Sokoth Qultuq - Tazz Shipyard Mayham - Short Story

[thevidiot]

STAR TREK: Dark Angel

"Shipyard Mayhem" 

A Short story by Daniel Ratterree

Synopsis: 
Back during the early running of the Dark Angel when we had a pretty much steady daily mission going on one of the missions we ran became known as the "Tazz Mission" in which the crew of the Dark Angel set out to destroy a Breen Shipyard that was to be a construction facility for Jem'Hadar vessels.

Thinking back to the timing this was a bit too early run to have been Breen but it was done. So I took some creative liberties with some of the crew and the story and created a short story. One day if I find our old Chat log of this series I will either revise this or perhaps re-write it all together. I think this is no less fun. I had fun writing it, as I got onto a tear with it.

I hope you enjoy this adventure of the Crew of the USS Dark Angel NCC-53286

[thevidiot]

Location: Just inside Breen Space near the Tavanzian Nebula.

The USS Dark Angel slipped out of warp silhouetted by the rich pink, purple, and violet colors of the Tavanzian Nebula. It cast deep shadows across the darkened bridge but certainly caught the attention of the crew as they closed with it.

“Captain, were secured from Warp, proceeding to coordinates at half impulse as instructed!” the junior helmsman called out over her shoulder.
So’koth shifted in his chair as the vessel grew closer to the churning nebula. “Very well Ensign,” he turned and looked over his left shoulder to the Science Station. “Scan the nebula, any indication we’ve been detected?”

The young man at the Science station was intent on his console, examining the data streaming in. “The Tavanzian is a Class J Dark nebula, comprised of various Ionized gasses. Somewhat volatile. It will affect our sensor range profoundly, shields will also be effected and reduced in capacity. I recommend we shut down the bussard collectors in this instance as we would be in danger of overloading them. Also advise caution in regards to our speed, there could be debris in the nebula that we may not see in time to avoid with sensors being restricted.” Adam said glancing up from his console. “No indication we’ve been spotted by any vessels; I am not reading any in the general vicinity.”
“Thank you Mr. Maxis,” So’koth said and then pivoted in his chair looking back ahead. “Slow to one Quarter Impulse power.” He hit the intercom button on his chair. “Bridge to Engineering.”

“Engineering here!” he heard the voice of his chief engineer call back, her voice was edgy and betrayed that she was tired.

“Chief, need to shut down the Bussard collectors. Were about to fly into a Class J Nebula and they might not mix well.” He said.

“Aye, engineering out!” she said and cut the communications channel abruptly.

So’koth knew she was not exactly happy with him at the moment, they were in need of some repairs and replacement crews. Their previous mission had taxed their resources not to mention their manpower. They were down about a third of their crew due to injuries, deaths, and a few retirements. This left the engineering team undermanned the most. He certainly felt for her, and did what he could to help where he could. They had even gone as far as enlisting other departments with engineering experience to do minor repairs and maintenance as needed. The ship was certainly starting to show it.

Sokoth glanced over as the turbolift slid open admitting the new shift to relieve the night shift. “Captain,” his first officer approached. “did you stay on for the night shift as well?” his eyebrow rose out of curiosity.

So’koth nodded. “Sort of, I just got up here about half an hour ago. I was helping with repairs most of the night. He picked up his Travel mug and took a drink allowing the Raktajino warm his belly. “We’ve got so much to do and not nearly enough hands.”

“Indeed. However a captain that is sleep deprived will not help in the long run.” His first officer said flatly.

“I knew there was a reason I kept you around!” he nodded and stood vacating the chair. “Make you a deal, we still have about four hours before our rondevous, you can have the con and I’ll go get a cat nap on my couch?” he moved out of the way allowing his first officer to slide into the chair.

The Vulcan man nodded in response. “I do believe that would be acceptable.”

So’koth watched him for a moment, then headed into his ready room. He took but a moment to drop his mug into the replicator to recycle it. He stopped a moment and stared out at the stars knowing this might be the last time they see them for a few hours or perhaps a few days even depending upon what the Admiral had planned for them. The ship surged under his feet lightly, just enough to be noticeable and to note the forward hull had just passed into the nebula. The window swirled with colors and then faded to a dark purple color. “Computer reduce lighting to fifteen percent.” He said as he dropped onto the couch and pulled a pillow under his head, despite all the caffeine he had taken in over the course of the last few hours he slipped off into sleep quickly.

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[thevidiot]

5 hours later…

“Bridge to the Captain!” So’koth sat up quickly, glancing around the room getting his bearings.

“Go ahead T’lok!” he said after hitting his comm badge.

“Captain, I do believe it’s time.” He said.

“On my way!” he said as he stood pulling his uniform straight. He quickly walked out onto the bridge stealing a glance at the chronometer on the wall. As he passed through the doors he nodded to Nate Horn who was standing at the Tactical Station at the moment. “You were supposed to wake me an hour ago.”

The Vulcan man craned his head sideways as he stood. “I did not see any logical reason to do so.” He stepped out the way heading for his own station. “There was no need.”

So’koth scowled. “Right.” He turned to the viewscreen which showed the various colors of the nebula. “Are we in position?”

“Aye sir.” Van Terry, the ships chief helmsman responded.

“Ms. Braddock, I want you to shut down our communications array completely.” She nodded. He turned to his first officer who was staring at him with one eyebrow cocked in curiosity. “T’lok, Secure and evacuate Deck 5, work with the quartermaster to move anyone that does not have a security clearance of 9 or higher off that deck.” He turned again to face Nate horn at the Tactical Station. “Mr. Horn, I want guards posted at all entrance and exits to Deck 5.” He glanced around the room. “Make it quick people.”

He hit the intercom button. “Bridge to Shuttlebay.”

“Shuttlebay here, Lieutenant Furlong Here Sir.”

“Mr. Furlong, I want you to evacuate the shuttlebay. Once all personnel have left, I want you to open the shuttlebay doors and evacuate yourself, understood?”

“Aye sir, Shuttlebay out.”

He glanced up as his executive officer approached. “Sir?”

So’koth took a moment to consider his words. “Soon, let’s get through this and then we can talk about it.” He turned to look at the science station. “Mr. McCaig, secure all sensor including internal sensors accept proximity sensors.”

“Sir, I cannot express how dangerous that would be to…” he started to say but stopped as he met the Captains eyes. “Aye sir.”

“I understand Ian, and this next one makes it all the more interesting.” He turns. “Nate, lower the shields.”

This time it was his executive officer who spoke. “Captain, I cannot express how dangerous that would be considering all the debris we’ve run across already while navigating to this position.”

“Understood, and noted.” So’koth said, and nodded to Nate. “Do it.” He raised his voice and turned to address the entire bridge. “Look sharp everyone, we are vulnerable yes but this is necessary. I trust you will work together until we can move beyond this part of our mission.”

“Shuttlebay to Bridge!” the hurried voice of Chance Furlong called over the intercom.

So’koth frowned and hit the button on his chair. “Bridge here, Mr. Furlong I told you to evacuate the Shuttle bay.”

“Aye sir, I came back because I left something behind. Something just came into the shuttlebay.”

“Get out of there now Lieutenant!” So’koth said sternly, heading for the turbolift.

“Aye sir!” the nervous voice of the officer came across the intercom.

“Shuttlebay!” So’koth said gruffly as he turned inside the turbolift, noting his first officer had stayed behind. He must have understood the nature
of what was happening otherwise So’koth suspected that their might be more questions and that his first officer would have followed. Though the two of them had come to trust the others judgement.

The turbolift ride was brief down to deck thirteen, he exited the lift and headed down towards the shuttlebay passing Lieutenant Furlong in the process, he regarded the man as they passed one another. He could hear him stop and knew he was about to say something and all he did was just hold up his hand to silence what was coming. “Later Mr. Furlong!” he stopped at the Shuttlebay doors and entered his command code and entered the room. The room still smelled of ionized gasses and plasma as the ships filtration system was still working to clear out what had come in with the vessel. The faint sound of an active RCS system could be heard; it was low but it was there. He crossed over into sight of the entire bay and just as he did a vessel, crude to the look, colored in black, green and drabs appeared and abruptly landed. The egress ramp at the back lowered and an old man dressed in all black, hairy from top to bottom exited the craft and walked over toward him, the usual stern look on his face.

“Admiral Tazz.” So’koth offered a hand.

The Admiral took it, and offered a half smile. “I thought I told you to ensure this bay was cleared!” he said sharply.

“This is what happens when you have a crew of misfits to work with.” He shrugged. “Don’t worry, I’ll have a word with Mr. Furlong.”

“Soon Captain! Very soon!” the older man walked over towards the maintenance door and crossed into the small room. “After you Captain!” he gestured up the Jefferies tube access.

He nodded, and crossed the room behind him and started up the ladder opening the first door with the push of a button. “You know this level of security is a little dramatic given our position.”

“Not in the least. Tensions are growing quickly, and rumor has it the Breen are about to enter the War on the side of the Dominion. We are here to ensure that this does not happen. Or at least slow things down.”

“So were sending one ship?” Sokoth said as he continued to climb.

“Indeed. Not just any ship!” Tazz said staying sufficiently behind him.

“What is our role in this?” he asked as they continued up the ladder way.

“Dark Angel is going to stay on station here while I go in with a small team to perform some reconnaissance. I will attempt to destroy the facility covertly, rendezvous with you here and jump the hell out of here. You’ll need to have your crew ready to jump from the nebula as quickly as possible. We need to do our best not to expose the ship to the Breen to give away our actions.”

“Your telling me you want me to jump this ship out of the nebula at warp?” he stopped and looked down. “You’re kidding right?”

“You’ve got about thirty hours to figure it out. I’m sure with your resources it’s possible.” The Admiral gestured up the ladder.

“What you’re asking for is not exactly…” he considered his words. “It’s just not been done. With all that Ionization out there it’s not going to allow us to establish a stable warp field.”

“Find a solution or make one!” the Admiral said.

“Change the law of physics, and warp field dynamics in a day and half. Sounds like just the job for us!” So’koth said with a laugh. “Who are you taking?”

“Your Executive officer, and your Tactical Officer.”

“Good choices.”

“Can you have them join us in my room?”

“Aye,” he said as he climbed onto Deck five.” He hit his comm badge waiting for the Admiral. He opened the door and glanced down the corridor to check and ensure it was clear. “So’koth to bridge.”

“T’lok here Captain.”

“Mr. T’lok, grab Mr. Horn and meet me on Deck 5 right away.”

“Aye sir, were on our way!” his executive officers voice said over the open channel.

He nodded to the Admiral and pointed to the door a few feet down the corridor. The Admiral however was staring at a blackened scar that ran the length of the corridor heading down toward the turbolift. The bulkhead was warped, carpet was gone and the wall was pitted. “What happened here?”

“Plasma conduit blow out in our last engagement. Haven’t had the time to fix it yet. We went through the ringer on our last mission.”

“Are you combat ready?” he glanced back with concern.

So’koth nodded, “With the nature of our missions we have to be.” He glanced back down the corridor hearing footsteps and spotting his executive officer and tactical officer approaching. “Were a little undermanned but were ready.”

The admiral took a moment to reflect on his words, and then turned and greeted the other two officers with a smile.

“Mr. T’lok, I believe you know Admiral Tazz, Mr. Horn I don’t believe you’ve had the pleasure yet. Let’s go inside shall we.” He pointed to the doors.

They filed in and the Admiral in his usual form didn’t pull any punches. “You two are going to accompany me on a recon mission into Breen space.” He stated flatly as he set down a device on the table. A star map appeared hovering above the table, it’s holographic representation of the quadrant glowing and spinning. He pointed sharply as the map began to zoom in on Breen space, an asteroid belt appearing. “Here, Intelligence believes that the Dominion have stablished a shipyard and have begun constructing a fleet of vessels in light of the wormhole having been closed. It’s unclear if the Breen themselves will enter the war as of yet, but this does complicate things. We cannot afford the Dominion getting reinforcements at this time. I’m sure I Don’t have to tell you how important this is!”

“Does the Breen know about this?” So’koth asked leaning in.

“Were certain they do, but as this area is no longer patrolled regularly it is a possibility that they are playing ignorant for the time being.” Tazz said and looked to Nate. “We need a pretty sizeable explosive compliment.”

Nate nodded. “That I can certainly do.” He peered in at the structure and began pointing. “If we set spatial charges at these locations it should cause a chain reaction along their power grid, blow everything.”

“How did we come by this information?” T’lok asked.

“Originally through an intelligence source that I cannot divulge at this time, but we did manage to confirm this by sending a probe. Though we couldn’t get close enough to get any better readings other than what you see. Which in a nutshell isn’t much, and that brings me to part two of our mission. We are to gather as much data s we can while we are within proximity of the ship yard as it may come in handy during future engagements though I’m not sure how long the cloak will hold out. It’s pretty old.” The Admiral said, shutting off the star chart.

“Sounds like we’ve all got our work cut out for us. When do you leave?”

“Now.” The admiral said flatly.

So’koth blinked, “Ok, you boys better get hopping. Take the Jefferies tubes to the shuttlebay to maintain operational security.”

“People will notice.” Nate said finally speaking up.

“That’s fine, but they won’t get an answer as to where you’ve gone.” He nodded as the two men disappeared from the room. He looked back at Admiral Tazz. “Bring my people back alive.” He said sternly.

Tazz offered a reassuring smile. “That is the intent.”

“Thirty hours?” So’koth glanced beyond the Admiral at the swirling nebula gasses beyond the window to the room.

The older man nodded. “Thirty Hours.” He said crossing around the table and to the door. “I’ll meet them in the Shuttlebay.”

So’koth nodded. “Good luck Admiral.”

“To us all!” he said disappearing out of the room.

So’koth lingered for a moment then departed himself heading down the corridor. He nodded to the security team stationed at the doors to the turbolift and walked in. “Main Engineering!” he said. The lift took the quick five deck plunge to deck 10 and he was off the lift without skipping a beat. As he strode down the hall he hit his communicator, “Captain to the bridge, go to condition yellow and maintain until further notice. So’koth out!” he made it quick and to the point. The doors to Engineering were currently locked open. They were broken previously anyhow so they likely still did not function. The engine room looked like a Christmas tree with bypassed ODN conduits and even a few EPS power transfer conduits haphazardly strung from station to station or a hole in a bulkhead that had yet to be repaired. He spotted Lynna’s legs hanging out of a wall where a console had once stood.

“I’m busy!” he heard her bark from inside the console.

“I know. I’ve got a task for you.” So’koth said, and then stood back.

He could hear her growl from deep within the console, and she slowly extracted herself from the hole. “So’koth, we’ve still got plenty to do already. I don’t have time for this!” she said poking him in the chest, now standing toe to toe with him. “No!”

He frowned. “Sorry chief, this isn’t by my order this time.”

“Since when did we follow orders to the letter?” she spat.

“When our own people were on the line and they depended upon us to get them out of harm’s way.” He said hazarding a glance around the room. “We need to figure out a way to jump out of this nebula while at warp.” He said, his eyes meeting her in order to convey the seriousness of what he was asking.

“What?” she asked blinking, she was clearly conflicted on the idea.

“We need to form a warp bubble and go to warp from this position.” He said again. “How can we make it happen?”

She took a step back, one hand still on his chest pointing now, and tapping. “You’re asking how we can jump to warp from the inside of a Class J nebula? Full of ionized gasses? She withdrew her hand and looked away towards the warp core.

“Yes.” He said simply.

She spun on her heels, her voice rising. “You were an engineer right? I mean that is what it says in your recorder. I know you flyboys can be a little dense but I also know you were an engineer. Or was that...”

He cut her off. “Lynna, we need to do this. Put together a team and let’s work the problem. It could be life or death.” He took a glance inside the wall and the mass of melted wires, and various other things that were not recognizable. “There is no, we cannot on this one. We have to find a way to make it work.”

“Sure, let’s just rewrite warp mechanics while we’re at it right!” she let out an exasperated sigh. “Mart!” she hollered loudly.

There was a loud thump from somewhere inside the wall. “Yeah, I’m here!” his hand waved through the hole in the wall where So’koth had just been looking.

“Get out of there we’ve got work to do.” She yelled.

So’koth moved around to the other side of the Master situation table and waited while Mart extracted himself from inside the wall. A few moments later he appeared through the doors, he was covered in soot, lubricants and who knows what else exactly. Lynna was pacing, working something through in her head. He wasn’t sure if it was good or bad. Perhaps she was plotting his demise. She stopped pacing as Mart stopped at the edge of the table opposite of him, leaning on it. They both waited for a long moment.

“So we need to create a stable Warp field while in an ironically charged space.” Mart said breaking the silence. “So we would have to create a space where the ionic particles did not exist.” So’koth shifted looking at the chief as she stopped and also leaned against the console.

[thevidiot]

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The board ramp creaked close behind the three men dressed entirely in black jumpsuits, save for Nate who wore his usual black duster and hat. Each of them felt their ears pop as the seal expanded and the small cramped vessel sealed itself. “Well isn’t this quaint.!” Nate said as he dropped into one of the two rear seats. The small vessel reminded him of a much smaller version of the old Shuttles. “Is this Klingon?” he asked.

“Yes.” Tazz said as he dropped into the left side seat and began powering up the vessels engines.

T’lok settled into the seat next to him. “I assume this was lent to us in the spirit of cooperation by the Klingons?” he asked a quizzical eyebrow rising.

“No, not exactly. It was liberated a long time ago and has been sitting in storage for a long time. It belonged to a weapons runner.” He glanced over at the Vulcan. “It was,” he paused a moment thinking of the right word. “Impounded indefinitely, and in my line of work you borrow whatever you can to get the job done.”

T’lok nodded and examined the console in front of him. “Weapons and cloaking device if I’m not mistaken?”

“Correct, hopefully we won’t need them.” Tazz said as the small vessel lifted off and shook as it passed through the shuttlebay’s containment field. Lights inside the vessel flickered and went out. “That’s normal!” the elder man said as he took the shuttle in a banking turn and brought it over the hull of the Dark Angel, a lot of hull patches, and black marks still adorned her hull. Some were left to lull enemy vessels into a false sense of security. They had gotten really good at on the fly repairs to the hull.

Nate slowly leaned into the space between them taking a look out the viewer as they flew over the ship. “Looks pretty good!”

Tazz and T’lok looked back at him.

Nate shrugged. “She’s looked much worse!” he said as he slowly retreated back into the aft compartment. He began going through the weapons on board getting them ready just in case they needed them. They would be making trips over to the ship yard. He had to grab a hold of something as the old bucket when to warp once they exited the nebula. “You could have warned me!” he barked.

The lights flickered back to life as well as some of the consoles. “What fun would that be?” Tazz asked from up front.

“T’lok, I like this guy!” Nate said as he went back to his task.
A beeping brought their attention to the console that ran up the center of the control suite, both Tazz and T’lok leaned in to look it over. “Breen vessel, just a patrol craft.” Tazz said pointing to the screen which was designed specifically for ‘Identify friend or foe’.

“Is this a problem?” T’lok asked.

Tazz studied the projected path of the vessel and turned toward the helm and began making a course correction. “Not unexpected, no not a problem. We will just adjust our course to give them a wide berth. Just in case.” He leaned back and watched the sensor display showing their trajectories.

“How long will it take to reach the facility?” Nate asked from the back while he began to go through the cleaning process of one of the rifles he found.

“Not long, it’s really not far.” Tazz said as he watched the displays.

“Honestly, if it wasn’t for the need to gather intelligence we could be in and out in about two hours, but that’s not all where here for!”

“Indeed.” T’lok said. “Starfleet obviously sees this as an opportunity to look into the Dominion ship building process.”

Tazz touched his nose and then pointed at the Vulcan. “Exactly!”

“Starfleet could build ships faster; they would just need to cut out all the creature comforts. And not make them look so… pretty!” Nate said from the back. “But Starfleet does not build warships.”

“No, So’koth does!” T’lok said flatly, which brought about a good hearty laugh from both Tazz and Nate.

Tazz shifted watching the blip that was the Breen vessel slip off the screen. “Yeah, well that is what happens when you give the keys to the preverbal ship building kingdom to a Klingon.”

“I fail to see where the hilarity is in creating something that goes against our founding.”

Nate glanced up from the weapon. “That in itself is funny.” He set aside the weapon he had just reassembled. “Even Vulcan’s have to understand the need to meet your enemy’s strength with strength. After all your people have risen to the occasion in the past. It is the logical choice to fight rather than become extinct or subjugated isn’t it?”

T’lok sat in silent reflection for a few long moments before finally turning. “Indeed.”

Tazz pointed ahead as the stars turned from streaks to a dense asteroid field. “Its going to get a bit bumpy. Strap in!” he said as he began pulling on some make shift harness. “The inertial dampeners in this thing are pretty bad, if you didn’t catch that from our jump to warp. If you think that was bad. Welcome to the Klingon vomit comet.” He said pulling his chair closer to the console.

“How long is it going to take to get through this?” Nate said glancing past them through the viewscreen. “That’s thick!”
“About an hour!” Tazz said as he fired the ships impulse engines slamming them all into the padding of their chairs. “Hold onto your butts!”

[thevidiot]

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“How about producing some sort of bulb using the Navigational Deflector?” Mart asked look up from the most recent simulation they had run and failed.

“No, no, no!” Lynna spat slapping a fist down onto the console. “It would take an incredible amount of energy to create a bubble that big!” she sighed. “We’d burn out the deflector before we could manage it.”

“We cannot change the Warp Field itself to compensate.” So’koth asked.

“No.” Lynna stated, her voice was full of annoyance. “I’ve told you that what, four times now.”

“Just trying to spark some creative thought.” So’koth said standing. “Look we’ve been at this for a few hours now. I’m going to go get some lunch, want to join me?” he looked at the two of them. “We can keep working over lunch. I don’t use my own mess that often.” Reluctantly the other two followed him out the open doors to engineering and down the hall.

“How about a torpedo?” Mart asked throwing another idea out. “Could we use the blast to create a hole in the ionization, fly the ship into it and then jump?”

“No, the warp field would potentially engage but would be destabilized before we reached the edge of the field. We’d have to reinitialize it and that would take time, time we probably don’t have.” Lynna said.

“Time is going to be everything here.” So’koth said as he stepped into the lift followed by the other two. “Mess hall!”

“Ok.” Mart said falling silent lost in his own thoughts.

“We just need to not be in a nebula full of ionization.” Lynna said.

“No kidding.”

“This is impossible!” Mart said.

So’koth let out a check as the turbolift stopped one deck up to let them off. “Yeah, impossible is what we do Mart.” He said as they moved down the hallway.

“There is a limitation to just about everything So’koth.” Lynna said.

He nodded as they turned into the Mess hall and headed for the officers dining area. “True, but when we get there let me know.”

“This is sure looking like one of those rare moments.” She said. “I mean seriously we nearly have to re-write physics and warp mechanics to get this done.”

“No we don’t!” he said. “We just have to bend the rules a lot!” he said offering a grin as they settled into chairs around the Captain’s table.

“Besides, tell me this isn’t exciting. And less monotonous than damage control?”

She nodded. “I will give you that!”

“So how do we bend the rules enough to let us do this?” Mart asked as he pointed to what he wanted on his menu. “I mean essentially were looking at having to create a pocket big enough that we can establish a stable warp field and then still have the power to jump out.”

“All in a day’s work!” Lynna said. “Should we get some capes?”

So’koth ordered a plate of Bolian linguini from the steward as he came by. “That will require a lot of energy.” He took a drink from the glass of ice water in front of him. “Where can we get that much energy from. Torpedoes wouldn’t be enough, we’d have to detonate a lot of them and our launchers for all we got wouldn’t be enough to do the job. It has to be one big bang.”

“We can’t eject the Warp core of course.” Mart said matter-of-factly.

“Right!” So’koth said playing into that line of thought. “But we could eject an antimatter pod.”

“That would put us awfully low on Antimatter. We’ve not had a stopover since we left Utopia Planitia.” Lynna said.

“But that could make us a hole big enough.” So’koth said flatly.

“Yes, but we’d have to fly into it while its exploding.” Mart said, the prospect was not one he clearly liked the idea of.

So’koth sat back, holding the glass in one hand. “But that would work.”

“No!” Lynna said a little too loud.

“What would the environmental impact be on the nebula?” So’koth asked.

Mart shook his head. “That’s outside my pay grade boss!”

So’koth reached up and hit his communicator badge. “Captain to the ridge, Mr. McCaig!”

There was a brief pause before the young officer’s voice responded. “Ian here Captain.”

“Ian, if we were to detonate a full Antimatter pod inside the nebula what would the effect be?” he asked.

“Sir?” Ian’s voice seemed to crack at the thought of that.

“If we were to detonate one of our full anti-matter pods inside the nebula right now, what would be the effects both immediate and long term?”

“Uh…” his voice cut out a moment. “Well I would have to run some simulations, but based on the size of this nebula and the amount of energy release from one antimatter pod the size the DA carries, it wouldn’t have much immediate effect. The long term effects…” he paused again. “I would need to run some simulations.”

“How long would it take to run your simulations?”

“Better part of a day Captain.” The young officer responded.

“You’ve got two hours to give me your best guess, So’koth out!” he said cutting off the communications channel to end any further objections that might come.

Lynna pointed at him with a knife. “No! You are absolutely not blowing up my ship to pull off this crazy scheme. “her cheeks were starting to turn a slight shade of pink.

“Chief, we have to do this. Or we have to come up with some other alternative.” He picked up his fork as his plate of blue noodles were placed in front of him. “Give me an alternative.”

“How do you plan to enter something like an antimatter explosion and prevent us from becoming an even bigger one?” she said likewise watching the food land in front of her.

Mart shifted and then spoke up. “Navigational Deflector, and the shields?” he looked at So’koth.

So’koth nodded. “We divert weapons power into the Navigational deflector to help push the particles aside and make a tunnel through the destruction. We divert all other available power to the shields and we punch through.”

“That’s almost crazy enough to work!” Mart said smiling.

“And get us killed!” Lynna said shaking her head. “If we do this, you owe me!”

So’koth finished another bite of his food. “Fair enough.”

She waved to the steward. “I need a to go box!”

“Not going to enjoy your meal before we do Chief?” So’koth asked, a grin growing across his lips.

She tossed a napkin at his face as she stood. “No, I now have even more work to do!”

“Where you heading?” So’koth asked as she stood.

“Navigational Deflector control, I’m going to have to do some fancy rewiring of that thing to make it work and not blow out!”

Mart looked up at So’koth. “How are we going to extract an Antimatter pod in this soup?”

“Some very interesting piloting. I think I have just the person for the job too.” He nodded to himself and reached up and hit his communicator badge. “Captain So’koth to Chance Furlong!”

“Chance here Captain!”

“Come find me in the mess hall, I have a task for you.” He said before returning to his food.

“On my way!” Chance’s voice was not hiding the sudden excitement. The channel abruptly closed.

“You sure he’s the right one for the job?” Mart asked.

“Yeah, I’m sure. He’s ready to spread his wings. Besides, I just got Terry’s transfer papers approved. Next time were station side he’s heading off for greener pastures.” So’koth paused a moment in reflection. “He’s a good officer, he’s grown a lot in the short time he’s been with us.” He smiled. “Part of me is sad to see him go.”

Mart eyed him for a long moment. “Why is part of you not wanting him to go?”

“Because he’s that good!” So’koth returned to his food. “It’s time he had a chance to prove it!”

The young flight officer came threading his way through the tables in the lounge. “Reporting as ordered sir.” He said coming to attention.
“Have a seat Mr. Furlong.” So’koth said pushing a chair out next to him with his foot. “I’ve got something I need a good pilot for. I’m not going to pull any punches, this is dangerous.”

“I’ve done dangerous before sir.”

“Perhaps not like this Lieutenant.” So’koth said flatly. “You’re going to be dragging an Antimatter pod out into that soup.” He points towards the large bank of windows with his fork. “Then you’re going to have to do a high speed landing on board before we go to Warp while that Anti-matter pod is exploding.” He took a bit of his food, and glanced up at the young officer.

Chance stood there for a long moment contemplating what So’koth had just said, it was clear he was thinking through both what he was asked to do and how best to complete the task. “Piece of cake!” he said finally settling on a course of action.

“Tell me how you’ll accomplish this without loss of life and the craft.” So’koth said.

“Well I’d use one of the runabouts, tow the pod close to aft. Get it up to speed, then defend the pod till it’s in position.” He pauses. “Assuming the Dark Angel would be heading into the conflagration to come.” He paused thinking a moment. “I’d wedge the ship into one of the launch tubes, or just inside the blast doors. Runabout should fit in that space.”

“At the front of the ship?” So’koth asked, his interest piqued.

“Yes. That space at the end of the launch tubes and where the doors area is big enough to fit, I’d just let the DA scoop me up. Focus on alignment rather than trying something entirely too fancy.” He nodded. “That’s what I would do.”

“Good, go prep a runabout.”

“Wait, were doing this?” Chance said, his facial features betraying a bit of shock.

“Yes. Were in a pickle here, we need some outside the box thinking on this one. And what you just came up with on the fly is a good start. If you
think of any other way to accomplish this let me know, you have about twenty hours to solidify a plan should you choose to change it.” He smiled. “Thank you Lieutenant, your dismissed.” The young Catian got up and left, his tail twitching in delight. So’koth smiled, watching him leave before returning to his plate. He glanced up at Mart who was likewise grinning. “What?”

“He reminds you of you doesn’t he?”

So’koth let out a laugh. “Perhaps a little.”

Mart set his glass of water down and leaned back in his chair. “So sounds like we’ve got the plan. Do we have a backup?”

“Yes.” So’koth nodded. “We do it the old fashion way assuming we survive.”

“I’d better head back to engineering and start helping with the preparations.” Mart said setting his napkin down on the table and standing.

“Thanks Mart.” So’koth said nodding as the man departed.

==================== =/\= ============= =/\= ====================

[thevidiot]

Admiral Tazz had spent the better part of an hour dodging death as they maneuvered through the dense asteroid field, they had a few close calls and nearly ran head long into a monitoring probe in the middle of the asteroid belt which was also constantly maneuvering around to avoid being destroyed. There was a short while when they had thought they had been made but it turned out to be just a random patrol. Now they stood gathered around the cockpit controls staring at one of the largest construction facilities that most of them had ever seen.


“That thing is massive!” Nate said leaning between the two to get a look. “We might need more explosives and to rethink the placement.”

“Do we have enough to complete the task Mr. Horn?” T’lok asked.

Nate disappeared back into the back of the craft and grabbed a hand held padd. “Were going to need some better scans. This thing is bigger than our probe last reported. A lot bigger.”

The Admiral began piloting the cloaked shuttle in towards the massive ship yard. “If not we’ll do as much damage as we can.” He looked over at
T’lok, and pointed to a small console to his right. “That is a special sensor package, just flip the three green switches.” He gestured with a finger.
T’lok flipped the three switches as indicated and the display in front of him switched to a full spectrum scan of the facility. Data began to fly by as the sensors began collecting data. He looked over at the Admiral. “Will this not give away our position?’

The Admiral Just smiled. “No.”

“Does this rust bucket have the ability to link with my padd?” Nate asked looking forward.

“Yes, one moment.” The admiral said likewise flipping a few switches to his left.

The data then began to populate in front of Nate’s eyes. “Got it.”

“I’m going to head in towards the main complex first, then we’ll start heading out to the different branches to get scans. The craft banked and started to approach a large centralized complex.

“I’m detecting over ten thousand life signs on the central structure alone, with another twenty-five thousand throughout the rest of the network.” T’lok said.

Tazz nodded. “This isn’t exactly a casual ship building facility.”

“Not in the least.” T’lok stated flatly. “No one will know about this mission will they?”

“No, not for a long time.” Tazz said bringing the craft to a halt. “Mr. Horn, how are we looking?”

“I believe we have ample explosives to destroy the majority of the facility or cripple it for a long time.” He spun the Padd in his hands as the Admiral moved back toward him. “We will have to change a few placements but our original assessment remains, those key points should cause a chain reaction enough to destroy the facility and send what remains into the belt to pummel it to pieces.” Nate handed him the Padd and began to arm himself.

Tazz turned toward the Vulcan. “You have the conn Mr. T’lok. Horn and I have work to do. I’ll take care of the main facility, you hit the ordinance depot and the various points in the arm. Use the transporter as little as necessary. If your caught I cannot stress that they cannot know that were Starfleet.” He said.

“Just don’t get caught yourself.” Nate said with a grin. “They won’t catch me.”

“Glad you’re so sure.” Tazz said turning back to T’lok. “We will check in every hour to evaluate our situation. No heroics Nate.”

“I’m not a Hero!” he stated flatly.

“Let’s get this done!” Tazz hit the energize button on the transporter controls and he disappeared and a moment later Nate was caught up in a transporter beam as well.

Nate materialized behind a storage container most likely in a cargo area in one of the many arms. Pulling out a crude and outdated tricorder he checked his location. He was only about a hundred yards from the first target. He inched around the corner and surveyed the large open area. This was going to be harder than he though. Well if it wasn’t him anyhow. He faded into the shadows and reappeared next to the spot he was supposed to plant his first charge. He grinned thinking that So’koth would have scalded I’m for doing that to him. He always got a good laugh out of his reactions each time he had done this, randomly appearing from the shadows. It was mysterious and to those whom he wished, very deadly. He reached behind the pylon and opened a grate, setting the maglock and the timer he reached in allowing it to attach to the power conduit inside. He faded again into the shadows and appeared in another position, he would continue doing this for the next hour, Tazz wasn’t likely aware of his ability to do this, but this would also allow him to do some independent recon himself.

==================== =/\= ============= =/\= ====================

[thevidiot]

Tazz rematerialized in the stations primary core, there scans indicated that this area was where all the shops, replication facilities, and offices were located. He had also planned this operation so that they arrived during the night shift. Fewer people moving around. He was inside a small storage room where one of his targets was. He removed a life support grate and attached the spatial charge on the ceiling of the shaft and activated the timer. He closed the grate and headed for the door.

When he cracked the manual door open he peered through the crack and spotted a small group of workers walking his way. He was suddenly shocked to note that they were humans. He noted that each wore a heavy collar around their neck. He could hear them talking about the work they were doing; they apparently were the hard labor at the facility.
 
“You think Starfleet knows were here?” he heard one of them say.

“No. As far as they are concerned everyone in the 3rd fleet was probably lost in that engagement.” Another of them said.

“I cannot wait to get in my rack.” The third said. It was about then that Tazz realized that they were coming his way. He glanced around, nowhere to hide. nowhere to run. He was going to have to talk to these three and finish his task somehow or perhaps go with the other option.

The door swung open. “That’s funny.” One of them said as he entered the room.

“What?”

“The door was open.”

“Probably just a guard who left th…”

Tazz had appeared from behind the middle set of lockers holding a finger to his lips. “Close the door!”

The last one in did as instructed and they all starred at the man. “Are you here to rescue us?”

“Yes, but there is much to be done before that can be accomplished. I’m part of a reconnaissance team.” He gestured to the lockers. “Go about your normal pattern, if they realize your normal routine has been disrupted they may get suspicious. How many survivors from the third?”

“I don’t know exactly, couple thousand for certain.” One of them said.

“Yeah, most of the crew of the Mediterranean, Warsaw, Georgia are all here.” One of them said as he continued getting dressed. “I was told there are still more yet in the infirmary being cared for so they can become part of the labor force. The Breen commander is taking care of us as a sign of cooperation.” He scoffed. “The Breen have entered this war without having fired a shot.”

“Almost as Bad as the Romulans!”

Tazz held up a hand. “Good, good. I need to continue my mission. Please, I cannot stress enough you keep this between you three.”

They all nodded. “How soon until the fleet comes?”

“Four hours.” Tazz said as he stood next to the door and slowly swung it open. “Good luck!” he slipped from the room working his way down the hall, he felt a ting of guilt having lied to them. He quickly reminded himself that the good of the many outweighed the needs of the few as he turned a corner heading towards his next objective. The corridors were quiet. Even for a night cycle on a mammoth construction facility things were too quiet.

It took him another forty minutes to plant the majority of his charges. It had gone nearly undetected and it came to his last objective, the armory. A massive section of the station dedicated to the vast weapon systems that would be loaded onto the various Jem’hadar ships and other interests. Slowly Tazz creeped along a wall coming to a stop behind a support pylon, and slowly peered around the corner. To his dismay four guards were posted at the main door. He had anticipated perhaps a complicated lock but not four guards as well. He slowly started working his way around the other way stopping at a door, he quickly used a device to override the lock on the empty office space and entered the room.
He glanced briefly at the clock on his wrist. He was running out of time. He pulled out his communicator. “Tazz to Horn!”

“Go ahead Tazz.”

“I’ve run into a bit of a problem.” Tazz said flatly. “My last objective is heavily guarded.”

“One moment Admiral.” There was a flare of light static, and slowly Nate emerged from a shadow in the corner of the room.

The Admiral stared at him for a long moment, not realizing his jaw was hanging open. “How the hell did you do that?” It wasn’t easy to astonish Tazz, he had seen a lot in his time with Starfleet, but this was something altogether different.

Nate held a hand out. “Charge.”

Tazz snapped out of his astonished daze and handed him his last spatial charge. “How did you do that?”

“A little trick I picked up over the years. I’ll be back. Then I want to show you something!” he stepped back into the shadows and faded away, and a moment later reappeared. “Done!”

“Just like that?” Tazz asked astonished.

“Yup, just like that.” Nate gestured him forward. “Come on.”

Tazz stepped forward reluctantly, and stopped in front of him. “How does this work?”

“Turn around.”

Tazz did as he was instructed. Suddenly it felt like his entire body was being pulled back and stretched through a hole about the size of a quarter and then snapped like a rubber band back into being. He found himself standing on a shadowy overhang. The room below was huge. It seemed to make up an entire floor of the central core of the station. Below them sprawled out across the vast open deck was a favela filled with just about every species that the two of them had ever seen. “What is this!”

“Innocents.” Nate said quietly.

“We have to get back to the ship.” Tazz said.

“Agreed!” Nate said.

Tazz lifted the communicator to his mouth and spoke a word from a different language and Nate felt the transporter effect take him and deposit him back on the shuttle, and then was followed by Tazz. “This is not good.”

T’lok looked back from the pilot’s seat. “You are early.”

“We ran into a complication.” Nate said looking to the Admiral to decide to explain that or not.

“What kind of complication?” T’lok asked.

Tazz settled into the seat opposite of Nate who had likewise settled into the seat. “They have prisoners aboard. A large number of them.” He reached out and picked up the Padd Nate had been using previously.

“What are we going to do Admiral?” Nate asked before T’lok could.

“There is a ship that’s close to finished near the main housing facility. But there isn’t enough room on board for all of them. Let alone would they know how to fly one of those monstrosities. As much as I’d love to get our hands on a battlecruiser that’s not going to happen.” Tazz was searching.

“The Dark Angel has the capacity to carr..” T’lok began.

“No, that’s our ticket home. We cannot risk the Dark Angel in this, it would expose the operation to the Dominion and Breen.” Tazz said holding up a hand to cut him off. “We continue on mission.”

Nate eyed Tazz. “And kill all of those innocent people?”

“We have no other alternative.” Tazz said flatly.

“Yes we do, we don’t blow it up!” Nate said flatly. “You cannot kill all those people.”

“The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few, or the one Mr. Horn.” T’lok said in his usual Vulcan Stoic way. “While I agree that the loss of life would be great, it is better than allow them to serve the enemy.”

Nate stood. “No. There is another way.”

“I’m listening?” Tazz said.

“I would need a good distraction to keep them away from the living area.” Nate said flatly.

Tazz shifted in his seat, an eyebrow cocked in mild curiosity. “Ok, and say we could. What then?”

“I’ll get them out, but you’ll need to pick me up on your way out.” He said bluntly.

“How?” Tazz asked.

Nate allowed a bit of a grin. “I’ve got ways of making things happen. But at a cost. I’ve seen my fair share of needless loss of life. I can stop this I’m going to try.” He glanced at T’lok. “How much time do we have before the explosives go off?”

“Three hours, or by manual detonation.” He said checking his console.

Tazz reached over and opened one of the ceiling cabinets and pulled two bandoleers of photon grenades form it and slung them. “Mr. T’lok, you will detonate those explosives if were caught or captured. We’ll keep an open communications channel.” He began programming in coordinates to the transporter. “Mr. Horn,” he stopped realizing suddenly that he was gone. “Damn it!” he hit the energize button and he appeared just outside the station armory right in between the four guards. His first two shots took the two guards in the front out the other two reacted with enough time to bring their weapons up to which he ducked and swept them with his leg sending the two to the ground. He was able to dispatch one of them with the bayonet on the front of his rifle, and the other took some doing.

Tazz stood and started walking down the corridor setting a photon grenade and tossing it over his shoulder as he walked down the corridor. The grenade exploded a few moments after rattling his bones but did exactly what he needed. Alarms began going off all over the station pulling all attention to him.

[thevidiot]

==================== =/\= ============= =/\= ====================

Nate stepped out of a shadow inside one of the metal shakes that had been haphazardly set up on the giant floor. He knelt and shook the woman sleeping. It only took a moment for her to stir and wake. “What’s your name?” he asked.

She blinked looking at him sleepily. “What? Janice, Lieutenant Janice Winters.”

“Ms. Winters. Do you have leaders here?” he asked standing to his full height.

She slowly sat upright. “Your Starfleet?”

He nodded and offered her a hand to which she took and he hauled her up to her feet. “Yes. We don’t have much time. Get your leaders quietly and have them come here now!”

She took but a moment to pull on her tattered boots. “Ok.” She disappeared out of the tent and went across the way. He could hear her waking others. It didn’t take long as they all appeared to be close to the center as he assumed they might be.

About eight of them stood around him, all from various races. “Listen to me. I can get you out of here but you have to understand it won’t be complete freedom.”

“Any place but here is fine!” A blue skinned Bolian said.

He nodded. “Gather your people and have them ready. Once I open the gate you tell them to run in. It won’t be pleasant but it will get you out of here. This station is going to be destroyed soon so time is not at a premium.”

They didn’t waste any time, as they all began to scatter the was a muffled sound of an explosion somewhere deep in the station, a brief tremor ran through the floor prompting the leaders to stop and suddenly consider the dire nature of the need to evacuate. Nate waited a few moments, and ripped open time and space in the middle of the room. A black void opened before him, almost like a shadow of its own right, the sound it emitted was anything but pleasant. It sounded as if hell itself was on the other side though Nate knew otherwise. “Go!” he yelled seeing people gathered about but reluctant to run in.

Then people began to surge forward into the portal, disappearing from sight quickly. With each person Nate could feel that trickle of energy draining from his body. He knew he could last but he would be exhausted by the end. The station shook again and again; Nate could only assume that he was feeling was photon grenades going off as the Admiral continued with his misdirection. But for how long would it last.
One of the leaders appeared in front of Nate. “It won’t be long before the guards realize were disappearing.” He looked around quickly. “They don’t monitor us or directly guard us, but if the internal sensors suddenly register a sudden change in life signs I’m sure they will come!”
“Just keep them going!” Nate said calmly. “If they come, I will be fine. Just get as many through as you can.”

“Thank you!” the man said, he turned and moved away directing people through the portal, in some cases shoving some through by force. He was right, it didn’t take long for them to notice a sudden drop in populace as the first shot echoed off the walls. Nate could see him on the catwalk in the distance, and other pouring out behind him.

With one hand still holding open the portal he reached behind him and pulled his rifle from its sheath across his back, then slowly the organic armor which had been hiding within him expanded and formed around him sealing him away from danger. He began to take aim with one hand and started firing. More to suppress than kill at this point. There would be plenty of that too come. “Keep moving!” he shouted.
A shot landed and caused him to jerk which disrupted his hold on the portal for a fraction of a second, but he quickly was able to refocus it and he returned the favor watching one of the Breen fall from the catwalk in the distance. Shots began to ring out from all sides.

“Let me help you!” a familiar voice caught his attention, it was Janice. “I was a fair shot before I landed here.” She held out her hands.
He knew that he was expending more of his energy trying to keep the portal open with just his one hand and split focus. He reluctantly handed her the rifle. “Thank you Ms. Winters!” he turned and focused on his task at hand.

He began hearing the rifle report over and over, she seemed to be moving around while firing back at the Breen filling the catwalk. He could see that nearly all of her shots were landing as hits either disabling or killing the Breen Soldiers. He admired her ability with a rifle, it was obvious she had either been part of a security team or was perhaps just good with a rifle.

The fighting began to intensify as others got armed and started fighting back as weapons fell from above. There was a large group of Klingons who despite orders to charge the gate and flee were fighting hand to hand with Breen as they could get close. Nate could see that the populace was thinning nicely, but the Breen soldier’s numbers were growing rapidly.

One of the Catwalks exploded spectacularly causing nearly everyone to flinch not having expected it, the thing came crashing down taking several Breen with it. Nate craned his head and saw the Admiral standing at the opening just long enough to see him toss a grenade through the door behind him sending a gout of flame through the door when it exploded. The Admiral was sliding down the broken catwalk firing his rifle as quickly as its recharge matrix would allow. “Ms. Winters, time to go!” he said, his voice wavering a bit.

“Were not all through!” she said.

“I cannot keep it open much longer. Go!”

She glanced up at him and turned and lept for the portal, he watched her as she moved and then flinched as she was struck from behind by a Breen Rifle, but she was gone out of sight. He had no idea if she lived or died in that moment.

“Time to go Mr. Horn!”

“T’lok to Away team, time is running out and I believe we’ve been detected. There are vessels closing on my position.”

Nate sagged letting the portal drop. He looked to the Admiral who was still firing away. “Let’s go.”

The admiral pulled his communicator, and spoke the words again that would activate the transporter. Nate took a moment to look at the faces of those that were being left behind. Part of him felt bad, part of him knew that he was doing the right thing, and then the transporter effect took him back to the shuttle. The admiral was right behind him.
 
“Punch it Mr. T’lok!” the Admiral said.

The shuttle was already in motion, but banked sharply away from the station heading out towards the asteroid belt, two patrol ships were closing and most certainly on their trail. Explosions began ripping through the station as they quickly flew into the asteroid field. Both Nate and Tazz hovered around the window in the aft portion of the craft watching as the station was consumed by explosions. It was quick at least, Nate thought. Turning he sagged into his chair, his armor disappearing leaving him sitting there drenched in his own seat, exhausted.

“You going to be alright Nate?” The admiral asked.

“Yes, you?” Nate regarded the admiral how was covered in blood.

“Yeah, nothing a good dermal regenerator and some rack time won’t fix.” He moved towards the front of the craft. “Status Mr. T’lok?”

“Two vessels in pursuit, I believe our cloak has been neutralized.”
“Drop the cloak, shunt power to shields and engines.” Tazz said surveying the equipment. “Were going to have to do some fancy flying to get away from them and avoid the field. That explosion just caused a pressure wave.”

T’lok nodded. “I did note that. I shall endeavor to fly fancy!”

“Hope So’koth has something in mind for getting us out of here.” Tazz said.

==================== =/\= ============= =/\= ====================

[thevidiot]

==================== =/\= ============= =/\= ====================

“You’re going to owe me big time for this!” Lynna said flatly as she settled into a chair in the conference room. “Everything’s nearly bypassed like a Christmas tree. So much so someone has started putting presents under the Warp Core!”

“Did you just tell a joke?” So’koth stared at the Chief Engineer.

“No.” she hit a button and a picture showing a small pile of wrapped items sitting around the Warp Core appeared on the main conference room view appeared. “But someone at least has a sense of humor on this ship!”

“Fair enough, how are we looking?”

“Deflector’s ready, and Mart and I worked up a Subspace Field Geometry algorithm that should theoretically work assuming you don’t get us blown to Sto-vo-kor!”

“That’s not going to happen!” So’koth said leaning back in his chair.

“What makes you think you can avoid it and continue to walk the line?” she asked.

“Because I have you. I have this crew. And loads of Determination!” he grinned as Chance walked in followed by Mart. “Hello gentlemen, how goes the runabout configuration and the Antimatter pod hatch work?”

“Well I’ve managed to override the emergency protocols on the hatch, I installed a couple of portable tractor beams which should theoretically pull the door shut once the pod is gone so I think we’re all set there.” Mart said dropping into a chair. “Can I sleep now?”

“Nope!” So’koth offers the man a smile. “Get some caffeine in you, we’ve got more work to come!” he looked to Chance. “Mr. Furlong?”

“I’ve modified the ship with the help of Mr. Terry to remove some of the weight, we shunted more power to the tractor beams and reinforced the emitter array so we can handle the task. Diagnostics have been run, I think were as ready as were going to be.” The Catian said with a nod.

“You still certain you want the job?” So’koth asked.

“Yes, Sir.”

“If you miscalculate one bit you know you’re dead right?” Lynna asked sternly.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Shuttlebay to Captain So’koth!” a voice called out over the intercom.

So’koth hit the button on the table activating the rooms audio equipment. “So’koth here, go ahead!”

“Captain a Klingon shuttle just landed in the bay.”

“Shit!” So’koth said standing abruptly. “Something must have gone wrong. Go people!” he headed out towards the bridge. “Help secure the vessel and transport any wounded to Sickbay! So’koth out!” He stepped out onto the bridge heading for his chair while Mart, Lynna, and Chance headed for the turbolift. “Red Alert, all hands to battle stations!” The alarms began sounding all over the ship as the vessel readied for combat. So’koth hit the ship wide intercom. “This is the Captain speaking, were about to do something very dangerous. Secure everything you can, and be ready for a bumpy ride, So’koth out!” he hit the button closing the intercom, then dropped into his seat.

“I’m not detecting any debris near us at this time.” Mia Braddock stated from the Operations station. “Lieutenant Furlong is requesting permission to launch.”

“Granted!” So’koth said. “Look sharp, pass any objects you catch onto Mr. Furlong just in case he misses them. We cannot afford a mistake.” He glanced over his shoulder and spotted Mart at the Engineering station.

“Deflector is reconfigured and ready to go!” Mart called over his shoulder.

So’koth nodded, and turned back to the front. “Helm Lay in a course for the nearest Starbase, prepare to go to maximum warp.”

Van slowly turned in his chair. “We cannot establish a Warp field in here sir.”

“I’m aware, just be ready.”

“Aye sir.” Van said turning in his chair.

“Captain Chance is away, and heading ventral.” Mia said. “I’m picking up strange readings off our starboard ventral. Moving toward port.”

“Standby weapons!”

“Weapons ready.” Nate said, catching his attention. He must have just appeared on the bridge because he wasn’t there a moment ago.

“Targeting sensors are a no go.”

“Best guess Mr. Horn.” So’koth stated before turning his attention back toward the viewscreen.

“Antimatter pod’s away, closing the hatch.” Mart called from behind.

“Antimatter pod?” Nate asked, looking up briefly from his console.

So’koth nodded. “Helm stand by full impulse power.”

“Aye sir.”

“Chance is moving away, at eight thousand kilometers per second. That’s way too fast!” Mart called from the Engineering Station.

“Profile shift in that reading, it’s closing. I’m picking up a second pretty far to aft and fading.” Mia said.

Nate looked up from his console. “That’s probably our escorts from the ship yard.”

“You brought guests to dinner and didn’t tell the cook.” So’koth looked back at him. “If they get too close use torpedoes only, use proximity detonation since our targeting sensors are not functional.

“Aye!”

“Captain, he just dropped the pod and is heading back.” Mart called.

“Mr. Terry, full impulse.”

“Sir?”

“You heard me!” So’koth said. “Nate, blow that anti-matter pod when we approach five thousand Kilometers.” He looked over his should. “Ready that power transfer protocol.”

“Aye” Nate called out intent on his console.

“Standing by!” Mart called.

“Firing torpedo!” Nate called. On queue a red angry bright light appeared on the viewscreen for a few seconds.

“Now Mart!” So’koth snapped.

“Power transferring now!”

“I’ve lost weapons!” Nate called out in surprise.

“Mr. Terry prepare to engage warp drive!”

“Sir the warp field!” Van called out just as the torpedo impacted the anti-matter pod. The screen washed white and everything began to shake.

“NOW MR. TERRY! ENGAGE!” So’koth screamed over the intense bombardment of light and sound as the destructive wave of matter and antimatter mixed. The next instance left everyone slammed back into their chairs, the ship yawed hard and everyone went flying or sliding across the bridge. Alarms began going off, consoles sparked, explosions ripped through one of the science stations and the operations console casting a different kind of light across the bridge, the lights went out but the bridge was still awash with light, then the viewscreen blew out casting sparks and darkness across the bridge.

It was oddly quiet on the bridge a few moments later. The crackle of fire, moans, and sparks dominated the silence. Slowly So’koth picked himself up off the floor. “Report!” he said flinging his hair back over his head.

“Am I dead?” Nate’s voice called from the port side of the bridge. He was sitting up against one of the consoles.

“If your dead were both in our own personal hell together.” So’koth said as he slowly got to his feet. He surveyed the bridge noted that most people were moving at least. He walked over and checked Mia’s vita’s they were strong but she was out cold. So’koth hit his communicator badge. “Bridge to sickbay. We’ve got wounded up here.”

“Kes here Captain, were dispatching medical teams now!” called his Chief Medical officer.
 
“Thank you Kes.” He closed the channel and walked over and helped Van to his feet. Blood was pouring out of his nose but it seemed to be the worst of his injuries. “Get me a position fix Mr. Terry. Bleed later!” he moved on to check on one of the Junior officers that was sitting at one of the auxiliary stations. They laid unconscious much like Mia. He checked the vitals, they were there but worse than Mia’s. He waved the first responders over. “Check this one first!”

He crossed the bridge and noted that Mart was still sitting on the floor holding one of his arms. “You alright Mr. Martin?”

“Yeah,” he looks up from his arm, his face was white as a sheet. “Broke my damn arm!”

“Better than death!” So’koth stated turning back to the front of the bridge. “Mr. Terry!”

“Aye, just now coming through. Were at warp nine, we can hold this course and speed for another eight minutes. Though Engineering is saying we should go ahead and drop down or out now.”

So’koth nodded. “Do it!”

“Captain, damage reports are starting to come in from all over the ship. Several Hull breaches, structural damage, EPS Power conduits ruptured, severed ODN. About what you would expect being that close to an Anti-matter explosion of that magnitude. We have a plasma fire on deck eight, damage control is working to contain it.” Mart said from the rear of the bridge pulling his attention away.

“Maintain Red Alert until we know were in the clear. Those of you who are injured call a relief and head to a triage station to get checked out.” So’koth said slowly settling back into his chair. “Any sign of pursuit Nate?”

“Negative, those ships never left the nebula.” He said having checked the ships sensor logs. “I believe one of them was caught in the explosion.”
So’koth nodded and surveyed the bridge. “Where is T’lok and the Admiral?” he turned to look at Nate.

“Both were injured on our return. I had them taken to sickbay, then got here as quickly as I could. The admiral was the worse of the two.” Nate looked back down at his console. “Captain you are aware we have a runabout jammed in the launch tunnel exit?”

“Yes,” he snapped his fingers. “Almost forgot. Van bring us out of Warp, half impulse power. Nate open a channel.”

Nate simply nodded.

“Mr. Furlong you still with us?” So’koth said unconsciously looking up at the ceiling waiting for a reply.

“You know how I told you I would get back with life and equipment in tact?” Chances voice was muffled by what So’koth would assume was the inside of an EVA suit.

“Breaking that promise?”

“Aye sir.”

“How are you?” So’koth asked.

“Be sore for a few weeks but I’m good. Runabouts not flying again for a while. But nothing we can’t handle down in the bay Sir.” Chance said.

“Good man, I’ll have you beamed aboard. Do you need to go to Triage or sickbay first?”

“No Captain, I’m good.” Chance said.

“Very well, we’ll talk soon. So’koth out.” He looked at Nate. “Beam him to a triage center and deliver orders to have him checked out anyhow.”

He smiled. “He’s probably hot dogging It to earn brownie points.”

“No doubt.” Nate said as he began working on the task.

“Mr. Horn you have the Con. I’m heading to sickbay to check on my first officer and the Admiral.” So’koth said vaulting the stairs to the turbolift. Stepping into the back of the lift he leaned against the wall. He was going to be sore as well at least for a few days. They did one of those stupid and impossible things again and lived. He knew that it would eventually catch up with them. “Sickbay!” The lift shook a bit and then descended to his desired deck. The doors opened and allowed smoke to billow into the lift, the air was tick with it. The corridor was a mess, structural collapse in this sector left a hole in the ceiling, you could see up into the deck above. He carefully moved through the debris, which took a bit of doing. After a quick stroll down the corridor which was now flooded with wounded waiting to get into sickbay. The lighting was out so everything was bathed in red up until he reached sickbay, the doors were open bathing the corroder in lights. Sickbay’s independent power generator remained active. He spotted the doctor and approached her cautiously as she worked on a patient.

“So’koth were a little busy right now.” She said noting his presence.

“Just came to check on my first officer and the Admiral.” He said staying out of the way.

“The Admiral will be on his feet in three days, your first officer was going to be released until he took a tumble and nailed his head against the bulkhead. He should be up in a few hours. He had superficial wounds.” She swapped instruments, her face switching to one of distress. “No!” she said, the medical instruments began to beep insistently. “Hand me that hypo, with the green stuff!” she pointed.

He fished through the ones on the table next to him then slapped it into her hand. She Administered it, looking hopeful. “Anything I can do?”
“Get out of here and let me work!” she picked up a dermal regenerator and began running it over the patient’s chest. “Come on damn it!” the sensor readings flat lined indicating the patient had just stopped all respiration and heartbeat. He watched the defeated look appear on her face, she pulled her gloves off and threw them aside moving on to another patient.

So’koth lingered for a few moments longer and left sickbay heading back towards another turbolift. He was starting to get tired of seeing his people die. He stepped into the lift, “Engineering!” he called and again took his spot leaning against the back of the lift.

The Engineering deck was far worse than sickbay. It took him some time to navigate the maze of blown out walls, and ceiling. Even one section where the floor had given way. He ducked under some debris as he went through the open doors to main engineering. Lynna was sitting on a stool holding her arm, and head giving orders like an angry foreman who had not slept in days. There was a lot of truth to this, they had not slept in a few days really.

“Chief,” he stopped a few feet from her, he knew she was going to be angry. “You alright?”

“No. Damn it! You broke my ship!” she said in a growl.

“Were alive.” He said flatly.

“Most of us are!” she gestured to the three bodies still lying on the floor. “Did we accomplish what you need to get done?” she asked look up at him.

“Yes. Thank you Lynna. I know this isn’t easy, you and your people did a tremendous job. There’s no way they can deny is a yard period now.”

He offered a half smile at the prospect. “I believe Admiral Tazz will ensure that happens. He owes us now.”

“Big time!” she said through clenched teeth.

“Why don’t you at least visit a Triage station and get that looked at.” He said gesturing to her arm. “I’m sure your team can manage. Are we in any danger of blowing up?”

“No, ok.” She said standing slowly.

He pointed towards the other end of engineering. “You may want to use the side entrance. It’s pretty bad out there.” He said gesturing with a thumb behind him.

[thevidiot]

==================== =/\= ============= =/\= ====================

“Captain were approaching Starbase 252.” Terry said calling his attention to the viewscreen which was still full of static.

“Very well Mr. Terry. Standard approach.” He looked to Mia at the Operations console. “Ms. Braddock, please get me the dock master.” He waited for the telltale beep of an open channel which came moments later. “Starbase 252 control, requesting permission to dock.”

“Welcome Dark Angel, we’ve set aside berthing twelve-alpha, Admiral Tazz called ahead and asked to get you in as a priority. Your number one in the queue, please release helm controls on docking frequency six nine zero.”

“Thank you control, Dark Angel out.” He said, then nodded to Van. “Link up, let them do the work for a change Mr. Terry.”

“Aye sir,” Van said.
 
“Mr. T’lok have you set up a shore leave rotation?”

“No sir, Admiral Tazz made it clear that the entire crew is to go on shore leave. He said and I quote ‘leave the clean up to yardies’. I assume that you would be inclined to follow his.” He paused a moment. “Suggestion.”

“Indeed. Go ahead and pass the word, as soon as were tied down all are authorized for shore leave.” So’koth walked across the bridge and entered his ready room, crossing it he settled down behind his desk and the mountain of Padd’s on it and around it. “I hate paperwork.”

“Don’t we all.” Nate’s voice called from the dark corner of his ready room.

“Didn’t we discuss this?” So’koth asked.

Nate nodded and approached falling into the chair across from him. “I wanted to speak to you if you have a few minutes?” he put his feet up on the desk and leaned back in the chair.

So’koth nodded, a look of mild curiosity gracing his features. “Go ahead.”

“I left something out in my report.”

An eyebrow arched. “Oh?”

“The Admiral did as well. But there is good reason.” He paused and considered his words. “Your aware that I at one point was commander of a space station?”

“Pinnacle Station?” So’koth asked nodding. “Wasn’t it destroyed?”

“Yes, and no.” Nate said. “It was made to look that way and it nearly was. I was able to save it, and hide it away.”

So’koth nodded. “Ok, why tell me this?”

“There were survivors from all over the Federation on that Shipyard.” He stopped letting that sink in. “Tens of thousands.”

“What?” So’koth leaned back in his chair as if he was hit by a brick.

Nate nodded. “I saved as many as I could. But the thing is, I had to send them somewhere.”

“Ok where are they now?” Sokoth asked.

“Pinnacle Station.” He paused a moment.

So’koth frowned. “Ok, why do I feel like that is a bad thing?”

“Because now I know how all of those people got onto my Station and how it was nearly destroyed.” He frowned. “I caused it.” His frowned deepened. “One day this anomaly opened up in the atrium and thousands of people came out. The anomaly had a very high gravity signature so it began tearing the station apart. Just when I thought it was going to destroy us, I was able to shift the station away from that point in space leaving the singularity behind.”

“How many died?” So’koth asked realizing what he was saying.

“About thirteen hundred.”

“How many did you save?” So’koth asked somberly.

“Nearly eighteen thousand.”

“I would call that a good day. You gave those people a chance to live otherwise they would have died on that station.” So’koth said standing up. “Some died, but many more lived.”

“Better they had died on the station; it would have been faster.” Nate said looking back up. “I was searching for an answer to that question for some time now.”

The intercom beeped and T’lok’s voice came over the intercom. “Attention, secure all stations. Upon shutdown of systems all crew are authorized shore leave until further notice. Until otherwise specified this is a local shore leave so please do not depart the station for other destinations until otherwise authorized. Welcome to Starbase 252. That is all.” The intercom beeped signaling it had been cut off.

“Get some rest Nate. Rest easy knowing you saved lives. It’s important to remember that.” He said as he walked past him out the ready room door and into the turbolift. “Deck 5” he said. Leaning against the back wall of the turbolift he let his thoughts run through all the scenarios in which Tazz would leave that detail out. Nate at least explained himself. This was not like his old friend, but So’koth did have to remind himself that he was an Admiral, and in intelligence non-the-less.