Lt. Cmdr. Jansen Orrey: Stumble on the Doorstep.
Jansen Orrey
((Bridge, USS Independence-B))
Orrey: Expert flying could help that.
Ukinix: To a point, yes, unless they blitz us.
Seleya: I’ve found the phase torpedoes leave a trail that can be tracked when not in subspace. I am downloading some of the targeting data just in case we need it. However it should be noted this was over a decade ago, given the Vaadwaur’s trend, it would not be surprising if the Vaadwaur improved on some of its flaws.
Aitas: It may depend on how much conflict they’ve had with the Turei and any other species that has access to underspace.
Orrey: We have had a decade of increased technology as well though. Should be fine. ::wavering a hand at Wil in an so-so motion::
Ukinix: ::looking back at Vaadwaur position on the viewscreen.:; This is a tough call.
Aitas: Perhaps the other team will have some insight. ::she tapped her badge:: =/\= Taelon, do you have a moment? We have a request for you. =/\=
Taelon: =/\= Taelon here? =/\=
Aitas: =/\= Could you create a plausible imitation of a failed attempt at transitioning to underspace? =/\=
Jansen looked around the bridge for a moment. If that was the choice that had been decided on he would have to work to minimize damage.
Taelon: =/\= That’s certainly doable, though, um, we do risk damage to the ship… =/\=
Aitas: =/\= Noted. That seems a probable risk with every option. Fureri is at a console nearby and available should you need it. =/\=
Aitas: Shall I draft an announcement for the Vaadwaur? With an assurance of our disinterest in generally interfering, of course.
Ukinix: Yep, do it. ::To Seleya:: How prepared are we for a potential Vaadwaur attack?
Seleya: ::Seleya let out a long breath:: To be entirely blunt, Captain. I would say very unprepared. ::She swiveled to face Ukinix:: We do have some information on the Vaadwaur, which gives us an idea. But to give you context Captain, in 2376 Voyager awakened them from their stasis, their technology was almost 900 years out of date. 11 years later they launched a full scale invasion on Deep Space 17, their ships were fully modernized, and had even developed the brand new phase torpedo, something we’ve never encountered before. It has been close to 15 years since we retook Deep Space 17 with no intel on how they have developed since then. They are intelligent, resourceful, and brutal tacticians, and if it comes to a fight we could be facing something unexpected.
Aitas: Despite claiming this territory, they do not seem terribly keen to engage. They’re not foolhardy, at the least.
Ukinix: Hmm. “Foolhardy”, no, but if Admiral Janeway was here, I suspect she’d use the word “audacious” instead.
Seleya: They may also not want to show their hand, unless absolutely necessary.
Helm: One of the Trenvonn vessels near the border has started moving toward us, sir. Estimated time of arrival is seventeen minutes.
Aitas: I can make sure to mention the Grand Expert’s presence in the announcement. I am not sure how a conversation would go between her and the Vaadwaur directly.
Ukinix: I think that’s a good idea. They might be seventeen minutes away, but at least the Vaadwaur will see they’re inbound.
Seleya: Hopefully it discourages them from acting aggressively.
Jansen was still considering the other problems before them. He addressed the open channel to Engineering.
Orrey: =/\=Could it be worth shutting down most of the ship and drifting through. Would it reduce damage? =/\=
Saavei: =/\= Reducing non-essential systems temporarily to reinforce shields and structural integrity would do so, yes. =/\=
Wong: =/\=Then we should go for it, right?=/\=
Shanaak: =/\= Response? =/\=
Orrey: =/\= Going back to the EMP we could empty some sections of the ship and try to ensure we take hits in those “dead” areas to contain the damage. Like when the entity was guided through Amity’s systems. =/\=
Saavei: =/\= As you theorized, doctor, reducing the power load in those sections would reduce harm to any electronic systems. Shields would remain our best defense. =/\=
Seleya: =/\= So long as the EMP burst does not manage to take out the shields. It should also be noted, even if the damage is reduced, EMP can still damage electronics that are without power.=/\=
Wong: =/\=Then it would stand to reason we should put more power to the shields, right?=/\=
Aitas: Response?
Wil pressed on the console to open comms, to ask Seleya, Saavei, and Taelon a question all at once.
Ukinix: =/\= ::Tapping at console:: Extending Commander Orrey’s idea, If a phase torpedo does get through our defences, could we somehow *direct* the torpedo to hit an evacuated area of the ship? Kinda like old school decoy flares, except we take the hit where it doesn’t matter. =/\=
Saavei: =/\= Without knowing the specifics of the torpedoes targeting scanners, it is difficult to say. Evasive patterns to direct likely impacts onto more heavily armored sections of the ship would be recommended. Crew can evacuate less-armored areas of the ship prior, in the event we have a hull breach. =/\=
Seleya: =/\=As was said, it is difficult, but torpedoes do come with preferential targeting. And this is also not taken into account if the Vaadwaur launches a salvo targeting different areas of the ship. Maintaining maximum distances to the vessel to give our pilots the best reaction time to possibly maneuver the ship would be our best defense, but would make it harder to use our own weapons. =/\=
Wong: =/\=I’m just going to point out that we’re trying to enter the underspace - we can’t fly into it at just any awkward angle. We still need to be careful as to how we approach it.=/\=
Taelon: =/\= Response? =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= Commander Taelon, we’re going in, start a countdown from ninety seconds. We have a crew to rescue. =/\=
Seleya turned back to her own console to begin her own preparations. She knew that they needed to rescue their crew. But if it did come to a fight, Seleya wished that retreat was discussed. She was sure they were attached to the crew, but they would also be no help to the missing officers if the Independence was destroyed.
Taelon: =/\= Response =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= Good luck. Ukinix out. =/\=
Ukinix: ::to Aitas:: First Secretary, broadcast that message. Better they know and we see any early reaction, than them be surprised and us being blindsided.
Aitas: Response
Ukinix: Commander Orrey, work with Lieutenant Wong to work out the best areas of the ship where we can take an EMP hit and reduce casualties. Guide the evacs yourselves if you have to.
Orrey: Got it.
Ukinix: Lieutenant Seleya, ready countermeasures, standard and improvised. If the Vaadwaur come knocking, we need to be rocking.
Seleya: Aye, Captain.
Ukinix: =/\= Bridge to all hands. We will be attempting to enter underspace in around sixty seconds from ::eyeing console:: .... mark. Follow the directions from Commander Orrey and Lieutenant Wong as to where you should move to. Ukinix out. =/\=
Ukinix: Let’s go champs. We move to red alert at the first sign of trouble, whether from mother nature or the Vaadwaur. Helm, set a course, coordinate with engineering.
Helm: ::tapping console frantically:: Aye, sir.
Aitas: Response
Orrey: Approaching the rift.
Seleya: At this time the Vaadwaur ship is maintaining distance at least.
Aitas/Ukinix: Response
Seleya: I have the shield harmonics rotation protocol ready. Weapons are not on powered, but are on standby. I do have the targeting data downloaded from Operation Brightstar. -Hopefully- we will be able to shoot them down before they reach us.
Orrey: Everyone brace for the failed attempt.
Aitas/Ukinix: Response
The ship jolted and rocked like it had suddenly encountered wind resistance and JAnsen turned his focus to the readouts he was receiving.
Orrey: Structural integrity is holding. Shields took a jolt but recovering nicely. Hull stress contained to Deck Four…mostly Aft…could be from the engines still receiving power.
Aitas/Seleya: Response?
Orrey: Sending the alert to leave stressed sections once quick repairs are done. Then we will close off sections three through five and reroute traffic incase of failure during the real jump.
Ukinix: Response?
Orrey: Not receiving any reports of injuries. Everyone knew their job and stood their ground.
Seleya/Aitas/Ukinix: Response?
Tags/TBC!
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Jansen Orrey M.D., M.Sc.
Chief Medical Officer
Amity Outpost
O238506JO0