Chapter 06 The Reality
COMMAND SHUTTLE 1
The two admirals watched the Excalibur come out of the jamming area. The Excalibur had been going as fast as it could at the expense of having its weapons charged. The Wisconsin group on the other hand, had all its weapons charged, ready for battle. Now the Wisconsin had started pulling away from the group accelerating toward the Excalibur.
Clayborne admitted to himself that the whole strategy was impressive. Jacobs had successfully orchestrated everything to maximize his first encounter with a far superior ship. Clayborne wasn't sure what was going to happen next, but Excalibur should be able to power up before its shields were too depleted from the Wisconsin group. It did slew the odds away from the Excalibur, but it should still be on top. Clayborne never thought that the Wisconsin was going to get the first effective shot in the exercise.
Adama on the other hand thought it was a strategy well played out. He was not sure exactly how Jacobs was going to do this, but he could see that the plan orchestrated on making the Excalibur not ready for battle. Adama thought of the Wisconsin for what she was, a highly unorthodox heavy cruiser. Thinking back on his tour, Jacobs had the ship set up to fly and fight unpowered. The Raptors could even do that. Jacobs could even make his opponents unpowered for a while.
Suddenly, something went click in Adama's brain. Adama was wondering why the cargo ships were spreading out. Also, he was wondering why the Wisconsin was pulling out farther and farther in front. Now, he could see why. Then there was the business of the safety masks. Adama could not suppress a smile. This reminded him of the good old days, when Starfleet officers were always thinking way outside the box. This will be a joy to watch.
Clayborne had to say something, "Jacobs may get the first shot in, but it will only cause minor damage on the Excalibur. After that, Excalibur will have all its weapons up and will destroy the Wisconsin."
Adama had his smile gone, but was still smiling inwardly. Looking up he said, "Don't be so sure, Admiral."
Clayborne glared at Adama, "To quote Captain Scott, 'You can't change the laws of physics.' Jacobs is pulling away from his own group. He's cutting his firepower in half."
Adama squinted at Clayborne. "You think that Jacobs did all this just do get blown out of the water? He could have won by leaving the system. Jacobs isn't out to win."
Clayborne retorted, "Then what's he doing?"
Adama said, "He's out to live. He's going to beat Excalibur and save his fleet, or at least as much of his fleet as he can."
Clayborne scoffed, "He will lose. When he loses, he will get a bad efficiency rating, then he will lose his command."
Adama shot back. "So that's what this is all about. What if he wins?"
Clayborne stated, "He can't win."
Adama pushed the button for the computer logs. "Admiral Adama's log, Stardate 6327.9. With me is Admiral Clayborne and we are on Command Shuttle 1 monitoring an exercise between the Excalibur and the Wisconsin. Admiral Clayborne just stated if the Wisconsin loses that Captain Jacobs will lose his command. Admiral, is that so?"
Clayborne squinted back and tried to think quickly. The command shuttle has everything recorded in this room anyway, to be able to go back and review what commanders saw and when. It was meant to help commanders out, but it now is trapping him. Clayborne said evenly, "Yes, I did say that."
Adama asked, with his log running, now a double recording, "Admiral, what happens if Wisconsin wins your scenario?"
Clayborne thought for a few seconds. The silence was deafening. He finally stated, "If Jacobs wins, he will get a commendation for a successful exercise."
Adama stated, "So his risk is to lose his command, but his reward is an attaboy."
Clayborne stated in an impish manner, "I will be impressed."
Adama shook his head, "Admiral's log, continuing. It is my assessment that the risk-reward structure of this exercise is heavily imbalanced. I am recommending that the terms of this exercise be reviewed by the Admiralty for fairness and realism. In my judgement, this exercise was set up for Jacobs to fail and his command be taken from him. Adama out."
Clayborne was so mad he could not say anything. Adama pushed another couple of buttons, "Admiral Clayborne, just to let you know that I've sent all logs onboard down to Starbase 5. They will be at Starfleet command before we land."
BRIDGE
USS WISCONSIN
Jacobs looked around and saw that everything was ready. On the main screen he could see the Excalibur along with a data tag showing its distance and rapidly decreasing speed. Leonaidas and Maya were on the scopes manning them. Jacobs said over his shoulder, "Miss Reeves, send coded signal to command shuttle for the next message." Lt. Reeves sent the signal for the pre-stored message to play.
Reeves reported, "Signal sent."
Jacobs nodded, "Very well, hail them."
Soon Jackson's image was on the screen, "Captain Jacobs, surrender now."
Jacobs shook his head. "I don't think so Captain. You surrender now."
Jackson scowled and cut the channel off. The screen went back to the rapidly closing Excalibur.
The range was closed to within optimum phaser range. Jacobs ordered, "All stop! Weapons, fire port and starboard phasers."
The Wisconsin fired four phasers from the sides of the main saucer section. The phasers were set to a minimal setting for targeting. This setting was used just for wargame scenarios. If someone was outside in just a spacesuit, all the phaser would do is point at them, it would not even stun. The computers on Excalibur, Wisconsin, and Command shuttle 1 registered the hit on Excalibur's shields and did the proper accounting on damage inflicted. The damage was limited to draining the shields a minor amount.
Straker was observing this and asked, "Why only those phasers?"
Jacobs keeping his eye on the main screen said over his shoulder, "Two reasons. First, if this was real, our forward phasers are protected and will work after we use the EMP, so I am saving that for later. Second, Jackson will think that without full phasers there is no way we can hurt him now, and we think he will come to a stop at point blank range to finish us off. He will be thinking that he can recharge all his phasers before we get a full complement of weapons to bear."
Jacobs saw that the relative speed was reducing nicely. He said to Carter, who was manning the Helm, "Alan, get us in position."
Carter started rolling the ship so the Excalibur would pass above the Wisconsin. He also was managing how the ship was slowing so that the relative motion would be minimal as the ships passed each other. Jacobs pushed a button for the Raptors, "Raptors 1 & 2. Standby to launch, launch when EMP activated. Good luck."
"Raptors are go!" Bragg called back from Raptor 1.
Jacobs pushed the PA button, "All hands, standby for EMP. Mr. Santini, NOW!"
BRIDGE
USS EXCALIBUR
The phaser hit from Wisconsin was noted. The Navigator turned to Captain Jackson and said, "Shields down 20%. No shock damage."
Jackson nodded, looking at Wisconsin start a roll that was curious to look at, he was thinking of his weapons. "Weapons, how long until we're ready?"
The weapons officer turned back to the Captain and said, "Fifteen seconds."
Jackson then ordered. "Helm, full stop. Bring all weapons to bear on the Wisconsin."
Morrow was watching this and the nagging feeling never left. "Stop Captain? Shouldn't we keep our speed up to battle optimal speed?"
Jackson shook his head, "No, I want to stay at point blank and blow Jacobs out of the water. He didn't even fire a full complement of phasers. There's no way he can damage us now. We'll stay put and recharge, then fire a second volley and finish him off. You don't like that, Paul?"
Morrow shook his head, "No sir, I don't. I'm thinking of the old proverb 'Speed is life'."
Jackson looked back at the main viewer. Wisconsin was taking a very odd angle. He was now looking at the spine of the ship, a very nice top view of the ship. No real tactical value there, actually a bad position because the torpedoes are blocked by the main dish. Jackson finished his thought, "Our shields will absorb his next volley. Even if he uses everything he has, he can't bring our shields down in one shot. We will destroy him. He should have known to use full phasers at first. Well, he's only a tender Captain."
Morrow quietly observed, "And tender Captains are used to fighting when the odds are against them."
Jackson was about to rebut that when he noticed two small rockets shoot out the back of the nacelles. They were trailing something barely perceptible, he started thinking, "I wonder…" when there was a flash of light and suddenly the bridge went completely dark.
COMMAND SHUTTLE 1
The two admirals were watching the holo display of the fleets starting to engage. The table was essentially a large touchpad and a notifying icon started blinking and chiming. Adama said, "Looks like Captain Jacobs has another pre-recorded message for us." Pushing the icon, a window popped up with Jacobs' image and started to play the message.
"Admirals, I hope you have been enjoying the wargame so far. If you are receiving this message, I am about to activate the EMP on the Wisconsin." Clayborne had a quizzical look on his face, the term sounded very familiar, but he could not place it. Jacobs continued, "Admiral Adama, you just had a tour where we did a simulated run, and you already know what is going to happen. Admiral Clayborne, I know you were informed about a lot of the customization of the Wisconsin, but it has been a while since the design hearings that Senator Jameson held concerning this ship. Just to refresh you, the EMP is a device that will knock out all forms of technology that we know of for a short amount of time. We are not doing a simulation, but the real deal."
Clayborne suddenly remembered angrily saying, "He can't do that!"
Jacobs continued, "Per wargame Starfleet regulations, weapons are prohibited from being used, however field-generating devices such as shields and jammers may be used. The EMP is a field-generating device, therefore it can be used. Effects of this on Federation technology are well known. I gave instructions to your shuttle crew to have a minimum distance so that you were not affected by it. I need your shuttle to keep track of simulated damage. Thank you for your time. Activation will be very soon."
Clayborne was aghast. This device slipped his mind when he was briefing Jackson on the wargame. Clayborne remembered that Jameson's big stink with the Wisconsin was something about the shuttles, the control systems, and of course the security staff. Looking at the plans for the EMP, it seemed like a waste of resources, but Jacobs successfully lobbied Starfleet planning on getting it approved. Also, the Chief of Starfleet Operations, Admiral Nogura, seemed to like the idea. Clayborne thought Nogura spent way too much time out on the frontier. Officers that spend time too much time on the frontier just do not have the big picture, you can only get that at headquarters. It was amazing that Nogura had the connections to be CSO. When the second in charge came Clayborne's way, he jumped at the chance primarily because he would most likely be the next CSO.
Clayborne pushed a couple of buttons and magnified the view of just the Wisconsin and Excalibur. Adama observed, "He's maneuvered things perfectly. This will be interesting to watch."
Clayborne looked up, "What do you mean?"
Adama pushed a couple of buttons and suddenly field lines showed up around the Wisconsin. "The EMP is created from a pair of emitters that come out behind the warp engines. The effect is strongest when the target is either directly above or below the Wisconsin. These field lines show generally how the effect is concentrated."
Clayborne jumped at the chance, "So he can aim it? Then it's no longer a field! He can't use it!"
Adama calmly replied, "Sure he can. It is aimed very much like a shield on a ship. You maneuver the whole ship to place the strongest shield toward an enemy. Or jammers, you can either go omnidirectional, or you can direct it down a focused line. This is the same, watch here it comes."
The holographic display above the table had picture-perfect representation of the two ships, and the field lines from the Wisconsin showed that the Excalibur was just getting in the perfect spot. You could see a pair of rockets dragging something behind the warp engines, then a flash. It was all over in a second. The data tags dropped from the two ships and all the lights were out in both ships. On a wall, a display showed a warning that computer data was severed between both the Wisconsin and Excalibur. It also started displaying data that was going to be uploaded once a link was re-established. The EMP had fired.
ENGINEERING
USS EXCALIBUR
The Excalibur's engineering was two engineering sections from a normal ship that had a common control center directly in the middle. The two sections were also separated by a firewall, and an emergency bulkhead could quickly bisect the control center should the need arise, isolating the two engineering sections. Chief Engineer Matthews was overseeing everything from his perch in the command center. Looking through the windows he could see both warp cores, manifolds, and four conduits that went to the nacelles. This was the largest engineering section in a Starship.
Ensign Finch was fresh out of the academy, came aboard ship two months ago. He was a promising officer, had very good sense about him. His dad served on a starship as a crewman for years no doubt passing along of the craft. Matthews motioned for Finch to come over. Finch came in the control center, "Yes Sir?"
Matthews ordered, "Take a crew up to the plasma manifold on the starboard neck. It's running a bit hot for what we're putting through it. Let me know what you find out."
"Aye Aye, Sir." Finch, already in the engineering protective suit, went over and got two available crewmen, tools, and wisely grabbed some spare parts just in case. Matthews thought that Finch was going to be a very good engineer. They went out the main blast doors on their way.
The speed run that the ship had done was a decent test of the systems, but the only real system that was pushed was the impulse drive. That seemed to be holding up well. Matthews got up from his station and walked around the center listening to the thrum of the engines, the engineers working their stations, thinking all is well. We can supply whatever the Captain needs. This wargame was going to be a blowout, not a good test of the Excalibur's potential. He leaned over one display and looked through the transparent aluminum barrier when suddenly everything went dark. Matthews thought he was knocked out when he started hearing yelling. He also felt his feet come gently off the deck. Yelling he said, "THIS IS MATTHEWS, GRAVITY IS OFF, BE CAREFUL OF YOUR MOVEMENTS. EMERGENCY POWER!"
A yell back said, "No controls are working, no displays, no computer function!"
Another yell somewhere, "The flashlights aren't working!"
Matthews eyes started to adjust, there were faint, white glows. He realized that they were the protective suits that they all were wearing. He heard stories that the material had a faint luminescent glow about it, he always thought it was stories about how engineers would glow working near reactors. But his eyes were definitely picking up the human shapes of his engineers around him, very faint, unable to see details, but definitely there. Looking at the warp core, he could see that the plasma had automatically vented out, and that the matter-antimatter injectors and also shut off. Well, good, they weren't going to blow up immediately. Matthews yelled, "THROW THE RELAYS ON THE BATTERIES!"
Shortly later a yell came back, "We did! Still nothing!"
Matthews was befuddled, what happened?!
PORT FORWARD PHASER ROOM
USS EXCELSIOR
Per the exercise, the phaser was limited to just targeting power. There was a physical shunt put in the power chamber that allowed only power from a small battery to power the phaser, this was to make sure that an accidental full power phaser burst doesn't happen. Everyone remembers the M5 wargame where an experimental computer overrode the fire controls and disabled three ships. No one wanted an accidental full phaser burst.
The weapons personnel in this room were watching the general health and the rate of simulated recharge. They knew the Captain was going to fire as soon as possible. He could fire a half-powered shot, and a full barrage of half-powered phasers may do some damage. But Captain Jackson liked using a sledgehammer for everything. They learned that through the drills that they did.
Looking at the displays, the simulated phasers were going to be at full power in just a few seconds. Time to cook some Wisconsin…. cheese? Well, whatever, it was going to happen…
The room went completely dark, the personnel suddenly felt their feet come off the ground. Ensign Grayson, in charge of this phaser battery, said to his guys, "I guess we lost power. Break out the lights."
One of his crewmen said, "I just grabbed one and it's not working!"
Grayson exclaimed, "Impossible! We just had a power failure, it's a new ship after all."
Another crewman responded, "Sir, I'm getting nothing. No displays, controls, not even the emergency lights."
Grayson managed to get over where the door was, he thought. It was still darker than a cave here. He asked, "Come over to my voice, let's open this door so we can see what we're doing."
The crewmen managed to use the manual controls and crack the door. Still no light at all. They opened the door completely and it was still totally dark. One of the crewmen asked, "Could we have been blinded?"
Grayson reached up and felt the emergency light over the door. It was cold. "I don't think so, the emergency lights are cool. If they were on, I would feel it by now."
Another crewman asked, "Then what is going on?"
"I have no idea."
TRANSPORTER ROOM 4
USS EXCALIBUR
After the EMP fired, the two crewmen there struggled to the door. The transporter pads were glowing slightly, enough for them to orient themselves in the room. Opening the door manually, they too found that the hallway was dark. One turned to another and said, "I've never seen a power failure like this. I wonder what's going on."
TURBOLIFT 5
When the lights went out the turbolift ground to a halt. The occupants bounced off the ceiling then started bouncing around the inside of the lift. The managed to open the escape hatch and exit out the top of the turbolift capsule. There they found that there was no lighting there as well. One of the occupants was an engineer in a protective suit. They used the meager lighting from the suit to find the emergency locks on the turbolift. Sliding the locks in place the engineer said, "Good, now it won't run us down."
Another occupant asked the engineer, "Chief, you ever seen this before?"
The chief answered, "No, and I don't like it. This is bad."
The occupant asked, "Why?"
The chief grimly spoke, "I don't know, and that's why it's bad."
CORRIDOR 3 DECK 12
USS EXCALIBUR
Ensign Finch was walking towards a turbolift when the lights went out. He tumbled end over end and yelled, "GRAB ANYTHING!"
The three engineers slowly tumbled to a stop and tried their emergency lights. Nothing was working, but they saw each other's suits. Finch worked his way to the ceiling and following a light guide said, "Follow me, we need to get back to engineering.
BRIDGE
CARGO SHIP 1
Captain Shoron watched as the Wisconsin fired the EMP, as briefed, both starships went dark. Shoron pushed the fleet intercom button. "All ships, move in. Fire on the pre-designated targets. Be careful not to hit the Raptors." The Cargo ships moved in and started firing at the phasers and other vital areas of the Excalibur.
Shoron noted the drift of the Excalibur. "Ensign Kenn, is that drifting going to be a problem for the Raptors?"
Kenn had no idea, "I don't know sir, I imagine their training takes that into account."
RAPTOR 1
As soon as the lights went out, Bragg lifted off and went out the hangar door, having those chemical lighting sure made things easier. Pitching up he hit the throttle and the Raptor shot forward toward the Excalibur. His target was the Bridge docking port. Looking at Excalibur, it was pitching and rolling a little bit. That is going to be a challenge, flying over the bow and eventually the bridge, he used some reverse thrust to stop relative motion. Rolling inverted to have a good view, he started pitching and yawing to get to the hatch. The Excalibur's pitch rate was being a problem. It had the effect of bringing the dish towards Raptor 1. Bragg looked at the clock, now 90 seconds into the mission. He must get this docked quickly to give the Badgers time.
He was having trouble squeezing the Raptor into position. The problem was the size of the Raptor from the hatch to the nose was too long for the distance between the hatch and an outcropping of the hull. That was not in the simulator when he was practicing. He ended up yawing a bit and now had a very complex dock set up. Relative to the hull, he was sideways, and mostly nose down. Of course, the hull itself was pitching and rolling. Bragg was sweating up a storm working all his controls. Gusty crosswind landings were a piece of cake compared to this. His WSO had a hand on the handle of the docking mechanism ready to fire when Bragg made contact. Bragg brushed the hatch with the Raptor and pulled up hard on the translation control. This slammed the Raptor on the hatch and the WSO fired the docking device. Metal claws shot into the metal of the hatch. A Badger cranked it tight and a quick check of a pressure gauge confirmed that they had a good seal. Lt. Magnum got the thumbs up for the seal and pulled the lever activating the cutting charge. With a loud thud, the Excalibur's docking hatch was blown. Magnum opened the Raptor's hatch and the Badgers quickly floated in. Bauer watched all of this along with Cdr Barnes, the referee.
The Badgers quickly threw up a couple of sticky chemical lights and opened the turbolift door. After opening it they saw the side of the capsule. In front of them they had a brake release lever that they attached a line to and then rotated. Releasing the brake, they gently pushed the capsule down until the top was level with the floor. Then they pulled the line reengaging the brake and the turbolift stopped. Some Badgers floated in and threw the emergency locks preventing from getting squished by an operating turbolift. Activating the locks also told the main computer that the passage was blocked, if it were working. Opposite the turbolift shaft was the entrance to the bridge. Magnum signaled for the Badgers to line up and be ready to move. Once everyone was in line and the door men were ready, Magnum signaled and the door was opened.
BRIDGE
USS EXCALIBUR
Captain Malcalm Reynolds pulled out a vest from a pocket. The vest was simple. It had a very large luminescent "X" on the front and back. He also squished a bulb on the side of his goggles that gave a rough outline of his head. He didn't want to get hit. He also made sure he was by the port turbolift door and out of the way. Inserting some earplugs, he was ready. Reynolds was looking forward to what was going to happen next.
Jackson was barking orders, and nobody knew what to do. Nobody could see anything. When Reynolds lit up his luminescent markings, Jackson turned and asked, "What's that for?"
Reynolds smiled, but Jackson could not see it. He said in his country way, "Captain, I'd like to oblige, but I'm just a referee. I offer no input."
Jackson was mad. It was extremely frustrating not being able to see what was going on, and now the only thing he can see on the bridge is the maddening referee. Jackson kept having to pull himself down on the chair and thinking of that he said, "Are all of you rooted somewhere?"
A couple of crewmen said, "No."
Jackson was letting the stress get to him, "WHY NOT?"
The crewmen responded, "No handholds."
Jackson heard a sound above him. It sounded like a thruster. It could not be. Shortly later there was a loud bang behind them. Somebody said, "What's that? Did we hit something?"
Jackson asked, "Paul, where are you?"
Morrow had made his way forward near the screen. "I think I'm by the forward Jeffrie's tube."
Jackson ordered, "Good, try to make your way to engineering, report when you can."
Morrow opened a hatch and glided off. This situation was spooky. Like being caught in a tomb. Jackson thought he heard something sliding behind him. He suddenly saw a bright, green glowing ball floating in from the starboard turbolift then a flash followed by the loudest sound he ever heard.
Totally disoriented, he suddenly felt two sharp pains right in the middle of his chest. Reaching down his hands touched something gooey. Slowly his vision returned along with someone barking orders. "BE STILL BE STILL, EVERYONE THAT HAS PAINT ON THEM HAS BEEN ELIMINATED PER STARFLEET WARGAME REGULATIONS."
Jackson looked down and saw luminescent green goo all over his hands and chest. "WHAT? Who's in charge?"
There were several green balls glowing and sticking to various places on the bridge. It gave the bridge a very errie look. A man clad entirely in black appeared from the shadows, "I am, Lt Thomas Magnum, USS Wisconsin. You are now eliminated per wargame regulations!"
Jackson was furious. "I CAN'T BE! WHO ARE YOU TO GIVE ME ORDERS?"
Magnum answered respectfully, "I am the man who captured your bridge. Captain Reynolds, Commander Barns, how do you rule?"
Both referees, being shown and briefed on the regulations said, "We agree, Mr. Magnum, you have the bridge."
Jackson adamantly said, "I REFUSE. I AM CAPTAIN OF THIS SHIP!"
Bauer floated into the light and said, "Captain Jackson, I'm head of security, USS WISCONSIN. I have some papers that verify everything. Here is a copy of the relevant Starfleet regulations and cases where personnel have been eliminated." Bauer handed over some papers.
Jackson looked at them, the light being poor. "But not Captains, this is my ship."
Bauer nodded, "Yes, it is, but exercise rules that during a time like this, it falls on the senior capturing officer. That would be me. Mr. Magnum is the head of this boarding party, and he would be in command, I would not be here, and you would be dead. For purposes of this exercise, I exercise the command authority. Anything that happens is my responsibility, you have two command grade referees that verify it."
Jackson relented. Then Lt. Magnum said, "Very well, Excalibur personnel, please form up by the main viewer. Mr. Stickell, time to work your magic."
Luther Stickell, crewman, glided forward toward the science station.
RAPTOR 2
Ensign Jack "Wash" Washborne watched Raptor 1 leave and he was close behind. He too pitched up and thrusted toward Excalibur. His aim was the Port Docking hatch located just a couple of decks below engineering on the secondary hull. Because the hatch was closer to the center of gravity, he had a much less difficult time docking.
The Badgers filed out and made their way through the Jeffries tubes to the engineering deck. For simplicity, they remained together in one group as they got near the main bulkhead door to engineering. Just as they were going to enter, crewman Mike Muldoon, a short husky man that spoke in a Brooklyn accent saw a couple of white blobs coming from the hallway. Muldoon spun in zero gravity, a difficult maneuver, and yelled "Tangos Starboard!" Muldoon was the first to bring his pistol to bear and fired three times. Crewman Peterson and Lt. Morgan brought their pistols and fired as well. In short order, Ensign Finch and his two crewmen had green goo on their chests.
Commander Willard floated forward and introduced himself. "Men, I'm Cdr Willard, referee. You've been eliminated. Please stay with me." Ensign Finch was dumbfounded.
Morgan made a quick check and said, "NOW!"
The manual controls were operated on the door. As it opened, two Badgers had glowing, gooey balls prepared and started throwing them into the black space. Another two threw in flash-bangs. Once the flash-bangs went off, the whole contingent of Badgers went in and started shooting everyone in sight. In short order they had Port Engineering secured. The Badgers next flowed through the control center to Starboard engineering. A few flash bangs and it was secured as well.
Morgan saw that it was secured. Commander Matthews was amazed at the speed of the takedown. He was still feeling the effects of the flash-bang. Morgan looked at his mechanical stopwatch. He said to Ensign Kelly, "75 seconds."
Kelly nodded and went to work. Going to the Port dilithium chamber, she made sure that all antimatter reaction was complete and it was vented. She then closed and repressurized the chamber. 60 seconds. Kelly engaged some latches to make sure the chamber would not be ejected, then she opened the chamber up and pulled out the dilithium crystal mount. She reached in her bag and pulled out a long, hinged arm and attached something to the grappler at the end. Kelly stuck this in the chamber and worked the arm up. She was trying to attach some transducers to some probes in the chamber. Something was wrong, the arm was not long enough!
45 seconds, why isn't it long enough? Kelly thought quickly. Morgan noticed her expression, "What's wrong Kelly?"
"The arm isn't long enough. It should be, but it isn't."
Morgan's heart sank. The operation really depended on this. "Kelly, just relax, is there some other way?"
Kelly looked and saw what the problem was. The whole warp reaction chamber was modified. Probably done after one of their trial runs and the Wisconsin's data on Excalibur was not updated yet. The opening was just big enough though….
"Lieutennant, help me out." Morgan helped her on the dilithium mount rails. Kelly grabbed the whole test package and crawled through the chamber's opening. Kelly was five foot two and very petite, fortunately she squeezed into the chamber and reaching up could barely attach the probes. Stringing the leads down she set the test package on the mounting rails just as the lights were coming back on. She pushed a couple of buttons on the test package and closed the dilithium chamber hatch. Was it fast enough?
BRIDGE
USS EXCALIBUR
Crewman Luther Stickell was about as opposite from Lt. McGee as you could get, yet both were genius hackers, but in different ways. McGee was an officer, Stickell was enlisted. McGee's training was at MIT and Starfleet, Stickell's was on the streets of Detroit. McGee was tall and thin; Stickell was short and very muscular. It was rumored that Stickell was so strong that he bench-pressed the back of an old-fashioned car right off the ground. McGee was polished, Stickell was not. McGee spoke fast, Stickell spoke slowly. McGee specialized in software with a little bit of hardware, Stickell's genius was hardware hacking.
Stickell opened a panel under the desk of the science station exposing the circuitry. There was both electrical and optical cabling around. He asked Magnum, "Sir, how much time is left?"
"60 seconds. Is that enough?"
Stickell worked while he talked, "It depends. I only need 5 to hotwire a hovercar. 15 for an intercontinental transport, 30 for a transporter system. Hotwiring a Starship is going to be tough to do in 60 seconds."
Magnum smirked, "Well, if you don't think you can do it…."
Stickell drawled, "Just because I talk slowly doesn't mean I work slowly. If there's one thing, I learned in the hood was to be fast. I even made my own slices."
Magnum could see the line. Stickell loved to brag on himself, but in humorous ways. "Slices? You use pie?"
Stickell laughed, "No Sir, these things" He showed a probe about six inches long that had some wires and optical connections on it.
Magnum continued, "Mr. Stickell, you know Starfleet doesn't like junk on board."
Stickell continued, "Then why install these computers, they're too easy."
Magnum checked his watch, "15 seconds, you're getting ready to disappoint me."
Stickell shrugged, "Sorry to disappoint, I was done 5 seconds ago. When she powers up, the station will be yours."
The lights came back on, Gravity returned. The computers were slowly coming back. Stickell pushed a couple of buttons, "I think that Miss Kelly has her job complete, we'll be hearing confirmation soon. Sir, all you need to do is type."
Magnum started typing a short message. Jackson was watching from the front of the bridge everything. At least with the lights and gravity on, he could see everything. There were a dozen of these black-clad security forces on board! He did not see half of them before the lights came up. Suddenly the red alert claxon sounded along with the computer's alarm. "RED ALERT, RED ALERT, WARP CORE BREACH IN PROGRESS."
Jackson's blood went cold. Jacobs' mischievous weapon is going to cause his ship to blow up. "We got to stop it!"
Magnum flipped open his communicator, "Magnum to Morgan. Everything going to plan?"
Morgan's voice came through the communicator so all could hear. "Ensign Kelley says all is good, exactly according to plan. Simulated breach portside, starboard warp core is normal."
Magnum finished, "Thank you, hold position until notified by the Wisconsin. Magnum out." Turning to Captain Jackson he said, "Captain, your ship is safe. Mr. Luther, are you sure it's going to work?"
Luther answered, "It should. Only if you can spell though. All you need to do is press enter."
Magnum said, "Thank you Mr. Luther. Captain Jackson, meet Captain Jackson." Magnum pushed the enter button.
Suddenly, Captain's Jackson's voice came through on the PA. "ATTENTION ALL HANDS, WARP CORE BEACH IN PROGRESS, ABANDON SHIP, ABANDON SHIP. BREACH ESTIMATED IN ONE MINUTE. MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!"
Magnum jokingly told Stickell, "You made him sound panicky. I didn't want that!"
Stickell said slowly, "Sir, I told you not to use capitol letters."
Magnum looked back and smiled, "I did, didn't I. Oops. Nice work, Mr. Stickell."
PORT FORWARD PHASER
USS EXCALIBUR
The order to evacuate came through, the crewmen looked at Ensign Grayson in disbelief. Grayson felt the blood leave his fingertips. The crewmen asked, "What do we do sir?"
Grayson jumped up and started towards the door, "We leave, get your butts moving!"
The corridors were pandemonium as everyone started running for the nearest escape pod. General rule was you wait for the pod to fill up before launching. As each pod filled, it launched out into space. Grayson and his men were the last three in a pod and once they buckled in, the senior person present gave the command to launch. In this case, it was Grayson. "Computer, this is Ensign Grayson. Launch, Launch, Launch!"
The pod launched. All ten of the occupants sat on the walls and looked inward at the computer station. Grayson could see the stars, the Wisconsin, and some cargo ships. He hailed them. "Wisconsin fleet, this is Excalibur pod 12. We have a warp core breach in progress and request assistance."
Lt Reeves's voice came through, "Pod 12, USS Wisconsin. We copy you, for now, let the pod follow programming. We are standing by to help anyone that cannot get off the ship. Contact Cargo ship 1 if you need further assistance. Wisconsin out."
Grayson thought that at least there was a lot of help nearby.
JEFFRIES TUBE A
USS EXCALIBUR
Morrow saw the lights and gravity come back on. He had only made it a couple of decks down. Morrow got out of the Jeffries tube and walked to the turbolift. At first it gave a buzz that it was not ready. Morrow thought that that was unusual. Then the lift doors opened. He ordered "Main Engineering."
Shortly after the turbolift started, the warp core breach warning came through. Morrow said, "Computer, abort, go to evacuation station, Deck 7."
The turbolift stopped on Deck 7. This is where he was assigned to make sure no pods were wasted. Everything was going normally, they drilled evacuations before. He was about to step in the last pod when he did his final check. He flipped open his communicator, and said, "Morrow to Captain." No answer. "Morrow to Captain." Still no answer. This is strange, why isn't he evacuating?
One of the officers in the pod called out, "Sir, we have to get launching. The ship is going to blow any minute!" Morrow did not want to risk their lives, but there were two pods on this deck alone that were still open.
Morrow leaned in and said, "Launch immediately, I'll take the next one." He backed out and the pod launched. Morrow flipped open his communicator, "Computer, where is the Captain's location?"
The computer responded, "The Captain is on the bridge."
Morrow pressed the clear button and said, "Morrow to Jackson, come in!" He must be hurt or something. He checked the time, and he is out of it. The ship is going to blow any minute.
BRIDGE
USS EXCALIBUR
Jackson noticed his communicator went 'beep' again. He silenced it quickly, hoping somebody would snoop and find out that the evacuation was a ruse. The communicator went 'beep' again and Muldoon heard it. "Sir! A communicator!"
Magnum walked over to the bridge crew. "Who's communicator is it?"
Jackson smirked, "We're dead. You guess."
Magnum nodded his head. "Sir, I will. I want you and the referees to understand that my behavior now is out of respect for you and your position, and that this is an exercise, not real life."
Jackson scoffed, "How different would it be in real life?"
Magnum said offhandedly, "You'd be dead already. I would just grab your communicator. Please hand it over."
Jackson handed his communicator over; Magnum checked it quickly and handed it back. "Thank you, sir, please understand, I'm not the enemy."
Jackson said offhandedly, "Not from where I'm standing."
Magnum nodded his head, picking up his communicator he said, "Magnum to Wisconsin."
Reeves's voice came through, "Wisconsin here."
Magnum asked, "Please use sensors, find Commander Morrow. I believe he is still on the ship."
"We have his location. He's on deck 7 probably heading toward a turbolift."
"Ok, please beam him over when you can, if not we'll stop him here."
"Wisconsin out."
Magnum nodded to Stickell, who worked the computer and stopped turbolifts heading to the bridge. Stickell looked up and said, "Computer won't allow turbolifts to the bridge."
Magnum pointed at the Jeffries tube entrance, "Guys, let's claymore the Jeffries tube and turbolift just in case. Anyplace else?"
Muldoon pointed to the starboard turbolift chamber, "What about that one, in case somebody sneaks past that turbolift?"
Magnum nodded, "I don't see how they could, but they might. I like it. Mr. Muldoon, have fun laying a trap."
Commander Reynolds looked and asked, "Claymore?"
Magnum explained, "A directional explosive anti-personnel mine. Today we're using a minor charge throwing paint. For purposes of the exercise, anyone painted will be eliminated."
Reynolds smiled, "I like the way you guys operate. After the exercise, I'd like you to talk to my security chief."
Magnum did his cheesy smile, "I'd love to."
Jackson up by the Main viewer was seething. He had to admit that these guys were thorough.
Magnum pointed at the helm and nav, "We'd better man these stations. Stickell, stay at science. Mr. Hanna, take helm. Make sure we are at all stop and station keeping with the Wisconsin. Mr. Peterson, take communications."
Jackson sneered, "Aren't you going to take the Captain's seat?"
Magnum again took a polite, formal attitude, "No sir, that's your seat and there is no need to insult you. Besides, I think we'll be turning the ship over to you fairly soon anyway. Mr. Stickell, any other problems on board?"
Stickell had been working the internal sensors, "No sir, the last unaccounted crewmember is Mr. Morrow. I have him stuck in a turbolift now. He was trying to get here."
BRIDGE
USS WISCONSIN
Jacobs was surprised, well any plan has its hiccups. Jacobs turned to Leonaidas, "Leo, with all our Badgers off ship, could you and the Preacher handle this?"
Leonaidas smiled and nodded, "I'll call him on the way. You know he wanted to be on one of the boarding parties."
"Maybe next time, they were full. Commander Straker, can you have a referee meet them?"
Straker nodded and flipped open his communicator.
TURBOLIFT 9
USS EXCALIBUR
Morrow was frustrated, something wasn't right. The turbolift was stuck, none of his codes worked on overriding it. The ship should have blown up long ago, and he cannot get a hold of anyone. His only idea was to climb out and climb the turbolift shaft. Just as he was getting ready to do that, he could feel a transporter grab him and start transporting him.
He materialized in the Wisconsin's transporter room. Commander Leonaidas along with another Commander were there, both armed. Also, there was one of the referees. So, the game still is going on, and the evacuation was a ruse. Morrow thought to play it cool, maybe he could cause some mayhem over here.
Leonaidas spoke first, "Mr. Morrow, welcome aboard. Please come with us. You are now a prisoner of the wargame."
Morrow nodded his head. He followed Leonaidas out the door and could sense that the other Commander was just behind him. He waited for his moment then spun around and reached for the other man's arm. Except he was at least ten feet behind him, how did he do that? The commander fired his drawn phaser and the world went dark for Morrow.
Leonaidas looked at Octavian and asked, "Enjoy that?"
"Next best thing to being on a landing party. Let's get him to the brig before he comes to."
POD 12
Grayson checked in with a lieutenant on another pod. There were thirty unaccounted personnel. Curious that they were all from either engineering or the bridge. Grayson thought that maybe they stayed behind to avert disaster. He contacted the third in command, Commander Stevens, "Sir, the Excalibur is still here."
Stevens responded, "I know, but I can't hail them. I think we should dock with the cargo ships until we get this figured out."
Grayson looked at another display, "Sir, that's been bothering me. They know we have a warp core breach underway, right?"
Stevens voice came back, "Yes, we called them right away. Why?"
Grayson explained, "Aren't they kind of close to the Excalibur if they knew it was going to blow up?"
Stevens had not had time to process that before, with both the Captain and XO out of the loop, he was in command. Great point. "I see your point, hold course for now, I'll get back."
Grayson sat and wondered, what the heck is going on?
Pod 44
Stevens immediately hailed the Wisconsin, "Wisconsin, this is Pod 44, Commander Grayson, senior evacuated officer speaking."
Lt. Reeves's voice came through, "Wisconsin, go ahead."
"What is the status of Excalibur?"
There was a pause, then another voice came on, "This is Wisconsin-Actual. Excalibur's warp core is stable. For now, we request you hold your distance."
Stevens was trying to think this through, something is not right here. "Captain, if the warp core is stable, we're going to return to the Excalibur and fix it."
Jacobs' voice came over the frequency, "I'm sorry Commander, but the exercise has not been called off. There was no warp core breach in progress, everything has been going to plan. I request you remain clear."
Stevens had a big sinking feeling, "Sir, if the exercise is still on, I'm going to return. Steven's out."
CARGO SHIP 1
"Incoming hail from Wisconsin."
Shoron smiled, "Put it on. Captain Jacobs, my congratulations!"
"Thank you, Captain Shoron, but we're not done yet. The escape pods have found out, please tell the fleet to tractor their share of pods and hold them. I think I'll finish this soon. We have the last member secured, and I'm going to contact the Admirals."
Shoron finished, "Very well, let us know. Shoron out."
COMMAND SHUTTLE 1
Claymore was beyond angry, mad, incensed. He was somewhere in denial right now. How could a Federation battleship be taken over? This had not gone his way at all. Adama on the other hand thought it was beautiful. Very well thought out, contingencies planned for.
A beep happened and they heard, "Jacobs to Admiral Clayborne."
Clayborne pushed the com button, "Go ahead."
Jacobs formally said, "Sir, we have secured the Excalibur, thirty simulated enemy casualties on board, all enemy personnel off the ship, and one prisoner in our brig. The threat from Excalibur is neutralized. As I understand the wargame, this would be an end-game scenario. Request wargame be called complete and the Cargo ships be allowed on their courses at the earliest convenience."
Clayborne looked at the whole situation. Even if the Excalibur crew could take the ship again, they would not have a ship that could fight. They were down to half power, all weapons destroyed, shields depleted, superstructure seriously damaged. It was over, no way to argue against it.
"Exercise over, Cargo ships released, Jacobs assist Excalibur in recovery operations. Meet me in Base commander's office in twelve hours. Clayborne out."
Adama looked at Clayborne, who, at first looked like a defeated man. Then something changed, Clayborne's planning something.
CARGO SHIP 1
Shoron was pleased, "Thank you Captain Jacobs. We will remain long enough for your Badgers to beam back over."
"Thank you, Captain Shoron, please extend my thanks to the whole fleet. You all did wonderful."
Shoron complemented, "No sir, you did well. We were glad to be a part of this exercise. Captain?"
Jacobs answered, "Yes sir?"
Shoron continued, "We'd take you as escort any day against anybody. Safe journeys."
"You too sir, thank you."
Kenn witnessed the exchange. Shoron turned to him, "You take good care of your Captain, human."
Kenn nodded as he was heading out the door to the transporter room, "We will sir."
