Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on May 30, 2015 22:33:15 GMT
OOC: USS Enzio CO guesting...
"However, I wanted to ask you about something entirely different... The whereabouts of the USS Raven. Did you hear Admiral Torek's crew broke house arrest at San Francisco, commandeered their own ship, escaped Earth Spacedock and evaded the attentions of a Sovereign class starship around Neptune to leave the system?"
Franks put down his cutlery and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Admiral Gheskori. You know this isn't a matter we should be discussing." An attendant refilled his drinking glass as he continued to regard Ghes not unamiably from across the table. "The Raven has been declared incommunicado. No vessel is to hail it, bring it to order, or accept any communications from it."
"Humour me, Captain. You have my assurance none of this will leave these four walls." The two sets of senior staff flanking either commanding officer nodded or made quiet noises of agreement. Behind Captain Franks, from Ghes's perspective, the USS San Jose was at a relative all stop, frozen in space behind the portals of the conference room that'd been converted into a banquet room for a dinner of the Enzio and San Jose's senior staff.
"Very well, sir. Yes, I did know. Of course Earth Spacedock would make me aware of such an event as I was tasked with reconnaissance of the region containing the three planets the Raven was supposed to have attacked. Between me and you..." Franks leant forward, "... And the rest of our respective staffs, I don't see how the Raven can be blamed for the attacks on Trelam IV and Kellan II. They were at Earth at the time; the accusation is patently ridiculous."
"I agree, Captain." Ghes said, not showing any hint of surprise - if there had been any - at Franks's personal absolving of the Raven's crew. Of course Franks could simply be lying: his vessel's placement during the first attack and SF Command's assignment of his vessel to investigate the massacre at Trelam IV was cause enough for suspicion.
Franks's voice took on a solemn tone, "I was as shocked as anybody when my Operations Officer," he signalled down the table to the gold-collared crewmember of the San Jose who nodded, raising his champagne glass, "Detected on long-range sensors the Raven's bombardment of Selay. No other vessels were in the area that matched that description. It had to be the Raven; I made contact with Command informing them of the Raven's transgression, and accompanied the Raven - at a distance of three lightyears - back to Earth. With Admiral Torek and his crew still under house arrest at Frisco, I was ordered back out to investigate the attack at Trelam..."
Franks steepled his fingers, his brow furrowing, "I can only think their choice of me had to do with my vessel's registering of the Raven's initial attack. I'd be able to identify similar patterns, in the approach and execution, and the evidence of the attack. Again at Trelam, the locals reported to us that a ship matching the Raven's description had killed thousands of their population. But I couldn't, and still can't, reconcile that with the fact the Raven was at Earth!"
"Indeed..." Gheskori said, clearing his throat, "While we shouldn't be talking of this, Captain, I find myself in agreement with you." He glanced down the table at his XO - sitting opposite the San Jose's XO and engaged in quiet conversation, though most of the table was silently watching the exchange between the two COs - wanting to gauge his First Officer's reaction.
"I see you're in a hurry to get to the P Cynex system," Ghes said, turning back to Franks, "While it's not my business, I'd be interested to know what your mission is there." It was time to get to the heart of the matter. They could of course search the Command database that would, or should, show them the San Jose's orders, however Ghes felt he'd learn more if Franks's told him directly - he wasn't a Betazoid, but he had made a habit out of studying human behaviour and body language... he'd be able to tell if Franks was lying (what he'd said so far 'seemed' to be entirely truthful).
Franks however was not being forthcoming. "I'm afraid that's classified. Even to you, sir, I'm sorry. Now once this gathering is concluded, I'd like to depart immediately. I am now in danger of being overdue at P Cynex..."
"Of course, Captain." Ghes studied Franks's eyes one more time, searching for some diversion in his gaze, "This has nothing to do with the damage to your starboard nacelle does it? The orbital facility at P Cynex is hardly equipped to effect such repairs. Starbase 39 would've been the better choice..."
Franks didn't look away, "Again, Admiral, I apologise but the overall mission is classified. The damage to our nacelle, whether incidental or linked to our assignment, isn't something I can discuss." Ghes nodded and the two officers clinked champagne glasses.
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 6, 2015 16:01:57 GMT
Star Fleet Intelligence San Francisco Earth ...
"When was their last known contact ?" the Head of Intelligence asked the Officers sat before him.
"Fourteen hours, Admiral."
"...... And we are certain that no-one, other than Admiral Gheskori has been in contact with the Raven or any of her crew ?" Sato asked, feeling much older than he was.
"We cannot be one hundred percent certain Admiral, but our sources tell us they departed the area where they initially encountered the USS Enzio. Their whereabouts are somewhat, vague, at this point in time ...." the Captain said, seeing the look on the Directors face and continuing hastily, "Star Fleet Command are apparently tracking the Raven, albeit at distance. Her last heading had them entering the Cynexus System ... Our reports thin out at that point." he said, hoping it was enough not to have him thrown out of the office.
"There is more to this than meets the eye Gentlemen ....." Sato said, getting up from his chair and waving his Officer's back into theirs as they stood also, "We have, for as long as we have been in existence, stayed clear of the political. choosing to look for and act upon the cold hard facts pertaining to any specific task we have undertaken. This, is no exception .... I will not however, allow my adopted Son and Daughter to be cast aside for the greater good of some little known, little cared for politicians. I want all information pertaining to the charges set against the USS Raven-B and her Commanding Officer and crew on my desk by this time tomorrow."
"But, Admiral ....." one of his Deputies said, "We already have everything." Sato smiled, a smile belaying the wisdom of many years in his role of Head of Intelligence:
"There is 'always' more Captain, always more .... Is it possible to get a message to Commander Valente on the Raven at this time ?"
"No Sir. In fact, any attempt, regardless of how covert that attempt is sure to be picked up by the Federations own people."
"What about the good Admiral Gheskori, is there opportunity there we could exploit ?" Sato queried. One Officer accessed a PADD, then spoke:
"Admiral Gheskori ... A well respected Flag Officer, renowned for his integrity, devotion and loyalty, to both the Federation and the people who serve under him ....... Would he engage in dialogue with Admiral Torek, that is hard to say, but if he chose to, I imagine the conversation would be more curt than cordial ... The Vice Admiral is also on the list for review by the Promotions Board currently sitting. While everything about the man says he isn't interested in any promotion that would take him from the Enzio, I doubt he would argue if the said promotion did not affect his current assignment." the man was about to replace the PADD on the desk when she had an afterthought and checked on something quickly, "It seems we did miss something though ...."
"Oh ?" Tetsutaro said, curiosity edging his comment.
"It seems that Admiral Torek is also on the list." the woman informed the room.
"Really ? ...... Hmm, I must have missed that memo." Sato said, a wry grin forming.
"Sir." the female Captain said, trying to get her point across, "Admiral Torek, if successful in the Promotions Board, would effectively be one of the three highest ranking Flag Officer's in the Sector, in fact, in Star Fleet as a whole ........ Is it possible someone individually or in collusion, needs to blacken the Admirals' name to the extent that he never reaches a position to allow him to, I don't know, stop whoever or whatever plans are in place ?"
Sato silently contemplated what the young woman had said. Part of him, in fact the whole of him was so proud that his adopted Son was reaching the heights he was destined for, he wondered momentarily how he would like to be out-ranked by his own Son, but simply grinned at the prospect ... As to all this being about someone wanting Torek out of the higher echelons ? ....... No ....... There was more to this, and Star Fleet Command be damned, he would find out what that was ! ... Others were involved, and 'high-ups, not mere Ensigns, and he intended to find out who they were and expose them for what they were ...
TRAITORS !
Admiral Sato Tetsutaro dismissed his Staff, then checking the time, decided to finish early. His home in Geneva, and cellar of Junmai Daiginjo Sake awaited his attention ..........
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 6, 2015 20:44:23 GMT
"Well this should be easy," Blakus said, voice muffled under the sheet as the medic, with Lieutenant Yang assisting, manoeuvred the hovering gurney through the sterile looking corridors of the repair facility. He heard Yang's voice shushing him as a bright light approached ahead, shining through the fabric of the sheet that covered him. His heart had been stopped - along with Lieutenant Epps' - some twenty minutes ago; it having since been restarted, he could breathe a sigh of relief but his situation was still considered critical by the facility's medical staff - standard practice in the Federation when a patient's heart had just stopped.
The gurney was pushed into one corner of the medbay, Blakus hearing Yang telling the medic she was excused. Against protests, Yang won out and pulled the silver sheet back to reveal Blakus's prone body. "Still alive. Good."
"Was all that really necessary?" Blakus sat up, doing so slowly so as not to rouse suspicion, rubbing his neck where the cortical stimulator had been torn away.
Yang shrugged, "How else were we meant to get in here?"
Blakus squinted at the lights, then looked around the medbay, it coming into focus - his eyes were shaking, some remaining effect from the simulated cardiovascular condition. It was much larger than the Piper's facilities but looked considerably less well equipped. He swung his legs off the gurney, hoping the medics would take longer than was normal to attend to him in an emergency capacity.
"Where's Epps?" he asked, then espied the green-uniformed Lieutenant on the other side of the medbay, surrounded by medics. "Hmm, looks like they do one at a time."
"I suppose you're going to say are they sure they have their priorities right," Yang said, pulling the still trembling engineer off the gurney. Pretending to be hurt though actually grateful for the support as he felt his legs weaken, he propped his arm around Yang's shoulders and she half-pretended to assist him across the medbay. Around a corner out of sight of the medical staff, he accessed the station's databanks; Yang kept watch from the right-angled wall section.
He found his way into the roster of ships due to arrive and depart. Scanning down the arrivals list, he searched for the USS San Jose. If it wasn't on the list, it could mean it'd already been here; been and gone. True enough, it wasn't on the list. Nor was it in the list of departures in the last three months. This was a disaster. He accessed the current sensor logs' data on conditions on P Cynex below, "No surface damage reported. All is normal. Nothing's happened here. Wait, some signal is trying to get through from the planet... it's being scattered by the facility's comm network." He bashed the console with frustration, Yang looking around raising a wry eyebrow.
"This could mean the San Jose's got nothing to do with this at all. They don't intend to arrive... at least, nothing's been scheduled. What about the Coniston?" Yang asked, not wanting to consider that the San Jose intended to arrive and catch the Federation facility with its ships at unawares, too. What side were these ships besides the Coniston Water on?
"It has sustained some damage to the ventral side of its saucer section. Approximately 200 personnel are assigned to it, identities, allegiances unknown."
"What are you doing?!" Three grey uniformed medics had rounded the corner, "Commander, you should be on a biobed. Come here, now." They grabbed him; Blakus feigned a sudden faint spell; Yang stepped back apologising silently.
"I'm sorry, Doctor, I - " Blakus shook himself loose, stepping back in a false defensive posture before lashing out with his foot and taking two of the medics legs out from under them. They blurted sounds of surprise and collapsed in a heap on the deck. Blakus ran past with Yang in tow - who threw a punch at the third medic's face as they barrelled their way out of the medbay.
* * *
"Damn this," he said as they reached an intersection down the corridor, panting and nearly collapsing from lightheadedness. "We need to get to the Coniston, smuggle ourselves aboard in some way, pose as other people."
"What if it's occupied by Breen?"
"Well..." Blakus considered their options. The Coniston was approximately 400m away... Had they even meant to attack here; were they actually gathering support, from these Akira, Norway and Sabre classes in dock? But what grounds did the Raven crew have to think there was a conspiracy in Starfleet here, and perhaps elsewhere (wherever the San Jose was)? "Let's get aboard her. Find an internal comms panel and try to communicate with the Admiral, tell him what we've found."
Another facility staff member approached, looking at them with confusion then growing realisation. He pointed, shouting out in recognition of who they were. Clearly he'd been sent to cut them off. As he approached Yang wrestled him to the ground; in short order they'd found themselves with a hostage.
They crept through several more passages, found a weapons locker while Yang contacted Torek's team. "To the Coniston!" Blakus declared, pointing onwards with type II phaser raised.
<Tag Torek, Will, Marionette>
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 7, 2015 1:31:41 GMT
Away Team ::
Adml Carl Torek Cmdr 1C Andae Blakus Cmdr Marionette Cmdr Calli Valente Lt Yvonne Epps 1st Lt Lu Yang
On the Raven ::
Cmdr 1C Will Jamison Cmdr Harry Wedlerson Cmdr T'Brel Peers With the possibility that Lieutenant Epps was too unwell to assist, he was hoping that Blakus and Yang would be able to get some relevant information quickly. But after waiting at the Piper for over thirty minutes while Commander Marionette and Calli Valenti had made numerous attempts to circumvent the security systems without leaving any trace of their meddling, Carl decided it was time they acted: "According to the repair schedule assignments there are four vessels docked along with the Coniston. At this point we have no idea if any of those are the San Jose of the Tempest, but I'd bet a years salary that at least one or more was in league with the plot against the Raven." "I must inform you Admiral that I am unable to access Star Ship computer systems from this location. I have minimal access to the facility systems. I am also unable to contact the Raven." Marionette said. "So we need to go look ourselves." Calli said. "The Raven can look after herself .... If need be she will warp out of the system and inform the authorities." Carl said, wondering just how that conversation would sound, "In the mean time I agree Calli, we need to have a look around ........ I want to stay clear of the Coniston at all costs, Andae is best placed to be able to get close. We'll take a look at one or two of the others." "How are we going to get onto those ships though ?" Calli asked, "I seriously doubt we would be able to simply stride up the proverbial gang-plank without someone asking what we're playing at." "If you will give me a moment Commander ........" Marionette said, fingers seemingly dancing over her console for a moment before she turned to the replicator and retrieved two metallic disks, "I accessed assignment protocols for the facility. These tokens, attached to you tunic will be scanned automatically as you approach any restricted area, such as a Star Ship 'gangplank' as you so memorably refer to the pedestrian umbilicus used here ... I have programmed them to allow you full supervisory access levels and have inserted the relevant information into the facility records ...... You hold gold tokens denoting a supervisory position on the facility." "Names ?" Calli asked. "Non needed ... You should not be approached while wearing the tokens, but if you are, I suggest being, vague ...." the Android said. "OK, Commander, you'll remain aboard the Piper, try to get as much covert access as you can to each of the ships docked and those in parking orbit. Contacting the Raven isn't a priority, but if you manage it all well and good. Commander Valente get into something less 'Saar Fleet' then you and I will go look at one of the docked ships." ~~~~~Both dressed in civilian garb, tokens attached to their tunics, the two walked along the docking level .... Passing the USS Coniston Waters without a second glance, they made their way to the third ship along and casually approached. Calli held a PADD with spec's displayed, and they talked 'technical' was they neared the Sabre Class vessel. It was only once they were within meters of the ship that Carl realized just which ship it was ! ... Stopping, he took the PADD and began pointing through the plexi-glass separating vacuum from life sustaining atmosphere, the man stood by the access tunnel watched them closely as Torek continued to gesticulate regarding fictitious repairs that would need attention. Turning so he was side-on to the watcher he whispered for her to continue nodding as if receiving instructions: "I know this ship !" he mouthed, "The USS Shrike .... I know her Captain, Ben Anders .... What's more, he knows me. If we meet him on there, saying he will not be sympathetic to our situation will be an understatement." "You two didn't get on then ... Shocking." Calli said, feigning shock, pointing at the PADD then the port warp pylon before raising her eyebrows to the watching man as if her boss was chewing her out for something not of her doing." the man looked as if he sympathised with her plight, "We'll just have to make sure we don't bump into your friend then, won't we ... I also think we're attracting a little more attention than we need to." He looked at the man watching them and agreed, then he strode to the access tunnel telling his 'assistant' that she would be looking for employment elsewhere if there was a re-occurrence. Had they taken another ten seconds acting out their charade, they would have seen Commander Blakus and Marine Lieutenant Yang entering the dock level .... Calli smiled at the man as she followed her 'Boss' into the tunnel, the man made the universal sign for 'a drink later' as she passed, smiling she nodded. Seconds later they stepped aboard the USS Shrike .......... < tag : Marionette (in the Piper) / Will (on the Raven) >
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 13:49:46 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2015 3:36:14 GMT
Once again, Will was pacing the bridge. He had argued with Carl about this away mission. It was too dangerous for the Admiral to go on but in the end, Carl had pulled Rank and left Will in charge of the Raven. The away team had been gone for hours and with the ship being in the nebula, they had no way to communicate with them. And on top of that, they didn't have full function of their sensors.
"Sir. It appears as if some of the ships are moving away from the station. And I think one of them is headed for the shuttle." called out the Ensign at Tactical.
"You think?" inquired Will.
"Sorry, sir. But with the sensors acting...."
"I know." interrupted Will. "Helm. Quickly but quietly, move us just to the inside edge of the nebula." he ordered.
"But sir. Admiral Torek....."
"I know what the Admiral said, Ensign. Now move us." replied Will a little angrier than maybe he should have.
The young man turned back to his station, briefly rubbed his Lieutenant(jg) pips and laid in a course.
"Course laid in,Commander."
"Engage." answered Will as he took the center seat.
Once they had reached her destination, Will began pacing once more.
"How are our readings now?" he asked.
"They are clearer than before, sir. I can confirm that the Medical shuttle did indeed dock and there are no life signs aboard. Several ships did depart. It appears as if a couple of them are actually in pursuit of another but that is still unclear from inside the nebula."
Rubbing his temples, Will sat down once more. "Okay, Carl. Get me a message somehow." he muttered. "Let me know what's happening."
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Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
Posts: 534
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Post by Calli Valente on Jun 7, 2015 21:03:48 GMT
"You two didn't get on then ... Shocking." Calli said, feigning shock, pointing at the PADD then the port warp pylon before raising her eyebrows to the watching man as if her boss was chewing her out for something not of her doing, the man looked as if he sympathised with her plight, "We'll just have to make sure we don't bump into your friend then, won't we ... I also think we're attracting a little more attention than we need to." The Sabre Class was a small ship in comparison with other's of the line, but they made up for it in spades ...... Entering, the two made their way to Deck Two, where among other things they would find main computer control. They passed several maintenance crew who nodded respectfully as they went about their business. Calli realized that the warp core was on this level too and suggested they attempt to disable it to prevent the ship's sudden departure, but the Admiral wanted to get to the computer and find out everything he could .... Entering, they were confronted by two men, each wearing green overall's denoting technical specialists. They eyed Torek and Valente like a worker realizing their immediate supervisor was yet again watching their every move. This suited Carl and Calli, who began whispering in hushed tones while glancing at the tech's every few seconds. Finally, one had had enough and came over: "We reported the problems with the core and are working on them. I don't see the need for this constant observation ! .... If you feel you have others who could compl ......." the man just wouldn't shut up so Calli interrupted him. "Do you constantly speak to your superiors in this manner ... Technician !" she said, stepping in front of the man and glaring, "Curb your tone immediately or you will be putting all your technical expertise to good use, scrubbing out plasma conduits ... Now ... Report on your progress !" "We have reinitialized ninety six percent of the primary and secondary cores. We are having a little, issue, with command flow protocols pertaining to vessel management ........." the man gave an extensive overview of what they were doing, so much so that neither of them took notice of the woman's colleague as he paced around the room seemingly checking random control panels. As Carl approached the other technician the man seemed to wilt under his stare. Carl nodded reassuringly and asked the man to continue what he was doing ... It was obvious that those wearing the gold identification token's were to be feared, and while a Federation Facility in name, it was run completely by the local populace and as such, under their Command Structure. "What is this ?" Carl asked casually as Calli continued to frighten the years off the other technician. "It is showing short range scan parameters. One hundred thousand kilometers maximum range Supervisor." the man explained. "..... and these ?" Carl asked, pointing out four orange indicators that seemed to be moving. "They are vessels either waiting to dock at service pylons, or ships that have completed their maintenance and are departing the Facility." the man said, more than happy to cooperate, but then he frowned, making several inputs on the screen before turning to the Supervisor, "It seems that three of those ships are leaving the Facility without having been serviced." Carl glanced at Calli, who seemed to have her technician under complete control, motioning that he needed a word. She told the man to continue his tasks and walked over to Carl, who had in turn moved away from the man he had been speaking with. "Four ships are leaving the facility. As far as we know the San Jose either isn't here or has docked without being logged in .... I need to know about those ships moving away, it just seems too much of a coincidence in my opinion. We turn up and people start to find somewhere they need to be ? ... Is there 'ANY' way we can get a message to the Raven ?" he asked. "There's something Intelligence used once before. If we get them to do it, then it could work and be perceived as part of the systems' checks. But if it doesn't, then they will know exactly where the Raven is." Calli informed him. Carl knew better than to ask just what she had in mind and told her to go ahead. Calli took a diagnostic tricorder from the nearby desk and inserted a Isolinear chip, she worked quickly speaking quietly to Torek as she did so, "If this works it will send a micro-burst message in the form of a sub-space carrier to the Raven. It will be heavily compressed, and would look like a second of static on their passive scans. I'm guessing they are 'looking' for something from us, so with luck someone will realize what they have. If not then we can't try a second time, so, I need a message. short, sweet, and to the point !" ..... Carl gave her the message and she took the Isolinear chip to the man she had been speaking to: "This is an exercise ... You will run this program and report the results to me. You have thirty seconds to complete the task." she said, folding her arms and waiting ... It took the man five seconds to realize his career depended on doing what the Supervisor asked, and quickly ... He came back twenty seconds later and said the test showed, albeit very well hidden, that five individual Isolinear circuits had been disabled temporarily. He had, on his own initiative re-set the affected circuits." "Well done technician." Calli said, taking the 'chip from him, "That test is only passed by five percent of those attempting it. You should be proud of your training, and maybe an elevated role is in order. Return to your duties, you will be contacted in due course." She returned to Torek, who seemed to be filling out competence reports on the two men ........ On the Raven ::Twice now the duty Operations Officer had seen the 'glitch' appear. She had run a diagnostic check of her console and confirmed everything was working as it should. She turned to the Command area where the Executive Officer was working hard to form a rut in the carpet where he had been striding back and forth: "Sir. Could you take a look at this." she played the segment of data for Commander Jamison, "That spike is out of sync with the background 'noise' of the scans we're currently running. It could be a reflection of one of more sub-frequencies ?" Will asked her to play the 'glitch' on a loop. the single 'beep' didn't stand out, and could have very easily been dismissed, but the young, eager duty Officer had picked up on it. Will almost smiled. "Thank you." he said quietly, then turned back to the Opps Officer, "Isolate that segment and analyze." he returned to the Command area and for the first time in hours sat down .... Several minutes later the woman reported she had it. he told he to play the signal. :: :: :: Ships :: Four :: Pursue :: Investigate :: Disable if Judgement dictates :: :: :: < tag : Will >
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 9, 2015 19:16:25 GMT
Unlike his Chief engineer and the Marine lieutenant, Carl and Calli had adopted the 'hide in plain view' approach to checking the vessels docked and undergoing various repairs or refits ..... They had made their way onto the USS Shrike ... Fortunately, the Captain, who was known to Torek was away from the ship and would be for most of the remaining shift, planning to return late evening. That gave them several hours in which to try to find whatever information they could on what was happening. Their main interest was obviously the USS San Jose, the Tempest, and whoever was behind the framing of the Raven crew. News that several vessels had moved away from the space-borne repair facility had caused concern, and Calli had devised an option to get information to the waiting Commander Jamison. Carl just hoped she had been successful ! "We need to find a room with access to the computer, we can't keep asking those two to run simulations one after the other and expect them not to ask why at some point." He said, Calli nodded in agreement and the two stepped out of the computer core ... They moved through the ship, stopping here and there to check the work schedule and appear to be signing off on work completed, or flagging it for further attention. It was then they realized they were getting the kind of attention they didn't want. Along the corridor from them, a woman was watching, eyes flicking from the two strangers, to a PADD she was holding, and back again. "May I ask what you are doing ?" she said, approaching the two cautiously. "I might ask you the very same question." Calli said, immediately taking the lead, "According to my rotas my companion and myself are supposed to be the only supervisory personnel on duty ..... So, I will ask you to explain your presence, or do I contact control ?" "You are correct." the woman said, suddenly on her back foot, "You may have heard of the issues on the Connaught yesterday, the core mis-alignment ? ...... Well, that was down to my crew finishing shift early. A second crew had to be brought in to complete the work and I am down almost half of my team, not to mention my reduction in authority to Silver ... as a result, I am due to be assigned here for the morning shift and decided to come aboard earl ......." "Ahh ...." Calli said, a nod of understanding passing between the two women, "I sympathise. There is always too much work and too little time ..... I suggest you depart the ship, just in case you are being monitored. You will regain your Gold in time." They stood watching the woman, allowing her to make the decision to leave herself, that way she wouldn't feel as if she had been forced to leave. Finally, she nodded, thanking the two for their discretion. "Any of the VIP quarters, or the Exec' Officers quarters will have a terminal that will allow direct access." Calli said, walking off down the corridor making Torek play 'catch-up' .... He stopped at the second VIP Suite and entered, sealing the door behind them. Calli quickly accessed the terminal and set up a block, similar to a digital version of the Faraday cage, to prevent any outside interference. it would also ensure the terminal looked 'off-line' to anyone checking. There were countless logs regarding the Shrike ... She began narrowing her search parameters, then more, then more, until she slammed her hand against the table in frustration. "Problems ?" Carl said, seated behind her. "Yes ! ...... There are numerous references to the San Jose, and to the Tempest, along with two other vessels. They include audio but there is no way I can get at them." "At all ?" Carl asked, trying not to let his disappointment show. "Oh the information is there but using some form of encoding I'm unfamiliar with." she said, running down the list and picking one line out, "Like here ... There is rendezvous and transport information, and logs between this ship and the sender, but again, 'ALL' that I get is this ......" she moved to one side so he could see the screen: [Animus 74] "This is the only data you can get when accessing any relevant information, no name, planet / ship of origin ... Nothing ?" "...... and before you ask, no, I haven't attempted to check the name. Anyone needing to stay hidden to this extent will have systems in place to prevent just what we would dearly like to be doing right now." Calli said, rotating her seat to face her stepbrother, "We can't look at this from here, and all relevant information is hidden under that alias .... We need the Raven's computer, simple as that." she finished, shrugging. "Well, we have learned one thing. Ben Anders is very likely involved in this thing against us." Carl said, disappointment oozing from every syllable, "I don't suppose you have any idea's how to keep the Shrike here indefinitely ?" "The core ?" she asked, eyebrows raised ..........
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 13:49:46 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 2:47:14 GMT
:: :: :: Ships :: Four :: Pursue :: Investigate :: Disable if Judgement dictates :: :: :: Will took the center seat. "Helm. Bring us about. Set course to follow the four departing vessels. Delik. Take one person and stay back in a shuttle in case the away team tries to make contact again or needs assistance. You have five minutes." Will said. Delik gave one quick nod and exited the bridge. Will turned to his replacement. "As soon as we're in range of those ships, I want sensor readings. I want know who they are and where they're headed." he ordered. "Course laid in, sir." came the reply from Helm. "Standby." Will answered. Five minutes later..... "Engage." Will ordered being true to his word. "Shuttle Tahoe away." Will heard someone say as the Raven sprang forward in pursuit of the fleeing vessels. They were following four Starfleet vessels and to be honest, Will had half expected them to eventually split after the attack that had just occured . However, that was not to be the case. "What are they up to?" he wonder aloud as he walked around the front half of the bridge. Ten minutes later, he had his answer. "A fifth ship entering sensor range." announced Tactical. "It's the San Jose. they're on an intercept course with the other four vessels." "DAMN IT!!!!" called Will. "They're all in this together. And it's five against one. Helm. Reverse course. Get us back to the station." he ordered as he turned to the rear of the bridge. "They're moving in. They have us where they want us now. Open a hailing frequency to the Orbital." "Ready, sir." came the reply. Will decided he didn't have time for formalities. "Raven to away team and facility staff. We have five hostile Starfleet ships headed your way. Repeat. Five hostile Starfleet ships. We're gonna need all the firepower we can get."
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 10, 2015 22:13:30 GMT
"Well, we have learned one thing. Ben Anders is very likely involved in this thing against us." Carl said, disappointment oozing from every syllable, "I don't suppose you have any idea's how to keep the Shrike here indefinitely ?"
"The core ?" she asked, eyebrows raised. he nodded and they re-entered the corridor .....
The unique design of the Sabre Class had the warp core on decks two and three, the lower section situated in what was classed as 'Lower Engineering' ... They entered the room and made sure they were alone before sealing the doors. Gantries ran the circumference of the pulsating matter antimatter core. Accessing the closest station, Calli began entering a series of commands that would effectively shut down the core and place the control systems into a level five diagnostic. While this wouldn't hold the ship here indefinitely, it would certainly keep her docked for eight to ten hours.
"Any thought on this [Animus 74] ?"
"Not a clue." She was close to finishing when both their concealed Comm badges chirped to life simultaneously !
=^= Raven to aw .. .. .. nd facility staff .. We have fiv .. .. ostile Starfl .. .. .. .. ps headed your way .. .. Repea .. .. Fiv .. .. .. .. arfleet ships .. We are going to nee .. .. .. ire-power we ca .. .. et =^=
"Did you get any of that ?" Calli asked, eyeing the gantries for unexpected visitors.
Suddenly all hell broke loose ! ...... Alarms began to sound, the lighting changed to emergency red, and all the control stations went into protected mode. This meant that 'only' the Engineering Staff of the USS Shrike could access the panels, and obviously, any unauthorized attempt would be reported instantly. She lifted her hands off the glass as if burnt, retrieving her concealed phaser. Three sets of steps spiralled around the wall of the core room, allowing access from both levels. They could hear people running around on the lower level and Carl decided it was time for a less than discrete exit, but they realized that the blast door had dropped, effectively blocking their only escape route ... Two Security lifted their heads above the deck floor, panning left and right. Carl didn't need to ask what setting their weapons were on. Five, then six climbed onto their level and effectively backed the two intruders against the now sealed exit. Carl dropped his phaser in front of him, instructing Calli to do likewise..
A woman walked past the armed Security and looked at them both as if regretting a purchase.
"Admiral Torek. We haven't had the pleasure, but we did talk for a few moments at a conference you attended." she said, looking at Calli like a she-cat eyes a rival, then she simply turned away, "Kill them both." she said, as casually as asking to cream in her morning coffee.
Two of the Security Officer's raised their rifles and then fired, at the precise second Torek felt the tell-tale caress of a transporter beam !
"Not todaaa ...." he said, vanishing from the ship and reappearing at the back of a type nine shuttle-craft.
"Sir .. Sorry about the no advanced warning, but I detected weapons fire in your immediate vicinity, and the Raven is still three minutes out." Lieutenant Delik Gerelo explained. The young Marine Officer with him already scanning for the Raven and feeding rendezvous co-ordinates to him.
Many ships, however large or small were migrating from the repair facility. Several of the Star Ships, including the Shrike, were at the mercy of the on-coming attacking force, unable to depart due to on-going maintenance work. Delik manoeuvred the shuttle with almost relaxed ease as they moved away and on an intercept arc with the Raven. He informed the two Senior Officers that the Raven should drop out of warp ahead and 'hopefully' below them in thirty seconds. The other ships would be fifteen seconds behind ... Carl sat in silence, there was no need to tell a man who knew his job, how to do his job, besides, he was worried that the other's hadn't managed to get off the facility ... He still couldn't envision no less than 'FIVE' Star Ships attacking and destroying the facility. Up to this moment they were completely anonymous, on no-ones radar so to speak, they could have simply left the area and regrouped, but this attack would effectively sign the proverbial death warrants for the Command Staff of those ships, and would very likely see most of their crews confined for many years to come ... They would need to run ... Far, and fast, it was their only viable option now !
Calli had been watching the flotilla of craft leaving the facility on every conceivable heading when she realized that three minutes should have passed by her reckoning. She asked the Marine, 1st Lieutenant Scott to confirm.
"Yes Ma'am, the Raven should have dropped from warp fifteen seconds ago .... Twenty .... Twenty five .... Thir ......." There was a sudden flash and the massive Galaxy Class Star Ship dropped into normal space less than one hundred kilometers from them and turning fast on her axis to present the hanger bay to the rapidly approaching shuttle. Carl suddenly appreciated life a lot more for a second, seeing the enormous bulk of the Raven threatening to ride right over them as she attempted to halt her forward, now reverse, motion to allow the shuttle to land, but with what seemed to be centimeters to spare, the Raven stopped and Delik shot into the hanger-bay, missing the collision netting by a fraction as he brought the shuttle to a halt, he opened a Comm:
=^= Bridge .. Shuttle Tahoe secured .. Admiral Torek and Commander Valente aboard =^=
"All I can say is: Whoever was driving needs a bloody promotion !" Calli said, stepping from the shuttle.
"Yes." Carl said, wondering briefly if this was one of those 'get on your knees and kiss the floor' moments as they made their way up to the Bridge ..........
< tag : Will / All >
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 12, 2015 5:13:27 GMT
On the Coniston...
Andae worked over the fibre-optic wiring with shaking hands; this was the first ad-hoc piece of patchwork engineering/weapons design he'd come up with in a long time... He was falling out of practice, into automation, he realised. Behind him in the corridor Yang checked the passage each way. Still no sign of pursuit, people closing them down, or further bursts of erratic phaser fire.
He fitted the makeshift device into the recess next to the blast door and waited for its explosive to activate, backing off some four metres and covering his ears. The three ships that'd left unserviced hadn't been identified; it was supremely frustrating: having watched that console work its probability calculations in silence, a foot tapping the floor impatiently... At least they knew which ship the fourth one was - for they were aboard it - the USS Coniston Water.
The 'home-made' explosive blew a jagged hole in the blast doors and set off the automatic release. "Hmph," Andae said, stepping through the gap considering the irony as Yang followed him, shouting out a warning and firing a couple bursts from her marine pulse rifle.
Andae looked back around, seeing the marine officer squatted against the wall, covering both of them as they made their exit. "Twenty metres... This ship is leaving in five seconds, Yang!" That wasn't technically correct: rather the umbilical corridor would begin to retract from its port in the repair facility's docking bay.
"I know! I know!" she ran past him, Andae stumbling to catch up.
"Well, you were trained... for this," he stuttered lamely. It wasn't heard over the sound of pounding footsteps in pursuit, phaser fire and calls for them to come back. They were under arrest, on the order of Captain Franks, apparently, though the San Jose was nowhere in sight - not at the facility, not with the four ships that were leaving it, not due to arrive... as far as they were aware.
Minutes later...
"The control room, Yang!" He looked around panicked, wondering if Yvonne Eps had been secured by the facility staff during this mad rush. He couldn't believe what he was seeing on the console before him: those same four ships that'd left were rotating back around towards the facility, aiming to attack! And what's more, the USS San Jose was with them. "Oh, it makes sense now," he murmured drolly. Something in his periphery caught his attention; he jerked his head, irritated by the disturbance, "Yang! The doors. Yang!"
The green-uniformed officer ran over to the doors to the repair facility's now-deserted main control centre, a gap widening in them where phaser rifles had appeared and some security guards had started poking their arms and heads through. Andae watched Yang fire several stun bursts of the pulse rifle through the gap; muted noises of discomfort emanated from the other side, followed by thuds on the carpet, "That should hold them for a while, sir."
Wreckage was strewn across the floor. Consoles beeped in sympathetic silence. There was no voice to this elegance. Again, it was ironic: here they were, trapped on the station, about to come under attack from the Coniston Water, the San Jose, and three other vessels, the former of which Andae and Yang had actually been on just a few minutes ago.
As he noticed a somewhat anomalous reading of two or three ships peeling off from the main exodus of small to mid-sized craft leaving the station - most heading in a degrading orbital direction towards the planet, likely aiming for the stratosphere where targeting sensors that might search them out from those milky cloud layers could become confused - among them the USS Shrike, the transporter beam grabbed them.
The other end of the coruscating tunnel...
"Carl," Andae said, stunned and rocking back on his feet slightly - for a moment it looked as if the engineer might topple over. They were on the bridge of the Raven - a mechanism somehow in place that was allowing direct beaming of off-the-ship personnel into the Raven's nerve centre.
Epps, he learned, hadn't been recovered. The marine had been forced to remain aboard the station, in its medbay. Yang stood beside him, similarly shocked, with most of the rest of the Raven's senior staff around them: Carl, Will, Marionette, Kate, Calli, Wedlerson...
"I was in the control centre of the station," Andae said, "Those four ships left the station close to or upon our arrival in the Piper, and only now are attacking it. I'd theorise the rogues on the facility saw us on the approach, knew the Raven was somewhere in the area - not having let on that they'd identified the Piper correctly - and used those four ships' departures (the Coniston Water amongst them) to draw the Raven out from wherever it was hiding. Then the San Jose joined as the Raven set off in pursuit: it was a classic pincer move, with the four ships and Franks's San Jose each pincer part. Also, it seems a vessel by the designation of the USS Shrike, among others, is joining those five ships." The staff nodded, clearly all aware of this. So what do they do? They report it to headquarters, surely - a conspiracy amok well within UFP borders.
They took their stations, unspoken agreements as to their next course of action transmitted between them. Andae approached the aft, "Computer, transfer engineering to bridge." The console lit up. "Sir, recommend we join the flotilla of departed ships in the stratosphere of P Cynex... The San Jose will have difficulty locating us if we stay down there with the SS Connaught and company. Also, it emerged during our studies while aboard the Coniston that Galaxy class ship was responsible for the attacks on Selay and Trelam IV... Kellan II, remains an unknown."
"What about P Cynex itself."
Andae thought about P Cynex below them, shaking his head, "No damage registered or reported, though we did detect a strange signal, some sensor distortion prevalent in the atmosphere..."
That apparent tranquility was all about to change. The viewscreen, now showing an image of the P Cynex globe rather than the repair facility which orbited it, milky cloud layers over turquoise and aqua, suddenly lit up in radiant fireworks of blinding light, sparks transient between explosion locii. The bridge crew was shaken, rendered dumb at the sight of the artificial apocalypse. "Source, the USS San Jose. It's Franks, and friends, after all," Andae murmured.
<Tag Carl, Will, Marionette, ALLL>
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 16, 2015 13:42:05 GMT
Andae returned to engineering, waiting to hear news of survivors from the facility. The San Jose and its four accompanying ships had destroyed the repair station with combined salvoes of quantum torpedoes, the resultant explosion catching half a dozen escaping craft in its expanding cloud of gas which broke apart in fiery sparks and chunks of duranium. The Raven had attempted to lock on to lifesigns in the six vessels - ranging in size from Norway class ship to Danube class Runabout - rescuing at least the bodies of half of them, with no idea whether they were alive or not.
Would Captain Franks attempt to contact the Raven now, break the comm silence Federation starships were supposed to have with the Raven? If he was part of a conspiracy - as it now seemed - and considering he'd just destroyed a Starfleet repair station, regardless of the fact it seemed to have been run according to local administrative practices, Blakus had to guess that he would have no qualms about contacting the Raven if he wished to.
He looked about engineering, at his threadbare, skeleton staff. The rest of course remained stranded on Earth, where they were presumably still in the process of being court martialled - Milyanov, Taylor, the rest of them. The name of their defense counsel... Shaw, yes, Blakus wondered on his progress in acquitting the Raven staff. Surely now the ship needed to get a message back to Command of the tragedy out here, and that the USS San Jose seemed at least to hold a large share of the responsibility... It might end the whole affair, but, could they trust all those at Command. On recent evidence, probably not.
Frowning as he realigned the matter injector (which was the initial cause of the malfunction that had shut down the Raven for several hours, during the time when it was supposed to have attacked Selay), he thought of the Sovereign class Tempest that'd attempted to prevent them from leaving Sol. It was odd that no other ships had been sent after them when it was realised that the Tempest was having difficulty bringing them back... The Tempest's Captain, it had seemed to Andae, had been strangely attached to their plight, when one would expect her to be distant and cold if she was dealing with a ship that had been stolen from drydock by a crew undergoing court martial and if she was absolutely... loyal.
If Melroy was involved as well - and considering her ship wasn't part of the quintet that'd struck the repair facility and parts of the planet below - then there was an at least two-pronged conspiracy against Starfleet and the Federation. Blakus accessed the master console and contacted the bridge.
After relating his concerns regarding the Tempest - in addition to the San Jose - Calli, glancing at Carl, spoke, "We know the Tempest is implicated. On the station we accessed communications logs, encrypted by someone or something called [Animus 74], aboard the USS Shrike. It seems that the Shrike is involved as well."
Something occurred to Andae, "Hold on, both of those ships have a connection to the Admiral, don't they? I mean to say, their Captains... Melroy, and the Shrike's CO... his name escapes me, are old colleagues of yours, sir," he nodded to Torek, "If both those ships are in this conspiracy, could all this be aimed at discrediting the Admiral?"
"It wouldn't explain their blatant rebellious assault on the repair facility... If they wanted to blame the Raven, the CO specifically, they wouldn't themselves destroy the facility, or the planet. That station was transmitting data up to the moment of its destruction; it would be clear to anybody reading that data that it was destroyed by the San Jose, Coniston Water and the other three ships."
Andae considered this, rubbing the stubble on his chin, his eyes tired, "First we thought the San Jose, Tempest, etcetera, wanted us out of the way... Frame us for the attacks on Selay and Trelam IV, and Kellan II, then make sure we aren't contacted by anybody... For if loyal forces were to make contact with us where we present them with irrefutable evidence that we didn't carry out those attacks, then the traitors' whole operation is put in jeopardy. But what if this isn't something so grand as the overthrow of the Federation," he spread his arms, offering the idea. The bridge officers on his console's monitor were mildly stunned by his grandiose claim that it seemed he'd been entertaining all along.
He said, "What if they want to settle some score? I'll admit though, it doesn't explain Franks's involvement, unless he's an opportunist, jumping on their plan to further his own ends that don't involve the Raven... or who knows, he might even have been misled by the other two, by Melroy and the Shrike's Captain. Perhaps Franks thinks he's acting in the Federation's best interests."
He summoned temporary Assistant Chief Zavial. "Lieutenant, how long would it take to make the Piper ready again?" He understood Zavial and his teams had been enacting repairs to the ambulance shuttle since it'd redocked. "Half an hour, that sounds good to me." He spoke into the monitor again, "Sir, request permission to fly over the site of the surface attacks on P Cynex. If we hide in the stratosphere with the flotilla of escaped ships, we can descend into the atmosphere and analyse the destruction from mid-altitude. Then I suggest we push on to Kellan II... How to evade the San Jose and company though..."
<Tag Torek, Jamison, All>
The Piper atmospheric mission also depended upon their ability to evade attack by Franks and his four minion vessels. The presence of the Coniston Water in that group begged the question, who was its commander? Was there any personal connection to the Admiral? A quick look at the logs indicated the CO was one Commodore Theodorus, but if he was actually on board her was unknown... Franks and possibly Melroy may have captured the vessel, evicting the crew and stranding them on some planet, so they could use the Galaxy class Coniston to frame the Raven before those three planetary attacks.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 13:49:46 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2015 3:56:47 GMT
Will was currently in Sickbay assisting with the injured. They had been able to beam roughly two hundred people aboard. The Raven had extra room since they only had a skeleton crew. A couple of other ships that were able to escape had beamed over as many as they could before the ships began exploding. Will had read the reports when they came in regarding the devastation below and on the station. It was incomprehensible. They had been discussing ideas of why it was happening but Will wasn't really interested in those. He just wanted to stop it. It went against everything in his being and to imagine that Federation Starfleet officers were responsible made him sick to his stomach. He couldn't imagine anything making him go against his oath to Starfleet to protect others. Right now, the Raven was blending in with the others, trying to see if there was anything they could do for the planet. Apparently, Blakus had taken the Piper down and was gathering more intel. Once they had all of the information they needed, and everyone was stable, Will hoped that they were going after Franks and company. He was in the mood to kick some [word deleted].
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 17, 2015 19:44:15 GMT
The Raven had allowed herself to sink into the upper atmosphere and was currently intermingling with over a dozen other ships, both Federation and others ... In the Observation Lounge the Senior staff were working through the situation in their usual way ..... Carl had always promoted the open forum, or 'Chinese Parliament' way of holding meetings, unless he had something specific he needed go get across. He sat, listening to suggestions, conjecture, possible solutions, but it was becoming blatantly clear that they had little or no actual information as to 'why' the Raven had been drawn into it's current predicament.
Commander Blakus summoned his temporary Assistant Chief to the meeting for an update:
"Lieutenant, how long would it take to make the Piper ready again ?" and was informed it would take thirty minutes. He turned to the Admiral, "Sir, request permission to fly over the site of the surface attacks on P Cynex. If we hide in the stratosphere with the flotilla of escaped ships, we can descend into the atmosphere and analyse the destruction from mid-altitude. Then I suggest we push on to Kellan II ... How to evade the San Jose and company though ......"
The Comm chirped to life urgently !
=^= Bridge to Admiral .. .. .. Sir .. Large sections of the repair facility are beginning to ender to outer atmosphere .. Several of those are on a direct course to intercept at least four of the ships around us .. It is possible the Raven could suffer damage too .. Recommend we ...... =^=
=^= Contact the ship's in immediate danger Lieutenant .. Tell them to increase speed and climb into high orbit =^=
=^= But Sir .. .. Ther .. .. =^=
=^= Now Lieutenant =^= Torek said rising from his seat, the other Senior Staff following suit, filing onto the Bridge.
"Tactical on viewer." Carl ordered, taking his seat and quickly assessing the images shown, "That large section, quadrant 'Beta six' ..... What is it ?"
"Number three warp core of the facility Admiral ...." Peers said from Tactical, "It's on a shallow spiral into the atmosphere and will pass above us safely."
"That is the San Jose, and the Shrike right ?" Torek said, pointing at two of the three red arrow-heads in high orbit. Peers confirmed, "OK .... Arm phasers ........"
"Target Sir ?" T'Brel said, eyeing the other's with a little confusion.
"Target the warp core section currently traversing our orbital path ....... At the closest point to the three attacking vessels destroy that section."
"Sir ! ..... the resulting explosion could seriously damage or incapacitate one or more of those ships. they may not be able to maintain orbit and could fall into the atmosp ........." Peers shut his mouth mid-sentence as he realized Torek was looking at him with an expression on his face denoting he knew 'exactly' what the detonation would do, "Aye Sir ..."
Torek stood and walked to the upper level where his Chief Engineer was monitoring:
"Sorry Andae, I'm going to have to deny your request, or in part at least." he said quietly, "I agree we need to get over to Kellan II as per your suggestion. If we can disable the San Jose, and especially the Coniston Waters, then we may have some leeway before they can come after us, there has got to be some reason these settlements and academic seminary ..... I want those Commanding Officer's Andae ..... I want them before me explaining their actions, before I make sure none of them see natural sunlight for the rest of their TRAITOROUS LIVES !" He realized he had raised his voice on the Bridge, something a Commanding Officer was expected not to do under any circumstances, but it seemed no-one had noticed, or more likely, completely understood their Captain's frustration.
"Coming up on optimal firing solution Captain." T'brel said, hand hovering over his panel.
"Helm, set course for Kellan II ... Then stand-by ... I want us warping out of here once Commander Peers confirms target impact ...... At your discretion Commander." Carl said, returning to his seat.
Five seconds past, then six, then .... The beam of almost pure energy lanced from the upper saucer ring and through the cloudy atmosphere. One second later it slammed into the repair facilities number three warp core ..... With no shielding, and internal systems failing, the matter / anti-matter chamber disintegrated instantly, allowing the two opposing states to merge ! .... The ships, recently firing now found themselves in dire peril. Three managed to raise partial shields as they were flung away from the planet. The fourth wasn't quick enough ... The blast wave smashed into the hull, ripping away the warp nacelles which themselves exploded in a spectacular show of light and instantly expended energy. The husk, devoid of life support, gravity, or any means of saving the few remaining living, tumbled end over end out into space.
Thankfully, all the ships in immediate danger had moved and were now climbing into open space, where with luck, they would make it to another safe haven with little difficulty ... as for the Raven .......
Marionette watched her Navigation Console waiting for the confirmation that the ship had fired weapons. Within three thousandths of a second after she calculated the beams impact with the facility warp core, she had already began the leap from normal space. The blast wave was too slow to destroy the Raven, but it did gently caress the nacelles for a fraction of a second, before the ship escaped, and was now out of reach .... Carl sat in his seat watching the stars for thirty seconds then spoke:
"Send our logs for the last twenty four hours to Star Fleet Command ... Inform them that their assistance is required ... Send it on all sub-space frequencies. No secure encryption."
The Galaxy Class Star Ship arrowed through that nether-realm towards her next encounter ....... Would they have the time they hoped for, or would they encounter further problems ....... Only time would tell ! ..........
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Jun 18, 2015 20:16:34 GMT
OOC: USS Enzio CO guesting...
"You received the report?"
"Of course," he fiddled with his padd stylus, adjusting himself in his chair in the ready room, "The station was completely destroyed. Reports from the civil government on P Cynex reported pieces of the facility breaking up in the atmosphere over the planet's north pole."
The faceless person on the screen, obscured by shadow, spoke again, "I don't suppose I need to tell you that several Federation craft were destroyed or badly damaged in the attack as well."
"No, sir." Gheskori grew impatient. He wondered what the man was really thinking; now that it had emerged that the Raven was not responsible, with little doubt remaining if there was any at all, it was clear the man didn't have the interests of the USS Raven at heart.
The man seemed to ponder, Ghes getting the impression his chair was turning away from him. Indeed, a dull starlight shone on a fraction of his face as Ghes saw it in side profile. "You let Captain Franks go that easily... Admiral."
"With respect, sir, there was no way I could've known what he was planning, if the reports are true."
"You doubt their accuracy."
"No, sir." Ghes felt like reaching through the terminal screen and throttling the man; he paused, reining himself in. "Of course the USS San Jose is responsible for the destruction of the facility, that much is beyond doubt. In addition to the USS Raven's testimony, that version of events is corroborated by reports from P Cynex's government and confirmed by the repair facility's sensor logs."
P Cynex's capital conurbation had been the victim of Franks's attack as well. Whole districts of it, and surrounding townships, lay in ruins. Both men knew that the civil government - which had previously been supplying regular updates on the situation on their world - was now out of contact... obviously they had to assume the worst for the government's situation.
"Then you let Franks go, even though you had a suspicion that he was... errant?"
"Sir," it was all he could call him, not having a name, or rank, or position - who did this man report to? "Franks stated his mission was classified. I tried to raise you, and your secretaries, on Starbase 39 shortly after the Enzio and the San Jose parted company. To no avail."
Ghes heard the man sigh, swinging back in his chair so his face fell totally into shadow again. "That will be all, Admiral Gheskori. Pursue the Raven at a distance. Keep at least half a parsec between yourself and Franks's convoy."
Acknowledging Ghes closed the channel and turned in his chair, brooding over what'd been said. The Enzio's sensors detected six ships - provisionally, for it was rather unclear from this range - in Franks's squadron: all rogues. Tentative engine signature identifiers and a combination of other vessel distinguishing sensor logs revealed the six craft to be: the San Jose, Incorruptible, Milwaukee, Shrike, Coniston Water and one craft of uncertain identity. That could all change once they closed the distance and the sensor readings resolved themselves into something more concrete.
"Bridge, Gheskori. Set course to follow the Raven; match speed, keep close enough to let them know we're looking out for them but distant enough not to appear suspicious." The Enzio set course from its station keeping position 3 parsecs from P Cynex. Kellan II, it appeared they were heading for... the planet was already devastated of course, but who would the locals say was responsible? Shadowing both the Raven and the Enzio was the San Jose and company, moving on from their attack on P Cynex, possibly minus one ship.
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 20, 2015 20:18:26 GMT
Aboard the USS San Jose ::Tanor franks, Captain, had no qualms about the actions he was taking. He fully believed that the persecution and ultimate demise of Carl Torek was justified, and more, it was necessary ! ...... They had approached the repair facility and immediately began firing. Destroying the main sections quickly, including the atmosphere controlled internal docks, that could allow maintenance staff to work on the hull of a ship without breathing apparatus. Then they targeted the massive 'arms' that stretched out over a thousand meters each, allowing for no less than sixteen Star Ships at their full capacity. Vessels began to scatter, most falling into the upper atmosphere, hoping to hide there until safe ....
The unexpected arrival of the Galaxy Class Raven had been a minor problem as they too fled into the murky atmosphere as the remains of the enormous station began to fall towards the planet. He pondered the odds of all those ships getting away without damage ... Happy with his work, Franks was about to contact his Superior when his Tactical Officer spoke.
"Captain, I cannot be certain, but scans show a vessel arming weapons."
"Where ?" the Captain asked, almost laughing at the idea someone would or could target them.
"Uncertain Captain ... In the upper atmosphere certainly, but ...... But they don't seem to be targeting us." the woman said, a frown on her face.
"Not a problem we need to be concerned with then, is it Lieute ........" he was cut short as two vivid blue beams of light lanced through the atmosphere slamming into a large piece of debris, "RAISE SHIELDS !" he shouted as the core of the section exploded ........ Aboard the USS Raven-B ::"Send our logs for the last twenty four hours to Star Fleet Command ... Inform them that their assistance is required ... Send it on all sub-space frequencies. No secure encryption." He had given up on any pretence now. If the Federation wanted to hold them responsible for the genocide carried out in their name, then they would need to find, and 'STOP' the Raven 'before' they could find out who was behind the attacks and bring them to justice. At this point, despite his years in Star Fleet, he would gladly end the lives of those who had ordered and condoned the acts. To know that Star Fleet personnel, Captains no less, were involved, was almost unbelievable, but the evidence was irrefutable. "Helm, what's our status ?" "We are currently on a heading for Kellan II in the Beta Andori System .... Arrival in thirty nine hours fifty two minutes present speed." Marionette informed him. "Sir, I'm picking up four ships. All confirmed as the ones involved in the recent attack on the repair facility." Commander Wedlerson said from Opps, "They are gaining on us. There is also a fifth, but too far away to identify." "So much for destroying them." Carl said, realizing several of the Bridge crew had picked up on his comment, "Commander Blakus, how are the repairs coming on the transwarp systems ?" "Barely Admiral. We have simulated runs, though I'd pref ......" Andae began, but Torek cut him off: "Commander Marionette. Calculate estimated arrival at transwarp three." "Seven hours nine minutes." the Navigation Officer answered instantly. "Engage transwarp drive and increase speed." he ordered .......... ~~~ Arrival in Beta Andori System ..... En-route to Kellan II ~~~ They had made good time and managed to easily outrun the renegade vessels pursuing them, although the mysterious vessel hanging just outside their sensor range was still somewhat of a concern to Torek. If it was Federation then why hadn't they attempted to approach and demand he hand over the Raven ? ..... If it was part of the rebellion, why hang back ? ..... They dropped out of warp well inside the System less than one hundred million kilometers from Kellan, but unfortunately, they had company ! The first of the torpedoes slammed into the Engineering Section and the port side of the Saucer, fortuitously, the attackers must have been caught completely unaware when the Raven appeared before them, and they fired blind before moving off to re-group. "Raise Shields ... Bring all weapons on-line !" Jamison ordered as Carl picked himself up off the deck where he had been thrown by the initial impact. Several more torpedoes were streaking across the airless void in their direction. Marionette moved the ship almost sideways to avoid the first few, but once again they were hit, the shields taking the brunt of the blast easily. "Sir, three craft, design indicates they are of Kellan origin." T'Brel said from Tactical. "Open hailing frequencies. Tell them we mean them no harm and are here to investi ......" Torek was saying as another volley of torpedoes slammed into the Raven's shields, weakening them to less than sixty percent, He knew he was running out of options quickly, as even a ship as large as the Raven couldn't withstand a concentrated attack indefinitely, "Can we disable them without getting ourselves into too much more trouble ?" He asked Peers, watching the small vessels manoeuvring into another attack position. The Chief Tactical Officer said he could try, and received the order to do so. A salvo of photon torpedoes lanced from the Raven, crossing the void and quickly finding their targets. Two of the three vessels turned away, weapons and drive systems off-line. The third was less damaged, and began to approach the Raven head on ! "Commander ?" Torek said, eyeing Peers ..... Phasers lanced toward the ship, rupturing their shields but not causing enough damage to halt the vessel in it's tracks, but at least it was no longer firing at them. "With your permission, Admiral ?" Marionette asked, glancing from Torek to the on-coming craft and back, raising her eyebrows. Torek nodded and she deftly moved the ship down below the onrushing ship. Rotating the Raven through one eighty degrees before rising to Zee neutral behind the now turning ship. "Disable their drive systems Mister Peers." Torek ordered, and this time the phasers were effective and the ship began to slow. "Contact them, again." ..........
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 13:49:46 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2015 5:44:38 GMT
The hours Will had spent in Sickbay had felt like days. With all the wounded now stabilized, he had finally been able to return to the bridge. He watched as they attempted to take out some of the not so friendly vessels. It had been a good attempt but not very fruitful. He than sat in his seat as they tried to out run the aforementioned ships and headed for Kellan. Upon which they drew fire as soon as they dropped from warp. Will ordered the shields raised and weapons readied as he stood to head toward the Tactical station. the CTSO in him just couldn't help it. He saw his CO and friend regain his footing as Will started to the rear of the bridge. Will had only made it about half way when the second barrage hit, sending him rolling back down the ramp and causing him to hit his head on the Navigations console. He laid there slightly dazed for a moment before trying to stand back up. Another wave of dizziness took hold sending him back to the floor where he now lay unconscious.
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Jun 21, 2015 22:33:34 GMT
"And you don't know who this man is? You can't tell me?" Gheskori was in astrometrics now. The Prometheus class wasn't outfitted to have an especially big astrometrics lab however this one sufficed for moderate conferences such as this. Select numbers of his senior staff were around him; on the screen before them - the view of the office eclipsing the usual starfield and segmented cuboid sectors of space that made up their view of the local area of the quadrant - was Admiral Melliqua, friend - Ghes understood - of Admiral Tetsutaro, head of Starfleet Intelligence.
It took certain contacts to know people in that exclusive organisation, and it took certain well-placed contacts in that organisation to know the type of people Ghes was trying to reach. He suspected he'd been dealing with one for the past several days - face forever in shadow, presiding over the massacres on now 4 separate worlds in the sector, in his professed innocent position on Starbase 39, yet appearing very much like the villain brooding over the possibilities arising from his dark conquests.
"Section 31, Admiral..." Ghes ran a finger along the leading edge of the astrometrics master console, "They keep a low profile these days."
Melliqua blinked, gesturing with his hands as he sat passively at his desk, "And? What is new there?"
"So you're not as well connected as I thought you were."
The Admiral's expression darkened. He seemed to turn his eyes to others in the room with him, out of view of Ghes and his senior officers. The room's lighting changed, Melliqua leaning forward... Graphics either side of the astrometrics screen changed to red and sepia, indicating they were now communicating on a channel secured to some ridiculous level... To one Ghes had never seen before, he realised.
"Very well, Gheskori. I'll tell you what I know. And a lot of trouble you're going to get me in no doubt... The man you're talking to on Starbase 39, he's a former operative of Section 31, struck off their list, allowed to continue his career in Starfleet as a regular flag officer but sworn to silence on pain of..."
"The death penalty is reserved only for those who violate General Order 7 as you well know, Melliqua -"
Melliqua raised a hand, "Not, where Section 31 are concerned, Gheskori. As I was saying, he no longer works for Section 31. Considered too much of a liability I understand. He messed up on one too many an operation. It is possible... that he has plans of his own." Melliqua seemed to be realising something, "He may have orchestrated this whole event. He could be the man pulling the strings, the man you've been looking for if this is some type of conspiracy."
"And it stops with him? No Section 31 involvement in this, as my officers suspect? As the Raven might suspect... They think this conspiracy might run deeper in Starfleet than a couple of rebellious Starfleet Captains." Gheskori wasn't willing to discount the possibility of something running deeper in Starfleet... If one found a rotting stalk, one didn't stop at removing the plant but dug out its roots. The man himself had given Ghes sufficient reason to believe he was acting suspiciously; now he just needed proof, and perhaps with that proof he'd find evidence of further wrongdoing, whether that was a persisting connection with Section 31 or otherwise. If all the orders seemed to come from him, then Ghes could halt his investigations... he didn't want to turn this into a witch-hunt.
After further exchanges with Melliqua, Ghes thanked the man and closed the channel, turning to confide in his senior staff. "None of this leaves these four walls, understand?"
=/\=Admiral Gheskori, bridge, we're approaching Kellan II. Station-keeping at 0.5 parsecs as ordered, sir.=/\=
=/\=Acknowledged, keep us away from the San Jose's force. If they query us, which they're unlikely to, send them our orders as distributed by our mysterious beshadowed friend at Starbase 39, that we're to observe the USS Raven's movements. If Franks knows the same person who has likely been directing he and his friends' traitorous actions is the same person that gave us our orders, he's likely not to ask us twice.=/\=
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 21, 2015 22:34:35 GMT
Andae was shaken to the side of the deck again, losing his grasp on the pool table and crashing into the wall. He dived back to the table, pointing furiously, "Do they not know how to spell?!" The few assistants he had available to him shook their heads or shrugged. "Con. Ist. On. Water!"
"They see a Federation ship, sir, they assume we're altogether and that any one of us could've done this. It doesn't even matter what class of ship. The Kellan are well known for their loyalty, they wouldn't think the Federation would turn against their own."
"They'll be well known for something-" Andae stopped himself as he steadied himself against the master console - the pool table - in engineering. That would've been in bad taste: the Kellan's homeworld, second planet in the system, was already largely devastated by the Coniston Water's attack. But then had it even been the Coniston Water? If what his assistant had said was true, then any Starfleet vessel could've done this and the Kellan would've blamed the whole Federation. Which, he supposed, they had a right to...
He pointed to the table again, although the gesture was virtually meaningless, as the master console displayed no data on the Raven's tactical situation or the status of its weapons. "We know the Coniston carried out the first two attacks!" he said as if the internal argument he'd had with himself had been a vocal one with his staff, "They're sure to have done this place, too."
"Would explain why they were at the installation at P Cynex for repairs, sir," Zavial offered.
Andae wiped his brow, nodding in agreement, mildly surprised to see blood come off on his uniform sleeve. He looked around, unsurprised to find a bloody patch on the wall where he'd been struck against it a moment ago. "Although," he said, "It's obvious they chose that facility for repair because that's where Franks had planned his attack. Why though? Why P Cynex, and why attack the planet?"
* * *
He entered the bridge, surprising a few of the officers by bypassing the engineering station and heading to the mission ops I console. From here he could enter command codes - reserved for more senior officers - that would allow him access to long-range communiques, fleet movements, orders from command, and so on; below that of Captain and First Officer level of course.
"Hmm..." The shaking around them had stopped. T'Brel had disabled the last vessel; they were currently waiting for a response to their hail, which might illuminate them as to what was going on here. Obviously the Kellan thought not just the Raven, or Coniston or whatever, was the enemy, but Starfleet and the Federation itself.
"Found something, Andae?" Torek appeared over his shoulder.
"Yes, that ship... The one our sensors can't identify, too far out of range?" Andae looked around, Carl nodding. "It seems to have been dispatched here several days ago and has since, going by their near-indiscernible warp trail, been trailing us ever since."
"One of Captain Franks's gang?"
"We can't discount the possibility, sir," Andae said, "But it's strange that he'd position one of his ships so far off their projected course - near tangentially to their actual heading, in fact; more in line with ours."
"What do we have now, in terms of identified ships chasing us?"
"There's the San Jose, Shrike, Incorruptible, Coniston Water... The latter two escaped the facility, joining up with the San Jose for the attack; upon the attack, the Sabre class Shrike joined the assaulting vessels." Blakus surveyed the logs of ships that'd been assigned to the station before the assault, and Franks's renegades' last known positions. "They've lost the Milwaukee and the Canadia, the latter destroyed by our detonation of the warp core in P Cynex orbit."
Andae brooded at the console, assimilating the news. They'd have to go up against four ships, two of them of superior firepower and technology, and then there was the uncertain glib of a vessel ghosting them on the edge of sensor range; it was there, then it was not, vanishing and reappearing like some delusion. He blinked, realising what was happening: their hail was being answered.
"Why have you once again invaded our space?! And attacked our defence craft!" the Kellan commander demanded, slamming his console, before turning to a small woman, possibly the second-in-command, "We've been betrayed by the very people we were given assurances we'd not come to harm, while part of their planetary alliance!"
"I'd suggest calm," the woman smiled, a knowing look on her face, "These seem like reasonable people."
"Reasonable?!" the Kellan leader seemed enraged, "Three million of our people are dead from their attack two weeks ago, they just crippled two of our ships, and our own is suffering massive internal failures. You call that reasonable?! You! Sir," he looked pointedly at Torek on the screen, "Will withdraw and report your actions to your command." He seemed to hesitate, "Unless... Unless, I have no choice."
The San Jose was gaining, Blakus saw, watching the tactical display attached to the side of mission ops. They and its three smaller vessels would enter the system in little under thirty minutes.
<Tag All>
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Carl Torek
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"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 25, 2015 17:40:26 GMT
Sat with his chin resting in the palm of his hand, he watched the three ships on screen ... Almost a quarter of a million kilometers away, they had seemingly huddled together regrouping and preparing for yet another attack ... The Galaxy Class Raven was hardly a push-over, even for better equipped, faster, and more manoeuvrable vessels, but her multi-phasic shielding and advanced phasers could definitely inflict a LOT of damage to one or more of her attackers before succumbing, maybe that was why they were hanging back rather than mounting a second attack. To be honest, he had had enough of the situation to last a lifetime, and the Federations reluctance, for whatever reasons, not to openly clear himself and his crew, just poured fuel on his building annoyance ... But he was a Star Ship commanding Officer, not some hot-headed Ensign, and he outwardly controlled his temper while inwardly seething ... He didn't want to be a part of something that couldn't stand up to pressure in defending one of their own, that was a given !
"Admiral ...... I'm picking up a sub-light object approaching." Peers suddenly broke his reverie, "Federation Escape Pod ... One life-sign ... Human ...."
"From one of the stricken ships ?" Carl asked, referring to the three stationary vessels.
"No Admiral. It entered the system moments ago and has now altered course to intercept us."
"Track it's progress." Jamison said.
"Sir, one of the attacking vessels has got under-way, they are on a heading for the lifeboat." T'Brel said.
"Helm ... Move us into position between the escape pod and that ship, NOW !" Marionette quickly began to reposition the massive vessel but Peers wasn't finished !
"Admiral. I'm registering a ship on long-range scanners. It is at high warp and will enter this system in ninety seconds. Their trajectory has them heading directly for the escape pod."
"That thing is certainly popular." Torek said, standing and requesting tactical view on the main screen. The red pod was flashing in the center of the tactical plot, with one of the three ships in orange heading directly for it, the blue of the unknown vessel still at warp was arcing across the screen, and there, on the very edge of their sensors, the seemingly ever-present mystery vessel. It was going to be touch and go as to who was going to reach there first, and unknown what actions the losers in this lottery were going to take. He ordered Marionette to spin the Raven to present her aft to the on-coming pod and ready a tractor beam .... The on-rushing ship suddenly dropped from warp and immediately fired on the escape pod, narrowly missing, He ordered the occupant transported off and beamed directly to Sick-bay. Peers left the Tactical station, one of his deputies taking his place as he headed for the Medical Center with two of his Security team. Seconds later the escape pod exploded in a shower of fractured metals and burned plasma !
"Move us away Helm, it's getting way too crowded for my liking ... Commander Wedlerson, keep a close eye on all vessels, I want to know the second any of them attempt to approach us."
"Identified the new vessel Captain." Wedlerson said from Operations, "It's the USS Tempest, Captain Pamela Melroy Commanding." Carl was surprised. The last time they had seen the Tempest was in Jupiter orbit as they attempted to prevent the Raven's escape.
The Comm chirped to life:
=^= Peers to Bridge =^=
=^= Torek .. What do you have Commander ? =^=
=^= One female .. Healthy according to the doctor .. She has identified herself as Captain Pamela Melroy .. Confirmed Admiral =^=
=^= If she's here then who the 'hell' is in Command of the Tempest ? =^= he asked shocked at the information he had just received.
=^= Sir .. The Captain respectfully requests that she be allowed to speak to yourself and the Senior Staff with all due haste =^= Peers relayed.
=^= We're busy .. As if she wasn't aware .. Take her to the Brig we'll speak to her there .. Torek ou .. .. .. =^=
=^= ADMIRAL TOREK !!! .. You need to hear me out .. Now rather than later .. Take my word .. Because there will 'BE' no later for some if you delay =^= Melroy shouted, before falling silent.
He looked at the view screen. The Tempest, apparently minus her Commanding Officer, had circled around the other vessels, that had once again re-grouped, and was now also station-keeping two hundred and forty thousand kilometers away. He motioned for his Senior Staff to join him in front of the screen and asked for opinions. Harry pointed out the most telling point, that a Star Ship Captain would never 'willingly' leave his or her ship unless forced to do so, or under very exceptional circumstances. Everyone agreed that they had no option but to hear her out. She was here, and the Tempest was out there, obviously under the command of, who, obviously someone aligned with the ones responsible for the genocides !
=^= Who is in Command of the Tempest Captain ? =^= he asked over the still open Comm.
=^= My request .. Admiral ? =^=
=^= Commander Peers .. Secure the Captain in the Brig unti .. .. .. =^=
=^= Fleet Admiral Kinnard ! =^= Pamela Melroy said, causing the Bridge to fall into a deathly silence.
=^= Bring the Captain to the Observation Lounge Commander =^= he said, running a finger across his throat to signify he wanted the Comm closed immediately.
"Gentlemen." Carl said, motioning towards the meeting room ..........
< tag : All >
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 28, 2015 19:57:02 GMT
Andae peered at the ceiling lights of sickbay, the throbbing pain in his forehead subsiding as the nurse ran the autosuture over the wound above his right eyebrow. "That will do... I can't spend forever in here, you know," he said, sitting up groaning in discomfort.
On the adjacent biobed, the XO sat propped up by one elbow as a nurse attended to the back of his cranium; both first and second officers had suffered mild concussions. "Commander," Andae acknowledged, the two injured officers rubbing their still dully aching heads. Jamison nodded back appreciatively, sharing their mutual discomfort. Andae had been propelled into a wall in engineering, suffering his cut; Jamison had gone rolling across the deck on the bridge, striking his head on Marionette's helm console.
He checked the chronometer above the sickbay exit, ~ 16:46:54 ~. Ten minutes, until the San Jose and its three attendant vessels came within optimal firing range of the Raven and the Kellan ships opposing it; fifteen minutes, until that mysterious vessel previously ghosting at the edge of their sensor limit entered range for identification.
He made to sit up. "Commander, I strongly advise you not to move until we can be sure you're fit to return to duty after your concussion," the nurse said sternly.
"Listen," Andae said, a little too sharp and barbed, "There are four ships out there who've made their hostile intentions explicitly clear to not only this ship but to Federation installations, likely Federation member and unaligned worlds throughout Sector 39. We've no choice but to stop them. Now, if you'll excuse me..." he climbed off the biobed and nearly collapsed from the dizziness - the room spinning momentarily, everything fuzzing out and blurring with the impression of fast motion. "I'm fine," he said meekly, making uncertainly for the exit, the XO soon in tow, Blakus patting his senior officer on the shoulder.
<Tag Jamison>
* * *
The senior staff were sitting in stunned silence in the conference room. Each exchanging shocked glances, some tapping the edge of the table - nonplussed, not sure what to say.
Melroy leant forward again, exasperated, "Fleet Admiral Kinnard virtually demanded control over the Tempest on our way out here. He said his assuming of command came with the authority of Starfleet Command, and that may even be true... I don't know how far his influence extends in the command structure."
"He demanded en route that immediately dropping out of warp I take the Tempest into a high orbit of Kellan II. I'm guessing he trusted in my 'loyalty'. I protested, knowing the devastation that'd been carried out there and that this was hardly our remit. When it became clear he had more than cordial relations with Captain Franks - and in light of Franks's well-known attack on the Federation facility at P Cynex - I realised to my horror that he was in league with Franks and I had to escape the ship."
"We got to you in the nick of time."
Melroy sat back, nodding, "Indeed. I rushed to an escape pod, ejected myself immediately after the Tempest dropped from warp so I'd have slightly more speed than her approaching the system. It's lucky you got to me before Kinnard or Franks. And I am sorry for my actions around Neptune... I was only doing my duty as I'm sure you understand, sir."
Blakus looked around the table, making to stand and coughing, "If you'll excuse me, sir, I've just realised an urgent matter that requires my attention, on the bridge," he nodded to all at the table and made his way back into the Raven's nerve centre. He accessed the sensors from the mission ops console, a display graphic with overlays of plotted trajectories of three of Franks's vessels - his fourth, the USS Incorruptible, was stationary where it'd attempted to capture the escape pod, and was now less than a 1000 km from the Raven. The unknown ship at edge of sensor range: a new plot revealed it to be of approximately Prometheus class tonnage.
"Identification?" he queried Wedlerson at Ops, the two liaising - two of only four officers on the bridge with the rest in the briefing room.
"First two NCC numbers and other hull markings indicate refitted Prometheus class... I.D. ...USS Enzio. They'll be on our position in five minutes," Wedlerson replied.
The Enzio! Yet another vessel whose commander has acquaintance with Admiral Torek, the CEO thought, The CO of the Shrike, Captain Melroy of the Tempest, now Admiral Gheskori... The question was, which side of the fence did the incoming Enzio come down on. Who was giving them their orders? If it was Kinnard, that made this an impossible fight to win... The Enzio, in combination with Franks's ships, had the tactical advantage. But what was Kinnard's battle plan, if Melroy was to be believed?
An alert sounded from the tactical console. Andae swung in his chair, "Report!"
"Franks's ships - San Jose, Coniston Water, Shrike - closing at full impulse. They're arming phasers and quantum torpedoes." Suddenly the Raven suffered a barrage of fire from the ship in their midst, the one that'd failed to capture the escape pod. The vibration of the attack rattled through the deck. Peers explained, "The Incorruptible has opened fire; they're withdrawing, reverse thrusters but slowly. I'd say they're attempting to draw our fire, sir."
"Admiral Torek, Captain Melroy to the bridge!" Blakus commed. He filled the two COs and XO Jamison in on what was transpiring.
"What about Kinnard?" They watched the viewscreen - a tactical display showing the relative positions of all seven ships involved in the surely imminent combat, including the USS Enzio. Would it be 6 vs 1, or 5 vs 2 (Raven and Enzio)?
"Not sure..." Blakus had returned to the mission ops console, "Kinnards's backed off from the combat zone, towards Kellan II!" He looked up at the viewscreen, it now having returned to showing a view of space to the port-side, and the three growing grey blotches that were the San Jose, Coniston Water and Shrike. Andae looked on mesmerised, not believing that this could be happening, "It seems we may soon have more pressing issues, sir..."
<Tag Torek, Jamison, All>
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Jun 28, 2015 20:02:35 GMT
The Enzio dived towards the combat zone. "Prepare for MVAM!" Gheskori ordered from the command chair, snapping out commands at his bridge crew, "Take us into the gap between San Jose and Raven." He saw on the viewscreen how the five vessels had begun firing on each other - lethal torpedo broadsides from close range exchanged between Raven and San Jose, ventral phasers from the Coniston Water directed at the Raven's stardrive section as it passed over the top of its loyal sister ship.
"Don't you see? Franks is trying to occupy the Raven to allow the Tempest to withdraw and attack the planet. Let's free up Admiral Torek for more pressing matters... drive a wedge between Frank's ships." Still, Ghes hoped this wouldn't turn into a total bloodbath, and that a diplomatic solution lay at the heart of this.
"Admiral Gheskori," a face appeared on his arm-panel, small and grey. He jerked his head down: Melliqua. "I've got to the bottom of this, I think..." Ghes rolled his eyes but looked on in interest. His old contact in Starfleet Security Melliqua continued, "Section 31 man on the Starbase, he's in league with Kinnard. Has been for the past two years... They plan some sort of insurrection against the core worlds. Franks, he's just a part of that, along with the other renegades that destroyed the base at P Cynex. Apprehend him, at all costs, Admiral. Melliqua out."
"Yes, sir..." Gheskori breathed lightly, as the Enzio streaked into the maw of hell - phasers lashing and dancing across its sides, flanks lit by cerulean quantum torpedo fire. "Concentrate fire on the San Jose... We're about evenly matched, even if they have size on their side. Hail the Raven." Countermanding orders... he reminded himself wryly. But what did it matter now? The Raven was innocent; most of the loyal Starfleeters in the conflict knew it, "Open a channel," he replied to the news the Raven was acknowledging.
"Admiral Torek. Arrived just in time it seems... Admiral Gheskori at your service." The ship shook around him, "My ship will attempt to draw fire from the San Jose and co. You go after the Tempest... I don't know what Kinnard's up to here, but my contacts say he plans a coup against Starfleet. We'll hold out here," Ghes wasn't entirely confident in his assertion, having to face down four Federation starships, "You get Kinnard."
<Tag Torek, All>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 19, 2024 13:49:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2015 21:01:46 GMT
Will had agreed with Blakus at first. There was too much going on for the two of them to be stuck in sickbay. Now he wasn't so sure. The Enzio may have been running interference but some of the other ships were still firing at and hitting the Ravens shields. And between that and the damn red alert klaxon, his head was throbbing.
"Maybe I should have stayed." he muttered jokingly.
The Raven was attempting to move off from the others and intercept the Tempest. Will found himself standing at the Tactical station beside Delik.
"Target their weapons and engines. Disable them as soon as we're in range." he ordered.
"Aye, sir." came the reply.
The Galaxy class vessel wasn't exactly able to turn on a dime but Helm was giving it her all to get them into position. They were tracking the renegade ship but deep down, everyone knew its destination.
The Raven was slammed with another barrage of phaser fire. Will glanced at the monitor and saw that while the Enzio was holding her own against the San Jose and the Coniston Water, the Shrike had been able to break through and was coming to support the Tempest. He turned back to Delik and issued the same orders as before.
"Just be careful my friend. As far as some of the crew over there know, they are just following orders." he said.
He wanted to stay at Tactical but the constant drumming in his cranium was getting to be too much. Using the railing, he made his way back down to the command chairs and dropped down into one.
"Within range in 15 seconds." came the call.
"On your orders, sir." Will said to the CO.
<TAG: Any>
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 30, 2015 21:35:22 GMT
=^= Fleet Admiral Kinnard ! =^= Pamela Melroy said, causing the Bridge to fall into a deathly silence. =^= Bring the Captain to the Observation Lounge Commander =^= he said, running a finger across his throat to signify he wanted the Comm closed immediately. "Gentlemen." Carl said, motioning towards the meeting room. Unfortunately they didn't make it as Commander Peers informed them that four of Kinnard's ship's were coming about and heading directly for the Raven. Carl looked at the screen as everyone took their positions. His worry was the ship on the outer limits of their sensors, who the hell was it, which side were they on, was it whoever was controlling Kinnard ? ... He simply didn't have time to ponder as the approaching ships split to cover both sides of the Raven and the Tempest fell back, almost as if waiting to see the outcome of the outnumbered fire-fight. Suddenly Harry spoke: "Admiral ... Incoming communication." "Who ?" "It's the Enzio Sir." Wedlerson confirmed. Torek nodded. =^= Admiral Torek .. Arrived just in time it seems .. Admiral Gheskori at your service .. My ship will attempt to draw fire from the San Jose and co .. You go after the Tempest .. I don't know what Kinnard is up to here but my contacts say he plans a coup against Star Fleet .. We'll hold out here .. You get Kinnard =^= "Where's the Tempest now ?" Torek said quickly. "Entering high orbit around the planet." Peers informed him. =^= Admiral Gheskori .. Nice to see 'someone' finally listened to our plea of innocence .. Confirm your last .. Good luck .. Raven out =^= "Helm, set course direct for the Tempest but allow the Enzio to pass us and complete 'MVAM' before we move out." "Course plotted. " Marionette confirmed, but Harry interrupted urgently ! "SIR ... I'm picking up multiple warheads from the Tempest. They are entering geo-synchronous orbital positions .... The devices are falling into the upper atmosphere and are discharging a gaseous substance. Trying to identify now but at this range it could be difficult." "Helm, forget waiting, the Enzio will just have to miss us. Full impulse for the Tempest. Bring all weapons on-line !" "Sir ... The gas being released is ....." Harry fell silent for a second then continued, "Novxil Delta Seven." "INCREASE SPEED !" Carl said, knowing exactly what the maniac was doing, and already knew that he was too late ..... Novxil Dalta Seven was a nerve gas banned throughout the Federation ... Released into the blood stream of a single individual, it incapacitated in seconds, massive tissue necrosis of the entire body surface occurred with death following almost instantaneously ... Released into the atmosphere of a planet or moon, the gaseous molecules expanded at a phenomenal rate until their weight reached saturation, where it fell towards the surface ... Nothing would survive the seeding, and there was no known cure ! "Target the satellites !" Jamison ordered. "Too late." Harry said. "Lock onto Kinnard and bea ......" "They have raised shields and are dropping into a lower orbit." Peers informed them ..... Carl was realizing that he may have to do something almost unknown in the history of Star Fleet: "Lock onto their shield-generators and main drive systems. Status of the released gas ?" "Sir ... I am reading hundreds, thousands of ......" the Duty Science Officer began, before breaking down. "Lock photon torpedoes onto the Tempest." Carl ordered, but both Will and Calli leaned in to speak quietly, both counselling that Kinnard should be held accountable for the genocide he committed. "SIR ! ... I'm picking up build up in the Tempest's warp core and they have changed trajectory. Admiral, they are falling into the atmosphere !" "Marionette, bring us in above them and match course and speed. Prepare tractors ... Contact them !" "We won't be able to pull them up. For whatever reason he has set the auto-destruct and is going to fall into the atmosphere before the core gives up. The gas will kill off all life on the planet, the matter / antimatter explosion, combined with whatever else 'Admiral' Kinnard has aboard, will make it uninhabitable for God-knows how long. Sir, firing on the ship at it's current altitude will result in the same outcome, unfortunately." Peers said. "Is there any way we can get the crew off there ?" he asked, knowing there wasn't. "None." Peers replied needlessly. "The Tempest is beginning to break up." Harry said ... Carl realized the man was sacrificing himself, and his entire crew for whatever cause he was supporting, but he had a more urgent issue ! "Helm, get us away from here ! .. Contact the Enzio on all frequencies, update them ... 'QUICKLY' ..." The massive Galaxy Class Raven veered away from the condemned Tempest stressing her hull and superstructure way beyond recommended specifications as the ship drove herself back into open space. With the San Jose, Incorruptible, and the Coniston Water all disabled, the Enzio and the Shrike both headed away from the planet and the oncoming cataclysm .......... < tag : All >
OOC :: We're closing in on a conclusion to our mission now, but let's put as much effort and detail into those last few posts that the Raven and her crew are famous for.
Regards,
Steve.
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Jul 1, 2015 1:22:59 GMT
OOC: Enzio CO guesting
Gheskori could scarcely believe what he was hearing in the Raven's report... Kinnard intended to destroy all life on the planet, now seemed to be sacrificing himself, perhaps not willing to face prosecution. A tyrant who would rather go down in flames; it was a horrid form of cowardice, to annihilate a people then excuse oneself from having to answer for one's crimes. What'd driven Kinnard to do this, though? How did he see this as part of his plan to take down Starfleet, and the Federation? Had he run out of options behind the scenes, lost his nerve and decided to go out in a blaze of glory?
He turned his attention to the fight at hand. MVAM had succeeded largely in disrupting Franks's assault strategy, which had first looked like something Horatio Nelson had devised at Trafalgar, Spain, Earth about 600 years ago. Ghes found himself amused despite the circumstances that Franks (the man - along with his staff - he'd had dinner with just last week aboard the Enzio) saw himself in the mould of one of Earth's most renowned military strategists.
The Coniston Water was 'beached', rotating end over end as it'd been out-manoeuvred by two of the three hull sections and disabled by triangulation of fire; San Jose itself was suffering massive power failures owing to a rupture of its warp core matter reactant, and the aptly named 'Incorruptible' had had its weapons disabled by Ghes's primary hull section.
As the ship slid out of the battle zone, reconstituting itself as it slipped on a near full impulse trajectory that led out of the system - following the Raven - Ghes turned his attention to the USS Shrike. He had largely disregarded it during the fight, it having proven to be more of an aggravating nuisance than a real threat - the Sabre class vessel darting between the large ponderous hulls of its allied craft and the even more agile Enzio hull sections that'd so far ignored it.
"Lock forward torpedo launchers on the Shrike and demand it cease and desist, lowering it shields," he ordered. "Then lock a tractor beam onto it so we can tow it back to Starbase."
"Aye, sir," Hood said, "Locking forward quantums on the Shrike." The communications console started beeping wildly seconds later. "They're acknowledging, sir, Captain Ben Anders is standing down."
"I'd like to talk to him. Have him beamed over, then escorted to my ready room under heavy guard."
Ten minutes later...
Ben Anders of the traitorous USS Shrike shifted forward in his chair, staring at the table, making noises of exasperation. "There's not much more I can say. None of us expected Kinnard to do this." He looked up at Ghes, hoping in the Denobulan's eyes to see some recognition of truth, something that would appease the unexpectantly dogged and persistent Captain of the Enzio. He'd been assured by Franks that Admiral Gheskori was a pushover, would ally with them once he was given the slightest inkling that Torek had infact carried out the attacks. He saw no such recognition in the Admiral, slumped his shoulders.
"What did Kinnard find so interesting about Kellan II?" Ghes repeated.
Finally Anders caved in. He had spoken the truth, but not all of it. "Underground, there was a Federation Security outpost, and a scientific observation unit responsible for observing Kellan culture, unknown to the populace of course."
Ghes nodded imperceptibly, "Of course." It was standard practice of course. Events of the past thirty years hadn't changed the policy of passive observation of other cultures, something that took liberties in some respects without going anywhere near breaking the Prime Directive.
"That security outpost was the heart of the rebellion, Kinnard and the Coniston Water's home base. Franks was brought into the alliance later on, after Kinnard's promises of sectors under his dominion in the Beta Quadrant should the insurrection against Starfleet succeed, but Franks is a good man at heart, an idealist."
"Strange ideals..." Ghes murmured. "Go on."
"The Kellan found out about the passive observation," the Shrike's CO said. Ghes rolled his eyes: how often had that happened? Anders continued, "Obviously they were furious; they thought the whole Federation were against them, not just Kinnard's insurrectionary forces. They were going to challenge Starfleet Command, expose the whole operation! Kinnard told us we had no choice but to pacify the Kellan... The Coniston Water was given the duty, masquerading as the Raven, after it'd also decimated Selay and Trelam IV, to strike Kellan II's major cities. Franks opposed the move. Kinnard rationalised it at a meeting of our Separatist Command: he said he was trying to remove his opponent Fleet Admirals while also clearing up the mess we'd left on our home base of Kellan II... He thought by using the Galaxy class Coniston Water he could kill two birds with one stone: frame the Raven and Fleet Admiral Torek, and keep the Kellan quiet."
"What went wrong?" Ghes said quietly, still absorbing in shock all this information, tapping the edge of the desk.
"I don't know!! Commandeering the USS Tempest, releasing the nerve toxin... None of us expected Kinnard to do this... He has, or he had, lost it. It can be viewed in no other way. We all realise that... Command will know what Kinnard and us his allies have done. The insurrection is over." Anders bowed his head. "Kinnard, the only one without a personal grudge - for him it was merely a matter of political manoeuvring - has prevented me from getting back at Torek. Now I go to the New Zealand penal colony."
"At best. Get him out of here." Gheskori nodded at his guards and swung to face the portal looking out on the stars as Anders was led out. He could just pick out the Raven - on a parallel heading with them - some thirty thousand kilometres away. He thought again on Kinnard's reasons... He'd lost it? Yes, perhaps. Then again he could've been attempting to remove all evidence of the insurrection's home base, wipe it from history. Unfortunately he hadn't figured on Franks's defeat.
His terminal beeped; he spun, tapped the receiver button. Melliqua's grey face appeared on the screen, nodding in grudging gratitude, his gruff idiosyncratic manner irksome this time rather than endearing. "You've done it, Gheskori. You and Torek... You've exposed Kinnard."
"Really?" he said, "I think Kinnard did that himself, Admiral."
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Jul 4, 2015 1:38:14 GMT
As the massive Galaxy Class Star Ship turned away, he could feel the stresses attempting to rip the craft apart ... For some bizarre reason his lecture involving 'torque' sprang into his head, angular momentum, moment of velocity, stresses in newton meters ... While his primary worry was obviously about the damage he was doing to his own ship, and the repercussions to the albeit skeletal crew at this point, should the stresses attempting the rip the ship apart succeeded in their task, he was also concerned about the Tempest ! Driving into the upper atmosphere, the devastation the Star Ship could inflict was ..... 'No' he thought coming to a decision: "Commander Peers, lock photon torpedoes on the Tempest and fire." the command made everyone fall silent, the thought of a Star Ship Captain taking live was a given among Senior Staff and Ensign's alike, but to take the lives of fellow Officers and crew was, unimaginable. Three seconds later, two torpedoes lanced from the Raven and headed into the atmosphere. The shock-wave hammered into the ship, throwing the already over-stressed hull end over end before passing them by, the secondary shock-wave slammed into the already dead surface before rebounding far out into space, making little impact on the recovering Raven ..... Twenty minutes later ::The Enzio, with the crippled USS Shrike in tow approached. The devastation caused by Kinnard's attempt to commit a mass suicide, interrupted by the Raven's torpedoes, was total ... The shock-wave, travelling around the planet at many times the speed of sound had thrown almost sixty percent of the atmosphere into space. It would take a generation just to have breathable air once more. Until then it would be a shell, quarantined so only Federation personnel could approach. Torek could at least console himself that had the core impacted, the resulting matter / anti-matter detonation may well have ripped the planet in two. Not that he was celebrating ..... "Open a channel to the Enzio." he said, waiting until Admiral Gheskori appeared on the view screen. =^= Admiral .. .. .. Thank you for your assistance =^= =^= Your crew Admiral .. Safe ? =^= =^= We'll live =^= Carl said, thinking about the millions who had lost their lives due to Kinnard's release of the nerve toxin. =^= We have Captain Andes in custody .. I have sent my Exec' and several well-armed Security personnel over to the Shrike .. I will release the tractor and have my crew take the ship back to Earth .. .. In disgrace .. .. =^= =^= It was a planet full of exceptional artists .. .. ARTISTS .. .. Now a barren husk =^= =^= It will thrive again Admiral =^= Gheskori assured him. =^= We have contacted Command .. They are sending out Science and relief vessels .. I have no idea what they can accomplish but it is their call .. I have a Court Martial to attend .. .. .. We will remain in the system until the first relief vessel arrives .. Then we should get underway for Earth .. I would like you and your Executive Officer to join us for dinner .. Nineteen hundred .. Before we depart =^= Carl said. =^= We would .. I have also contacted Command and they are sending out tugs to take the stricken vessels .. Who for some reason seem more than willing to co-operate =^= < tag : Gheskori >As the Comm closed Carl got out of his seat and ordered a view of the planet on screen. The once blue green golden orb was now a scarred, burned planet, barely able to sustain it's ecological equilibrium. If, and it was a 'BIG' if, the plant life thrived and pumped live-giving oxygen into the depleted atmosphere people would once more live and settle on Kellan II, but not in his lifetime, that was certain. He wondered vaguely how a decorated Flag Officer could have been drawn into this, and why Torek or the Raven were targeted as the proverbial 'scapegoats' in the drama. But the main concern was who .... Who else .... Kinnard couldn't have done this alone, regardless of his rank, he had to have had sympathizers to his cause, people of like mind, who were willing to kill on a massive scale in order to accomplish their goal. Would the Federation have allowed them to succeed, was he, an Admiral himself, to be the sacrificial lamb ... His disillusionment with the Federation, with the Prime Directive, and with people who he had for many years considered friends, was mounting by the second ... He knew the game, the greater good, 'For the Empire' as the Klingon's would repeatedly quote. He started to walk to his office, handing the Conn to his Exec' almost as an afterthought ... Seated, he looked at the picture of the newly commissioned USS Raven-B, remembering his pride in every single member of his crew as they first stepped onto the vessel that was their new home. "Computer ... Record following ... Access restricted to Section Admiral Paul Drew and Myself only ... Access Alpha-Two-Two-Lambda-Epsilon." "Ready." the ship's computer said neutrally. To:
Section Admiral Paul Drew .. Star Base Forty Seven
From:
Admiral Carl Torek. Commanding Officer USS Raven-B .. NCC-750059-B
Subject:
Resignation. ...
Sir. Given the recent events, I feel that ..........
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