March 17-April4, 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mission: Exercise of Vital Powers Mission Day: 14 Stardate: 2406.10.27 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Paladin, Deck 1, Conference Room, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1700) (USS Paladin, Science Lab 2, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1705) (USS Paladin, Science Lab 2, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1835) (USS Paladin, Shield Generator Room , ACEO Ensign Alura Rathyn, 19.13) (USS Paladin, Main Engineering , CEO LT JG Steven Matrix, 19:13) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mission: Exercise of Vital Powers Mission Day: 15 Stardate: 2406.10.28 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO/Chief Ops Lt. Calvin Capps - 0943) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO/Chief Ops Lt. Calvin Capps - 0944) (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO, Captain Straton, 09:45) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/Acting SC T`Vhor - 09:45) (USS Red Claw - Cockpit - Major Menelian - 09:45) (USS Paladin, inside a turbo lift Between Deck 2 & 3, Ensign Greg Dunn, 0946) (USS Paladin - Sickbay - CMO Keller - 0950) (USS Paladin – Bridge – TAC/Acting SC T`Vhor – 09:50) (USS Paladin, Bridge, Ensign Greg Dunn, 0951) USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/Acting SC T`Vhor - 09:51) (IRW DiVhael – Vicinity of Gamma Signa IV – Bridge - Commander Talok & Tal`Shiar officer N`alea – 09:55) (USS Paladin - Bridge - Acting CSO Joran Matthew Brownlee - 09:59) (IRW Dihvael - Bridge - Commander Talok – Sub Commander Selerk - 09:59) (USS Paladin, Bridge, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1000) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO/Chief Ops Lt. Calvin Capps - 1000) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO/Chief Ops Lt. Calvin Capps - 1000) (USS Paladin, Bridge, Ensign Greg Dunn, 1000) (USS Paladin, Bridge, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1005) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Exercise of Vital Powers Mission Day: 14 Stardate: 2406.10.27 (USS Paladin, Deck 1, Conference Room, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1700) The A-CSO turned to him. "Lt.," he started. "Yes sir?" "I want you to see if you can get anything out of those scans of the cloaking system. Pin down where it came from." "Aye sir. I'll get right on it!" With that Shane headed right for his office and the lab facilities. (posted by Andrew) (USS Paladin, Science Lab 2, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1705) Shane downloaded all the data he had managed to extract from the Warbird's databanks onto his padds and entered them into the Paladin's database. He set up a program to decrypt the data he had gathered and to immediately alert him when it found anything related to the Romulan cloaking systems. (posted by Andrew) (USS Paladin, Science Lab 2, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1835) Shane was sipping on a mug of tea when the computer began beeping at him. It had discovered something about the cloaking device that the Romulan's had installed aboard the Warbird. Shane looked at the data being displayed on the screen. "That can't be right", he said. While he looked over the data again himself he ordered the computer to review the data a second time. Then he sent a message to A-CSO Brownlee. [The decrypted data from the Romulan Warbird indicates that they were utilizing a new type of cloaking technology. They got the technology from another race that they encountered. I haven't yet determined any clues as to who this alien race were or what their relationship with the Romulans is but I will keep trying. It might be prudent to warn Commander MacKenzie that they could experience trouble with the cloak and to avoid its use until we determine what caused it to malfunction for the Romulans, allowing us to detect it. Schofield] (posted by Andrew) (USS Paladin, Shield Generator Room , ACEO Ensign Alura Rathyn, 19.13) Alura looked over the gleeming white surface of a device that was little bigger than the palm that held it. It was really incredible to think about the immense power that ran through a small plasma switch. But much of the ship's shield capacity depended on twenty of the small, roughly pyramidal-shaped mechanisms to maintain the immense flow of megajoules that protected every life form on the ship. The Paladin's shields had lost almost 80 percent of their capacity during the short firefight with the War Bird and the captain wanted repairs completed as soon as possible. A thorough diagnostic of the shielding system found that the problem at least in part lay in the switches. Rathyn touched off her combadge. "Lt. Matrix. This is Ensign Rathyn. I've found the problems in the shielding power flow. Seven switches in our starboard plasma transfer grid are burned out. That short firefight with the Romulans did a lot of damage." (Reply: Matrix) "I'll assign a team right away sir and instruct them to replace ALL the switches, even the ones that aren't burned out. It shouldn't take them more than two hours." (Reply: Matrix) "We're also showing an irregularity in the gravitonic flow in our port shielding array. I can check that out as soon repairs to the grid are underway." (posted by David) (USS Paladin, Main Engineering , CEO LT JG Steven Matrix, 19:13) Alura looked over the gleeming white surface of a device that was little bigger than the palm that held it. It was really incredible to think about the immense power that ran through a small plasma switch. But the ship's shield capacity depended on ten of the small, roughly pyramidal-shaped mechanisms to maintain the immense flow of megajoules that protected every life form on the ship. The Paladin's shields had lost almost 80 percent of their capacity during the short firefight with the War Bird and the captain wanted repairs completed as soon as possible. A thorough diagnostic of the shielding system found that the problem at least in part lay in the switches. Rathyn pulled herself out of the tight crawlspace and into the Jeffries tube then touched off her combadge. "Lt. Matrix. This is Ensign Rathyn. I've found the problems in the shielding power flow. Seven switches in our starboard plasma transfer grid are burned out. That short firefight with the Romulans did a lot of damage." "Matrix here,...Ensign, nice work. I'm looking at one of the flow consoles now. It looks like 80 percent of the plasma grid is history and the sensor units can't tell if there are more." Matrix walked over the the relay instrument screens. "I'll assign a team right away sir and instruct them to replace ALL the switches, even the ones that aren't burned out. It shouldn't take them more than two hours." "Ensign, can you tell if anything else is effected?" "We're also showing an irregularity in the gravitonic flow in our port shielding array. I can check that out as soon repairs to the grid are underway." "Very well," said Matrix. "Keep me informed of anything else you find. I'll be in engineering working on some other issues. Matrix out." (posted by Steve) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Exercise of Vital Powers Mission Day: 15 Stardate: 2406.10.28 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO/Chief Ops Lt. Calvin Capps - 0943) Now was the time that everything that had previously been planned for really mattered. Now was the time to see if the great minds that has thought of this strategic plan indeed were geniouses. Now was the time that every officer was tested to their great abilities. Now was the time that every thing had to go as perfect as it could. For the Operations Department, just like every department on board a Starfleet ship, it has its hands full. They have helped with the planning of the attacks and take over along with help to get the entire situation ready. The entire campaign had tacken a little longer than expected, but that was all due to the delay of a deadly Romulan Warbird. This Warbird had caused setbacks. Teams had to run rapid to fix what it had damaged or destroyed. Also a skeleton crew had to leave the Paladin to fly the Warbird back to Geneva. Yet again more modifications had to be made to the original plan f or the mission. There were great officers that left the USS Paladin. Officers from the bottom of the rank, but their were also a few that were higher in rank that the Paladin really could not afford. A chief of TAC/SEC and the First Officer. Calvin knew that the new Cheif Tac/Sec Ensign T'Vhor was the perfect choice to slip into the position. He had previously worked with T'Vhor on the USS Cochrane not long ago. Ensign T'Vhor showed a great attitude, loyalty, and workmanship. Calvin hoped that he could bring along with him great attributes as he is has now tacken the First Officers position. As for now though he would be playing the role of the Chief Ops and FO which meant he had more work to do. Lt. Capps sat at the edge of the Operations chair. As he was running through multiple ops screens for the unavoidable battle was about to began. "Sir, we are now in position." (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO/Chief Ops Lt. Calvin Capps - 0944) "Are the Mithrandir and Bright Star in place?" Eva asked Lt. Capps still serving at OPS for this stage of the mission. Calvin kept speaking back and forth with all the other ships that were joined with the Paladin. Different types of information was being communicated back and forth. "The Mithrandir has reported in place, and the Bright Star will be in approximately 20 seconds, sir." With all their pieces finally in place, it was now time to begin. "Very well," Eva said, settling back in to her command chair, "Red Alert. Shields to full power. Ready all weapons. Take us in Mr. Max. Begin jamming all frequencies." Lt. Capps began working his board as fast, but efficient as he could. He had changed the alert status from yellow alert to red alert. The clanking sound of the red alert was the beginning sound of the attack. It ranged through the bridge, and through everyone's ears. The sound along with the blinking red lights caught anyone's attention and fully readied themselves for what was about to happen. A few moments later Lt. Capps also began the jamming frequencies that would hopefully accomplishing getting the Paladin and its fleet a quick advantage over the enemy. "Jamming Frequencies is fully fictional." The battle then began. The Paladin had went in head first and was ready to receive anything that was brought to it. Multiple ships engaged the Paladin along with its help. Fighters were disbursed, and they were being prove to be a great help. The Paladin was being hit not just by enemy ships, but also from cannon from the planet. Eva looked toward Lt. Capps "Have the Nautilus remain in position outside of the system till they receive the single. When they do engage, I want them to focus all fire on the Sovereign." The Chief of Ops worked his console continuously while listening to the further orders from the Captain. He typed in the message the Captain had just relayed, and Lt. Capps sent it to the Nautilus. "The Nautilus has singled back with the OK, sir." All the fire fighting and hits from the enemy ships along with the cannon fire from the planet has caused great damage to the Paladin. Lt. Capps had depended on his previous training to correlate the important damages to least. "Damage on deck 3, and deck 14." Lt. Capps pushed his comm on the console. "Lt. Capps to Sickbay. We have multiple injures on their way to there. Please by ready and advised." (reply Sickbay) "The fighter are reporting that they have eliminated one of the ships and is currently moving to our position." The fight continued. It seemed so far that it was going well, but no one could ever tell if it might turn at any time. (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO, Captain Straton, 09:45) Their run in with the Romulan's had pushed the time of the planed invasion back by several hours, but now there were only minuets from launching. "Are the Mithrandir and Bright Star in place?" Eva asked Lt. Capps still serving at OPS for this stage of the mission. (Reply Capps) With all their pieces finally in place, it was now time to begin. "Very well," Eva said, settling back in to her command chair, "Red Alert. Shields to full power. Ready all weapons. Take us in Mr. Max . Begin jamming all frequencies." The Paladin suddenly jumped to warp 9 and sped into the system. Simultaneously, the Bright Star and Mithrandir also warped into the target system from different vectors. The Bright Star closed in on Gamma Signa VII D with the Fighting Whatever's running shot gun. The Mithrandir engaged an enemy Akira class star ship that suddenly warped into the system trying to cut off the Bright Star. The Paladin closed on Gamma Signa IV, the M class world. Seconds seemed like hours, as the Paladin moved into position. The ships shook as her shields absorbed fire from the heavy battery emplacements on the planets surface. Enemy fighters appeared suddenly rushing up from the planets surface. Eva's eyes narrowed. "Mr. T'Vhor," Eva said, her voice cold, "Open fire on those weapon emplacements. Dragon Slayers engage enemy fighters. Shark Bait run cover for the marine drops ships, then assist Dragon Slayers. Mr. Max, once all marines are away, move us away from the planet, but keep us close enough to lend fire support to our fighters. I don't want to get caught with my back to a gravity well. Prepare a firing solution on that Akira, and lock all aft quantum launchers. Fire." Eva swayed as the ship rocked again. Her crew working seamlessly together to carry out her orders. ~This is going too smoothly.~ Eva thought, her eyes on the tactical display. Just then Ensign T'Vhor suddenly spoke up from tactical. "I have multiple contacts inbound," T'Vhor said, his hands working his console frantically, "ETA 3 minuets." "Identify!" Eva snapped, her eyes still on the main viewer as the ship shook again. "2 Keltoi Class. 1 Sovereign Class. None of them friendlies," T'Vhor reported. Eva scowled. ~I knew it wouldn't be that easy.~ "Commander Tahlmari," Eva said, into the dedicated comm-channel between the Bridge and CnC where the StratOps Officer was, "Take command of all planet bound offensives. I'm gonna be busy up here with the space combat for awhile. (Reply Tahlmari) Eva looked toward Lt. Capps "Have the Nautilus remain in position outside of the system till they receive the single. When they do engage, I want them to focus all fire on the Sovereign." Eva pressed another button on her command chair. "Major Menelian, we have major enemy reenforcement inbound, ETA 3 minuets. You have 2 minuets to finish off those enemy fighters and get up here to help the Paladin kill a pair of Keltoi's." (reply Capps, Menelian) "Concentrate all fire on that Akira," Eva said, turning briefly toward T'Vhor. "I want that ship disabled or destroyed before those reinforcements arrive." (posted by Wes) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/Acting SC T`Vhor - 09:45) This was it. Zero hour!! The entire crew of the Paladin were now rigged for heavy action. If the conflict with the warbird had seemed tough, this was in another league entirely. From the moment they had engaged high warp, the attacking ships had sounded their battle cries as they warped into the Gamma Signa system with their gun ports well & truly opened. Imediately they had showed up on enemy sensor batteries, the lead ships of Doenitz`s fleet moved to engage the incomings. Shots had been fired, the Paladin as well as the Mithrandir & the Bright Star had taken hits although fortunately, none had impacted their systems. YET..... Their course was clear, the Mithrandir & the Bright star moved to engage ships coming into their paths, each exchanging fire as they closed on one another. The Paladin then closed in on Gamma SignaIV & imediately targeted the now active ground batteries from orbit. "Mr. T'Vhor," Eva said, her voice cold, "Open fire on those weapon emplacements. Dragon Slayers engage enemy fighters. Shark Bait run cover for the marine drops ships, then assist Dragon Slayers. Mr. Max, once all marines are away, move us away from the planet, but keep us close enough to lend fire support to our fighters. I don't want to get caught with my back to a gravity well. Prepare a firing solution on that Akira, and lock all aft quantum launchers. Fire." The commands came fast & furious, each crewmember responding as ordered. "Weapons batteries targeted & acquired sir", said T`Vhor as he switched through the targeting nodes. "Weapons away", he added as the sound of torpedoes & phazer banks ripped through the sky & hailed onto the planet. Imediately three of the ground targets ceased transmitting their contact pings as they were sent to oblivion by the Paladins big guns. She then swung around & targeted the Akira class that was hastling the bright star. Seconds later, the Akira`s shields took the brunt amidst a volley of quantum torpedo hits. Then all of a sudden, the sensors picked up more targets on an apprach vector to the Paladin. "I have multiple contacts inbound sir," said T'Vhor, his hands working his console frantically, "ETA approximately three minutes." "Identify!" Eva snapped, her eyes still on the main viewer as the ship shook again. "2 Keltoi Class. 1 Sovereign Class. None of them friendlies," said T'Vhor. Eva looked toward Lt. Capps "Have the Nautilus remain in position outside of the system till they receive the single. When they do engage, I want them to focus all fire on the Sovereign.", said the Captain. Eva pressed another button on her command chair. "Major Menelian, we have major enemy re-enforcements inbound, ETA 3 minutes. You have 2 minutes to finish off those enemy fighters and get up here to help the Paladin kill a pair of Keltoi's." (Reply Capps, Menelian) "Concentrate all fire on that Akira," Eva said, turning briefly toward T'Vhor. "I want that ship disabled or destroyed before those einforcements arrive." "Aye sir", said T`Vhor as he switched to manual targeting of the Akira once again. The Paladin opened fire with deadly accuracy, her Quantum torpedo`s striking again & again into her failing shields. "The Akira`s shields are at seventy five percent sir, her weapons are at seventy percent, 40 percent life support, hull breeches on decks five, nine & twenty seven", said T`Vhor. (Reply Straton) "She is taking fatal hits sir, at this rate I estimate her shields will fail in 12.4 seconds", said T`Vhor. "Life support is at 20 percent, further hull breeches on decks fourteen, twenty one & ten", he added as two more quantum torpedoes made contact with the battered Akira. "The Akira is disengaging sir", said T`Vhor as the Paladin then turned again scanning the marine drop ships & their escorts as they hurtled towards the planet. Their descent rate slowed as they neared the planets surface, then the sensors signaled contact. "The marine transports have landed sir, the marines are deploying", said T`Vhor as he again switched his tactical console to recheck on the incoming sensor contacts. "Hostile contacts now bearing zero one nine, mark twenty four. ETA one minute fifty seconds", said T`Vhor. "The Nautilus is signalling ready for action sir", he added. (Reply Straton) All at once, the Paladin shook throwing a number of the bridge crew from their standing positions as her rear shield took a direct hit from another ground battery. Ensign T`Vhor was quick to act. "Targetting ground battery......firing phazer banks now", he said & the ground battery suddenly ceased it`s firing. "Hostiles now bearing zero two four, mark one ninety sir, ETA fifty seconds & counting", said T`Vhor. "The sovereign has engaged the Nautilus", he added. "Major Menelian is re-entering orbit & forming alongside us sir", said T`Vhor. (posted by Alan) (USS Red Claw - Cockpit - Major Menelian - 09:45) =^= Dragon Slayers engage enemy fighters. Shark Bait run cover for the marine drops ships, then assist Dragon Slayers.=^= Menelian's face, usually a mask, was pulled into a predatory grin behind his oxygen mask as his orders came through from the Paladin. "Dragon Team this is Dragon Leader: Enemy Fighters at ten-o'clock and there is no bag limit. Tally ho!" [Fifteen Inbound Fighters, All Void-Sphinx C's] "Alright, let's peel em away from the Marine's vector." He looked over at his wing-mate, the XO of Dragon-slayers, and then back at his sensors. "Accelerating to attack speed." He said, as he pushed the throttle forward. He received a kick before the Inertial Dampeners could kick in, but that was excepted. The Romulan's eyes scanned the HUD, and his grin melted away as all his concentration went into the upcoming battle. [10 seconds to contact] "Good enough for me." He muttered as he jerked the trigger and opened up with all the forward phaser-cannon emplacements. The fighter he was aiming for glowed blue as its shields absorbed punishment, then blew apart into a fireball as his wing-mate added firepower. "Scratch one." Menelian said as he jerked the stick over to avoid more fire. He cursed as a few of the fighters broke away and started trailing the Marines. "All Forces, be aware, they are going for the Transports!" Menelian kicked the afterburner and spun the ship on its axis and squeezed off several shots at the retreating craft, just as a goodly portion of Shark-Bait split off to meet them, and as the Sod-Hoppers forward turrets opened up as well. Within moments the entire area was alight with phaser beams and mini-torpedoes. The Major cursed again as phaser-fire bounced off his shields, he took aim at the offending fighter and squeezed off two of his precious torpedoes. The craft swerved and missed one of them, the other knocked her shields away. A few stray phaser bolts broke off one of the 'wings' and sent the craft spinning without any attitude control. [Incoming Craft: 2 Keltoi Class vessels, 1 Sovereign Class. Marked as Enemies.] Imogene intoned. The Romulan ignored it for the moment, "Dragon 5, break-" His warning stopped mid-stride as Dragon 5 added to the debris in-system. The Attacking craft was quickly dispatched by two friendly fighters. =^="Major Menelian, we have major enemy reinforcements inbound, ETA 3 minuets. You have 2 minuets to finish off those enemy fighters and get up here to help the Paladin kill a pair of Keltoi's.=^= "Bah," he said before opening a channel. "Acknowledged Paladin." He looked at the HUD, half the fighters were down and the Marines were well into the atmosphere. "All Craft, this is Dragon Leader: Shark's 2-5 stay with the Marines, the rest break off and engage enemy fighters. Dragon-Team break off and rally at the Paladin, prepare for Capital Ship engagement." He swung his craft around, "Give me a vector on the closest ship, Imogene." Menelian said quietly as he quickly prepared his ship to go against a Capital starship. [Keltoi Class, No transponder codes, Designate Identity Raid-3.] "Dragon-Team, Dragon-Leader. Form up in Starburst pattern around the Paladin Concentrate all fire on that first Keltoi, Designate Raid-3." He checked his weapons status, and then the status of his Squadron. One ship destroyed, one knocked out of the fight and incapable of engaging. It could have been worse. [One minute to contact] "Very well," he said to his AI as he flexed his hand around his throttle. He pulled back on it and came to a complete stop beside the mammoth bulk of the Paladin, the rest of his squadron did the same. [30 seconds] "All ships, prepare to jump to battle speed on my mark." Menelian said as he watched the count on his HUD. "5...4...3.. 2.... BURN" Menelian shoved the throttle forward and hit the afterburner in time with the rest of his squadron, all 13 ships shot forward from the Paladin like a thunderbolt. [Fifteen seconds] The Pilot muttered to himself and started counting, and exact five-seconds before they were to come out of warp, he pushed the firing-stud on his control stick. Phaser-fire lanced out, and struck the incoming Target dead-on as she came out of warp. One fighter's weapons wouldn't do any great damage though, Fighters were meant to take on Capital ships as a full squadron with any chance of success... and the Keltoi's were not ordinary ships, they were born and bred warships. NRPG: See Boudicca. She's a Keltoi. Ugly, with BIG buck teeth, they can take a bite out of almost anything that flies. RPG: "All craft, fire at will, fire at will!" he said as he twisted the Red Claw into evasive maneuvers to avoid the responding Phaser-blasts. His teeth rattled as one of the type-12's kicked his shields. [Shields down to 60%] "Yeah yeah, bite me!" He growled as he swung the craft in a perfect 180 and launched four more of his precious torpedoes, which he immediately followed up with several full-power blasts from his phaser cannons as his engines caught up and he shot over the Keltoi's dorsal spine. He had to jink to the side once he had shot past her in order to avoid one of his own fighters spinning out-of-control. Seconds later he turned his craft hard over and faced the ship again, which was twisting to get an optimum fire-angle on the Paladin, while firing madly at his squadron. Menelian's grin grew wide again as her rear-end grew big in his sights, and he fired all his weapons again at her engines. [All enemy fighters destroyed, Shark-Bait is inbound.] "Dragon-leader to Shark-leader, concentrate on the Keltoi's, the Paladin will have to take the Sovereign." =^=Acknowledged, be there in 70 seconds=^= Menelian spun his ship 180 degrees again as he flew under the Keltoi and launched several more phaser-bolts at her under-shields. [Raid-3's rear shields down to 60% and regenerating] "Ha!" He kicked his ship into after-burner again to kill his backward momentum and swung her 40 degrees yaw to avoid a phaser-bolt that would have taken him dead on. Two more of his squadron had been disabled; the Keltoi wasn't concentrating on destroying them... yet. The Romulan muttered something about doing more capital ship scenarios when they were done with this. Granted, they had gone in under-strength and were fighting a battle-ship, but loosing three ships within the first two minutes of combat was not acceptable to him: even if that was in the project curve of capital ship combat. He swung around and ran solid for fifteen seconds, then banked hard and came at her directly from the rear. This time he opened fire early, and then angled his nose down and continued pouring fire into her as he coasted over her. He aimed no less then three blasts directly at the bridge. He had just spun in a 180 when twelve more fighters materialized around him and immediately began opening fire with everything they had. "AH HAH!" he bellowed as he fired himself. HE was gratified to see his shots hit the hull, the Keltoi's shields were down. He paused his firing and took a breath as he aimed, then poured all his concentrated fire into the bridge of the Keltoi. [Core Instability, estimated Core breach on Raid-3 within thirty seconds.] "All Craft, clear away from Raid-3 and concentrate all fire on Raid-4" Menelian said quickly as he hit his after-burners again and raced over the Keltoi-class ship with a vector towards the second. HE fired two of his rear-quantum's as he retreated, directly at the engines of Raid-3, nor was he the only one. Seconds later the ship was plasma. "Scratch one battleship!" (posted by Trout) (USS Paladin, inside a turbo lift Between Deck 2 & 3, Ensign Greg Dunn, 0946) Greg was on the way to the bridge when the ship shook violently as it took yet another barrage but this time it was different. The lights on the lift flickered then went off and then on again, then there was a great big bang as the ship took major damage to the deck below. Greg was knocked to his feet and the turbo lift stopped dead. Fumbling around in the dark Greg managed to get to his feet and look blindly around him looking for an escape. Greg spoke calmly to the computer “Computer activate emergency lighting in this turbo lift.” The computer bleeped confirming his command and the emergency lighting dimly lighted the turbo lift. Greg looked around him for an escape hatch and found one located in the roof of the lift. ~How am I going to get up there? ~ Greg tried jumping but failed to get a grip and fell to the floor. He got back up and this time decided to climb on the hand rail to get up, this would have worked but the ship shook again as the ship took yet more hits and Greg was thrown off the railing and into the opposite wall. Undeterred Greg got back up, climbed onto the railing and onto the turbo lift. Greg then grabbed hold of the ladder and began climbing up to the bridge. (posted by Greg) (USS Paladin - Sickbay - CMO Keller - 0950) The ship was rocking from fire taken during the battle and sickbay was scrambling to get ready for the incoming. Jared was rushing about making sure everyone was ready when his combadge activated. =^= Lt. Capps to Sickbay. We have multiple injures on their way to there. Please be ready and advised. =^= "Understood Lieutenant and thanks for the warning." Jared said as the ship shuddered. "We're ready down here. Keller out." (posted by Charles) (USS Paladin – Bridge – TAC/Acting SC T`Vhor – 09:50) The USS Nautilus had already taken damage at this point in the battle, her port nacelle was now offline making any jump to warp an impossibility. One of her shield generators was also offline & she had hull breeches on decks fourteen, nine & twenty one. That said, the valiant vessel certainly wasn`t going to go down without a fight as she continued firing everything she had at the oncoming vessels. The Paladin of course was well aware of her condition as she had been monitoring the status of the other ships on the fly, it was clear now that the Nautilus was approaching a point where she would be unable to continue further unless assisted. “Sir, the Nautilus is requesting assistance”, said T`Vhor. (Reply Straton) “Aye sir, sending data & plotting an intercept course with the Sovereign", said T`Vhor. "Feeding primary coordinates to helm now”, he added. “The Sovereign class vessel is now showing eighty three percent shields, ninety percent life support with a hull breech on deck nine”, he added. “I am also showing venting plasma from her starboard nacelle”, said T`Vhor. (Reply Straton) “Our shields are at seventy eight percent, we have one hundred percent life support & no hull breeches, the shield generator EPS tap repairs show eighty percent of optimal”, said T`Vhor reeling off the displayed information as fast as he was able amid various hits upon the Paladins port shield from an incoming Keltoi. The Captain quickly ordered the helm to proceed on the current intercept in order to engage the Sovereign directly whilst returning fire to the Keltoi. Elsewhere, the fighter wing of the Dragon Slayers were engaging the other Keltoi. It was appearing that they had the upper hand at this point as the Keltoi was obviously heavily outnumbered & taking hits from all directions from the swarming fighters. Then all of a sudden, completely unseen by all, another vessel entered the system. (posted by Alan) USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/Acting SC T`Vhor - 09:51) On the bridge, organised chaos ensued as the Paladins forward torpedo launchers sent another volley of quantums at the Sovereign class vessel. Two struck her amidships, two more hit & took out her aft phaser array. At the rear of the bridge, the turbolift doors inched slowly apart as someone within pushed them aside with a squeel of metal against metal. Within seconds, Ensign Dunn had stepped through the doors looking disheveled from whatever had happened whilst he was in there. Ensign T`Vhor looked to his left as Ensign Dunn took up the secondary tactical console, both officers exchanged glances, acknowledging one another as they did & then each imediately returned to the job in hand. “Sir, our shields are at fifty percent, we have a hull breach on deck seventeen, repair teams are working on the damaged systems as we speak”, said T`Vhor. (Reply Straton, Any) "Aye sir, tatgetting the Keltoi now, target acquired & locked, firing phasers", said T`Vhor. The Keltoi returned fire & then broke away before slowing to a crawl in an attempt to withdraw from the Paladins barrage. The Paladin fired another Quantum torpedo & the Keltoi suddenly ground to a halt, her lights flickering on & off as she did so. "The Keltoi has suffered damage to her hyper impulse drive sir, her shields are failing & she has no weapons, she is dead in the water", said T`Vhor. (Reply Straton) "Aye sir, feeding coordinates to helm", he added as he ran his fingers deftly across the touch sensitive pads of the tactical console. In the distance, the Dragon slayers & the shark baits had regrouped & were again concentrating fire on the remaining Keltoi, the Sovereign was continuing to pound the Nautilus as she in turn returned as much fire as she could muster whilst attempting to evade the sovereign class ships heavy guns. "Sir, the marines are signalling, they have taken two of the five designated areas", said T`Vhor. (Reply Straton) "Aye sir", said T`Vhor, "relaying orders now" (posted by Alan) (IRW DiVhael – Vicinity of Gamma Signa IV – Bridge - Commander Talok & Tal`Shiar officer N`alea – 09:55) On the very edge of the battle, the Imperial Romulan Warbird Dihvael had just warped in to the system & imediately come to a dead stop, having responded to a garbled distress call from an unidentified warbird somewhere in the vicinity. What faced them when they arrived however, was not what they had expected & Commander Talok was very much relieved that they were still under cloak upon their arrival. “They have all gone crazy!”, said Commander Talok leaning forwards now towards the viewscreen in his command chair. “Have they no shame, they are attacking their own”, he added as he watched the unfolding battle from a relative safe distance. The warbirds cloaked status of course still rendered them all but invisible within the developing melee but with their shields down, Commander Talok knew it would be prudent to retain their distance. With the luxury of stealth & being sat at a distance far enough away for them not to become entangled in the bitter rivalries of Starfleet however, the Romulan ship was able to move at will undetected & free of the encumberments of any tactical engagement along the outer perimeter of their conflict. N`alae of the Tal Shiar just sat at her console shaking her head in quiet disbelief. “Starfleet!", she spat vehemently, "I say we take advantage of the situation & take out as many of their vessels as we can whilst we still remain undetected”, said N`alea with a smile. “They will assume that they are being hit by their own, they will not stop to think that we may be targeting them also”, she added. Commander Talok however disagreed with the outspoken young Tal`Shiar officer. “Our orders are to refrain from active contact with any federation vessel”, he said, "we are simply answering a possible distress call from one of our warbirds", he added. Then addressing the helm, he gave the order to move further out of range of the federation vessels. “Plot a tangential course into the Gamma Signa system, establish standard orbit around Gamma Signa II & continue observations with long range passive sensors”, said commander Talok. “Remain under cloak & be ready to go to warp at my command, let these madmen continue on with their fight", he said relaxing back into his chair. "At this point in time it is not ours to enter”, he added. The Warbird then set a course for the second planet to carry out Talok`s orders, leaving the fighting behind as they went. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin, Bridge, Ensign Greg Dunn, 0951) Greg forced open the turbo lift doors and climbed onto the bridge. ~That was tiring. ~ He reached up and wiped the sweat off his brow and took up the position at the secondary tactical and began monitoring internal security with a furrowed brow. (posted by Greg) (USS Paladin - Bridge - Acting CSO Joran Matthew Brownlee - 09:59) Joran, in the heat of his first real battle, finally got a glance at the reams of sensor data streaming in at an alarming rate, when he caught a glance of a strange anomaly near Gamma Signa II. "Captain, you'd better take a look at this." He said warily. (reply Straton) "There. An anomaly matching the earlier Warbid's cloak. It's the Romulans." (posted by Spencer) (IRW Dihvael - Bridge - Commander Talok – Sub Commander Selerk - 09:59) "Commander, they have seen us", said Sub Commander Selerk. Commander Talok spun around in his chair alarmed at the information as every member of the Romulan bridge crew turned abruptly at this new information. "What!", he cried standing from his chair, "prepare to go to warp" "Active sensor scans from the Meridith class vessel have detected our signature commander", said Selerk. "The quantum singularity is online, preparing for warp on your order", he added. "Remain cloaked, we cannot risk an encounter with these vessels, nor can we risk coming under fire", said Commander Talok. "Break orbit, set a course out of the gamma signa system, they will not follow as they have their hands full", he added. "We can return later to see what a mess they have made of themselves", said Talok as the Romulan at helm took the warbird to warp four on a course out of the system. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin, Bridge, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1000) Shane never liked the idea of battle at the best of times, but this was worse. They were now engaged with fellow Starfleet vessels manned by Starfleet crews, protecting Federation colonies. This was civil war. The worst kind of war, it pitted brother against brother. Families became fractured as loyalties became tested and strained. Sitting on the bridge at a Science station Shane was playing his own game now with his counterparts aboard the other vessels, the *enemy* vessels. While he tried to jam their communications systems, they were trying to prevent him from doing so by rotating their encryption protocols. The trouble was that both sides in this conflict were using the same technology. It was going to be a stalemate, at best. It was up to each side now to develop new encryption algorithms and for one another to attempt to decrypt those algorithms while maintaining the effectiveness of their own. Shane's head ached from all the permutations that he was running through at the minute, while he attempted to do his job. For every successful frequency he jammed his counterparts jumped to other ones and the game began again. (posted by Andrew) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO/Chief Ops Lt. Calvin Capps - 1000) The battle continued between all the Starfleet ships. Cannon fire, phasers and more bright lights appeared out of the dark black space. Calvin watched his console, but also watched the terrible event that was happening out side of the ship. He watched as his allies were being injured, and their ship being destroyed. He stared at his enemies that used to be his allies come to the same fate as his friends. Lt. Capps has not had to many big battles such as this one. His last post was less violent. Although he caught a scratch or two here and there, there never really was big fights. Instead Lt. Capps was part of more exploring. His last ship explored ahead in the river for life and other things. Calvin was happy were he was right now, but wasn't use to the fighting. It would have to be something he would have to get used to, just like anything else life brings to the table. Some great warriors say that war brings the best and worst out of people. Calvin hoped that the best would come out of him. He wanted to prove not only to Starfleet, but to himself and family that he was able to hold this prestigious post. Lt. Capps looked at the view screen again as he concentrated on his work. (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO/Chief Ops Lt. Calvin Capps - 1000) The fight in space seemed to becoming to and end now. All enemy ships have now been damaged to the point they were not operational any longer or they were destroyed. There was one class starship that was still operational and was almost at full power. "The Mithrandir has now reported that their Shields are at 40 percent." She had been badly beaten by the now destroyed Akira ship earlier. The Paladin was giving everything it had, but was constantly being bombarded from the ground emplacements. The Paladin along with its allies raced over to the almost destroyed Nautilus. The odds seemed to be good at this time. "The sovereign ship has managed to raise their shields back up to 95 percent, sir. Our shields are holding barely under 50 percent." Lt. Capps hated to give bad news, but he knew that he still had the Mithrandir. Also with the way the Dragon Slayers had been fighting today, Calvin was happy to have the legendary Dragon Slayers on their side as well. The FO that was sitting at the ops station sent a message over to the Nautilus trying to get some type of feedback and letting them know that help was on the way. When he received a message back he was stunned. "Sir, the Nautilus is reporting critical conditions. Surviving status only has 20 percent chance sir." (reply Wes) As Wes gave the orders, the Paladin went inside of the punishment of the Sovereign class starship. It was quickly hit by 3 quantum torpedo's from the mighty ship. If Calvin had not held on to his console he would have flew from his chair and towards the view screen. "Sir, I recommend the fighter protect the Nautilus as we and the Mithrandir release our fiery on the Sovereign sir." While Lt. Capps was giving his recommendation a loud beep sounded over his console. "The Sovereign has released a full squad of fighters towards the Nautilus sir. The Sovereign is heading our way." (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin, Bridge, Ensign Greg Dunn, 1000) Greg watched with horror as the Sovereign class vessel released its swarm of fighters on the crippled Nautilus and then it turned on them and fired a group of three quantum torpedoes at the Paladin. They struck home and the ship shook violently almost knocking Greg flying over his console. Behind him a conduit had burst and a small fire had ignited. His console bleeped and warning lights flashed. Greg brought up the console’s report and it showed the side of the Paladin and several areas were flashing red showing hull breaches. “Captain decks four through to eight are reporting hull breaches… Force Fields are in place… they are barely holding. Sending instructions for those decks to evacuate.” Greg said as calmly as he could (Reply: Cap’n) Greg sent instructions for those decks to display the evacuation klaxon and for information panels to display what areas were safe. Then the Sovereign fired again and stuck home yet again, the ship shook violently and the console near Greg sprayed sparks everywhere. Then the ship shook again as phaser fire hit the ship consoles all around him bleeped violently. Smoke billowed from any possible place and left an eerie mist hanging around the place. (posted by Greg) (USS Paladin, Bridge, ACSO, Lt Shane Schofield, 1005) While Shane was busy battling with his counterparts in the *enemy* fleet his mind picked up the flurry of activity around him on the bridge. It was this ability to multi-task that had seen him be promoted rapidly. "I have multiple contacts inbound," T'Vhor said, his hands working his console frantically, "ETA 3 minuets." "Identify!" Eva snapped, her eyes still on the main viewer as the ship shook again. "2 Keltoi Class. 1 Sovereign Class. None of them friendlies," T'Vhor reported. "Commander Tahlmari," Eva said, into the dedicated comm-channel between the Bridge and CnC where the StratOps Officer was, "Take command of all planet bound offensives. I'm gonna be busy up here with the space combat for awhile. (Reply Tahlmari) Eva looked toward Lt. Capps. "Have the Nautilus remain in position outside of the system till they receive the single. When they do engage, I want them to focus all fire on the Sovereign." Eva pressed another button on her command chair. "Major Menelian, we have major enemy reenforcement inbound, ETA 3 minuets. You have 2 minuets to finish off those enemy fighters and get up here to help the Paladin kill a pair of Keltoi's." (reply Capps, Menelian) "Concentrate all fire on that Akira," Eva said, turning briefly toward T'Vhor. "I want that ship disabled or destroyed before those reinforcements arrive." Shane turned to face the Captain's chair flushed with excitement as an idea sprang into his mind. "Captain, I have an idea! The ASPS! They are basically just converted Travel Pods that are equipped with phase-cloaks! They can be filled with Marines and the phase-cloaks will enable them to slip through the enemies shields and hull, then decloak *inside* the enemy vessel and board them without being detected!" (posted by Andrew)