Canterra - Arrival

Posted on 06 May 2019 @ 7:14pm 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 Deeli Kosu (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Commander T'Lara & Lieutenant Junior Grade Marcus Eriksson (Jan-Feb 2389 - TRNSFR to USS Adelaide) & Lieutenant Harry Stevens & Lieutenant Junior Grade Geneviève "Jenny" Lassonde (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Ensign Graham Beckett, Ph.D. (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Anyi Nila

Mission: Ka Hakaka Maikaʻi - The Good Fight
Location: Bridge - Deck 1
Timeline: T - 15 minutes to Canterra, 0630 hours, 17 February 2389

[ON]


[Combat-Information-Center]

"How is that threat assessment coming?" Juan inquired from the center console. Scans had come in more than half an hour ago that showed three new classes of Gorn warships. For now he'd dubbed them 'Cobra,' 'Caiman,' and 'Couatl,' going from smallest to largest. Since then the staff had been going over the information they had, trying to analyze capabilities, identify weak points, and determine major threats. "Mr Eriksson?"

"The energy output on all three is higher than comparable Gorn ships we've seen in the past." The science officer reported. "Weapons loadout looks typically heavy across the board. The... big one is interesting. It looks like they're running some unusual shields, I can't say for certain until we engage, but it looks to me like some kind of adaptive system."

"Noted," Juan replied neutrally. "Any more recent information?" he asked.

"No sir," an operator commented. "New scans aren't answering any of our questions."

The minutes ticked tensely away, the enemy fleet growing larger and more detailed on the screens, sensor reading were dutifully reported, the status of every object in the suspected combat zone defined, positions marked and updated.

[Bridge]

"Captain on the Bridge!" One of the Bridge Security Officers reported as Tachibana stepped off the turbolift.

Tolkath stood and vacated the center chair. He gave the Captain an update on the current state of the ship and battlegroup, then moved back to the Science station as Tachibana took his seat.

Akio yawned. Even though this was his usual shift, he had been in numerous meetings preparing for this day: judgment day. Battlegroup Hawaii was arriving at Canterra.

"CONN, slow to impulse," Akio ordered. The ship was travelling at slower warp on approach and was now approximately 400,000 kilometers away, just outside weapons range.

"Aye, Skipper," said Cassidy, hands moving across the controls. "Dropping out of warp." The hum of the ship around them shifted with barely a shudder, state-of-the-art technology making the physics-bending transition little more than a rumble of deck plating.

[Combat Information Center]

And then they dropped out of warp, screens lit up with fresh alerts as incoming torpedoes were detected. There was an explosion of chatter as the comms officers of the entire battlegroup spoke back and forth rapid fire.

[Bridge]

Akio hit the 1MC - the all comm and shouted "BRACE FOR IMPACT!!!"

The ship shuddered as one of the torpedoes was absorbed by the shields.

"Status report!" Akio ordered over numerous alarms.

Nila checked her console over, "A torpedo struck the dorsal section of the shields on the bow. Shields are holding at ninety-four percent."

"I am detecting a further eleven Gorn torpedoes Captain" Tolkath reported, reviewing data from the Battlegroup's sensor grid "None are heading this way, it would appear they fired a spread of weapons along our projected arrival path."

If Tolkath wasn't Vulcan, Akio would have said some choice words. He gritted his teeth and turned to Stevens.

"We are being scanned, I anticipate they are adjusting aim now they have us located," Tolkath said.

"Mr. Stevens, open fire!" Akio ordered as he turned to Anyi. "Tell CIC to launch the fighters. CONN, bring us into battle formation!"

"Returning fire," replied Harry as his fingers danced across the console, he continued, "firing all weapons, all security teams to their boarding stations," as he was taking all precautions in case they were boarded.

[Combat Information Center]

Juan found his attention consumed by the task of tracking the battlegroup, the enemy ships, the weapons in flight between them. There was an initial exchange of fire, and then another volley from the Gorn, quickly it became clear they were focusing on a single ship. "They are trying to thin our numbers," Juan stated the obvious.

[Bridge]

"Bringing us in," Cassidy confirmed. Gone was any trace of his usual jocular levity as he tapped the commands into the helm controls, not just redirecting the great ship Hawaii herself by her maneuvering thrusters. Automatically the flight paths were transmitted to the battlegroup, allowing each ship to move to anticipate the needs of the other, essential in maintaining these close formations.

"All ships are moving to their prospective position, Captain," replied Harry, as he knew that this battle was only going to end up one way and that was the Hawaii's way as they outnumbered the Gorn ships, He also hoped that the two away teams had got away safely and had made it to the planet.

Sliding her hands over the console, Deeli shrugged just blaring out some stuff to keep people updated "Sending damage control to section 14 of the bow, to section 7 on deck 14 for internal overload of systems. Ship might be having a beating, but still purring like a kitten," Deeli spoke, she liked kittens, only saw them twice or so and they were little fluffy balls.

Nila was reading the sensor readings and tracking the positions of the other ships in the battle group. "Sir USS Hercules and USS Granville are in position. USS Algonquin, USS Adelaide, and USS Granville will be set up in their formation twenty-three seconds."

"The torpedoes are now changing course and tracking other ships in the battle group" Tolkath reported as the information from the sensors showed the eleven trails turning towards the Federation ships. "I anticipate further strikes."

As if on cue, the Gorn fleet launched another volley of torpedoes... Akio clenched the arm rests of the command chair, yet it was clear none of the torpedoes were targeting them.

"They are focusing fire on the Hercules!" Akio noted. "Launch the fighters and alert the Compass Island."

"On it Captain." Nila opened a channel to the CIC.

=/\= "Lieutenant Lassonde, Captain Tachibana wants all fighters launched and to move to defend the USS Hercules." =/\= Nila informed the Fighter CO.

=/\= "Copy bridge," =/\= Jenny replied as she hopped from the last step on the ladder into her cockpit. =/\= "Knights are go! Let's show these bug-eyed freaks what we can do boys!" =/\=

[Combat Information Center]

"Focus fighter efforts on torpedo defense," Juan directed. "It would appear that this battle might be decided by how well we can defend the weaker ships in our force. Mr. Eriksson, do you have any thoughts as to how we might prevent the Gorn from effectively targeting only an individual vessel?"

"Their targeting systems are pretty good, on a par with ours." The scientist replied. "We're not going to fool them, we might just have to give them something else to shoot at, keep our ships moving and use those weaker ships for hit and run, give 'em time to reenergise shields whenever possible."

"Very well," Juan replied grimly.

[Bridge]

Akio saw the Hawaii's torpedoes approach their target yet there was phaser fire directed at the torpedoes and it seemed none of them found their target.

"Their defense targeting is on point," Akio brought his hand to his chin. "Fire again!" he gestured while turning to Stevens.

As Harry's fingers danced over the tactical console, Harry replied," All targets locked and firing all weapons," as he sent out a barrage of torpedo's and Phazer bursts, and then another salvo of Torpedo's, the first wave struck thier targets, Harry knew that this was going to be hell.

As the Tactical/Security Officer initiated firing again, the viewscreen showed the torpedoes en route, along with the rest of the Battle Group's. 4 shimmers could be seen on one of the Gorn Capital Ship's deflectors.

"We are making progress," Akio said, pleased that this battle was going relatively well. He braced for the inevitable counterfire.

The fighters and phasers were able to take out most of the counter-torpedo fire, yet one hurtled towards the Hawaii.

A bright blue flash engulfed the viewscreen as the torpedo landed right on the bridge. A popping noise went off and the smell of smoke rose in the bridge.

Akio turned to the Tactical/Security console and saw Stevens on the ground.

As Harry hit the ground, he heard the sound of his wrist break and knew that this was the first battle injury he had and he also knew it would not be his last, He said Shit my wrist, I think it's broken,"

"Mr. Tolkath, get medical up here and find the ATACSEC," Akio ordered Tolkath, who was filling in as number one.

Tolkath tapped his commbadge =/\= Doctor T'Lara report to the Bridge. Injured personnel requiring medical attention, =/\=

He requested calmly, then continued in the same tone.

=/\= Ensign Beckett Your Battle-Station has been reassigned. Report to the Bridge to take over Tactical. =/\=

There was the briefest pause, but the voice which came back was poised and crisp. =/\=Understood, sir. On my way.=/\= The ATACSEC would have been in position to coordinate possible responses to boarding parties, and while a turbolift in a crisis got him places fast, it would not be instantaneous.

[Sickbay]

=/\="This is sickbay, Doctor T'Lara speaking, I am on my way."=/\= Sickbay had their hands full with the injured. Since this was her first battle since her return from Starfleet, people would expect her to stay behind to lead sickbay. She made a conscious choice to go to the bridge herself. She had a couple of motives for this. Since she didn't know her way around sickbay just yet, she hoped her new team would be more used to Doctor Aldana giving the orders here and second, while on the bridge she could get a status report. The third was on a personal nature, but she would deny it when asked about it.

"Doctor Aldana, you are in charge of sickbay," she told her assistant chief. She didn't wait for the acknowledgement and just left the bridge with a medkit. She took two nurses with her and headed to the bridge.

[Bridge]

Turning to Kosu, Akio asked, "What happened to the terminal?"

Trying to guide some damage teams to cover some areas she looked at Akio and wanted to give the smart ass answer of physics happen, but kept herself in check. Deeli actually didn't understand herself and shrugged looking back at the screen of her console. "Power overload came due to the impact hitting some side relays. Damage teams are heading to the location now."

"Copy, Ms. Kosu, keep me informed," Akio tried to keep his tone even.

With Stevens indisposed and his replacement not yet arrived, Tolkath tapped his panel and switched in the Tactical functions.

"Loading Hammerheads torpedoes in forward tubes One thru Four."

His fingers worked quickly but in a controlled manner as he selected their new weapon system, that had proved so effective at the Xavier battle.

"Targeting the four closest vessels," Tolkath continued in the same neutral tone as he linked the weapons to the sensors and uploaded targeting data.

Once the systems were synced and ready he turned and looked to Tachibana.

"Hammerheads in tubes one through four Captain," he announced calmly "Targeting is locked. Weapons are ready to fire."

"FIRE!" Akio ordered.

Tolkath tapped the panel four times. "Hammerheads are away. One, two and four have locked on. Number three is still seeking, l'm am updating targeting data". The Gorn craft it was aimed at was making a tight turn. "Number three has now locked on. All four weapons running true. Time to first impact is.... Thirty Four seconds."

Tolkath worked the panel again. "Reloading Hammerheads in tubes One through Four."

Coming through the lift doors T'Lara noticed Harry on the floor. Waving her nurses to work she quickly went over to Harry. She scanned him. "You have a broken wrist," She simply said. She gently took his hand and went through her medkit and then started to treat the wrist.

"Yeah I know, I heard it break," replied Harry as Sif wandered over to her master to check on him, " he looked at Sif and gave her a stroke with his hand that was ok to reassure her, He asked T'Lara, How long will I be out for?" as he was needed here on the bridge.

Akio saw the Doctor treating Harry and the two made eye contact before he diverted his attention back to the viewscreen. Two of the torpedoes from the other ships impacted the shields of the capital ship they were engaging. Akio felt anxiety as he saw the differently hued Hammerheads hurtling towards their target.

"Hammerhead One, impact in three, two, one..." Tolkath announced, tone calm and emtionless as the weapon struck its target. "A direct hit on their capital vessel, weapon penetrated their shields, detonation on the hull."

"Next impact, Hammerhead four, in Fourteen seconds," Tolkath continued "Negative. Weapon has been destroyed by their defensive batteries.

"Hammerhead two is closing on their escort vessel. Impact in... four, three, two, one. Weapon impacted on their hull."

As soon as the hammerhead hit, the escort ship was engulfed in flames and went dark.

The last of the first wave of Hammerheads was still running, chasing one of the other escort class ships, which was maneuvering at high speed. "Hammerhead three, has lost target lock. Weapons is searching.... Unable to reacquire. Weapon destroyed by their defensive batteries."

Tolkath's panel beeped as the second salvo of Hammerheads completed loading into their forward tubes.

The turbolift doors hadn't finished opening before Ensign Beckett slipped through. He hesitated, taking in the sight before him, then let out a deep breath and marched towards the tactical console - only to realise it was a smoking wreck with an engineer handling it. His glance towards Stevens was brief, until he moved to one of the smaller auxiliary consoles nearby.

A few seconds passed as his eyes roamed over the display, soaking in the information, making sure he was abreast of the situation. "ATACSEC ready to assume tactical control, sir," he called out to Commander Tolkath in a voice that somehow didn't betray his nerves.

"Thank you Mister Beckett" Tolkath acknowledged "Foward tubes are loaded with Hammerheads. Tactical is yours" He transferred control to Beckett's position.

"Updating targeting data on enemy capital ship; we've opened up a weak spot on their hull," Beckett reported. "Escort vessel has evaded Hammerheads and is coming back about; preparing phaser firing pattern to contain their evasion upon launch of second Hammerhead salvo. At your command, Captain."

"Target fire on the capital ship! Let's cripple her," Akio ordered.

"Targets acquired. Firing." Beckett let out a slow breath as his gaze came up for a heartbeat from the small auxiliary console, as if watching the twin streaks of light through the viewscreen would give him a better idea of what was going on than his displays. "Hammerheads one through four are away, launch pattern programmed to overwhelm their defensive batteries."

It had taken some calculation based on the data from the last attack; how long did the torpedoes take to get to their destination, where were the defensive batteries fiercest. A staggered onslaught meant the defensive batteries could destroy the Hammerheads one at a time; Beckett had timed this second salvo for as simultaneous impacts as he could manage to overwhelm the defences.

For a brief moment she was pulled from her duties at the console, she let Iria handle the direction of the damage teams and focus on the repairs. Deeli detaches the main coupling and smirks a bit as she grabs a side tool that she had on her and started to remove the head. Throwing it aside as she starts cutting it safety tape open and reattaches it on the main power flow. Deeli taps on the side console and saw the console coming back alive and put the panel back standing up "Console ready...this is a field repair, so proper repairs needs to be done later" She walks back to her console.

"Thank you, Ma'am," said Beckett, "I'll assume the console once this is -" His panel blatted at him, and there was the briefest flicker of worry as the young officer tried to process a lot of information at once in a new challenge. This was not like the holodeck training. "Target locks are, um - are acquired, Hammerheads one through four, all on the capital ship."

He shifted to another panel on the tiny console. "Beginning salvo of phaser fire to disrupt their defensive batteries; port side phaser banks are keeping that escort ship at bay. Hammerhead One impact in four..."

His screen blatted at him. "Negative; destroyed by defensive batteries - two has impacted," Beckett confirmed, the two torpedoes set to arrive in such close proximity. "Impacted their deflector shields." He tried to not sound disappointed. Every little helped right then. "Hammerheads three and four five seconds from impact.

"Four... three... Hammerhead three is gone... Four has impacted! Just on the deflectors, again, but -" Beckett had been hissing with frustration, and now he paused, before looking up with a confused grin. "Strike my last; warhead exploded against the deflectors, nano bots have pierced the shielding. They're doing notable damage to the hull, Captain!"

"Confirmed" Tolkath reported examining his sensor display "They are losing power on several decks, including to their bow disrupter banks. It appears their backup systems are also effected. They are losing atmospheric integrity on Decks seven through twelve."

"We have the advantage, keep the pressure on, Tactical," Akio encouraged.

"Third salvo of Hammerhead torpedoes are loaded," Beckett added. "Assuming tactical console." A quick flurry of buttons shut down the auxiliary console that had done him so well, and he almost vaulted over the rail to dash to where the repairs had been done on the main tactical controls.

"Fire when ready!" Akio's voice boomed on the bridge

The jury-rig on the Tactical console was more than sufficient, and Beckett's eyes lit up with the reflection of the stream of data now at his fingertips. "Targeting fire on the weak spots on the capital ship's hull," the young ensign confirmed. "Launching Hammerheads for simultaneous impact."

Across the viewscreen, across the console displays of anyone minded to watch the specific tactical data, it was clear Beckett had the rhythm of the Gorn's defences by now. The Hammerheads themselves were launched at what, on the surface, looked like an irregular rate - but it was designed to compensate for the distances of the torpedo tubes, of the manoeuvres of both Hawaii and the Gorn ship. At staggered intervals the torpedoes streaked out, but as they zeroed in on their target, they came together almost as one, enough to over-whelm the defensive batteries with more targets than they could contend with.

"Opening fire with phaser bursts to disrupt their point-defences," Beckett relayed, apprehension ringing in his voice. "Hammerhead one is - is gone, they got it." He clicked his tongue in audible frustration - then exhaled. "Two, three and four have impacted! It's -"

A heartbeat, the young officer audibly swallowing. "Massive hull damage from enemy capital ship, Captain. Looks like the nanites from Hammerhead three are splashing into internal systems and disrupting their emergency controls. Reading hull fires breaking out on multiple of their decks; she's dead in the water..." The sound of triumph was gone from Beckett's voice.

Nila was focused on her terminal going over that last show they had taken from the Gorn before they were dead in the water, "Captain shields have failed and I'm getting damage reports from decks eleven through seventeen, small hull breach on deck fourteen area has been isolated and secured."

"Dispatch damage control teams," Akio solemnly ordered.

Tolkath viewed the data displayed on his panel, the devastation wrought on the Gorn capital ship was terminal. It was crippled and dying, as we're it's crew. Even for a species as aggressive and brutal as the Gorn he harboured them no ill will, the loss of all sentient life was to be avoided. But when the species itself posed such a threat to others then deadly force was unfortunately the only logical response.

Beckett again let out a slow breath as he lifted his head. "Captain," he reported. "The rest of the Gorn fleet is moving to a defensive formation. They're pulling back; it looks like they're withdrawing from the fight, sir."

"Confirmed," Tolkath added "Sensors indicate they are powering warp engines and moving away."

"Very well. Allow their withdrawal, there has been enough suffering. We shall take the high road," Akio ordered. He saw the escape pods jettisoning from the capital ship. Akio didn't want an investigation into how in the midst of war, they had fired upon ships conducting search and rescue.

Akio also recognized the Hawaii was not in a good shape to fight, taking the brunt of the Gorn fire.

In the end though, they had achieved space superiority, at least momentarily.

[OFF]

Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO

Juan Zamora, CDR, SF
XO

Tolkath, CDR, SF
2XO/CSO

Rafe Cassidy, LT, SF
CONN

Deeli Kosu, LT, SF
CHENG

Harry Stevens, LTJG, SF
CSEC/TAC

Anyi Nila, ENS, SF
OPS

Graham Beckett, ENS, SF
ATACSEC

T'Lara, LT, SF
CMO

Marcus Eriksson, LTJG, SF
ACSO

Geneviève "Jenny" Lassonde, LTJG, SFFC
FLT 801/CO