#11 On the Bridge

Posted on Sun Nov 13th, 2022 @ 11:24pm by Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Lieutenant JG Jamie T. Kirk/AKA: "Jim" & Chief Warrant Officer Niraasha "Nira" Whisperwind & Lieutenant JG Ainkara "Kara" {Meji} & Commodore Cyndi Song & Commander Jamie O'Connell & Lieutenant Dorox & Lieutenant James McTavish & Captain Alesha Rivers & Lieutenant Suvak

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: Bridge
Timeline: current

ON:

-insert-

“Science, tactical maintain surveillance, I don’t want to be caught off guard,” Cyndi ordered as she looked to Ro “Your quiet, what are you thinking?”

-end-

Green had been deep in thought. She had been feeling some nagging sensation at the back of her mind that something was amiss. In her life amiss, not with the ship. But, now, it did seem to involve the ship, and a personal vendetta. Ro had been contemplating possible suspects. So far, none made sense when they came to mind.

Giving a half-assed grin she glanced over. "Apologies, Commodore. Just trying to evaluate the meanings behind what was said. Everything points to revenge. On the Amandora as a whole, and also a few personal vendettas. I was scrolling my memory for the possible list of candidates."

Kahn had been standing over by her own chair, and for the last few minutes had stood still as a statue except for her constant tapping on a PADD as she read data. Finally she tapped the device off and slid it into her thigh pocket. "This is a trap, I cannot shake that feeling. And, I keep getting flashes...mental images. It starts with you two, if you'll pardon me saying so," She ended, nodding at both Cyndi and Ro to make sure they knew who she was speaking about.

"Care to explain? And what kind of trap?" Cyndi asked "I've mad a few enemies over the years. But by now I'm sure they're long dead, in prison."

"I'm running into the same mental block, Cyndi." Green gave another grin, this time with warmth and relaxation behind it. "All the enemies that meant me harm are either rotting in a prison or dead. And, we've all faced enemies together. So, we'll only know once they reveal themselves."

Cyndi nodded "We've all made enemies over the years. Prison or dead. Who ever this is as you said will make themselves known once they're closer to us. In the meantime that freighter needs our help."

"Commodore," said Green in a non-demeaning calm tone. "We are helping them. Everything is on schedule."

Zenni understood where Cyndi was coming from. Having commanded her own ship in a previous life, and always been a part of the command staff meetings no matter where she was, it was hard to stand on a Bridge and send your people out on dangerous assignments. But, each person wearing a uniform swore an oath to do just that. Having read Earth's chaotic history it was surprising when she found that it was Humans who had thought up the Federation.

Kahn looked over at Cyndi. "Commodore, let your people do their jobs. If we rush we'll make mistakes."

"I know, I'm just not used to sitting on my arse and watching. But as my husband and my first officer remind me, I'd my job to have place for them to return to," Cyndi replied.

O'Connell stood at Tactical watching his screen like a hawk as the three ships approached "Commodore at their present speed the Syndicate Ships will be at our current position in about four hours" Jamie called out hoping the Away Team would have enough time to get the job done.

Nira had come onto the Bridge via the main lift at the aft section of the Bridge. Ainkara, their Voran passenger was with her as the Puazi had found the woman wandering the corridors. She knew the circumstances, had been keeping up with it from Security, and after finally deciding to come and aid the Bridge she had found the wanderer.

Green turned herself so as to face Cyndi, but be able to look over easily at O'Connell. "You're the Tactical Chief, Jamie. Do we go to Yellow Alert and keep the crew tense for four hours? Or, do we wait until the time draws closer?"

Ainkara was beside Nira, slightly behind her right shoulder, glancing around and taking it all in. Her mind broke it down quickly, seeing what stations were meant for what. Her brain had been chewing on this Federation Standard language that seemed to be a common tongue among these people. She could read and understand at this point but was still unable to find her voice. She stepped in closer to a man standing at a bow shaped console directly behind three command seats. This put her on his left as her eyes began to gaze at the panel, again her mind taking it all in for more understanding to better integrate.

Jamie thought for a moment before answering "With respect Commander I'd go to yellow alert to keep the Crew on their toes in case this turns out to be a viable threat." he replied.

"Sound Yellow Alert, Commander O'Connell." Ro then looked to Nira and the guest, Ainkara. The Voran female stood to Jamie's left, her eyes darting all over the console as she watched the Commander in action.

Nira remained with Ainkara, making sure she did not try and touch the Tactical Station.

"Chief Nira," said Green. "Take Ainkara to the SCI II standing station. We don't need her interfering with Mister O'Connell."

O'Connell did as ordered and hit the switch to put the Ship into Yellow Alert so the entire Crew would know something may happen. Watching the Tactical Screen Jamie would advise Command at the first sign of the Syndicate Ship's weapons coming online; but until then he would continue with his watchful eye.

Cyndi hearing Ro instruct Nira to take Ainkara to Science Station II looked around the bridge and wondered where Herculoid gone to and when she's left the bridge. Since she'd been manning main console. Tara must have had something pressing. "Those ships change course or speed let me know."

Nira got Ainkara to the SCI II station, opening it up and activating different screens on the touch face. Ainkara watched what she did and how she did it and within a minute began to take over, her hands gliding over the controls quickly and smoothly enough to hinder Nira from reaching in. Realizing what she was doing, being rude, Ainkara pulled her hands back and dropped them to her sides. Her eyes continued to watch all the goings-on.

"Any further readings on those approaching ships?" Cyndi asked.

-Delta 5-

Kirk reached up and hit her comm on her suit. "Kirk to Amandora. We have three survivors, so far. Can you get a transporter lock and beam them to Dora's decon?"

The transmission came through with static, but not enough to drown out voices.

-Dora-

Green's head came up and her eyes blinked. "Ensign Kirk, report." She had been reaching out with the Core, to try and find answers to the current situation. So far, nothing.

"We're holding steady, Commander Green," answered Kirk. Thoros and Bjorgo went over to the freighter to see what they could do. If I read Thoros right while we talked then his goal is to get the radiation under control and begin clean-up. Doc Bjorgo went in to find survivors and has three trapped in the medical lab inside their decon chamber. On a freighter that has to be a tight fit, Sir."

"Understood," Green replied, looking to Cyndi. "Commodore, if we can get a lock on those folks we need to beam them to our own decon."

The channel was open for all to pipe in.

"Sick bay is ready commodore, I have decon chambers ready," Kristian chimed in.

Cyndi tapped her com-badge "Doctor Bjorgo, Doctor Long reports she had decon chambers ready, Transporter room lock onto those survivors and beam them directly to sick bay."

"Stand by sir" came the reply "Getting a lock now, energizing. You should have them."

"Affirmative," Kristian said "I have them."

Kirk asked, "How long do we have before the radiation is irreversible?"

Kahn perked up at that. "By my estimation, Ensign, anyone not protected by a suit has about sixteen minutes before radiation sickness becomes fatal."

DELTA 5

"Fair enough," Replied Kirk. "I'll call you back in seventeen minutes. Kirk, out." She reached out and closed her portion of the channel. "Cosmo, Thoros has a bone lock. Keep your scans on him. Living compartments and Bridge, douse it in anti-radiation cleanser. I'm going in."

Getting to her feet Kirk put her helmet on and made sure it was sealed, starting her suit controls. Once done she headed for the aft section, closing the door between compartments. The forcefield was still up, the airlock open as Kirk looked into the long, dim corridors of the freighter. She stepped through the field and her suit immediately began to pipe-off with radiation warnings. "Cosmo, start the cleanser here. Douse me too."

Without warning the cleanser spigots came out of the bulkheads, spraying the entire corridor, with three jets hitting Kirk from three sides at once. Top, right and left as she was completely covered in anti-radiation cleanser, her suit beginning to wind down. Taking a step Kirk let out a yelp as her foot slid on the slippery cleanser and water, causing her to crash onto her left hip and half-ass catch herself. She was now on her left side, leaning up on her elbow, like some fashion model for EV suit magazine.

BRIDGE

"You've done all you can over there," Cyndi called "If you've not found any more survivors return to the ship and get checked out. What is the condition of that freighter? Can she maneuver? We should put her between us and those approaching ships and if need be destroy it."

Jamie was looking at his Tactical screen intently keeping a close eye on the approaching Ships "Commodore the three Ships are two hours from our current location and they're heading right towards us" he stated knowing the Away Team didn't have much time left.

"Away team status report, those are two hours away," Cyndi called "If there are more survivores beam them aboard and return unless you've found a way to move that freighter in front of that asteroid where Rivers has found a drifting and dead freighter. Let the asteroid destroy both freighters."

Green was taken aback by what the Commodore just said, but remained stoic.

-Freighter-

Bjorgo's voice came through the speakers as he reached Kirk and helped her to get back to her feet on the slick freighter deck. "Amandora, Bjorgo. I got Kirk," with ease he held her up and steady, tapping a key on her left bracer. She suddenly became steady on her feet as he hit the adhesion activation for her boot soles. "Better?"

Kirk nodded with an embarrassed grin. Why didn't she think of that.

"This ship is salvageable, Amandora," reported Bjorgo. "Where were you headed, Ensign?" The channel was open for others to listen.

Jim Kirk angled her tricorder so he could see it. There was quite a life sign in one of the cargo holds, but the ambient energy cascades from damaged systems, and the radiation levels which were dropping, prevented a discerning scan as to what it actually was. "I have transporter tags in my belt pouch, Doctor. Everything alive gets a tag and a free transporter ride to Amandora."

Tore nodded slowly in admiration. "We have another life sign to check, Amandora. Thoros, if you can hear us, get back to the Delta or beam back to Dora when you're finished. It will take us about five minutes to check the cargo hold, Commodore, then we'll be headed back."

"Tore, is the freighter going to pose any danger to the Amandora if we bring it aboard and possibly assist in repairs? Keep me posted on the condition of the survivor you've detected. Can the freighter maneuver under her own power or will we need to tractor it?" Cyndi asked

-Bridge-

Commander O'Connell was still keeping a close eye on the approaching Ships "Commodore the three Ships have increased their speed; they'll be at our current position within the hour" he communicated to command.

McTavish leaned over towards O'Connell "Looks like the manure is about to hit the ventilator soon" he stated in a low voice so as not to be overheard.

"Let's hope not" Jamie replied with a bit of a sigh; it was never good having to go into battle....if it came to that.

"Red alert, away team locate any other survivors, if possible we can lock a tractor on that freighter. Scans report those three ships have increased speed and will be here in an hour. Rivers put your fighter between the freighter and those approaching ships just in case," Cyndi ordered

"Understood sir," Alesha responded.

-freighter-

Kirk and Bjorgo found ten more people shackled in a scan shielded hold. Putting tags on each one they all beamed directly to the Delta, with Bjorgo tending to them in the aft section while Kirk sat in the pilot's seat and began to tap keys. "Kirk to Thoros. I am detaching and will be free and clear. We still have a bone lock on you. Shout out when you're ready. Kirk out." Removing her helmet Kirk set it aside on the deck under the console. Delta 5 released and floated free as the airlock machinery folded back up within. Turning her ship Kirk put herself between the freighter and where the incoming vessels were going to pop out. If nothing else she could be a distraction.

-Bridge-

An hour quickly went by "Commodore the Ships are dropping out of Warp.....two of them are powering up their weapons" O'Connell called out to command.

Green stood at Bridge center. "Split targets and lock phasers on both vessels. Let's let them know we will react accordingly, Mister O'Connell."

"Aye Commander....targets split.....phasers locked.....awaiting your command" Jamie stated in a clear voice.

"Rivers lock your phasers on one of the ships, fire a warning shot just over it. If it returns fire target engines only, O'Connell same applies to you, fire a warning shot, if they return fire then your to target engines only. I do not want to risk a fire fight with one of our fighters out, Lieutenant Thoros on that crippled freighter," Cyndi ordered "Rivers I want more details on that freighter you reported finding that had been hit by the asteroid. Lieutenant Thoros return to the ship, engineering lock a tractor on the freighter and bring it alongside."

"Firing warning shot now commodore," Alesha responded as she swung he fighter behind one of the approaching ships and fired the warning shot just over the top it it, no damage but enough of a jolt to let them know she meant business, "Amandora warning shot fired, the lead ship has powered weapons,"

"Aye Commodore" O'Connell acknowledging the order "Warning shot fired over the second Ship.....they're powering up their weapons." Jamie could tell he had come very close to the Ship with the warning shot.

"I want to get out of this without a fight," Cyndi said "Communications open haling frequency."

"Your on commodore,"

"This is Commodore Cyndi Song commanding the Federation Starship USS Amandora, we're on a rescue mission. Stand down there is no need for us to get into a fight."

While Song was busy giving her orders Green stepped over near to the OPS console, tapping the actual comm key. "Ensign Kirk, did we hear you correctly? You have refugees aboard?"

Kirk's voice came back immediately. "That's affirmative, Commander. Bjorgo is in the rear with them, tending to their injuries."

Ro took a breath in through her nose and let it out as one would when they hear something they did not like. "Ensign Kirk, you will immediately head for Shuttlebay Two. We can lower aft shields long enough for you to land. Get those citizens to safety."

-Delta 5-

Kirk barely heard the door between front and aft slide open, her frustration apparent by the momentary clenched fist she made when Green gave the orders. It took a great deal of willpower to not respond with any kind of sass. "Aye, Sir. Delta 5 is now RTB (returning to base)." She tapped the comm off before she added, "Kirk, out."

Bjorgo had stood back and watched Kirk's reactions to being told to stand down and turn from a fight. She may not have been related to James T. Kirk but she sure as hell had a lot of his personality traits. When there's a fight you stand your ground and hit the enemy hard enough to make them think twice about ever doing it again. He could understand that since he was an Augment and had roamed the galaxy for many years as a mercenary and bodyguard. "Jim, keep in mind that our first priority as Starfleet personnel is to safeguard the citizens."

"I know, Tore," said Kirk, a bit of shame in her tone. "It just goes against my nature to turn away from an enemy. Whoever these people are, whatever their reasons, this is a well-orchestrated plan." Her hands glided over her controls as she had the Delta turning around and heading for Amandora, even as she spoke. "My gut tells me we're being baited and set up."

-Bridge-

When Kirk tapped the comm off, effectively cutting off Commander Green, Ro went to reach for the comm key again and froze in place, her hand hovering an inch above the panel. Her eyes showed a faraway look to them.

Zenni could feel the Core rising in her Master and Commander so she stepped to Ro's side. "What is it?"

"We have incoming, Commodore," stated Green, turning away from Kahn and looking at everyone else on the Bridge. "McTavish, O'Connell, see if there are any cloaked ships around us. Break the laws of physics if you have to, people."

O'Connell instantly started making adjustments to the Tactical Console searching the area "Nothing appears on my scans Commander" he stated.

Meanwhile McTavish initiated a Parametric scan of the area in proximity to the Ship. After a few minutes "Commander I'm picking something on my scans....it's a cloaked Ship off our starboard side" James stated with certainty.

"Pardon my interruption, Commodore," said Green. "Commander O'Connell, fire that warning shot when ready. Mister McTavish, is this an accurate detection or more of a hit and miss on location?" As she asked her query Ro moved over next to Ainkara and Nira, reading the SCI II station. "Jamie," she said, looking back to O'Connell. "Take the data from McTavish and manually aim a starboard phaser emitter at the coordinates. Be ready to fire on our command."

"No phaser lock?" Asked Nira.

"No," explained Rogue. "Even passive sensors can detect a weapons lock. I don't want them to know shit until we strike." Green moved back over to stand center Bridge with her CO.

James checked his Screen one more time "No Commander, it's accurate" he replied.

O'Connell grabbed the coordinates from McTavish and entered them into his Console and made the necessary adjustments "Locked and loaded, awaiting your command" Jamie responded.

Kahn Looked to Ro. "Commander Green, there is no need for counselor services at this time. Permission to go and assist damage control teams."

"Granted," said Green.

Nira lifted her eyes from her console. "Kirk is at the aft section. Dropping aft shields to allow her access to Shuttlebay 2."

"Ahhh!" Ainkara let out a yelping cry and pointed to a monitor screen on the console Nira was at.

"Romulan plasma torpedo, incoming, starboard side!" Announced Nira. "It came out of nowhere!"

"Full power to Starboard shields, evasive maneuvers!" Cyndi called "Get us out of here!"

Alesha seeing the incoming torpedo dove and came up under the freighter and engaged her cloak. Disengaging it she let her fighter drift off as she spun in an attempt to destroy the torpedo. It was heading for the Amandora fast. Alesha set off a volley of phaser fire in hopes to save the ship.

-Delta 5-

Kirk was just about to enter the shuttle bay when all the red alert klaxons went off inside her ship. Cosmo began blathering non-stop about an incoming plasma torpedo. Tapping the intercom key for inside the Delta Kirk let her passengers know what was going on. "Hold tight folks! Incoming fire towards Amandora and I am peeling away! We're in this fight whether we like it or not. Kirk out." The intercom closed down as Kirk made a sharp turn to port away from Dora. Shuttlebay 2 was, thankfully on the port side of the neck, at the base, so her small craft was at least shielded by hull and superstructure from the nasty, acidic plasma blast that was incoming towards Amandora.

-Bridge-

"Brace for impact!" Shouted Green as the ship got broadsided by the torpedo, along the Secondary hull and base of the connecting neck structure. Damage alarms began to go off at each station as the plasma smashed through the shields and plastered the hull plates like napalm, causing the plating to essentially break down and become brittle. Thankfully modern engineering had come a long way in that regard, but it still didn't take away from the fact that Dora's shileds just took a 40% drop in an instant. The ship shuddered and bucked as Suvak did his best to avoid incoming fire. She had noted Rivers trying to shoot the torpedo from the sky but to no effect. That ball of plasma took the brunt as the fighter's energy weapons were shunted away by the stronger energy of the plasma weapon.

"DAMAGE REPORT! All decks!," Cyndi called "I want to know how badly we're hurt. Rivers did a hell of a attempt but it was too much for her fighter."

Alesha had watched in horror as her phaser volley had been absorbed by the incoming torpedo. Swearing she broke away from the ship and cut her engines in an attempt to find that War Bird. She knew where the weaknesses in the engines were and if she could find it she could knock out the engines. Alesha wanted to alert the Amandora of her plans but that would give her away.

-Nemesis-

Standing before the command chair on the Romulan T'Varo class warbird, an evil grin crossing the leader's face as they watched the Amandora get lambasted by the torpedo. Before the sub-commander and his command officers were executed the Leader would have to thank them for providing quite an effective fast attack vessel. As per orders the T'Varo had immediately began to maneuver from where it had been, and now that the plasma torpedo had created an ambient energy field the chances of being detected now were nil. Starfleet phaser beams lanced out and smacked the Romulan ship along its port side aft but not enough to damage the cloak. Leader was unimpressed that the cowardly criminals weren't engaging yet, as per agreement. They too would be dealt with but, for now, Rogue Green was all that mattered.

"Overseer, we have a small craft leaving the Amandora. A Delta Flier. Passive scanners cannot determine who, or what, is aboard."

"Keep us below one-quarter impulse power while maneuvering." Ordered the Overseer. "It will keep detection down to a minimum."

~Really?~ thought the helmsman ~Then why did we get shot?~ He never said that, knowing the Overseer's predilection for killing those who failed them. There were 200 Romulan bodies floating in space light years away because Overseer commanded it. Only the department heads were kept alive...for now.

-Bridge-

Green was shutting down overloaded stations on the Bridge while still giving orders and receiving updates. "Fire at will, people! Suvak, keep us from getting surrounded!"

Alesha's Fighter:

Alesha was scanning for any disorientation field when she spotted the War Bird as several shots from the Amandora had found it's mark albet glancing blows, it was enough for her to spot the Romulan ship, grinning as she dove under it and came out behind it, turning so her bow was facing the Romulan ship's aft section she charged her phasers, not even bothering for the computer to target the vessel as she knew where the weakness was. Firing full phasers Alesha knocked out the War Bird's engines and with it took out weapons and did some serious damage to the cloak. Pulling back Alesha dove once again under the War Bird and then shot straight out from under it and rolled over it and then engaged her thrusters and flew off short distance, stopped her engines and watched to make sure the Romulan ship was crippled before returning to the Amandora.

Green saw what had transpired as she worked with Nira to angle the sensors and keep enemies spotted. But, since the Romulan vessel was now dead in the water then she could restore full control over to Cyndi. It was amazing that the full power phasers from Amandora had caused reasonable but light damage to the warbird, but an Amazon fighter tore it to shit. Curious.

Time to focus on the other two ships.

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