Lt. Cmdr. Kirsty Carpenter - Assault on Precinct 33

[Justin Partridge]

((Main Conference Room, Deck 3, U.S.S. Ronin, Back at High Warp.))

Carpenter: Sirs, yes, sirs. ::without one iota of irony::

Beck: =/\= Please let Doctor Ohnari know I'll be reaching out to her to discuss how badly things went over there with the Sencha radiation and what help I can offer, if any. And maybe we can collaborate on a way to memorialize the Ronin and Khitomer post-humously. =/\=

Kirsty felt her very soul unexpectedly clench. 

That was so UNlike Quentin it was like she had been slapped with a palm made of ice cold water. She kept her stance, hoping her body wasn't betraying the worry and furrowed brow feeling that was radiating from her heart. She gave Quentin a knowing, but empathetic look from across the table. He had been such a beacon on GB3 and had kept that whole situation from spinning (even more) dangerously out of control.

Had this latest attack finally stolen the light from her second favorite Medic? Time could only tell. But what was telling right now was the double glare from two different flag officers, one across the dearth of subspace. Kirsty knew both the looks pretty well. It was almost unnerving not being the subject of them at the moment. 

Shayne: =/\= Hey! =/\=

Niac: Gallows humor or not, Doctor Beck, that was out of line.  I don't want anyone giving up hope before the fight is even joined, least of all a senior officer.  

Quentin turned slightly, but held his own stance. Kirsty kinda loved him for that. 

Beck: =/\= Sorry, sirs.  =/\=

The Two Captains shared a charged, knowing look between them and Kirsty tried to blend into the deck's walling as much as possible. Trying not to think about how she would feel firing on a Federation outpost. But finally Captain Shayne on the other side of the screen cracked through the heated tension of the Conference Room. 

Shayne: =/\= We’ll keep you apprised. Khitomer out. =/\=

Niac: =/\= When this is all over Captain I'll see you for a drink on Thirty Three.  I'll even pick up the tab.  Ronin out. =/\=

The channel closed, plunging the Conference Room into a sudden well of silence.  Captain Karrod Niac leaned forward and put his hands flat on the conference room table, sparing his eyes across them all for a few beats each. 

Niac:  I know our situation is grave and the odds are long but I know this crew.  Every one of you is capable of excellence alone but when you work together...we can make miracles.  And I suspect we'll need a few of those before the day is over...but I believe it's within us to create our own luck.  Make sure your people know that...make sure they know we aren't beaten yet.  We are going to get back to Deep Space Thirty Three and we are going to help our friends.  Is that understood?  

Tucker:  Aye, aye, Cap. We’re near as we’re going to get as far as repairs go; everything else will have to wait until we get a space dock and put in for major repairs. The speed we’re going in wreaking havoc on the hull plating, and the ablative armor is also a bit worse for wear.

Beck: Aye, sir.

Carpenter: Understood, Captain. I'll start our scopes tunin' for the s-wave. 

O'Connor: RESPONSE

The Captain nodded, leaning back in his chair once more. And once more, Kirsty found herself in an un-envious position toward her new CO. It was Shayne's idea, but they would be the one carrying it out alongside the Khitomer. Desperate situations called for desperate measures and she knew that better than most. But to actually being the person who called for an attack on an allied station...

She shuddered slightly. Her skin crawling with her own realization that she was the one that was to push the button, as it were...

Thankfully, Captain Niac's smooth and even voice reoriented her for the trip back to the Main Bridge. 

Niac:  Very well...thank you, everyone.  We'll go back to red alert ten minutes before we drop out of warp, until then make whatever final preparations you deem necessary.  Dismissed.  

Tucker: I’m headed back to engineering and will start rotating crews a bit better. I want to get them as fresh as possible for our engagement at Deep Space Thirty-three. 

Kirsty nodded warmly toward Marty as she pivoted the opposite way, sparing her own glance at her Captain. 

Carpenter: I'll be on the Bridge if y'all need me, sir. 

O'Connor: RESPONSE

Allowing herself one last look toward Quentin, she made her way back to her post. 

((Main Bridge, Deck 3, U.S.S. Ronin.))

The white-hot star-trails and the comfortable warp corridor precession of the two ships greeted Kirsty once she crossed back onto the Main Bridge, stopping her stride back to her terminal with a small handshake and dismissal back to patrol for the Security/Tactical officer that had taken over before their meeting. Kirsty was disappointed in herself that she didn't know their name.

But she had other things to demand her attention. Namely the calling up and consulting of schematics and defensive armaments of Deep Space 33. The globular, modular form of the station started to dance across her terminal. She dared a look toward the Main Viewer and the rapidly ticking down waypoint navpoint. 

In less than an hour, Kirsty would have to determine how and where the best place to fire on friendlies would be. Her face almost divided into a downward scowl as she impassionately, but devoutly scoured the schematics for the place least likely to cause real damage. While also trying to determine the best possible waveform pattern to neutralize one of the most deadly energies Kirsty had ever encountered.

While under fire. 

And without Chief Alieth...

oO I sure hope this Shayne knows what he's doing...Oo

She looked up once more. Still the time and distance wound downward...

Any Bridge: RESPONSE

--

TAG/TBC

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Lieutenant Commander

Kirsty L. Carpenter

//\\

Chief of Security & Tactical

Starfleet SAR

(Marine Rank: Major)

//\\

U.S.S. RONIN

NCC-34523

ID: E239512QC0

//\\

F.N.S. Contributor