Jumping into Action

Posted on Sun Jun 12th, 2011 @ 2:58pm by Captain Vorn Krace & Commander Acle Walex & Commander Jordan Gunning & Lieutenant Valkris Edwardson & Lieutenant Commander Zim Drex & Lieutenant JG Christopher Rogan

Mission: Shadows Fall
Location: The Triangle
Timeline: MM3 MD3 0715hrs

As Vorn stepped through the doors onto the bridge, it had a satisfying thrum of activity about it. Fully-staffed today, with every station manned to allow a relief officer to take the place of anybody incapacitated or required to leave the bridge, Vorn was reminded of how the bridge of the Avalon had been during the Dominion War, and Vorn's very early years of service. They all knew him well enough as their captain now, and knew his preferences and standing order not to call captain-on-deck, despite some of the relief bridge staff being quite junior, and he was pleased to note the absence of the tradition once again as he strode towards the centre of the bridge.

"How are we doing, Commander?" Vorn asked his number one, as he approached him at the centre seat.

"All stations report that they are cleared for action Captain." Acle replied from his seat.

"Very good," the captain responded. Taking his seat at the centre of the bridge, he touched the comm. control on the arm of his chair. "Bridge to Engineering. Lieutenant, are you ready to go?"

In Engineering, the warp core churned at a steady pace, Drex crossed over to the main monitoring station for the main reaction chamber.

"On your order, sir. We figured out how to generate a subspace eddy that will disrupt their communications and prevent them from producing a warp field for about 90 seconds. It'll be a little bumpy going in. I've also modified the tractor beam to emit a warp energy tachyon field that should disable their cloaking shields when we get within five hundred kilometres." He seemed pretty proud of himself, straightening his uniform. He just hoped the plasma relay system didn't blow itself to kingdom come when he pushed the buttons at his engineering console.

"Excellent," Vorn responded over the line. "Status report on the Ra'kholh?"

"They are following a predicted pattern," one of the ship's Vulcan science officers who was filling in at that console spoke up. "We were able to predict that vessel's behaviour based upon reports of how Romulan drive systems in general operated in this region of space. They must revert to sub-light speeds periodically to prevent their drive system from overheating. The Ra'kholh is currently in one of these sub-light periods."

"Then let's get ready to go. Mister Cook; set an intercept course with the Ra'kholh, maximum warp."

"Aye, Captain, course set," the enlisted man responded.

Jordan moved his hand and placed the ship into red alert before sending a text communication to the security level with the simple order. 'Deploy.'

"Engage."

The Iapetus was not very far from the Ra'kholh - just outside of the smaller ship's sensor range, and so it didn't take long at all for them to get within range. As the ship started rapidly decelerating, Vorn began his new chain of orders to be given. "Mister Drex, now's your time to shine. Disrupt their warp field, jam their communications and lock a tractor beam on them!"

"Open hailing frequencies," the Captain ordered, leaning forward in his chair. He needn't stand, as the hail would be vocal only until they chose to respond.

"...Hailing frequencies open, audio only.." Valkris replied

"Romulan vessel Ra'kholh, this is the Federation Starship Iapetus. Under the agreements made in the Treaty of Algeron and its subsequent amendments, by the authority granted under interstellar law, you are ordered to shut down your engines and submit to boarding." His speech of protocol over, Vorn waited anxiously with his officers for a response.

The Romulan ship hung in space. There was a tense silence which put most of the Iapetus' officers on tenterhooks. Jordan's hand hovered over the phaser targeting system. Even if they turned their tails to run, he would put pain to the idea with a devastating volley of phaser-fire. The silence was almost unbearable. The Romulans could be doing anything. Eyes all over the bridge fell from the view screen to sensor readouts. Escape routes. Engine activity. Weapons. Shields. Tetryon charges that could indicate their cloaking device. Eyes began to dart back and forth.

Fire. Don't fire. The choice was his. A warning shot across their bow would give them a fright. A low intensity beam fired just wide of their deflector would serve much the same purpose. What would that do? Would they run? Would they fight back? Did it matter?

Suddenly, there was a slight crackle in the communications line. "This is the Ra'kholh. Your boarding request is granted."

"Be aware Commander, my security teams will be armed," Vorn responded over the channel. "Any forceful resistance to our search may and will be seen as an Act of War. You have been duly warned, Iapetus out." Signalling Peter to cut the channel, Vorn looked towards the helm. "Bring us alongside Mister Cook, and prepare for docking." He looked over towards Acle, who would be leading the away team. "Commander."

"Aye aye Sir. Commander Archer, you're with me. Lieutenant Commander Gunning, assemble your squad as we discussed before." Acle said, standing.

"I wish to go with them sir." Chris spoke up. "Khellian knows our legal system and will try everything to try to get away scot-free."

Acle nodded "Stay with me Ensign."

"...Captain, wouldn't it be safer to simply beam over and advance team as well?? Once we are docked, they will have as much physical access to the Iapetus as we do to them? if Mr. Drex can jam their internal sensors, a team could slip in and head directly to the data vault. once the boarding team beams over, all eyes will be upon them and where they go to?...If Nevarn wants to earn his keep, he'll do everything he can to assist us!..." Valkris began bringing up a tactical display of their target. "..Mr Rogan and Commander Walex will no doubt be busy with them, their doctrine of containment and misdirection will try to stall us into frustration. What they don't know is that we have their people! I'm basically proposing three teams, One is the diplomatic team that will take the bridge, the second will be the decoy security search team and the third will be a clandestine recovery team. Unfortunately the team should be made of Drex, Archer, and possibly one other so as to minimize the chance that they be discovered before we find the Data Cores"

"Lieutenant," Vorn said, working to keep the irritation from his voice. "The plan has already been finalized. This is an overt boarding action. Aside from that fact, Sub Commander Nevarn has already informed us of the transporter inhibitors in place on the Ra'kholh." He turned his head to look at her. "If you have any more concerns, you can discuss them with me later. I want your full attention on the execution of this plan. Clear?"

"I will address my concerns later then sir! My attention has always been on the successful execution of this....mission.." Valkris replied from her position.

"I'm glad we agree," Krace responded, before turning back towards the front, tapping the comm panel on the arm of his chair to communicate with the away team on their way to the airlock. "Commander, once you have confirmed hard-seal, you may board at your discretion."

----------------
Captain Vorn Krace
Commanding Officer

Commander Acle Walex
Executive Officer

Lt. Commander Jordan Gunning
Chief of Security

Lieutenant Valkris Edwardson
Acting Crewmember (former Marconi crew)

Lieutenant Zim Drex
Chief Engineer

Ensign Chrisopher Rogan
Chief Diplomatic Officer