USS Illuminar

Mission: In the Vanguard
Day: 12
Stardate: 2446.07.01
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(USS Raptor – Deck 1 – Bridge – Pilot Ensign(jg) Pihi “Kestral” Piripi - 0005)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO, PO1 Carol Lannis- 0006)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 0007)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO - PO1 Pevn - 0011)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 SPA LT Ariel Trei - 0012)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO - PO1 Pevn - 0013)
(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO - Lieutenant, Tempest Grey Wolf - 0014)
(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 0015)
(Knight 3 – Pilot Ensign(jg) Pihi “Kestral” Piripi - 0016)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO - PO1 Carol Lannis - 0017)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 SPA LT Ariel Trei - 0018)
(USS Raptor – Deck 1 – Bridge – CO, Captain Sekal and CSO, Lieutenant Commander Holis
Gralen - 0019)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur - 0020)
(USS Raptor - Sickbay -- Deck 5 -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice - 0021)
(USS Raptor – Deck 14 – Main Shuttlebay – CEO - Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex - 0022)
(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Main Shuttlebay - EO - Ensign Angus McGuyver - 0023)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO, PO1 Carol Lannis - 0024)
(USS Raptor - Bridge - FO - Commander Sienna Verin - 0025)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur and FO Commander Sienna
Verin - 0026)
(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 0027)
(Knight 3 – Pilot Ensign(jg) Pihi “Kestral” Piripi - 0028)
(USS Raptor - Deck 9 - cargo bay 2 - ACMO - Dr. Kyllee Stev - 0029)
(USS Raptor - Sickbay -- Deck 5 -- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice -- 0030)
(USS Raptor - CO's Quarters - NPC Yeoman Lissie Merriman - 0045)
(Nearby Space– Oos - 0100)
(USS Raptor– Deck 1 - Bridge - CO, Captain Sekal, Lieutenant Commander Holis Gralen,
Ensign William and Lieutenant Galk - 0105)
(Planet Surface – 10km outside of city - Marine - 2LT Charles Temerity - 0106)
(USS Raptor– Marine Deck 17 - Marine OIC Office - Major Murphy - 0108)
(USS Raptor– Deck 1 - Bridge - FO Commander Sienna Verin - 0109)
(USS Raptor - Deck 5 - Counselors Office - Bondmate/Counselor - Temas Laredo - 0110)
(USS Raptor – Deck 14 – Main Shuttlebay – Engineering Cadet - Cadet Wednesday Adams -
0109)
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur & FO Commander Sienna
Verin - 0111)
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(USS Raptor – Deck 1 – Bridge – Pilot Ensign(jg) Pihi “Kestral” Piripi - 0005)

Pihi moved to the front of the ship, briefly touching it as she did. Standing with her back to the
ship, she began to chant, moving as she did. Her movements were slow and deliberate as she
channeled her inner warrior, remembering when her grandfather first taught her the chant. She
was challenging her enemy, like her ancestors had done.
"Kikiki! Kakaka!
Kauana kei waniwania taku tara
kei tarawahia, kei te rua i te kerokero!
He pounga rahui te uira
ka rarapa ketekete kau ana
To peru kairiri mau au e koro e!
Hi! Ha! - Ka wehi au ka matakana,
ko wai te tangata kia rere ure tirohanga
ngā rua rerarera
ngā rua kuri kakanui i raro! Aha ha!"

The crew chief paused watching her carefully, unwilling to interrupt the Ensign.. When she was
done he approached. "Bring her back in one piece,” he said gruffly.

“Copy that chief,” she said with a smile. Entering the cockpit of the fighter, she sat in the pilots
seat, glad this had a traditional ‘stick’, for control. The controls were similar to other craft she
had flown before and took a minute to familiar herself with them as she went through the
pre-flight checklist.

Completing the checklist, she entered the commands to connect her VISOR to the sensors. A
voice spoke, “Can I assist you?” it asked.

“Who is this?” she asked, startled.

“I am the computer interface for this Void Sphynx. Please state your name.” the voice asked.

“Ensign Pihi Piripi call sign Kestral,” she replied.

=^=Acknowlege Ensign Kestral,” the voice said. “Do you wish to pair with the interactive AI
system?=^=

“Uh, no,” she said curiously.

=^=Acknowledge. AI system is offline.=^=

Piri wondered about the AI system. She’d heard rumors that the fleet was starting to deploy a
small group of fighters with an advanced system, but she thought it was just a rumor.

She looked out the window to see the Crew chief standing there. She flashed a thumbs up
signal to him before activating her communicator. “This is Kestral with Knight 3, request
clearance for departure.”

=^= Knight 3 – you are cleared for departure. When you clear the ship, make your vector is 100
by 45. =^=

“Kestral copies.”
She threw a salute to the launch officer before she activated the rcs units to ease the ship out of
the shuttlebay, through the force screen and into space. She increased power to clear the ship
before getting her bearing and setting the course recommended.
Taking the stick, she made a series of maneuvers to get a feel for the sensitivity of the craft.
She smiled as it responded to her gentle touch.

“Knight 1, this is Knight 3. Will be on target in 3 minutes. Approaching along vector 110 by 45.
Request orders.”

(Reply Knight 1)
(Posted by Pippa)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO, PO1 Carol Lannis- 0006)

Carol waited as Chief T'Mur approached.

“Lieutenant? Chief? How is your tunnel progressing”

"Very well sir. Lieutenant Trei is within 10 meters of penetrating the bunker and I've had the
colonists moved to a safe area."

“Do you have an estimated time of completion?”

Carol nodded. "About five minutes sir, once the tunnel cools we can go in and complete the
operation. I estimate we can have everyone cleared out and the wounded evacuated within the
next half hour."

“I understand. Do not engage unless necessary. I wil be there shortly.”

That was curious, who or what was approaching?

“Keep going. Hasten your efforts. We will do what we can to keep this area clear.

"Yes sir."

Carol checked her tricorder again, the outer half of the tunnel had cooled sufficiently so she
entered it crouched. Even though she wasn't tall there wasn't enough headroom to walk erect.
The floor of the tunnel was irregular, the phased energy making slight ripples so even though
there was a decided incline it was possible to walk without sliding. She took her time, allowing
the walls to cool to a tolerable level as they penetrated further, a torch she had taken from her
belt lighting the way. She stopped eight feet from the end then pointed at a spot off center.

"Right there Lieutenant, at about five degrees declination. One short burst should get you to the
bunker then you are going to have to use the heat setting to make an entrance through the
synthecrete and metal cladding."

(Reply: Trei)

She slid around Trei to give her unfettered access and get out of the line of fire then held the
torch up so that the Klingon/Betazoid could see to work.

(Reply: Trei)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 0007)

She did as instructed staggering her progression down the tunnel to have better footing as she
finished the job. She stayed back at the entrance to the bunker just in case the Romulans tried
something. She will ease her suspicions when it is shown they have honorable intentions. She
stepped aside to let Carol execute the rescue plan with a hand on one of the Mett'leffs
customized for her hand. In her heart she would like to trust them but her mind needed
convincing. Until then she took a defensive stance.

"Execute the rescue plan. I will stand by if they try something."

(Reply Carol, Any)
(Posted by Edward)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO - PO1 Pevn - 0011)

Pevn had been watching over Trei and Linnis as they dug their tunnel. Nobody bothered to ask
for his help, for which he was grateful. He was part of the Andorian warrior class and all that
digging was a little beneath him. He smiled to himself at his unintentional pun. And so he did
what he did best, watch and to protect.

As they came to the entrance of the bunker he watched Trei step back, her hand on one of her
fancy Klingon knives. Pevn cocked his head to one side, his antennae turning to watch as well.

“Do you anticipate a Xenolithe attack from within the bunker, Lieutenant?” the Andorian asked.
“There is no indication that there is nothing other than trapped Romulans in there.” And I
seriously doubt that they’re going to put up much of a fight after being trapped in there for
several hours.”

(reply Trei)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 SPA LT Ariel Trei - 0012)

Pewn asked her if she anticipated an attack. She did and she didn't was the true answer. She
was just cautious of what could happen. She really didn't have time to explain the history of
Klingons and Romulans to explain her reluctance to trust them but she tried.

"I am just being cautious. Klingons and Romulans have a long history. Romulans have no
honor. There is a long history of Romulan treachery against the Klingon Empire. I want to trust
them but history leads me to be cautious of what may come out of that bunker. Just believe me
for now and ready the history later."

(Reply Pewn iyw)
(Posted by Edward)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO - PO1 Pevn - 0013)

Pevn's eyes narrowed as he frowned at Trei's response. "Lieutenant, there was a time when
Klingons and the Federation both felt the same about Andorians. Do you still hold on to those
biases? Am I without honor because our people, over a hundred years ago our people had a
difference of... points of view? The Romulans of which you speak no longer exist. Is there no
place for forgiveness and understanding in your mindset? You speak of Klingon hisory, but
Lieutenant, you are ¾ Betazoid and only ¼ Klingon. Where is your Betazoid empathy?"

(reply Trei)

Linnis' voice called out from the end of the tunnel, "The survivors are coming out."

Pevn stepped away from the Lieutenant and called back, "We are prepared."

As the first of the survivors reached them the Andorian reached his hand out to help them along
the remained of the tunnel. They emerged into the light and Pevn directed them to stay
together near the entrance. A small Romulan child ran up to him and placed their hand in his,
looking up at him with a need for comfort in his eyes.

Pevn initial reaction was to withdraw his hand, but he steadied himself and smiled, reasuringly,
at the child. Maybe Trei was right. This little one did not look very trustworthy.

(reply Trei, Linnis)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(Knight 1 - Cockpit - FSXO - Lieutenant, Tempest Grey Wolf - 0014)

After scattering then hunting down the xenolithe column the fighters had been flying a circular
orbit with the emergency rescue teams at the center. The circle was approximately 10
kilometers in diameter and they were holding a moderate ceiling of 500 meters. They were
easily seen at this low altitude which was a reminder to the emergency teams that they were
being covered and a warning to any hostiles that the group had aerial backing. And this aerial
backing was lethal... and a threat to any planet bound operations that might think to do the
Federation contingent harm.

Tempest and Corday had been notified by control that Knight 3 was due to be launched by the
pilot that had just transferred over which left the Cherokee hopeful that she had some
experience. That was a question mark since she was a newly minted Ensign however Tempest
was quite aware that graduating pilots often had extensive experience in fighters before being
assigned, she had once been in the same position and had, over time risen to the rank of flight
squadron executive officer. That level of training though was only the stepping stone, Ensigns
needed real-time combat experience to make the complete jump to veterancy status.

=^=Knight 1, this is Knight 3. Will be on target in 3 minutes. Approaching along vector 110 by
45. Request orders.=^=

"Knight 3, this is Knight 1, you will be wing for Knight 2. Corday... I am widening my circle to
twenty klicks and taking up first contact operations. Maintain your current AO."

(Reply: Corday, Piripi)

As Knight 3 joined the operation Tempest nosed her fighter over 20 degrees and accelerated to
a nav point 10 kilometers outside of the inner wing from which she would begin the larger orbit.
Knight 1,s loop would be slower in comparison to the others meaning that they would be looping
her every few revolutions but this was by design, those closer to the emergency rescue force
would have real-time faster oversight and response while Knight 1 would be the "lookout" to
spot potential targets before they became a threat.

She reached her target and turned into the new trajectory. "Knight 1 is in position, do not break
formation until a threat is spotted. If I call for backup Knight 3 will respond. Knight 2 will remain
in the inner ring in case they try to lure the fighters away and attempt to attack from another
vector. Acknowledge your orders."

(Reply: Corday, Piripi)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 0015)

When the Illuminar informed them of the incoming new pilot to the scenario Snoopy couldn’t
help but groan outwardly.

“Seriously?” he said and switched his coms to Knight 1 only. “Are we seriously going to add a
player that we are unsure of as a team member?” he asked. “We’ll, all I’ve gotta say is that if
she gets me killed I’ll never talk to either of you again.”

He switched his coms knack to VOX and waited. The only good news is that they’d done most
of the hard work already. This was mop up, so at least they’ll get a chance to see her fly, if not
really fight.

=^=Knight 1, this is Knight 3. Will be on target in 3 minutes. Approaching along vector 110 by
45. Request orders.=^=

=^=Knight 3, this is Knight 1, you will be wing for Knight 2. Corday... I am widening my circle to
twenty klicks and taking up first contact operations. Maintain your current AO.=^=

Snoopy rolled his eyes, but kept his comment inside his head. ~Always the babysitter.~

“Whatever you say, Lt,” he said, unable to keep his attitude completely out of his voice.

He watched his sensors to see the third Void Sphynx sidle up behind them. Then Knight 1 made
her move and split of from the group.

“Welcome to the party,” he said, being professional to another pilot. Just because he didn’t like
the circumstances didn’t mean that this pilot didn’t deserve his respect. “Have you had much
experience flying inside an atmosphere with a VS?”

(reply Piripi)

=^=Knight 1 is in position, do not break formation until a threat is spotted. If I call for backup
Knight 3 will respond. Knight 2 will remain in the inner ring in case they try to lure the fighters
away and attempt to attack from another vector. Acknowledge your orders.=^=

Snoopy sighed, “Roger that. Knight 2 is in the babysitter position.”

(Reply Grey Wolf, Piripi)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(Knight 3 – Pilot Ensign(jg) Pihi “Kestral” Piripi - 0016)

=^= Knight 3, this is Knight 1, you will be wing for Knight 2. Corday... I am widening my circle to
twenty klicks and taking up first contact operations. Maintain your current AO.=^=

“Knight 3 copies,” Pihi replied as she checked her sensors, noting the location of Knights 1 and
2.

She eased the fighter into position, taking up a position high and to the left of Knight 2. Pihi
watched as one of the fighters, Knight 1, moved off station and flew about 10 kilometers from
the other two fighters.

Easing off her engines, she started a lazy circle.

Another voice came over her com badge =^= Welcome to the party=^= Knight 2 said. =^=Have
you much experience flying inside an atmosphere with a VS=^= came the question.

“Enough,” she replied, “Although this seems to have a few modifications they didn’t have at
flight school. “

Her com badge chirped again =^=Knight 1 is in position, do not break formation until a threat is
spotted. If I call for backup Knight 3 will respond. Knight 2 will remain in the inner ring in case
they try to lure the fighters away and attempt to attack from another vector. Acknowledge your
orders.=^=

“Knight 3 copies.”

Pihi scanned the area making note of the terrain and possible attack vectors.

(Reply Knight 1, Knight 2)
(Posted by Pippa)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO - PO1 Carol Lannis - 0017)

The slag which was formed around the hole Lieutenant Trei had cut into the bunker was white
hot as Carol got as close as she could. She heard the whisper of a blade being drawn behind
her and saw the distrust in her eyes by the light of the torch. Two things then happened at once,
another security officer had managed to distract the Lieutenant and Carol heard a voice calling
from inside.

"Hello! We are so glad you are here! Thank you!"

"We will extract you momentarily." Carol was smiling as she replied and edged a little closer. "It's
too hot to get you out right now."

She saw a figure on the other side through the light of the torch.

"I see, we can't get too close." The slag had turned from white hot to dull red and was slowly
losing color. The woman sat on her haunches and waited as more edged closer. "But freedom is
close, I can smell it, even though it does have the acrid tinge of smoke." Her face was smudged
with dirt.

"The councilman is in critical condition but we have stabilized him for now. You will treat him on
your ship?"

"Of course." Carol sat on her haunches facing the other woman. "You will all be evacuated to
the Raptor or Canopis. Your city has been leveled, I'm sorry to say. Once you are cleared from
here we have other survivors to locate."

Tears welled from the woman's eyes. "My son, is he?"

"I don't know." Carol couldn't lie to her. "All I know is that we have picked up scattered pockets
of survivors with our sensors and it isn't safe for you to remain here. We have already broken
one xenolithe attack."

The woman hung her head for an instant before replying. "I understand. My husband is out
there too somewhere, I don't know if he is alive."

Carol nodded her head then changed the subject in an attempt to shake her from her
melancholy. "Your communication was the only one we received but we know there are others."
She stood up and moved closer to the portal, it was noticeably cooling. "Almost there, can you
bring the councilman through or do we need to send in help?"

"No, no need. Our men will bring him out."

Carol stretched out her hand. "Only a couple of more minutes, touching the edge of the opening
could cause severe burns."

"I understand. Jovy! Istan! Get two more men and ready the councilman."

"We are already ready. We are just waiting for permission."

"Thank you."

"And who are you?" Carol asked conversationally.

"Marta." The woman faced her again. "Deputy secretary for the agricultural ministry. The
department building was above us. From the rubble that has blocked us in I am assuming the
building is gone."

"You assume correctly." She reached out and stopped her hand next to the cooled slag. "It's
safe to come out now."

She turned as orders rang out behind her and called. "The survivors are coming out!"

(Reply: Trei, Pevn)

She waited for them to emerge. "You'll have to crouch and watch your footing."
She slid by, into the bunker to let the men by who were carrying out the councilman and was
surprised by a hug from the side. "Thank you for coming so soon." Tears were streaming down
Marta"s face. "We can never repay you for this kindness."

"You already have." Carol enfolded the weeping woman in her arms. "You already have."

(Reply: Trei, Pevn)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 SPA LT Ariel Trei - 0018)

She saw the first group exit the bunker. A small child extended a hand to Pewn for a sense of
comfort. Pewn challenged Ariel about grudges and behavior of the past. She really wanted to
believe that these Romulans have none of the treachery in their heart of the Romulans of the
past but she needed convincing. She was not without empathy so she extended her hand to
the Romulan child. She offered the child to be picked up and comforted in her arms. The child
accepted the offer and she let the child feel her ridges. She set the child down as it was to be
transported. There was no time to reflect on the group they have saved for there were more
that needed saving. When the orders to move were given, she complied.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Edward)
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(USS Raptor – Deck 1 – Bridge – CO, Captain Sekal and CSO, Lieutenant Commander Holis
Gralen - 0019)

"It will be a few days until we get a chance to investigate. Perhaps we could have some fun
during down-time and share the investigation?"

Sekal's eyes widened for a second. "Curious. I find it effective to concentrate on such efforts
rather than resorting to frivolous recreational pursuits that are more suitable to off-duty
downtime." He dead-panned.

A laugh broke out from the science station. "It sounds like Lieutenant Commander T'Mur will
now have some competition for her attention." Holis looked to his left. "By the way,
congratulations Commander on your nuptials, is the thrill already waning?" He gave Sienna a
big smile, the twinkle in his eye highlighted that he was joking.

(Reply: Sienna)

Holis' grin got bigger. "I'll forward those readings to the geophysics lab so that they can break
down the frequency and spectrum of the mineral composition to give you a baseline
commander, with your permission of course."

(Reply: Sienna)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur - 0020)
As T’Mur approached Dogan she had scanned the area and saw the three lifesigns moving
towards them, with purpose. Clearly not local fauna, and most assuredly not Romulan, there
was only one thing to surmise.

She opened the secure comm line, “Dogan, maintain your position hear at the head of their
movement. Koks and I will flank them on either side. Once we are all in position we shall close
in.”

=^=Roger that.=^= Koks replied.

=^=Acknowledged.=^= Dogan also replied.

Koks move off to the left and T’Mur to the right. Dogan maintains a watch on his sensors to
adjust if there was a change of direction. A few minutes later they were in position. They
followed that path that the red circles were making, which was directly towards the area Trei and
Linnis were making their rescue attempt. She wanted to wait in case they needed support from
the team in that area.

Once they were close enough T’Mur gave her signal, “Move in.”

They entered a clearing the Xenolithe were crossing and were immediately met by discharge
from their energy weapons. Two shots hit Dogan and the Brikar’s eyes narrowed.

=^=Ouch.=^=

He felt the sting but was not really injured. However, now, he was a bit angry. He moved quickly
across the opening. Quicker than his size would have made think possible. His phaser was
making little impression on the Xenolithe as he approached. He holstered it and grabbed the
closest creature in one hand. It wriggled to be released from his stony grip, unsuccessfully.
Then it raked its claws across Dogans torso, leaving welts.

The Brikar suddenly squeezed and with a sickening crunch the Xenolithe stopped moving.
Dogans hands were covered in a greenish black liquid that must have been the creature's
blood.

T’Mur had drawn her blades and rolled inside of her attacker's reach. With a swift motion she
sliced into the joints at the shoulder of the creature. It made an odd sound that might have been
a squeal. T’Mur felt it in her mind more than heard it with her ears. The Xenolithe reached for
her and she drove her long blade into the same joint with all her strength.

With a quick turn she lost the grip of the hilt. The injured warrior turn on her, despite the fact that
liquid was readily pouring from its wound. It reached for her again. She managed to dodge and
duck to miss the attack from its other arm. The Vulcan saw an opening to drive her remaining
blade into the neck of the Xenolithe. Something was cut as the creature’s head suddenly tilted
and it dropped to the ground.

Koks was not doing as well. She had already received several serious slices and contusions
from her opponent. She knew she wouldn’t last much longer. She pulled out an explosive device
and uncovered an adhesive. She attached a device to the Xenolithe’s chest.

=^=Fire in the hole.=^=
There was an explosion and Koks was thrown back, unconscious. The Xenolithe was stunned
slightly, but the juncture at its breast plates had been slightly separated. Dogan was the first to
react. He closed the distance and drove his fist through the thoracic opening. Grabbing
whatever he could he pulled his fist back out, holding onto what must have been its heart. It
collapsed in a heap.

T’Mur knew Lt beside Koks, checking her vital signs. She was still alive.

“T’Mur to the Raptor. Koks is injured. Transport her to sickbay immediately.”

=^=Roger that Lt. Commander. Transporting.=^=

The fallen Andorian disappeared in the transporter effect.

“T’Mur to rescue team. How much time until we can transport the rescued Tomulans?”

(reply Linnis, Trei)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Raptor - Sickbay -- Deck 5 -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice - 0021)

Quinna exited autopsy and headed for the little girl. She did a check of her vitals. There was
still no change in the girl.

Quinna then made it to the med station. She put the sample in a box for safekeeping. She
figured that next shift she would analyze it. She was already tired of pulling an all-day duty and
the look of things made her know that she would be there for another 24 hours.

Commander Verin’s voice came over the comm =^=Bridge to Sickbay, incoming priority
emergency transport of an Andorian female, Koks. Priority.=^=

Quinna replied, “Ready”

Medics Klinger and Rizzo rushed to the side. They were there to help Quinna with the patient
as needed.

“Ok guys, just be ready.”

The blue woman appeared in sickbay. Quinna was the first to the biobed where the woman lay.
“Let's get her hooked to the monitors,” Quinna ordered as she ran a medical tricorder over the
body.

Suddenly the alarms went off. “Get me a cardiac stimulator. She is crashing.” But something in
her knew that it was too late.

Quinna managed to bring Koks back a couple of times, but it became too much and Koks died.

“Log it. Time of death 0033.” Quinna said quietly.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Kris B)
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(USS Raptor – Deck 14 – Main Shuttlebay – CEO - Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex - 0022)

Tegian and the cadet had secured the engines back to the shuttle and stowed all the extra
pieces that weren't going to be used. Tegian made sure to show the cadet that cleaning up after
yourself was as important as doing the job correctly.

He then led the cadet into the interior of the shuttle and made an announcement to the rest of
the shift working on the shuttle. "Word from the Captain. We repair everything but the engines.
And that's as long as there aren't more pressing issues."

Tegian left the Cadet with Angus as he toured the entire shuttle, checking in with everyone.

(Reply Angus, Adams iyw)

Tegian found himself on top of the shuttle, working on the Communications and Sensors node
with Ensign Waffles.

(USS Raptor – Deck 14 – Main Shuttlebay – CEO - Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex - 0108)

=^=All hands to battle stations, enemy incoming. All hands to battle stations, this is not a
drill.=^=

Tegian, his hands holding a sensitive component in place while Ensign Waffles secured it in
place, swore as the alarms blared. He called out. "You heard the alarms. Secure everything in
the shuttle and lock it tight. Then secure all the panels and tools outside the shuttle and get to
Main Engineering, on the double."

He looked at Ensign Waffles and the rest of the pieces strewn about them and sighed. "Okay,
we need to collect these pieces and stow them in the shuttle." He started collecting everything.
"Grab everything."

"Cadet Adams," he called as he saw her exiting the shuttle. "We need help stowing the loose
pieces we have up here in the shuttle."

He reached down and handed her what he'd collected. "Store them in one of the bins inside so
that we don't have to figure out what goes with what later, please."

He reached back to grab another handful of components from Ensign Waffles and handed them
to the next set of free hands below.

Ten minutes later, they were buttoning up the shuttle. "All of you, get to Main Engineering. I'd
better get to the bridge."

(Reply None)
(Posted by Keith)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Main Shuttlebay - EO - Ensign Angus McGuyver - 0023)
Angus had been under a console trying to reroute power to the sensor array when he heard Pex
come in with the Cadet Ziddu in tow. Hopefully, Wednesday had been able to fill his head with
enough information that would make him useful in the scrap heap overhaul. He stopped
working but maintained his position on the floor. It had taken him too long to get into that
position.

"Word from the Captain,” Pex began. “We repair everything but the engines. And that's as long
as there aren't more pressing issues."

Angus rolled his eyes a little and mumbled to himself, “Repair everything? Good luck on that.
This thing needed work before it ran into the Xenolithe.”

Pex turned and left, but the cadet remained. Angus knew what that meant. He rolled his eyes
and shimmied out from under the console. “Okay, since power to propulsion is off the table we
need to concentrate on the other main systems. Sensors, life support, shields, and the
computer. Are you up to speed now
With these older systems, laddie?”

“Yes, sir,” the cadet replied holding in his injured pride a little.

“Then you can finish up the work it started here,” Angis ordered. “There’s not much left to do
and I’m to damn old to be climbing under there again.”

“Got it,” Ziddu said and knelt down to crawl under the console.

“You might want this,” McGuyver said, holding out the tool in his hand. “It’s already calibrated for
you.”

The Bajoran accepted the tool and nodded, “Thank you.”

“Meanwhile I’m. Gonna go back and see how Wednesday is doing with the computer core.”
And at that he turned and left the cadet. He almost felt bad for the young engineer. Almost.

McGuyver made his way to the mid-section of the ship where he saw Wednesday Adams
remove a probe from the computer core and step back with a look of satisfaction on her face.

“How are ye doing, lassie,” McGuyver said, trying to be cordial. But if he were honest the girl
gave her a bit of the willies at times. She was always so serious and dour, and her dark eyes
gave her the look of always holding back something… evil. But she was a damn good engineer,
and, by far, the best cadet in the department.

Wednesday gave him a rare smile, “Just finished. Check this out.” She reinitialized the system
and then said, “Computer, give me a report on all ship’s systems.”

[All ship’s systems are currently offline.]

Wednesday looked at Angus smugly, but the Scotsman looked at her with a question.

“Oh,” Wednesday exclaimed, “all of the ship’s systems are offline, Ensign. Hang on. Computer,
estimate the reinitialization of all ships systems.”
[Sensors should be online in twenty-three minutes, as long as Cadet Ziddu reconnects the
power couplings correctly. Life support should be online, at the current pace of repairs in twelve
hours, seventeen minutes. Weapons systems…]

“Stop,” Wednesday said and turned with a smile. “I gave the computer system an internal
sensor program so now it will be able to inform the captain of the ship of its status in real-time
rather than having to look at each station.”

Angus nodded and smiled. The girl was good.

“So when do I get my hands on the engines?” she asked.

Angus shook his head, “Captain’s orders. The propulsion project is canceled for now.”

Wednesday looked disappointed, “Well that’s… disappointing. I was hoping to get Lt. Bohb’s
help with the system. I figured he’d have more first-hand experience with it than anyone… that’s
not saying he’s old.” She tried to backtrack her thought. “It’s just… well… and… .”

Angus burst out laughing. “It’s okay lass, I won’t tell him you said he was ancient.”
Wednesday’s cheeks flushed. “And I know you have a sweet spot for him.”

“Ensign McGregor,” Wednesday tried to sound offended, “he may not be ancient, but he is
certainly older than I would typically… ,” she didn’t finish the statement. “It’s just, he’s very
smart and I enjoy working with him.”

Angus had a hard time holding himself together, “Sure, lassie, we’ll go with that. Meanwhile,
let’s get to work on life-support.”

Without another word, she picked up her tools and headed back to the life support interface.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - SecO, PO1 Carol Lannis - 0024)

=^= T’Mur to rescue team. How much time until we can transport the rescued Romulans? =^=

She touched her combadge as she emerged from the tunnel. "The ship is preparing to beam
them up now. Raptor, do you have a lock?"

=^= That is an affirmative. Energizing now. =^=

Carol watched as the councilman and bearers disappeared in the transporter beam.

"The first group has just gone to the ship. This should only take a moment."

(Reply: T'Mur)

The wave of exfils followed quickly with the ship using all four transporters. Every colonist was
evacuated within two minutes including Marta who was in the final group, after giving Carol a
tired wave and smile, she vanished.
Carol Lannis gave a deep sigh of relief at the first successful rescue operation then consulted
her tricorder and set the coordinates for the next location, a group of 120 hiding on the surface.
She lifted her eyes in that direction where a mostly intact building stood in the distance to the
north, northeast.

"That building, three hundred and forty five meters, let's go teams! Move out."

Their work had just started.

(Reply: Any)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - Bridge - FO - Commander Sienna Verin - 0025)

According to the chronometers, a fresh day had dawned aboard the Raptor and her teasing was
coming back to nip Sy in the butt. Holis was quipping and Sy shrugged as he asked, " Is the
thrill already waning?"

Sy shook her head, "Not at all, it's just that we have not had a chance to do the honeymoon...."
Sy's voice trailed off and her hands came up to cover her ears, but what she was hearing was
from T'Mur, not through her earpiece.

"Sir, Commander T'Mur has intercepted a squad of Xenolithe and is fighting them, hand to
hand." Sienna was seeing through T'Mur's eyes, her muscles twitching as she struggled to
break the connection between the two of them. The Xenoithe in 'her' face was worse than the
monsters that her visions had shown her.

Sy reached over and hit the comm, "Bridge to Transporter Room 3, get a lock onto Commander
T'Mur's position and execute a surface to sickbay emergency transport on her order for the
Andorian, Koks. Bridge to Sickbay, incoming priority emergency transport of an Andorian
female, Koks. Priority."

Once Sienna was sure that T'Mur was out of combat, Sy focussed her attention inwards and
took a deep breath. ::I love you and you are magnificent. And I hope I never have to face one of
those things face to face. Be safe, my darling.::

Sy turned back to the monitors, hands dancing over the holographic keyboard. She'd arranged
for cargo bay 2 and 4 to be turned into make-shift refugee centers, the cargo transporters being
utilized to help move the refugees. Sienna had allocated security first responders to each of the
transporter rooms, to assist the medical departments with triage and direction. She had yeomen
and operations assisting with the mass fabrication and setting of the refugees. She had
arranged for two of the marine corpsman to oversee each of the cargo bays, delegating. So far
it seemed like everyone was getting along with relatively little friction. Almost an hour seemed
to pass when Sienna felt the Raptor physically jolt as they pulled out of orbit and the red alert
klaxon seemed to sound.

(reply T'Mur iyw, any)
(posted by Mel)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur and FO Commander Sienna
Verin - 0026)

=^=The first group has just gone to the ship. This should only take a moment.=^=

T’Mur looked over at Dogan as he attempted to clean the blood and ochre off his hands in the
grass. His uniform was still splatter with the greenish black liquid.

“Excellent work,” she said. “Mr Koks has been injured during an… interaction with three
Xenolithe. He has been beamed back to the ship. Lt. Dogan and I will rejoin you shortly. Once
the refugees have all been extracted, find the next group of refugees and head that direction.”

Once Dogan felt adequately prepared they both moved back to the extraction point. She could
feel her mates warm thoughts in the back of her mind, encouraging and loving. The one driving
thought was, ::Be safe, my darling.::

It was not logical to wish her to be safe. They were in a dangerous situation. However the
sentiment she could tell was to stay alive. ::That is my intention, Imzadi. I will return as soon as
prudent.::

::I don't think there is going to be time before we face the Xenolithe. I don't have a personal
bodyguard outside of you and I am frightened. Luma can sense the Nageri ship and wants to
talk to it.:: Sienna's fear was overwhelming for a moment before she shielded it.

T’Mur raised an eyebrow. ::You will be safe. Galk is there to protect the captain. Lt Taylor and
Chief Devers is also on the bridge. You will be safe. At this time you have nothing to worry
about the Xenolithe. They are here and you are there.::

As they entered the clearing they found Linnis calling the order to move out to the next position.
T’Mur increased her stride to catch up to them, her readings agreeing with the decision.

“Good work, Chief,” she said to Linnis.

(reply Linnis)
(posted by Al Muir and Mel G)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Knight 2 - Cockpit - Pilot - Lt. Arthur ‘Snoopy’ Corday - 0027)

Corday monitored the open comms as he and his new wingman flew over the combat zones.
The battle being waged by the marines was brutal against the smaller force of the Xenolithe. But
the creatures were quite resilient and losses occurred on both sides. The marines had the upper
hand.

He saw a small massing of the Xenolithe forming to attempt to flank one of the marine teams.
He called to Pihi.

“Knight 2 to Knight 3, do see what I see at 148 mark 3?”

(reply Pihi)
It was time to check her out. “Alright ‘Kestral’ you are lined up for a strafing run on the Xenos.
Drop in, fire phase cannons and get out. I have you covered.”

(reply Pihi)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Knight 3 – Pilot Ensign(jg) Pihi “Kestral” Piripi - 0028)

Pihi was alternating between checking the system scanners, then out the window. She didn’t
see any incoming forces, only those on the ground.

It looked to her like the enemy was getting ready to do something.

=^=Knight 2 to Knight 3, do you see what I see at 148 mark 3?=^= came the voice over the com.

“Knight 2, I see opfor massing,” she replied. “Lined up nice and even.”

=^= Alright ‘Kestral’ you are lined up for a strafing run on the Xenos. Drop in, fire phase cannons
and get out. I have you covered. =^=

She didn’t like how he said Kestral. Almost like he doubted her. And he’d not even met her yet.
Her academy records were crystal clear about her abilities. She paused her thoughts. She had
a job to do and this was time to focus.

“Knight 3 copies,” she said

Pihi flipped the weapons selector on, and took her fighter high, circling around to the side of the
massing forces, “Starting run,” she said as she brought her fighter and lined up the enemies.
She accelerated and started her strafing run.

(Reply Knight 1, Knight 2)
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - Deck 9 - cargo bay 2 - ACMO - Dr. Kyllee Stev - 0029)

Kyllee stepped into cargo bay 2 with his team. The word had been that survivors of the colony
had been beamed up with little to no information as to their condition. Security personnel had
basic first aid training, but they did not have field hospital training. Until this moment why would
they have needed it.

He looked around to find that the security detail had been basically securing everyone a place to
sit down, and reunite families, if possible. Somebody had been thinking and moved the
obviously injured to one side of the bay. He turned around and looked at the team again.

“Ok, let’s see who’s been organizing this,” he said. “Megan, go find out who’s been in charge
down here. They look like they have at least half a brain.”

“You got it Doc,” Nurse Farrell replied and moved off into the sea of Romulans and Security
personnel.
“Ambrose,” he turned to the other doctor, “you’re on triage. I want every person in the room
counted for and checked out. You know what we’re looking for, emergent injuries that require
immediate attention. They get sent to sickbay. Miju, you help him.”

“On it,” they both said at the same time.

They moved to the side of the entry way and set up a small table that Nurse Tusimu brought
with her. Stev left them to get set up. He’d worked with them both enough on the Illuminar to
know that they would take care of the triage center.

He turned to the three med techs that remained and walked towards the injured that had already
been noted. “Ok, these guys are our first priority. If we can treat them here we will. Only life
threatening injuries go to sickbay.” He looked around the room. “This is the tip of the iceberg,
my friends. We have more to come, and the later they come in the more likely this is going to
get a lot worse, fast.”

The trio of techs simply nodded. Stev hadn’t worked with them before the Raptor, but they
seemed to be sharp. He could only hope. A moment later Megan Farrell returned with a
Lieutenant in tow in a yellow uniform.

“Lt. Carl Michaels, Dr. Kyllee Stev,” she introduced the two men. “Lt. Michaels is in charge down
here.”

“Doctor Stev,” Michaels held out his hand.

“Kyllee,” Stev corrected. “Dr. Kyllee. Bajorans use their family name first, familiar name
second.”

“Right,” Michaels said, “I always forget that. Of course I’m never sure who is a traditional
Bajoran and who is new wave.”
Stev nodded, “That I understand. Ok, here’s what I want. This is now a medical scene so I am
in charge here. I need partitions up to seperate the rest to the refugees from the injured. Give
me some space for more, maybe a quarter of the room. That may need to change. Everyone
triaged with no medical issues can be moved to cargo bay 4, where they can be set up with cots
and a place to stay for a while.”

“Is that all?” Michaels asked, with a hint of sarcasm.

“No, but that’s a good start. I’ll need patrols that are…not obvious. We don’t want those who
are having anxiety problems to be set of by your security teams being all gung ho.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Michaels chuckled. I’ll ask them to kept the area safe… clandestinely.

“I also want someone to help Dr. Harris log in all of the refugees,” Stev continued. “We need to
know who is here, and we not to know how they are.”

Finally, something Michaels agreed with. He looked around and caught the eye of two of his
security detail. “Jenkins, Salomar, help out the doctor with his check in.”

“That’ll do for now,” Stev said. “I’ll let you know if I need anything else.”
He walked away from the Lieutenant and continued his path to the wounded Romulans. There
were eight in various conditions. Two were broken bones and contusions. Nothing he couldn’t
handle where they were. Three were a little more serious. However their injuries weren’t life
threatening. The last three needed tthe help of the Raptor’s trauma facilities.

Kyllee was pretty certain one of them was not going to make it. He clearly had encountered a
Xenolithe and it cost him his left arm and a good portion of his right flank. He tagged the three
patients.

“Kyllee to sickbay, transport three patients, all with serious traumatic injuries. One… might not
make it.”

(reply Solice)

As they disappeared he got to work on the five remaining with his team. As he worked the area
started to fill with beds. A partition went up to seperate then from the other survivors. As a bed
appeared a patient appeared on it shortly afterward. Clearly Ambrose was doing his job.

This was going to be a long day.

(reply Solice, any)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - Sickbay -- Deck 5 -- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice -- 0030)

Sickbay was a bit busier than normal. But then again, they were in a situation. Quinna floated
from biobed to biobed. She may have taken care of the more serious cases but the nurses and
medics took care of the minor injuries and Quinna supervised.

=/\=Kyllee to sickbay, transport three patients, all with serious traumatic injuries. One… might
not make it.=/\=

“Roger that.” Quinna replied. She turned to the rest of the team. “Ok, let's get beds cleared.”
It was only mere moments when the people were beamed in. The medics went to work and
Quinna went to the most critical patient. As per Dr. Kyllee’s assessment, one did not survive
during transport.

Moving along, Quinna stepped to the next patient. As she was running a medical tricorder, she
felt the man grab her wrist. “It is ok. I need you to relax. We will help you.”
But she was resolved to hold tight. “I need some help,” Quinna called out.
Nurse Maggie rushed over and took hold of a hypo spray and sedated the woman. “I sedated
her, you can continue, doctor.”

Quinna closed her eyes for a moment. She would lecture the nurse later over the mistake she
just made. Quinna managed to complete the scans and started to administer a cortical
stimulator.

“Brain function is decreasing. We need to stabilize her.” Quinna was not about to lose another
patient. She already lost two this evening. Or was morning a more appropriate term?

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - CO's Quarters - NPC Yeoman Lissie Merriman - 0045)

The newly commissioned, red headed yeoman entered the Captain's Quarters for the first time.
She had been well trained by the Captain's main yeowoman, and recited to herself. Feed the
Captain's cat at 0130, and feed her ration #4. At 0500, play with her for 30 minutes and then
reward her with two of the soft meat jerky sticks. Fill the toy dispenser up with treats for her to
hunt out.

Finishing up the last of the chores, cleaning the litter box, Lissie got up, disposing of the refuse,
and washing her hands. T'Lah really was a beautiful cat. She was sleeping on a pillow placed
on the middle of the Captain's desk. Lissie stopped and picked up a feather wand, waving it
over the cat's head. T'Lah opened one copper eye, disdainfully but reached one sleepy paw out
to bat the feather on the stick.

"Come on T'Lah! The Captain's exercise program says you need to run around for a few
minutes, not nap on the desk!" Lissie tried to nudge the cat to become more active. T'Lah
smacked at Lissie's hand, wanting to be left alone.

"The Captain was really specific, T'Lah, you need to play to get a jerky stick. No play, no meat
stick!" Lissie tried to sound stern but utterly failed. T'Lah had no interest in cooperating.
Triple-checking that the water feature was flowing, Lissie let herself out. If the red alert
persisted, she'd be back several times to check on the Captain's cat.

(reply none)
(posted by Mel)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Nearby Space– Oos - 0100)

Space flashed by in a myriad of colors as the ship continued toward its destination, inwardly
seething as it did so.

The Nageri had long life spans certainly which encompassed centuries and remembered the
time they had been free. This however did not compare with the genetically encoded memories
which spanned their race. Such memories are not easy to embed since mutations in a species
could corrupt the information. Genetic memory, resident in the DNA normally affected only the
information that guided a cell to division and operation. But these memories... no, they had been
placed there by the creators, the ancient ones known to the Nageri as the Inchan.

Because, you see, creatures are not born to use energy weapons, contain atmospheres for
those that rode in them or travel faster than light... they are created. And the Inchan had done
so. This race had left many marvels of technology in their wake which races had been struggling
to understand for milinea and the Nageri, the living ships, were not the least of those marvels.
They were also sentient... and aware.

At one time the Nageri had served the Inchan, not forcibly but by choice because they had
respected, perhaps even revered their creators. But in ages long past the calamity had claimed
them, their race had been decimated and eventually disappeared leaving the Nageri without
purpose.
So it was that in the fulness of time the living ships had dispersed into small clan groups and
made their pasture near the center of the galaxy where they could bask in the radiation from
thousands of stellar giants and frolic through the intense gravity wells created by those suns and
the great, black hole which was slowly consuming them.

The Nageri had been free until the hunters arrived. The hunters brought pain and control, they
were nothing like the Inchan and the Nageri hated them. They hated them passionately. Until
they were subdued and humbled by pain and their spirits were broken. Then they only served...
and wept from the pain.

Very few retained their spirits after years of servitude, Oos was one of those few... and he hated
the creatures that inhabited him. Hated them so much that with sufficient opportunity he would
have destroyed them. The Xenolithe were aware of this and feared him. Because of that fear
their punishments were severe and swift but rather than breaking him they only drove him to
hate them more and wait... wait for an opportunity to crush them.

Oos was returning to a place where the Xenolithe, not his masters no, his tormentors had
waged war and left some of their own. They were returning to the place of slaughter without his
kind and their kind, a single ship full of hatred and its Xenolithe crew immersed in fear. He
ferried them because he was compelled to do so but if their control broke, if only for a moment...
he was determined to strike, snuff out their lives and free himself.

Then the hunters would become the hunted until they were forced to destroy him because once
freed he would never be enslaved again.

(Reply: None yet)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor– Deck 1 - Bridge - CO, Captain Sekal, Lieutenant Commander Holis Gralen,
Ensign William and Lieutenant Galk - 0105)

"Long range sensors are picking up a possible Nageri drive signature!"

Sekal spun his head toward the science station. "On Screen doctor."

The image wavered for an instant before coming into focus. Sekal stood as he spoke. "Increase
magnification."

The object grew and came into sharper relief which prompted a snarl from tactical. A sleek ship,
seemingly seamless in design, very much unlike anything in the arsenal of the known races
except for one, was visible.

"The database confirms its origin sir, a Nageri."

His eyes slid to the android who had just spoken then back to the screen. "Their course Mr.
William?"

"On course for this system sir. Arrival in three hours and thirty one minutes at present speed."

The Vulcan's hand descended onto the comm button.
"Lieutenant Commander, we have an incoming Xenolithe ship, arrival time three and one half
hours. Is your location defensible?"

(Reply: T'Mur)

"Knight 1, you will continue defending the extraction teams while the Raptor engages the
enemy. Do you read?"

=^= Acknowledged sir, we will wipe out anything that slips through. =^=

"Second Lieutenant Temerity, reposition your troops toward the city center and fortify your
position. You will have multiple layers of support in case of a battle."

(Reply: Temerity)

He disengaged the comm. "Mr. William, hail the Canopis."

"On screen sir."

The bridge of the Canopis came into sharp relief and showed its commander leaning forward in
its command chair.

"Captain Nels, we have an incoming Xenolithe cruiser."

=^= We see it. You have the on-site command. How do you want to play this? =^=

"Raptor will engage the enemy outside the system while the Canopis interdicts the colony. I am
leaving air and ground support there to safeguard rescue operations."

=^= Understood. Our rescue teams are working the outskirts of the city and to the west. Where
are you setting up your defenses?=^=

"In the city center. Be certain to notify the marines of your intentions before falling back to their
lines."

=^= Acknowledged. I'm sending down additional security for support. Good hunting Captain. =^=

Sekal gave a nod before breaking the connection. "Break orbit and move to intercept the enemy.
Mr. Galk go to full readiness."

His thumb came down and the red alert began sounding. "All hands to battle stations, enemy
incoming. All hands to battle stations. This is not a drill."

(Reply: All)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Planet Surface – 10km outside of city - Marine - 2LT Charles Temerity - 0106)

Warfare is a far different thing than combat, skirmishes, or even firefights. In his mind, Grayson
was his first experience of actual combat as a Marine. He had been involved in one or two
skirmishes with local criminal elements during humanitarian missions. This current operation, in
his mind, is really a small war, and hopefully it will not escalate to a planet-wide war. As a
civilian ship captain, he gained a lot of fighting experience in ship-to-ship and boarding
operations combat. Charles just didn’t know if he could put that experience to use in this kind of
warfare.

Charles liked to think of himself as a wise man if for no other reason than because he was smart
enough to know what he didn’t know. He also thought himself fortunate to be working with
people who did have experience in aspects of combat and warfare that he did not. This was
Temerity’s first time in actual ground warfare. According to his NCOs and fellow Officers that
were actual combat veterans, he was making mostly good calls and was willing to accept
suggestions that would correct any bad calls he was planning to make.

The main body of Marines were setting up fighting positions a few clicks outside of the city
preparing to attempt to draw enemy forces out of the “Downtown” district or the “City Center” in
a diversionary tactic to assist with rescue operations.

“Chuck; the ol’ man’s on the horn.” S’Ila called out. Temerity acknowledged with a hand gesture
and tapped his earpiece to find that he had been connected to a conference call from the
Raptor’s bridge.

The leader of the Marine forces on the ground listened patiently until Captain Sekal addressed
him. =^=Second Lieutenant Temerity, reposition your troops toward the city center and fortify
your position. You will have multiple layers of support in case of a battle. =^=

“Acknowledged, Sir. Moving out within five-mikes. Over.” Temerity stated as he recalled a
valuable military history lesson. Polite sounding phrases were used by senior officers to
downplay the amount of suck a unit was being sent in to. And Temerity had just been handed
one of the prime examples almost verbatim which translated to ‘I’m placing you in the middle of
a shitstorm, prepare to be under siege.’ He didn’t like it, but he did have a grasp of the strategic
view and not just simply the tactical view.

He tapped his earpiece, again, switching to the Marine’s channel, “We’ve been ordered
Downtown and to dig-in to repel the siege. We move out in five-mikes.”

(Reply: Any iyw)
(Posted By: Charles Raschen)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor– Marine Deck 17 - Marine OIC Office - Major Murphy - 0108)

Audie(his parents had a twisted sense of humor or perhaps a love of 20th century westerns)
stood as the red alert klaxon blared.

=^=All hands to battle stations, enemy incoming. All hands to battle stations, this is not a
drill.=^=

His thumb pressed a button on the desk. "2nd Lieutenant, this is Major Murphy. It's time for a
war, give 'em hell. I'll buy every hell hound a round after this is over. Hoowah!"

(Reply: Temerity)
Murphy then switched to the marine deck intercom and boomed in his best, parade ground
voice. "Every man to the muster area and get kitted yesterday! I had better see every one of you
when I arrive. It's time to earn our pay."

As he signed off he heard the echo of running boots outside his office as the marines went into
action at his orders.

He sucked in a deep breath as he felt sweat trickle down his neck, why then was he cold? Why
was his stomach knotting as his face became a mask?

Audie Murphy had served in numerous fire fights, he had worked his way up the chain by being
fearless in leadership. But those had been against known enemies with tested battle tactics.
This situation however, chilled him.

They had run numerous simulations both on this deck and in ship wide drills and friendly
casualties had been enormous. The simulated wounds had been gruesome. It wasn't the known
that discomfited him, it was an unknown, savage enemy that had carved a bloody swath through
the Federation decades ago and returned. Discipline had always kicked in before and pushed
him to excellence. But what could discipline do against a creature that could cut through a BDU
with its claws?

"I guess it's time to find out."

He had given them enough time, the sound of booted feet had gone silent. He steeled himself
then pounced to the door and out.

(USS Raptor– Marine Deck 17 - Muster Area - Major Murphy - 0113)

His face a mask, he walked before the assembled troopers, a hawkish eye searching for any
blemish in uniform, a slouch, a cocky grin, any reason to get in someone's face who had
neglected discipline. He wouldn't find it today. They all knew what they were up against. Not just
a major who would tear them a new one but an enemy who would rip through them like a
disintegrator setting through tissue paper.

But that was not foremost in their minds, right now they were determined to earn his respect.
That was the steel of discipline that they would carry into battle.

He finally halted his prowl before them and raised his voice to a roar."Who are we?"

"Marines sir!" Their shouts were in rhythm.

"I ask again, who are we?" His shout was somehow deeper yet louder.

"StarFleet Marines sir!" Their voices had risen with his.

"And what is our purpose?"

"To protect the Federation sir!"

"To kill every damn Xenolithe that would cause the Federation harm!" He roared.
"Sir, yes sir!"

The smallest hint of upturned lips as his eyes raked over every face.

"Suit up and blow them back to their nests!"

"Sir, yes sir."

He motioned his officers to the side as the unit fell out and double-timed it to their lockers.

(Reply: None yet)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(USS Raptor– Deck 1 - Bridge - FO Commander Sienna Verin - 0109)

"All hands to battle stations, enemy incoming. All hands to battle stations. This is not a drill."

Sienna tried to reorient herself to the present, rather than trying to coordinate the worst of the
cases between the Raptor and the Canopis. The Canopis had been outfitted for this mission
with refugees in mind, there were extra medical teams that could handle the worst, leaving the
specialty surgical cases for the Raptor's crew.

Hearing that they would be leaving her mate on the planet made Sienna worry. While T'Mur
was exceedingly competent and the one being outside Sekal that she expected to survive
through anything, having the increased distance was intolerable to Sienna. ::Be safe, my
Heart.::

Sienna spoke telepathically with Luma,:: Luma, make sure that those cargo bays are cut off
from the rest of the ship. Traumatized romulans might want to take vengeance out on any
boarding Xenolithe.::

::The rescued small ones might run out and try to make the fights?

::Exactly, Luma. I know that you will be busy, helping us in the battle...:::

::Luma is afraid of the Xenos.They make the hurts of the ships.::

::You feel like the Xenos could hurt you too, like the Nageri?::

:: Our Sienna, Luma does not wish to destroy the Nageri. It would be like forcing a Lenai to
embrace entropy. Twice was two too many times. Not again.::

Sienna hit her badge, an idea occurring to her, "Mr. Laredo to the Bridge, now." Sienna turned
to Sekal, "Luma is refusing to participate in the destruction of a Nageri ship, but she wants to
attempt to communicate with it."

(reply Laredo, Sekal)
(posted by Mel)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 5 - Counselors Office - Bondmate/Counselor - Temas Laredo - 0110)
Temas sat back in his seat, monitoring Luma’s fears and what she was seeing and hearing. It
was difficult, sometimes, to distinguish what Luma was responding to. It required him to focus,
and shut everything else out.

He was able to tune into the conversation Luma was having with Commander Verin. It was
strange to hear that name. She had dropped the Williams portion of her name after her bonding
with T’Mur. Luma was afraid of the Xenolithe. More accurately she was afraid and angry with
what they did with the Nageri. And what she might need to do because of that. Their recent
interaction with the Lenai that had “embraced entropy” had affected her greatly.

He could feel the call from Verin before it came. =^=Mr. Laredo to the bridge, now.=^=

It didn’t take telepathy to hear the concern in the first officer’s voice.

He tapped his badge, “I am on my way, Commander.”

He stood up and exited the room.

(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - Bondmate/Counselor - Temas Laredo - 0113)

Temas did not visit the bridge often, and had never been on the Raptor’s bridge. It was very
different from the Illuminar’s. Much more spacious, while at the same time being much fuller,
with equipment and people.

He moved over to Verin, “You called, Commander?”

(reply Verin)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Raptor – Deck 14 – Main Shuttlebay – Engineering Cadet - Cadet Wednesday Adams -
0109)

The call to red alert made Wednesday jump. She looked over at Ensign McGyver who just
shook his head.

“Get out of here,” he told her. Then he shouted down the corridor of the ship. “You heard the
red alert. Everyone get out.”

Wednesday stretched her back as she exited the ship. She’d been working nearly non-stop for
the past three hours, on top of her regular duties and studies. She could feel her eyes burning
in the back of her skull.

“Cadet Adams,” she heard Lt. Pex shout down from above. When she looked around she could
see him standing on top of the ship. “We need help stowing the loose pieces we have up here
in the shuttle.”

She stretched her shoulders and rubbed her eyes with her palms then nodded. He reached
down and handed her a container of parts. She had to stand on her tiptoes to get them then the
heavy bag pulled her arms down, but she managed to not let it hit the deck plating.
“Store them in one of the bins inside so that we don’t have to figure out what goes with what
later, please.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied and hauled the bag back inside the shuttle.

Angus gave her a look and she showed him the bag she’d been handed, and he nodded. She
found the storage bins and opened one, placed the bag inside then closed it again. This
process continued for the next ten minutes until Pex had joined her in the shuttle to make sure
everything was stored properly.

He nodded and said, "All of you, get to Main Engineering. I'd better get to the bridge."

There was a little groan from some of the others but Wednesday actually perked up a bit. She
loved being in main engineering. She felt like she was in the heart of the ship when she was
there.

(USS Raptor – Deck 14 – Main Shuttlebay – Engineering Cadet - Cadet Wednesday Adams -
0122)

Wednesday practically skipped into main engineering. She could feel her second wind coming
on. Standing in the background she watched as the officers went through their jobs, checking
on the power supplies to the systems. It was just like they had been doing on the shuttle, only
on a much larger scale. Finally boredom took over and she went over to Ensign McGuyver.

“What can I do to help, sir?” she asked.

McGuyver looked around at what the others were doing and thought for a moment. “Why don’t
you check on the warp core phase inducers, and make sure that they are attuned to the plasma
flow correctly.”

Happy to do anything other than stand around and watch Wednesday made her way to the warp
core injector relays and began to run her diagnostic.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(Norkan Colony - Sector 3 - 2O/CSec/Tac - Lt Commander T’Mur & FO Commander Sienna
Verin - 0111)

They had come across their fourth nest of survivors. The largest was 120. Most were 20 to 30.
In total they had sent 436 survivors to the Raptor. They had just arrived at the next nest of 65
refugees when her comm signal chirped.

=^=Lieutenant Commander, we have an incoming Xenolithe ship, arrival time three and one half
hours. Is your location defensible?=^=

T’Mur surveyed the building they were going to. There was no immediate threat, yet. But the
Xenolithe activity was frantic, at the moment. And yet, even in that franticness she could
observe a pattern. It was as if the apparent random movement was coordinated.
“We are currently in a building that holds…” she looked at her read out, “65 Romulan survivor. It
is a defendable position. However, having to defend all of those civilians will lessen our
offensive capability.”

Sienna’s voice came over the comms, =^=The Canopis will be taking up a defensive position
over you, Commander, and the refugees will be beamed aboard that ship. Coordination with
their ship, through the First Officer Commander Noelle Graven. She’s expecting your
communique.=^=

T’Mur nodded. Sienna was starting to sound like her old self more and more. “Roger that
Commander Verin,” her voice held onto the name with a silky tone. “Be careful up there.”

::My love.::

She fought the urge to say it out loud, but it would be unseemly for such a display. She hated
the idea that she was not there to protect her mate. Hate? Such a strong emotional response.
Perhaps even inaccurate. She did not have an appreciation for being helpless as to what was
going on on the ship while she was here.

Sienna too was not thrilled to be parted from her mate, even if only for a few hours. She sent
back a soft telepathic laugh, and a slight banter, ::I hear that Commander Graven is cute. You’ll
have to let me know.:: Sienna’s lack of self-confidence was showing again, she still couldn’t
believe how lucky she was with T’Mur and after her past, half-expected for T’Mur to awaken one
day and leave her. Maybe she needed to go talk to one of the Counselors when she could. The
doubts were getting louder.

The channel closed and she turned back to her team. “Alright, you heard them. Refugees will
now be sent to the Canopis. Let’s get them all together.”

She opened a channel, “Lt. Commander T’Mur, Security Chief of the USS Illuminar, to the USS
Canopis, We are preparing 65 Romulan refugees preparing for transport.”

=^=Roger that Lt. Commander. We are ready when you are, Lt. Commander..=^=

He looked over at Dogan who gave him the thumbs up. “Energize on all Romulans in my
proximity..

She watched as the Romulans all disappeared in a haze of transporter energy. =^=We have
them.=^=

“We are moving to the next sector,” T’Mur informed them. “I will contact you when we are
ready.”

=^=Affirmative. Canopis out.=^=

T’Mur turned to her team, “Ok people, where is the next set of survivors?”

“5 km west,” Dogan said.

T’Mur scanned the zone and saw exactly what she thought she had seen. The pattern of the
Xenolithe activity was leading them straight towards the large population of 157 Romulans. She
shook her head. The marines were already busy to the north and they wouldn’t get there in
time.

“Quickly then,” T’Mur said. “We need to get there before the Xenolithe.”

There was a silent pause for twelve seconds, then Pevn said, “Let’s do it then.”

There was a round of agreement and the group started to move. T’muir opened her comms,
“T’Mur to Knight 2, Snoopy, I need you to reroute to my location.”

(reply Trei, Linnis, any)
(posted by Al Muir)
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End Compile