Chapter 606

BRIDGE

USS SHADOW

Straker paced around the bridge. He was circling around the helm/nav console looking at the stations on the outer side. "Status?"

Forrester said, "Indications are that the Klingons are unaware of our approach. We only have two ships on scanners, the Bismark and the Cruiser. So far we have no indications of the destroyers."

Straker ordered, "Tactical display."

The main viewer displayed a top-down map of the current star system along with the four Klingons. The Klingons were tagged with data relating to each specific ship. Straker took all of it in. "Base indicated they had four warp trails into this system, didn't they?"

Forrester nodded, "Yes. The other two must be cloaked."

Straker nodded grimly. "They are not going to make it easy on us, are they."

"No. We are getting thermal readings; the problem is that the readings are only at the speed of light. Fortunately, the observable Klingons are at sublight. The Bismark and Cruiser account for two of them and there are two unaccountable thermal readings." Forrester reported.

"Where?" Straker asked.

Forrester tapped a couple of buttons. Two targets with large range circles appeared on the tactical display. "They are in close proximity to the Bismark. The range circles represent the error of the readings."

"The circles are still quite large." Straker observed.

"Best we can do. At this range, infrared does not give us good resolution. If we can get some other readings on the cloaked vessels, we can tighten those range circles considerably." Forrester said.

Straker mused, "Yes, but the question is how. The Excalibur recently came up with a technique, and I believe the Wisconsin used that technique as well. Check the database and see if we can use it as well." Straker's eyes narrowed at the display. "Even with the large range circles, The Cruiser looks like it is too far away to be covered. I wonder what they are up to?"

Forrester stated, "It is unknown. They separated a few hours ago and have been slowly distancing themselves from each other."

Straker nodded. "Overlay known Klingon weapon ranges."

Each of the ships had circles drawn around them. Straker asked, "What is the source for the battleship's weapons capability?"

"We have taken the latest known heavy disruptors fielded by the Klingons. I would assume that they would put their latest and best on that ship." Forrester answered.

Straker nodded. "Very good. I wonder why they have split into two groups. The Cruiser can't cover the Battleship at all."

Forrester added, "Assuming the Destroyers are the unknown thermal sources they could cover the Bismark. Or vice versa. Perhaps it's the battleship covering the two destroyers."

Straker kept eying the two groups. "What are passive sensors reading?"

"Not that much. Nothing remarkable from the Cruiser. That battleship is the size of the Excalibur, but its mass is way off. Much much heavier." Forrester said.

The communications officer turned around and reported. "I'm getting heavy com traffic. It's all data."

Straker asked, "From where?"

The communications officer said, "From in front of us. It's coming from those ships. I can make out heavy data exchanges between two ships."

"Which two?" Straker asked.

The communications officer shook his head. "I can't be that specific. We are way too far away to narrow that down. We'll have to get closer."

Straker sighed, "Add that to our mystery list. Back to the other mystery on the Bismark, no solution of the mystery of its mass?"

Forrester shook his head. "No sir. It has intensified. We expected a huge ship. The Bismark is large, but as I said earlier, it's the approximate size of the Excalibur. According to our readings the density of the Bismark is on the order of lead. And that is the lowball estimate."

Straker squinted, "Curious. I wonder how many Klingons are on board?"

Forrester added. "Kind of tough living in solid metal. Even if their alloy they use for the frame is significantly denser than ours, that does not allow much living space."

The science officer reported. "The Cruiser just raised shields."

Forrester looked at Straker. "Should we?"

Straker's face showed the tension. If he raised shields, it could betray their position. If they did not, there was no protection. "No. Any threats in the system?"

The science officer shook his head, "Nothing. The Bismark is now powering up what I think are weapons."

Straker said, "What about the destroyers, any idea on where they are?"

"No change." The Science officer said.

Straker mused. "I wonder what is going on over there." Straker then ordered, "Give me a visual on the Battleship group."

The viewscreen changed to show the Battleship turning and maneuvering. Forrester said, "He is coming about."

"Against what?" Straker asked.

Forrester checked some readings. "The Bismark is facing the Cruiser. I think they are going to attack it."

Straker shook his head, "They cannot, at least until they approach it. They are four times the distance of normal…."

A green streak of energy erupted out of the nose of the battleship. It instantly leaped forward and out of the screens view. Straker snapped, "What did it hit?"

The screen swept sideways and showed a fireball erupting. Straker asked, "Did we get that all recorded?"

Forrester nodded, "We have it all sir. Replaying it now."

The screen showed the Cruiser. The green energy bolt came in from off screen and the cruiser instantly disintegrated in an intense fireball. "You said that the cruiser had shields up?" Straker asked.

The science officer nodded. "Yes sir. I'm working the numbers now, but they were definitely at full power."

Forrester said, "A weapon's test?"

Straker nodded. "Yes, and a successful one at that."

The science officer added, "The distance was four times the longest disruptor shot recorded by Starfleet. The Cruiser did not have normal cruiser shields, it looks like they had shields normally installed on orbital bases. I believe the cruiser was stripped of weapons and likely life support to install the base shields."

Forrester added, "Along with a few decks of cabin space."

The communications officer added, "I think the cruiser was under remote control. Those heavy data signals have stopped."

Straker asked, "What about that energy bolt, what can you tell me about that?"

The science officer said, "I think it was a subspace weapon of some sort. It was no disruptor, phaser, or something of that sort. It literally ripped through the fabric of space, and propagated at the speed of subspace waves."

"Warp 20." Straker said. "So, it's more like phasers than disruptors."

The science officer nodded. "Yes, but not exactly. The energy bolt did not dissipate over distance like it should have."

"That's the reason for the extreme range?" Straker asked.

"Yes." The science officer said. "I could not even begin to guess the maximum range. I think their problem is how to aim accurately."

Straker nodded. "Yes, it would be. Ok, summarize."

The science officer breathed deeply in and said, "The Klingon battleship has conducted a weapons test of an unknown weapon and is apparently successful. The weapon's characteristics are that it sends out an energy blast as fast as our phasers, but it does not dissipate appreciably over distance like phasers or any other energy wave. The limiting factor in the weapon's effective range would seem to be something other than power. It's observed power was high enough to instantly go through Klingon Base shielding and then instantly vaporize a cruiser class starship."

Straker stood looking at the screen and appeared in deep thought. Forrester asked, "Do we report this back?"

Straker shook his head. "Not yet. Prepare a message torpedo with all data. Helm, let's plot a course to close in on the battleship."

Forrester asked, "How close?"

"As close as it takes. I want to get better readings than what we have now. We have some serious questions. What is this weapon? What are the capabilities and limitations of it? Why is the ship's density so far off normal? And finally…" Straker stated.

"How do we destroy it?" Forrester said.

Straker said. "We cannot answer any of those questions out here. We need to be close, very close."

The science officer said, "We'll have to use active sensors to answer those questions."

Straker nodded, "So you need to come up with an idea on how to do this and not get caught."

Forrester asked, "How close are you willing to come?"

Straker thought about it. "Ever hear of a periscope shot?"

Everyone looked at Straker. Straker smiled knowingly, "Old Earth, twentieth century naval term. Submarine warfare. The United States was in a cold war with the Soviet Union. The United States had a technology edge on stealth and used it to the limit. It was later found out that some submarine commanders were so aggressive that they got close enough to take pictures through their periscopes of Russian submarines." There was a gasp from some on the bridge, then Straker added, "even in Soviet Ports."

The bridge was silent. Straker said after an awkward silence, "I do not plan on getting that far, but if we must fly close formation with that ship, we will do it. Figure out a way to get us there then how to get our readings. That is how far I am willing to go."

Forrester added. "And add to that we have two cloaked destroyers somewhere out there that we have to avoid."

Straker smiled a wry smile. "Yes, we can't forget them."

ORION STEAKHOUSE

STARBASE 5

Admiral Adama, Cogley, and McGonagle were sat down at their table for a celebratory dinner. Adama said, "I want to thank you both for everything."

Cogley said, "Glad to do this, heaven is rejoicing today."

Adama smiled and nodded. McGonagle added, "And the way it seems like Christians rejoice is around food. We are always eating for no reason at all." All of them had a chuckle.

Adama said, "I see where Josh gets this. That is one of the complaints by Senator Jameson, that Josh is always having some party or another."

McGonagle mused, "Hmmmm. A senator complaining that somebody else is partying too much. How ironic."

Cogley asked, "What would you advise, Admiral?"

Adama smiled, "I think Josh has had a good way with people. I know enough to not mess around with success."

The food arrived. McGonagle said, "Let's pray."

All three bowed their heads and McGonagle started, "Lord, we want to thank you for the blessing of your saving grace being shown to our new brother, Bill. We thank you for his acceptance of your free and wonderful gift of salvation. Please bless him, please may he allow himself to be transformed by you into your image. Please help him with his leadership at Starbase 5. We ask you that everything he does glorify you. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen."

Cogley and Adama said, "Amen" as well and the three started digging into the meal.

Adama said, "Once again Sam, thank you for the meal."

"It's nothing Bill. Starfleet gets a big discount anyways and you in particular will always get a free meal here." Cogley stated.

Adama nodded. "I wish I could get your other clients to start a relationship with Starfleet. Beyond Orion Steakhouse and that one-time deal with Zur mining, I can only get things done through third parties."

Cogley nodded. "Yes, if any one of them change their mind, I'll let you know."

Adama said, "If you could convince the owners they will make far more profit if we cut out the middleman. You too, George. For instance, New Haven Ranch would not have to sell to a wholesaler whom we have to buy from."

McGonagle nodded. Adama continued, "As it is, wholesalers sometimes don't sell to us, and I have to get some of the supplies from Ag colonies."

McGonagle added, "Or the Amish colony here."

Adama nodded, "Yes, but they do not have the volume I need. Sam, I need more minerals, and I need them yesterday. I also need refined alloys, high tech equipment, various equipment for starships, and transportation. Right now, I end up procuring your products from third parties. The transportation I cannot even get because that just cannot be done through a third party. I hate to ask this question Sam, but it needs to be asked." Adama drew in a breath. Cogley impassivly sipped his drink. "All these corporations are represented by you. I know you have done many things for Starfleet personnel, but do you have a personal grind against Starfleet? Are you advising those companies not to work with me?"

Cogley shook his head, "No, Bill, I do not have anything against Starfleet. I know it looks that way and I'm sorry that it does. All I can say is that in each case those companies are better off not to deal with Starfleet directly. That one-time deal with Zur mining was an exception."

Adama nodded and asked, "And I do not get that. Bottom line on that trade was that Zur mining probably lost out because they lost the time value of the carbon nanotube fiber. They did not need to take that loss."

Cogley asked, "How desperate are you for what you need?"

Adama said, "So far, it's bad, but not desperate. I can still feed my base personnel and resupply Starships as scheduled. Any hiccup in the supply chain from Earth or extra ships that need provisioning and now I'm going to start eating my reserve. I'd just as soon not do that. We have a shortage on minerals and alloys right now. I got ships held up on refits because I can't meet that. Starfleet Command wants to refit some old style ships with new phasers and shields.."

McGonagle said, "Which are being shipped from the core worlds in the Federation."

"Yes, but the power supply equipment and control equipment is manufactured locally. Actually, Sam, your high-tech firm here on planet can get the license to build phasers and shields for us, which would solve several problems at once, but they won't." Adama stated. "Your companies could be so much more lucrative."

Cogley said, "I'll pass that along Bill. I can't say more than that."

"I'm sorry Sam, I didn't want to put you in a bad way, it's one of the pressures I'm facing. And Josh is now captured by what we now think is Kor the Merciless. Not much hope for Josh right now." Adama said.

The table was quiet for a little bit. Adama asked, "How do you guys handle it? I know that started the whole talk toward salvation, but I go back to that question."

Cogley and McGonagle looked at each other. Cogley was first to speak. "Bill, we love Josh as a Brother in Christ. We are both deeply worried about him, but he is in God's hands, always has been. If Josh gets killed, he's going to be with Christ."

"But what if he does not get killed? What if he lives?" Adama asked.

McGonagle said, "Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good to them that love God. God is using Josh for God's glory."

"Even if he is tortured to death?" Adama said.

"In the New Testament the Apostle Stephen witnessed to the Jewish leaders, and was stoned to death for blasphemy. One of those leaders later became the Apostle Paul. God used Stephen's life to witness to Paul, who later became arguably the best Christian other than Christ himself. Josh's trial is not for nothing. We know that, God promises that. We have to have faith that God is doing the best for Josh right now."

Adama thought quietly. "I need help on this and how to pray."

Cogley said, "We'll be glad to help any way we can."

BRIDGE

USS FEARLESS

Captain Jake Grafton came on the bridge for duty and asked, "How is the status?"

Cdr McDonald said, "We just secured the Midway. We need more nanotube though. It's taking more than expected to secure the rocks and ice around the ships."

"When do we need the nanotube?"

"Actually, right now. Also, I was on laserlink with the other ships and a consensus is growing that we could have more effectiveness if we had more mines in the area." McDonald said.

"The current mines are not enough?" Grafton asked.

McDonald shrugged. "It's difficult to say. It's basically how much firepower is needed. I've prepared a study on requirements. Basically, to add more volume to the minefield the requirement goes up by the cube of the radius."

Grafton nodded, "Basic geometry."

McDonald said, "But what that does not consider is the debris we have in this Oort cloud here. Lots of it. We need to factor in when the mines go active and the torpedoes accelerate, they probably will collide with a rock or iceball. We need more, many more."

Grafton looked at the study and could see the numbers were not good. "I assume you have more requests?"

McDonald nodded. "In order for this exercise to be effective, yes. Also, the ships are experiencing a higher rate of failure in parts than expected, probably due to the severe cold. We have not warmed the hull up above -200 C in over a month. That is increasing the wear. We need parts, and they are also listed for what we need now. Starbase 5 can extrapolate based on how long they want us to stay here."

Grafton nodded. "Ok, prep and send a message torpedo with all of this. I'll give my endorsement."

"Aye aye, sir." McDonald said.

RAPTOR 2

Lt Anders found a docking port. "Let's try that port H."

Ensign Hornblower saw the port in question. "It would have been simpler if they allowed us to land in their bay."

Anders smiled, "But it would not be as much fun. Ensign, get ready to board!" Anders called back to Kenn, who was sitting in the first passenger seat. Anders started maneuvering for a forced-docking.

Kenn looked at his team. This was the first time he was deployed with a full team of twelve Badgers. Badgers were assigned to squads and teams for the missions, a squad being six and team being twelve. The real driving force for the number was the number of people that could be accommodated in the transporter for a squad and number in a Raptor for a team. The math was easy, two squads equaled a team.

The assignment was for two teams to go on Ghut's station to search for the Captain, and two teams to be shuttled to the undocked ships to search them and clear them before they left the system. This took all available Badgers for the task. It was decided to have Ensign Kenn and Lt Cdr Bauer lead the teams on the station. They were to try to remain in relatively close proximity with each other for mutual support. This also allowed Ensign Kenn to be not entirely on his own, theoretically able to get help from Bauer if needed. Kenn's team also was heavy on senior NCO's to keep an eye on him.

Kenn turned and said to his team, "Final check!"

Everyone made their final checks and returned a thumbs up. Kenn's heart was racing. It was one thing to do this in training, another for actual combat. Kenn announced to Anders, "Badgers ready for boarding."

Anders nodded as he rolled the Raptor. The port was now just feet above him and the docking collar was almost in place. Anders said, "I see Raptor One, you are going to be one deck off of Bauer's team and about a hundred feet down the hall. H is going to upload our local scans to you guys."

Hornblower turned around. "With all the interference, we only have about a hundred feet into the interior of the station. Remember we will force dock, blow the door, you egress and close the docking collar's door, then Raptor 2 will undock and go back on station. If you need pickup, we'll dock back here."

Kenn nodded. "I'll make sure to set claymores to prevent tampering."

Anders was now looking over his shoulder. "Artificial gravity off."

Hornblower answered. "Gravity off."

"Ten seconds to breach." Anders stated."

Hornblower started counting down audibly. "10, 9, 8.."

When Hornblower said, "5" Anders pulled up on the translation control. The Raptor moved up and the Raptor's docking collar impacted the station. Automatically, clamps fired into the metal door. Hornblower waited for the normal post-docking jiggle from the impact to stop then threw a switch to start the cutters as he said, "3".

The cutters finished at "1" and a small charge blew the station's metal door inward. Hornblower said, "NOW NOW NOW!" and Muldoon twisted out of his seat and opened the door through the hatch. He gave a signal as to which way 'up' was relative to the Raptor and the Badgers started pouring through the door. This was one of the most difficult things in boarding was readjusting which way you thought of 'up'.

Kenn was the seventh person through the hatch, following the last Badger on the starboard side of the Raptor. All the Badgers on the port side followed him through. Kenn twisted himself to make sure that when he passed through his feet would be under him in the local artificial gravity. He could hear phaser fire and saw that the first Badgers were firing ahead of him into the room that accompanied the docking collar. Kenn went to the far left with the Badgers filing in behind him filling the line off the right. The amount of fire was withering, but Kenn saw no targets. This was the standard suppression fire to keep the other side from firing back. Once the last Badger filed in the line Kenn yelled, "Boarded!"

Muldoon yelled, "Cease Fire!" All firing stopped. Muldoon continued and said, "Set Perimeter!" The Badgers quickly advanced and started securing the docking room. Kenn turned to Denozzo, "Chief Petty Officer Denozzo!"

Denozzo turned and said, "Yes sir!"

"Get the pack mule, let's move out!"

The Pack Mule was a device that carried extra equipment for the Badger team. It was somewhat with dark humor also called the coffin, as it was about the same size. It had anti-gravity emitters and a simple drive system. One man could control and move a few hundred pounds worth of equipment. The pack mule could also be used as a stretcher for carrying wounded. Denozzo yelled through the hatch, "Pack Mule!"

Ensign Hornblower had the Pack Mule all ready and pushed it through the hatch. The Pack Mule glided easily through and into the docking area. Denozzo grabbed the handles and it quickly stopped. He made a quick check and said, "All equipment is onboard the mule, it's in normal working order."

Kenn nodded and said across the room to Muldoon. "If you're done Chief, let's move out."

Muldoo nodded, "Yes sir! Claymores set. Alright you loafers, lets move out, standard formation."

Kenn looked back to Hornblower, floating in the hatchway. "See you later H."

Hornblower had his usual serious look. "Get the Cap, Joe."

Kenn gave a thumbs up. Hornblower closed and sealed the hatch. Kenn turned back around and fell into his spot in the formation. Now the fun really begins. He keyed the com, "Kenn to Bauer. Team 2 Boarded, no casualties."

COCKPIT

RAPTOR 2

Hornblower slid quickly into his seat and buckled in. "They're in Lieutenant."

Anders nodded. "Good. Undock now." Hornblower hit a safety switch then a main control and the Raptor undocked. Anders backed a short distance away and pivoted. "Let's get to our patrol spot, way too much to do."

Hornblower nodded and hit the com, "Raptor 2 to Wisconsin. Badgers boarded, returning to assigned patrol point." He killed the com and asked Anders, "How fast can you dock this if they need extraction?"

"The docking collar we left behind will make it much simpler. From our patrol point I figure sixty to seventy seconds." Anders mused.

"That's quick." Hornblower said.

Anders shrugged. "Unless you are a Badger under fire, then it's a lifetime."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Lt Jareau turned and reported, "Both Badger teams report boarded, no casualties."

Leonaidas nodded. Octavian said, "Wish you were there?"

Leonaidas nodded thoughtfully, "Boarding parties are a game for the young, Pastor."

Octavian shrugged, "Yes, but the spirit is still willing."

Leonaidas smiled. "Always. How goes the prayer group?"

"I'm going to go back down there. This operation is covered in prayer." Octavian slapped Leonaidas on the shoulder. Octavian turned and walked up the steps to the turbolift. "Let me know if there is anything else I can do."

Leonaidas nodded, "Will do. I don't see much need for your services on any of the landing parties."

Octavian smiled as the doors closed, "I'm willing if needed."

Leonaidas turned back around to look at the tactical display. "I bet you are."

BADGER TEAM 2

SOMEWHERE IN GHUT'S STATION

Kenn cupped his hand over the earpiece and yelled, "Repeat sir?"

Just a short distance and around a corner was their first resistance. Several of the station's guards had taken position and were now preventing them from going deeper into the station. Kenn was getting a call in from Bauer but could not hear what was being said. Kenn had his phaser pistol out firing with one hand while trying to hear, but it was too loud in the corridor to hear clearly. Kenn took a few steps back and heard Bauer said, "… CUT OFF!"

Kenn yelled back, "I THINK YOU SAID WE ARE CUT OFF FROM EACH OTHER! WE ARE ENGAGED NOW AND ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT TO THE CROSS CORRIDOR THAT HAS THE STAIRS UP TO YOUR LEVEL!"

Kenn heard this time clearly, "DON'T TRY THAT STAIRWAY. THEY HAVE ENGAGED A BLAST DOOR AND WE'LL NEVER CLEAR IT IN TIME. WE ARE CUT OFF. PROCEED INTO THE SHIP AND WE WILL TRY TO COVER TWO DECKS AT ONCE. IF WE NEED TO LINK UP WE'LL BLAST A HOLE IN THE FLOOR AND JOIN UP WITH YOU OR EXTRACT YOU UP TO US."

Kenn looked forward at the firefight and said, "UNDERSTOOD. WE ARE MEETING HEAVY RESISTANCE BY PRESUMABLY STATION GUARDS."

Bauer's voice came through, "UNDERSTOOD. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. WE ARE PROCEEDING TO SLIMEY'S AND YOU GO TO THE FIRST OPEN AREA 200 METERS AHEAD."

Kenn said, "ROGER, PROCEEDING AHEAD 200 METERS TO OPEN AREA. KENN OUT." Kenned yelled to Muldoon, "Chief, we need to get moving! Do what you need. I'm done using the stun setting!"

Muldoon smiled. "Thata boy, sir! Stickell, Standing bear! Make ready Frags. Bodie, get your flash bang ready."

The Badgers unclipped grenades from their vests. Muldoon readied his flash bang as well and said, "Fire!"

The two threw their grenades, right behind the grenades were the flash bangs. The two grenades sailed through the air and hit the grating. They both clamored on the floor. One of the station guards heard the clatter and turned and saw the small device rolling on the floor. He did not know what it was but knew it was bad for him. Nobody saw the flash bangs flying. It was a well-timed throw, both the grenades and flash bangs detonating simultaneously.

The Badgers in front jumped forward and fired at the guards before the guards could get their senses straight. The second half of the Badgers provided cover in case something popped up unexpectedly. Kenn looked at Denozzo and said, "Set a package."

Denozzo had already got a small communications device ready. It was basically a small box the size of a tricorder and performed both operations. The Badgers were leaving a trail of these packages that would not only provide them sensor data for the return, but they could also be used as a relay to communicate back with the ship if necessary.

Kenn ordered, "Let's keep moving. We have a large room about two hundred meters in front."

As they moved ahead in the corridors, they occasionally came across a 'patron' of the station either passed out, trampled, robbed, or something laying in the corridor. The whole place stank like a sewer. The patrons probably used it as a sewer. As they would pass connecting corridors, they would quickly check to either side- just to make sure they were not going to get flanked. At one of the intersections Chief Bodie yelled, "Sir! We got a live one here!"

Kenn walked up and saw an Orion male sitting down leaning against the wall. He was groggy and smelled of some sort of alcohol. Kenn walked right up to him, good thing the Orion was sitting down, his head was four feet off the floor. This guy probably stood seven feet tall when he was sober. Kenn pulled out his data pad. "You! Have you seen this man?" The screen showed his Captain.

"Humans…" The Orion said disgustingly.

Kenn looked at the others. "What was that?"

The Orion belched and said groggily, "Humans…"

Kenn looked at Bodie and said, "Cheyenne, see what you can get out of him."

Bodie grabbed the Orion and hauled him up. Yes, the Orion was every bit of seven feet tall, but Bodie had drug him just far enough so the Orion's feet never got underneath him. Bodie set the Orion on his knees and leaned over him, "Listen! Have you seen this man?"

The Orion was a little surprised to have been manhandled by a human. He said shortly, "No."

Kenn said, "We humans may be disgusting to you but…"

"Humans…" The Orion said, then passed out.

Kenn looked at the others, "Cuff him."

One of the Badgers pulled out some cuffs big enough for the Orion and cuffed him. Kenn said, "Leave him behind, let's move out."

Denozzo was working the controls on the pack mule and said, "Tricorder says large area just around that corner. There's a door in the way though. Looks like a blast door."

As they rounded the last corner, Kenn could see the blast door. "Mr. Muldoon, what do you recommend?"

Muldoon looked at the door. "Depends on what we expect on the other side of the door."

Kenn looked at Denozzo, who worked the controls. "Many lifesigns, the material in the walls make it difficult to get a count. I'd guess a couple of hundred life signs."

Muldoon asked, "Humanoid?"

Denozzo nodded. "I'd say so."

Muldoon said, "I'd be worried that it was a big ambush. I recommend setting charges, blow the door and storm in."

Kenn looked around at the door. "Can we do that with this door? It looks substantial."

Stickell was looking at a control on the wall. "I may be able to unlock the door sir."

Kenn said, "You sure?"

Stickell popped the faceplate off and nodded. "Yes, I'm sure given time."

Kenn asked, "How long?"

Stickell pulled his bag of tools open and started working. "Five minutes."

Kenn looked at Muldoon, "Sorry Chief, let's do it this way. Mr. Denozzo, any weapons readings inside?"

Denozzo shook his head, "I cannot tell. Lots of energy readings."

Bodie observed, "Sir, the previous landing party reported everyone was armed. Even if it is not an ambush, it still will be a fight."

"Can we stun the whole room?" Kenn asked.

Muldoon shook his head, "No, it's too big."

Stickell continued to listen while he worked. Kenn asked, "Suggestions?"

Standing Bear offered, "We could split up, multiple entry points at the same time."

Kenn thought on that a little bit. He pulled out his datapad and got the immediate layout of the station from the Pack Mule's scanners. "No, there are too many corridors, too many chances for this plan to go south. I do not like to divide and conquer, especially when it's me that's being divided."

Muldoon said, "When Stickell opens the door, we flashbang and wide-angle stun the immediate area. Then from the shelter back here we tell everyone to drop their weapons."

Kenn nodded, "Better, but what if they don't?"

Bodie said, "This room is one of them near the hull. Remember what we saw when we were here before? Let us do a breach and while the air is whistling out, we tell them to drop weapons or else we… leave them."

Kenn smiled. "I remember your debriefing. I like it. How big of a breach?"

Bodie shrugged. "That room is big, but not that big, so we would have to be careful. It measures about 200,000 cubic feet. I'd say a hole about six inches would get everyone's attention real quick, but we could seal that easily."

Kenn looked at Petty Officer Black. "Do we have patch material?"

Black nodded. "Yes sir. I could do that in under a minute."

Kenn asked, "How do we make the breach?"

Muldoon said, "I'd recommend we shoot a Con-Thermite charge at the ceiling. When it hits, it will start a burn through. Five seconds at most. The vacuum will pull the molten slag through. Mr. Black can wear an anti-grav vest and seal it."

Kenn looked at Black. "You up to it Jacob?"

Petty Officer Black nodded. "I can do it sir."

"Let's get set up. How long Mr. Stickell?"

"Less than a minute sir." Stickell said, working the final fiber optics into place.

Kenney nodded and tapped his earpiece, "Kenn to Wisconsin."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

"They're going to do what?" Carter asked.

Leonaidas looked at LT Magnum, who was at the Security console. Magnum said, "They are going to breach the compartment to space, tell everyone to drop weapons, then fix the breach."

"In how long?"

Magnum said, "Ideally, under a minute."

Carter looked at Leonaidas, "Can it be done?"

Leonaidas said, "They think so. They're willing to do it, and from what the telemetry we're getting, it's about the only way 12 people can gain instant control over 200 plus armed thugs. Lt Magnum relay back to them 'good luck'."

BLAST DOOR ENTRACE

GHUT'S STATION

Stickell said, "Any time sir."

Kenn looked around, "Good. All ready everyone?" Kenn saw determined faces ready to go. "Ok, let's do it Mr. Stickell. Give us a 5 count."

Stickell nodded. "In 5, 4, 3…" The tension mounted. "2, 1, NOW!" Stickell tripped the last circuit and the blast door started to slide open.

As soon as the door was open a few inches, a couple of Badgers tossed in flash bangs. The door continued to open and the flash bangs went off. Three Badgers were ready with their rifles and started laying down wide-angle stun. Muldoon had the launcher ready and fired up into the roof the breaching charge. The charge hit the roof and immediately smoke started coming from it. Soon, it was glowing red then bright yellow as it got hot. Kenn was counting the seconds until the expected breach.

Right on time, there was a pop and the breaching charge was sucked into space. It turned to be just the right size as a loud whistle was coming from the hole. Kenn had a megaphone ready and said loudly. "WE ARE STARFLEET! DROP YOUR WEAPONS! AT THE FIRST SIGN OF RESISTANCE, WE WILL EVACUATE AND BLOW THE REST OF THE ROOF. DO THIS IMMEDIATELY!"

Four Badgers went in through the open blast door and said, "They are dropping weapons sir."

Kenn yelled, "Move!"

The Badgers moved in and immediately started securing the weapons. Kenn looked at Black and said, "Now Mr. Black."

Petty Officer Black activated his vest and jumped up slightly. The air pressure was noticeably dropping, and the other blast doors had already closed. Stickell was keeping this blast door open with his bypass. Black could feel the suction starting to pull him up. He got a large plate ready, salvaged from a wall close by. The plate was about six feet across with a couple of handles fashioned on the near side. Black allowed the suction to pull him towards the hole, there was a little bit of spin starting up now. Soon, the plate slammed over the hole. Black had guided the plate well, for his final trick, the far side of the plate was coated with a thick goo. Black pushed a button and a series of small charges were set off on the far side of the plate. The charges released a chemical that caused the goo to thicken significantly. This sealed off the hole and the differential pressure kept the plate in place. Black pushed off the ceiling and allowed himself to drift down to the floor.

Kenn smirked. "Nice work Mr. Black. I was expecting a welding operation."

"Mr. Santini taught me to keep it simple." Black smiled.

"That you did. And now our troubles really begin. Let's get to work in here. Muldoon!" Kenn said.

"Yes sir!"

"Let's start figuring out if anyone has a lead on the Captain." Kenn ordered.

"Aye aye, sir!"