USS Illuminar

Mission: In the Vangusrd
Day: 11
Stardate: 2446.06.30
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(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - CO, Captain Sekal - 2200)
(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur- 2202)
(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Flight Barracks - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2203)
(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - CEO, Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex - 2204)
(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Flight Control Center - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf - 2205)
(USS Raptor - Deck 17 - Personal Quarters - Marine - 2LT Charles Temerity - 2206)
(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Flight Deck - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2211)
(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf - 2214)
(USS Raptor - Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2217)
(Knight 1 - Cockpit - Pilot - FSXO Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf - 2220)
(Norkan Colony - 7th Planet Moon - Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday -
2230)
(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2232)
(Kagera - Cockpit - Hestin Ivogny - 2233)
(Knight 1 - Cockpit - Pilot - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Greywolf- 2235)
(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur- 2236)
(USS Raptor - Deck 5 - Sickbay - ACMO - Dr. Kyllee Stev - 2237)
(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - CO, Captain Sekal - 2238)
(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2239)
(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf- 2240)
(USS Raptor - Deck 5 - Sickbay - Lt. Commander T’Mur and Dr. Kyllee Stev - 2241)
(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2242)
(Kagera - Cockpit - Hestin Ivogny - 2243)
(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf- 2244)
(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2246)

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(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - CO, Captain Sekal - 2200)

"Entering the Norkan system, still no sign of hostiles. Limited signals from outpost 3 on the
moon of the fifth planet are weak. Localized impulses from planet four which is the main colony
are erratic. Elevated radiation from three sites on planet four. Outpost 2 is silent. No sign of
traffic in the system but I'm getting a reading of over a dozen derelict craft between us and the
colony."

Sekal spun from Dr. Gralen. "Mr. William are you able to put together any coherent signals?"

"Not yet sir." The android was continuing to cycle through bands and attempting to extract a
legible signal. "There are irregular pulses which may be coming from damaged equipment."

Sekal moved to stand over the android as he worked. "Acknowledged."

He turned and moved back to the command chair where he hit the red alert button.

"All hands to battle stations. No hostiles reported as of yet."
The heightened state of alert was denoted by red lamps and the whoop of sirens across the
ship.

"Lieutenant Greywolf prepare to launch the fighters. Orders are to investigate the outposts while
the Raptor continues to the main colony."

=^= Acknowledged captain, on my way to the shuttlebay. =^=

He turned to T'Mur. "Energize weapons and raise shields if you sight an enemy."

(Reply: T'Mur)

Lieutenant Pex had taken his station in engineering at the captain's order, he commented him.
"Lieutenant Pex, prepare for increased power draw with little warning."

(Reply: Pex)

"Major Murphy, 2nd Lieutenant Temerity, you will be running search and perimeter duty during
rescue efforts. Time to the planet is 53 minutes."

(Reply: Murphy, Temerity)

He then made his last call. "Medical, we have entered the system and the scans are as
expected, if there are no provocations we will go directly to emergency relief operations."

(Reply: Medical)

He then sat down as the ship continued to slow, eta to planet four, fifty minutes.

(Reply: All)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur- 2202)

When the Raptor came out of warp T’Mur had already energized the shields and had weapons
on standby mode before Sekal gave his order. Gralen gave his report and Sekal ordered the
ship the red alert. The lighting darkened and her tactical display brightened. She allowed the
klaxon to ring for ten seconds then silenced it.

She scanned the immediate region for any sign of enemy ships, to no avail. Which was odd, as
there appeared to not even be a warp signature or ion displacement wave that one would
typically find if a ship had been in the area.

Where she was getting energy signals from were the outpost locations. Here readings matched
those of Dr. Gralen. High energy weapons had been deployed with what was most likely a
devastating effect.

“No sign of any ship movement,” she reported and continued her scans.

(reply Sekal, any, none)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Flight Barracks - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2203)

Arthur had been laying on his bunk, trying to sleep, unsuccessfully. He had taken to a shift on
the bridge of the Raptor to get a feel for the ship, just in case. Unfortunately it flew like a brick
through water compared to his Void Sphinx. His mind was filled with thought on how to
streamline the ships movement and anticipation of the ship's mass. Granted they were traveling
in space, but laws of physics still applied, and shifting the direction of such a larger ship required
a great deal of energy and anticipation. It was a different kind of flying.

Suddenly the ship went to red alert. Snoopy swung his legs round and he dropped his feet to
the deck. His comm badge chirped. It was Lt Grey Wolf.

=^=Snoopy, you'll be scrambling to Knight 2 after a short mission brief in the cave. Meet me
here in five.=^=

She hadn’t mentioned Vic or the others, and she was usually precise about what she said. It
was odd, but not unheard of. Of course, in his head it meant only one thing.

“Roger that,” he replied.

(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - CEO, Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex - 2204)

Tegian sat at his station on the bridge, feeling very uncomfortable. He wanted to be in Main
Engineering, but he had to trust Ensign Zowie and her ability to keep the Beta Shift ready for
their first real test.

The Captain shook him out of his concern with, "Lieutenant Pex, prepare for an increased power
draw with little warning."

"Understood, Captain. Engineering is ready."

Tegian sent a message to Main Engineering telling them to be prepared.

(Reply: Any)
(Posted by Keith)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Flight Control Center - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf - 2205)

"Mr. Gerard, status of the fighters?" Tempest snapped as she ducked into the control room that
overlooked the launch bay.

The officer turned in his chair. "Kept in operational readiness, should I scramble the pilots?"

"I'll do that, raise the shuttlebay force field and pressurize it."

"Aye ma'am."
As he turned to do just that she tapped the comm. "Snoopy, you'll be scrambling to Knight 2
after a short mission brief in the cave. Meet me here in five."

(Reply: Corday)

(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Flight Control Center - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf - 2210)

Her arms were crossed as Arthur (Snoopy) Corday made his entrance, she didn't wait for
questions.

"The captain wants us to recon the outposts in this system. I just got off the comm with him and
there's no contact. There's a good chance we won't like what we find.are you ready to go?"

(Reply: Corday)

"No, he's not involved in this op, I'm taking Knight 1. Your target will be outpost 3 on the moon of
planet 7. Get as close as you can and report your findings then await further orders. I'll be going
farther out and on the far side of the system to the other observation post. As always, keep in
direct communication, if you see an enemy report in and try not to be a hero. Anything else? If
not, saddle up and get to work, conditions here are very, very bad and we don't have time for a
circle jerk."

(Reply: Corday)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 17 - Personal Quarters - Marine - 2LT Charles Temerity - 2206)

=^= Major Murphy, 2nd Lieutenant Temerity, you will be running search and perimeter duty
during rescue efforts. Time to the planet is 53 minutes. =^=

Temerity held off responding for a few seconds to give Major Murphy a chance to respond.
Afterall, he was the commander of the Marine detachment dubbed the Myrmidons; named after
Achillies troops during the Trojan War. Once he counted to ten, Temerity tapped his badge and
responded, “Temerity here, understood Captain. We’ll be ready and at the pre-planned
departure point in 40-mikes with max loadout.”

(Reply: Sekal iyw)

Charles switched over to the Marine’s communications net, “Temerity to all Myrmidons. It’s time
for us to earn our pay, boys and girls. Full armor with EV life support and jetpacks, HP (High
Powered) loadouts for all projectile and energy weapons. Platoon Leaders, I want
accountability and combat check results in 30-mikes.”

Temerity rolled out of his bunk as the acknowledgements rolled in from all the Platoon Leaders.
Charles snickered at himself as he started getting ready to go dirtside. With the exception of his
last mission before his retirement from the corps, he had virtually zero combat experience.
Then as a civilian freighter captain, he developed lots of combat experience fighting pirates,
becoming a privateer (and be accused of piracy himself). Now, he is leading officers and NCOs
that have more official actual combat experience than he does, fortunately they trust his
judgement just the same. Though Charles does recognize that a lot of that has to do with his
willingness to listen and adjust accordingly.
(USS Raptor - Deck 17 – Assembly Area - Marine - 2LT Charles Temerity - 2207)

1LT Poole approached 2LT Temerity, “Chuck, we have a handful of Marines that have issues
with parts of their suits of armor. We don’t have time to make repairs, and we don’t have
replacement components. How do you want to resolve this?”

“What components?” Temerity inquired.

Poole looked at a note on his data-pad before answering, “Two shoulders, two upper arms, two
thighs, groin, and neck armor components.” As pieces were named, Temerity removed them
from himself.

“Use these as replacements, let the others know that from this point on, we may make certain
pieces of armor optional in the future, but not today.” Temerity directed as he turned to address
something else that was being brought to his attention.

(Reply: Sekal iyw, Murphy iyw)
(Posted By: Charles Raschen)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Flight Deck - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2211)

Arthur strode onto the flight deck to find Grey Wolf waiting there with arms crossed. She looked
ready for business. Nobody else had arrived on the flight deck yet. He stepped over to Grey
Wolf and nodded.

“Lt. Grey Wolf, you wished to see me?”

"The captain wants us to recon the outposts in this system,” the Flight Squad Commander said.
“I just got off the comm with him and there's no contact. There's a good chance we won't like
what we find.are you ready to go?"

Corday smiled, “You know that I’m always ready to go, Lieutenant. Do you want me to prep
Raid?”

"No, he's not involved in this op, I'm taking Knight 1. ” Grey Wolf said.

Corday wasn't really surprised. It was what he had surmised earlier. He knew that she had
wanted to reinsert herself into the flight team. He had seen her flight simulations but was
concerned that she hadn’t reality flown with this team. However she had every right.

“Your target will be outpost 3 on the moon of planet 7. Get as close as you can and report your
findings then await further orders. I'll be going farther out and on the far side of the system to the
other observation post. As always, keep in direct communication, if you see an enemy report in
and try not to be a hero. Anything else? If not, saddle up and get to work, conditions here are
very, very bad and we don't have time for a circle jerk."

Corday chuckled at the term. It was a term Vic might have used, but he did not expect from
Grey Wolf. She had always seemed to have a bit more sense of decorum. It was why he had
appreciated her as FSCO.
“Not sure we’d get much of a circle out of the two of us,” he said. “I don’t have any questions.”

With that he turned and headed to the locker room. A few minutes later he re-emerged in his
flight suit. He looked over to see Lt. Grey Wolf similarly dressed, and they both climbed into
their cockpits. Pre-flight went quickly, then he switched on his comms.

“Corday to Grey Wolf, all set. Flight, this is Snoopy. Knight 2 is ready for launch.”

=^=Affirmative Knight 2, you have clearance to launch. Good hunting Snoopy.=^=

“Thank you Flight Control,” Arthur said and hit the thrusters. The fighter lifted off the deck
plating and shot out through the shuttle bay opening. He entered the coordinates to outpost 3,
and reported in.

“Knight 2 has cleared the Raptor,” he announced. “ETA to outpost 3 fifteen minutes and current
speed.”

=^= Roger that Knight 2.=^=

He thumbed the channel to Knight 1, “I find a little music helps pass the time and keep me
focused on the interim time. Anything you care to hear, Lieutenant?”

(reply Grey Wolf)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf - 2214)

=^= Corday to Grey Wolf, all set. =^=

She hit the ventral boosters which lifted the fighter from the deck then fed power to the aft
thrusters.

"Knight 1 is out." She then answered the call from Corday.

"Knight 1 is on point, you are cleared for go."

The Void/Sphinx accelerated as it exited the hangar bay and she poured on more speed. The
Raptor had slowed for the launch and Knight 1 shot ahead then yawed port as she turned
toward the coordinates fed to the nav computer by flight control. She took a moment to finalize
the course and adjust speed before sitting back.

"ETA to destination 12 minutes."

=^= Flight control confirms your ETA Lieutenant, clear sailing to you.=^=

"Thanks Geet, changing frequency to scrambled comms."

=^= Roger. =^=

=^= I find a little music helps pass the time and keep me focused on the interim time. Anything
you care to hear, Lieutenant? =^=
Pilots fell into two groups normally, those that liked flying music and those that didn't, at least not
long term, Tempest fell into the latter. She may have been flying a capital ship for two years but
fighters were her first love and this type was just as sweet as any she'd flown. It was the
responsiveness to the least input, whether speed or turning along with their weapons that made
them lethal. Taking one out on an exercise like this however, wasn't a thrill ride, it was deadly
business in a hazardous circumstance. And there were other reasons Montero wasn't on this
flight that Corday didn't need to know about currently.

"I'll defer to your choices Snoopy, 10.5 minutes on my leg, turning 235 mark 3 now."

(Reply: Corday)

She settled back and listened to the rock music as her eyes swept continually over the sensor
and nav data. Knight 1 passed within 100 kilometers of three pieces of debris as the craft swung
outward toward the farthest outpost.

"Lots of vessel remains out here, keep eyes on your sensors Knight 2."

(Reply: Corday)

The translucent forward view may as well not have existed, as little attention as she paid to it.
Everything that a pilot was interested in would be out of visual range, sensors would catch it
long before the eye would.

(Reply: Corday)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(USS Raptor - Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2217)

When Tempest gave him the choice of music he smiled. Many of the new pilots preferred more
modern music, some even liked Klingon music, feeling that it out them in the mood. Arthur, on
the other hand, preferred more classical music.

“Lucy,” he told his AI, “how about my classical playlist.”

[Oh Snoopy, you know how I love that music.]

“Hit it, Lucy.” Suddenly a staccato beat began to play over the comm channel as the AC/DC
song “For those About to Rock, We Salute You” began to play. He took a deep breath and
watched his sensors as he flew towards his designated coordinates. That song was followed by
“Highway to Hell.” It was towards the end of this song that his sensors beeped.

“Lucy, kill the music,” he ordered. The AI sighed and the music suddenly stopped. His comm
channel opened.

=^Lots of vessels remain out here, keep your eyes on your sensors Knight 2.=^=

“Affirmative Knight 1,” he replied. “I’m reading it too.”

He adjusted his flight path to get closer to the debris and get a good reading.
“They appear to be the remnants of a series of Romulan ships,” he announced.

Then he focused on the moon around the seventh planet. As he closed the distance he began
to scan the moon. He noted two things. The first was that there was an area where there were
buildings, most likely the colony. The second was that there was almost no sign of life there.

“Lucy, check my findings,” he told his AI. “Are there no or just very few life signs in the colony
zone of buildings?”


[Checking. There are faint lifesigns that may be small animals. No adult Romulan life signs.]

“I want to take a look,” he said, more to himself than Lucy. “Knight 1, the colony here appears to
have no lifesigns, but I’m going in for a closer look.”

(reply Grey Wolf)

He hit the thrusters and sent his fighter towards the planet.

(reply Grey Wolf)
(posed by Al Muir)
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(Knight 1 - Cockpit - Pilot - FSXO Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf - 2220)

=^= Knight 1, the colony here appears to have no life signs, but I’m going in for a closer look.=^=

"Confirmed Knight 2, keep your head up."

Tempest increased power to the engine as she rounded the parabola of the sun and the fighter
streaked toward the target moon of the planet she was headed for. There were no more ships
within range ahead with the majority in the inner system. "ETA five minutes."

(Reply: Corday)

Blips started appearing on targeting that could be asteroids and as she adjusted sensors most
of them were... all but three. She gritted her teeth and grated into the comm. "I have 3 targets
ahead, small craft. I'm not detecting weapons yet but I'm going in hot."

She activated shields and pulse phasers as her fighter ate up the distance. "IFF inconclusive."

She then sent out a communication. "Unidentified craft, this is Federation craft 12458, code
Knight 1. Identify yourself and hold position for inspection."

(Reply: Corday)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(Norkan Colony - 7th Planet Moon - Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday -
2230)
Although the Void Sphynx was designed for maneuvering in space it did have some capacity to
fly in an atmosphere but was less… acrobatic. Arthur guided the ship down and skimmed the
lower atmosphere, looking for the life signs they had detected from orbit.

[Life sign acquired.]

Corday looked at the sensor readings and found the red dot that indicated a life that was larger
than a small animal.

“Knight 2 to Knight 1, I have found something alive down here,” he said. “I’m going down to
check it out.”

He didn’t give Tempest a chance to protest or warn him as he dropped to skirt over the ground
to the coordinates on the sensors. The closer he got the more life signs he noted, but they were
less complex. Clearly small animals. When he was within a kilometer, he began to look for a
place to land.

The scene was not pretty. Buildings were crumbled, or crumbling. There were obvious signs of
energy weapons deployed. Dead bodies littered the streets. Some were killed by energy
weapons, others simply torn apart. The best way to describe it was grisly.

Corday landed his fighter on some flat ground and picked up his tricorder. Then he climbed out
of his fighter and followed the red dot to the life sign. It appeared to be Romulan, but smaller.
And the life signs were starting to fade.

He followed the path to a building that had somewhat collapsed. It appeared to have been a
school. The reality of that made Arthur’s heart skip a beat. He found the source of the life and it
was covered by a layer of debris. Arthur knew he had to move quickly. He pulled up several
layers of the debris until he uncovered the upper half of a Romulan child. A girl. Her head had
contusions with green blood and dirt smeared over the face.

He was finally able to extract the body from the building. Then he noted something odd. There
was a massive burn along her right arm and her chest. Once the weight of the building was off
her, the girl began to stir.

He put a hand on her shoulder and said softly, “Easy now. You’re safe but have been hurt.”

The girl lay back but muttered something. When Arthur leaned forward all he could hear was,
“M…m…m…monster.” She was pointed to a spot a few meters away.

“I’ll be right back,” Arthur said, patting her shoulder. She was already unconscious.

He stalked over to the place she indicated and saw the shape as he got closer. He knelt down
beside the dead Xenolithe.

“Well, this is a find,” he said to himself. Then he tapped his comm badge. “Looks like we’re
bringing back a couple of passengers, Lucy.”

=^=Roger that, Snoopy.=^=
It took some time and effort, but he managed to drag the dead Xenolithe over to the fighter and
secured it the tight space behind his pilot seat. Then he went back and picked up the girl. He
climbed into the cockpit and sat the girl on his lap. She was still alive, which was no small
miracle.

The extra weight made the lift off a little less ordinary but soon Knight 2 and Snoopy were back
in space and headed back to the Raptor.

“Knight 2 to Knight 1,” he reported, “I have a survivor and a present. Headed back to the
Raptor.”

(reply Grey Wolf)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2232)

As Snoopy piloted his fighter back towards the Raptor a message came across his comms.

=^=I have 3 targets ahead, small craft. I'm not detecting weapons yet but I'm going in hot.=^=

~Going in? Alone?~ He was already feeling torn between what he should do. He began to
ease his ship into a faster pace as he monitored his sensors. He noted Knight 2’s shields and
weapons activate.

=^=IFF inconclusive.=^= There was a momentary pause. =^=Unidentified craft, this is
Federation craft 12458, code Knight 1. Identify yourself and hold position for inspection.=^=

There was no reply. He looked down at the unconscious little one in his lap. That was his
priority right now. He increased his speed again.

“Knight 1, I have to deliver my package. Maintain a safe distance. I repeat maintain a safe
distance. I will be back ASAP.”

(reply Grey Wolf)

He cursed to himself, not wanting to utter that kind of language in front of a child, even if it was
unconscious. Then he opened a channel to the Raptor.

“This is Knight 2 to the Raptor,” he worked to keep his voice calm. “I have an injured and
unconscious Romulan female child with me in need of immediate medical attention. Have
medical ready for an emergency transport. I also have a special cargo in storage. It will also
need to be transported to medical, but in a secure quarantine area. My cargo is dead
Xenolithe.”

There was a momentary pause before he heard T’Mur’s reply. =^=We are so advised, Knight 2.
We can receive both after you have landed in the shuttle bay.=^=

Snoopy shook his head, even though he knew that they couldn’t see him, “Negative. No time
for that. I need to go back to support Knight 1.=^=
There was another pause. =^=Affirmative. We will transport at the earliest moment
possible.=^=

“Roger that,” Snoopy said and willed his fighter to move faster. As he came into range of the
Raptor’s close range sensors he could feel the tingle of the transporter effect tingle at his crotch
as the Romulan girl disappeared. Then he scanned his cargo space to find the Xenolithe also
gone.

=^=Your guest and cargo have both been delivered to sickbay, Knight 2=^=

The trip to the moon took 12 minutes, but they were in no hurry. The trip back took a little over
five. He turned the fighter and hit full speed back towards Tempest Grey Wolf and Knight 1.

“Roger that, Raptor. I am returning to Knight 1. Knight 2 out.”

He left his comm on vox control and reached out with his sensors to find Knight 1.

“Ok Lucy, give me everything you’ve got,” he told his AI. “I don’t like the idea of Tempest being
alone in a three to one scenario.”

[You’ve got it Snoopy.] Even the AI sounded concerned. [At top speed we should arrive in
seven minutes.]

He switch his comm channel, “Knight 2 to Knight 1, I am on the return trip. ETA 7.”

(reply Grey Wolf)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(Kagera - Cockpit - Hestin Ivogny - 2233)

He was pushing the shuttle past its limits and knew it, the craft was threatening to disintegrate
around him. The engine was verging on overheating and due to the earlier attack
communications were down and scanners were degrading. Every once in a while he got a tell
that showed the two ships still chasing. He was narrowly out of their firing range but the margin
had been much greater at one time. He had done everything he could think of to shake them
including sling-shotting away from the eighth planet using its gravity well, he had taken a near
suicidal run through an asteroid field.

He had nearly died once already and death had felt cheated so it now was gaining on him
inexorably, unwilling to let him go, desperate to finish him once and for all. Were the enemies
that had attacked this system enjoying the chase? Were they gleefully anticipating his eventual
liquidation? The larger ships had left hours ago and he had felt safe enough to expose himself...
and been fired on as soon as he left the outpost. He had laid low, had waited thinking they had
all departed.

Why had these craft remained? Had they been doing a final cleanup or search for something?
Intending to depart after their mission was completed? Had he poked his head out as they were
leaving? "Just couldn't resist one more kill could you?"
He cursed his luck as he forced the shuttle into another hard turn toward a meteor swarm,
ducking deftly through the irregular bodies as near microscopic particles impacted against the
navigation shield and caused a nimbus glow like ghost light in front of him.

His eyes dropped to the diagnostics again which read in romulan script, his upswept, gently
pointed ears standing out starkly against his dark hair in the dim lighting of the cockpit.

He had been an engineer on the outpost and believed himself the sole survivor, how they hadn't
found him there had been due to his quick actions once the defenses had been breached. He
was also an experienced shuttle pilot, add the two together and they explained why he was still
alive.

For now...

How much longer?

Maybe a few minutes more.

A tone from the scanners grabbed his attention and he saw another powered craft before him.
Due to the damaged scanners there was no telling what it was, but he knew, knew it in the
hollow pit at the bottom of his stomach...

They had called in another to cut him off, he was seeing the satisfied leer of death before him.

He was finished.

"Bloody hells NO!"

He jerked the shuttle in a side slip that would put an oncoming comet in the path of the new
threat.

If he had time to make it.

His shields wouldn't do much to stop the next shot.

He had no working weapons.

He would be destroyed before he could ram and take the klemp out.

He waited for the inevitable as he tried to escape his fate and wasn't surprised when it fired.

But not at him!

At his pursuers!

The new craft streaked behind him as it moved to cut them off.

"*** **** ***"

His gleeful shout can't be translated at this time. His throat burned from the sudden exclamation.
He felt like jumping out of the pilot chair and whooping as he danced around. But that was only
one ship against 2 of the bloodthirsty insectoids. What chance did it have?

What did it matter? He couldn't help, his only chance was to use the distraction to get away.

And that's what he did. He began heading farther into the system, he could hide on planet 2
among one of the deep crags.

But he had to slow a bit before his engine burned out on him, he throttled back and watched the
unfolding battle behind with a grin on his face. "Get those Khark!"

(Reply: None)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(Knight 1 - Cockpit - Pilot - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Greywolf- 2235)

Tempest had given a grunt at the communication from Corday, she was the flight squadron
commander but under the circumstances without a wing man and no sane pilot went into
combat without their wing man in support, especially against multiple vessels. Her shields and
pulse phasers were ready but were they friend or foe?

At least part of her question had just been answered as the two trailing craft powered up their
weaponry. Sensors had also made a determination.

=^=Knight 2 to Knight 1, I am on the return trip. ETA 7.=^=

Her reply sounded distant, even to her own ears.

"I have a romulan shuttle being pursued by 2 enemy craft and almost within weapons range. No
time to wait, they will have executed the crew before you get here. Knight 1 is engaging." She
gave a blood-curdling howl as the guardian spirit had taught her and pushed the fighter to full
throttle. It didn't take long for her instincts to kick in, the fighter was almost an extension of
herself. That is the relationship between a fighter and its pilot. The controls had been refined so
that it responded at the slightest input, they existed on an almost empathic level. The minute
movements of her hands and eyes mirrored her craft. She had flown them too long and too well.
A ship of the line you coaxed and badgered, sometimes kicked. And you always thought two
moves ahead due to the control delay.

But in a fighter you thought and your craft responded. A symbiotic relationship, two parts of a
whole and a deadly fusion of intellect and power.

Her pulse phasers flashed as the small Nageri (were they of a different species? A smaller
variety? Or an adolescent? What did it matter?) made a fast roll and peeled away. With Tempest
closing at full speed the second didn't have as much time to react; it took a full hit. Its shields
gave a short nimbus of light at the contact and she banked hard right as the maneuvering
thrusters kicked in hard.

Splitting the two was an idiots tactic, she would have enemies on both flanks so she flashed to
the port side of the second which left both behind her.

Ventral thrusters roared as she looped up in a hard arc.
Allowing an enemy behind you spelled death, she was looping to bring her weaponry to bear on
them again.

The Sphinx/Void fighter wasn't the newest in the Federation arsenal but it was a dang good craft
and it caught the enemy by surprise, the first, now trailing took a full salvo from its weapons and
the glow from its shields was dazzling.

She shot down and below to its right, peeled left then looped again, this time in a downward,
reverse loop to bring her behind the second craft.

The xenolithe must have thought her mad, they might have been in awe, they were certainly
enraged at her tactics as the second craft took a hard hit aft and from below.

The xenolithe pilot roared at the psychic squeal from his craft and lashed out at it to cut off her
next loop.

As though Tempest would be so stupid. Do one thing too long and your enemy countered you
so you changed your tactics then again, and again. You kept them guessing.

She was buying time until Knight 2 arrived, keep them guessing, keep their attention on you.
Pi** them off, frustrate them, make them obsess over you and forget all else while you made
yourself a ghostly target and kept hitting them.

This was her element. This was REAL flying.

And she had a cheerleader in her corner, the pilot of the damaged shuttle who had slipped into
the comet's wake to watch the fight and cheer her on.

(Reply: Corday)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur- 2236)

T’Mur had been constantly monitoring the exchange with the fighters. She had left it mainly in
the back of her mind until she heard Corday make his announcement.

=^=Knight 2 to Knight 1,” he reported, “I have a survivor and a present. Headed back to the
Raptor.=^=

It was still between the fighters so she chose not to interject, but she was definitely on alert. The
next exchange was from Grey Wolf.

=^=I have 3 targets ahead, small craft. I'm not detecting weapons yet but I'm going in hot.=^=
Her sensors confirmed that she had raised shields and armed her weapons. IFF
inconclusive.=^=. Fighter acronyms were always intriguing, and sometimes it took the Vulcan a
moment to recognize their meaning. ~If friend or foe.~.
=^=Unidentified craft, this is Federation craft 12458, code Knight 1. Identify yourself and hold
position for inspection.=^=

There was no reply until Corday replied. Then his Xoom came to the Raptor.
=^=This is Knight 2 to the Raptor, I have an injured and unconscious Romulan female child with
me in need of immediate medical attention. Have medical ready for an emergency transport. I
also have a special cargo in storage. It will also need to be transported to medical, but in a
secure quarantine area. My cargo is dead Xenolithe.=^=

T’Mur raised an eyebrow and looked over at Sekal.

(reply Sekal)

“We are so advised, Knight 2,” she replied. “We can receive both after you have landed in the
shuttle bay.”

=^=Negative. No time for that. I need to go back to support Knight 1.=^=

Again she looked to Sekal.

(reply Sekal)

“Affirmative. We will transport at the earliest moment possible,” T’Mur informed him.

She already began to scan the fighter craft to find the Romulan child sitting in Corday’s lap.
Once the fighter was within transporter ranger she locked onto the child.

“T’Mur to sickbay, prepare for incoming injured Romulan child,” she announced.

Then she activated the transport, careful to only grab the Romulan structures. She scanned the
cargo hold and transported its contents to a secure med bay.

“Your guest and cargo have both been delivered to sickbay, Knight 2.”

=^=Roger that. Heading back for Knight 1.=^=

“Bridge to medical, I have also transported what is, apparently, a dead Xenolithe to secure med
bay 1,” she said. Then she turned to Taylor “Mr. Taylor, take over at tactical.” She stepped away
and moved to the turbo lift. “Captain, request permission to investigate the Xenolithe?”

(reply Sekal)

She looked at Dogan, “Mr. Dogan, you are with me.”

Dogan nodded and stepped in behind T’Mur. He looked over at Galk. The two nodded to each
other I. An exchange of there services to protect the captain. Then the turbo lift door closed.

(reply Sekal, any on the bridge)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 5 - Sickbay - ACMO - Dr. Kyllee Stev - 2237)

The medical crew had been prepared for the need of their services, but what came through
surprised them.
=^=T’Mur to sickbay, prepare for incoming injured Romulan child.=^=

“Copy that,” Stev replied automatically. He was still getting used to seeing Quinna back on
sickbay. But he was happy to see her do more than just administrative duties.

The sound of the transporter hum came a died, leaving behind the unconscious Romulan girl.

“She can’t be more than 10,” Stev breathed out. He looked at Quinna.

(reply Quinna)

=*=Bridge to medical, I have also transported what is, apparently, a dead Xenolithe to secure
med bay 1.=^=

Quinna had her hands full at the moment, but she had it covered so Stev decided he would step
back and go to the secure med bay. On a ship the size of the Raptor the sickbay had been
designed to handle a variety of medical emergencies, including those involving security risks.

He grabbed the attention of one of the medics and whispered in her ear, “Call me if you need
me.”

With that he headed to the secure med bay. There was already a pair of security personnel
standing at the door. He stepped over to the door panel and put his hand on it.

“Dr. Kyllee Stev, ACMO, USS Raptor.”

The door opened and he stepped inside with on of the security men. He gave the guard an look
and the man stayed by the door. Stev walked a full circle around the biobed, watching carefully.
Everything seemed to indicate the creature was dead, but he really didn’t want to take anything
for granted.

Then he stepped up to the table and turned on the scanners.

“Ok, my friend,” he said, “let’s see what you have to tell me.”

(reply Solice, any)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - CO, Captain Sekal - 2238)

Sekal heard the call from Knight 2 as his chief of security had piped it through the bridge
speakers, he turned his head, saw her questioning look and nodded.

=^=Negative. No time for that. I need to go back to support Knight 1.=^=

He tapped his comm control. "Affirmative, request granted."

“T’Mur to sickbay, prepare for incoming injured Romulan child,” the Lieutenant commander had
commed sickbay.
“Captain, request permission to investigate the Xenolithe?”

"Granted, you have fifteen minutes."

The lift door had hardly closed behind her when William got his attention, Galk had moved to
stand behind the command chair.

"Captain! I'm getting a weak signal from the outskirts of the main city."

"Main screen."

The picture that came up was grainy and with intermittent static. The romulan woman had
unkempt hair and a darkly smudged face. Something smoked in the background and the visible
wall was carbon scored.

=^= Someone help us, the Norkan colony was attacked and the prefect is dead along with most
of his council. Councilor Welbin is in critical condition and we have numerous wounded. Most of
the prime city is out of contact and we have many trapped in the rubble. If you can help, please
respond.=^=

"This is captain Sekal of Starfleet. We have entered the system and are moving into position.
What is your status?"

The woman looked like she was about to cry in relief as her shoulders heaved. =^= StarFleet,
thank God! I am receiving you, what ship? =^=

"The USS Raptor, newly commissioned. We are mobilizing for emergency operations and I have
received a notification from Starbase 4 that they are sending aid."

Her shoulders sagged from exhaustion and emotion. =^= We are sealed into emergency bunker
6, the tunnel beyond seems to have collapsed. I am unable to contact anyone outside. We have
136 hours of air and enough food and water to last well beyond that. Number of survivors here
is 37.=^=

"Raptor will be in orbit in 25 minutes with minimal signs of enemy activity. Capital ships are not
yet in evidence. If not in combat we will be moving to emergency operations as soon as we
make orbit. Continue to leave this channel open for followup communications."

She gave a tired nod though with a ghost of a smile. =^= We will do so, please hurry.=^=

"We are making all speed. Raptor out."

The communication ended and he opened the ship wide com. "Orbit in twenty five minutes.
Communication has been established with a group of survivors. Emergency teams will be
transported to that location initially and fan out from that area. Marines, security and medical
teams to the transporter rooms. Permission is granted to neutralize any hostile elements found.
Bridge out." He signed off and motioned Galk to the tactical station.

The Klingon rumbled in reply and moved to it quickly.

(Reply: All)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2239)

Snoopy watched the readout on his sensors. As he got closer he could see what Grey Wolf had
been seeing. Two unidentified craft in pursuit of a smaller Romulan craft. It wasn’t that the craft
didn’t register, but it was as if it gave off a natural dampening field preventing an actual reading.
All he could really tell is that there were two ships, or blips on the sensors. Everything else was
masked.

And of course Tempest, in her own imitable way, ignored his warning had headed straight
towards them. Clearly she knew something he didn’t. Most likely the Romulan craft was in
trouble. Knight 1 had weapons and shields charged.

She split the two craft and held their attention to allow the Romulan shuttle to find a good hiding
place. Then it was hit and run. She hadn’t had his experience with the modified Sphynx but he
was impressed with her skills.

=^=Knight 2 to Knight 1, I’m on your six. I will be in the fight in less than 2. You’re doing
great.=^=

By the time he had visual contact he could see alien ships strategy. Grey Wolf had managed to
play hit and run to keep them occupied but one of the ships had started to maneuver behind her.

He armed his pulse phaser cannons and set a course directly towards the second ship.

“Watch your six Knight one. I’m on it. On my mark break right. Mark.”

(reply Grey Wolf)

As the ship suddenly shifted direction Snoopy dropped in on top of the alien craft and opened
fire. There was display of energy expenditure and the ship suddenly veered off.

“Lucy, damage report.”

[There is no apparent damage to the alien ship. It’s configuration complies with the most recent
data upgrade as a Xenolithe ship.]

He sighed, “Welcome to the party.”

(reply Grey Wolf)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf- 2240)

The pulse phasers thrummed as another salvo slammed into one of the xenolithe craft but the
corkscrew maneuver she used had allowed the other to slip into her six. So far she had taken
several hits from enemy weapons which were some kind of pale green beam but the contacts
hadn't been long and her shields were still robust meaning she didn't fear taking a hit while she
could deal some damage. The fighter dove under the enemy craft which would force her tail to
either break off or wait until it had cleared its fellow to fire.
=^=Knight 2 to Knight 1, I’m on your six. I will be in the fight in less than 2. You’re doing
great.=^=

"It's about time, I thought I might get them both before you made it but they're pretty tough and
it's difficult to get a reading on how much damage they are taking if any. They had a token shield
that didn't amount to much and I think it's just to inhibit scans."

She rolled and banked right as the enemy beam sliced along her aft shield then throttled to high
and shot away from the craft which was still in its turn.

"They aren't very agile or fast Knight 2, more like shuttle or transport craft than fighters, I've
been running circles around them. Had they been better I doubt the romulan shuttle would have
lasted as long as it did."

“Watch your six Knight one. I’m on it. On my mark break right. Mark.”

"Observant as always, aren't you?" The one thing she was rusty on was flying cooperatively as
part of a wing, the bulk of the simulator training she routinely ran were to keep her fighting skills
sharp.

On his mark she whipped the fighter into a sharp turn and made a run toward the other which
had hesitated at the appearance of Knight 2 and that was what she had been working for. The
xenos were so intent on her that everything else had been forgotten and its hesitation cost it.

Tempest was just within maximum range of her pulse phasers and got off multiple attacks, a
round of phaser blasts alternated with a photon torpedo, another phaser blast as she closed and
the second photon torpedo in the instant before she banked away. She had taken hits as well
and not all of her attacks had contacted as the enemy attempted avoidance but the second
micro torpedo caught it full in the face. As her fighter screamed by it she caught a glimpse of it
wallowing. Perhaps in pain, perhaps damaged, who knew with an alien entity that took the place
of a ship?

The skirmish had suddenly changed with both unable to focus on her without exposing
themselves to Knight 2 so it became two, one v one battles and the swift, agile fighters had the
upper hand.

Tempest's enemy was also perceptibly slowed by her last attack, its turn was sluggish so she
turned her fighter toward Corday’s encounter and slowed to set up her shot.

"Knight 2, it's time to change tactics, do an overhead loop, when yours moves to meet you
coming out I'm going to snipe it."

(Reply: Corday)

It was a simple plan and very effective, as Corday went into the overhead turn his opponent
spun on it axis to target him coming in behind it which exposed its broadside to Tempest who
cut loose on it. The panicked pilot then turned toward her which left it a sitting duck for Corday
who was about to line it up for a full salvo.

(Reply: Corday)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - Deck 5 - Sickbay - Lt. Commander T’Mur and Dr. Kyllee Stev - 2241)

Kyllee stood at the edge of the biobed and visually scanned the creature laying there. He’d seen
his fair share of exotic species I. His time and thought that he’d pretty much seen it all. This was
definitely something different.

“Computer, begin recording,” he called out.

The computer beeped in compliance then said, [Recording.]

He began to walk around the table to make his first impression observations.

“Subject is over two meters long. Humanoid. Bipedal. Two arms.” That seemed like an
important detail. There was something about this Xenolithe that gave one the assumption that it
would have more than two. It had an insectoid appearance to it.

He moved over to the biobed sensors he activated the holographic imager. The initial scan
showed that the body was safe to the touch, so he reached out to touch the chest.

At that moment the door to the room opened and T’Mur entered. The sound and the timing
made the Bajoran jump back with a deep breath.

“I apologize, Doctor Kyllee,” the Vulcan said. “It
Was not my intention to startle you.”

Stev chuckled, “Not to worry. Timing is everything. I was really just beginning.”

“Please,” T’Mur said with a nod, “continue.”

“I was just noticing this chest piece,” Stev said. “At first I thought it was armor, but look… .” He
poked at the chest with his finger, then picked up a tool and hit it with that. “It’s actually part of
him. A strong exoskeleton… comprised of … “

He stopped to look at the scan. His brow furled and he began to ran a secondary scan.

“I must say, I didn’t expect that,” Stev said. He moved the data up to the holoprojected screen.
“Look,” he pointed to chemical makeup of the exoskeleton, “do you recognize the composition?”

T’Mur took a step closer to the display and tilted her head, “It looks like it’s carbon, with a few
elements I don’t recognize.”

“Look at how it’s structured,” Stev said. “A monolayer of carbon atoms bound tightly in a
hexagonal honeycomb lattice. It’s like this exoskeleton is composed of organic graphene. No
wonder it’s so difficult to damage.”

“Intriguing,” T’Mur said, her mind already working on ways to counteract a compound that had a
tensile strength of 130 gigapascals, roughly 200 times stronger than steel.
“Well let’s get a closer look,” Stev declared. He adjusted the scanner and found the results
troublesome. “Apparently the medical scanners have a limited piercing of the exoskeleton.
We’re going to have to do this the old fashioned way.”

His hand traced the lines of the exoskeleton to their connecting points on the chest. Then he
pulled out a tricorder and scanned the head and face. The skull also had a layer of the
exoskeleton, but there were open points, especially around the mouth area. He looked over his
shoulder to T’Mur.

“Look at this mouth,” he said. “If there was ever a connection to insects this would be it. It’s a
multipart mandibular mouth. Upper and lower labrum, with two powerful mandibles. The
mandibles have flat, grinding protrusions, almost like molars, indicating that they eat plants. But
these maxillae... they have sharp, almost serrated protrusions, giving them the ability to eat
meat. Clearly an omnivore. Curious what we’ll find in its stomach.”

He changed his attention to the eyes. Those wide, black eyes. He had to look closely to see
the multifaceted lenses. “Their range of vision must be incredible. They must have a near 300
degree visual range. And three sets of nasal passages. I wonder if they can talk. Not sure
how. Rumor has it that they’re telepathic.”

He retraced the lines of muscle to the exoskeleton the the center of its thorax. Then he looked
over at T’Mur again. “Well, here goes the icky part.”

He grabbed his laser scalpel and attempted to cut through the fault line of the chest plate.
There was a smell of searing material, but when he pulled the scalpel away all he had managed
was a scarring on the joint.

“Hmmm,” he mused. “This may take some even more old school work.”

He moved over to the replicator and tapped in some commands. After a hum he came back to
the table with a device that looked like a duranium tipped cutting tool. He shrugged at the
security chief and got back to his work. This time there was a little more satisfaction. It still took
some muscle and two new heads, but he finally got the chest plates to separate.

T’Mur had a hand on her phaser, uncertain as to what was about to happen when the plates
pulled apart. It was a little anticlimactic, other than the smell. That assaulted her sensitive
Vulcan olfactory senses. She had to turn her head slightly, to gain time to steal herself against
the attack.

Stev was already scanning, “Well, the smell may be a tad offensive, but at least it doesn’t have
any hidden surprises.”

“A ‘tad offensive?’” T’Mur mimicked. “I would hate to see what you considered extremely
offensive.”

Stev chuckled, “You’d be surprised.”

Now his scanners were able to create a viable holographic image of the Xenolithe’s internal
organs. Kyllee moved over to the model and began to manipulate the image so he could get a
better look at the organs before actually touching them.
‘Interesting,” he said, absentmindedly. T’Mur was not there any more as far as he was
concerned. “A three chambered heart, but stacked chambers. Lungs. Esophagus. I’ll have to
open the abdominal cavity to get at the stomach and intestines.”

At that T’Mur decided she’d seen enough. She’d gotten most of the tactical information she
wanted. “Then I will leave you to your work, unencumbered by my presence. I look forward to
your full report.”

Stev barely nodded, “Ues, yes, as soon as I’m done.”

At that T’Mur left, with Cal Dogan on tow, leaving the two security men to continue their
vigilance outside the room.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2242)

The tide had made a shift to one of balance. The Void Sphynx’s were more agile and able to
dole out the majority of the punishment. But the Xenolithe ships were hardy, and seemed to
absorb their attacks well. But even the strongest wall will begin to crumble under the constant
assault that Snoopy and Grey Wolf were pouring on the enemy ships. Tempest had already
dealt a damaging blow to one of the ship, but neither had managed to gain an overwhelming
advantage. Now it was up to strategy.

=^=Knight 2, it's time to change tactics, do an overhead loop, when yours moves to meet you
coming out I'm going to snipe it.=^=

That appeared to be the difference between the two sets of ships. Although the Xenolithe
appeared to work together, they did not, exactly, work as a team.

“Roger that,” he replied. “Initiating loop.”

With Lucy’s help he could have performed the loop with more efficiency, but he wanted to draw
his opponent in. As he hit the apex of the loop Grey Wolf le loose on it. The reaction was
almost predictable. It turned right into his new trajectory and fired at near point blank. The ship
lit up and then went limp in space. Whatever happened to it, it was dead, if not destroyed.

Tempest was now on the heels of the last ship. He could hear her chuckling over the comms.
Singing his ship round he came up on her left to watch as dispensed phased photonic energy at
the now defenseless Xenolithe ship. He thumbed his weapons button but held off. It was over,
and Snoopy wasn’t into firing on the helpless.

“I think that does it, Knight 1,” he announced.

(reply Grey Wolf)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Kagera - Cockpit - Hestin Ivogny - 2243)
 Curiosity was renowned across just about every culture as a possible recipe for disaster and
romulans were not exempt. Hestin had pulled into the tail of the comet and powered down his
engine to minimum in order to allow it to cool. This hadn't been only out of curiosity as the
possibility had been heavy he would never reach the second planet anyway with his shuttle in
its current state. While waiting on that he had broken open the console and was working on his
sensor array. The work didn't take long as troubleshooting had exposed a carbonized contact
that had been victim to the backlash of energy. The sensor array was also damaged but was
working to a point, with the contact replaced the readings were far more stable though very
short range.

He had been brave enough to do this because of the ability of the pilot that had come to his
relief and had been keeping them busy.

Looking at his sensors now brought a laugh to his lips, another had joined the battle and they
were giving the enemy hell.

As he watched one was dealt a crippling blow then the new ships turned on the final one which
attempted to flee but a flurry of shots sent it into an unpowered skid, as it went into a drift one of
them turned and moved in his direction, weapons and shields still active.

"Oh scrap! And me with no communications. This is not good."

What to do? What to do?

He had an idea.

(Reply: None)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf- 2244)

She banked into the damaged enemy as Corday scored his kill and cut loose with another blast
from the pulse phasers, the craft couldn't avoid it in its current condition and tried to turn and
run. Tempest wasn't about to let it flee. She sent a micro torpedo speeding toward it. The
explosion didn't destroy the xenolithe craft and she hadn't expected it to but threw the vessel
into an unpowered skid and drift.

Satisfied and checking her sensors she verified it was unpowered then turned toward the
romulan shuttle that had ducked into cover.

"Investigating the shuttle Knight 2 to see how the pilot and any passengers are doing."

(Reply: Corday)

It didn't take more than a couple of minutes at a moderate speed for her to close in and as she
did it emerged from cover and began cycling power.

"What the hell?"

Power went down then came back up followed by a repeat of the cycle.
"Knight 2, it looks like their communications are down. Stand by and monitor the area while I
investigate. I'm reading only 1 life form."

(Reply: Corday)

She coaxed the fighter to a stop then dropped her shields and powered down the phasers. As
the 2 craft faced one another she unbuckled and left the cockpit, snagged a phaser and medical
kit then moved to the two man transporter, set it then energized the control. Crouching down
and with her phaser up she disappeared in the carrier wave.

(Kagera - Hestin Ivogny and FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf - 2246)

"Don't shoot, I'm unarmed."

Tempest spun toward the voice and the romulan, with his hands held high cringed away from
her. He was standing in a doorway and she was in a drab and somewhat shabby passenger
compartment. Her eyes were searching everywhere, she even spared a quick glance behind her
as she kept the weapon on him.

"That's the cockpit behind you?"

"The pilot control cabin." He nearly stuttered.

"Same thing." She shrugged and stood straight. "And you are?"

"Heston Ivogny, engineer for Norkan colony outpost 4." His throat was dry as sand all of a
sudden. "I was being chased by those insectoids. They damaged my communications and
sensors and the engine was nearly gone." The voice was female but she was wearing a helmet
and smoked visor.

The woman visibly relaxed and lowered the phaser but kept a sizable distance between them.

"And the outpost?"

"I may have been the only survivor, I'm not sure. I avoided them until it looked like they had
gone then made a run for the colony."

"Then you don't know?"

"Know what?" The question chilled his blood.

"Your world was attacked, possibly destroyed but certainly overrun. My ship is here on a rescue
mission."

"Krelg!" He spat.

"There are a number of dead ships within the system, the xenolithe hit hard and fast."

He sagged against the door frame. "How many ships?"

"We don't know but hope to find out?"
"What did you call them? Xenolithe? I've never heard of them."

"Many probably have not, the Federation bore the brunt in the war with them." Tempest relaxed
just a bit.

"Outpost 4 was my destination. Can you confirm casualties?"

He shook his head slowly. "They murdered everyone they came across, I could hear some of
their screams. The outpost is certainly wrecked and unpowered. I was barely able to get this
shuttle out."

She gave a deep sigh. "Is this shuttle still able to fly or should I tow it? I could also transport you
over."

"Let me check, I had to stop to allow the engine to cool." He started to move but saw her reach
for her phaser."Don't worry, I'll move slowly, you can follow me in to check."

"Sounds good." She stepped forward as he turned but kept her hand near her phaser and
hovered just inside the door as he cycled through his diagnostics.

He looked back at her. "It will fly but I'm not as fast as you."

"No problems. You can follow me to planet 4 and rendezvous with the Raptor, Knight 2 will be
behind you to protect you." ~And watch as well.~ Tempest wasn't a pessimist but she WAS
careful.

He closed his eyes and gave a big sigh. "Thank you. I'll follow."

She tapped her comm. "Knight 2, I have one survivor and his shuttle is pretty badly beaten up.
He is going to follow me to the ship. Outpost 4 is a loss but will have to be combed over later.
Raptor, Grey Wolf here."

=^= Raptor here, go ahead Lieutenant.=^=

"I'm bringing in a survivor. ETA, 20 minutes."

=^=Captain Sekal here Lieutenant, the pilot can dock his craft in the shuttle bay, confirming eta
of 20 minutes, Raptor will be in emergency operations. The colony is not a safe haven.=^=

"Yes sir, he understands. Will rendezvous with the ship."

Raptor signed off and she gave him a look. "You are welcome and expected, follow me in." She
then hit the recall code into the device on her belt and returned to Knight 1.

Hestin dropped into the seat and cycled up power, relaxing as he did so, he had just picked up a
powerful escort.

(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO, Lieutenant Tempest Grey Wolf- 2250)
Tempest hurried to the cockpit and strapped herself into the seat then increased power and hit
her comm.

"Knight 2, we are returning to the ship, I'll be lead and you follow us in. Let's go home."

(Reply: Corday)

She picked up the nav signal sent from Raptor and initiated the course, confirmed the shuttle
was following and locked in a moderate speed, seeing the shuttle was able to keep pace she
held it.

Today was not a good day for Norkan.

(Reply: Corday)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 2246)

The two Xenolithe ships floated, lifelessly, in space. A quick scan showed that the Voids were
fairly unscathed. They’d had a good mixture of teamwork and luck to thank for that.

Grey Wolf’s voice broke over the comms. =^=Investigating the shuttle Knight 2 to see how the
pilot and any passengers are doing.=^=

~Of course.~ “Affirmative. At last check it had disappeared into the tail of a comet. I’ve got you
covered, just in case.”

As he monitored the comms he heard her call out. =^=What the hell?=^=
Then she spoke to him. =^=Knight 2, it looks like their communications are down. Stand by and
monitor the area while I investigate. I'm reading only 1 life form.=^=

~Investigate?~ That meant one thing. He frowned and grumbled to himself about unnecessary
risks, but nothing that would have been picked up on the comms. “Roger that. Be quick. And
be careful.”

The next few minutes were agonizing as he watched the two dead ships and the area around
them for any further activity. The comm channel crackled and Grey Wolf spoke.

=^=Knight 2, I have one survivor and his shuttle is pretty badly beaten up. He is going to follow
me to the ship. Outpost 4 is a loss but will have to be combed over later.=^=
He followed the conversation between Grey Wolf and the Raptor as he brought his ship round to
float beside Knight 1. A minute later his sensors beeped indicating that she had returned to her
ship.

=^=Knight 2, we are returning to the ship, I'll be lead and you follow us in. Let's go home.=^=
Corday nodded, “Roger that, Knight 1, you have the lead.”

As they set course Arthur had to wonder how much stranger this day could get. Then he cleared
that thought from his head. Fate had a tendency to answer that question… and it was rarely a
positive thing.
(reply Grey Wolf)
(posted by Al Muir)
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End Compile