Lt. Cmdr Stros - Aim Trained
tas9303
((Alpha Trionus II Prison, Corridor Between Junctions))
Stros: I have four high-yield warheads in place along what I believe to be the most structurally stressed point within the facility. ::Small red dots appeared on the map displayed on the viewscreen:: As well as smaller demolition charges placed in key areas to hopefully maximize structural damage. ::Several more blue dots appeared scattered around the map:: With one final charge placed within the vicinity of the facility's reactor. ::One last green dot appeared within the facility’s reactor control:: By my calculations, there should be more than enough munitions in place to turn the detention center into a pile of rubble.
Shayne: How will we hide the evidence that shows it was blown from the inside?
Stros was hoping that, given the placement and the explosives used, there wouldn’t be any evidence left over.
Hobart: Overkill?
Perhaps. But they wanted the job done correctly, right?
Stros: By using Photonic warheads within the demolition, it would give the sensor residuals of some sort of ambush or attack from the outside.
Shayne: The charges around the power core will help confuse their readings; push associated debris farther from stuff like it, make it harder to put the puzzle pieces together in the long term.
With a subtle point from his index finger, Stros signaled his agreement with a nod of his head.
Hobart: We still suspect that they know we’re here, right? ::beat:: I suppose it would confuse the heck out of them.
Stros: Plus, a much bigger explosion. That’s one of the main points of this, if I’m not mistaken.
Catching the stern gaze from the Captain, Stros straightened himself a bit. Maybe he needed to tone it down a bit. No use getting in trouble his first time aboard the ship.
Shayne: Big bada-boom.
Hobart: Any plans for the defense platforms further out in the system?
The one, theoretical, line of defense holding the enemy ships from advancing on them in a moments notice?
Shayne: Thoughts?
Hobart: Leaving them in place would be inconsistent with an ambush, but it sure would make it harder for them to get here.
The intended design, was it not? Stros tilted his head slightly.
Shayne: What if we kept the platforms online, but reduced their power output? Find that sweet spot so that it wards off their suspicion, but doesn’t require them to withdraw? If we get it right, we could rendezvous with the platforms, as if we’re counting on them for supporting fire, and then lure the fleet closer to the prison once the platforms have been destroyed.
A tactic to only delay the inevitable. But it could buy them more time.
Stros: Given that the Sheliak seem to already know that the detention center is here, and possibly us, moving the Khitomer closer to the platforms only puts the ship and crew at higher risk. I believe making their way to us is only a matter of time.
Hobart: You know, sir, it was my first mission under your command that the Arrow blew up a prison, too.
That raised Stros’ eyebrow. Was the Khitomer in the business of destroying detention centers?
Shayne: We’re making a habit of this, I see. Well, I never like detention anyw-
The Captain was suddenly cut off as an alert blared throughout the bridge. Stros quickly turned towards his console and looked over the incoming data.
Stros: Sometimes, I do not enjoy being correct. Outer Defense Platforms Seven, Nine, and Twelve have just gone offline. Reading weapons signatures from the surrounding platforms. ::Looking up towards Shayne:: We have incoming, sir.
Shayne: Get anyone still in the facility back on board. Red alert! Mr. Stros, signal battlestations. Stow breakables and secure the radish officers. Helmsman, take us to the defense perimeter.
The lights of the bridge quickly changed to emergency lighting, the crimson strobe of red alert tinting the bridge. Stros’ fingers slid across his console as the call for battle stations went out.
Stros: =/\= All hands, battle stations. =/\=
Bridge: Response
Hobart: =/\= Hobart to Michaels. Party guests are on their way. How many more to go? =/\=
Stros couldn’t help but hope that there weren’t many. Things were about to get ‘exciting’.
Michaels: =/\= We are nearly finished with our work, sir. I could do a more accurate estimate if I knew how many more “guests” are coming. A minimum of ten minutes though I would prefer an hour. =/\=
Hobart: =/\= Acknowledged. If you can speed it up, do so. =/\=
Michaels: =/\= We will do what we can, sir. No promises. No lies. =/\=
Morda: =/\= Bridge, This op involves a bit of transporter juggling in and around at least Cargo Bay 4. Recommend Deck 14 become an exclusion zone for all personnel except security personnel and damage control parties. =/\=
Michaels: =/\= One other point, sir. Any Starfleet personnel who are not on board already… or in the next few minutes… will be caught up in our transporter quick-cycle along with the prisoners. We will be able to sort them out. Eventually. But I can not guarantee their condition or safety. =/\=
Orders and acknowledgments flew through the air with practiced ease. Stros breathed it in with a sigh. It was nice to be on a ship with structure once again.
Kendrick: Captain Shayne, Ops reporting in. Evacuation is holding steady.
Looking up, Stros caught sight of yet another new face.
Shayne: Response
Bridge: Response
Hobart: Operations, I heard? ::Smile:: Got a job for you. Get on the comms and tell Lieutenant Torado she’s got 15 minutes to get her marines—and whoever else is still down there—out.
The Ensign gave Commander Hobart what appeared to be a nervous nod. It had been almost 50 years since Stros had been an Ensign, but the memory of the nerves from that first posting never quite went away.
Kendrick: Aye, sir.
As the Ensign moved to their console, Stros received an update on their combat readiness. He looked up at the Captain with a furrowed brow.
Stros: Captain, phaser arrays are charged and torpedo magazines are loaded. Shields charged to Eighty-Eight percent. Once transporter operations have settled, we will have full shields within a couple of minutes.
Shayne/Bridge: Response
Kendrick: =/\= Lieutenant Torado, this is Khitomer. You’ve got fifteen minutes to wrap it up. Time to bring everyone home. =/\=
Home to an incoming battle. Not exactly the most calming and relaxing homecoming, but they were Starfleet Officers. They were always ready for whatever came.
Torado: =/\= Sorry, wrong number. =/\=
A joke in a time like this? Stros couldn’t help but like the Lieutenant. The response, however, seemed to take the Ensign off guard.
Kendrick: =/\= Glad to hear your sense of humor’s still intact, Lieutenant, but the clock is ticking. =/\=
Torado: =/\= Alright. Fifteen minutes. You want us to bring you something? Carton of milk, maybe? Are we out of eggs? =/\=
Kendrick: =/\= Negative. But if you find decent coffee over there, you’ll be a hero by the time you beam back. =/\=
Stros couldn’t help himself with chiming into the little jest between the Ensign and the Lieutenant.
Stros: =/\= Do not bother with the coffee. I feel Captain Janeway found better substitutes in the Delta Quadrant than whatever that facility uses for its coffee. ::Smirking:: But I do believe there is a case of Romulan Ale hidden within one of the holding areas. =/\= ::Glancing towards Shayne:: For disposal purposes, of course.
Shayne/Hobart/Kendrick/Bridge: Response
B’Ella: Ensign B’Ella.
Stros looked up towards the new voice. Yet another new crewmember had shown up on the bridge. Stros could tell it was going to be difficult to keep track of everyone for a little while.
Kendrick: Response
B’Ella: ::nodding:: Well met.
Kendrick: Response
B’Ella: I’m not here to step on any toes. That wouldn’t be the honorable thing to do. This is your station, I’m here to assist. What I can I do to help you?
Kendrick: Response
Back to the matter at hand, Stros looked down at his console as another short series of chirps sounded.
Stros: We’ve lost another two defense platforms within the vicinity of the first round. We might not have that fifteen minutes.
Shayne/Hobart/Kendrick/Bridge: Response
Stros: Targeting sensors are trained in that direction. As soon as something shows up, we will have a firing solution. ::beat:: Preferably before they do.
Shayne/Hobart/Kendrick/Bridge: Response
TAGS/TBC…
Lieutenant Commander Stros
Tactical Officer
USS Khitomer
A239905NR1