Bite of the Mosquitoes

 Episode Name:  Bite of the Mosquitoes

   Written By:  Belgarath

         Cast:  Belgarath, Dakin, Edwards, Gerok, Laco, Lhoral, Nevaren, 

                Sukhar and Tahlandi.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Belgarath

     Aired On:  Wed Feb 27 03:16:05 2002

     Stardate:  52196.7

Time: Tue Feb 26 20:47:00 2002

Stardate: 52196.5

The sensors detect an unregistered armed ship coming in at warp three.

Edwards shifts in the command chair and taps a foot idly on the ground. His boredom is easily apparent on his face.

Dakin, standing at tactical, notices the incoming blip. "Lieutenant, we've got an incoming vessel with an unknown transponder ID appraoching at Warp 3."

Sukhar comes in the main entryway, and heads for a science station, logging in to begin a shift.

Sukhar sits down at Science I.

Dakin sits down at Tactical.

Tahlandi glances over her shoulder. "Preliminary scans indicate that its signature is consistent with powered weapons... should I clear traffic, sir?"

Edwards perks up at this information, "Yes, Ensign. Rann, hail 'em."

Dakin nods and tabs open an outgoing hailing frequency. "Frequencies open, sir."

Sukhar, like most Romulans, isn't known for displaying open curiousity. Still, Sukhar spares the readings a glance.

Tahlandi leans forward over her console as her fingers visibly accelerate, dancing over the controls as she speaks softly over the general broadcast channel, but quietly enough to not go over the hailing frequency... "Attention, all ships in the vicinity of Station 419... clear the area. Repeat, clear the area at once. Make your final docking runs or warp out now and wait for further instructions."

The hail is received and the image of a Rynkan, with leathery brown skin, blue stripes, and no hair appears on the screen. His blue uniform is adorned with several medals and pips. "Hello Starfleet Station 419. I am Captain Norvan of the Rynkan Space Defense."

Edwards stands up from the command chair and adjusts his tunic absently, "Hello, Captain Norvan. I'm Leftenant Michael Edwards, Second Officer of 419. Is there something we can do for you?"

Sukhar contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Laco walks into Ops from Turbolift One.

Laco has arrived.

Sukhar says "I'm showing that ship to match the profile of one of their warships, Lieutenant," to Edwards. But his voice is fairly contemptuous, even scornful, to one who knows Sukhar even a little bit. "Sending you data now."

Laco steps into Ops and heads to the Science II console at a quick pace, as if he's late.

Sukhar sends some data to Edwards' and Dakin's consoles. By the look of it, his scorn is not entirely a Romulan affectation: this thing is about as well armed as a Federation shuttlecraft, or a single Romulan Warrior in an EVA suit with a toothache and a disruptor rifle.

Norvan says, "Actually, yes, Lieutenant Edwards. I've reason to believe that you've got a Teirian citizen on your station. Do you?"

Edwards sneaks a peak at the information Sukhar sent over, then returns his attention to the Rynkan. "I... suppose it's possible." he replies, brow furrowed. "May I ask why you wish to know?"

Dakin looks towards the viewscreen with interest, yet says nothing for the moment.

Sukhar, having made his contribution for the moment in providing data to the two senior officers, simply waits to hear the arriving ship captain's reply.

Laco checks his console to make sure things are ready to go, but seems to just then discover that something is happening in Ops. He looks around.

"Yes," says the Rynkan as he glances over at an information panel off to the side. "That Teirian is an enemy of the Rynkan Confederacy. I have come here to apprehend her."

Edwards mumbles under his breath, "Deja vu." Plastering a smile on, he questions, "Well, if you could send us your information on her, and the evidence you have against her..."

Dakin goes ahead and calls up the command menu for an internal sensor sweep on his console, but delays enabling said sweep unless directly ordered toward that end.

Sukhar departs from his own console and walks over to Dakin, to say something to him quietly.

Sukhar stands and leaves Science I.

Laco scratches his nose, glancing at the viewscreen.

"Sure," the captain complies, and gives an order to one of his subordinates. "You should be receiving it now."

Edwards nods once, "All right. We'll review the data and see what we can do."

Dakin looks towards a blinking signal on his console. "Data uploaded, Lieutenant."

Sukhar, standing near to Dakin, says to him in hushed tones, "I did, in fact, encounter a Teirian woman on the Mall deck earlier, Lieutenant. A most disagreeable one."

Laco begins to do a routine Operations task, but glances over his shoulder every so often.

"Thank you, sir," says Norvan. "Please make it fast; I don't want her to slip away. Norvan out." The image of the Rynkan blinks off the screen to be replaced by a symbol showing a small ship passing in front of a planet with rings. The sensors pick up another ship heading towards the station.

Edwards walks over to the tactical station and inquires, "What do we have, Rann?"

Laco contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Dakin quirks a brow towards Sukhar then puts up an image of a female Teirian on the main viewer with a number of biographical items of data scrolling alongside. "Aniss Lhoral, head of a Teirian munitions research lab. According to the file, this woman, and her various devices of death, were responsible for the shortening of close to a million Rynkan lives." He starts to look to sukhar for something, but is interrupted by another blip on his sensor display. "Second incoming vessel, sir."

Sukhar says "That's the very unpleasant woman I just mentioned, actually." He murmurs, "If I'd known she was so distinguished, I might have bought her a drink."

Laco speaks up, "There's a Teirian warship coming in....looks like its only got lasers and some kind of low-yield torpedoes... Its moving at Warp 2.8 with weapons armed, sir."

The station is being hailed by the Teirian vessel.

Edwards comments, "Great. They're gonna plink us to death." He shakes his head and looks between Dakin and Sukhar, "I want you two to see if this evidence is real." That said, he steps back and looks to the main screen, "Put 'em on."

Dakin nods. "Aye, sir." With that, he places the Teirian transmission on the main viewer and sets to work on verifying the information against Federation records.

Sukhar indicates with an incline of his head that he'll be at his own console and the data might reasonably be worth forwarding to him. Then he heads to his console and starts work from his end.

A Teirian with pale skin and long hair appears on the viewscreen. He asks immediately, "What did they say to you?"

Edwards remarks, "Hello to you too." Moving along... "They told us that one of your mad scientists is aboard our station."

Dakin transfers the uploaded data to Sukhar's console, then waits for Edwards to end his conversation with the Teirian before reporting further.

GAME: Sukhar spends a courage point.

Sukhar (claiming advantage) contests his Medical Sciences skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

"Doctor Lhoral," the Teirian states. "Allow me to introduce myself. Colonel Morlen of the Teirian Defense Force. Whatever you do, do not hand her over to them."

Edwards replies, "Perhaps you can explain what this is all about?"

Laco watches over his shoulder.

Colonel Morlen nods and brushes aside a stray strand of hair that fell over his forehead. "I will, I will, but give me your assurance you won't hand her over to those Rynkans."

Dakin stands by his console, still silent, waiting for events to unfold.

Laco scratches his head.

Edwards frowns slightly and explains, "Colonel, we aren't supposed to interfere in the affairs of other civilizations. But she's on our station and that kind of puts us in the middle of this. Now, if she didn't do anything, we'll be happy to turn her over to you. If she did..."

"She /did/ do something," says Morlen as he holds up something resembling a PADD. "I have here a warrant for her arrest. I will come and retrieve her, then leave your station alone. Deal?"

Edwards pauses, not having expected that swerve, "You want to arrest her too?"

Dakin furrows his brow, also not expecting that.

Laco doesn't seem too surprised, but he doesn't know whats going on anyway. He occupies himself with a scan.

Morlen lowers the PADD. "Yes. What is your answer?"

Edwards recovers easily enough, "If you could transmit your data to us, so we can review it..."

Dakin frees up space on his console for the second upload.

Laco looks around again.

"Fine," Morlen states. "Make it quick. The Rynkans will become restless if you stall much longer."

Edwards comments dryly, "I'll be sure to keep that in mind. We'll contact you once we've made our decision." He makes the 'cut it' signal to Dakin.

Dakin nods and complies. "Channel closed." He then watches the info load up onto his console. "Hmm. Looks like the good doctor's wanted for treason against her own people."

Edwards huhs, "Guess you can't trust an insane arm's maker after all." He looks to Dakin and orders, "Have your people find her and get her up here. According to policy, we probably ought to turn her over to her own people. But I'm not if this is just some sort of trick to keep her safe from the Rynkans." To Laco, he adds, "Keep an eye on those ships, Laco. I don't want to have to break up any squabbles."

Dakin nods, responds with an "Aye, sir," then taps his combadge. "Dakin to Security. Begin search for Teirian female, photograph to be transmitted to all security officer PADDs and security office terminals. Detain and escort her to Ops ASAP."

He then uploads the photo of Lhoral to the aforementioned locations.

The two warships are on opposite ends of the station, both with all weapons armed.

Edwards inquires, "So what did she do to commit treason, anyway?" While he waits for an answer, he looks to Laco, "And how are those ships?"

Dakin checks the file. "No details from the info they sent us."

Laco sits up, then turns around. "Uh...how are they, sir? Fine I suppose..."

Lhoral has arrived.

A couple of security officers bring the Teirian female in, one of which has a redden mark on his cheek the size of a fist. She looks around, showing just how clearly she dislike this situation. "We got her, sir," the injured security officer says to Dakin.

Edwards comments in annoyance, "The whole point was to give us details..." He doesn't get a chance to respond to Laco's comment as his attention turns to the security officers and the guest of honor, "Doctor Lhoral, I presume?"

Dakin cranes his head over to his men and nods. "Good work, gentlemen."

Laco looks at Edwards as he speaks, then turns his attention to the newcomers.

Lhoral stares icily at Edwards, staying quiet for a while before finally saying, "What do you want?"

Edwards remarks, "I'll take that as a yes." After a brief pause, to establish that he's in control here, he explains, "We have two ships out there that want to get a hold of you, badly. One belongs to your people, the other to your enemies. I've been trying to decide what I should do. Maybe you can help me."

Dakin glances at Lhoral, a little peeved that she tried to deck one of his officers.

The Teirian's eyes widen at first, then narrow. "You should tell them that I'm not here."

Edwards shakes his head, "I'm not going to lie for you. So, unless you want to be shipped to whomever I choose, you better tell me your side of the story."

Laco watches.

Lhoral says "Whatever they told you was a lie."

Edwards simply turns to regard Dakin and comments, "I'm leaning toward the Rynkans right now. What do you think, Rann?"

Dakin shrugs. "Hmm. Treason versus the deaths of millions. Yeah. Rynkans sound good. Mr. Laco, any thoughts?"

Laco shrugs, "They got here first."

Lhoral glares at each person speaking, but remains silent.

Edwards nods slowly at his officers' thoughts. "Well then, since Doctor Lhoral obviously has nothing to say in her defense, let's get this show on the road." he states while retaking his seat. "Prepare a message for the Rynkans, telling them that they get her, Rann."

Dakin nods and begins tapping commands into his console. "Gladly, Lieutenant."

Laco snickers a little, and turns to face his console to hide this.

"I did not kill those Rynkans!" Lhoral bursts out at last. "They're just using me as a scapegoat for their own biogenic weapons accident!"

Edwards turns his chair around, so he can face Lhoral, somewhat surprised by the outburst. "Hold on, Rann." he speaks. "Why don't you tell us exactly what happened, Doctor?"

Dakin takes his hands away from his console and listens intently.

Lhoral takes a deep breath and exhales loudly. "We've known about it for a long time, but our ships were never able to get close enough to strike at their research facilities. Something must have gone wrong, and they couldn't tell their own people what they were doing. I'm widely known on Rynka as a Teirian scientist, so they blamed me for developing a disease against their colony world where their own bological weapon went out of control."

Edwards nods and keeps a poker face for the time being, "And why are your own people out to get you for treason?"

Dakin continues listening with interest.

Laco listens too.

Lhoral says "I fled from Teirra, to here. I was designing weapons, but none of them were ever used. I didn't want to do it anymore, but I wasn't allowed to quit my job. My only option was to sneak away."

Edwards stands back up and glances between Dakin and Laco, "What do you two think?"

Dakin sighs. "I know one thing. The crews of those two ships are going to get impatient enough to start shooting if we don't come up with some way of making both sides happy, and that's just going to get them killed."

Laco says "Well, I'd just tell them she isn't here, but I am not an expert on Federation Law." He looks at Dakin, "They can shoot all they want lt, until they get bored, or run out of power, but they don't have a chance to damage the station."

Edwards frowns, "I don't want to underestimate them, but unless they're hiding anything, they don't stand a chance at hurting us..." His gaze turns squarely on Lhoral, "Of course, I don't have a reason to deny the Teirians request..."

Dakin considers silently for a moment.

Laco shrugs.

Lhoral crosses her arms, "Which is why you should tell them that /I'm not here/."

Edwards states, "I basically admitted that you were here to your own people. Plus, lying? Not really ethical. Or legal."

Lhoral says "Then I'm going to die for something that's not my fault or be jailed for the rest of my life for not designing something that kills people. You will have to live with that for the rest of your life." The Rynkan ship is hailing the station.

Edwards fixes Lhoral with a look, "Your personality really doesn't lend itself to guilt-trips, Doctor. Maybe you can think of a better solution?"

Dakin frowns as a comm alert appears on his console. "Lieutenant, the Rynkan vessel's hailing us."

Sukhar, who has been silent the whole time, reviewing the scientific data, simply speaks up in a murmur that carries well in the acoustics of the room: "If this were Romulan space, the appropriate response would be to tell the Rynkans that they can certainly have her if they want her, but anything that displeases the Empire or dishonors a Romulan officer's obligation as a host awould not bode well for future relationships between the race just achieving interstellar status and the Empire which already has it." A predatory smile. "Not that the Federation would ever be so heavy-handed, of course, in impressing its views on the weak."

Lhoral looks over at the Bajoran, arms still crossed. "Yes, but you won't accept it. You'll be sending me to my death now?"

Laco has left.

Edwards shifts his look to the ever helpful Sukhar. "Doctor, I can hold off the Rynkans easily enough. It's your own people you have to worry about. If they ask for you, I'll have to turn you over. I won't have a right to interfere. Unless... we can find some way around that." he comments. "I suggest you use that brilliant mind of yours to think of alternate solutions. Rann, put the Rynkans onscreen."

Dakin nods. "Aye, sir." And with a couple keystrokes, Captain Norvan should appear on the viewer once again.

Sukhar (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Sukhar says "From what I can see of Teiran law, I must note that she's considered guilty until proven innocent, Lieutenant. The survey records your social scientists have kept are admirably clear and concise on this point."

Lhoral says "Like what? Design a weapon to destroy them? I know your weapons technology is far superior to ours already. Even if it weren't, I'm not going to design a weapon against my own people, even if they plan to imprison me." The face of the Rynkan captain fills one of the viewscreens. "Hello again, Lieutenant Edwards. Have you been able to find the Teirian criminal?"

Edwards grinds his teeth together in frustration at Lhoral's response. Thankfully, the Rynkan transmission distracts him before he can say anything further, and he turns toward the screen that's in use. "I apologize, Captain, but we won't be able to turn anyone over to you." he states as calmly as he can.

Dakin mentally braces himself for the likely soon to come outraged retort/threat.

Sukhar simply mutters something under his breath and continues flipping through many views on his console.

Norvan says, "What...what do you mean? You found her, didn't you?"

The Teirian vessel is hailing the station.

Edwards sighs faintly, "I'm sorry, Captain. I can't help you."

Dakin sighs. "Sorry to interrupt, Lieutenant, we're being hailed by the second vessel."

Norvan says, "I don't understand. You have her in custody, right? Why can't you transfer her to my ship?"

Edwards shakes his head and replies, "Could you please hold for a moment, Captain? We'll get right back to you." Without waiting for a response, he gestures to Dakin.

Dakin nods and puts the Rynkans on hold while putting through the transmission from the Teirians.

Sukhar speaks up. "Frankly, the Teiran case against her is surprisingly solid, from what I can gather. I'm still reading up on Teiran law and I'm more a forensic archaeologist than a political analyst."

The Teirian, Colonel Morlen, reappears on the viewscreen. "How are you coming with arresting my prisoner?"

Edwards springs into action and darts toward the tactical station, as he calls out, "Sorry! We seem to be having communications difficulty!" Without further adieu, he reaches across the console and slams a button to close the channel.

Dakin blinks at Edwards' sudden rush to action.

Sukhar continues poring through data, says nothing.

Tahlandi turns slightly and glances curiously at Edwards, her mouth curling upward slightly on one side.

Lhoral looks at Edwards, puzzled.

Edwards turns back around and releases his breath, as he was holding it, "Didn't mean to talk to them yet." He moves away from the tactical station, toward the science station, "Mr. Sukhar..."

Sukhar says "Yes, Lieutenant?"

Tahlandi watches Edwards quietly, saying nothing.

The Teirians are continuing their hails.

Edwards plants a hand against the back of Sukhar's chair and leans forward, so he can speak to the Romulan confidentially. "In the interests of putting this exchange program to good use, I thought I'd let you in on something." he whispers. "You see, when Starfleet officers are put in this sort of situation, the best way to deal with it is for the persecuted subject to officially request political asylum in the Federation. That way, we can turn back their would-be captors. Of course, Starfleet officers are not allowed to influence a subject when it comes to asylum, or even present it as an options. Don't ask me why. Of course, what non-Starfleet officers say is completely beyond our control." And there's the meaningful look. He drops his hand away from Sukhar's chair and turns back to the others, "So, guess this is it..."

Sukhar frowns a frown deeper than his usual status-quo-driven frown. And says "I should think there was already a claim for asylum...." And then directs his gaze to Lhoral, "... wasn't there, doctor? Didn't you, in fact, request asylum earlier? It would be horribly wrong of you to do so *now*, of course, but that is entirely within your right, I suppose, this" -- he waves a hand dismissively -- "Starfleet bunch being as ... permissive as they are."

Tahlandi raises an eyebrow as Edwards speaks to Sukhar, then raises the other one as she hears Sukhar's response.

Lhoral uncrosses her arms and places her hands on her hips. "What are you talking about, Romulan? I never asked for asylum..." Her mood seems to change a bit to something calmer now. "What are you saying? I can request asylum?"

The hailings from both ships have ceased.

Edwards clenches his fists in frustration, but manages to otherwise retain an air of professionalism. Or, at least, an air of what normally passes for professionalism with him. "Well, Doctor." he replies. "I can't really say." Hopefully she can hear the unspoken 'but'.

Sukhar says "You see, Doctor, that's the difference. We Romulans being a people of ... " He waves a hand again " ... forms and formality, we insist on the proper forms being obeyed. If this were on *my* side of the neutral zone, the seals would have to be long imprinted on the asylum request *before* the interested parties show up to claim extradition. But we Romulans are sticklers that way." He shrugs a worldly shrug of 'what can you do?', and concludes: "But the Federation is soft-hearted in its mercy, and will consider asylum requests all the way up to the point of bringing you to the transporter room, you see."

Tahlandi blinks at her console, and her eyes get wide. "Sir, both ships have stopped hailing us, and they're on the move. Looks like approach vectors."

Lhoral frowns a bit at that vague answer from Edwards. "Well can I or can't I?"

Edwards remarks, "Oh, for crying out loud." But the impending... battle? becomes a welcome distraction. "Shields up! Tahlandi, warn them off."

Sukhar sighs as he looks down at his console, retreiving the old sensor data on the two ships' weapons systems. "Well, apparently, Lieutenant, the Doctor does not wish asylum, as she has not made the request yet."

Tahlandi brings the station's shields online, her hands dancing over the console. "Sending messages to both ships now, sir. Shall I bring us to yellow alert?"

Lhoral says "Fine, I'm asking for asylum."

Edwards heads back to the command chair as he replies, "Asylum granted." Dropping into the chair, he orders, "Bring us to yellow alert, Ensign. Are they ignoring us out there?"

Sukhar says "Lieutenant .... both civilizations" -- okay, so he maybe uses the term with an audible looseness -- "seem to have little to no concept of defensive tactical systems. As much as I am more than a little amused by the grandiosity of their gesture, I suppose you will more than likely want to tractor them in place than return fire on them."

Tahlandi taps a few buttons, bringing the station to yellow alert status. "Yes, sir, they're ignoring us... not responding to our transmissions, and they're still on approach. Shall I hail both of them, so you can tell them that she's been granted asylum at the same time, or would you prefer to tell them separately?"

Edwards considers both officers' comments and remarks, "Ensign, lock tractor beams onto both vessels when they come into range. Maybe that'll make them more inclined to talk."

Tahlandi nods as she receives the order. "Aye, sir... already preparing a lock on both vessels. I should be able to get them both as soon as they're in range."

The two ships begin firing on each other, just barely entering into tractor range.

Tahlandi says "Computer, yellow alert."

Tahlandi closes her eyes and begins to rub her nose ridges gently with her thumb and forefinger. "Sir, the two ships are firing on each other... Perhaps if we engage tractor beams on both of them, we can pull them apart and out of range of each other? I doubt they have very much distance at all on those guns."

Sensors detect three other ships approaching the station.

Lhoral remains quiet.

Edwards orders, "Do it, Ensign."

Tahlandi engages the tractor beams and begins to pull them apart before barking, "Sir, three more ships approaching the station."

The computer acknowledges Starfleet with a bleep.

The yellow alert lights flash throughout the station.

Gerok steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.

Gerok has arrived.

Sukhar works his console, trying to get some additional information.

Edwards's comm badge chirrups, and a voice says, "Lieutenant JG Havaris to Lieutenant Edwards."

The ships continue firing on each other despite being pulled apart by the tractor beams, mostly through their torpedoes.

Edwards taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Edwards here."

From Edwards's comm badge, Havaris says, "I was the first one to Station Security, Sir. Lieutenant Dakin isn't about, so I'm assuming command for the moment. Anything I need to know, Sir?"

Into his comm badge, Edwards says, "No, Leftenant. Just some people using our backyard for their war games. Shouldn't be any trouble aboard the station."

From Edwards's comm badge, Havaris says, "Understood. I'll stay at my post until relieved. Havaris out."

Edwards's comm badge ends its transmission.

Gerok enters the room, "Report."

Edwards prepares another order when Gerok comes in. Rising from the command chair, he replies, "Rynkans and Teirians are out there fighting each other. They're probably just upset that we won't hand over Doctor Lhoral, a Teirian scientist that's requested asylum."

The yellow alert lights flash throughout the station.

Tahlandi frowns before turning back to Gerok and Edwards. "Sir, I'm trying to get them further apart, but they're still getting torpedoes off at each other. I can try and force them a little further apart, but I'll need more power to the beams..."

The other ships, two Rynkan frigates and one Teirian destroyer, fly into the battle. Little tiny ships are popping out of the frigates as the Rynkans release their fighters.

Gerok moves over to the command chair and sits down. "What is our current status, Mister Tahlandi?"

Gerok sits down at Commander's.

Tahlandi frowns as she calls over her shoulder, "We're fine... the other three ships just dropped in. Two frigates on the Rynkan side and one destroyer... and now the frigates are launching fighters!"

Lhoral crosses her arms again and takes another deep breath.

Gerok looks down toward Tahlandi, "I take it we've already warned both sides to cease their hostilities?"

Tahlandi nods. "I've transmitted several messages warning them to back off, and they haven't responded. They also aren't aware yet of her accepted request for asylum... their guns won't be able to touch us, but they're deadly enough to each other."

As if on cue, the first Rynkan ship blows up under a barrage of Teirian fire.

The yellow alert lights flash throughout the station.

Gerok nods, "Very well. Broadcast to all vessels that the Doctor has been granted asylum. All hostilities will cease or we shall take appropriate action."

Tahlandi nods quickly and begins to broadcast the message, on all frequencies. "Doing so now, sir. Shall we fire a light warning shot or two to show them we mean business? Or see how they respond first?"

Gerok taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Commander Gerok to Lieutenant JG Nevaren."

Over Gerok's comm badge a voice answers, "Lieutenant JG Nevaren here."

The larger Teirian ships continue firing their barrage of torpedoes, while the swarms of tiny Rynkan fighters blast the other side with waves of laser blasts.

Into his comm badge, Gerok says, "Mister Nevaren, we have several vessels in combat outside. Can you set up a polaron field that will disrupt their power systems?"

From Gerok's comm badge, Nevaren says, "I can try. I'll need readings of their power output frequencies to compute the proper polaron frequency."

Into his comm badge, Gerok says, ""Mister Tahlandi will forward the appropriate information to you now.""

Into his comm badge, Gerok says, "Gerok out."

Gerok reaches up and taps his comm badge, ending transmission.

Tahlandi contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

Tahlandi taps a few buttons and curses under her breath... "Give me a minute to get a good lock on these guys... there's a lot of 'em..."

Gerok nods and accesses the sensor grid to assist.

Gerok over his shoulder, "Ensign Tucker, fire a full spread of torpedoes, minimal yeild. Attempt to break them up."

Gerok contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Many of the poorly defended fighter ships are easily destroyed, brightening the surrounding space with their explosions. Ensign Trucker says, "Aye, sir."

Tucker enters the coordinates into the targeting system and unleashes a spread of torpedoes on the lowest yield. As the torpedoes go off, ALL of the nearby Rynkan fighters get wiped out and the nearby warships get heavily damaged, to the point of losing most if not all power.

The yellow alert lights flash throughout the station.

Gerok looks suprised at the result of the torpedo explosions, "Mister Tahlandi, order the remaining vessels to stand down immediately."

Tahlandi murmurs softly, "Yes, sir..." She begins transmitting the message again, on all frequencies. "Maybe we'll get a response now."

The only ship to escape the blast radius of the torpedoes, a Rynkan frigate, immediately powers down, and the few fighters that are left retreat back to that ship.

Tahlandi immediately begins scanning the fighter wreckage for any survivors...

Tahlandi blinks a few times. "Sir, a couple of those bigger ships are about to go too."

Gerok stands, "Mister Tahlandi, order the commander of the Rynkan vessel to surrender and prepare to be boarded."

Tahlandi transmits the message, while simultaneously scanning the ships more closely to try and figure out how long they have until they blow.

Gerok turns to Tactical, "Mister Tucker, beam the survivors of the two critical vessels to the brig."

"Aye," says the ensign.

Gerok says "Mister Tahlandi, order the other vessel to move clear of the blast radius."

The shields around the station goes down as the transporters kick in.

Tahlandi nods. "Aye, sir." A few button taps later, she finishes, "Message transmitted, sir."

The yellow alert lights flash throughout the station.

The sole surviving warship limps away from the battlefield to avoid the pending explosions.

Tucker says, "What about that one other crippled ship, sir?"

Gerok says "Transport them to the brig, Ensign."

Tucker says, "Aye sir, but it's starting to get mighty crowded in the brig."

Gerok says "Mister Tahlandi, do we have an empty cargo bay we may use for detention?"

Tahlandi glances over her readouts rapidly, tapping a few buttons here and there. "Looks like Cargo Bay #4 will do, if we get some things moved. I've already got crew down there doing inventories... everything's been rather out of place, I've found... so we can clear it out quickly."

Gerok nods, "Very well."

Tahlandi nods and taps her compin. "Tahlandi to Cargo Bay 4... clear out the bay and transfer everything there to other bays. And please, make sure everything is documented... we're having enough problems as it is getting our records straight." "Aye, sir," comes the reply. "Tahlandi out."

Two bright bursts of light come from the debris field as two of the warships blow up, but there is only silence through that plain of death.