Ok, at a guess, I think the shuttle must have used it's own shields to punch through our shields? Ok, let's not panic yet, what class was the Skegal? I'm seeing it being referenced as a civilian ship, so if that's right it probably has cruddy shields anyway, right?
The Andorian officer suppresses an urge to squirm impatiently in her captain's chair as she watches Romulan evacuation transports slowly move across the viewscreen.
The Enterprise Captain especially hates waiting for something that may never happen, the open chasm of endless boredom opening up before her.
The only thing that made the wait bearable is that boredom is far superior to an appearance by the Ulith III bioplague. Or as the Romulans still call it: "The Inflictor"
Samhaya Mrr'shan seems to read her long time superior's mood, "Devoras reports that the evacuation is continuing to proceed on schedule"
There; an end was in sight, and perhaps soon Enterprise and the Romulan Quarantine Fleet could leave the system. Waiting here with something potentially stalking them all with malicious intent made the Starfleet Captain nervous.
The Andorian betrays none of this roiling cocktail of anxieties and worries; leaning back in her, calm and relaxed, "Mr Zaardmani. Anything on sensors?"
The science officer looks up from his station, "Presumably you mean anything out of the ordinary?" Nash waits, the man is ornery sometimes, but among the best, "Nothing except a few scattered sensor ghosts, Captain"
Ka'Sharren nods, "Continue Mr. Zaardmani" she suppresses a sigh, and looks about the bridge; everything is operating smoothly, there is nothing to distract her.
She considers reading Commodore T'Faer's dispatches again, but she's already been over them -three times.
She considers going over the information that the Romulans have handed over. But she's already done that too. Though something in her still expresses surprise at having any information from the Romulans -especially information freely given.
It has been an interesting experience working with the Romulans. They can be very… intense. Prideful, arrogant, and xenophobic; yes. But also clever, loyal, and passionate, never giving anything less than their all . Nash has actually found herself liking them more than she anticipated.
Then again this will be second time she's become allies with an Empire she once fought.
The signing of the Khitomer Accords with the Klingon Empire are only ten years in the past.
She remembers that then-Lieutenant Ka'Sharren had taken a while to come to terms with friendly (Or at least not overtly hostile) Klingons and the experience had prepared now Captain Ka'Sharren to learn to work with the Romulans… or Rihannsu as they are known in their own tongue.
Even with her growing sense of… not ease, but understanding of Romulans, there is still a mild sensation of surprise every morning she wakes up and Enterprise still hasn't fallen into a trap. It's a pleasant surprise though.
Speaking of Romulans….
"Sam. How long has it been since I last talked to Devoras?"
"Commander Velim, you mean?" The Caitian gives a feline smirk, "A half hour Captain, I'd wait a bit longer if I were you; you don't want to seem desperate after all!"
Nash sighs, "I'm bored Sam, not desperate."
"Yes, ma'am." The Caitian says smugly. She knows her friend and commander. She's seen her commander like this before... hopefully Lieutenant Leaniss won't be too jealous.
The Andorian suppresses a yawn and watches a converted cargo ship crawl across the wispy clouds of Irthid II, former home of a hundred thousand Romulan colonists. She idly wonders what life was like for the colonists.
Nash Ka'Sharren considers that while she may be bored, at least that means that everything was going according to plan, and she would be able to send Admiral Kahurangi a message that essentially said: "We are all fine here. How are you?" Fancier of course, with technical terms because the Enterprise Captain was pretty certain that her dispatches were being forwarded to the Federation Council as well. Cooperation with the Romulan Star Empire isn't exactly an everyday occurrence after all.
The Andorian is mentally stringing together fancy sounding and diplomatic phrases for her dispatch when her science officer makes a loud (and rather rude) exclamation.
Zaardmani blanches and spins around in his chair, "Ships decloaking! They're raising shields"
The Enterprise bridge explodes into carefully planned and controlled chaos as the woman in the centre seat calls for Red Alert.
"Direct courses for the cargo ships!!" The Tactical officer hisses in calm alarm as the screen snaps to a view of small green craft plunging into boxy behemoths, "Direct hits ma'am!"
"Bring us about Mr. Stol." The Captain is calm, almost relaxed. She's always been the sort that thrives in this sort of adrenaline filled atmosphere.
"Aye ma'am" says the solid Vulcan, as on the viewscreen the Devoras dives on the Biophage infected transports catching three of them in deadly green lances.
The fourth shape briefly elongates, and in a flash of infinitely bright light is gone.
Zaardmani reacts swiftly, "I'm feeding her path to the Romulans now ma'am"
Within seconds one of the Romulan D7s flashes as well, moving in hot pursuit.
Mrr'shan frowns, "I don't like it"
Her Captain nods in understanding, "They shouldn't be sending her off alone."
Minutes pass and the crew maintain their ready status, Red Lights flashing along walls.
Commander Ajam all but charges onto the bridge, "The Warbird? Or Miracht?" she looks over at the Tactical officer as she settles into the rear console next to Mrr'shan, displacing a rating.
"Neither. Cloaked shuttles. We lost four of the evacuation transports" the Tactical Officer's tone is clipped and the First officer's face is briefly pained before settling into a professional mask.
"Receiving a dispatch from the Romulans ma'am. The D7 has encountered Miracht."
Ka'Sharren's face hardens. She gives the outdated cruiser even odds of not returning. It should never have been dispatched alone. An error on the part of the Romulan Admiral.
The minutes tick by, her well trained crew barely betrays the fear and strain they must feel; Ka'Sharren is proud of her people. She knows that together they will get through this crisis, even if it is a long and difficult fight ahead.
There is a calm of sorts as the convoy begins to break orbit, surrounded on all sides by Romulan defenders, and Enterprise herself watching from "Above" the plane of the system, a set of watchful eyes that would not be fooled again.
The short calm is shattered by the science officer's triumphant shout, "Captain! I'm picking up those sensor disturbances again… transmitting to the fleet"
It is the work of moments for the Devoras to swat the second wave of shuttles from the sky, careful use of plasma torpedoes annihilating the small craft without danger.
The third wave deloaks and meets a similar fate, shuttles coming in on the convoy's port side efficiently blotted out by a warbird, the small vessels swooping in on the smallcraft spitting green fire.
Captain Ka'Sharren begins to relax, still mindful of the danger, but growing more confident in the Quarantine Fleet's reflexes.
This means that she is sadly disappointed in the reaction to the fourth wave.
The wave of shuttles is again detected by her science officer, but someone in the Romulan fleet has horrifically misjudged the intended target of the shuttles: the Romulan Admiral's warbird itself.
For a moment it looks like the heavy warbird will avoid anything more than embarrassment; a quick shot eliminates the first shuttle and the next two smear themselves across her shields.
It is a false hope however: the fourth strikes true, spilling her terrible cargo into the warship's innards. Captain Nash avoids imagining the horror and chaos erupting into the Romulan starship's innards.
Zaardmani spins towards the Mrr'shan, "We can cauterize this! We can cauterize this!" he speaks rapidly, "Hit her with a photon torpedo; then I will hit her with a focused Cartsev radiation pulse. That should cauterize her!"
"Do it" the Andorian Captain instructs.
The Caitian has none of the human's excitability, she sits calm, hands poised expectantly above her tactical console "Feed me the information"
Commander Ajam watches the data appear on the Tactical display, and opens an audio channel to the stricken warbird, shouts of panic spill over from the other end as she calmly gives instructions "-I repeat: this is Enterprise. Drop your shields and maneuver your vessel so that your keel faces towards Enterprise. We will cauterize the damaged areas. I repeat:"
On the viewscreen the Admiral's warbird slowly begins to spin on her centre axis and Lieutenant Stol maneuvers Enterprise herself into a prime firing arc.
The Caitian Tactical officer releases a short hiss, "Ready ma'am"
Ka'Sharren chops her left hand downwards, "Execute!"
Mrr'shans's hand drops as well, onto the firing control and a speck of sparkling red light streaks from one of the Excelsior class vessel's torpedo tubes, flashing over the intervening space and impacts the the other Warship with a blinding burst of light and scattered debris.
The science officer runs his hands over his panel much as those of a virtuoso does a piano's keys, and smiles in triumph as he hits activates Enterprise's main deflector, a focused burst of blue energy enveloping the underside of the Romulan flagship, "Scanning… scanning…" he smiles tightly, "Got the bloody beast!"
There is muted cheering on the bridge. It quickly silences itself; this is no time for distraction: There may be more waves of shuttles or even an infected starship inbound.
These are very real fears that prove thankfully unfounded; the rest of the evacuation goes off without further difficulty. Though with silence from the Romulan command ship.
"Trying to raise Devoras." Commander Ajam says, as the convoy jumps to warp, fingers playing across her console, "The Admiral is still not responding to hails"
The view of the sadly smaller convoy is replaced by Commander Velim's predatory visage, "Captain Ka'Sharren. My thanks for your vessel's efforts…" the Romulan's eyes scan around the bridge, "Your crew helped to prevent the situation from further deterioration"
Ka'Sharren smirks, "We saved your Warbird's hide you mean." Nash enjoys the opportunity to tweak the Commander's nose. The Commander seemed to appreciate the banter as much as she did. Or at least the opportunity to be rude to a Starfleet Captain. Nash appreciated the effort the Romulan put into her dry wit.
They both also know that the byplay is a method of distracting from the horror of their situation. It was easier to banter than wallow in the loss of four entire evacuation transports full of civilian colonists.
There is a brief moment where something passes across Velim's face, "Sadly it seems my superior was unable to live with the Shame of of their failure."
Ka'Sharren pauses briefly wondering if Velim will take command, and wonders what to say, "My Condolences," she says, simply.
"It was an Honourable way to atone for the failures," Velim says, face twisting into a frown, "Though I cannot say it has been a great loss. Not after today's performance"
Ka'Sharren nods,."The loss of the transports."
"And the disappearance of Terrh." Nash admires the anger on the Romulan's face, it is very pure. "We will need to do better in the future. I will be in contact again soon. Devoras out."
The image cuts out, returning to the streaking lights of warp speed. Captain Ka'Sharren considers that at least this situation has an upside. Federation and Romulans not just talking, but cooperating and fighting together. Trusting each other.
Of all the surprises of the last few months, it has been the only pleasant one.
Just going to take a moment from typing up Nash's part to reassure people that that is not what was meant. What happened was that the shuttle's shields were able to hold out longer than the cargo ship's shields, so it punched through and hit the hull. By comparison, the heavy warbird that was damaged during the Romulan evacuation was able to tank two shuttle hits before collapsing.
Or develop better point defense weaponry. A shuttle isn't going to stand up against sustained fire. We blow them out of the sky before they get close and that'd be fine.
But one thing for sure. Remember the second reboot Enterprise movie, "Into the Darkness"? We might be falling into that line of very war-like thinking here.
At the risk of possibly bringing the debate a little off-track, I gotta say that's it's a valid, and interesting subject. I also think it's also representative in times we're living in - people today are far more cynical, and Trek's generally optimistic message no longer gels with a lot of people.
I like Starfleet. As cynical as I am - by which I mean, I operate under Romulan mindset at all times - I think Federation's spirit is the right one. They certainly have a much bigger chances at avoiding various problems we have today, and likely will have tomorrow.
But I also think that the cruel and unfortunate reality is that the noble dreams Federation Council has, are simply not entirely workable in galactic reality. Federation has historically faced existential crisis after crisis, always saved by some heroic last-chance effort of the Big-E. Space may be full of wonders and mysteries, but this crisis perfectly shows that there are things which do not negotiate, do not give a single remote iota of care about our principles. They will keep going until you or them are dead. How do we defend against such a threat?
Of course, I realize that it's a slippery slope argument. How much is too much? At what point does vigilance turn into same bloodthirsty prejudice as seemingly every Federation neighbor has? It's certainly going to be difficult balancing act, Federation's principles on one hand vs. the need for Federation to defend itself.
I could probably go on for ours trying to ineffectually explain it, so instead I will leave this for consideration:
Both sides have a point. And Federation needs both.
But I'm making degree in Politics and my favorite Trek character is Garak, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Actually, phaser point defense was a think in Starfleet Command verse (at least the first two ones), which ships having non-zero chance of shooting down enemy drones missiles with it. But then again, SC!Federation had like, a fleet of dreadnoughts it kept on hand at all times, in case of "MAJOR FUCKUP DETECTED, MAN ALL STATIONS".
On that note, it would be really cool if we could get Lyrans or Hydrans in this quest. And more Gornbros.
Actually, phaser point defense was a think in Starfleet Command verse (at least the first two ones), which ships having non-zero chance of shooting down enemy drones missiles with it. But then again, SC!Federation had like, a fleet of dreadnoughts it kept on hand at all times, in case of "MAJOR FUCKUP DETECTED, MAN ALL STATIONS".
On that note, it would be really cool if we could get Lyrans or Hydrans in this quest. And more Gornbros.
At the risk of possibly bringing the debate a little off-track, I gotta say that's it's a valid, and interesting subject. I also think it's also representative in times we're living in - people today are far more cynical, and Trek's generally optimistic message no longer gels with a lot of people.
I like Starfleet. As cynical as I am - by which I mean, I operate under Romulan mindset at all times - I think Federation's spirit is the right one. They certainly have a much bigger chances at avoiding various problems we have today, and likely will have tomorrow.
But I also think that the cruel and unfortunate reality is that the noble dreams Federation Council has, are simply not entirely workable in galactic reality. Federation has historically faced existential crisis after crisis, always saved by some heroic last-chance effort of the Big-E. Space may be full of wonders and mysteries, but this crisis perfectly shows that there are things which do not negotiate, do not give a single remote iota of care about our principles. They will keep going until you or them are dead. How do we defend against such a threat?
Of course, I realize that it's a slippery slope argument. How much is too much? At what point does vigilance turn into same bloodthirsty prejudice as seemingly every Federation neighbor has? It's certainly going to be difficult balancing act, Federation's principles on one hand vs. the need for Federation to defend itself.
I could probably go on for ours trying to ineffectually explain it, so instead I will leave this for consideration:
Both sides have a point. And Federation needs both.
But I'm making degree in Politics and my favorite Trek character is Garak, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Actually, phaser point defense was a think in Starfleet Command verse (at least the first two ones), which ships having non-zero chance of shooting down enemy drones missiles with it. But then again, SC!Federation had like, a fleet of dreadnoughts it kept on hand at all times, in case of "MAJOR FUCKUP DETECTED, MAN ALL STATIONS".
On that note, it would be really cool if we could get Lyrans or Hydrans in this quest. And more Gornbros.
Honestly my big problem with with Into Darkness is all the wasted potential, it could have asked those questions, really dug into it, but no, we got lame Wrath of Khan rip off.
Someday they will bring all those Interplay and Activision games to GOG or something. I had all of them, Away Team, New Worlds...(I briefly toyed with a quest idea for New Worlds, but one of the Colonies after the Tabula Rasa got sucked back into the rift and having to survive and regrow on the other side.)
Into Darkness felt a lot like a whole movie's worth of aping old Trek concepts without understanding thee context that made them great, strung together into a barely-comprehensible plot that was somehow even more mindless summer action flick than Trek '09. There was certainly potential for something in there, especially with that intro sequence that was almost out of the 5-year-mission or somesuch, but... it kind of was buried under a pile of shit >_>
I don't see why existing phaser systems would be unable to preform the duty. Perhaps shorter charge times and faster firing? Perhaps faster target acquisition tech?
I don't see why existing phaser systems would be unable to preform the duty. Perhaps shorter charge times and faster firing? Perhaps faster target acquisition tech?
Existing systems work fine on ships that have them. The trouble is when a shuttle crashes against an unarmed transport. Our armed ships presumably didn't have a good firing position to take it out.
How long would this take to design, test, build and refit I wonder? As I said it might be better to try doctrinal and technical changes using existing equipment first.
At the rate this threat has been accelerating, I doubt we have time for a significant refit of any kind, especially on high-value assets needed at the front lines. If there's a technical or doctrinal solution we can implement relatively quickly it would be far preferable, especially if we don't need to recall the Excelsiors back to drydock a few at a time.
I don't see why existing phaser systems would be unable to preform the duty. Perhaps shorter charge times and faster firing? Perhaps faster target acquisition tech?
I would suspect that feddie freighters don't have phaser banks. That would be the primary beneficiary. Still, the ability for our ships to chuck an emergency wall of lead, Phalanx CIWS style, at a shuttle may save lives.
Bolt-on capability would keep ships at the front, too.
While We are waiting and discussing other things, there is a Long term issue I want to bring up.
Romulans are.. fairly evasive when it comes to information and diplomatic contact. while a great tradgiy, this event is an excellent opertunity in establishing a more open relationship with them. While I doubt we can the nutral zone done away with, It has proven a need exist to at least keep a line of communication open between us, even it is only used in cases of extreme emergency.
To that extent, we might want to assign a team to more.. long term results and establishing a more formal diplomatic contact with the romulan empire. revise the nutral zone treaty with aims of insureing something like this dose not happen again. (Thing the US-USSR direct line in the modern world, that would be the ultimate aim and low hanging fruit.)
Nash ka'Sharren blinks as the motes of exotic energy flutter and disperse around her, leaving her on a Romulan transport pad. She gives the area a quick look-around. It is her first time on a Romulan vessel after all. Well, at least as far as the Romulans know; there was that incident at Canbor VI... Everything in the room is a shade of dark green. Nash supposes it ought to be a comforting colour, but something about the shade lends everything almost as much menace as the blood-red and cold steel of Klingon designs.
The officer behind the transporter controls eyes the Starfleet captain suspiciously, and when the doors to the transporter open to admit a security officer, his look is no less suspicious.
"Captain ka'Sharren, you are early for the meeting," the security officer says in clipped tones.
"Commander Velin asked me to come aboard early for a discussion," replies Nash.
"I was not informed of this," replies the security officer. "Wait here." He steps outside, but returns swiftly. "It seems you are right, but you are early even for that."
Nash shrugs at that. "Commander Velin just said come early."
A dark and probing look comes over the security officer, and Nash bites back comments about over-paranoid Romulans. "Very well," the Romulan says. "Follow me."
A trip through a maze of emerald corridors follows, broken up by a long turbolift trip. By time that they arrive at their destination, Nash is beginning to wonder if the good Commander is showing off the size of the Heavy Warbird, which has slightly more mass behind it than the Excelsiors. Even if the Excelsior is still a better designed, more balanced ship. And really, cloaks are just ways to get into more trouble, and space already provides plenty of those.
The security officer stops by a door marked Exercise Room and hit an intercom button beside it. "Commander, the Federation Captain is here." The door opens moments later and the security officer ushers you within.
Inside Nash finds a room that appears rather out of place, with wooden walls and a firm but springy matting underneath. It takes her a few moments to realise that there was holographic technology at play, and wonders if this is something the Xyrillians sold to the Romulans. There were moves afoot in the Federation to be able to make something much more comprehensive in the future, but this seems pretty close to state of the art. It doesn't have the proper smell, but the look and feel is just like a training hall, high in the mountains away from civilisation.
Commander Velin and another Romulan officer that Nash doesn't recognise are present, the normal grey patterned uniforms eschewed for sleeveless green shirts and loosely fitted pants. A ceremonial looking sword is held by each woman. Velin has a thin sheen of sweat as she stretches, then turns to her comrade. "That will be all, Sub-Commander, return to your duties."
"Yes, Commander."
Nash steps aside to allow the officer to depart, then cocks an eyebrow at the Commander.
"That is an almost Romulan looking gesture," muses Velin. "Many would doubt that civilisation can truly be taught, but I guess you're full of surprises."
"Romulan civilised? No fear of that, Commander," replies Nash. "I could spend my whole life dedicated to it and still not end up half as paranoid as that."
Velin smirks at that and points to a sword resting on a rack. "They're holographic," she says, and demonstrates by striking her palm with the edge of her own weapon. A loud 'brrzt' sound echoes in the room.
Nash laughs as she pulls the weapon from the rack. "I should warn you, Commander, as an Andorian I practice for Ushaan. You may find me a far more dangerous opponent than you expected."
A human would have missed it, but Nash is just able to discern a muttered, "I already have," from Commander Velin.
"So what did you want me here to discuss?" asks Nash as she places the sword back on the wrack and strips off the cumbersome overcoat of her uniform, leaving her with a white undershirt.
"After the debacle at Ithrid II, my warbird and your Type-E are the only battlecruisers-"
"Explorers."
"-in the fleet," continues Velin. "I want to make sure we're on the same page."
Nash steps out onto the practice mat, taking a few swings to get the feel for the weapon. "As far as I understand it, the Enterprise is here to use its sensors for early-warning. Wow, you actually feel the weight behind this sword."
"Clever use of force fields and transporter technology," says Velin offhandedly. "And we may need your phasers now that we've lost the Admiral's disruptors a lot more."
"We'll do our part in a fight." Nash grins wickedly as she settles into a stance. "No one can say that any Enterprise would ever run from a scrap."
The two ship masters come together in a blaze of steel, the sound of the weapons coming through pure and sweet. The weapons tie up in a bind and Velin's leg crashes through behind Nash, who tumbles to the mat. A desperate roll backwards spares her a quick end to the fight, Velin's weapon thrusting into the mat where Nash landed. The two foes begin to circle warily after that.
"The new Admiral is considering using the Enterprise as a flagship," says Velin. "Access to the sensors and quicker coordination with Starfleet."
Nash snorts. A Romulan Admiral on her bridge? That'll be the day. "I may have to run that one through Starfleet Command, there are regulations there."
"You can't reach Admiral without a keen sense of duty."
"More like a lucky streak."
Velin's brow raises again. "If luck is all it takes, your promotion should come through any day now."
"Hey, my ship runs on skill and talented junior officers, not luck," protests Nash. "Well, maybe a bit of luck, too, but..."
Nash abruptly slashes in on the attack, nearly catching Velin off-guard. But in a four-blow exchange the buzzer sounds when Velin's strike catches her across the wrist. "Damnation," mutters Nash as she steps back.
Velin's face splits into a predatory grin. "You'll need more than luck here."
"Heh. So, are we just going to camp here in Alepsis II orbit? It is the last Romulan colony in the quarantine zone, after all," asks Nash. "I appreciate the peace and quiet we've had last month, but I'm pretty sure we can't simply rest."
"That's undecided. We'd like to evacuate here, too, but if the Federation can keep their evacuation plans ongoing, soon we can have our Vulcan kin in Solitude, plus the million colonists of Alepsis II as the last places to defend, then we can sweep up along the Neutral Zone and burn the Inflictor away." After a moment, Velin shrugs. "Or our scouting forces can turn up the Inflictor early and we go counter attack. This constant defence is unbecoming."
With that the Commander attacks again, thrusting in a blow only barely turned aside. They bind after another exchange, and Velin again tries to sweep Nash, but the Andorian hooks her foe's foot and grabs a hold of her shirt. Falling backwards, she throws the Commander across the room. Nash is on her feet and lunging as Velin scrambles to regain her footing. A loud buzzer sounds again, the holographic sword sweeping right through Velin's neck, leaving no external mark. Velin looks up with wide, startled eyes.
The door opens to readmit the Sub-Commander from earlier, now back in uniform. "Commander, it's time to prepare for the ... uh..."
Nash grins at the startled Sub-Commander and walks to the weapon rack. "Don't underestimate Andorians." She then feels the lightest of breezes, and then a tap as Velin's lays the flat of her sword on Nash's shoulder.
"Point. And don't turn your back on an armed Romulan."
"Point."
Velin sighs and walks past Nash to place her weapon the rack. "Computer, End Simulation. Can't believe you decapitated me."
"Hey, there's a club for people who have lost to the Enterprise and its captains but can't believe it," informs Nash as she stretches. "It's called the Beta Quadrant, and it meets at the bar."
Velin picks the weapon up off the rack again. "Actually, one more round. I'm going to make you eat those words."
Nash just grins.
====
Romulans scouting Neutral Zone Area 2.
Quarantine Fleet has taken position in orbit around the remaining colony world, Alepsis II.
Damaged Heavy Warbird is set for 12 months repair.
Romulan High Command currently debating whether to go through with a very difficult evacuation order for the colony.
)
