O Betazed Part II


 Episode Name:  O Betazed Part 2 - Air Assault

   Written By:  Starfleet

         Cast:  Edwards, Gerok, McAnally, P'Trell, Starfleet and Tahlandi.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Starfleet

     Aired On:  Sun Mar 03 23:55:35 2002

     Stardate:  52201.6

The USS Aegis races high in orbit around Betazed, toward the defense platforms. The Carolina, the Excalibur and the Thunderchild are still making attack runs, but the Excalibur is dangerously close to being knocked out of commission. The Aegis has just won a battle against four small Jem'Hadar assault fighters, and are joining the other ships to eliminate the rest of the defense drones. Lt. Ghorev has taken Lt. JG Laco down to deck four to assist in reinforcing structural integrity. P'Trell, a new Andorian Science officer, has stepped up from sensor calibration duty on Deck 2 to fill Laco's place.

Tahlandi glances up... "On course for the nearest platform... I'm bringing us around to target that point Lieutenant Ghorev and Lieutenant Laco indicated was a weak spot."

Edwards checks his controls, making sure his precious weapons are primed, and speaks up, "Targeting the weapons platform..."

Tahlandi frowns slightly. "I'll try to dodge any fire I can, but I'll make staying on that weak point a top priority."

Gerok nods to Tahlandi, "Very well. Vector our approach to fire on the weapons platforms' structural weakness."

<CONTEST> P'Trell contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Edwards jerks his head up from his station and announces, "There are six more ships headed this way, Commander."

McAnally's brows furrow grimly as a transmission is received. "Sir, Gamma fleet has reported in. The battle's going poorly; they've lost half of their ships."

Gerok nods and turns his attention forward, "Very well, Mister Edwards. Mister McAnally, record enemy flight as Threat Group Beta and foward coordinates to our battle group. Mister P'Trell, watch for any change in attitude."

"Aye, Sir," says McAnally, beginning to create such a file for transfer to the other three vessels.

P'Trell says "Understood sir *P'Trell says and he begins monitoring the sensors more dilligently*"

Edwards glances sidelong at Gerok and replies, "Take out the platform, then take out the enemy ships, sir."

The Excalibur is hit one too many times and its shields collapse under a barrage of Cardassian spiral wave disruptors. Two golden glowing missiles cut through her saucer section like butter and she illuminates brightly. She starts listing to one side, and free falling toward the atmosphere of Betazed.

Edwards glances toward Operation and inquires quickly, "Is it possible to tractor the Excalibur away from Betazed?"

Tahlandi nods as her fingers fly over the console... "Aye sir. Pushing her as far as she'll go."

P'Trell says "We're going to be cutting it close sir, she's increasing speed towards the planet."

Tahlandi says "Shall I alter course to intercept the Excalibur, or get as close as we can, at least?"

"Tractor beam on-line, Sir," replies McAnally, after executing the appropriate commands. "Awaiting your orders."

P'Trell says "Sensors indicate that she's still operating with some impulse power but she's caught in the planet's gravitational well."

Edwards observes, "We should only have to pull them out of the gravitational well."

Tahlandi nods and quickly brings the Aegis around, laying in a new course toward the Excalibur.

The Aegis bares down on the Excalibur, and she can be seen to glow a bright orange on her underbelly.

Edwards enters the appropriate commands to fire a phaser blast at the platform's weak spot, "Firing."

<CONTEST> P'Trell contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Gerok says "Mister Tahlandi, keep us within tractor range of the Excalibur. Attempt to raise them and order them to change their attitude to slow their decent.""

<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Tahlandi nods slightly. "Aye, sir. Pulling within tractor range... I'll send the message now."

<CONTEST> McAnally (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

One of the platforms disintegrates into hot ball of gas and debris and the Aegis is knocked hard by a hail of disruptor blasts and plasma torpedoes.

Edwards clutches his console and calls out with all due urgency, "Shields at 17%!"

Gerok grabs onto the arms of his chair, "Lower shields and lock onto the Excalibur."

McAnally says "Power has been lost to the platforms. Planetary shield is going down."

Tahlandi smiles ever-so-slightly... "Good work, guys," she murmurs under her breath.

Gerok looks over his shoulder, "Precision firing, Mister Edwards. Outstanding." Looks over to P'Trell, "Mister P'Trell, where are the fighters?"

The Platforms have all gone dark and quiet. The Carolina rushes in, taking two more out with ease, and starts to position herself help the Aegis pull in the Excalibur. The Thunderchild remains above, destroying the platforms.

P'Trell says "Fighters are closing in fast Captian, Sensors also indicate Delta Group are warping in as we speak sir."

P'Trell says "They would appear to be between the main Dominion defense fleet and us."

Tahlandi says "Perhaps we should ask them to keep them busy while we pull the Excalibur free?"

Gerok nods, "Very well, Mister P'Trell. Mister McAnally, can the Carolina handle the rescue operation alone?"

McAnally relays the question and then shakes her head. "They're indicating not, Sir. We've got to stay and help them."

P'Trell says "Captain. I'm picking up an unusual signature from the decloaking vessel."

Edwards peers at his display and works the sensor controls, trying to figure out just what that decloaking vessel is.

P'Trell says "It appears to be an Akira Class destroyer registered as the USS Aegis captain."

Edwards mutters, "Great." He looks up from his station, "Suggest we belay ceasing our assistance to the Excalibur, sir."

McAnally blinks hard, looking at the senior officers to get confirmation that this means what she thinks it means.

Gerok raises an eyebrow, "Indeed." Nods back to Edwards, "Belay last orders. Mister McAnally, hailing frequencies."

Gerok says "This is Commander Gerok to vessel off our starboard bow. Please identify yourselves and state your intentions."

The wrinkled face of Sinclaire appears on the screen, wearing her all-black Captain's uniform. "I don't know if you've noticed but the main fleet is losing," she says.

Edwards clenches his jaw and concentrates on watching his sensor display for now.

Gerok says "If you would assist the Carolina in the rescue operation, we will continue with our mission."

"We'll help the Excalibur. You intercept the ships that have been dispensed to intercept the ground transport," says the old Captain. "Take the Thunderchild with you." Speaking of, the comm traffic between the Carolina and Thunderchild has started going nuts with the discussion of why there are two USS Aegis'.

McAnally frowns and objects. "Sir, accepting their assistance is a violation of the temporal prime directive!"

Gerok nods, "Thank you, Captain. Aegis out." He looks forward, "Mister McAnally, order the Thunderchild to rendevous with us. Mister Tahlandi, plot an course to provide cover for Delta group."

Tahlandi glances over her shoulder, eyebrow raised... then says, "Aye, sir," and brings the Aegis around towards Delta group.

Edwards looks up from his station, glancing toward McAnally, and remarks, "Don't think they gave us much of a choice, anyway."

McAnally keeps her gaze on Gerok for a long moment before turning it towards the viewscreen and Betazed. She exhales deeply, shoulders sagging before she nods and types the rendez-vous order into the console. She doesn't look happy.

Gerok looks over his shoulder, "What is the tactical situation, Mister Edwards?"

P'Trell says "Captain, I'm reading that twenty ships have just been dispatched to itercept the ground transport."

Tahlandi calls over her shoulder, "The Thunderchild is dropping in behind us, sir... ten minutes to intercept, but Delta wing will already be engaging by then."

Gerok nods, "Can Delta Wing change their approach vector so that we may provide cover?"

Edwards enters a few commands into his console, "Our shields have been brought back up to 50, sir. Leftenant Ghorev reports that Deck 4 has environmental again. And Engineering reports that they're working on more shields. I'd say we're in pretty good shape, Captain."

Edwards makes sure the shields are brought back up, as well, "The enemy fleet appears to consist of two warships and 18 fighters."

Gerok pauses a moment, "Mister McAnally, transmit the weakness on the fighters to Delta Group, tight beam scrambled communications."

Edwards suggests, "Captain, we might want to tell the Thunderchild to concentrate on taking out the weaker fighters, by targeting their weak spots. We'll likely be in better shape to take on the warships."

McAnally reads off from her console, "The Excalibur is free, though the ship is out of commission; they blew their drives trying to maintain a higher orbit. Sixty-two percent of her crew has been rescued."

Edwards curses under his breath. "Delta group's gonna get cut to pieces." he remarks. "This thing can't go any faster?"

<CONTEST> Gerok contests his Intellect (Logic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Gerok looks over his shoulder, "Mister Edwards, target the warships as soon as we're withing weapons range. Mister McAnally, order the Thunderchild to take break up the fighters.:"

Tahlandi quickly taps over her console as she begins to weave the Aegis around the incoming shots.

<CONTEST> Tahlandi (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

The Aegis shakes as Tahlandi isn't quite quick enough, and polaron beams slam into her shields.

Edwards begins entering commands quickly, locking target on one of the Jem'Hadar warships, "Target acquired. We're in weapons range, Captain."

Edwards announces, "Shields at 40%!" When he recieves the order, he fires a spread of torpedoes at the vessel, "Firing!"

Gerok looks over to P'Trell, "Scan for a similar weakness in the larger warships, Mister P'Trell."

McAnally relays the order quickly, then basically hangs on while the fire fight ensues.

<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> P'Trell contests his Material Engineering (Structural) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

The photon spread launched by Edwards tears into the first warship's shields as the Thunderchild feints and thrusts with the smaller ships.

<CONTEST> Tahlandi (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> P'Trell (claiming advantage) contests his Material Engineering (Structural) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

P'Trell says "Sensors indicate nothing out of the ordinary sir. I can find no weakness."

The Aegis rocks hard as the second warship fires on her. The Thunderchild cleans away two of the smaller ships, but the Jem'Hadar seem to be concentrating their fire on single targets. One of the transports goes up in a ball of light. Twenty five hundred of the Federation's finest are gone in a flash of hot fire.

Edwards clutches his console as he prepares another volley, "Firing again, sir. And the Thunderchild doesn't look to be having much success."

<CONTEST> P'Trell contests his Material Engineering (Structural) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Tahlandi (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Slam! Slam! The Aegis is pounded by the warships. Edwards' shot of torpedoes beats on the first Jem'Hadar warship's shields.

Edwards reports, "Shields down to 27%!" This time, he attempts to run a quick sensor scan of the enemy ship, checking for damage.

Tahlandi frowns. "Sir... if we want to have any chance at dodging their fire, we're going to have to get some distance between us."

McAnally frowns as reports flood her console. "We're the last ship standing in Beta group, Sir. Alpha has 10 remaining, Gamma has 8. The enemy has fifty in total remaining."

Gerok nods, "Give us some distance, Mister Tahlandi. "Mister Edwards, can we duplicate the same sensor blinding trick we used before?"

Edwards shakes his head and replies, "I'm afraid not, sir. And we've only gotten that warship's shields down to 60."

Tahlandi begins to pull the Aegis away from the warships, getting some distance as quickly as possible while continuing to dodge any fire that comes its way.

P'Trell says "captain the duplicate Aegis has just reduced the enemy's number by three."

<CONTEST> Tahlandi (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Gerok nods, "Thank you, Mister P'Trell. Mister McAnally, order the transports to make a run for the planet. Mister Tahlandi, move us into range of the fighters. Mister Edwards, take out as many of them as you can."

Tahlandi nods. "Aye, sir," she says, as she changes course to head for the fighters.

Edwards frowns severely, "Yes, sir." He switches target to the fighters and prepares a torpedo, looking to take out as many as he can.

McAnally says "Aye, Sir," right on the heels of Tahlandi's assent, overlapping Edwards.

The Aegis is slapped around from the incoming fire. Emergency lighting kicks on as life support on the bridge goes offline and emergency life support comes online.

<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

McAnally calls out her damage report, "Life support is out on decks 1-3. Hull breach on deck nine. Ready to give evacuation orders at your word, Sir."

Gerok looks over at P'Trell, "Mister P'Trell, I need that soft spot on the Warships." He looks forward to McAnally, "Evacuate affected decks."

The Carolina comes steaming in, firing everything she's got at warship and fighter alike. The Thunderchild takes a hard hit on her shields but is still standing. The transports barrel past the warships but the fighters keep on them as they head towards the planet. The Thunderchild starts to give chase.

P'Trell says "Captain, I regret to say that I've scanned that warship from every possible angle and the sensors still reveal no explicit weaknesses."

Edwards and the Carolina's combined fire take down the shields of one of the warships, and she starts to take heavier damage.

Edwards mutters mostly to himself, "Looks like we'll just have to do this the old fashioned way."

<CONTEST> Tahlandi (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Gerok looks over his shoulder, "Mister Edwards, fire aft weapons on the warship."

Edwards replies, "Aye, sir." He proceeds to concentrate the aft weaponry on the warship that's been taking a beating and fires whatever he can muster.

<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

The Carolina pounds on the two warships as she circles back around. The one without shields takes a serious beating, and Edwards' shot finishes them off with a brilliant burst of flaming plasma. Tahlandi artfully dodges the other ship's attack, but the Carolina takes a beating of her own. The Thunderchild has managed to cut down five more ships, leaving nine out of the smaller fighter group. The transports try as a group to kick into warp for a millisecond to get them some distance from the fighters. It works, but they are coming back down on them fast.

Gerok continues looking at the forward screen, "Fire on the fighters, Mister Edwards."

<CONTEST> Tahlandi (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Edwards nods quickly at Gerok's orders and switches his target to the remaining fighters. "Time to join your comrades." he mumbles as he preps another torpedo spread. "We're really gonna have to restock these torpedoes when we get home."

<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Gerok looks over his shoulder, "If we survive this, Mister Edwards, I shall ensure that you never want for torpedoes again."

A volley from the warship flies in to port, but Tahlandi manages to sneak the Aegis around it. Edwards sinks two torpedoes into two ships and they disintegrate. The fighters are on one, intent goal, and that is to catch up to those ground transports. They're Jem'Hadar, they'll pursue it until either they or their target is dead. The Thunderchild picks off three more, leaving four, while the Carolina engages the warship at full force.

P'Trell says "Pity we don't have a vat of Tetricel white to fire into space and distract them. *P'Trell mutters.*"

Edwards grits his teeth, trying to keep a hold on his emotions with all of the adrenaline that's flowing, and decides to go for a few well placed phaser bursts this time. Just to mix things up.

<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

The Aegis picks off two of the fighters and the Thunderchild destroys the other two. Four of the five ships will land today. The Thunderchild, a little beat up (but not quite as bad as the Aegis), turns back toward the last warship.

Gerok looks toward the science station, "Mister P'Trell, any vessels between the planet and the transports?"

McAnally announces in an exhausted voice, devoid of emotion, "Alpha Group is destroyed."

P'Trell says "Sensors indicate that the duplicate Aegis has eliminated all resistance along the troop transports trajectory."

Gerok nods, "Very well, Mister P'Trell. Mister McAnally, current enemy strength?"

Edwards looks up, perhaps a little impatiently, and remarks, "We still have a warship left, sir. Shall we assist the Thunderchild and Carolina?"

Gerok says "Mister Tahlandi, engage the remaining warship. Fire when ready, Mister Edwards."

<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Tahlandi (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

The combined force of the Aegis, the Carolina and the Thunderchild are enough to overwhelm the last warship. The transports streak toward Betazed.

P'Trell says, unable to hide his relief, "Captain, sensors are reading that all four transports are within transporter range and have begun transporting troops to the surface."

Edwards allows a bit of a smile at that as he leans against his station, "I think they learned a valuable lesson from all of this."

"Five enemy ships remain, Sir," says McAnally. "Two ships are left in Delta Group, and the ... other Aegis is almost untouched."

Gerok raises an eyebrow, "Order all remaining ships to converge on the remaining enemy forces."

Edwards clutches the wishbone that his station's set into, "Doubt we'll get there before they're finished off."

Gerok looks toward science, "Mister P'Trell, begin scanning for rescue operations."

The Carolina and Thunderchild start to move with the Aegis toward the main battleground. By the time they get in formation and heading in that direction, the battle is over. On the viewscreen, a flashing blue-white 'tear' open directly in front of the other Aegis. It flies straight into it, is silhouetted by it for a moment before disappearing in a wink. Not that there are many witnesses - the Aegis, the Thunderchild, the Carolina, the KaH'TAHL, a B'rel class Klingon ship and the Mabetara, a D'Deridex class ship. Victory hails start to go up on all the ships.

Edwards slams a hand down on the wishbone and frowns severely. But he holds his tongue.

Gerok pauses for a moment, "Mister McAnally, order all ships to begin search and rescue operations. Mister Edwards, any communications from our ground forces?"

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, transmit to all ships, situation regarding duplicate Federation Starship is considered classified level 10 per DTI regulations. Commanding Officers are ordered to seal all sensor logs and hold personnel for debreifing."

Edwards checks his instruments and reports, "They're down a few hundred men, sir, but everything's going all right." At the new orders, he nods and goes about doing so, "Aye, sir."

P'Trell's antenae move slowly on the top of his head as he reviews his screen one last time. "Captain, rescue operations seem to be proceeding without complications."

Edwards mutters evenly in response to Tahlandi's comment, "Yeah. The good guys."

Gerok nods, "Thank you, Mister P'Trell. Order the Thunderchild into position to provide fire support to our ground forces, Mister McAnally." He stands, "Let's see how many of our people we can pull out of this."

The Aegis spends the next two days helping rescue and recovery operations in space. The Batazoid population is being liberated, but the final holdouts of Jem'Hadar have been putting whole camps to death. It is estimated that the population lost is in the tens of millions. The good guys, indeed. A high price, but a very important piece of property.