on a first name basis, at least among those not yet Captain.
"Yes, sir," Marrissa said.
"Good," Portinmire said as the Chief came in and began delivering the pre-ordered dishes. His own fried chicken wings with sides of potatoes and green beans were delivered first, of course. He did not start immediately, but instead bowed his head in prayer. His First Officer and Chief of Security both didn't do this, but they waited until he picked up his fork before they started. Portinmire noted that Marrissa had also bowed her head in prayer, moving her lips as she did so. Jay had not.
For a bit they ate in silence. As he had expected, both Marrissa's and Jay's table manners were perfect. He'd expected no less from officers who grew up as Star Fleet brats. While the Picard name wasn't yet one of the Fleet Families, Gordon was. That linage boasted an officer who survived a Cadet Cruise with Kirk.
"Marrissa, I heard the other day that you've found that the Stargazer's design has been limiting deployment options," Portinmire said.
"Yes, sir," Marrissa said, in a pause between bites of her buttered noodles.
"Elaborate, please." Portinmire said, before finishing the last bite of his chicken.
"Any ship with a single bay will limit options based on placement," Marrissa said, placing her fork neatly aligned on her napkin. "The forward facing bay of the Stargazer makes it ideal for deployment of a fighter screen when a task force arrives at a destination. However in a convoy situation, especially when the Stargazer is in the point position, a rear facing bay works better. A rear facing bay also works better for dropping off wings on assigned tasks. With a forward facing bay, the Stargazer has to pause and alter course during launch some times."
"Then placing the Stargazer at point isn't making the best use of her," Antonio said. "Would you agree with that, Jay?"
"Yes, sir," Jay said, before swallowing a rather large forkful of beans.
"We'll have to consider that in deployments, Antonio," Portinmire said. The carriers were new to his and most all of Star Fleet's experience. It appeared that he was going to have to study them just a little bit more. At least he had two people who had or where currently filling the Fighter Commander role to question. Washington was a fair Captain, but it was clear that the two teens were really the tactical brain of the Stargazer.
"Red Alert, all hands to Battle Stations!" the computer announced.
Everyone quickly stood up, tossing their silverware onto their plates.
"Picard, I want you on the Bridge," Portinmire ordered, walking around the table towards the door. "You'll call the launch of Gordon's wing of fighters. How soon can they launch?"
"Three minutes, tops," Jay said, exiting the room with the other officers. "I didn't leave them on hot standby."
"That will have to do," Portinmire said, as Jay split off to run towards the Indefatigable's shuttle bay. The turbolift doors opened and he and the remaining officers entered. "Bridge." He glanced over at Picard. She stood erect and posed to exit onto the Bridge as soon as the turbolift doors opened.
...
The turbolift doors parted, and Marrissa got her first view of the Indefatigable's Bridge. It was perhaps a typical Excelsior Class Starship Bridge of its time, save the transparent plotting screen at the rear of the Bridge. The Stargazer had a similar one in the fighter operations center behind the hanger bay. Captain Portinmire took his place in the center seat replacing a Lieutenant. The Lieutenant moved to take the station to the Captain's left, but the Captain shook his head.
"Lieutenant Commander Picard, take Fleet Ops," Portinmire ordered as Commander Luciani took the First Officer's traditional seat to the Captain's right.
Marrissa quickly reviewed her screen. The Indefatigable was at point. The Saber Class Light Cruiser Division was split evenly on the wings of the formation. The Dagger and Bodkin were to port, and the Wakizashi and Dirk on the starboard. The Stargazer was at the rear, with the Scouts Davey Crockett and Sacagawea closing in from port and starboard, respectively. In the middle of the formation were the six cargo vessels which comprised the Squadron's current mission. The formation was a perfect as you could get to begin a battle. It wouldn't stay that way.
The reason was quite clear. It appeared that the Dominion had decided that the convoy merited a response of one Jem'Hadar Battle Cruiser and four Jem'Hadar Attack Ships. This was the first time they'd been up against a Jem'Hadar Battle Cruiser. In a one on one match, such a ship was generally considered to match the Federation's new Sovereign Class. Marrissa quickly assigned the designator Alpha One to the Battle Cruiser and Beta One through Four to the Attack Ships.
"Commander, the Battle Cruiser is our target," Portinmire ordered. "Fleet Ops, assign our Light Cruiser Division to attack an Attack Ship each. Stargazer will guard the convoy. Crocket and Sacagawea will play zone."
Marrissa passed along the orders as the Indefatigable turned to port and began its run towards the more powerful Battle Cruiser. The distance closed, and the differences became clear. The Battle Cruiser was nearly three times the Indefatigable's size. The Indefatigable was not without its advantages. Its slashing course closed in on Alpha One swiftly. Just before they reached Alpha One, the light lit indicating that Jay and Purple Wing were ready. Marrissa shot a quick brief to Jay on what he'd come out on. "Sir, the fighters are ready to be deployed as we pass."
"Launch once we clear, Fleet Ops," Portinmire ordered.
The Indefatigable shook as fire came in from Alpha One. It returned fire and held its course. A display blew at the rear of the Bridge. The Battle Cruiser filled the view screen, and then suddenly, the Indefatigable was past it. Marrissa hit a button, and the fighters launched.
...
The Essex 10 fighter craft registry NFC-152, call sign Stargazer Six, left the shuttle bay of the Indefatigable at maximum power, Lieutenant Jay Gordon at the helm. Behind him were the seven fighters of Purple Wing, with their purple tipped wings already glowing with fully changed phasers.
A fighter craft could not handle a full engagement with a Jem'Hadar Battle Cruiser. They tended to get eaten up in the approach. But this time the approach was not a problem. Alpha One was in point blank range, and Purple Wing took full advantage of it. Close range attack was not something that the Battle Cruiser was designed to defend against. It was a weapon of longer range destruction.
An Essex 10 was not a weapon of long range destruction. Its fire was immediate and deadly. Jay was using it to it's upmost, raking along the port side of Alpha One. They'd eventually have to withdraw, and the odds of his fighter or other members of the Purple Wing being hit would increase exponentially as they increased their range from the Battle Cruiser.
The Battle Cruiser was trying to shake the bloodletting fleas it had acquired, but Jay had trained his pilots well. They stuck to the port side of Alpha One, burning holes in the Battle Cruiser's shields. Out of the corner of his eyes he spotted the Indy closing in again. Alpha One flinched towards the port, and his fighters neatly stayed along side. He'd have to reevaluate his placement of Purple Wing's ranking. Usagi had apparently trained her people better than he'd thought possible from the clumsy blonde.
The flinch brought Alpha One on a new course, and directly ahead was a welcome sight to Jay. It looked like the Battle Cruiser was about to make a close pass on the Stargazer. It would be a perfect chance for his fighters to slip out of their position and rearm. "Stargazer Six to Purple Wing, prepare to execute Hydra Five and rearm." Jay fired off the last of his torpedoes. It pierced the shields and caused a satisfying vent of air when it impacted Alpha One's hull.
Captain T'Gwen Washington would never admit to nervousness on her bridge. Yet, that perhaps had described her since the Jem'Hadar had been spotted. So far battle raged mostly away from her ship and the convoy. The Indefatigable and the Light Cruiser Division had met the Jem'Hadar some distance away. She'd released Black Wing to help guard the Convoy and sent Blue and Yellow Wings to assist in the battle with the targets designated Beta One through Four. Green Wing was on standby, and Red Wing was held back.
Red Wing's commander, Lieutenant Kathy Lochard, was handling Fighter Ops on the Bridge, and Lieutenant Pizarro was in the First Officer's seat. Otherwise, the bridge had its usual staff. That was somewhat comforting, but she missed the tactical advice of Jay and Marrissa. So far, she'd been able to do just the routine orders, nothing fancy.
Her time to worry about that lack abruptly came to and end when her Tactical Officer announced, "Target Alpha One incoming at One Oh Eight mark fifty-two."
"On screen!" T'Gwen ordered. The Jem'Hadar Battle Cruiser was indeed closing, and his course appeared to be quite erratic. "Ready phasers and torpedoes."
"Captain, I have a transmission on the fighter band," Kathy announced. "It's Lieutenant Gordon, he's apparently about to preform Hydra Five."
A phrase that Jay Gordon had once said to her popped into her mind. 'Don't fire untill you see the whites of their eyes.' He'd said it was an ancient order from one of the wars on Earth, and good advice on ambushing. "Hold you fire, Tactical," Washington ordered. The Battle Cruiser would need to get close for Jay to use the Stargazer as cover for his escape. "I don't want them to flinch away. Helm, do you best to put us on the port side of Alpha One as she passes. Kathy, do you think Green Wing can preform Hydra One as Purple Wing comes in?"
"Definitely," Kathy replied. "They'll be ready."
"Time that, and alert Fighter Maintenance to go to reloading stations," Washington said. "Bertin, keep an eye on the other Jem'Hadar. Tactical, ready a full spread to fire on my mark."
Alpha One continued to close. Washington took a deep breath. "Launch Green Wing, fire all weapons and break to port two points!"
Her crew executed her orders quickly. She saw Purple Wing peel off the port side of Jem'Hadar Battle Cruiser just before the Stargazer's weapons fired. As Alpha One passed her port side quickly became obscured by the exploding of a full 'broadside' from the Stargazer. Green Wing followed on the heels of the fire, adding their own fire as they closed in on the now weak side of Alpha One.
Alpha One passed out of range, the Indefatigable nipping at its heels, and Green Wing becoming the new fleas in its fur. Washington took a deep breath. She'd pulled that one off.
"Captain, target Beta Two is closing on the Wayfarer," Bertin announced.
"Black Wing is responding," Kathy announced. "Purple Wing is rearming. Lieutenant Gordon is requesting to lead Red Wing out in my place."
"Ready Red Wing," Washington ordered. She would hold back from deploying Red Wing. As long as it was there, so was Jay.
"The Wakizashi has been destroyed," Tactical announced. "Flag is requesting an additional Wing to target Beta Four."
"Purple Wing is ready," Kathy said.
"Launch Purple Wing, rotate Yellow Wing to Beta Four," Washington said, watching Alpha One move off, the Indefatigable tearing into its side. "Purple Wing is to assist Yellow Wing."
"Aye sir," Kathy said.
Washington took the momentary pause to see what else was going in. For the moment, none of the Jem'Hadar were approaching the convoy. The Dagger had directed Beta One into the cross fire of the Crocket and Sacagawea, and it didn't look like that one would last long. Yellow Wing was alone with Beta Four. Purple Wing was still on it's way, arching over the Cargo Ship Sashtakovich to approach from the port.
Washington's hearing was acute enough that she could hear the whispers that other bridge officers couldn't from Fighter Command. Beta Four was turning towards the Cargo Ship Wayfarer. The Wayfarer had low shields from an earlier attack. There was no way Purple Wing would get there in time to turn them away.
"Become like the wind," was the whispering breath of a command from Yellow Leader. The Wing formed up in a V formation, and began venting plasma as they moved between Beta Four and the Wayfarer. Beta Four closed, and aimed right for the center of the formation, a collusion course. "Fire all weapons." The fighters and Beta Four were enveloped in glowing plasma, expanding, exploding, then contracting. The Jem'Hadar Attack Ship didn't emerge from the plasma. Only a single fighter did.
"Yellow Seven reports target Beta Four destroyed," Kathy announced, then quieter, "and the loss of her six wing mates."
...
There was a respectful silence on the Bridge. The Stargazer had never nearly lost an entire wing in a single blow. The only sound on the bridge was of the escaping air following the deep gasp that the news had caused.
The silence couldn't last long, though. Soon the Indefatigable was on it's way back, Alpha One driven before it. "Launch Red Wing!" Washington ordered. She was committed now. "Come about to four six mark two eight, fire weapons as they bear." She watched as Green Wing pealed off, the Jem'Hadar Battle Cruiser exploding as it approached. "Six points to port, full impulse, now!" The exploding Battle Cruiser sped by to port, dissolving to plasma as she passed.
"The Shastakovitch has been hit by a stray torpedo from one of the Betas," Tactical reported. "They're abandoning ship."
Washington spied Beta Three coming in towards the convoy. "Helm, one six eight, mark four, put us between the Wayfarer and Beta Three." Beta Three found itself under fire, and peeled off its attack.
"Beta Two, on a collusion course!"
"Full spread of torpedoes low speed launch, helm, forty mark ninety on my mark," Washington said, watching them closely. "Now!" The Stargazer shot upwards and to the starboard. Meanwhile Beta Two had its shields peppered with a half dozen torpedoes that it had run into.
"Resume position over the convoy." Washington had gotten her rhythm, and now the decisions flowed. She spared no thought for her missing teen tacticians until the Indefatigable sounded the all clear.