O Betazed, Part I (Orbital Offensive)
Episode Name: O Betazed Part 1 Written By: Raijin, Starfleet Cast: Edwards, Gerok, Ghorev, Laco, McAnally, Starfleet and Tahlandi. Produced By: Starfleet Directed By: Starfleet Aired On: Sun Feb 24 23:33:22 2002 Stardate: 52194.6
Time: Sun Feb 24 20:10:05 2002
Stardate: 52194.4 (occurs concurrently with O Betazed, Part I)
The Aegis cuts through space at warp 8.5 with this arm of the fleet, the Beta Fleet. There are two other prongs in the attack, the tenth fleet making up Alpha. The eighth fleet from Axanar will also be joining the fray, making them Gamma fleet. The sight through the front viewer is spectacular as the fleet flies through warp in close formation.
Laco sits at the science console, not looking particularly worried.
McAnally sits at Ops, monitoring the Aegis' course. "We'll be entering the Betazed system in approximately fifteen minutes, Sir," she informs Gerok.
Edwards observes his station closely, concentrating on the sensor readouts, thanks to a healthy sense of paranoia that working at 419 has caused. Never know when something will pop out of nowhere.
Tahlandi glances between the viewscreen and her console, her hands dancing over the touchscreen to a song of beeps that each finger taps out with each motion.
Gerok nods in response to McAnally's announcement, "Thank you, Mister McAnally." He looks over at Ghorev, "Systems status, Mister Ghorev?"
Ghorev makes that trilling-humming-sighing noise of thought, and swivels in his seat to face Gerok. "All systems green. And I've finished collating the specs on the defense platforms, Sir."
Gerok says "Conduct your briefing."
Laco rotates on his seat, a little, to face Ghorev.
Ghorev taps a few places on his console, and a part of the viewscreen dissolves into the squat arcs of a Cardassian defense platform. "These are powered from the ground station that the Away Team will be knocking down. Central broadcast power, effectively, but we believe they each maintain enough of a battery reserve for a few moments of power even after feed cut-off. Each one maintains a full set of spiral-wave disruptor arrays capable of reaching all 720 degrees in three dimensions around the platform, and can launch as many as a thousand plasma torpedoes in spreads of a dozen at a time." He pauses to let that sink in. "And then there's the shielding."
Ghorev looks like he wants to say more, but wants to give the others a chance to digest the info.
Edwards mutters under his breath, sarcastically, "Should be a piece of cake..."
Tahlandi blinks a few times at Ghorev's words, but keeps her eyes on the screen.
Gerok looks around the bridge briefly and then turns his attention back to Ghorev. "Continue, Mister Ghorev."
McAnally frowns in concentration, alternating between looking at the viewscreen and monitoring the Aegis' power reserves.
Laco interupts, "Uhm, something's wrong with one of the warbirds up there. Its got a leaking pasma manifold."
Ghorev says "The shielding is regenerative, Sir, regaining as much as three percent of its lost power every few seconds if given the opportunity to recover." He sits up straighter. "The plus side is that the matrix of the shield, and the nature of the broadcast power, prevent them from channel extra power into the shield. It's about twice as powerful as ours, but we're a smaller target, with faster firepower. If we keep dancing and firing full volleys, we *do* have a reasonable margin here."
Edwards frowns at Laco's words, "Leaking plasma manifold?"
Laco nods, "Leaking plasma manifold."
Edwards shakes his head, not having expected that, and returns his attention to his station, "I'll transmit a warning to them. With your permission, Commander."
Gerok nods to Edwards, "Very good, Mister Edwards." He turns his attention back to Ghorev, "Do we have any intelligence on where the platforms are positioned around the planet?"
Edwards goes about transmitting that warning to the leaky warbird.
Ghorev says "Standard eight-fold net placement formfation, sir, clustered around the eighth of the planet's surface that would prevent orbit-to-surface fire on the power station itself. A self-contained system, as it were."
Gerok pauses as Ghorev relays the information, "What is our best angle of attack, Mister Ghorev?"
"The warbird acknowledges receipt of our message, Lt. Edwards," McAnally pipes up.
Three other Starfleet ships including the Aegis, the Carolina, a Saber class, the Excalibur, an Ambassador class, and the Thunderchild, another Akira class, are all part of the defense platform wing.
Edwards ponders that momentarily, "I'm not sure any angle will give us an advantage, sir. I mean, if those disruptors can reach everywhere, then they have a good a chance as any at hitting us no matter how we come at them."
Gerok nods to Edwards, "Very well, Mister Edwards." He pulls up a schematic of where the platforms are placed, looking at the placement over the planet.
Gerok looks to Edwards, "Suggestions?"
Laco drums his fingers on his console.
Edwards leans over his station a little as he looks to Gerok, "I suggest we liberate Betazed and go home for a celebration. Beyond that, don't have anything of value to add right now, sir."
Edwards uhs, "But, you know, Commander... Maybe if we come in at a tangent to the planet from around the undefended side, we might have a little less trouble with the platforms. That'd be better than wading into all of 'em right away."
Tahlandi glances over her shoulder. "Will we be coordinating attacks with the other ships in our fleet one at a time, to concentrate fire?"
Gerok raises an eyebrow, "That was very helpful, Mister Edwards. Very well, we will be taking our complement of ships against these 3 platforms," he points out a grouping as Edwards suggests, "then down the line." He looks down to Tahlandi, "We will be in close proximity to the other ships, Mister Tahlandi, so pay close attention to the sensors."
"Five minutes until we enter the Betazed system," McAnally announces.
Tahlandi nods and faces the screen again.
Edwards comments, "Sometimes I just need to listen to that little voice in my head more often, Commander."
Gerok nods to Edwards but says nothing, "Transmit the attack plans to the other vessels in our group, Mister Edwards. Mister Tahlandi, plot a course to bring us in around the undefended side of Betazed."
Tahlandi nods and glances down at her console, tapping a few buttons rapidly. "Course laid in, sir."
Edwards begins entering commands into his console, "Transmitting attack plans, sir."
Laco scratches the back of his head.
Gerok looks over at Laco, "Anything on sensors, Mister Laco?"
McAnally says "Incoming transmission from the D'Deridex class D'Trel,
Sir. The flagship's cleared us to break formation and circle around to attack
from the far side.""
The Aegis and the other three ships in the group tighten formation into a
diamond slot, and begin to break off from the main group as they work toward a
different approach than the others.
Gerok nods, "Very well. Shields to full. Charge weapons."
Laco says "Uh, no, not really sir."
Edwards enters his commands more rapidly this time, "Shields to full,
charging weapons, sir."
Gerok nods as Edwards report and turns his full attention forward. "Take
us in, Mister Tahlandi."
Readings start to come in about the battlefield. The Jem'Hadar and Cardassian
ships have all set up a front line that the Aegis is skirting. The Gamma wing is
apparently late, as it has not shown up for the battle which is only breathless
moments away.
Tahlandi faces the viewscreen. "Aye, sir... we're right on course."
Gerok looks to Laco, "Scan to ensure the path is clear, Mister Laco."
Laco says, "Aye sir." and goes to work, his fingers zipping over
the console.
Edwards watches the sensor readouts at his station as he waits for the battle
to start. "Where's Gamma Wing?" he half-comments/half-mutters.
Laco exclaims, "We have six Jem'Hadar fighters heading this way!"
Ghorev now swivels back to his own console, ready to work damage control.
Gerok spins toward Laco, "Are the going to intercept prior to us
reaching the platforms?"
The scarred world of Betazed appears on main viewer. Its formerly lush
ecosystem is grey and wrecked. While they have been here, the Dominion has
certainly abused this world.
Laco replies to the Vulcan, "Yes, sir!"
Tahlandi calls over her shoulder, "Should we engage or evade and stay on
course?"
Gerok turns forward, "New orders, break and attack."
Gerok says "We can't have those fighters on our tail while we're
attacking the platforms, Mister Tahlandi.""
Tahlandi nods shortly. "Aye, sir..." Her eyes flick back to her
console as she changes course and brings the Aegis around into an attack run.
The front line pitches into chaos, as ships weave and dodge each other,
lances of light causing plumes of fire. The six Jem'Hadar ships bear down on the
platform unit.
Edwards readies himself and prepares to lock weapons on the nearest fighter,
once it makes its way into weapon's range.
Tahlandi dodges enemy fire as best as she can while putting the Aegis into a
good attack position.
Gerok says "Mister McAnally, order the other ships to remain on
mission."
Gerok says "Mister Edwards, fire at will."
McAnally nods, "Aye, Sir," and transmits Gerok's mission to the
Carolina, Excalibur, and Thunderchild. "Orders acknowledged," she
calls back after a moment.
Gerok looks over his shoulder, "Take out any vessel that attempts to
follow the remainder of the team, Mister Edwards."
The other three ships slide toward the platforms while the Aegis intercepts
the six Jem'Hadar ships.
Edwards nods quickly, "Aye, sir." As the ship intercepts, he locks
weapons on the nearest fighter and questions, "Fire at will, sir?" He
prepares to do just that, pending Gerok's hopeful agreement.
Gerok nods, "Fire, Mister Edwards."
The Aegis rocks several times as polaron bursts glance off the shields.
Laco holds onto his console, cringing.
Edwards jams his hand down on the fire button.
Tahlandi twists and turns the Aegis around to avoid further hits while
bringing the Aegis into an attack run.
Laco speaks, up, "Four of the fighters are still going after the rest of
our group, Commander!"
McAnally hangs onto her console as she ship is buffeted, all the while
maintaining displays of the ship's systems and remaining alert for
communications from the other three vessels.
Tahlandi says in Bajoran, "Shit..."
Tahlandi says "Shall I pursue, sir?"
Gerok acknoledges Laco's report, "Very well, Mister Laco. Mister
Tahlandi, pursuit course, but maintain a defensive stance."
Tahlandi nods. "Aye, sir..." She brings the Aegis about, heading
for the fighters in pursuit of the remainder of Beta Wing.
The two remaining Jem'Hadar ships easily duck their wings to avoid the Aegis'
phaser blast. One goes over the top of the Aegis, the other below. Both pound on
the Aegis shields, which drop to 103 percent. The ship jolts under the barrage.
Gerok says "Mister Edwards, fire on the pursuing vessels."
Tahlandi keeps the Aegis' course on the four fighters pursuing Beta, trying
to dodge the shots from the two fighters as best as she can.
Edwards turns to glance toward Ghorev, "Ake, I need your help. I want to
fire a wide beam phaser blast at those four fighters, to disrupt their targeting
sensors."
Ghorev says "Widen the frequency as well as the beam. Broad spectrum
fire." He nods. "I understand." And his fingers start moving over
the console. "We may need to get a *bit* closer, but I think I can make it
possible for a burst like that to work."
Tahlandi nods... "I can get us into range... how close do you
need?"
Edwards nods and enters some commands into his console, as he prepares to do
the deed. "Just a little closer." he replies to Tahlandi. "This
should keep them from doing much damage to our wingmates for a little bit,
Commander."
Gerok nods to Edwards, "Proceed."
Tahlandi nods and sets a course to intercept all four fighters quickly and
pull within range.
GAME: Ghorev spends a courage point.
McAnally says "Sir, the Carolina reports that they have met the weapons
platforms."
Ghorev says "Alright, I think I've got it ... Michael, phaser array
number three is modified accordingly but ... remember that before you try to use
it for general fire, after this."
Tahlandi growls softly... "I can't shake 'em... agile little..."
Her voice trails off as she focuses on her console.
Laco's fingers move over his console. "THe Alpha and Beta groups have
lost six ships...havn't heard anything about Gamma...."
Gerok looks toward McAnally's station, "Order them to proceed with the
attack, Mister McAnally."
Edwards replies, "Will do. Thanks, Ake." He targets the four
fighters that are dogging the other ships. "Let's hope we really don't need
to get that much closer." He fires.
GAME: Edwards spends a courage point.
Ghorev says "I'll keep an eye on them to see if this works." He
consults sensor readouts on his display. "See if maybe I can get some
insight into their weapons systems ... anything..."
The Aegis whips around toward the four Jem'Hadar ships, and the beam that
Edwards fires manages to disrupt their targeting sensors. They peel off in four
directions as the ship is pounded again from behind from the other two. The
three Starfleet ships are engaging a platform in hit-and-run maneuvers.
"Aye, Sir," says McAnally, conveying Gerok's instructions to the
Carolina.
Tahlandi says "Should I bring us around so we get rid of these pests on
our tail?"
Gerok nods to Tahlandi, "Proceed, Mister Tahlandi. Mister Laco, monitor
the other Jem'Hadar vessels for change in posture."
Laco says "Aye sir."
"Shields at 85 percent!" Edwards announces as he clutches his
stations. "I think it's time to blow one of these guys out of the
water."
Tahlandi nods and suddenly brings the Aegis around in a tight, twisting turn,
heading straight back into the two pursuing fighters.
Gerok says "Mister Ghorev, reroute auxilliary power to the shields.
Mister Edwards, fire at will.""
Laco says "The four remaining ships are in the process of coming around,
looks like they are going to make a run on us."
Gerok looks forward, "Mister McAnally, status of the attack on the
platforms?"
Edwards curses and alters the ship's target lock, "Targeting one of the
approaching ships!" Once the lock has been acquired, he slams the firing
button and prepares to, hopefully, take one of 'em out.
McAnally says "Carolina, Excalibur, and Thunderchild have just engaged
their attack, Sir. No word beyond that as of yet."
Ghorev's hands fly over the console. "Sir, we've already got as much
power to the shields as they can take, including auxiliary." He starts to
pore over the data he's got, looking for something, anything.
Gerok calls up the engine status and sees if there is any way to squeeze any
more power out of the Warp Engines.
The Bajoran pilot manages to twist the ship out of the way of one of the
firing Jem'Hadar. Edwards launches a torpedo that slams into one of the
attacking craft, erupting it into a plume of fire. The other four set up for
another run on the Aegis itself. The Aegis rocks from the remaining Jem'Hadar's
attack.
Edwards announces, "Shields at 75#1470" When it looks like another
wolfpack is getting set up for another run, he turns his attention to them, and
moves the target lock, "I'm gonna try to pick off another one that's coming
our way..."
Ghorev says "Come on ... come on .... " His eyes *race* over the
incoming sensor data. "...all ships have one .... where in Borva's name is
*yours*?"
Laco glances over at Ghorev, "Lt, what are you looking for?"
Ghorev says something under his breath and presses hard on part of his
console. "Weak shield junctures. Where the hull isn't quite as perfect as
it needs to be for optimal shield coverage. Like a firing arc shadow, but for
shield generators. I've been going over our tactical scans to find it. Unless
you can give me better resolution on these scans, I have to give up and focus on
keeping us in one piece!"
The ship shudders under another barrage, but Tahlandi is ready for most of it
this time and manages to squeak past the angry hot bolts of green death. But
this trick messes up Edwards' lock, and he fires into the void.
Tahlandi frowns. "Sorry, Lieutenant," she says quickly, but keeps
her eyes on her console, trying to keep the Aegis out of the weapon fire.
Laco's hands move over his console rapidly.
GAME: Laco spends a courage point.
Gerok looks forward again, "Mister Tahlandi, keep us between our attack
group and those fighters as best you can."
Tahlandi nods, her eyes grimly fixed on her console. "Aye, sir,"
she barks rapidly, bringing the ship around as directed as quickly as she can.
Ghorev announces. "I've got shields back up to eighty five percent, but
I don't know how often I can pull that trick." He seems to hav eforgotten
his outburst to Laco of just a moment ago, or perhaps he really *is* just
working on keeping the ship intact.
Laco slams the flat of his hand on the console, and curses, then goes back to
tapping away.
Gerok says "Mister Edwards, fire on the pursuing fighters."
Edwards readies a volley of torpedos and locks weapons onto the fighters, as
ordered. "Aye, sir." he replies as he hits the fire button and
proceeds to hold his breathe. C'mon...
Fire rains down on the Aegis, but Tahlandi ducks and weaves the super-agile
ship in and out of targeting zones. Two of the fighters manage to connect with
the Aegis and she lurches hard. Edwards' spread punches through one of the
fighter's shields and it erupts into a fiery flash. Another is slammed by an
Aegis torpedo and is a reduced to a sitting duck as its engines go offline.
Laco shouts, almost delighted, "Weak spot! Aft dorsal area, near the aft
Polaron beam array! A shot there might blast right through their shields."
He consults the console again, "Also, one of our target platforms has been
destroyed."
Like everyone else on the bridge, McAnally's fingers are a blur upon her
console. "Casualty reports coming in from deck four. Decompression is
imminent."
Edwards clamps down on his console and barely keeps from tumbling across the
bridge when the ship lurches. Once he gets back upright, he reports,
"Shields at 77 percent!" That done, he listens to Laco and comments,
"I'll try to hit 'em there."
Tahlandi nods... "Shall we take them out one by one then? I can get on
onto one of their tails at a time, but unless we get lucky, we won't get more
than one at a time..."
Gerok grabs onto the arms of the command chair as the ship bucks, but his
voice remains level and calm. "Evacuate that section and seal off the area,
Mister McAnally."
McAnally continues to receive messages and announce their contents,
"Reports are coming in from Alpha fleet. It isn't looking good, Sir.
They've lost half of their ship contingent."
"Aye, Sir," Gretchen adds, relaying the evacuation orders as
directed.
Ghorev confirms "Evacuation's best option. I can't restore integrity
without undoing what I've done to the main tactical deflectors."
Edwards furrows his brow a moment until realization sets upon him,
"Commander, that sections holds the computer core, with Ensign Tyler."
McAnally interjects into the conversation, "The Thunderchild's taken
down another platform!"
Gerok says "Mister Edwards, fire at will. Mister Tahlandi, attempt to
maneauver us out of weapons range of the disabled vessel."
Tahlandi nods. "Aye, sir. Doing so now."
The ship turns on its z axis to dodge the onslaught, but is rocked hard by
incoming fire. Edwards returns the favor with a volley of torpedoes. The three
remaining Jem'Hadar ships go up in a ball of fire. Only the lame duck remains,
adrift.
Tahlandi smiles grimly. "Good shot, Lieutenant."
Edwards grits his teeth and just manages to keep his footing after that round
of fire. "Shields at 68 percent!" he announces. "And
thanks." He looks to Gerok, "Finish the last one, sir?"
McAnally gives an exhausted grin and has to say, "Alright!"
Gerok looks over his shoulder, "Excellent shooting, Mister Edwards.
Mister Ghorev, reinforce structural integrity to deck 4."
Ghorev nods. "Aye, sir. Now that we're not rocking so hard, I'll see
what I can do. If there are other fighters, we should relay that information on
the shield shadow Lieutenant Laco found to our other ships." And he looks
over the console data.
McAnally says "It's too late, Sir. Deck 4 has lost containment. We lost
ten people."
Edwards pauses and glances toward McAnally, asking, "Who did we
lose?"
Gerok looks forward, "Mister McAnally, relay the tactical information to
the fleet." He takes in the information from McAnally, "The computer
core?"
McAnally answers the question before relaying the information, "It's
operational, but is exposed to the vacuum." The shield shadow information
is relayed to the other three ships in the Aegis' unit.
McAnally then says to Edwards, "Working on identifying casualties,
Sir."
Ghorev says "Sir, it might be possible, if Mister Laco's luck holds, and
we divide the work, to find a similar shadow in the regenerative shields of the
platforms if we get in closer. A station doesn't quite have the problems with
that that a ship does, not always, but .... sometimes, and those things do seem
to have been hastily constructed for the war effort. We may have a chance."
McAnally rattles off a list of names as the reports start coming in.
"Confirmed dead: Johnson, Malvek, Amberson, Kane, Irigalpha, and Lagga.
Four unaccounted for: Tyler, Oora, Wayne, and Able."
Edwards frowns severely at that information. But he doesn't comment on it.
Instead, he concentrates on his station, and questions, "Sir, should we do
anything about the last fighter? It may still pose a threat."
Gerok nods to Ghorev, "Proceed, Mister Ghorev. Mister Edwards, destroy
the remaining fighter."
Tahlandi brings the Aegis around onto an attack run... "Has Starfleet
managed to catch any Jem'Hadar fighters yet, sir?"
Edwards nods quietly and locks onto the last fighter, so he can finish it
with a phaser shot.
Laco says "Gamma Group has arrived, Commander."
Gerok says "That information would not be made public, Mister Tahlandi."
Ghorev almost laughs at Tahlandi's question as his eyes fall away from Gerok,
receiving his affirmative answer. "You feel like having that thing self
destruct in our guts, Ensign? I know I'm not so good an engineer I can hold us
together if that happens."
Edwards remarks, "Wasn't a bad idea. Just not one of our mission
objectives today."
Ghorev is clearly not laughing *at* Tahlandi, but, hey, *someone* needed to
break the tense mood. He turns back to his console. "Indeed. If it wouldn't
slow us down, I'd recommend it myself. But it would. Mr. Laco, ready to test
your skills a second time?"
Laco looks up, "Oh, uh, sure."
Gerok says "I am certain Starfleet will not be lacking for Dominion
equipment once Betazed is liberated."
Gerok looks forward, "Mister McAnally, status report."
Ghorev says "Sir, I've got a lock on Ensign Tyler." A good
announcement, and then he explains: "She's alive in the core, in an EVA
suit. She hadn't finished getting all systems online, so her comm is down, but
she's safe and breathing for now."
Gerok looks over at Ghorev, "Thank you, Mister Ghorev. Mister McAnally,
tranport Ensign Tyler to sick bay."
Edwards sighs faintly and questions, "Are the platforms still going
strong?"
McAnally says "On the Aegis or the progress of the other ships,
Sir?"
Gerok says "both."
McAnally begins her report, "The Aegis is at 68 shields. There have been
ten confirmed dead now, three still missing. All other systems online. Deck four
is spaced and there is other structural damage on other decks that aren't as
severe. The three other ships are working on the third platform. The Excalibur
has sustained heavy damage, but is pressing on." As she concludes this, she
says, "Attempting to get a lock on Ensign Tyler now."
Gerok nods as the status reports come in, "Evacuate damaged areas and
seal them off as a precaution. Mister Tahlandi, proceed on mission."
Ghorev, having worked on the Tyler thing, now turns his attention back to the
console and plays with sensor data. And then his breath catches in his throat
and that little trilling noise erupts from him. "Mr. Laco, do you see what
I see on, ventral hemisphere, at the 82 degree mark?"
Tahlandi nods and waits for McAnally to complete the transport before
accelerating for the attack run on the final fighter...
Laco says "I think so sir. Only one way to find out, really..."
McAnally shakes her head, "I'm sorry, Sir. I can't get a lock. There's
too much chroniton interference."
Edwards grunts in frustration, "Of course there is."
Gerok looks down at his sensor display, "Standby."
Ghorev says "I concur. Skipper," -- oh, great, Ghorev's so happy
he's using old nautical terms, someone slap him -- "we can't get at the
underbelly so easily, but .... at that degree of the arc, we might be able to
come in from the side and arc a steady stream of shots slowly along the shields
until we hit the shadow, like reeling in a sea-catch." He smiles. "I
think if Ensign Tahlandi can hold us steady at that angle, we can deliver a
serious if not crippling blow."
Edwards remembers to finish off the last fighter. Casually, he presses the
fire button, which causes a phaser burst to lance out and turn the ship into so
much space debris. "Ah, now where were we?"
Edwards turns his attention back to the new problem at hand, "I'm all
for trying the fishing analogy, sir."
Gerok attempts to retrieve Ensign Tyler from the Core, "I am unable to
get a sensor lock. Mister Laco, work on a way to cut through the
interference." He looks forward, "Mister Tahlandi, carry out the
attack per Mister Ghorev's recommendation. Transmit data to the attack
group."
Laco uhhs, yes sirs, then opens up the library computer, hoping something
will give him insight.
McAnally gives another status report, "Third platform is down. Front
line reports heavy casualties."
Tahlandi nods. "Aye, sir. Bringing us into an attack vector now."
The Aegis twists around as her fingers fly over the console, heading for the
section indicated on the nearest platform.
Laco says "Can't we just have somebody suit up, and go drag Tyler out,
Commander?"
Edwards remarks, "Somehow, I don't think that's a great idea."
Gerok looks over to Laco, "That would only serve to put additional
personnel in danger, Mister Laco."
Laco says, "Alright alright..." and goes back to scanning through
the sciences library.
Ghorev says "I've sent a message to the monitors in the computer core
that the Ensign should signal if she's in trouble. I'll check again with her
once we're under way." A pause. "Excalibur and Thunderchild might be
able to do at least as well as we do against the shield shadow on the platforms.
Should we test it first or tell them now and hope they can do something with the
data even if we fail?"
Edwards offers his opinion, "I think we ought to tell them. They might
have some geniuses of their own over there with a fresh perspective."
Gerok pauses for a moment to consider, "Transmit the data to the
Excalibur, Mister Ghorev."
Ghorev nods. "Aye, Sir. Mind if I catch a ride on your current comm
traffic, Gretchen?" He begins to make it so, routing the signal with the
usual battlefield encryption, showing the nifty little graphics and everything.
"Be my guest, Lieutenant," McAnally responds to Ghorev.
Gerok looks over to Laco, "Progress, Mister Laco?"
Laco replies, "Nothing yet COmmander."
McAnally says "Response received. They acknowledge and appreciate the
help, and will be modifying their tactics."
Gerok nods, "Acknowledged, Mister Laco. Mister Tyler will have to wait
for now."
The three Starfleet ships attack the fourth platform as the Aegis speeds into
the fray. The Excalibur is limping badly, and venting plasma off her port
nacelle, but still continues to push on with spirit. The defense platforms loom
closer and closer, and the crew can see the lances of yellow energy from them,
and the balls of hot matter/antimatter pounding on the defense force. The Aegis
draws closer and closer.
