Hoʻopaʻi - Revenge
Posted on 18 Aug 2018 @ 10:25pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.) & Commander S’chqenr T’Jedf Tolkath (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Commander Rafe Cassidy (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Wyndsor Emerson, Ph.D. & Ensign Arthur Jones, Son of Ruk (Jan 2389 TRNSFR After Second Battle of XFY) & Lieutenant Harry Stevens & Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Isabella Kelly & Yeoman 1st Class Halona Grayson
Edited on on 18 Aug 2018 @ 10:29pm
Mission:
Ka Hakaka Maikaʻi - The Good Fight
Location: Bridge, Deck 1 - USS Hawaii
Timeline: Concurrent with "Another Front of the War"
Soundtrack
[ON]
[Bridge]
Simultaneously, a light on every bridge station started to blink indicating a priority message both from XFY and the Hawaii CIC.
Both told the same story: XFY just went to RED ALERT. Half a parsec away, XFY had detected an unidentified ship closing in on the station through the debris.
The doors to the bridge hissed open allowing Dr. Emerson entry just in time for her to take note of the priority messages alerting every member of the bridge crew of the unidentified ship. approaching the fleet yards. Her stomach automatically clenched in apprehension.
Cassidy sat up, throat clenching. Unidentified ship didn't have to be a disaster scenario, but Xavier had every reason to be jumpy. "Get us ready to be underway the moment the senior staff are back on board. Security teams on standby," he said guardedly. It wouldn't do to rush off half-cocked, and Hawaii could afford to take precious seconds to get the staff on board.
Whilst the chief was off the ship, Isabella had been on the bridge standing at the Security console, and had notified all Security teams, She said," Security teams on Standby Sir," giving her report.
"Good," said Cassidy, and let himself take a moment to hesitate. "Any word on our senior -" But the question was answered before he could finish it.
Moments later, a Vulcan figure appeared in the shimmer of the transport.
Tolkath had rematerialized on the Bridge. "Report" He said to the Duty Officer.
"Incoming vessel continuing to close," Cassidy reported briskly, standing from the big chair. "Still unable to identify. ETA less than seven minutes.
"Thank you" Tolkath acknowledged. "The Captain will be aboard shortly, meanwhile go to Battle Stations, call senior staff to their positions and standby for combat operations."
"Aye, Commander." Cassidy tapped his comm badge as he headed for the helm seat. "All hands this is the Bridge! Red Alert - Battle stations! I say again, Red alert - Battle Stations! All senior staff to quarters!"
Halona had secured items in the Captain's ready room to make sure nothing would go flying in case of a fight. No need to worry about having something clock him if he was reading reports or something. She bit her lip paused and then asked aloud, "Do I stick around or head for CiC to help monitor the comms, Sir?"
She wasn't sure where she would be more useful since she hadn't been aboard the ship that long and didn't know the Command staff preferences for battle stations and where they wanted her to be working.
"Since you have communications and translation skills I would suggest the CIC Yeoman" Tolkath replied. "You should also standby for any additional duties the Captain may have for you on his return"
"Aye Sir." Halona nodded and hurried from the bridge, to head for CIC...
"Mister Jones, make preparations to get under way" Tolkath called to the Ops Officer.
"Aye sir." Arthur said, glaring at the Vulcan, apparently he hadn't gotten the memo.
"Mister Cassidy, Start plotting an intercept course" Tolkath called to the helm and then crossed to the Science panel to attempt to get a sensor reading on the intruder.
"On it, Commander," Cassidy confirmed, fingers drifting over his controls. "We'll be there, though to be sure we can intercept before they're in weapons range of Xavier we're going to have to go straight through some debris fields, giving our shields a pounding." For the moment he plotted the option safer for Hawaii; he could always adjust.
A few moments later Zamora materialized on the Bridge. Tolkath updated him on the situation. "Commander, ship is at Red Alert and crew are moving to Battle Stations. Preparations are underway for imminent departure and helm is working on an intercept course with the intruder. I am focusing sensors to attempt to get an identification. "
"Excellent work Commander." Juan offered, glancing appreciatively around at the humming activity on the bridge. "I'll monitor our launch readiness from here, you continue working to identify that vessel."
Tolkath bent over his panel. The debris was causing numerous sensor reflections and distortions, even with the recent re-calibration. He found the incoming ship's vector and begin tightening the sensors to focus in on the vessel.
"Mr. Ruk, give me an ETA on our departure please! Security, what is our combat readiness!" Juan called out from where he was standing.
"ETA is less than 3 minutes!" Arthur said, fingers flying over controls.
Whilst the chief was off the ship, Isabella had been on the bridge standing at the Security console, and had notified all Security teams, She said," Security teams on Standby Sir," giving her report.
Just as she finished her report , Harry and Lady Sif arrived on the bridge, as Sif took her position underneath a vacant terminal. Harry said," Ok Isabella, I'll take over here," as Isabella gave a short nod and headed back to the K9 Division.
"Zamora to CIC" Juan tapped his combadge. "The unidentified vessel is designated Tango 01, any new information is to be forwarded to the bridge science station immediately upon acquisition."
=/\=Understood, target now called Tango 01, for all future reference.=/\= Halona replied as she began updating the list she had been working on to forward.
"They will be in weapons range in five minutes!" someone shouted.
Halona nodded, "Bridge target Tango 01 weapons range five minutes out!" She relayed as calmly as possible, this wasn't her natural area but she as doing her best.
A shimmer of blue light flashed on the bridge as Akio materialized behind Tolkath off to the side of the command seats.
After gaining his bearings, Akio spotted Zamora. "Status, number one?"
"The unidentified vessel, designated Tango 01, is minutes out and still approaching. Commander Tolkath organized combat and departure preparations, and is currently working to provide us with a positive identification before contact is made." Juan explained before sinking into his seat.
"Copy, number one. Good work team, I have the bridge. Mr. Zamora, initiate departure checklist."
In the meantime, Wyndsor contacted sickbay. "Emerson to sickbay. In the interest of speed, we're going to be going through some heavy debris, which is going to test our shields. Be advised, there might be an increase in injuries." Until they learned more about the unidentified ship, Emerson knew the least she could do was warn her fellow healers they may be taxed more than expected.
"Yes Sir" Juan replied, training his eyes on the console in the arm of his seat. "Power systems go, navigational array go, deflectors go, sensors go, Structural integrity field go, propulsion go, weapon systems armed, all departments report ready for action, docking clamps disengaged, The board is green sir, we are ready to depart on your command."
"Half-impulse, CONN. Slow is fast, fast is slow," Akio repeated a motto of one of his former Captains that noted rushing usually slowed things down even more.
Cassidy looked like he might argue with this, but obliged, probably pushing the ship to 55% impulse power as he manoeuvred the Hawaii away from the spacedock. The encompassing hull of Xavier grew closer and closer as he approached the port, the stars twinkling hints of light beyond - then the burst out, the starscape all around them.
Albeit a starscape scarred with the debris of the battle, the field strewn with wreckage and death. The debris field to which Hawaii was headed.
Tolkath continued to try and scan the inbound ship. The vessel was coming in to the system at a very low angle, putting a thick slice of the debris field between it and the Hawaii's sensor array. The vessel was also moving at a high rate of speed and, combined with the debris, Tolkath was having to work hard to get any significant data.
He reached into a pocket, withdrew a Feinberg Reciever and placed it in his right ear. The device was practically an antique, but this one had been rewired and upgraded to sync with current sensor technology.
With the aid of the device he could more easily hear the change in the sensor returns when they locked on to a target. Combining the audio input with the visual sensor return data displayed on his panel he managed to get a lock and gathered a brief snap of telemetry and energy signatures.
But then the display panel suddenly bloomed out in a field of static. He attempted to compensate but the static intensified and he shut off the receiver in his ear. It was clearly some sort of jamming signal being generated by the incoming craft.
He ran the snapshot he had received through the computer and looked over the result. He turned to Tachibana to report.
"Intruder is at .25 parsec and closing rapidly. Initial scan indicated a Federation energy signature. However, the sensor silhouette resembles the class of Gorn vessel we encountered with the Wyoming.
Intruder is now generating a powerful sensor jamming signal that is making further analysis difficult... " He announced with Vulcan calmness. "I am attempting to compensate" Before turning back to the sensor panel.
Akio looked to Tolkath with alarm and surprised himself at the lack of hesitation, "Tactical, open fire as soon as we are in weapons range. CONN, take us in closer, steady as she goes. Mr. Ruk, monitor compromised shield frequencies and work with engineering to screen them out of rotation!"
"Aye, Skipper," Cassidy answered briskly, though not without a hint of apprehension in his voice. He remembered how this fight had gone last time. "Swinging us around for an approach on their ventral side to try to maybe limit the weapons they can bring to bear on us right away." Maybe was a key word on that; they still didn't know much about their enemy and his primary concern was evasive maneouvres if their shields were going to be for nothing.
"Shields up and weapons are locked and on fire at will Sir" replied Harry as he made sure that everything was ready to go, He continued," No other ships are in range so far Sir," as he knew that this could be a trap.
"I might have a solution for the shields, but its risky." Arthur was remembering a tactic his father taught him the Klingons used back in the day, that might work here.
"We are all ears, Mr. Ruk," Akio responded as most eyes had swiveled to the Klingon-cultured human.
"Nevermind, wouldn't work." Arthur said.
Akio paused as he looked at the view screen, studying the strategies at play. He turned to Tolkath as he calculated the best options.
"Mr. Tolkath, how is your weapons training?" Akio asked directly.
Tolkath turned back from the Science panel, eyebrow raised in query. "Weapons training Captain?"
"Report to the Marine Flight Deck. I want to know as much as we can about this ship."
Tolkath nodded, realizing Tachibana was intending to attempt a boarding action on the intruder. He removed his earpiece and diverted sensor inputs to the Helm and Tactical panels. He moved over to Tachibana "Your orders sir?"
Akio understood Tolkath's confusion and dropped to a whisper, "You are probably the most knowledgeable about that ship and we need further intelligence to figure out how they are compromising our shield frequencies. There could also be a treasure trove of information that we would be unable to obtain even if we patrolled Canterra for years. If you have any concerns, I seek your counsel," Akio asked, genuinely seeking advice on strategy.
Tolkath nodded, understanding where Tachibana was going with this. “Might l suggest a two pronged approach Captain. One Boarding Party makes for the Bridge, to acquire command and intelligence information. Another Party makes for the magazine and those shield-penetrating torpedoes. Two raids would be harder for them to oppose and would increase the probability of success.
I understand Lieutenant Cortez has been returned to duty, I would like to request she accompany me on the Bridge Party. Might I suggest Lieutenant Kosu and somebody from Tactical go along with the Magazine Party?”
"I like your thinking, Commander. Make sure Major West is on board. They are his marines, after all. Your request for additional personnel to accompany you is approved," Akio replied quietly to Tolkath.
"Thank you Captain" Tolkath took his leave and moved over to the helm. "Mister Cassidy, l require one would of your pilots, for the Hilo" Then called to Security "And one of your Tactical personnel Mister Stevens. Have them both report to the Flight Briefing room immediately"
Cassidy ground his teeth at that, clamping down on the small voice that demanded he go. He wasn't a control freak - except for when it came to flying, and it was ego as much as anything else. He'd been a test pilot, he'd clocked more than his share of flight hours and commendations and knew he was hot on anything with thrusters.
But he was the helmsman and Hawaii needed him here, behind the controls, flying the starship and its hundreds of lives in the face of a dangerous enemy vessel that could go on to threaten everyone on Xavier. So, visibly frustrated, he gave Tolkath a brisk nod. "I've got just the pilot," he confirmed despite himself, and hit commands on his console. "Sending Ensign Tai down to join you."
"Captain, Did I hear that Lieutenant Cortez is joining the away team?" Asked Harry, he continued," If she is, Then I respectively remind you that I am her supervisory officer until her court-marshal,"
"Thank you for reminding us Mr. Stevens, you must have sharp ears." Juan took the opportunity to respond first. "Of course the terms of her supervision, exclude hours spent on duty. So you will be satisfied to know that includes away missions. Allowing you to stay on the bridge where you are needed."
"I concur with the XO. Additionally, I am the only one who will refer charges for court-martial and we still await your report on Ms. Cortez, Ensign," Akio said, wanting to stop the rumor mill.
With that Zamora quickly turned to the Captain and asked "Sir, what exactly are you planning?" in a low voice.
Akio smirked at Zamora: "Taking a prize."
Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO
Juan "JJ" Zamora, CDR, SF
XO
Tolkath, CDR, SF
2XO/CSO
Rafe Cassidy, LT, SF
CONN
Wyndsor Emerson, Ph.D., LTJG, SF
PSYCH
Arthur Jones, Son of Ruk, ENS, SF
OPS
Harry Stevens, ENS, SF
TACSEC
Isabella Kelly, MACS, SF
TACSECLCPO
Halona Grayson, YN1, SF
ADMIN
