Post Number 21Here We Go Again

Posted on Fri Nov 18th, 2022 @ 2:14pm by Rear Admiral Paul Sanderson & Commodore Cyndi Song & Lieutenant Tara Herculoid PhD & Commander Jamie O'Connell & Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Lieutenant Commander Kristian Long & Lieutenant James McTavish & Captain Alesha Rivers & Captain Tracey West Jr & Lieutenant JG Jamie T. Kirk/AKA: "Jim" & Chief Warrant Officer Niraasha "Nira" Whisperwind & Lieutenant JG Ainkara "Kara" {Meji}

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

ON:

Green had sat down in her chair, accessing reports from across the ship on her armrest console. The Romulan Bird of Prey had been neutralized and now the pirates were their concern. When she happened the glance up at the screen in the middle of her research she saw the enemy off in the distance but, one of the ships at this distance looked odd. She stood up and took a few paces to center forward. "Main viewer, magnify image."

The order was acknowledged and the viewer appeared over the top of the window, magnified enough to see distinct lines and classification. "That's an Akira Class heavy frigate? Commodore, I suggest we launch every small craft we have, fighters included, to fight these bastards. Akira's are carrier vessels. If they have any small craft we will be facing more than two, and why Rivers should never have returned to the ship."

"Jamie, I am unfamiliar with the second pirate vessel. Do we have class and output available in our data banks?" Asked Green.

As Green's query was put forth the starboard turbolift opened and Chief Nira stepped out with Ainkara in tow. Once again they took up a position at SCI II, rearranging the station to their liking. Even Green could see that this Ainkara had acclimated herself quite well, her hands gliding over the console as if she had been doing it for years. A small red flag went up in her mind but, for now, they had other things to deal with.

"Raise shields, yellow alert for right now. Hail them," Cyndi ordered tapping her com-badge "Rivers launch all fighters and all delta's. We have two ships approaching, one an Akaria class. Just because that war bird is drifting does not mean she's not being repaired."

"Acknowledged, launching all fighters," Came Alesha's response

Tara resisted the urge to launch a probe as she well knew how cunning the Romulans could be.

Hearing Ro's request O'Connell accessed the Federation Data Base and checked against what was on the viewer "Commander that Ship is a Curry Class.....a cruiser/carrier type ship"

First Lieutenant West stood quietly on the bridge at parade rest. He looked quite intimidating in full body armor with a heavy phase pulse rifle in his hands, ready to supplement the security officers in the event of boarding.

His marines had been deployed upon yellow alert to all critical areas of the ship - Engineering, Sickbay, the Armory and Shuttlebay, similarly outfitted and ready for battle.

Space:

Eddie grinned as he spotted how badly damaged the Galaxy Class was and yet still able to maneuver. Seeing the fighters speed out of the ship he laughed "Load a torpedo and fire," he ordered as she opened a channel to Jynxza's private line. "I'm firing a torpedo at the Amandora."

"I am glad you finally decided to join the battle. Now, I won't have to kill you, Brisco." Said the Overseer, also known as Jynxza to those who knew her. And, there were two people who knew her quite well over on the Amandora. Especially Rogue Green. She had been wearing her headwrap style helmet with a visor, her armor designed to ensure no one could tell if the wearer was male or female. The ruse had worked well for years, allowing her to travel freely and engage allies she would need to exact her revenge. "Get them moving and maneuvering during battle and get them closer to the asteroid, as I instructed."

-Bridge-

Green saw West in her peripheral, wearing his combat gear and standing tall. His announcement of secure areas was a relief, but that was short-lived as O'Connell gave his report. "That's two carriers, Commodore! We are going to lose and lose badly if we stay here and fight on their terms. Amandora cannot withstand that many attackers at once." She then turned halfway to look at O'Connell and West. "Can you two tag team that Romulan Bird of Prey? Board and overtake so we have another set of guns? There could be as many as 200 over there."

Jamie looked over at Trace and gave him a grin then turned his attention back to Ro "We can" then had a thought "With respect Commander, I'd like to take our Infiltration Specialists along to help even up the odds."

"I would expect no less, Commander O'Connell," Green responded, giving him a knowing grin despite the situation.

West grinned at the request, then looked apprehensive, not that any of that was evident through the helmet he wore. He worried that if he and O'Connell left the ship, they were leaving it with a little less defense against boarders than he liked. On the other hand, what kind of Marine Commander would he be if he couldn't trust his men. He tapped the button on his bracer. "West to Williams. Report to the Bridge." Then he nodded to Jaime. "Let's go Commander."

"Two ships one Akira and one Curry Class, while we out gun them we're in no shape to take both of them on," Cyndi said.

"We are an Exploration cruiser, the Akira is a warship. With all due respect Commodore we don't outgun shit. Add to that their massive bay full of small craft, backed by another carrier and the odds drop dramatically in our favor." Explained Green. She was being very blunt but sometimes blunt was what was needed to get through to people.

Space

"Firing a torpedo," Brisco relayed back to Jynxza.

Jynxza rolled her eyes behind her mask and visor. Can this man do anything without announcing it, she thought to herself. Here she was adding in the last commands for her bomb. A quantum singularity drive from a Romulan vessel rigged to blow at the touch of a button. If close enough such a force would surely cripple, if not destroy, the Amandora. But, destruction was not her plan. Once Rogue Green was in her grasp then she cared nothing for the rest. The rest were Brisco's problem.

-Bridge-

"Incoming torpedo!" Announced Nira.

"Evasive maneuver Beta 4 Green!" Ro ordered. Suvak executed the maneuver expertly as he sent the Galaxy class into a barrel roll while accelerating to half impulse. At the last moment, when the torpedo was ready to strike Suvak dipped the Amandora to the starboard to protect that damaged side and letting the torpedo impact the port bow shields. The forward shields held even as the power surge from the explosion overheated consoles causing them to smoke and spark somewhat. "O'Connell, full port broadside, every emitter. Fire at will and rake them!"

O'Connell's hands flew over the controls setting everything up "Firing......direct hit.....their shields are down fifty percent" he informed Command.

"Nicely done," said Green as her eyes went around the Bridge. "Nira, take over for O'Connell. You two gather tour teams and get to the emergency transporter. We can send you lot over 20 at a time if need be." The pirates were now dedicated to the fight as energy weapons came to bare. In the vastness of space all vessels were exchanging shots, reaching out and touching each other with a lethal filament as they fought and maneuvered.

As O'Connell and West left the Bridge Nira took up the post at Tactical, bringing Ainkara with her and pointing to the left end of the console. Ainkara stepped in and following Nira's lead began to adjust the console for the Chief to do her duty smoothly. "Shields down to 60%!" Announced Nira. "Damage control parties working on decks 6, 18 and 24. Fusion reaction system is damaged but functional thanks to the quick thinking of Lieutenant Kahn. Back-ups are in full function."

"Distribute shield power to all angles equally," Green ordered. "Split fire and hit some of those enemy small craft!"

As she said that six enemy small craft all headed for Amandora as a wing. Two fighters and four shuttles, energy weapons sending out beams and bolts of deadly energy. They swept around and moved to avoid being hit, with two shuttles taking direct impacts from phaser fire and being sent adrift on emergency power. That left two fighters and two more shuttles, who in turn circled the Amandora to draw fire until they could come about on her starboard side. The shuttles were playing blockers for the fighters, taking grazing hits as they drove forward. When they were all in place and signaled each other the shuttles began an intense energy barrage on the damaged section of the Galaxy class. As their weapons impacted the shields causing them to fluctuate to compensate for the incoming energy each fighter fired two torpedoes at the same coordinates. The first pair to impact the shields tore them down, reducing their strength as the second pair impacted a second later, driving most of their explosive force into the hull of Amandora, the shields unable to deter that much energy at once. Several hull breaches could be seen and there were personnel mixed into the flotsam spewing into space from the decompressing sections affected.


Space

Aleasha gunned her fighter and charged at the enemy fighters, tapping her com "Target those fighters, the Amandora can't take much more of this." Alesha wanted to cloak but thought better of it Her people needed to see her. "Two of you break off and target those freighters!" Alesha ordered.

Bridge

Tara watched as Alesha's fighters engaged the enemy fighters "Alehsa be careful," Tara said quietly

Paul had bolted from his quarters the minute the ship had rocked from the first hit. He'd sat on his backside too long. Running for the nearest lift Paul made his way to engineering. "I'm here to help, just tell me where you need me," Paul said "I started my career as an engineer! And no admiral talk you need help!"

"We have sustained damage to the fusion reaction chamber," announced Nira. "Two reactors are now offline."

Green had seen and heard Paul come to the Bridge and chose to let his wife handle him. Her focus was on surviving this battle with a ship intact. So far that looked like a pipe dream with how much they were outnumbered. "Impulse affect, Chief?"

"Paul get your ass to engineering aid in any way you can,"Cyndi ordered

"Still at full impulse, for now, Commander," said Nira. "Another cycle in that section and we may be dead in the water. The plasma manifold in that section overloaded and blew apart so a bypass is trying to be established."

Green's voice had an edge of anger to it. Everything about this situation came out wrong. Her warnings had been ignored and now the crew were paying the price. "Tell them to get on it now! Suvak, get us clear of these ships as we maneuver. We can't sustain this level of combat." The Vulcan acknowledged and began to do his utmost to fly and get distance at the same time.

"Shields down to 43%," announced Ainkara, which drew looks from several around the Bridge. Did she just speak?

"Commodore," said Green. "We need the Picard maneuver. A micro warp jump to get us behind the pirate ships and clear of the small craft. It will be tricky with everyone zipping around. We could smash a small craft to bits while we warp through it, which will cause damage to us in turn but..."

Nira interrupted. "Three new vessels just appeared on our sensors!" She read her incoming data and her eyes looked up. "All three are Romulan Birds of Prey dropping cloak and powering weapons and defense!"

"Son of a bitch!" Green cursed. "This just isn't our day."

Nira continued. "All three are behind the pirates and they are locking weapons on them. Enemy small craft breaking off from us and turning to defend home." She grinned. "They are now engaging the pirate vessels."

Cyndi had just been about to order the Picard Maneuver when she heard Nira said three Birds of Prey had dropped cloak and were targeting the the pirate ships. "What the hell! Rivers get your fighters and target those enemy craft, stay away from the Birds of Prey."

"Acknowledged," Aleshsa responded as she too was surprised to see three Birds of Prey locking onto the pirate ships.

Cyndi knew her ship was in bad shape, hull breaches, and she knew life lost. Just as a well placed phaser beam from one of the pirate ships targeted and hit Rivers fighter taking out the engines.

"Alesha!" Tara cried out

"Herculoid stand down!" Cyndi ordered "Or I'll have you removed from the bridge, is that clear!"

"Engines are down but I still have phasers, and torpedoes," Alesha responded

- War Bird -

O'Connell reading the sensors could tell the Amandora wouldn't be able to hold out much longer. With Trace at the Helm and the ladies guarding the door Jamie tapped his Comm "Amandora we've taken over the Ship.....what's the plan" he commented hoping they weren't too late.

"If the Commodore agrees, O'Connell," Green responded. "Take command and use whatever you got left to take down the pirates."

"Incoming hail from the lead Romulan ship," announced Nira.

Green turned to look at Nira. "Keep a secure channel open so that O'Connell can listen in." She then looked to Cyndi. "The Romulans are calling. I'll let you handle this, Commodore."

Ainkara caught something on sensors that drew her eyes to a monitor, but before she could read what it was it vanished. Rolling the data back she read it and could not believe her eyes. She looked at Nira, busy with the battle, but she had to ask. "Who is the man in blue," she chinned toward Science.

Nira, her mind occupied. "Mister McTavish." That was it as the Puazi went back to her duty.

Ainkara was nervous. Each new person met was a possibility that they were agents of the Iconians. But, this was important. Taking in a breath and letting it out slowly she approached the man in blue who had all the sensor data and telemetry at his finger tips. "Mister McTavish?"

James looked over at the man in blue then turned to Ainkara "Relax, that's the Commodore's husband Paul; he poses no threat to you" he stated then went back to his work.

Cyndi shot Tara a warning look before turning het attention to the screen. "On screen" Cyndi ordered. "I'm Commodore Song. I thank you for your assistance."

Green faced the screen with the Commodore while Suvak maneuvered the Amandora to the edge of the fighting. The pirates were so involved now that they paid no heed to the Galaxy anymore. As Cyndi ordered the visual communication the viewscreen overtop the window started out black and then slowly faded to a picture of a Romulan Bridge and all the occupants behind a woman Green immediately recognized. Alona Tal, the Romulan who had served with them for a short while. Though she wore a Romulan style uniform it was not a uniform representing the Star Empire.

"Greetings, Commodore, it has been a while," said Tal in her opening. "Sub-commander Alona Tal of the Romulan Republic here to offer aid. That Bird of Prey out there is one of ours and we would like it back. We tracked the vessel to this region not expecting a welcoming committee. How is it you Starfleet put it; it looks like you bit off more than you could chew?"

"It has indeed been a long time Tal, I'm grateful for your assistance," Cyndi responded "I did bite off more than we can chew and the fault is mine alone. As for the Bird of Prey it's yours. I have people over there aiding in the attack."

"You have the gratitude of the Romulan Republic. Would you like prisoners, or do we just rid the galaxy of these parasites?" Asked Alona.

Nira spoke up a moment. "We are not being pursued. Seems the Romulan squadron has garnered their attention, Sir."

Tal's image shook a bit as her ship vibrated from an impact. "Attack pattern Shinzon's Death. Prepare the plasma weapon and inform the wing to do the same." She then looked back to the screen while her people worked. "Advise your craft to stay at medium range from the pirate vessels, Commodore. The plasma weapon does tend to spatter and explode for a distance and the range is extremely limited."

Green turned and looked back at Nira, seeing her sending the text to all craft. She gave a nod. Ro turned forward. "Craft informed, Commodore."

"Rivers fighter is disabled her engines have been knocked out tractor her aboard," Cyndi ordered "The prisoners should stand trial for attacking us and theft of Federation ships."

"We would have to lower shields, Commodore," Green informed her. "We are skirting the battle but we may take another hit while limping clear. If it were me, I'd do it anyway."

Alona spoke to her Bridge. "Helm, break away and head for that wounded Amazon fighter. Inform the wing to continue the attack and to not fire on the captured Bird of Prey. All pirate vessels are to be disabled, not destroyed." Her crew acknowledged and began to implement. "I'll cover your fighter with my ship, Cyndi, and try to block any incoming fire your direction. Jolan Tru." The Sub-commander gave a nod to someone off screen and the transmission ended.

Nira looked up. "Lead Romulan breaking formation and heading for Rivers." The other two fired their plasma torpedoes at the same time, aimed at the Curry class which had been pummeled by their plasma beams, the shields weakened. Both balls of fire slammed into her port side sending out a line of explosions along the hull. Bodies, small craft and debris blew out from decompressed sections. The hull plates were seared by the acidic plasma and their tinsel strength reduced. Any further hits along that side would surely rip the ship wide open. The windows showed lights flickering within and then most of them went out. "Direct hits by both Romulan vessels. One pirate ship disabled and requesting assistance. They are signaling their surrender, Commodore."

"Do we have transporters? If so lock onto them and beam them directly to the brig," Cyndi said looking to Herculoid "I know this hard for to understand but I know and trust her. If she's going to cover Rivers then she'll be safe and fine. Your trying for a treaty. What about the second pirate ship?"

Tara nodded "I have to trust her if there is to be peace between us."

Ro gave Tara a sour look. "She did say Romulan Republic, not Empire." Green moved away and went to Tactical to see what was going on there.

"The Akira is weathering the battle far better, Commander." Nira said, informing her superiors.

"As it should," said Green. "They were built specifically to take on numerous opponents and their ablative armor is some of the best in Starfleet."

Tal's BoP latched onto Alesha's fighter with a low yield tractor beam so as not to crush it, then extended their shields out in a bubble to cover the small ship while they moved toward Amandora.

Alesha feeling the Romulan tractor beam engage her fighter, she'd heard the transmission about them being from the Republic and she breathed a sigh of relief. Her fighter was crippled and had this been the Empire she'd have been killed. Seeing the Amandora getting closer was a relief to see the ship still intact despite the pounding it had taken. It was going to need extensive repairs."

"Security to Commander Green," came over the speakers.

"Green, here. Go ahead."

"You better get down here, Commander. Deck 24, Fusion Reaction section."

"Isn't Engineering on it?" Asked Green. But then, deep inside her she felt a twinge in the Core. This was important and for whatever reason she happened to glance over at the empty Counselor's chair and knew, without a doubt, why they were calling.

"This isn't an Engineering issue, Commander." The male voice on the other end did sound saddened, regretful.

Her blood running cold Ro looked at Cyndi and the sorrow in her eyes was unmistakable. "Permission to leave the Bridge, Commodore." Using the Core to control her body and mind, Green kept her voice even and in control.

"Permission granted, keep me posted on what you find down there. We've suffered damage and loss of life," Cyndi replied.

Once permission was granted Green tapped her badge. "Computer, site-to-site transport, Deck 24, Fusion reaction section." The whir of the transporter sounded and she disappeared in the shimmering light.

- War Bird-

After a tense situation Commander O'Connell finally had some good news to share "Commodore we've managed to take out the Akira's Flight Deck.....looks like we did considerable damage to the Ship as well" he relayed feeling quite good about what his Team had just accomplished.

- Bridge -

"The Akira is leaving the battle, Commodore," announced Nira. "They have serious damage to several systems...they just warped out. Tying in with Science to track their subspace eddies." She sent her data over to McTavish.

"Get me a damage report, I want to know how badly we're hurt. We owe Tal a lot for her assistance. Herculoid when this is over you and I are going to have a talk," Cyndi said.

Nira spoke out. "Commodore, Sub-commander Tal is hailing from the RRW Raptoress. Shall I put it on screen?"

"Yes put her on screen," Cyndi said.

Within moments the visual transmission came up showing a grinning Alona. "Good to see you made it through all of that, Commodore. We are now positioned at your aft and have released the fighter to free float."

"Commodore I recommend we get her aboard quickly get repairs underway. Something tells me the pirates will be back," cautioned Nira.

"Let them," said Alona. "We'll cloak and form a triangular defensive posture around you. That, and we'll send repair crews over to the damaged Bird, to assist your people there."

"Thank you sub commander, I'm in your debt," Cyndi said "Shuttle bay tractor Rivers aboard and tell her to report to sick bay. We'll get repairs started on her fighter. I'll alert my people over there so they'll know to expect your people."

"Commodore Lieutenant Rivers is aboard," came the reply

"Thank you," Cyndi said.

Alona stood quiet while Cyndi relayed commands, then spoke up. "We have our own repairs to see to, Commodore Song. It was an honor to fight beside you. Raptoress, out." The viewer disappeared from the window as the communication ended.

"They like having the last word, don't they?" Ainkara spoke from the aft Bridge section, having been observing since McTavish had been busy during the battle.

"Always," said Nira, rolling her eyes at Romulan narcissism.

Ainkara had to give a slight grin at that. "Well, it probably makes me related to them in some distant fashion. Like the Vulcans Silk showed me and that one there." She pointed politely at Suvak's back.

"There are two factions of the Romulans, one being the Empire and the other being the Republic. We were aided by the republic. Get to work on repairs while we can," Cyndi ordered as she got up from her seat and went to a console that needed repairs, kneeling down she pulled the cover off and set to work repairing it.

-Delta 5-

Kirk was awake and, as had been predicted, she came out of unconsciousness in a bit of a snit over the situation. However, she cooled quickly after speaking to the temporary pilot. Once her personal angst passed Jim took the co-pilot/tactical seat above and behind the pilot's seat. Tapping keys she transferred main piloting to her station and began to scan the area. "The battle seems to have fizzled into a cease fire. Alright, we head back to Amandora, Nathan." Said Kirk, using the name her guest had given her. "I'll let them know to expect refugees in Sickbay." Turning the Delta around 180 degrees Kirk left the ship at full impulse as she tapped the comm key. "Kirk to Amandora."

Bridge

Cyndi tapped her com-badge "Go ahead Kirk,"

Green had returned to the Bridge just as Kirk had spoken but she was in no mood to intervene. Instead, she went and stood at SCI II, tapping keys and checking casualty reports. Eleven dead, five of which were floating in space from decompressed sections. She closed her eyes and said an internal prayer for them.

Kirk came back over the speakers. "We're alive and well, Commodore. I am returning to Amandora's position to beam my passengers to Sickbay." As she spoke Kirk was maneuvering to avoid all the flotsam that was everywhere in space right now. "Doctor Bjorgo and Cosmo remained on the freighter." Jim could see they were almost in transporter range.

"Transporter room lock onto Kirk's Delta beam injured to sick bay. Kirk stand by and we'll get you aboard as well and why did Dr. Bjorgo and Cosmo remain on the freighter?" Cyndi asked "I'm going to want damage reports, injured and...dead."

Kirk saw all her passengers get whisked away before she responded. "Negative, Commodore. I would prefer to remain in flight since we don't know if the Akira will return, and with greater numbers. Requesting permission to remain in flight, Sir."

"Permission granted. Be careful and stay in contact with the ship." Cyndi responded getting up from the console she'd been working on.

Kirk acknowledged and cut the channel. Angling more towards the bow of the Amandora she cruised alongside the behemoth mother ship before pulling out ahead of her. That's when her eyes caught sight of the asteroid Rivers had reported about. With a slight lane change Kirk had her Delta meandering that way, making sure to pull ahead of Amandora. A derelict freighter floating near to a Ceres sized asteroid that was comprised of mainly iron with other elements and ice to fill it out. Closing the distance could give her more data so she casually flew along and dropped to half impulse.

OFF: