Compile#18 July 01-06 (USS Rosenante & USS Boudicca Joint) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Once More Into the Breach Day 4 Stardate: 2414.01.18 Compile Summary (USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - Candle’s Office - ACMO Dr Candle - 1017) (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 10.25) (USS Boudicca - Sick bay - TAC/SC Ship's EMH - 1032) (USS Rosenante - Sickbay, - CMO, Lt jg. Kimiko Ichijo, Day 4 - 1141) (USS Rosenante, Security Offices, Ensigns Mike Rosenbauer & Eva Saint-Jean, 1149) (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1151) (USS Rosenante, Transporter 2, CEO, Lt. Matrix, 1202) (USS Boudicca, Transporter Room, CEO, Lt. Matrix, 1205) (Shuttle Lorimar- CSEC- LT Chance Raschen- 1210) (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Ensigns Mike Rosenbauer & Eva Saint-Jean, 1211) (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1212) (Runabout Lorimar - Science Officer Ensign Maria Holly - Day 4 - 1213) (Runabout Lorimar – ATT LCDR Lorimar – 1214) (USS Rosenante - Bridge - FO - Commander T'Larah Sullivan - 1215) (Runabout Blackwater – CEO Lt. Steven Matrix – 1216) (Shuttle Lorimar- Sci Officer Ensign Maria Holly - Day 4 1217) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 – ACSO Ensign (jg) Isra Caliel - Day 4 - 1218) (USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - Candle’s Office - ACMO Dr Candle - 1219) (Runabout Lorimar - Science Officer Ensign Nickolas Romanoff - 1220) (Runabout Lorimar- Lt Chance Raschen- 1221) (Runabout Lorimar - Main Cabin - Science Officer - Ensign Andrew Maddox - 1223) (Runabout Lorimar – ATT LCDR Lorimar – 1224) (Runabout - Science Officer Ensign JG Joseph Willowbrook - Day 4 - 1226) (USS Boudicca Main Transporter Room - Lieutenant Tom Jackson 2O / COPS Day 4 1230 ) (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Dr Candle, Day 4, 1233) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Ensign(jg) Henry Jacobs - 1237) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ASCO Ensign(jg) Isra Caliel - 1238) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1240) (USS Rosenante, Bridge, CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 4- 1255) (Runabout Rosencrantz, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1256) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Ensign(jg) Henry Jacobs - 1259) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - 2O/COPS Lieutenant Tom Jackson - 1302) (Runabout Blackwater - Cockpit - ACEO Ensign(jg) Henry Jacobs - 1305) (Borg Pyramid, Command Nexus, Volus- One of Seventeen, Day 4- 1310) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - Candle’s Office - ACMO Dr Candle - 1017) The door to medical slide open and the escorting officers took there position at the door, has Jessica escorted Trei into the medical bay main area. Jessica noticed Dr. Basil seemed to be expecting them, has he smiled at her. “Take him over to the biobed .. Umm sorry I don’t think we’ve met have we?” Dr. Basil asked. "No we haven't, I'm Ensign Jessica Signos, I try to avoid Medical. No offense." Basil just shrugged and smiled. Most people did, Basil never took it personally. "By now I'm sure our good Captain has told you want he wants; a full medical and psych. Evaluation…" She handed him a data chip “.. this should bring you up to speed on everything that I have seen from him being taken into custody to entering medical. It should help in building a psych profile with out having my personal feelings that a report might would have." ~Hmm personal feelings are quite helpful but if you insist~ he thought,, instead he asked about precautions "I was just getting to that,“ she said , to Basil a bit harshly, Basil put it down to the stress of the situation, “He is to be under armed guard at all times, we will do what is needed to stay out of your way but we must do what is needed to ensure the tactical stability of the situation." “My sickbay is your sickbay” Basil replied, “To tell you the truth it will be nice to have security at this time, a bit of reassurance for all of us. Well I‘ll let you organise that and I‘ll go see to my patient” --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 10.25) Detron was taken to a bio bed heavily guarded and ordered to sit while an physical and mental evaluation was to be performed on him. Detron was somewhat resigned to the fact that he would not be contributing to the fight any time soon so he complied with the orders. Detron said nothing to Candle as he scanned his body. Detron continued to display the stoic Klingon posture. After a while, Candle left to join one of the away mission shuttles leaving him with the EMP. It didn't matter to Detron either way but, he surely preferred a person over a hologram to perform the evaluation. Detron sighed in his greatly unamused Klingon way that he was not pleased with the situation before him at the moment. Detron sat on the bio bed to wait for questions. (Reply EMP) (Posted by Edward) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Sick bay - TAC/SC Ship's EMH - 1032) Ensign Signos entered Sick Bay. Dr Candle seemed to be away. She had one of the enlisted staff activate the Emh program. The ship's EMH-2 program shimmered into view asking "What is the nature of your emergency?" (Reply Signos or Trei) The holographic doctor made notes as she spoke. The doctor had a personality that resembled the ancient Earth Doctor Albert Schweitzer. "Mr Trei please sit on bio-bed one" the doctor instructed. He began a basic medical examination. (Reply: Trei) (Posted by Bill W.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Sick bay - TAC/SC Ship's EMH - 1038) The standard physical exam didn't reveal much out of the norm for a Klingon of Trei's age. The EMH-2 program looked at Ensign Signos and asked "Has the Lieutenant been acting in any manner outside the norm of late?" (Reply Signos) The doctor decided to ask the most basic question it could come up with. "Mr Trei, why did you contact the Borg?' the holographic doctor asked. It thought the patient's brain pattern recordings might reveal some clues. (Reply: Trei) There was the possibility the Klingon was somehow under the control of the collective. (Reply: any in Sick Bay) (Posted by Bill) EMH-2 Uss Boudicca --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Sickbay, - CMO, Lt jg. Kimiko Ichijo, Day 4 - 1141) Kimiko watched as the last armbands left medical to be distributed. It had been a very long past two days and The doctor eyes itched. ~Merciful ancestors, I'm tired~ she thought to herself. ~now if the ship can mind its own, long enough for me to die for a couple of hours, I would be delighted~ Kimiko walked up Dr Miles to relinquish oversight, when an ensign came pelting up. Drs Ichijo and Miles looked curiously at the ensign as he struggled to calm his breathing. "What is it, John" Kimiko asked after determining that the young man was not going to pass out. "A..shuttle has crashed and they want you part of the relief mission" he gasped out "You are wanted in shuttlebay one" ~a few hours, the wheels had to stay on for just a few more hours~ Kimiko thought "Thank you, John. Please inform the shuttle bay that I will be there in seven minutes." The CMO nodded to Dr Miles and turned to grab a kit and doseage container. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Security Offices, Ensigns Mike Rosenbauer & Eva Saint-Jean, 1149) Being forced to work with 'Nightcrawler' was the most annoying aspect of an already barely tolerable mission. Time and time again, the Starfleet Marine 'assassin' would 'offer input' into the way that Mike was training or ordering his team to be deployed. Of course, the bad blood went well beyond the incident in the security offices earlier this morning. Ever Since mike and his people had been forced to deal with Starfleet marines who chose to carry out genocidal missions against civilian populations under the Doenitz Regime, there had been little love remaining for them from the Ex-Ranger. His team felt pretty much the same way. As far as they were concerned, with the exception of a few Marines who stood by their honorable duty, there was little that could be done to polish up the tarnish that surrounded the Marine Corps uniform. Still, he'd been ordered to 'work with' the Marine, even if Mike would rather disintegrate him rather than listen to one more 'suggestion' as to how he should use his team. The marine didn't know these people like he did. He'd bled with each of them on countless worlds fomenting revolution against occupying Doenitz forces and sabotaging supply depots, staging areas and troop convoys on more than a dozen worlds during the Civil War. he'd be damned if he was going to take 'suggestions' from a Marine who reduced them down to nothing more than a name and a skill set. Mike had just remanded another set of suggestions that 'Nightcrawler', aka 'Wormboy' as the Rangers referred to him privately, had tried to implement amongst his team. when suddenly his commbadge chirped. =^=Sanok to Rosenbauer. I need you and one other member of your team, to report immediately to the Shuttle bay for a rescue mission. We'll be in direct conflict with the Borg, so bring the appropriate gear for such a mission. =^= "Go time." he said aloud just before he tapped his own commbadge to reply. "Understood sir. is this a ship boarding rescue or a planet side rescue?" he queried even as he was issuing hand signal based orders to his team to gear up. In a minute he'd know who he was taking, but there was no reason that they couldn't all get ready in the event that they should be called in as support. (reply Sanok) "Understood. On our way. Rosenbauer out." He tapped his commbadge to close the channel and gave the team a smile. he knew them well enough to know that they were ready to get underway. The time for waiting was over and they were beings of action. Someone would be tagging along on a hot mission to rescue some of their compatriots. "Eva. gear up. Grab your med kit along with your hardware. Bring in a pair of the Angel Mark II's as well as the standard pair of hand phasers. Also bring a pair of phase discriminators and two dozen isolinear tags, in case we have to beam out through interference." He ordered as he strode across the bay to his equipment locker. "I'm on it." Eva replied, her metallic eyes shining with the excitement of the coming mission. Mike quickly stripped out of his uniform in the unisex bay, since there was no time for modesty so that he could quickly change into a more appropriate tactical assault suit. Eva was doing the same as Mosh and T'Vyr were gathering the additional equipment and running it through a very fast functional diagnostic. They had served together for so long that there was little thought about being modest, and so Eva and Mike were able to gear up faster than most of the other security officers on the ship who might be more inclined to go someplace a bit more private to change clothes. Besides, they only had to strip down to their undergarments. "Coop!" Mike called as his Assistant Team leader entered the compartment with the Angels. "You're in command of the squad while we're away. Don't let the marine get you killed stay frosty and sharp, watch your flanks and remember who you're dealing with." he ordered. Tyrone replied as he fastened several of the additional tactical layers to the newly donned uniform. "You got it. I'll keep things running smoothly here if you both promise to come back alive and human." Eva replied even as Mosh was attaching her water bladder to her outfit. "You know we will Ty. Besides, I can't let us go all Borg, I'd never hear the end of it in the collective hive mind." Her tone of voice was light, but they all knew her well enough to know that she was just as scared as the rest of them. "All good chief." Tyrone said as he tapped Mike on the shoulder. Mike nodded. "You also Eva." Mosh chimed in. "Thanks." she replied. Mike gave her a smile and then looked around the room at his team. "You guys stay safe and remember who you are." He said. "Mike's Maniacs!" The rest of the team shouted in unison, loud enough to give the illusion of shaking the walls of the compartment. "Damn right." He said with a nod of pride, "Eva, let's get this show on the road." "I'm with you sir." she replied and the two of them exited the compartment on their way to the shuttle bay. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1151) "Sanok to Rosenbauer. I need you and one other member of your team to report immediately to the shuttle bay for a rescue mission. We'll be in direct conflict with the Borg, so bring the appropriate gear for such a mission." =^=Understood, sir. Is this a ship-boarding rescue or a planet side rescue?=^= said Rosenbauer. "We will be taking a runabout to Dovek II to rescue some of our people that crashed on the surface. Expect Borg drones to also be in the area," said Sanok. =^=Understood. On our way. Rosenbauer out.=^= As the channel closed, Sanok let that hope rise to the surface again. It was hope that someone had survived the crash, and that they would get to them before the Borg did. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Transporter 2, CEO, Lt. Matrix, 1202) Still adjusting his EDC equipment Matrix entered the transporter room to find the away team already assembled. "Sorry to hold things up folks..." said Matrix. (Reply any) Matrix turned around to the transporter chief, adjusted his shoulder strap and smiled. "Ready when you are... so I step on this thingy here and click my heals three times?" asked Matrix trying to lighten the mood. (Reply any) (Posted by Steve) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca, Transporter Room, CEO, Lt. Matrix, 1205) Matrix materialized aboard the Boudicca and stepped off the transporter pad and moved out of the way of incoming personnel. Matrix kneeled on the floor and reviewed the equipment he brought with him. Two PADDs, one tricorder and two phasers, an engineering kit, emergency rations and first aid kit and water. Matrix stood up and slung his EDC over his shoulder. "Lets get this show on the road." said Matrix. (Reply any) (Posted by Steve) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Shuttle Lorimar- CSEC- LT Chance Raschen- 1210) Lorimar pressed on, nearly as angry as he had ever been. “Now listen here boy, and listen close. Special forces or not, Captain Salid’s man or not, frankly ah dinnae care. Ye will follow my orders, starting *right now*, or ye’ll find my temper most unpleasant. Ah’d relieve ye of duty if ah dinnae need ye. But ah need every able body if we are going tae get out of this alive. This isnae some bloody pirate outfit! Tis’ starfleet! If ye dinnae like it, that’s just a shame. If ye dinnae like me, that’s just fine. But ye will follow orders Mister, and we will live through this. Is that clear enough, *Lieutenant*?” There was only two people in the universe Chance allowed to call him 'son'; and only one additional that could get away with calling him 'boy' and Lorimar was sure as death and taxes none of those three. Raschen noticed the other man's fists and thought ~Gotcha; throw the first much Buckie and your @$$ is mine~. Slowly, a sadistic smirk crept onto Raschen's face, and the fire in his eyes turned to ice. Chance let him go and pointed to a chair that was toppled on the deck "Have a seat Commander." he said calmly as as he placed his hands behind his back and stepped over to the doorway to visually check on the progress Willowbrook and Holly were making on the task he had given them. "How is the project coming you two? Have you scanned everyone yet and started working on the higher risk casualties first?" (Reply Willowbrook, Holly, any) "Do what you can. If you run out of bandage material let me know. I'll give you my shirt to use." Chance said as he tugged on the collar of his gold shirt. Raschen then went over in his head what he had learned about the 'good commander' on his way to report for the away mission he found himself on. (Reply Lorimar) According to the files Raschen had read before agreeing to go on the away mission; Lorimar was a genuine whiz-kid. 28 year-old engineer who loves to tinker (Hey, more power to him) but according to the file peaked as a CEO and what his primary gig aboard the Boudicca was without really commanding anything noteworthy apparently. Chance even asked questions of Lorimar's co-workers while on the way to the Boudicca's shuttlebay. They all said that he was a great department head to work for, knew his job, how to get things done, and took care of his people, but seemed like a know-it-all at times. Raschen turned and faced the higher ranking officer that was 15 years his junior. "I'm gonna take this by the numbers so you understand my perspective. When I was 'volun-told' to come on this mission it was because I have expertise in a unique skillset that you would need draw upon. I didn't quote a regulation I quoted an oath; and the two rarely coinside with one another. You're correct, Major Shea was doing a fantastic job at the helm, I wouldn't have had her on my crew for the Tranquility otherwise. I didn't ask to replace Shea at the helm, I wanted you to authorize me to give her commands directly to improve our tactical situation expeditiously. You didn't ask for recommendations from your tactical officer or your pilot. Those would be me and Shea by the way. Instead you asked for recommendations from scientists and other engineers. This isn't about being in command, rank, or even ego. Its about the lives of the crew on this boat and returning everyone alive and well to the ship. A task that requires tactical know how and experience, of which I have not seen you demonstrate either. Now, get off your high horse and sit down before I sit you down." (Reply Lorimar) "Sir, you are a great engineer from what I understand; and I am not arguing that point. But rank does not equal experience just like intelligence does not equal wisdom. And you sir, have rank and intelligence. You also seem to have a natural talent for what you do as an engineer, according to your dossier. "For my part; starting at the age of 15 when I first worked for a bounty hunter, through two wars and countless other skirmishes, I have over twenty years of accumulated experience and practical wisdom in the use of pirate tactics and black-ops methodology." (Reply Lorimar) "Then tell me, as an engineer; is it easier on the vessel as a whole to fight against a tractor beam and risk over heating the engines and blowing-up, or head toward the beam emitter at full power, launch a couple of torpedoes and sling-shot out when the torpedoes hit the emitter? Because the sling-shot idea has always proven reliable for a list of reasons." Chance started saying as he moved his hands from behind his back and hooked his thumbs in his belt as he offset his balance making him looklike a gunfighter in the old west. (Reply Lorimar) (Reply Willowbrook, Holly, Lorimar, any) Posted by Charlie --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Ensigns Mike Rosenbauer & Eva Saint-Jean, 1211) The Doors to the bay slid open to allow mike and Eva to step into the compartment abreast. Already Sanok and a few of the other members of the rescue team were assembling. The two Ex-Rangers made their way to the assembly area, Mike slightly leading the pair. "Rosenbauer and Saint-Jean reporting as ordered, Lieutenant Sanok." Mike said. (reply Sanok, Any on Rescue Mission) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1212) The doors to the bay slid open, and Rosenbauer and one other member of his team, Sanok believed her name was Saint-Jean, stepped in. They were both geared up as though they would be fighting the entire Collective. ~Better to have something you don't need, than to need something and not have it,~ thought Sanok. "Rosenbauer and Saint-Jean reporting as ordered, Lieutenant Sanok," said Rosenbauer. Sanok nodded. "It is good to have you both. Mister Rosenbauer, you will pilot the runabout. Here is the information we have on the mission." He handed Rosenbauer a PADD. "We will be using the Rosencrantz." =^=Salid to Soma and Sanok.=^= "Sanok here, Captain." He heard Ben answer as well. "The Boudicca and the Rosenante will be engaging the Borg tactical cube to draw it off-station. We're going to draw it away in the hopes that you will be able to enter Dovek II's atmosphere from the far side without being detected by the Pyramid. Notify Captain Durand when both teams are ready to launch, so that we can optimize our attack timing." "Yes, sir," said Sanok. Ben also acknowledged this order. "Good luck, gentlemen, and may Allah protect and guide you." "Thank you, Captain," said Sanok. ~Now, all we need are Candle and Ichijo,~ thought Sanok. (reply any) (posted by Bob) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lorimar - Science Officer Ensign Maria Holly - Day 4 - 1213) She and Romanoff chatted she checked him over. The sucking chest wound was serious. Talking kept his mind occupied. She followed the mental checklist she remembered from her medic class one summer. Maria knew shock was a worry. She covered him and hoped they'd get help soon. "You've got a chest wound and blood loss. Try and rest" Maria informed him. (Reply: Romanoff) (Posted by Bill) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lorimar – ATT LCDR Lorimar – 1214) Bob had lost his temper to the greatest degree in recent memory. He wasn’t about to let himself be further baited, by this rogue Raschen or anyone else. There was too much at stake for childish games. If Raschen wanted to play King of the Castle, that was fine, but Lorimar had far greater issues to deal with than bruised egos and ruffled feathers. He watched more calmly as Raschen placed his hands behind his back, and Bob himself took another calming deep breath. "Do what you can. If you run out of bandage material let me know. I'll give you my shirt to use." Bob smirked coldly at the security man. “I verra much doubt that will be necessary, Mister Raschen. This vessel is well stocked with emergency supplies for a bigger crew complement than we are carrying. If they survived the crash, we’ll be well supplied.” ~If ye had bothered tae study the design or even take a wee glance over the ship before ye ran off at the mouth, ye’d know that,~ he thought but didn’t bother saying. Clearly, he had to be the more reasonable of the two. Raschen *still* seemed to think he was in charge, and Bob had to reassert control before it was too late for all of them. (Reply Raschen iyw) Bob listened quietly as Raschen – who seemed to have an extra large chip on his shoulder – lectured him yet again. Clearly bluster was not going to work, so reason and measured tone was going to have to. Or else they were all finished. “As ye say, Mister Raschen, point for point. Ah suggest ye review yer rulebook in yer sparetime… as I quoted a credo, and a regulation. Section 107, paragraph B… but that’s not important right now. Had I *needed* your recommendation, ah would certainly have asked for it. Ah don’t have time tae gie ye my resume – nor the inclination – but let’s just say that as Captain Rivers' Second Officer ah was given advanced tactical and command training, and had the pleasure and responsibility of leading plenty of away missions… and conning the Boudicca.” He paused and took a breath again, observing Raschen closely. “Ye are quite correct. This is now primarily a tactical situation, in so far as we must think and act tactically tae survive and complete our original mission. What ye may, or may not realize, is that I have specific orders tae follow. The mission set before us is bigger, and mair important than all of us, even our lives. Now make no mistake… ah plan on using your ‘tactical expertise’ tae its fullest extent. And ye will follow my orders, make no mistake about that either. If anyone is on a ‘high horse’ its you, Lieutenant. Ah suggest ye knock that chip off yer shoulder, and right quick.” (Reply Raschen iyw) "Then tell me, as an engineer; is it easier on the vessel as a whole to fight against a tractor beam and risk over heating the engines and blowing-up, or head toward the beam emitter at full power, launch a couple of torpedoes and sling-shot out when the torpedoes hit the emitter? Because the sling-shot idea has always proven reliable for a list of reasons." Bob shook his head slowly. “The difference between applied engineering, and theoretical engineering is manifest in yer statement. On paper, ye are absolutely correct. In fact, ah considered that very thing prior tae mah ‘blue screen of death’ whatever that means. First, the torpedo initiators were offline at the time… information ye didnae have but ah did on mah console. Second, we dinnae have sufficient phaser power for an effective shot at the range we were at. Third, an perhaps most importantly, we were dealing with the Borg. Now, absent their adaptability for a moment… we would *never* have survived even a brief shot from their ‘cutting beam’. Acting as ye suggested would have brought us well within its range. So ye see, Mister Raschen… ah’d never claim tae be the tactical genius ye say ye are… but ah’m nae bloody fool, either. Ah’ve nae time tae earn yer respect, and believe it or not that is what I would normally dae in this case, especially given yer evident experience. However, ye must remember something ye seem tae have overlooked. Captain Salid, who well knows ye, put me in command, not you. That statement about his faith in me ye perhaps should take intae account.” (Reply Raschen iyw) Bob waited just a moment then moved on to the important part. “Now, yer directions thus far – albeit roughshod and crude – are on point and effective, so they will stand, as I would have given the same orders, or substantially so. Now, these are *my* orders tae ye. Break out the tactical stores. Check and distribute weapons tae all able hands. When ye finish that, take the most able bodied member of our party with ye – find that oot from Willowbrook – and ah want a one hundred meter perimeter around the crash site scouted. Surely the Borg will be headed this way. I’ll see tae the wounded, and see if anything here is salvageable. Scout and return, avoid contact if possible. When ye return and report, we’ll finish our mission… and get the rest of us out of here alive. As much as we all are… this ship is expendable too. I’ll be setting the destruct charges if need be. Let me be clear here: Neither anymore of us, nor any part of this ship will be assimilated. Ye have twenty minutes Lieutenant. Move smartly.” (Reply Raschen, Any) (Posted by Russ) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Bridge - FO - Commander T'Larah Sullivan - 1215) =^= Mister Sullivan, get me Captain Durand. =^= T'Larah nodded to the OPS indicating to them to carry out the order. " I know he didn't order it , but Priority Two encryption protocol, I'd rather be safe then sorry. Then patch it through to the Captain's ready room." (reply OPS) "Good, make sure the Captains have their privacy. Then as you were." she said. T'Larah had no doubt in her mind that this message was the heralding of the next phase of the mission. "Tactical, perform a level 6 diagnostic on all tactical systems, but do not activate weapons yet. We will wait for the Captain's order or a threatening gesture or attack from the Borg." (Reply Tactical, OPS) (Posted by Todd) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Blackwater – CEO Lt. Steven Matrix – 1216) Matrix settled in for what was to be a memorable trip. Atmospheric drops were fun for some, a right of passage for others and terrifying for others. Marines usually volunteered for such things just for the adrenaline rush. CEOs typically got their adrenaline rush by swapping out power conduits or in extreme cases upgrading a warp core antimatter containment vessel live. Matrix would have preferred to have beamed down and leave the ADs to the marines. Matrix reviewed his mission ops during the 23 minute decent...deployment of an antimatter mine in the Tkon sphere. The asset was a key point in the mission and the hope was its destruction would mean the Borg would leave. In past engagements the Borg would abandon a failed engagment for the next assembly opportunity if their current objective was compromised. They hardly never fought out of revenge, but merely for material assets or knowledge. The atmosphere buffeted the runabout significantly. The seesaw motion caused Matrix to bang his head into the bulkhead next to him. Matrix frowned and placed his had where the bulkhead impacted the side of his skull...it felt wet to the touch and as he he brought his hand down he noted blood on his finder and palm. The impact left a small gash on near the top-right side of this head. ~Great~ thought Matrix. Steve pulled out a patch of gauze from his first aid kit and dabbed the wound. The coagulant worked quickly and stopped the blood flow. ~Not even on the surface yet and I get injured.~ Matrix smiled at the crew member who noticed the injury and disposed of the bloody gauze. The runabout continued to buffet so Matrix simply sat back and closed his eyes during the remainder of the decent. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Steve) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Shuttle Lorimar- Sci Officer Ensign Maria Holly - Day 4 1217) Despite the pain from her rib cage Maria felt better. She and Willowbrook were surveying the rest of the team members. Maria fervently hope the Rose and Boudicca were looking for them. The prospect of assimilation was frightening. Lieutenant Raschen issued Willowbrook and her instructions to triage the other team members. Other than some cuts and bruises the team seemed okay except for Ensign she had not met who was bleeding profusely. She crawled to the injured officer. "Hi there. I am Maria Holly. Let me take a quick look at you" she said smiling. (Reply: Romanoff) Maria scanned the man quickly. She could not suppress a sad sigh. The man was seriously injured and her 1st aid skills were poor at best. She located what she remembered as a sucking chest wound. Maria patched the puncture and applied a compress dressing. (Reply: any on board) (Posted by: Bill W.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 – ACSO Ensign (jg) Isra Caliel - Day 4 - 1218) ~My first major mission... Against the Borg of all enemies.~ Isra thought as the shuttle bay door swished open and allowed her access. A tricorder and phaser sat on her belt, obviously wanted to make sure of her own safety. She approached the group of people around the shuttle, gazing upon its majesty. It’s tidiness and shine made her look positively ragged in comparison – her hair was a mess as it always was, and the grin on her face showed off her slightly longer canines. Some might even hazard that she’d used a Ferengi tooth sharpener on them. “Wow... That’s an impressive Runabout...” she said, not being able to keep it to herself. The module in the Lorimar class runabout was sat in place, ready to hold the Antimatter mine. “Umm... Afternoon everyone.” She said to the group of assembled officers, and entered the shuttle bay proper, heading for the shuttle. (reply any) (Written by Andy Jones) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - Candle’s Office - ACMO Dr Candle - 1219) For the first part of the examination Basil let his sickbay do what it does best. It checked his main vitals, scanned his nervous system, skeleton, brain every part of his body. As it was doing so Basil tried a little light conversation with Trei but the man was either in a meditative state or just being a stoical Klingon. Basil decided it was the latter. It would take a while to do a proper deeper analysis of what the computers were coming up but Basil could already see Trei’s past leaping up at him. He was a security officer and a Klingon, if the man didn’t have any injuries in his past then he was either lucky or made of teflon. He had been going for a good number of hours when the computer interrupted his studies saying there was high priority message waiting for him from a Lt Sanok. Basil sighed heavily but he went to a terminal. He read the message then read it again. “Computer activate Emergency medical hologram” There was a small sound, almost like a door opening, followed by a human voice, “Please st..” “Basil had already turned round and shushed the hologram. “No time - that officer on the biobed needs a full physical and psychological medical but he is also a prisoner. I have to go so no messing up my sickbay” As Basil left the sickbay he could hear the hologram making a few choice comments as well as the strange looks from some of his medical team. Before he transported out he needed to make a little detour to his room first. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lorimar - Science Officer Ensign Nickolas Romanoff - 1220) "Hi there. I am Maria Holly. Let me take a quick look at you," Maria said smiling. Still concentrating on not opening his eyes Romanoff sounded off. " Romanoff, I didn't think anyone was gonna come check on me. How bad is it?" (Reply Holly) The pool of blood he was laying in had been laying in didn't seem to be growing so he thought that the bleeding had stopped. He felt Maria working to the best of her ability to repair his open wound. At best the actions she had performed could only be processed in Romanoff's mind as someone playing an old game called Operation; whenever she made a bad move his insides started to sting and a numbness ran through his body. (Reply any) (Posted by Darryl) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lorimar- Lt Chance Raschen- 1221) "Do what you can. If you run out of bandage material let me know. I'll give you my shirt to use." “I verra much doubt that will be necessary, Mister Raschen. This vessel is well stocked with emergency supplies for a bigger crew complement than we are carrying. If they survived the crash, we’ll be well supplied.” Raschen smiled "My mom once told me 'Its a good thing to be willing to give someone the shirt off your back'. Anyway, your turn commander." “As ye say, Mister Raschen, point for point. Ah suggest ye review yer rulebook in yer sparetime… as I quoted a credo, and a regulation. Section 107, paragraph B… but that’s not important right now. Had I *needed* your recommendation, ah would certainly have asked for it. Ah don’t have time tae gie ye my resume – nor the inclination – but let’s just say that as Captain Rivers' Second Officer ah was given advanced tactical and command training, and had the pleasure and responsibility of leading plenty of away missions… and conning the Boudicca.” Raschen relaxed mentally, but not physically, and kept listening. The commander kept talking, “Ye are quite correct. This is now primarily a tactical situation, in so far as we must think and act tactically tae survive and complete our original mission. What ye may, or may not realize, is that I have specific orders tae follow. The mission set before us is bigger, and mair important than all of us, even our lives. Now make no mistake… ah plan on using your ‘tactical expertise’ tae its fullest extent. And ye will follow my orders, make no mistake about that either. If anyone is on a ‘high horse’ its you, Lieutenant. Ah suggest ye knock that chip off yer shoulder, and right quick.” ~Never fails. Make someone that seems wishy-washy angry enough....they become incredibly focused. The trick is focusing them on the right thing.~ "Then tell me, as an engineer; is it easier on the vessel as a whole to fight against a tractor beam and risk over heating the engines and blowing-up, or head toward the beam emitter at full power, launch a couple of torpedoes and sling-shot out when the torpedoes hit the emitter? Because the sling-shot idea has always proven reliable for a list of reasons." Bob shook his head slowly. “The difference between applied engineering, and theoretical engineering is manifest in yer statement. On paper, ye are absolutely correct. In fact, ah considered that very thing prior tae mah ‘blue screen of death’ whatever that means. First, the torpedo initiators were offline at the time… information ye didnae have but ah did on mah console. Second, we dinnae have sufficient phaser power for an effective shot at the range we were at. Third, an perhaps most importantly, we were dealing with the Borg. Now, absent their adaptability for a moment… we would *never* have survived even a brief shot from their ‘cutting beam’. Acting as ye suggested would have brought us well within its range. So ye see, Mister Raschen… ah’d never claim tae be the tactical genius ye say ye are… but ah’m nae bloody fool, either. Ah’ve nae time tae earn yer respect, and believe it or not that is what I would normally dae in this case, especially given yer evident experience. However, ye must remember something ye seem tae have overlooked. Captain Salid, who well knows ye, put me in command, not you. That statement about his faith in me ye perhaps should take intae account.” The former privateer suddenly relaxed physically and came to the position of attention. The ice in his eyes were replaced by a friendly glimmer. The smile on his face was no longer sadistic, but warm. "Sir, I now am convinced that you are in full control of your mental faculties and are able to maintain your command. So what are your orders, sir?" Bob waited just a moment then moved on to the important part. “Now, yer directions thus far – albeit roughshod and crude – are on point and effective, so they will stand, as I would have given the same orders, or substantially so. Now, these are *my* orders tae ye. Break out the tactical stores. Check and distribute weapons tae all able hands. When ye finish that, take the most able bodied member of our party with ye – find that oot from Willowbrook – and ah want a one hundred meter perimeter around the crash site scouted. Surely the Borg will be headed this way. I’ll see tae the wounded, and see if anything here is salvageable. Scout and return, avoid contact if possible. When ye return and report, we’ll finish our mission… and get the rest of us out of here alive. As much as we all are… this ship is expendable too. I’ll be setting the destruct charges if need be. Let me be clear here: Neither anymore of us, nor any part of this ship will be assimilated. Ye have twenty minutes Lieutenant. Move smartly.” "Roger sir. Pull out all the tac-gear, get 2 suits ready, find someone able to join me in scouting a 100 meter circle around our current location and report all the findings back to you, move out in 20. Anything else sir?" Chance repeated back. (Reply Lorimar) (Reply Lorimar) Posted by Charlie --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lorimar - Main Cabin - Science Officer - Ensign Andrew Maddox - 1223) Andrew woke up with a splitting headache and a throbbing pain in his right shoulder. As near as he could recall when the cabin filled with smoke and ozone, the runabout was somehow released from the Borg's tractor beam. This jolted the ship unexpectedly, so unexpectedly that it took Andrew off his feet, after which he felt a sharp pain in his head and shoulder as he struck the bulkhead. Andrew heard voices. His head was too foggy to make out any voices, what they were saying or who they belonged to. He tried to get up, pain exploded from his shoulder as he tried to support his own weight. "AAAHH! Help!" He croaked. (Reply any in Lorimar Crash) "Well if pain is any indication I'm alive..." he responded as the rescuer scanned him with a medical tricorder. (Reply any) "A dislocated shoulder, a concussion and some cracked ribs? That's all I got and I feel like this?" (reply any) "Sucking chest wound? I guess it's comforting to know I wasn't the worst. Well what can you do? Get the bone mender out of the med-kit and patch up my ribs, may-be reset my shoulder? Got anything in there for a headache?" Maddox babbled on as he sometimes did. (Reply any) (Posted by Todd) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lorimar – ATT LCDR Lorimar – 1224) Never much a diplomat, Bob was immensely pleased that he was able to so quickly reach an understanding with Raschen. It would, he reflected, call for some discussion over coffee. Once they were safely home. “That’s fine Lieutenant. Thank ye. Please proceed as we discussed; I’ll see tae the rest of our company and then go from there.” (Reply Raschen iyw) Bob took a few steps aft to one of the emergency stores lockers on the bulkhead. It had sprung open from the force of the crash landing, but little had fallen free. Starfleet had long since learned the lesson of redundancy and shock isolation, as well as the value of securing all equipment as much as possible. The trauma kit seemed to be intact. He unclipped it and tucked it under his arm, moving quickly forward. He stopped at the –visibly at least – most gravely injured member of the crew. Setting the kit down on the deck plates, he opened it up and glanced quickly at Holly and her patient. “Try tae relax, laddie,” he said with quiet confidence to Romanoff. “Ensign Holly has things well in hand it would seem. Here's a fresh trauma kit, Ensign… how can I best help ye?” (Reply Romanoff, Holly, Any) Lorimar did his best to help. He had the same emergency medical training as the rest of the Starfleet personnel did. He presumed that Raschen likely had greater practical experience than any of them in the matter of injuries; but he was occupied with the task Bob had set. His tactical expertise was most needed… the rest would have to be up to the medical task for the time being. He turned to Willowbrook and queried quietly, “Am ah correct that young Romanoff here is most in need of attention at the moment?” (Reply Willowbrook, Any) “Maddox, could ye check on Lieutenant Major Shea please, unless our Doctor Willowbrook –“ he winked at Willowbrook “—has seen tae her already?” (Reply Any) Bob raised his voice enough so everyone could clearly hear him. “Right folks, here we are. Ah’ve asked Mister Raschen tae break out, check, and distribute the weapons. After that, he’s taking one of ye on a wee stroll tae check the lay of the land. We have tae assume the Borg know we crashed, and may well be headed this way. The rest of us are going tae tend our casualties, then see if there is anything we can salvage from the runabout herself. When we get Lieutenant Raschen’s report, we’ll act on his tactical recommendations, and see how we can best complete our mission. Ah’d like tae tell ye we can expect rescue from the Rose or the Boudicca soon… but ah cannae guarantee that. We must assume we are on our own for the time bein’, an’ we will act accordingly. We’ll proceed as ah laid out. Ye are all professionals. We are Starfleet officers. We will improvise, adapt, and complete the mission. Borg be damned. Yer a fine bunch, and ah’m certain ye are all mair than up tae the task. Any questions?” (Reply Any/All) (Posted by Russ) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout - Science Officer Ensign JG Joseph Willowbrook - Day 4 - 1226) Joseph thought he was going to be sick to his stomach. He was never squeamish, but between his broken ribs and the sight of his fellow officers injured and the Borg no doubt making their way to their location, his stomach was starting to protest. He had nearly hurled when Raschen shoved his dislocated shoulder back into place. The sickening 'pop' sound it made was still fresh in his ears, and he heard it whenever he thought about the pain in his shoulder. Every time he bent down and felt the surge of pain go through his ribs, he felt the contents in his stomach churn. "Hi there. I am Maria Holly. Let me take a quick look at you," Joseph heard Maria's voice behind him, and turned to see her beginning to treat one of their away team members. He didn't know the man, but he it was obvious that he was bleeding out. He saw the chest wound and the blood gushing from it, and that was it. He couldn't take it anymore--he felt the bile rise in his throat and tried to fight it down, knowing how much heaving was going to hurt. But it came up anyway, in a warm, disgusting mess. He coughed and gagged, his good arm instantly going to his ribs in a vain attempt to ease his pain. Tears welled up in his eyes and he brushed his mouth with his sleeve, coughing again. "How is the project coming you two? Have you scanned everyone yet and started working on the higher risk casualties first?" Raschen's voice pierced his ears and he really didn't want to have to answer the man. But Maria was working on the ensign who looked like he probably wasn't going to make it. So Joseph sucked it up and managed to croak out, "Yeah." He coughed yet again, and spit into the rubble to try to rid his mouth of the taste of vomit. "Do what you can," Raschen said. "If you run out of bandage material let me know. I'll give you my shirt to use." Before he could reply, he heard another man scream. "AHH! Help!" As quickly as he could, Joseph made his way over to the injured man. He knelt next to him with a small yelp of his own, and began scanning him. "How do you feel?" Willowbrook asked, knowing he was supposed to keep the victim talking. He didn't forget his training, even though he thought it was rather pointless. He would only imagine that if someone asked him that question and he was in this man's place, he would probably want to slug them. "Well, if pain is any indication, I'm alive," the ensign answered. "Looks like you've got a dislocated shoulder, cracked ribs, and a concussion," Joseph said conclusively. ~Same as me,~ he thought. ~He must've landed the same way I did.~ "A dislocated shoulder, a concussion, and some cracked ribs? That's all I got and I feel like this?" ~You've got to be freakin' kidding me.~ Willowbrook resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "At least you made out better than that guy over there--he's got a sucking chest wound. Wanna trade?" ~You're not helping,~ he told himself. ~So he has a higher pain tolerance than you. Get over it. Treat him before Lieutenant Charlie Ratched over there wants to re-locate his shoulder.~ "Sucking chest wound? I guess it's comforting to know I wasn't the worst. Well, what can you do? Get the bone mender out of the med-kit and patch up my ribs, maybe reset my shoulder? Got anything in there for a headache?" ~Yeah,~ he thought. ~A good, swift kick.~ All he said, though, was, "Could you be quieter, please?" He took out the items from the medkit and laid them out. "The bone-mender isn't functioning," he informed the man. ~Otherwise I would've healed my own ribs...~ "I'll have to get Ensign Holly to reset your shoulder." He doubted he would be able to move the man's shoulder an inch, and he just hoped Holly was big enough to do it. "Here," he pressed a hypospray against the ensign's neck. "This should help with the headache and the pain. Stay here. Try not to talk." ~For all of our sakes.~ (reply Maddox) He got up painfully, and made his way over to Holly. "Maria, you need to reset that ensign's dislocated shoulder," he said simply. He was getting grouchier as his ribs were paining more, and he was getting to what he well recognized as his limit for conversation. He needed to be alone. He needed to get out of this runabout. He wasn't sure how much longer he could take it. (reply Holly, Maddox iyw) (posted by Morgan G) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca Main Transporter Room - Lieutenant Tom Jackson 2O / COPS Day 4 1230 ) Tom's transport over was uneventful. As he solidified, he asked the Transporter Chief "Permission to come aboard Sir?". (Reply Chief) The Chief directed Tom to the shuttle bay where the others were assembling. Salid's orders were forefront in Jackson's mind as he made his way towards the shuttle bay. He sighed and brought his focus to the here and now. ((USS Boudicca Hanger Bay 2 - Lieutenant Tom Jackson 2O / COPS Day 4 1233) The team had clustered by the shuttle. ~They are so young and under experienced~ Jackson thought sadly. He walked to the group and said simply "Howdy Gang". (Reply: any in Bay) (Posted by: Bill W.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Dr Candle, Day 4, 1233) Equipped with what he felt was needed Basil stood in one of the Boudicca’s transporter rooms. The strange sensation came and went and he was standing in the Rosenante’s Shuttle Bay where he was expected. Seeing the assembled officers he went over. “Dr Candle reporting as ordered, sir” (reply Sanok, any) (posted by Warren Simkins) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Ensign(jg) Henry Jacobs - 1237) Jacobs and Signos were just getting acquainted for the first time even though they had served together on the ship for a few weeks. They had seen each other in passing but never took the time to get to know each other, the current mission happened to be the ice breaker. Standing outside the runabout Blackwater the two continued to talk until the shuttle bay doors opened and the ships newest science officer entered. "Umm... Afternoon Everyone." Ensign Caliel interjected, cutting in on the conversation Jacobs and Signos were having. " Same to you, what's your name again?" Jacobs had to ask because he didn't want to start their meeting off by assigning him a nickname. Henry extended his hand as he awaited his response. (Reply Caliel) Jacobs stored the name into memory as he had a feeling he would be using it a lot on the upcoming mission. Jacobs eyes drifted off as the shuttle bay doors opened once again to allow LiEutenant Jackson in from the Rosenante. As he approached he simply said, " Howdy Gang." ~Howdy gang? This is gonna be a decent mission after all. Despite the seriousness of the mission, the mission commander seemed to have a cool head.~ "Good to see you sir," ~suck up!~ "Soon as the others arrive we will be ready to leave out, ill be taking the helm to get us to the drop zone." (Reply Jackson, any) (Posted by Darryl) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ASCO Ensign(jg) Isra Caliel - 1238) "Umm... Afternoon Everyone." Ensign Caliel interjected, cutting in on the conversation Jacobs and Signos were having. " Same to you, what's your name again?" Jacobs had to ask because he didn't want to start their meeting off by assigning him a nickname. Henry extended his hand as he awaited his response. "I'm Isra Caliel." She began, walking over to shake his hand. "I'm the new science officer, just got here yesterday." she added, but that was of course obvious thanks to her uniform, and unfamiliarity with the crew. "Who are you?" she said, returning his first question. (reply jacobs, room for more) Isra turned towards the doors along with everyone else, as the doors opened once again to allow Lieutenant Jackson in from the Rosenante. As he approached he simply said, " Howdy Gang." ~He sounds like one of my first year instructors.~ Nervousness was beginning to set in as Isra opened her mouth to speak, but had to clear her throat first. "Sir." she said, wondering if he'd been apprised of her new assignment to the Boudicca. ~If I don't meet someone lower ranked than me soon, I'm going to keep calling people Sir after I get promoted.~ Turning back to Jacobs, she glanced up at the Runabout. "It's a nice ship, I've not seen it in physical form before." she admitted - It was a new design after all. (reply any) (Written by Andy Jones (SMAndy)) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1240) She continued to make small talk with Jacobs while waiting for the rest for away team. The wait wasn't to long before a new face, wearing science blue walked into the Shuttle Bay up to her and Jacobs. "Umm... Afternoon Everyone." Ensign Caliel interjected, cutting in on the conversation Jacobs and Signos were having. Henry was first to respond "Same to you, what's your name again?" Jacobs had to ask because he didn't want to start their meeting off by assigning him a nickname. Henry extended his hand as he awaited his response. "I'm Isra Caliel." The newcomer began, walking over to shake his hand. "I'm the new science officer, just got here yesterday." Caliel added, but that was of course obvious thanks to her uniform, and unfamiliarity with the crew. "Who are you?" she said, returning his first question. She waited a few moments allowing Henry the time he needed to respond to Isra's question before Jessica pipped in. "I'm Jessica Signos, I'm the ATAC of the Boudicca, how you fare?" Jessica watched Isra closely has she waited for a reply. Jessica knew how her body defied her age and she was curious on how a new comer would take to a tactical officer, armed the teeth, and that looked no more than fifteen. (reply Caliel) Again the doors to the has Lieutenant Jackson entered the bay, and approached the group and said "Howdy Gang." ~Fates be praised, finally someone from the Rose.~ Jessica thought, a thought that almost escaped her lips, almost. Once everyone else had the opportunity to greet the Lieutenant, Jessica spoke up. "Welcome... Lt. Jackson isn't it." She spoke from memory from his wedding back on 989, or was it one of the time he passed her by with Eian on shore leave. (reply Jackson) "Sir, if I may, ask a question of a personal note?" Jessica asked cautiously, not knowing if this was an appropriate time to ask such questions, but when else could she ask such. (reply Jackson) "How does Lt. O'Neil doing on the Rose?" She said softly in voices she and Jackson could hear. (reply Jackson) "Thank you sir," She said before going back to her work. "Oh, by and by, I took the liberty of acquiring some heavy arms, and other weapons that should be of some assistance. If anyone needs there for the use of the team." (reply all, iyw.) She left the group to continue monitoring the preparations to the Lorimar and the anti-matter mine. Jessica felt responsible for the mission. After all if never brought the ideal up during the mission brief maybe none of them would be there now. She was glad the Captain's thought so highly of her ideal to credit this away mission but then again Jessica could not deny the responsibility that came with having the thought to use such a weapon anyway. She continued to think, about the mission, about what Lt. Jackson told her about Eian, and the future about them both. (posted by Matthew Locke) (reply Jackson, everyone iyw, room for more) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Bridge, CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 4- 1255) Ahmed stepped onto the bridge of his ship with a sense of purpose that was apparent to anyone watching the man as he crossed to the center chair. He gave his first officer a nod as she vacated the center seat and then he settled into it. "Commander Sullivan, have Lieutenant Dralar report to the bridge to take the Helm. Mister Nunez, you will shift over to the security station, Mister Xim will take the Science Station. I'll need Mister Yalix on Operations and you commander on Tactical." (reply Sullivan) It didn't take long for his crew to man the stations as they had been ordered. Ahmed considered how odd and yet strangely reassuring it was to have his First Officer once again manning his Tactical station. "Mister Sullivan activate the TIHS System and stand-by for imminent Tactical contact with the Borg. Bring Primary and Secondary shield systems on-line." (reply Sullivan) "Mister Yalix, synchronize the secondary Warp Core." "Secondary warp Core is now synchronized Captain." The Efrosian officer replied. "Mister Nunez, go to security status 1-Alpha, Alert all sections to be prepared for possible Borg boarding parties." "Aye Sir." Nunez replied, the ex-Marine in her clearly surfacing to the forefront. "Captain," Yalix's voice called out. "The Boudicca reports that they are beginning their attack run." Ahmed nodded. He looked up at the center screen in time to see the Mighty Keltoi class starship start to move away. "Mister Dralar, Give them a three second lead and then assume a relative position minus 12-degrees z-axis, 7-degrees to their starboard." The Skorr Helmsman, bobbed his head once in acknowledgement before he replied, "Understood Captain." A moment later, the Rosenante slid into position, slightly below, behind and to the right of the Boudicca. As the Two ships slipped out from behind the pock-marked disk of the Dovek moon, Ahmed ordered every sensor on the Rosenante targeted on the Borg ships. Xim responded with all the ease of a professional officer, his hands darting across the console with an acuity that belayed his height and stature. "Captain the Borg Pyramid is still above the same Geosynchronous position as they were when we arrived. The Cube is powering weapons." "Mister Dralar, three degree roll to port side on my mark." "Ready Sir." Dralar replied. "Mister Sullivan, let's get their attention. Full spread quantum torpedoes into that tactical cube. Follow it with a full spread of phasers, all available banks." "Now Mister Dralar" (reply Sullivan) Ahmed watched as the spread of torpedoes streamed away from his twisting vessel, even as the Boudicca was opening with her own salvo. Several of the torpedoes from both ships, slammed home, with a few being destroyed by Borg weapons fire as they approached. A few bright green-tinted orange blasts illuminated briefly as those torpedoes that made contact vaporized chunks of the Borg shielding. A bright green blast slammed into the Rosenante, sending a shock wave through her decking that was more reminiscent of an earthquake than a weapons strike. "Captain, that was a tractor beam. It failed to get a lock on us. Still Engineering is reporting damage to the dorsal primary shield generator." Yalix reported. More phaser strikes slammed into the surface of the Borg Tactical cube, which responded with a series of green energy blasts that rocked the Rosenante repeatedly. Sparks flew as several of the unmanned stations on the bridge exploded from a massive energy surge that cascaded through them. A massive burst of green energy ripped into the side of the Rosenante, even as Dralar was twisting the ship to protect their vulnerable shield generator. The beam burst through their shields as if they weren't even there and gouged a massive tear in the hull of the Rosenante class starship. "Breaches on Deck 5 sections 22-36. Containment fields are holding. Shields are still at 100% in that section." Yalix reported. "Evacuate those sections and seal them off." Ahmed commanded. "Mister Sullivan, rotate our shield frequencies after every strike by the Borg. Keep up our volume of fire." (reply Sullivan) Massive bolts of green energy reached out to slam into the Rosenante and Ahmed could see on the screen the same was happening to the Boudicca. Neither ship was critical yet, but they wouldn't be able to take much more of this punishment. "Boudicca indicates that they are withdrawing as planned, Captain." "Mister Dralar, follow them." "Aye sir." The Boudicca pulled away, firing torpedoes into the industrial looking superstructure of the Borg Cube. She had taken some damage, as had his own ship, but the vessel looked to be in good fighting order. Sullivan continued to pound the cube with phaser fire and torpedoes as long as the Borg ship was within range. The Borg beam weapons continued to strike both Federation ships as they withdrew. The smell of acrid smoke filled the bridge as another Borg energy pulse slammed into the Rosenante. Lights on the bridge flickered for a half second as ship's systems struggled to compensate. "Medical is reporting casualties captain." "Borg Cube Mister Xim?" "It hasn't moved sir." Ahmed looked up at the screen. "Come on you bastards, come and get us." he cursed at a near whisper. "The Boudicca has signaled that she's headed back in on another attack run." Ahmed nodded in acknowledgement. "Stay with them Mister Dralar." "Happily Captain," the Skorr helmsman responded as he banked the Rosenante into a swift high-speed 180-degree turn. Ahmed quickly realized that the Boudicca's attack vector was going to take them directly between the two Borg ships. "You clever sonuva..." Ahmed commented. "Mister Sullivan split your targets. Engage both Borg vessels as frequently as possible on our fly-by." He ordered. (reply Sullivan) As the Boudicca moved into her weapon's range, she unleashed a virtual hell storm of torpedoes and phaser fire that would have seriously wrecked a normal aggressor's day. Torpedoes slammed into both Borg vessel's with a vengeance and both enemy ships responded with a blistering field of return fire. Ahmed watched as the Boudicca's shields glowed a near continuous blue as the Borg energy beams searched for a chink in the Mighty Bo's protective energy cocoon. The ship visibly shuddered so badly, that Ahmed wondered if there would be anything left of her when it was all over. Dark scars opened on her outer hull, where some of the energy bled through enough to cause direct damage. ~Damn she's a tough ship.~ Ahmed thought, even as the Rosenante was entering weapon's range. "Let them have it all Mister Sullivan." (reply Sullivan) Two synchronized warp cores made for a lot of fire power. The Rosenante had firepower in spades. Her phaser arrays flashed a deadly red, sending brilliant beams of death slamming into each of the two Borg vessels. Pulses of Quantum and photon torpedoes followed suit, striking the surface of both ships as the Rosenante passed between them. Green beams of retribution reached out from the Borg vessels, pulverizing the Rosenante's outer shields in seconds. Cutting beams ripped ragged gaping rifts in her outer hull as they managed to gain enough energy bleed through to burn through the secondary shields. Suddenly a brilliant green light illuminated the bridge, as a Borg cutting beam ripped it's way through the ship's command center. In an instant, three bridge specialists were vaporized as the green beam violently brought their existence to an end. The sudden decompression almost ripped Ahmed from his chair and he struggled against burning muscles to maintain his grip on the arm rest of his command chair. One of his security officers assigned to protect the bridge wasn't so fortunate. He was ripped free of the console he was frantically trying to stay in contact with, and his body was forcibly jettisoned through the scarred gap. Just as Ahmed's arms were about to give out the emergency force field activated and he was dropped unceremoniously to the deck in a heap. The captain quickly rose to resume his seat, even as he took a quick stock of the situation on the bridge. His ribs ached menacingly. The blast had been a glancing blow, ripping through the starboard side of the bridge, beginning just to the right of his seat. The path had vaporized the First Officer's chair, and cut straight aft through the engineering station and between the two turbo lifts. The First officer's office, as well as the Captain's mess and observation Lounge were gone, atomized by the Borg cutting beam. "I need a damage report." Ahmed called as he realized that his command console was non-functional. Almost a third of the bridge was black as a result of interrupted power supply. "Looks like, we've suffered multiple hull breaches, Decks 1, 2, 3. Possible damage to secondary sickbay. Power is out on decks 9 and 13. We're venting atmosphere from our dorsal area deck 4, emergency forcefields in that area are off-line. Emergency bulkheads are closed." Yalix reported. "Internal sensors are off-line," Nunez added. "Security teams are making intruder sweeps as we speak Captain." "We've taken damage to our port Nacelle. We can not go to warp." Dralar said grimly. "We are also suffering some thruster drop out and there is damage to the impulse engines." "Tactical?" Ahmed asked. (reply Sullivan) "The cube?" Ahmed asked. "They are leaving orbit on a pursuit course." ~Finally!~ Ahmed thought, although it was a bitter one. "Mister Yalix, maximize power to the shields, and to impulse engines." "Aye sir." "Mister Sullivan, Stand by torpedoes. Hold your fire until we've no other choice." (reply Sullivan) "Mister Dralar, make best course for Dovek IV. We need a place to hide." (reply Dralar) "Mister Yalix notify the Boudicca our situation and our course. Best Encryption we have. Tight beam only." "Aye sir." (reply Sullivan) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Rosencrantz, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1256) Everyone assigned to the rescue team had arrived, and Sanok had thoroughly briefed them on the mission at hand. All that was left to do, was to get in and get it done. "All right, everyone, let's take our positions," said Sanok. The other five members of the team boarded, with Sanok entering the runabout last. Rosenbauer took the pilot seat, and Sanok sat at tactical, with O'Neill at engineering. "When you're ready, Mister Rosenbauer, take us out." While the Rosencrantz was exiting the shuttle bay, then approaching the planet, Sanok allowed himself the time to think about a few things before he gave his full focus to the upcoming task. He thought about the civil war, and the people that were lost. He remembered how living with his emotions had overwhelmed him. He recalled his medical leave time on Vulcan to purge his emotions. He relived meeting Ben Soma and becoming friends, and their time on Axtis III. They had served together, and fought together. They had saved each other's lives. Now, both were on missions so difficult, the chances were great that neither would survive. How interesting life could be. As the Rosencrantz was approaching Dovek, Sanok noticed some readings on his tactical screen. He accessed the console and studied the readings. He spoke aloud to everyone present. "Our ships have engaged the Borg." (reply any on Rosencrantz) (posted by Bob) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Ensign(jg) Henry Jacobs - 1259) All the crew members had been accounted for the mission to drop the Anti-matter mine on the Tkon sphere that the Borg had unearthed on the planet surface. Jacobs was already sitting in the Blackwater's cockpit starting up the power systems for the ignition sequence. Without turning around he could here the other crew members settling in and checking the security of the anti-matter mine. " Sir, we are ready to depart. We have clearance from the Boudicca to depart. What are your orders." (Reply Jackson) "Aye, sir. Ladies and gentlemen buckle up the ride is about to start. The cabin lights will be dimmed for take off, if you require additional lighting please turn on personal lighting located just above your terminal." Jacobs began to talk out what he was actually doing as his fingers began to make music as they punched in commands to the helm. The Blackwater levitated and hovered as if it was a baby keeping its balance. Another melody of commands were entered into the touch panel and the runabout began to move forward. "Engaging impulse engines at 1/4 impulse. Clearing the shuttle bay forcefield." --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - 2O/COPS Lieutenant Tom Jackson - 1302) Tom settled in after looking at the anti-matter mine. Henry Jacobs asked Tom "Orders Sir?" NRPG: I think this should have been directed to Ben Soma RPG: Tom smiled and replied "let's go if that is ok with Mr Soma". (Reply: any on shuttle) Tom really felt the responsibility of his orders. He knew it might tear him apart but he would complete the mission at all costs. (Reply: any) (Posted by: Bill W.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Blackwater - Cockpit - ACEO Ensign(jg) Henry Jacobs - 1305) The runabout passed effortlessly through the Boudicca's shuttle bay force field and headed for an open space in between the Boudicca and the Rosenante. " Sir I am laying in a course aft the Boudicca, we can wait there for the shuttle to launch from the Rosenante and still stay hidden from Borg sensors." (Reply Jackson, any) (Posted by Darryl McDaniel) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Borg Pyramid, Command Nexus, Volus- One of Seventeen, Day 4- 1310) Volus observed the Federation vessel as it careened out of control as the Borg Tractor Beam had attempted to regain a lock on the small ship. The sudden appearance of a Federation class VII probe confirmed his suspicions that a federation task force was, in fact hiding behind the moon and that the plan had been all along to draw the borg ships into a terrible battle that would jeopardize his mission. {We must attack the federation ships hiding behind Dovek IIa} The voices from the collective urged. ~No, it is a trap. A tactical blunder.~ {We are superior. We will overcome.} ~You will comply. I decide our course of action here. We will remain focused on our current operation to recover the Tkon Nanosphere~ he commanded. {The sphere will be recovered in less than 3 hours.} Came the reply. {Integration of Tkon control systems are underway. The Tkon technology is proving to be... challenging to assimilate} ~Adapt.~ Volus commanded. {We are currently adapting our nanoprobes to infiltrate the Tkon command matrix} {The federation vessel has crashed.} ~location~ Volus queried. {4.01 kilometers from the Sphere.} ~Scan for survivors.~ {Scans inconclusive. Antiproton interference is too great to resolve bioelectrical signal} ~Dispatch a party of Tactical Drones. Assimilate all survivors~ {Twelve drones dispatched.} ~How long until they arrive?~ Volus inquired. {Roughly forty-minutes} ~What have we learned from the new acquisition?~ {Nothing} came the reply. ~Nothing? Explain~ Volus demanded. {Subject Species: 5618, Human. This individual is showing an ability to resist assimilation of higher order functions.} {There are cybernetic interface components installed in this species cortex which are preventing complete installation of the Cortical array.} {The Subject has lost the ability to control voluntary muscular control. It is only a matter of time before the nanoprobes disassemble the barrier and replace it with a viable cortical array.} ~How Long?~ {Indeterminate. Subject will be assimilated at a reduced rate, however the Collective should be able to begin accessing memories well before Assimilation is complete.} ~Keep me apprised~ Volus ordered. {Your statement is irrelevant. You have access to the Collective at anytime.} {Are you malfunctioning?} ~Negative. I am expressing my desire to remain aware of the flow of information concerning the assimilation of subject Species 5618 currently underway.~ (reply none) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- End Compile ---------------------------------------------------------------------