== USS D'Artagnan =
Moïra finally managed to get on her new bridge. She looked
around in a hurried amazement, as the partially chosen crew
stepped in. Because, when Moïra was given the opportunity
to choose her crew, she was rather speechless. The only one
she wanted to choose was Blitz, but he was named there
anyway. For the rest, she picked up a crew that seemed to be
experience, but still young enough to be adventurous.
Moïra sat in the Commanding Officer's chair, ornamenting
the Bridge, almost in a glare. She slowly rest her petite
body in the chair, touching the armrests with the tips of
her finger. It seems that all that was surreal. She seemed
to forget the noise around her, as different officers were
taking place in chairs around her. The familiar face of
Blitz made her fade back in reality slowly.
Moïra was amazed of how fast everything seem to be
together. Granted, some finishing touch of the ship was not
done, but, overall, it was shining new, with that few
starship smells filling Moïra's nose. The leather's odour
was overwhelming, at least, for her.
After a few minutes, a beep could be heard at her right
side. Her eyes shifted on Blitz console. "Status?" Blitz
nodded as he was reading the message. "Essential combat crew
is on board. We have also 7 temporary assignments onboard,
due to the circumstances. Holodecks, the lounge and most of
the recreation area is still offline, so engineering has a
little more power to play with.", Blitz claimed.
Moïra nodded and looked at the helm. "Lieutenant Chavez,
Warp... ", he said, before being interrupted by Blitz. "This
is PO1 Watkins. Chavez hasn't arrive in time.", Blitz
claimed, smiling.
The PO turned and smiled, his thick red mustache contrasting
with his white teeth. Moïra nodded, grinned, then claimed:
"PO Watkins, Head for Starbase 234, Maximum warp... NOW!"
The D'Artagnan slowly moved out of the holding clamps and
made a sharp 270 degree turn. The nacelles powered up and
the ship was slingshoted into Warp.
"ETA, 28 minutes, Ma'am!", claimed LtJg Klein, the
Operations officer. Moïra looked at the holoprojector, as
the situation was frequently updated. She looked through the
system, to learn more about the ship she was granted the
helm of.
======= Bridge, RIS Kuulam ======
erie`Riov Talek, Leigh of D'Deridex Warbird Kuulam felt
quite happy. It was an honour that the Kuulam and her crew
could take part on the 1st stage of invasion into the hated
Federation territory. Talek was one of the more faithful
leighs (Cos) in the Galae (fleet) and he considered this
chance as a reward by the gods for his years of service in
the Romulan military. Eager, he waited for his chance to
prove himself.
For the moment, the RIS Kuulam as well as six other Warbirds
were held in reserve, at the edge of the battle. Close
enough to be in center of the battle within a minute, but
still far enough not to be in danger of getting any hits. If
it would be left on Talek, he would order the Kuulam to
attack the Federation Starbase, but as a loyal officer, he
complied to his orders and waited with six other ships for a
moment when fleet command would need them.
== USS D'Artagnan ==
Moïra looked up ad she heard the PO claiming they were
seconds away. She grabbed her armrests without even
noticing, as she ordered the ship to move out of warp.
"Status report!"
Klein barked: "Warbird right in front of us, heading to
SB234".
Moïra nodded and put the warbird on the main screen. She
looked at it. "Shields up!".
Blitz screamed at his turn "Red alert, all hands to battle
station.".
Moïra looked at Blitz and nodded. She understood that she
will need to get the reflexes, and fast.
======= Bridge, RIS Kuulam ======
The Gonaiih'Saehne (HELM) officer turned in his seat and
reported: "Leigh, the Federation ship is right behind us
…. As expected".
erie`Riov Talek nodded. It was just a few minutes ago since
Galae Command ordered the Kuulan to intercept the incoming
federation ship … called … D'A. Immediately, Kuulan
left the file of six reserve Warbirds, decloaked and
pretended to head towards SB 234. Command expected that the
Federation ship will get the bait and follow them.
They were right.
"Arm rear torpedo launchers with cloaked torpedoes and
target the D'A!" Talek ordered. "We shall surprise
them and teach them a lesson".
"Launchers ready" reported the Amei'Saehne (TAC)
officer.
"Fire!" called Talek.
Since they were cloaked, it was nothing to see on the main
screen … not even sensors showed a sign … and the Kuulam
continued on his straight course to SB 234. Talek hoped to
fool the enemy and catch them unprepared.
"thee … two … one … impact!" called the
Amei'Saehne (TAC) officer with affection in his voice.
== USS D'Artagnan ==
The hit was terrible. Not because it caused much damage, in
fact, it hit the shields hard and, momentorally brought them
as low as 28%, but because it was unexpected. Moïra stood
from her chair in excitement when she saw the warbird. She
was about to order torpedos to be fired, when the first
cloaked torpedo hit them. With the consecutive impact,
Moïra was thrown forwards 4 meters and landed flat on her
stomach, scraping her face on the ground.
At that time, Blitz screamed: "Compensate!", at the same
time than Klein advised the shield were down to 28%. Blitz
grabbed Moïra by the shoulders and turned her. She was
stunned a little, but conscient. "Transfer all power to
forward shields and, for the love of God, FIRE!", she
shouted, still laying on the ground.
The D'Artagnan's 8 forward torpedo bay emptied themselves
immediately, as the phaser cannons started spitting their
fire.
"Let's see what they think about that", Moïra added, as
she was standing up. Blitz nodded at Moïra then looked at
his Klein.
"What the hell was that?", he asked, not really waiting for
an answer.
======= Bridge, RIS Kuulam ======
"Direct hits … 100% precision!" called the Amei'Saehne
(TAC) officer.
erie`Riov Talek slammed his command chair in joy:
"That's shall server them! Sharp turn and fire
distruptors!" he ordered.
"Leigh" the Amei'Saehne (TAC) officer interrupted, "I
suggest we cloak and fish the DA with cloaked ammunition
…"
Talek scowled, "You're a coward. Just look at the meager
fleeters … they are frozen with fear and unable to
withstand our power. By the Declared … do what I say!"
The The Gonaiih'Saehne (HELM) officer already performed half
of the turn when the Amei'Saehne (TAC) officer cried:
"Incoming torpedoes!". It was ill luck for the RIS
Kuulam that four of the torpedoes hit the dorsal section …
where the shields were weakest. The ship rocked slightly and
lights flickered for a moment. "Minimal damage to the
hull, shields down to 70%" reported the Amei'Saehne (TAC)
officer.
Talek was surprised that the DA reacted that quickly. Taken
by surprise with weakened shields, the DA {what a silly
name!} was still a formidable enemy for a single D'Deridex
class Warbird. Tactical simulations declared that a
D'Deridex class equals to a Galaxy class federation ship
… but a Sovereigh class (what was DA's case) was
somewhat beyond their abilities.
"dog-fight" with the DA wasn't the best option.
"Call for assistance!" Talek called and turning to the
Amei'Saehne (TAC) officer he ordered: "Launch the
myotronic inhibitor! … we need to get their weapons
down!"
