Marine Captain Michele Winters - More Uninvited Guests, Yay
Joel Cannistraro
((Bridge, Deck 01, USS Thor))
Thor's tactical sensor suite was exceptionally impressive compared to the aging Akira class she currently served aboard and there were several notable items in these sensor suites she really thought should be utilized back in the Alpha Isles. Something she would have to address if and when she got back home.
Winters: Commander, has anyone determined what it is that these aliens used to render us all unconscious at the drop of a hat? We need to be able to defend against that if we are to try and stay in sustained engagement with these guys.
Kreshkova: I haf zhought of it, and I am open to any suggestions, but I’m vondering if zhe answers to zhat are also in zhat container obtained by zhe Magni. Anyzhing on zhat front from down below?
Michele glanced at the other officer as they checked their console for updates.
Orlon, A.: Nay yet, Captain.
Meris: My own experience would suggest the effect was similar to a transporter. While I did experience a kind of... black out experience. I don't know that I was necessarily rendered unconscious. It was more like a long blink.
Roe: That's consistent with what I experienced as well.
The Commanders attention seemed to become distracted and Michele followed her gaze, up to the view screen. What appeared to be a shuttle was emerging out from behind the pirate vessel.
oO Hello little guy.Oo
Moments later, a second craft followed and Michele glanced down to the Tactical station and began scans of the two vessels.
Kreshkova: Vinters, report. Vhat am I looking at?
Meris: Those appear to be shuttlecraft.
Roe: I doubt they're just for a stroll...
Winters: ::looking up to the view screen:: Confirmed, both vessels appear to be auxiliary craft. Limited weapons and shielding.
Kreshkova: Based on zheir trajectory, vhere do you zhink zhey are headed?
Meris: They are on course for the Syren's Song, Captain.
Roe: (under his breath) Guess who's coming to dinner...
Winters: ::softly and more to herself:: And just two more who knows what to keep track of.
Michele tagged both vessels within the tactical tracking system. UV-02 and UV-03 became the new tracking id's on the tactical display for these two smaller craft.
Kreshkova: Meris, please put us between zhe Syren’s song and zhat shuttle. Mister Orlon, vhezher ve zhink zhey can hear us or not, please inform zhem zhat to board eizher zhe Janaran or zhe Syren’s Song vill be considered a hostile act, and ve vill take action.
Meris & Roe: (in unison) Aye Captain.
Roe: =/\= Unidentified vessel, this is the Federation starship USS Thor. We are monitoring the approach of your shuttles towards the SS Syren's Song. Be advised if you attempt to board the Syren's Song or the USS Janaran your actions will be treated as a hostile act and we will respond. Stand down and return your shuttles to your vessel. Please acknowledge. =/\=
Winters: Permission to arm weapons and lock onto the hostile. Maybe that will get their attention.
Meris: Captain, given that we are both isolated and understaffed, that vessel may consider that they have the upper hand. ::a pause:: We could alter their perception of the situation if we were to create a sensor ghost of an approaching starship... perhaps the Octavia E. Butler, for example.
Roe: A sensor ghost? How do you suggest we do that?
Winters: ::remaining silent:: oO A shot across the bow generally gets the point across. Oo
Kreshkova: Response.
Meris: We could use the lateral sensor array to bounce active scans off a distant stellar phenomenon. If we tune our transmission appropriately, it could give the appearance of an approaching starship. If we couple it with a burst communication of the OEB's transponder signal, reflected off the same phenomenon, it should be a sufficient ruse to convince the pirate vessel that the Sagan-class starship is approaching. Any region of ionized plasma should be sufficient to create such a sensor ghost.
Winters: And what if they call your bluff?
Michele leaned in on the edge of the Tactical station waiting for a response. The idea sounded interesting but tactically it could go sideways very quickly.
Kreshkova: Response.
Roe: That's an awful thin veil you have on that ruse. If they aren't convinced immediately, they'll pick up on the fact that the "OEB" isn't getting any closer pretty quickly.
Meris: I acknowledge that it is a gamble. If it fails we will need to be prepared to defend ourselves, as well as the Syren's Song and the USS Janaran as well.
Winters: Commander, what if we amplify the idea Lieutenant Meris has? Instead of a sensor echo, we remote pilot one of the shuttles from the Thor, with a power generator and for a holo-matrix to make the Lieutenants OEB come to life.
Kreshkova/Meris: Response.
Winters: True, but with a holo-matrix aboard the shuttle, even if someone went to a window and looked outside, they would still see the OEB. Might only buy yourself a few more mins in the ruse but that's time we need.
Kreshkova/Meris: Response.
Winters: I'm a fighter Commander. I'll get out there with rocks in both hands and take on a fight if needed.
Either way and either plan was doable. The Lieutenants plan was faster but in Michele's mind riskier. Her plan had it's own issues to resolve but she felt it might buy them more time. Michele did not know which option was the correct one but the acting Captain was going to have to make a decision and fast. The shuttles were not heeding the warning, their course remained true and unchanged.
Kreshkova/Meris: Response.
(( Tags/TBC ))