Commodore Kalianna Nicholotti - When The Party Ends

[Marissa Jeffrey]

[[Bridge, Deck 1, USS Excalibur-A ]]

Through her two newest advisors on the bridge, Kali had learned a great deal of what they needed in order to successfully face the chaos that was coming. She was also quickly coming to terms with the idea that conventional firepower wasn't enough, and as powerful as the Excalibur was, it wasn't going to be able to mop everything up on its own. This was still very much a fight to be had.

Nicholotti: It may be that we have already won this battle, but that very plan may win the war.

Raedai: The Laticce Alliance ships should be taken into account, the Ronin and the Khitomer are almost in pieces.

Alieth: If we indicate them our plans, they can follow suit, a joint action will be more effective, and will prevent both ships from being caught up in the explosion. :: she tilted her head slightly on one of her shoulders:: I am however concerned that the state of their shields will prevent them from withstanding the subsequent shockwave if they are not properly aligned.

Raedai: we can extend the shields over one of the ships, but it would draw fire to the other.

With a nod, Kali glanced over at her first officer.

Nicholotti: Extend our shields and protect as much as we can. Prepare our deflector.

Around her, the bridge continued functioning as it always had. The guests from the Ronin oversaw the specifics and Kali found herself content to observe. They were the subject matter experts after all.

Alieth: The Ronin is powering up her deflector. The Excalibur will reach the chroniton critical mass in 20 seconds.

Kali nodded. The woman then opened a channel. 

Alieth: =/\= To all Lattice Alliance ships and forces; we are targeting your flagship with a unique countermeasure we have developed against your weapons technology. Not only that, but this ship, and soon all Federation ships in the area, will be immune to your technology thanks to information provided by an informant recovered from your facilities. We urge you to withdraw from Sector Alpha 113 as quickly as possible. =/\=

It was the last attempt at saving life where there might not have otherwise been one. Kali had always believed that life was a precious thing and she'd given her own to save others more than once. While that, in and of itself, was full of the galaxy's impossibilities, it never diminished her belief in how precious life was.

Alieth: Armed and ready to fire:: Looking at Nicholotti:: On your mark, ma'am.

Kali nodded again. No time like the present.

Nicholotti: Fire.

Raedai: Response

The three chroniton beams met and their energy clashed into that of the gunship making short work of the largest of the Alliance's boats. Kali grinned as the power rippled through its hull just before it blasted apart into thousands of tiny shards and crystalline bits that moved from downright ugly to a shimmering handful of galactic glitter among the darkness surrounding DS33. It was poetry in action and words had little grasp on it for any who could not see it with their own eyes.

The shockwave was visible as it moved through the debris, splashing nearly harmlessly against the Blade and moving through it's shields silently. Somewhere to the side, a small puff of smoke indicated an overloaded console. A moment of silence wrapped them all as she surveyed the results of the shockwave on the two ships she'd been trying to protect.

It was broken by a call from below.

Lorana/Syrex: =/\= Response =/\=

Alieth: Understood officers, those are good news.

Lorana/Syrex: =/\= Response =/\=

There was an ever so slight motion in the Vulcan officer's brow, and Kali wondered what it all meant. Sure, she could piece much of it together, but there was probably much more to come in the reports that would be very, very interesting to read.

Alieth: =/\= Will they only talk to Sencha? Will they talk to Niac? =/\=

Lorana/Syrex: =/\= Response =/\=

Alieth: =/\= Keep trying though, and stay in touch, Alieth out.=/\=

With the source of the Sencha radiation gone, it seemed like making contact with the ships nearby was somewhat easier. There would be more speaking and less sending data packets now, which would only make everything easier. What she wasn't quite prepared for was the face that popped up on the viewscreen. Even in the middle of some of their worst moments, she couldn't remember Karrod Niac looking like he was now. 

As a commanding officer, she knew the look in his eyes though.

Nicholotti: =/\= What's your status, Captain? =/\=

For a moment, Kali was worried there wouldn't be an answer. As a captain, she knew that look, but as a doctor, she knew the look better. He needed attention, and soon.

Niac: =/\= Commodore...on behalf of the Ronin...welcome to the Alpha Isles.  Most of our systems are down...can you confirm the field is clear?  =/\=

Tucker: =/\=Can the give us a helping hand? We’re going to have to start holding our breath very soon.=/\=

As if on cue the computer chimed with a warning.

Ronin’s Computer: =/\=Warning life support offline, five minutes of oxygen left. =/\=

So it was as dire as she could have imagined it. She made a gesture towards her first officer that would set the repair crews and medical support over.

Alieth: =/\= Gentlemen, I am pleased to see you all again in one piece... more or less. =/\=

Niac: =/\= Don't worry Lt. Cmdr, most of the bleeding is internal.  That's where the blood is supposed to be.  I take it that your reconnaissance mission was a success? =/\=

Nicholotti: =/\= You could say that. Certainly helped our intervention here. =/\=

Raedai: =/\=Response=/\=

Alieth: =/\= In fact, Captain, not only did we find information on how to shield our ships from Sencha Radiation, but we rescued an old acquaintance of yours. =/\=

If there could be a shift in the man's already pained face, it was in confusion.

Niac: =/\= An acquaintance? =/\=

Alieth: =/\= The Salix symbiote is on board under the care of Lieutenant Lorana and Ensign Syrex. They has stated that they will only talk to Sencha... although I assume that you will be the next best option, if you are able to rock a skant like she used to do. =/\=

If Kali didn't know any better, she might have thought there to be some humor in that. The former ambassador and current starship captain smiled slightly to herself.

Niac: =/\= Salix?!  Sencha thought he died in the same accident that killed her! I can't...::Karrod shook his head and tried to regain control as Sencha roiled within::...we'll discuss this later.  Excalibur, we're down to three minutes of emergency life support...if you can't get that power transfer setup I'm ordering the crew into the escape pods.  Second time today actually...wonder if that ever happened before. =/\=

Nicholotti: =/\= We're already set up over here and I've deployed engineering and medical teams to both ships. You and your crew will get the support and care needed and I will see you soon. =/\=

Raedai: =/\=Response=/\=

Niac:  =/\= Understood, the Ronin is standing by.  And...thank you...all of you. =/\=

As the line closed Kali sighed. The battle had been won, and she could hope the war was won, but what was the cost. That was going to be a far too long and less that pleasant report to read, but she knew it was coming.

Hopefully it would be the last.

~ 

--

Commodore Kalianna Nicholotti

Commanding Officer

USS Excalibur - A

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