|
Post by DaBomb on Aug 5, 2004 19:32:41 GMT -5
Cain watched on the viewscreen as the minute shuttlecraft limped toward a nearby moon, where they could evade the Visionary's sensors. Meanwhile, Cain's battered ship turned about slowly, to face their enemy, and powered their phasers for another attack. The Visionary did the same, and so the two mighty battleships moved toward each other like jousters.
"Shields are recharging," Harris said in a calmer voice that he had used before, "They are currently at 5 percent."
Cain felt his forehead throb. He wiped the trickle of crimson from above his eyebrow and ignored the pain. Apparently he had been knocked to the floor during that last onslaught, but could not remember it. He craned his neck and looked at Harris, who was equally bloody and bruised. "Shunt all power from all nonessential systems to the phaser array" he finally ordered.
It was not a common Federation tactic, especially when interplanetary travel required so much power, but it seemed quite necessary now. The lights on the bridge, as well all other decks, went dark, and only the red warning klaxons provided light.
"Power has been taken from lighting, transporters, replicators, holodecks and even some from life support," Harris sighed, "We have enough power for a few phaser bursts. Nothing more." His tone was grim now.
"Then we'll have to make them count," Cain replied, so that the entire bridge crew could hear, "But I will need the transporters back up, Harris."
Harris punched in a few commands on his dimly lit console. "Yes sir. I'll reduce life support to minimal levels."
"How are the shuttles?"
Robertson checked his small console in the arm rest of his chair. "One more has exploded. The crew transported to another shuttlecraft, though. The rest are operational, but are in no condition to fight."
What was the Captain to do? He had no photon torpedoes, enough power for one phaser shot, and a few hours of life support left. It was him or Marley, to put it simply. A crew of 400 against a crew of 1,000. For a long, and uncomfortable while, cain stood in deep thought, pondering about morals and orders.
Finally, he spoke. "Aim for their power grid, Harris." he voice was dry and weak. He was obviously not fond of his decision.
"...Sir...that would damage their life support. They may not be able to survive!" Harris objected.
Cain nodded, and took a deep breath. "I have disobeyed orders, I have fired on another Federation ship and I have taken several lives. I hate having brave officers dying under my command, but in my heart I believe - I know that they have not been in vain. The Federation was built on principles, and those same principles I keep today. I cannot let Starfleet crumble because of some selfish bastard who values power over life. Their misguided actions will cripple the federation. I won't let that happen. Will you stand by me?"
Harris tapped the keys on his control panel. "I have targeted the power grid of the Visionary. Awaiting orders."
Robertson stood. "I believe I speak for all of us - or at least those loyal to Starfleet - when I say that we will uphold your wishes, and the interests of the real federation to the death."
Cain smiled in appreciation. The icy knot in his stomach dissolved. "Connelly, evasive maneuvers. When their shields drop, beam their crew into the brigs. Harris, prepare to fire."
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Aug 13, 2004 10:25:16 GMT -5
The Dreadnaught maneuvered, avoing several phaser bolts but taking one on deck 14, and prepared to fire. This last shot, a dying attack, was the last Cain could do. If it didn't work, the Federation would be at war with the Cardassians for some time, and the entire Alpha quadrant would become a battlefield of sheer bloodshed.
"Stead as she goes," Cain encouraged, "Wait....fire! Connelly, beam the crew over!"
The orange beam of light screamed across space, and smashed into to port stern. The vessel shook violently, and the shields collapsed, along with the power.
***
"What the hell happened!" Marley shouted, "Return fire immediately!"
"I can't! We've lost almost all our power!" an ensign responded.
"Take power from Aanywhere, you bumbling fool! I want to see the Dreadnaught in flames!" Marley fired back.
The ensign nodded in the shadows of the bridge. "Power has been taken from all reserves, life support and warp engines. We have enough to fire a torpedo."
"Do it," Marley said, "Target the Dreadnaught's bridge."
***
The crew of the Visionary were slowly being transported in the brigs by the one operational transporter. It was a long process, and probably a rough ride for those who were transported, but it was the only humane thing to do.
"122 crewmembers have been transported to the bridgs on deck three. The rest will be in deck five," Connelly reported.
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence, as if the entire bridge crew thought the ordeal was over. Harris broke that silence with a concerned voice. "Sir, I'm picking up feignt energy readings coming from the Visionary," he informed.
Cain spun around to face the tactical officer. "Where, specifically?"
"Sensors were damaged in the attack," Harris said, "I can't tell."
Cain glanced at the fuzzy, malfunctioning viewscreen, and noticed the glow of a torpedo coming his way. "Didh they just-"
Connelly interrupted. "-yes! They've just fired a torpedo. I has very little power, and won't cause too much damage."
"I've taken enough damage for one day," Cain commented, "Try to get shields back online. Evacuate the neccessary decks."
"Then we should begin evacuating the bridge," Harris reported, "That photon torpedo is heading staight for us."
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Sept 23, 2004 21:26:47 GMT -5
Cain shot a look toward Harris, whose nervous and exhauted expression indicated the torpedo was indeed headed for the bridge. Cain ordered the entire bridge crew to move into either of the two turbolifts, and told them to begin securing areas of the ship. He managed to grab a hand phaser from a clip under his chair before exiting, and ordering the computer to move downwards.
The turbolift hummed as lights flashed nearby, and within several seconds the torpedo hit. The bridge crumpled and all remnants were sucked out into space, while the lifts were shaken and sent into freefall. The explosion ripped through the decks and hull, causing multiple breaches before the flames quickly fluttered out, and both the Visionary and the Dreadnaught we left hanging in space.
There was a sharp pain in his arm, and another seering in his knee, but Cain pulled himself to his feet, and glanced at the turbolift console. The lights flickered, but sensor readings were still being projected onto the screen, and life support appeared to be online.
"Captain..." a hoarse call came. Cain found it was the voice of Harris, and wrenched him up. The dim light prevented a thourough visual examination, but the young officer appeared to be stable, though battered and bleeding. Connelly, too, was located under a sheet of metal, and was propped up in the corner.
"Connelly...Connelly, can you hear me?" Cain whispered, "Ensign!"
There was a brief sigh, and then a reply: "Here...captain..." he panted.
"How badly are you injured?" Tomas replied, "Are you fit enough to walk?"
There was an uncomfortable silence. Cain bent down to the Ensign in surprise, only to find her without a pulse. Her spine had been penetrated by numerous metal shards, and her lungs had been punctured into death.
Cain gritted his teeth and forced out a tear. He turned away from Harris, though in the dark the tactical officer would not see the weeping, and began tapping at the console. How many more lives would he lose in this escapade?
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Sept 24, 2004 18:26:38 GMT -5
According to the control panel embedded in the wall of the turbolift, the freefall experienced earlier had been stopped by the automatic safety systems, which use magnetic fields to hold the lift in place. Though with little power, these systems had engaged, though had ripped apart the turbolift in the process. Cain tepped several dimly lit keys on the panel, and the locks on the double doors opened. Unfortunately, though, the doors themselves stayed shut.
Harris pulled the magnetic device from its alcove and pressed it against the door. he heaved and exhaled as the device locked to the doors, and began to gradually open them. A crack formed, just large enough for the Captain and first officer to escape through. Once out, they found the corridor in a mess, with the guts of the ship dangling from the bulkhweads. Sheet metal lay on the floor, sparking wires crackled in most consoles and the occasional body pierced Cain's heart once more.
He tapped his comm badge. There was no sound in reply, indicating the communication systems were completely offline. According to Starfleet regulations, the Engineering section would be the most logical area to set up a new command post, and the Captain abided by those wise rules and made his way through the litered corridors to the engineering section. The orange doors were already open, allowing watery light to wash over the dark of the vicinity. Cain and Harris emerged from the shadows and found the entire room full of life. On the primary level stood the warp core, the usually bright mixture of blue inside dim and grey. Technicians were furiously entering commands into the available consoles, while others were inspecting the bio-neural gel packs and replacing them if needed. Up above, on the secondary level, there were multiple officer in their light-blue uniforms, using the knowledge of medicine to heal the injured that lay on the floor with emergency med kits.
Cain approached Kreisbourg, forcing the agony and discomfort of his injuries from his mind. "Kriesbourg, report."
The engineer whirled around in surprise. "Captain," he gasped, "I thought you were dead! We registered a photon torpedo act with the bridge..."
"...we got out saftely," Cain replied, pointing to Harris, and trying not to mention Connelly, "Have you any data on those in the alternate bridge turbolift? Did they survive?"
Kriesbourg turned back to his console as he spoke. "Commander Robertson escaped saftely, along with security officer Walsh," he reported, tapping his console once more, "They are making their way through the Jeffries' tubes as we speak."
"How are the systems," Cain blurted out, though he expected a negative answer.
"Better than expected, sir," Kreisbourg said, a smile creeping upon his face. Obviously he hadn't seen the full devastation to the ship, such as the cost of lives. "Life support is stable at 48%, we have backup power on 80% of the ship, and we are capable of 1/2 impulse power."
The images of the Marley and Jameson flicked on Cain head meanacingly. "What about the security fields! And the brigs!" he shot back.
"All operational. Internal sensors, which are currently registering at 66%, have picked up no enemy signiatures outside the brig." The warp core suddenly lit up, providing a comforting blue glow to the engineering section. "We now have warp drive. Warp 2 is the best we can manage."
"Engage," Cain replied, hope returning to his voice, "When will we reach Earth?"
Kreisbourg looked grim "4 hours, but if Starfleet has ordered our...elimination, we won't get past the Mars defenses."
Cain had forgotten. The deaths of his crew had impacted him more than we wanted to admit.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Sept 26, 2004 10:25:36 GMT -5
The Dreadnaught shook suddenly, but not due to weapons fire, contrary to what Cain had assumed. Kreisbourg had installed partial, and temporary power source to the external sensors, and from the limited, jumbled data he received, he discerned the mighty ship was under the control of a tractor beam. Kreisbourg continued to work, analyzing the hull composition to identify the race of the other ship, and comparing its parameters to known specs. From what he could tell, it was either a Durandal-class starship or an Excalibur-class. Cain clenched his fists in irritation; he couldn't command if he had no idea of the situation.
"Hail them," Cain said, "If we can."
Kriesbourg craned his neck to face the Captain. "I'll try, sir, but we may not have enough power for too many attempts."
Harris stepped over, his face still baring cuts and gashes. Apparently the emergency kits would have to be used on the mortally wounded, and the rest would have to suffer. "Perhaps we shouldn't hail them," he reccomended, "If they believe we have been killed somehow, they may leave us alone. "
Cain nodded in agreement.
"That could be an enemy vessel, after all," the tactical officer finished.
"No," Cain replied, "We won't hide any longer. If that vessel is coming to detain us, then we will have the chance to reveal our findings in Federation court," he said, "And I assume that ship would have destroyed us by now, if it were under traitorous orders. Hail them, Lieutenant Commander."
Kreisbourg opened a channel, and the face of an unknown Captain appeared, though the static blurred his features.
"I am Captain Cain of the Federation Starship Dreadnaught. State your intentions."
"I am Admiral Hamilton of the Durandal, and I am here on the resistance's behalf," the officer replied. Cain was surprised to see someone of such high-stature on his side. "May I transport you and your crew to my vessel?"
It wasn't an odd request, but lowering the partial shields of the Dreadnaught would leave them open to attack. Also, Cain still was not sure of this Captain, and knew that he could be beamed into the brig.
"I am sorry, Admiral, but I cannot. I would prefer to stay on my vessel," Cain lied. His ship was dear to him, but he wouldn't complain if he were transferred to a ship with its bulkheads intact. "Perhaps if you provide us with power, we can beam you aboard."
"The purpose being?"
"We can talk over the situation," Cain replied, hoping that the Admiral would not use his higher-rank to order Cain to beam over, "I would like to know where I stand."
"Very well. The transfer has commenced."
While a beam of golden light connected the Dreadnaught to the Durandal, the static on the comm. link disappeared and the lights began to raise in intensity. Cain beamed the Admiral aboard, but kept a phaser nearby just in case.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Sept 26, 2004 16:30:57 GMT -5
Admiral Hamilton materialized upon the transporter pad, and immediately he was shocked by the devastation he saw. Though scans of the Dreadnaught had been thorough, numerals and letters on his console could not paint a mental picture that matched theat on the Dreadnaught. He stepped off the pad, avoiding a sheet of duranium, and followed the Captain to a set of unassigned personal quarters near the engineering section. There, they talked, and discussed.
That sat at both ends of the dining table, but ate nothing, perhaps due to the lack of power in the replicators or perhaps the comfrot level between the two was not ample enough. Hamilton noticed the hand phaser sitting on the table, and decided on the latter.
Hamilton: You ship has taken a beating, but it is remarkable how you have kept it together, Captain.
Cain: Thankyou...sir. But I lost many lives in the process.
Hamilton: A hefty price, but one that will result in a great service to Starfleet and the entire Federation.
Cain: I don't understand.
Hamilton: The Maquis rebellion had supposedly halted a few years back. Unfortunately, the bad blood had not disappeared as we had hoped, and when a Cardassian rescue mission in the Fererria sector resulted in 16 accidental Maquis deaths, friction between the two races sparked up once more.
Cain: I was not privvy to the exact numbers, but it was an awful incident nonetheless.
Hamilton: Unfortunately, there was worse to come. A dealer named Fa'-teh-vek claimed he had bought Federation technology from the Cardassians. Technology that had apparently been stolen from the Fererria sector. We found that his samples were cheap copies, but the Maquis accused us of allying with the Cardassians once more.
Cain: (Shaking his head) They won't believe anything we tell them.
Hamilton: I wouldn't expect them to. Anyway, the Maquis began gaining support, and some in the Federation began to aid them. For instance, holograms were traded to them.
Cain: Speaking og holograms, how did they get those mobile emitters?
Hamilton: You are familiar with the ship Voyager, no?
Cain: Of course. They brought back an emitter.
Hamilton: Yes, but what you and those of your rank were not informed of was that we worked with the Cardassians in order to develop the technology. The Maquis heard about that too. Now they think that using the mobile emitters and our own holograms is poetic justice.
Cain: Hhmm, there appears to be a lot I do not know of. I envy you.
Hamilton: You shouldn't. I learn much more than you or any other Captain, things that haunt me in my sleep. Things that make myself sick to my stomach. I envy you, Cain. You have a long Starfleet career ahead of you.
Cain: That is, if Starfleet is saved.
Hamilton: Yes. Speaking of such matters, we must set course for the Romaada system, where we will meet those loyal to the Federation.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Sept 26, 2004 17:20:37 GMT -5
Romaada Prime lay in the centre of the system named after it, and like a pearl it shone in the brightness of its two stars. Romaada was only inhabited by Starfleet colonists who had been studying the medicinal effects of the native plant life, but according to limited scans it possessed an energy field over the 3 major continents. Once Hamilton had hailed a small beacon hovering in orbit of Romaada, and entered in the appropriate code, the field dropped, and the transports commenced. Tomas Cain beamed to the surface with Harris, Hamilton and a security detail while several spare gel packs and supplies were beamed up to the Dreadnaught. Kreisbourg, in temporary command, continued repairs on the shield grid, the weapons systems and propulsion.
Once they materialzed, they were met by the barrels of phaser rifles. Hamilton seemed quite calm in front of this security team, and announced himself. Meanwhile, scans were taken of Cain and his security team with tricorders.
Hamilton: Good Day Commander McCoy.
McCoy: Any time, Admiral. Who is your friend?
Hamilton: This is Captain Cain of the Dreadnaught. He is loyal to our cause.
McCoy: Good to meet you, sir.
Cain: The feeling is mutual. Meeting the son of a legendary Doctor is a unique experience, and from your personal records you seem to be a groundbreaking individual yourself.
McCoy: I do my part.
Hamilton: Perhaps we should get to work...
McCoy: Of course, sir. We have prepared a meal in the mess hall, and I have several padds of information.
Hamilton: Thankyou, Commander, but we have no time for eating.
Cain: I concur. I'll try and get through this padd by tonight.
He retired to his new quarters, and began to read:
***
8 ships are stationed in the Romaada system, and 13 in the neighboring one. All others loyal to Starfleet rather than to the traitors are scattered across the quadrant, and will be away from the fray for weeks. A convoy of Starfleet/Cadassian ships has been sighted 16 parsecs from Romaada Prime, with the intent of destroying the enemy. Commander McCoy plans to attack the convoy on stardate 265.4.2, and detain all aboard. Once the leader of the new Maquis/Starfleet alliance is detained, the entire plot will be unwravelled. This leader is still unknown at this time.
Leader. Cain knew of who might know the leader, but she wouldn't give it up without a sight. He dropped his padd onto the bed, and tapped his comm. badge. "Kreisbourg, beam down the EMH and Lieutenant Jameson, immediately."
"I am sorry, sir," crackled the reply, "the EMH decompiled when the EPS relays went offline. But I'll beam down Jameson now."
Cain hurried from his quarters to the transport pad, and summoned a security team to accompany him.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Sept 27, 2004 18:50:00 GMT -5
He found Jameson at the correct coordinates. Her golden hair was toussled and a purple swelling was present on her cheek. He smirked at her Captain, knowing what she would be faced with.
"I hope I haven't been inconveniencing you with all this," Cain said sarcastically.
"Oh, I just thought I'd drop by," Jameson retorted, "And I've been treated oh-so cordially. I've had a phaser rifle barrel in my face."
"Not surprised," Cain muttered, "So, why don't we begin? I want the leader of the Maquis/Federation alliance, and I want it now."
She rolled her eyes. "I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about."
Cain took a cleansing sigh to ease his anger. "Now." he commanded.
"I am not under your orders, Cain," she laughed, "Especially since you are no longer a Starfleet officer."
He seized her by the throat, and his fiery eyes pierced her. "I am tiring of you!" he hissed before pushing her into a wall, "Give my the name."
Jameson gasped, and regained her breath. "Please, Captain, I-"
"-the name!" he cried, his hands whitening.
Her tone changed from provocative and sarcastic to cold and harsh. "I won't become a traitor to Starfleet," she retorted, "I won't stoop to your level!"
"You bitch!" Cain shouted, totally losing his cool, "Get her out of my sight."
Jameson was dragged down the corridor, laughing once more, while Cain retired to his quarters.
***
It was a debate that Cain though he had solved. On the one hand, making peace with the Maquis would halt the attacks, and Cain wouldn't be defying orders with every move. On the other hand, the Cardassians would most certainly be objectionate to it, and it would be against half the rules in the book to trade with the enemy. Cain began to think it through.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Oct 10, 2004 16:25:09 GMT -5
It was clear that the predictable, constant ability of the Starfleet officers to obey orders was a drawback for such a great prganization, and showed Cain that the majority of the "loyalists" had no wish to join with the Maquis, and were simply following orders blindly, like a pet or a computer. Cain wished he could simply forget objectivity and join the ranks of the law-abiding Loyalists, but he couldn't turn back. All at once he hated the Loyalists, yet wished to join them. He stopped pondering and reviewing his actions when a headache began to pulsate in his skull.
The yellow alert klaxon lit up and flashed softly, causing a sudden rush of Resistance officers to move to their posts and await orders. Cain decided to go to where he belonged: the bridge.
He strolled inside the bridge stood beside Hamilton.
Cain: Is there a problem?
Hamilton: We have detected the convoy of Maquis/Starfleet ships 3 parsecs away. They are using a scattering field to confuse our scans and porbes, so we can't get an accurate reading of their numbers.
Cain: Is that why the report spoke of Cardassian/Starfleet ships? Because of the scattering field?
Hamilton: Yes.
McCoy: They are moving at a speed of Warp 7.75, Admiral. It will only take a few minutes for them to arrive.
Hamilton: Are the ships ready above the magnetic pole of the moon? Are the attack shuttlecraft ready?
McCoy: Yes. We just have 3 ships here to defend this planet.
Kreisbourg: (On Cain's comm. badge) We are at red alert. We ask that you beam up, so that we may get into position.
Cain gazed toward the Admiral.
Hamilton: If you wish. But it would be a lot safer here.
Cain: To use an ancient saying, "The Captain goes down with his ship."
Hamilton: Very well. I will stay here to co-ordinate the attack.
The klaxons began to flash a crimson light. Cain rushed to the transporter pad.
***
The corridors had been cleared of metal debris, and several of the consoles had been replaced, but the Dreadnaught was still not in prime condition. Only Warp 5.6 was possible, and Cain had only 16 photon torpedoes at his disposal. While his new first officer, Kreisbourg, worked in engineering, Harris (who had been promoted, too) moved the ship into position and awaited his Captain.
Cain: Good to be back. How are we, Lieutenant Commander?
Harris: Phasers and photon launchers are fully operational. Shields are still regenerating; they are currently at 79%. Structural integrity is at 80% on all decks but 6 and 7, both of which took heavy damage.
Cain: Evacuate those decks, then. How is structural integrity on this new bridge?
Harris: Holding steady at 64%.
Cain: Good. Conn. officer, Ensign...
Berkovic: Lex Berkovic, sir.
Cain: Ensign Berkovic, please move us into position, and prepare to fire.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Oct 14, 2004 20:31:34 GMT -5
There was the predictable request for surrender by the Loyalist convoy of Maquis and Starfleet ships, and the quick answer of "no" that followed. Cain, in the Dreadnaught, Hamilton and McCoy on the surface of the planet, Crandell on the Berigia, a fine warship, McMillan on the science vessel known as The Golden Lion and finally Admiral Tong on the Agincourt, who had arrived only hours before this fight, made up the force. Behind them, circling on the magnetic pole of the Romaada homeworld, where they could not be detected, and several orbital weapon platforms that were controlled from the surface.
"Harris, please power up the phasers and divert auxilliary power to the shields," Cain calmly asked, facing the image of the enemy convoy on the viewscreen. "Ask for their surrender one more time, too."
"Shields have raised to 88%," Harris eventually informed, "But they turned down our request for their surrender." Harris smiled as he spoke.
"Very well then. Target the lead ship, and fire when ready."
***
Orange phaser beams screamed through space, slamming into the port shields of the lead Loyalist ship. Another hit, this time barely missing the port warp nacel, was enough to blast apart several bulkheads and spread metal into space. The convoy of 8 ships separated and began to fire. The Dreadnaught sat behind the Agincourt, protected from enemy fire while it spread photon torpedoes at the enemy, and sent more phaser blasts shreiking across space.
***
"Shields at 82 percent, captain," Harris calmly said, firing phasers once more.
"Helm, evasive maneuvers," was all Cain said, staring at the viewscreen.
There was a sudden spray of sparks behind, and DB realized a console had exploded, taking the engineering officer with it. He checked the body for a pulse, and after finding none, he tapped on his own console. A manual steering column groaned from out a compartment in the floor, revealing a small controller to maually control the ship.
"Helm, please try and get the engineering console back online," Cain asked, using the controller to direct his hefty ship. The Dreadnaught swopped below the Agincourt, and sprung into a more active role.
"Shields at 70%!"
"I can't get the engineering console back online."
"Hull breach, deck 4!"
Cain digested the information and shot back replies, "Divert all unnecessary power to the shields," he ordered first, "Reroute the engineering systems to the helm console, and make sure emergency forcefields seal off the breach."
***
McCoy: The Golden Lion is almost immobalized. Captain McMillan is asking for reinforcements.
Hamilton: Tell the attack shuttelcraft to make a swooping charge before retreating back to the orbital weapon platforms. Tell them to use their photons, too.
McCoy: The message has been acknowledged. The shuttlecraft are moving in.
Admiral Tong: (On the comm. channel) Admiral, one of their vessels has been destroyed, but out forces are weakening every second.
Hamilton saw the image of the bridge shudder as the Agincourt took another hit.
Admiral Tong: (Continuing) I suggest we regroup near the platforms, and let them take the fire!
Hamilton: Agreed. Signal the fleet to retreat.
McCoy: 3 of the 11 shuttlecraft have been destroyed. They are moving back to the weapon platforms.
Hamilton: They inflicted 78% shield damage to a Maquis vessel...it is currently floating, without power. 2 shuttlecraft have under 50% shield power.
McCoy: Tell them to redivert power, and use the platforms as a shield.
McCoy: Done. They are in position.
***
"Shields at 55%, Captain!" Harris' voice had become much more setious and full of concern.
"Only 3 photon torpedoes left!"
Another console exploded, but Cain continued to twist the controller and pilot his vessel, toward the fray and wrath of the enemy.
***
The platforms were about 3 times the size of a shuttlecraft, and bore 3 small phaser banks and a large shield generator on one side. As soon as the adversaries came into battle, they engaged, and commenced firing. Within only a few seconds of firing, two of the 17 had dropped from the sky, and plummeted in flames toward the world below. One Maquis ship exploded, and another Loyalist Starfleet ship was ripped in half by the fire.
The Dreadnaught was acting as cover for the Agincourt, in return for the earlier favour, but was being pummelled with photons and phasers without relent. Decks exploded with almost every hit, showering space with shards of metal and bodies of crew. Suddenly, the rear engine was hit, and Cain lost control of his mighty ship. It swung about, into the path of the Agincourt and scraped like a scalpel across the hull of the science vessel, ripping chunks of bulkheads and spraying flames in all directions. All seemed lost, as neither vessel was able to move, but the Berigia and Golden Lion towed them behind the weapon platforms, to safety
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Oct 16, 2004 19:17:27 GMT -5
"We have auxilliary power," Harris eventually said, having been tapping away on his console for precious seconds. "I'll reroute it to the engines and phasers."
Cain thanked him. "Excellent work, Lieutenant Commander. Fire out last 3 torpedoes, then divert power from the launchers." The manual steering column had been destroyed, so Cain had seated himself at the helm, ignoring the carcass of a crewmember.
"Weapon platforms are faltering!"
The golden orbital platforms that circled above the marble that was Romaada rotated and used their marginal thrusters to avoid several phaser shots. They fired once again, causing several chain-reaction explosions that ripped through another enemy vessel.
"Where are my shields!" Cain shouted.
There was a sudden shudder which knocked Harris off his feet. The Tactical officer shot back up to his feet and read off his console. "Recharging. 58% and rising at a percent every 12 seconds."
"Good. Bring us about," Tomas Cain replied with revitalized confidence, "Prepare to-"
"-the weapon platforms are exploding!" Lex Berkovic interrupted, occupying the sensor station toward the rear of the bridge.
They all exploded in unison, and the forces of the numerous shockwaves punched through the weakened rebel Starfleet ships, and knocked them about.
"Engines are offline."
"We're sitting ducks!" Berkovic yelled.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Feb 16, 2005 20:52:20 GMT -5
"Fuck!" the captain swore, "Get us moving! I don't care what it takes!" The ship shivered once more, and small pieces of metal began to fall from the ceiling.
"Firing phasers," Harris notified, having no time to add the "sir" that was came at the start and end of every sentence. The phasers hit upon the dorsal and port shields of the nearest foe, but only the shields were damaged by the desperate attack. "Phasers at 17%!"
Cain seated himself in his chair once more and gripped the arms tensely. "Channel all remaining phaser power into a concentrated burst," Cain called, not releasing his eyes from the viewscreen, "Target the weapons of all nearby ships."
There was a high-pitch squeal as the phasers powered up to the unsafe level. Finally they fired, and the nearest Starfleet ship was cleaved in half by the shot, ripping apart both halves cleanly and efficiently. According to the Dreadnaught's damaged sensors, that one burst had irrevocably crippled the enemy ship.
More photons were launched at the Dreadnaught, and all hit the stationary target, blasting off several pieces of the hull. Cain rose from his chair, and rushed over to the new helm officer who had replaced the deceased officer. "Can we move?" Cain hissed.
"Not yet, but-"
Another photon torpedo appeared on screen, and shimmered brilliantly.
"-hold on!" Cain shouted.
There was a massive rumble, and the vessel quaked under the power. Cain looked up, hearing crashing up above, only to be hit by several metal panels from the ceiling.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Feb 20, 2005 15:40:14 GMT -5
When he finally managed to pry his own eyes open, he was slouched in a command chair, surrounded by many crewmen he hadn't even seen before. After his eyes dialated and became used to the low light level, Cain looked at his surroundings. He was in an escape pod, a small vessel, in which 16 others had been packed inside, were sitting in chairs of their own; some were sniveling, others outright weeping; some were tending to the wounded, and the rest either piloting the pod or working on a command station.
Cain cleared his throat. "Status...Ensign," he mumbled, directing his comment toward Berkovic.
Lex peered up from the sensor station. "When you were knocked unconscious, the Dreadnaught was hit by a volley of photons," replied miserably, "We ran for the escape pods when we heard the warp core was about to breach." He tapped a few more controls before continuing. "We rescued everone that we could, and fled. The Agincourt is trying to hold off the attack while the Golden Lion is tractoring the escape pods. It beamed all 87 survivors from the surface"
"Where to?" Cain said.
"Once we are out of range of the enemy, we will drop shields and will be beamed to the Lion," Harris interrupted, sitting in the command station, "Right now, we have to keep them up, to stay alive. Anyway, we are being taken to another loyalist camp 16 parsecs away."
"What about the Agincourt?"
"It beamed almost everyone over to the Golden Lion," Harris said after a brief pause, "The skeleton crew aboard...are...they're holding off the enemy, so we can escape."
"No, they'll be slaughtered!" Cain cried as the tried to rise from his seat. Agony ripped through his body as he moved, and Cain soon realized his arm had been broken. There was a silence. Tomas Cain reseated himself, in some pain, knowing that they couldn't help the Agincourt. He cleared his throat, and held back the tears. A Captain couldn't be weak. "How many survivors are there?" he asked.
"The Golden Lion has a total of 683 personnel aboard, plus 212 people from the Agincourt, and there are 362 people in total in escape pods," Berkovic informed, "1,257 people, out of over 2,000," he added.
There was a blue flash that startled Cain. "What the hell was that?" he gasped.
Lex Berkovic tapped upon his console once more, perusing the information obtained from the scans he had run. "That was the sign of a warp core breach." There was a gentle rumble. "And what we just felt was the shockwave."
"Warp core? From which vessel?" Cain impatiently asked.
"The Agincourt," Berkovic said, "Sensors indicate it ejected it's warp core, and detonated it. The shockwave also engulfed the Dreadnaught, which has exploded."
"I take it our foes have been disabled," Cain muttered.
"Yes, all ships have been disabled. We can commence beaming to the Golden Lion," Berkovic answered.
***
It had taken a total of 3 hours to beam everyone from the pods aboard the Golden Lion, as several of the transporters had been damaged, and were not able to re-materialze a person in one piece. Therefore, for everyone who hadn't been beamed to sickbay in a serious medical condition had to wait inside the cramped pods, waiting for their turn to be transported.
Once the task had been accomplished, the pods themselves were beamed aboard, and were dismantled for spare parts, scrap metal and power cells. The Golden Lion didn't have the power reserves neccessary to build new bulkheads or create new technology, so they had to resort to the arduous task of removing every important device. Cain felt pity for all those who had to work through the night on the task. Soon he noticed that the Golden Lion crew pitied him; he had lost his entire ship, and most of its crew.
The deaths didn't sink into him until he retired to his quarters. The death of Connelly had been gutting enough, but the deaths of roughly 100 people - all under his command - bit at his heart. That was another problem - the list of casualties had not been fully compiled, so Tomas Cain had no idea if 90 people had been killed or 150. Once he had reached his quarters, he tried forgetting these woes with his work; he busied himself with flight plans, a diary, reviewing the Golden Lion personnel rosters, all kinds of trivial activites, until he realized he should not ignore the dead. He threw down his padd, which had displayed the flight plan toward the next base he would arrive at, and bled tears, as if his weeping was draining him. He eventually cried himself to sleep, only to be woken by McMillan shortly after, for an important meeting.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Feb 20, 2005 18:03:06 GMT -5
The meeting room was one of the least-damaged rooms on the entire ship. Comparing it to the metal-littered corridors, the bridge with 2 consoles blown out and his own quarters with wires hanging from various walls, the meeting room seemed relatively pleasant. The walls were blackened, and the door was fused open, but no other damage was obvious without a tricorder.
A great table sat in the direct centre of the room, with a total of 9 chairs around it; Chief Engineer Kreisbourg and Commander Robertson were those from the Dreadnaught, but Cain also recognized Admiral Hamilton, Captain McMillan of the Golden Lion and McCoy; the three others were for the senior officers of the Agincourt, Pennant and Carrick and for McMillan's first officer Burton.
McMillan: I have called you here to update you on our situation. We are heading for a remote base 6.4 parsecs from our current position, near the mutara nebula known as Cronus. Buton...
Burton: At our present speed, we will be there within half an hour. There, we will rendezvouz with our allies, and will begin planning.
McMillan: There is where we will make our stand. We have stockpiles of weapon, multiple ships and thousands of ground forces. Of course, we don't plan on a war, now, do we?
Robertson: Then what is the plan, sir?
McMillan: That is why I have called you here. I don't want any more bloodshed. I, myself, have lost 58 crewmembers, and have 4 more in serious condition. I don't want to fight. The problem is, we don't have an alternate course of action.
Kreisbourg: Perhaps we should try negociation. If we present our problems to the council-
Cain: -it won't work. They have already decided to ally with the Maquis most likely.
Hamilton: Then do you have an idea, Captain?
Cain: We beamed over many survivors from the Visionary; we could interview them, and find out who is responsible. We can find out the source of the corruption!
Carrick: With all due respect, they have probably sworn to secrecy. We can't be sure if they are telling the truth, even if they do confess.
McMillan: And unfortunately, Captain, those survivors are few in number.
Cain: What?
McMillan: I regret to inform you of this...but your casualty list has been compiled. Out of the 100 you beamed from the Visionary, 2 are still alive. Cain shot up from his chair.
Cain: What!
McMillan: There was an insider on your vessel, one working for the late Captain Marley. When the prisoners were ejected in their escape pods...well, the insider destroyed them. Apparently, he or she would rather kill over 80 people rather than let them talk.
Cain: Do you know who?
Hamilton: Your security officer, Walsh, is on the job. That horrific incident left 12 alive; 10 of those tried to commit suicide in a variety of ways, leaving only 2, who were unconscious when the incident occured.
Cain: Oh god...
Hamilton: The two are Jameson and and Burke.
Cain: Then I request a shuttle and a small crew complement, then.
Hamilton: Whatever for?
Cain: There is a way we can find the truth from these people - mind probes.
Hamilton: Those are illegal!
Cain: I know a dealer who can supply me with them. With those, we can get the truth! We can find the source of the corrpution! We can stop this, without obliterating the Federation! All I need is a shuttle, a small crew and 72 hours.
McMillan: We should go for it.
Pennant: It will save bloodshed!
Hamilton: We need every captain, every shuttle and every crewmember! And are you all ignoring the fact that Romulan mind probes cause severe agony, and can cause permanent brain damage.
Cain: Not when regulated properly. You have professional medical staff. We can do this.
Hamilton: I am afraid I cannot allow this. We don't have any EMHs, and cannot spare the resources.
Cain sat through the remainder of the meeting, not listening. Once it was adjourned, he rounded up Kreisbourg, Harris and a medical officer, and made his way to the shuttle bay...
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Feb 21, 2005 13:49:32 GMT -5
It seemed very irresponsible of Cain, but he knew deep down that he was right, and that he truly needed to accomplish the task. Perhaps he would be demoted, perhaps confined to his quarters, perhaps thrown into a cell, but whilst he served his punishment, he would know that he had helped his cause.
He had to first find Jameson, but found her in the primary brig, trying to seduce the guard. He gave the guard a direct order to release her, and proceeded with Jameson to the shuttlebay, a phaser in his hand. At the shuttlebay, with Kreisbourg, Robertson and a Lieutenant Medical Officer, Cain used a small, undamaged console to deprive the shuttlebay of its forcefield, at least until he was away from the ship. Once it had been accomplished, he and his crew loaded into an empty shuttle, opened the mighty bay doors and rose off the ground.
***
McMillan's chairside console bleeped, indicating an unauthorized shuttle launch was in progress. Hamilton swiftly made his way over to the Captain. "What is wrong?" the admiral asked.
"There is a shuttle leaving the bay," McMillan answered, "Cain and 4 others are inside."
"Forcefields!" Hamilton spat, "Don't let him leave the bay!"
McMillan stood as the shuttle appeared on his viewscreen. Static still lined the picture due to minor damage. "Too late, Admiral," he sighed.
"Apply a tractor beam then!"
McMillan smiled. "Tractor emitters are down," he informed. He, too, believed in Cain's plan, and so was trying not to be cooperative.
"Persuit course, then!"
"Engines are almost down. We can't match their speed," McMillan shrugged, "Perhaps we should just let them go."
The Admiral glared at him. "I want to have a word with you, Captain, in your ready room."
***
Somax wasn't a planet at all, but rather a massive, lumbering vessel much larger than any Federation ship, surrounded by traders of all races in their ships. The main trading vessel was perhaps a kilometer in length, and resembled nothing more than a Borg vessel; it was bland in colour, painful to the eyes and was rectangular in shape.
Cain flew in with the shuttle, and was hailed by an automated comminucation array. "State your intentions," it demanded in a plain voice.
"I wish to trade with a well-known person," Cain answered.
"State the items you wish to trade, and who you are trading with"
"His name is Laman Cror, and I wish to trade for some "special merchandize". He'll know me," Cain smiled.
"Your message has been relayed to the trader you stated. You may now beam aboard." The voice clicked off abruptly. Cain and Robertson made their way to the shuttle's transporter pad, while the other three made their way to a specified waiting point. Jameson woke up at that moment, having been given a sedative, and swore at the Captain before he dematerialzed.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Mar 2, 2005 22:43:29 GMT -5
Cain and Robertson appeared inside one of the designated transport areas, and were immediately moved over toward the scanner, a metal arm from which an emerald light sprouted from. They were told to walk beside the arm, and once both had been scanned and checked for explosives or dangerous weapons, they were sent on through. Somax, named after the original creator of the vessel (though many hundreds of feet of ship were added on later), would turn a blind eye to any negociation between those wanting to do business; arms, technology, ships, slaves, they were all sold here. Cain felt digusted as he brushed past the thick crowds of aliens, looking for Laman Cror. As it was outside Federation space, and protected by the various merchant ships, Somax was relatively untouchable.
And because there was no real government body that could limit this often illegal trade, disgruntled customers looking for refunds after they found their purchases were faulty, fake or had been seized by the Federation usually took the law into their own hands. Twice Somax had escaped being utterly destroyed; one Maquis trader who had bought faulty phaser rifles 10 years back had smuggled a bomb aboard, but was captured by the Somax guards when his explosive showed up upon the scanners. The second instance occurred when an outraged Naussican attactched a field disruptor to the warp core, which would cause a breach. Fortunately, the disruptor had been created with parts from Somax, and had not properly worked. That was why security was so tight on the station.
Eventually, after consulting the station directory, he found Laman's store toward the rear of the ship. The place was quite vast for a store on Somax; generally, traders and merchants rented space for several weeks until the market for the product dried up. Laman appared to have set up a permanent residence.
Cain noticed there was even a line for his store. At the entrance was a stern, burly creature; he - or she - was humanoid, with unruly hair, pale skin, broad shoulders and a jaw of very few teeth. Tomas Cain felt it resembled a barbarian of the stone age, with it's large nose and wide cheekbones, but shades of yellow under its eyes, the lack of an iris and the sheer size of the beast made Cain sure he hadn't stumbled upon some ancient ancestor.
He cut through the line, and confronted the alien. "I need to speak to Laman. Now," he said, firmly.
"Get to the back of the line," it grumbled in a low voice. Cain tried to move past, through the entrance, but it grabbed him and pushed him back. "Wait!"
Robertson took the opportunity to send a fist into the neck of the alien. It whirled around to face Robertson, but was greeted with another painful strike. It toppled back, ht its head on the wall, and passed out.
***
Inside, Laman, a scrawny looking thing, was busy serving inexpensive drinks to his customer while trying to sell off some very worthless jewels and trinkets. Cain burst in, and threw off the various items. They hit the ground with a clatter.
"Wha!" Laman suddenly shouted, "How did you get-" He cut off when he stared up at the figure before him. "Captain, whatever do you want?" he asked, his tone softening dramatically.
"For him to get out, first," Cain shot back, pointing at the customer. It qiuckly disappeared through the exit.
"Not in your uniform, I see," Laman stuttered nervously, "Care for a drink."
"I want Romulan mind probes. I know you have some. And I know you are going to give me them. Now."
"Captain, captain, I'm sorry, I can out..." Laman replied.
Cain grabbed him, raised him from the ground and spoke harshly. "Now," was all he said.
"Please, captain, I don't have anything you would ever wish to acquire," Cror croaked, remember his past encounter with Cain, when he was forced to give away his stolen Federation gel packs.
Cain suddenly threw Laman back; the latter crumpled upon a nearby table, fell off and landed upon the floor with a thud. "Please, I have nothing!"
"You said that last time, Cror," Cain shouted, "And the time when the Vendaari slaves you acquired after 'rescuing them'. Tell me, what did I say I would do if I saw you here, again."
"You have no jurisdiction, here!" he sneered, wiping the white blood from his lips, "You have no power over me!" Cain sent his right fist into the cheek of Laman, and soon he was knocked back to the floor once again.
"Now."
Laman scurried off back to his storage area and located the container of mind probes. He presented it to Cain with caution, hoping this would be their last meeting. "All there. Now you can leave."
"That wasn't so hard, Laman, was it?" Cain sniggered, "I thank you for your time." Cain decided to pick up an overturned chair on his way out before leaving for the ship.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Mar 3, 2005 23:34:14 GMT -5
The burly guard at Laman's door had not been to pleased when he awoke with a bruised eye and a nose covered in white blood, but Cain and Robertson had already left by that time. Laman was not happy either, and fired the alien on the spot, but made sure to not provoke it further.
On the shuttle, the medical officer had scanned the Romulan probes for structural flaws or problems, but fortunately Laman had given Cain a quality product - or at least one that appeared to be of high quality.
Jameson was lay down upon the bed in the rear of the shuttle, where scientific and medical duties were performed, and restrained with tight bonds around her legs, head and wrists. While Robertson and Kreisbourg piloted the shuttle, the Lieutenant docotr and Cain were in the rear. The mind probes were circular, small devices that emitted a green light when turn on. Cain connected them to the shuttle's computer, giving him control over the probes.
"We are ready Captain," the Lieutenant said, "Probing can commence."
Cain stepped up to Jameson. "If you tell me now...you won't have to endure the possible pain."
"I'd rather my brain be destroyed by your probes than have it removed of all the secrets it holds," she spat, "You won't get a thing from you.
Cain desperately wanted her to reconsider. Jameson was a traitor, yes, and a stubborn one at that, but Cain did not wish any pain on her. It was a well known fact that probes of any kind - especially the extremely invasive Romulan ones - hurt. Cain opened his mouth to ask her for the information again, but closed it and shook his head. She wouldn't help willingly. "Activate the probes," Cain said softly.
"Active."
Jameson shut her eyes tighly, and gritted her teeth in pain. She wouldn't give the Captain the satisfaction of making her scream. Her head was aching and throbbing; it was being invaded, inspected, entered, possibly damaged. Her hands formed fists, and her knuckles began to whiten.
"Tell me!" Cain shouting, hurting almost as much as Jameson.
She began to scream. Jameson tried to rip through her bonds, screaming continuously, trying to wrestle free from the pain. Breathing became a fast pant, and soon Jameson began to grip the bed and dig her nails into the fabric, trying to form any sort of outlet for the pain.
"How is she doing?" Cain stammered.
"Within acceptable levels."
Jameson began to scream her lungs out, while struggling and and wriggling under the security of the restraints. "Oh...God!" she bawled. "Turn them off! Off! Off!" she pleaded. "Please, get them off!"
Cain felt ashamed. "Is the procedure almost done?"
"86% complete."
Agonizing seconds passed, but suddenly Jameson stopped screaming, and her eyes opened white and stared at the ceiling.
"Tell me about the traitors, and their plans for us."
"Captain Ramses, Admiral Lawton, Lieutenant Hart-Davis, Admiral Hamilton-"
"-what?"
"Hamilton. Last known location: on board the Golden Lion..."
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Mar 8, 2005 19:37:04 GMT -5
"Set course for the Golden Lion!" Cain shouted, "Arm phasers and prepare to open a comm. channel once in range!"
The shuttle burst into light speed, and immediately the stars began to streak by them. The shuttle reached warp 6 within only 10 seconds, and continued to accelerate to its maximum speed: warp 8.3.
Jameson was still spouting out names, but Cain had already moved up to the bridge The medical officer continued to monitor her condition, and take down whatever she said, but no longer was the traitorous officer in the spotlight; the top priority now was to save the Golden Lion. Goodness knows what Hamilton could do.
***
McMillan appeared on screen. "Yes, Captain. Welcome back." He was in his ready room.
"Captain, I must speak with you immediately. Hamilton is a traitor!" Cain shouted.
"Traitor?" McMillan replied, baffled, "Are you sure?"
"Jameson blurted his name out."
"Goddamn it," McMillan sighed, "I'll lower the shields. Once you are onboard, I'll summon security teams to begin rounding up any Maquis allies."
***
Cain and his collegues appeared on the Golden Lion transporter pad, while Jameson had been sent directly to sick bay. After the usual blue glow, Cain opened his eyes, expecting to find the ship at Red alert. Instead, he found an entire security team aiming their rifles in his direction, and McMillan cooly standing at the transporter console. "Captain, good to see you back."
"What the hell is going on?" Cain shot back. He was going to walk off the pad, but several security officers pushed his back with their weapons.
"It has all gone to plan, then," McMillan chuckled, "Once you leave the ship with your band of lackeys, I assume control. Jameson tells you Hamilton is the traitor; this lures you back into my grasp."
Cain give him a dirty look. "Why?" he hissed, "Why let me go?"
"I needed to know who from your crew were loyal to you," McMillan smirked, "And I also needed you off the ship. You've made yourself a severe enough problem that I needed you far away before I could move."
Cain was tempted to lash out. "I'd try convicining you that you should change your side," he grunted, "But I know you scum can only follow orders."
McMillan walked over slowly, as if he was going to retort with Cain, face-to-face. Instead, he sent a might fist into Cain's stomach. The latter collapsed, winded, and was knocked completely unconscious by the butt of a phaser rifle...
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Mar 10, 2005 22:06:22 GMT -5
Cain awoke with a throbbing head, and found himself lying in his own cubicle in the brig, supervised by an unmoving guard. He eventually rose to his feet, and suddenly the brig doors sighed open, and in came McMillan with a smug look. In an attempt to look calm and collected, Cain sat down upon the pathetic excuse for a bed and looked relaxed. McMillan greeted him sarcastically, then dismissed the guard.
"Good morning, Captain. I'm glad you have finally decided to be brave enough to wake up," he said, "You were out for hours. I would have had you healed, but you were considered a security threat."
"No," Cain replied, "You just want me to suffer."
McMillan laughed. "You have not even experienced the suffering I can cause," he sneered, "Fortunately for you, I need you in reasonably good condition."
"Why is that?"
"We will meet up with your fleet within the hour," McMillan grinned, "I can't have you hurt. That'll give up the entire plot."
"And what would that be?"
"Nothing that will interest you once you are no longer necessary." The forcefield around his cell dropped. "With the correct technique, I am hoping you'll look like you suffered plasma burns, leaving you incapacitated for several days."
Cain rose. "You realize I won't let you."
McMillan pulled out a phaser and shot Cain, on stun, in the chest.
|
|
|
Post by DaBomb on Aug 17, 2005 14:30:25 GMT -5
Cain awoke in some pain, having been laid upon the uncomfortable bench for several hours. Across his body were shriveled pieces of black skin coated by a crust blood, though Cain knew that these were fabrications, and that he wasn't really hurt. McMillan needed to pretend Cain had been incapacitated, because if he was killed or beaten to a pulp, it would be obvious that McMillan was a traitor. Cain didn't know for sure where they were going, but he assumed it would be toward the small groups of resistors who had no idea of his treachery. As Cain rose from the bench and looked about, he found a figure standing before him. He didn't recognize the crewmember, but realised that he was on side side, for the forcefield had been deactivated and the two guards shot with a phaser.
"Sir, I am Lieutenant Madisson. I know what has happened."
Cain was handed a spare phaser.
"McMillan is planning to lead the final remnants of the resistance into a trap," Madisson continued, "What he does not realise it that many of his crew have not ever been on his side."
"Heh," Cain smiled, "His side isn't the only one with changing loyalties." The Federation had been build upon solid ideals, ideals that had been ignored by McMillan and his band of traitors. It stabbed at the heart of the foundations of the Federation, and this couldn't be allowed to continue.
It was unclear exactly how many in Starfleet were fatihful to the cause, and how many were the traitors. Some may have been simply following orders, while others may have been too ignorant or too scared to stop the plot. According to Madisson, at least forty crewmen were loyal to the cause, not counting Cain's closest friends that were being held elsewhere.
"We are planning a mutiny," he said, "Come, we must get out of here."
Cain followed the Lieutenant toward the engineering section. Before they entered main engineering, though, they moved into a small Jeffries' tube so they could move in by surprise.
Cain, with a phaser in hand, began to question the Lieutenant. "What is the plan? What exactly are we going to do against a larger force?"
The crewman didn't stop as he spoke. "Three others are going to attack engineering with us. We will cut the power and stop the transporter lockout," he said, "At that point, the rest of our forces will beam to specific locations, such as the bridge, the armoury, the shuttle bay and all transporter rooms."
"How will we take off the transporter lockout?"
Finally Madisson did stop. "We recovered the probes from your shuttle. I used them to gain the access codes needed to shut down the lockout, from an Ensign who had overheard them."
"No! What happened to the Ensign?"
Madisson began crawling through the tube again. "Engineering is ten metres away."
|
|