[Bridge - Deck One - Detector]
"Two have beamed onto the Qashqai." LtJG Siashon shouted backward from the helm console. "Confirmation of Commodore Guzman's combadge."
Chisulo was about to turn to Rangi and smile when his Science Officer broke the moment of joy with his report. "Three warbirds de-cloaking off the starboard bow!"
"Three!?" Chisulo said, a little louder than he intended.
"Their weapons are charged! They're targeting the Qashqai!" Tactical reported.
"One of them is confirmed to be the scout ship we tracked." Science added.
Chisulo grimaced. "Helm attack pattern Chekov-Beta-Three. Drop the cloak. Tactical, full torpedo spread. Target the drive system of all three warbirds."
"Aye sir!" Came the simultaneous replies.
Saichon's exclamation and fast confirmation of the Commodore's combadge caused Rangi immeasurable relief. A wide smile transformed the worried expression on her face and she leaned back in her chair with a heartfelt sigh. The moment was short lived. Once again fear clutched her tightly in its grip and she sat motionless hearing the torpedoes fire from the ship in a deadly volley.
[Bridge - Deck One – USS Qashqai]
Shane invested only a warm look and a brief smile at his son when he made sure that Martin is cared for. He was taken into the small sickbay under guard and was immediately examined by Qashqai's medical staff. To leave no chances for 'accidents' open, sickbay was all covered by a strong force field, preventing anyone beaming in or out. Harker's dead body was locked down and put under stasis field.
It took him only a moment to arrive on the bridge and he was immediately briefed about the situation.
"Sir, we have three Romulan ships de-cloaking just in front of us" said the TAC officer.
"Shields! Red alert!" Shane cried and hurried over to the command chair. While walking he barked new orders: "HELM, evasive maneuvers, beta three. Get us out of orbit as fast as possible".
The small defiant class ship almost jerked as it sprung forward and then to the left attempting to evade. Maneuverability was Qashqai's only advantage against three Romulan ships. From what Shane could visually see, two were regular Warbirds of D'Deridex class, while the last ship was a scout vessel. The Qashqai would definitely beat the small scout vessel; one D'Deridex would be QUITE a match, but all three ships together were a certain death for the small defiant class Qashqai.
As the first distruptor shot slightly shook the ship, the OPS officer announced: "Sir, there is another ship decloaking, just above us. It's … the USS Detector!"
"What?" Shane called. "Continue evasive maneuvers and hail the Detector. I want to know what is going on here!"
[Bridge - Deck One - USS Detector]
The Detector's torpedo tube one erupted in blue flame, firing a lone transphasic torpedo toward the first target. The weapon glowed in a bright blue flame a is phased through the starboard d'deridex class warbird's shields and embedded itself in the aft drive section. Their was a slight pause before the hull of the large battle ship ruptured.
"Direct hit." Science called out. "We phased right through their shields. The singularity drive is destabilizing. They're imploding!"
"Target two." Chisulo ordered. "Attack pattern Riker-Seven." His gaze locked on the viewscreen before him.
"Sir!" The Communications officer called from the aft section of the bridge. "We're being hailed by the Qashqai."
Chisulo glanced back for a moment before refixing his gaze on the enemy at hand. "Ask them to hold, please."
The communications officer looked bewildered, but he would put the Commodore on hold just the same.
"We're in position!" Saichon called from the helm.
"Prepare for fire two." Chisulo ordered calmly.
[Bridge - Deck One – USS Qashqai]
Shane watched the visual effect of a transphasing torpedo with extreme surprise. Transphasing weapons were one of the top secrets of Starfleet and used VERY rarely and only in
cases where other weapons were ineffective. Seeing one on the Detector was QUITE a surprise. For a moment Shane was relieved, cause no Romulan ship could stand against transphasing weapons and this fight was already won.
"Detector asked us to hold down our communication request." Announced the TAC officer. Like lightning, a thought struck Shane's mind. {There might be Rangi on one of those ships!}
"Damn!" Shane shouted. "Tell the Detector to IMMEDIATELY stop firing. There might be Starfleet prisoners on those ships!"
Looking at the HELM officer he said: "Get us between the Romulans and Detector, NOW!"
"What?" asked the HELM officer not ready to believe his own ears.
"Damn it, you heard me! Bring us between the Romulans and Detector NOW!"
[Bridge - Deck One - USS Detector]
"The D'Deridex and Scout vessel are taking an evasive course." Tactical called out. "I can not get a lock on the d'deridex."
"Saichon," Chisulo ordered, "lay in a pursuit course for the d'deridex. Re-arm torpedo bay 1."
"Aye, sir." Saichon intially reported, but she quickly turned around. "Sir! The Qashqai is blocking our pursuit!"
"What?" Chisulo whirled around to the Communications officer. "Hail them. Now!"
The Communications officer nodded that the frequency was open. Chisulo turned to face the screen. "USS Qashqai, this is Captain Chisulo on the USS Detector. Please stand down immediately."
On the other end of the screen the face of Commodore Guzman appeared – rather NOT pleased "Captain, this is Commodore Guzman. There might be Starfleet prisoners on those ships. Hold your fire immediately!"
On one hand, Tedros Chisulo was glad to see the face of his commanding officer in tact (despite a bruised cheek and a black eye), but on the other hand he was deeply annoyed. The Commodore had just come between him and a torpedo lock on the d'deridex warbird that was escaping his grasp. "Commodore Guzman, all Federation prisoners are being held on Padassa Station." Chisulo said. But then he recognized the look of dread on the Commodore's face - it was the same look Rangi had worn as she came aboard the bridge. "Commodore, I have Commander Summers safely in my custody."
"Really?" Shane asked, his face lit in happiness. "Both Rangi and Varis?"
Chisulo cringed slightly as the mention of the JAG officer, who did not make it aboard the Detector but had died while in captivity. He decided it would be best to mention that fact after the current danger had passed, "I have Commander Summers, sir."
"Great job, Captain!" Shane cried in relief. "We… talk later, let's finish off those Romulans now…" It could be seen that Guzman ordered something and then Qashqai turned sharply to the right and down, opening a clear line of sight for the Detector. With a small circle the Qashqai targeted the small scout with her weapon systems and prepared to open fire.
"Resume intercept course." Chisulo ordered Saichon.
"Aye sir." Saichon replied.
Without any warning the Romulan Scout spun around and opened fire on the nearest warbird. Its weapons cut right through the shields of the giant Romulan ship, severing the neck and sending debris hurtling into space.
"Captain!" Tactical shouted to Chisulo. "All system on the D'deridex have gone dead."
Chisulo watched the scene unfold in incredulity. The scoutship, knowing the proper frequency with which to fire its disruptors, had disembodied the command section of the warbird and left it floating lifelessly in space. Did they have an ally aboard the scoutship?
"Target the scoutship," Chisulo ordered, "Hold fire. Helm, take us to their six o'clock."
The damaged bridge of the Romulan Scout appeared on the viewscreen of the Qashqai, and in the centre sat a Romulan man. Around him lay two dead Romulan bodies and an Anxinar officer sat in front of him at the helm.
"Commodore Guzman, I am SubCommander Cevalas," he introduced himself. "We are standing down weapons; we mean you no harm. I am a member of the Unificationist movement, and I am here to lend you any assistance you require. I apologise for not coming to your aid sooner, but I had to get something out of the way first," he said, looking sideways at the dead Romulans.
At first, Shane was very surprised about seeing the small scout vessel attacking the large D'deridex class War bird. Nonetheless, the scout ship was very effective in disabling the War bird and for a moment Shane thought that Harker … or maybe Tal'shiar were cleaning all traces … but then SubCommander Cevalas indruduced himself and his actions.
The 'raw' inside him yelled to deny any mercy to those Romulans and to destroy them ALL. They dared to kidnap his son and Rangi as well as other Starfleet officers and almost killed him … why should he not pay them the same? The power was in his hand, one simple order could put an end to those devils … but his sane side won the small inner battle and Shane finally nodded.
"Nice to meet you, SubCommander. Your assistance was unexpected but welcome nonetheless. Please excuse my distrust for the moment, but I had to learn the hard way what can happen when Tal'shiar is involved. Detector shall stay combat ready if any … surprises should happen and we can meet on board my ship"
The 'raw' inside him yelled to deny any mercy to those Romulans and to destroy them ALL. They dared to kidnap his son and Rangi as well as other Starfleet officers and almost killed him … why should he not pay them the same? The power was in his hand, one simple order could put an end to those devils … but his sane side won the small inner battle and Shane finally nodded.
"Nice to meet you, SubCommander. Your assistance was unexpected but welcome nonetheless. Please excuse my distrust for the moment, but I had to learn the hard way what can happen when Tal'shiar is involved. Detector shall stay combat ready if any … surprises should happen and we can meet on board my ship"
Shane nodded and looked at the TAC officer. "Lower our shields, disable weapons and go down to yellow alert. Contact the Detector and ask Captain Chisulo and Commander Summers to beam on board."
"Aye, sir."
[End Log]
Commodore Shane Guzman
Commanding Officer
Captain Tedros Chisulo
Tactical Advisor
Commander Rangi Summers
Medical Advisor
SSF First Taskforce
&
SubCommander Cevelas
Romulan Defector
(NPC by Bren)
