A Gathering of Crows
Episode Name: A Gathering of Crows Written By: Fortunae Cast: Dakin, Edwards, Gorgha, Idrani, Lace, Leah and Sukhar. Produced By: Starfleet Directed By: Lace Aired On: Mon Sep 09 12:15:00 2002 Stardate: 52620.7
Time: Sun Sep 08 20:30:04 2002
Stardate: 52619.2
Alliance Command at Dulcais has ordered you to board a Romulan Scout vessel known as the "Ts'lux T' Gora (Advent of Sorrow)" under it's captain Lieutenant Tolsar on a mission to scout the Dominion Presence at Occa. The mixed crew is an observation that all three powers have something at stake if the Dominion continue to expand in this sector and to be assured that all three will have an independent report on what is discovered. You have all just beamed aboard the Advent of Sorrow and are being met in it's small transporter chamber by her Captain.
The Ts'lux T'Gora is currently parked near Station 419 hanging in space with the Anomaly winking beyond it. The view moves down and towards the lean vessel and orientates in the green hued metallic walled area that serves as the transporter pad. There is a Romulan operations officer standing behind the console and to his side another officer with a Command sash."
Lieutenant Tolsar moves a few steps closer as they finish materializing, nodding to each in greeting. "I am Lieutenant Tolsar, welcome aboard."
Edwards wanders off of the transporter pad and nods toward Tolsar, offering the friendliest smile he can muster. "Thank you." he replies, "I'm Leftenant Commander Michael Edwards, and these are my people," he gestures to Dakin, Leah and Idrani, "Leftenant Dakin Rann, Ensign Morgan Leah and Ensign Jaylas Idrani."
Dakin nods to Tolsar upon Edwards' introduction as he follows him off the transport pad, an amiable expression on his face.
Leah steps off the transporter pad just behind Dakin and nods politely to Tolsar, offering a genuinely friendly smile to the romulan.
Sukhar steps off the pad, lightly, and greats Tolsar with a Romulan salute, crisply. "Lieutenant. I am Sublieutenant Sukhar, one of the liaisons to this crew," he says, in his native tongue.
Idrani quietly steps off the transporter pad, getting a quick survey of the transporter room. She nods politely to the Romulan officers, but says nothing.
Gorgha scowls about the transporter room before looking to Tolsar. "I am Doctor Gorgha, of the Klingon Empire."
After hearing each of them introduced in turn, and returning a crisp salute and greeting to Sukhar in their native tongue, Tolsar smiles tightly at the Klingon but with little real warmth of regard. Turning his head to face Edwards he says, "Leftenant Commander Edwards -- in my briefing files I have been informed that yourself and Leftenant Dakin are here as observers, as is Doctor Gorgha from the IKDF. Your roles here are to provide first hand accounts to your disparate militaries on what this mission finds here." He then looks to Leah, Indrani and Sukhar and continues "And you three officers are to man stations. Lt Sukhar, I realize you are currently serving as a scientist, but we thought that you would enjoy a turn at the Tactical Station. Ensign Idrani you will be working at our science station, and last but not least, you will work at Helm." He directs that last towards Leah but looks to see if there are any questions before proceeding.
Edwards nods toward Tolsar at that, "All right." Since that's taken care of, he glances toward Sukhar, and comments, "Didn't know you weren't acquainted, otherwise I would have introduced you too, being one of the crew and all."
Dakin simply nods in confirmation to the verbal accounting of personnel assignments for this mission.
Sukhar nods once. "Of course, Lieutenant." He makes his way to the Tactical Station, without further comment.
Leah gives Tolsar a curt nod, acknowledging his orders. She scoots past Dakin and the others on her way to the helm.
Idrani seems to have a question. "Excuse me, Lieutenant Tolsor, will Ensign Leah and I be operating as Starfleet Exchange officers for this endeavor, for the purposes of clairifying the chain of command?" Better get these things cleared up /before/ there is any trouble.
Cutscene -- Following on the heels of the confident Sukhar and Ensign Leah, the crew from Station 419 move forward to the bridge while Lieutenant Tolsar addresses Ensign Idrani's question and clarifies that yes in fact she and Ensign Leah are in fact operating as exchange officers for this mission. Tolsar gestures to seats that Edwards, Dakin and Gorgha might perch upon. Leah and Idrani have a few minutes to get familiar with thier stations while Tolsar discusses the Occan system layout with Commander Edwards; then he calls Station 419 to inform them he is departing before ordering Leah to take them out at one quarter impulse and Sub-Lieutenant Sukhar to engage the cloak once they are clear of the approach lane to the station. Moments later they ramp up to warp speed and are heading for their destination -- the Occa system.
Gorgha grunts and follows everyone to the bridge where he proceeds to stand next to the seat provided for him.
Scene -- After a few hours of travel they Advent of Sorrow is approaching the Oort Cloud of the Occan system, Tolsar orders the ship to slow to one quarter impulse and rotates on his chair to face Edwards.
Tolsar asks "Have you any previous experience in this system or against Dominion defenses? I've heard you were engaged in the Liberation of Betazed, anything you'd like to pass along now?"
Edwards umms, "Yeah. Let's not let them see us. I'd really rather not die today." He smiles somewhat at his joke that just happens to be true. "I believe most of the defenses are around the Occan homeworld. Probably a fleet, maybe some weapons platforms, like they had at Betazed."
Dakin nods in confirmation. "If we do encounter a ship, prepare for a hard-fought battle. Jem'hadar run from nothing, and unless their immediate Founder deems it more useful to keep us alive, to the Jem'hadar, we're simply corpses that need reminding."
<CONTEST> Sukhar contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Sukhar reports, simply, "We should currently be hidden from their long-range scanners, Sir," to Tolsar.
<CONTEST> Leah contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Leah chews her lower lip as she focusses on flight control. She attempts to bring the ship, which handles a bit differently than any Federation vessel she's flown, out of warp and move to quarter impulse for manuevers.... and succeeds, though the vessel shakes a bit as she does so.
Idrani speaks up, "Sir, sensors are detecting no vessels in the immediate vicinity. However, I am picking up an ion trail signature..." she checks the translation of the readings for confirmation, "...of a Siinogan vessel, about one-quarter AU away. The trail looks to be a few hours old."
Gorgha strokes his long gray beard. "What would a Sinnogan vessel be doing out here and why would the Dominion be tolerating them?"
Tolsar turns his chair back to the front and nods confirmation to the affirmation of safety by Tolsar and the evidence of passage by Siinogans from Idrani. "Helm, get the Siinogan course data and plot us a careful pursuit course, we will sneak in behind them. That should leave less of a trail of our passing. Sub-Lieutenant Sulkar, pull up the Siinogan tactical database and refamiliarize yourself with the data there. Sensors, begin recalibration for long range reconaissance -- if you have diffculty, Lt. Sulkar may offer you advice." He stands from his seat a moment considering the space before you and says, "Doctor, I believe your Klingon instincts have lead you to an interesting question, perhaps your fellow observers from Starfleet will have some thoughts on this matter?"
Edwards clears his throat and comments, "Well I suppose it's entirely possible that the Siinogan and the Dominion may be working together. The Dominion has shown that it's willing to work with others when it suits their purposes, and the Siinogan are enemies of one member of our alliance. But I can't say for certain."
Dakin nods. "The possibilities are endless, Lieutenant. The Commander may be correct, then again, they could be on a similar mission to our own. In any event, past dealings with the Siinogans suggest we proceed cautiously."
Sukhar says, "Ensign Idrani, advise me if you require assistance with the calibrations. I have the Siinogan tactical data."
Leah stares hard at the controls in front of her, then proceeds as ordered, using the Siinogian course data to plot a pursuit course. It takes perhaps a little while longer than she'd normally take, but she manages to do it, moving the ship at quarter impulse. She gives the console a light tap on the side as if to tell it to behave.
<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Idrani nods faintly, acknowledging both Romulan superior officers with a brisk "Aye, sir." She studies the sensor readings, translated into both Federation Standard and Graalen to get a better grasp of the nuances. After a brief pause, she makes the necessary adjustments. "Sensors calibrated as ordered, sir."
Gorgha's brow furrows in thought. "Such an arrangement would be mutually advantageous for both sides especially if it were kept a secret. The Dominion would get agents who are already familiar with the area and for whom hostile actions would not be cause for suspicion. It would ease any resource burdons they may be experiencing in this part of the quadrant. From the Sinnogan perspective, they would be gaining a powerful ally, substantial potential to upgrade their technology while at the same time not having to change any of their policies concerning the other inhabitants of the quadrant. The bugs are not above such tactics nor are the founders."
Tolsar straightens where he stands as the officers work their stations and signal completion, listening to the views of Edwards and Dakin; but as Gorgha begins to expound he turns his head to reconsider the Klingon with an arched brow. Once Gorgha has finished he nods, in an almost approving fashion then resumes his seat saying, "That all sounds quite reasonable, and I will consider your warnings informed. Helm, remain on this course at one quarter impulse and start considering your options for evasive manuevers through here should such be necessary. Sensors, begin the first scan series now. Sub-Lieutenant Sukhar, being a scientist I'm sure we'd all like to hear your views on a possible Siinogian/Dominion alliance. Indulge us." -- Direct --
Sukhar says, "Lieutenant, frankly, it doesn't take a bioscientist to know that the one thing the Siinogan and the Dominion *do* have in common is biotechnology -- pharmaceuticals, gene-splicing, and the like. I hesitate to say something which might seem to border on the treasonous, but if they were to pool their bioengineering knowledge, the result would surpass any such archives of knowledge currently known to The Homeworld and, I think, to Starfleet, as well. -- Direct --"
Tolsar says "Ha! Yes, that is an excellent point of connection -- and I would not fear your statement might border on the treasonous, after all, being who *we* are we have no need of genetic tampering to seize our place in D'era." He curbs his nationalism for a moment then to say, "Where there any biotechnological facilities captured on Betazed during the liberation?"
Edwards gives Dakin a look when Tolsar goes on about D'era. "Uh, Betazed..." he replies, when the conversation comes back to stuff that he might know, "I don't know. Most of what I heard about Betazed after the battle concerned the evacuation."
Dakin says, "I'm aware that the Dominion was doing research into Betazoid psionics so as to make them living weapons for their use. I led the ground offensive on Betazed but my lay of the land was centered on the world-scale weapons systems we were sent to neutralize."
<CONTEST> Leah contests her Space Sciences (Astrogation) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Leah attempts to work out some escape routes, though in the middle of it she stops and frowns. Shaking her head, she shifts back to flight control.
<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Idrani begins the initial scans, managing to find her way around the unfamiliar Romulan technology. Her antennae move slightly, betraying a slight shift in her emotions, but her voice is cool, calm and professional. "Sir, I am detecting thirty Occan Polaran cutters, three Keldon Class Cruisers and forty Dominion attack fighters. These ships are picketed in the outer orbits and toward the oort cloud. There could very well be more in the system, but we would need to move closer."
Gorgha takes in this new data and seems to be filing it away with everything else. He remains quiet for the moment though.
Tolsar settles into his chair more firmly and begins issuing crisp directions, "Helm steady on this course until we are clear of the Oort cloud then shift our heading to 213 mark 4 at current speed. Sub-Lieutenant Sukhar, readjust our cloak to compensate for the gravimetric interference we will encounter as we swing in a near pass to the Gas Giant and stay alert to any emissions that may betray our presence." He then begins tapping commands into the console of his chair's arm, apparently dropping out of the previous discussion as he decides how best to take his vessel deeper into harms way.
<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Dakin contests his Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Edwards considers the science report quietly as Tolsar hands out his orders. "Probably some more hiding somewhere." he comments idly.
Dakin considers for a moment. "My guess is that the Occan craft are flank support for the Dominion fighters and the Cardassian ships are running administrative. Given the Jem'hadar's proficiency I'm guess they'd be operating as primary offense."
<CONTEST> Sukhar (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Sukhar says, "Compensating for the gravity shear, Lieutenant. We remain undetected, at least insofar as I can determine via passive monitoring."
GAME: Leah spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Leah (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
"Aye captain," Leah says, acknowledging Tolsar's orders. She keeps the ship on a steady course through the Oort cloud, then shifts the heading, passing the gas giant with a minimal of fuss. Though she says nothing, a smile creeps onto her face.
<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Idrani looks over the ship deployments, having no additional observations to make, and listens to the words of the more experienced officers.
Gorgha says, "Are the ships holding position or do they appear to be on the move?"
Cutscene -- The Romulan Scout Ship slips past the outer planets into the middle orbits smoother than a Ferrengi palms and pockets a Latinum slip gratuity as Doctor Gorgha asks about the manuevering predilictions of the picket line. Upon real time analysis of the picket vessels as Advent of Sorrow manuevers to its next scan position, still unseen as far as all signs can tell, it seems the pickets move and shift, but in a confined section of the space they are patrolling. Similar perhaps to the action of a sliding door allowing windows of entry that close in a short period of time. As they reach their mark, the Romulan commander of the vessel returns his attention from his console.
Tolsar says, "Now that we are in position, begin the second stage of scans Ensign Idrani." --Direct--
GAME: Idrani spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
Idrani beings touching buttons at the science station. "Aye, sir." A moment later, she frowns, antannae laying back. "Sir, I failed to reconfigure the band power settings to compensate for the closer range. They might be able to pick up the power signature."
GAME: Sukhar spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Sukhar (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Tolsar tightens his grip on his console chair at this revelation and his immediately says, "Sukhar, do something about this. Helm, be prepared to take evasive action if we are discovered." He then tightens his jaw and narrows his eyes.
Edwards mutters under his breath, "Oh great." He grabs a hold of his seat and watches the crew work.
. o O Idrani thinks "Mental image of herself being relieved from the science station by a real Romulan science officer, quietly escorted off the bridge, then getting a disruptor shot to the head, per Star Navy regulations for failure."
Dakin sighs and also grips his seat tightly, muttering under his breath, "Prophets watch over us..."
Sukhar immediately springs into action. "Compensating for the higher range band, Lieutenant. Active refocussing of background radiation from the Gas Giant to simulate a planetary EM flare. Unless they look *very* closely, we're just a stray hiccough in the magnetosphere." No witty rejoiner, no quips, just business.
Leah acknowledges Tolsar with a brief nod of the head as she remains alert at her station, fingers on the console. She casts a quick glance over her shoulder at Dakin, perhaps a flash of worry crossing her face before she faces forward again.
Gorgha takes his seat to be in a better position should evasive maneuvers be necesary. He murmurs something in Klingon to himself but appears unphased.
<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Idrani says nothing and to a non-Andorian, seems to take her error in stride. Time enough for self-beratement if we get out of this. She compensates her sensor station for the shorter range now and carefully double-checks her calculations.
GAME: Fortunae is joining this location.
Tolsar nods once to Sukhar solution and says, "We will be patient a moment and see if they opt to look at all." That said, a few tense minutes pass as the crew waits to see if Sub-Lieutenant Sukhar's swift action has kept their presence unnoticed and during this time Tolsar remains silent. Abruptly he announces, "We appear to be a stray hiccough in the magnetosphere. Appropriate action, Sub-Lieutenant. Ensign, if you have made the appropriate adjustments to the sensors, resume the second phase scan." --direct--
<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Idrani says calmly, "Aye sir. Resuming scan." She begins tapping away at the sensor console again. A moment passes. "Sir, detecting four Siinogan Heavy Frigates and an additional forty Dominion attack fighters hiding in the magnetic belt of the gas giant and the moons."
Gorgha says, "If they're hiding in their own space then it's likely that they are anticipating that someone is going to come looking for them."
Tolsar says "So they are all about us. Interesting, and your observation is compelling Doctor Gorgha. Commander Edwards, Lieutenant Dakin, my instinct is that they have more to hide deeper in the system though proving such does come with some risk. What are your thoughts on this?"
Edwards comments simply, "From what I've observed, the Dominion and the Siinogan are always hiding something somewhere."
Dakin nods. "I have to concur. This big of an attack force wouldn't be out on simple maneuvers. They're protecting something, likely of great importance."
Gorgha says, "Protecting something or planning something."
--Cut Scene-- Concurring with the judgment of his allies in this matter, Lieutenant Tolsar directs Ensign Leah on the new course heading and the Ts'lux T'Gora slips from its position unseen by the vessels cached nearby and deeper into apparently heavily fortified system. Continuing to display his expertise Sukhar keeps the cloaked tuned to the variables of their passage providing them with a blanket of safety. Tense moments pass as they begin the third phase of their scanning reconnaissance -- Direct to sensors giving the results --
Idrani notes in a lethally calm and quiet tone, "Sir, detecting one hundred additional Dominion Attack fighters and five Dominion Assault Cruisers, all hiding in the corona of the gas giant."
Tolsar nods once to this and says, "I believe we have encroached as close as we should at this time. Helm, lay in a course for our subtle egress from the system... unless there is an objection?" He casts his gaze towards the observers upon saying this.
Edwards shakes his head swiftly and comments, "I'm all for not avoiding any potential bloodshed. Really trying to cut back on the blood in my diet and all."
Dakin nods. "I'm with Commander Edwards. We've done what we've come to do."
Sukhar breaks the concordance with: "Lieutenant Tolsar, tactical sensors indicate a launch of some physical object from the surface of Occa. Passive scans of its mass and composition show it to be of bioorganic origin, almost certainly Siinogan; its trajectory shows it to be heading on a path towards us. We are no longer a simple hiccough, Sir."
Leah begins immediately calculating the course as soon as she's ordered too... and when the news that the object is traveling towards the ship hits her she forcibly keeps from just punching the engines out of the system. She does however keep her finger over the engage command and asks loudly, "Sir?"
Idrani silently grits her teeth, but says nothing. She keeps an eye on the sensor readings.
Gorgha nods in agreement. "There is nothing more we can do here. I do have one question however. How long can those vessels hide in there before the gravity concentration begins to damage them. We may..." he arches an eyebrow at Sukhar's comment.
Tolsar's attention diverts directly to Sub-Lieutenant Sukhar as he announces the inbound object. Immediately he says," Estimated time of arrival?" --direct--
Sukhar says, "At current rate of speed, Lieutenant, it will reach almost ninety-five percent of lightspeed very shortly, and match our speed and course for intercept in about 9 minutes."
Tolsar "Helm take an immediate evasive action and let's see if it tracks our position shift. Sensors, I want you to pick out a best course corridor based on the positioning of the enemy vessels for us to navigate out of here. Tactical, configure a torpedo based intercept solution for that object and inform me when it is ready. Your thoughts on this device?" The last clearly directed at the observers even though he doesn't turn his gaze towards them.
Edwards shrugs and frowns somewhat, "I don't know. Maybe a probe or something like that?" He slaps his hand against his chair idly, "I'm not too familiar with Siinogan technology myself."
Dakin frowns at recent reports. "Nor I. In any event, if it's only doing sublight, dropping into a warp course out of here should make it a dead issue without alerting our presence any further than it has been."
Gorgha says, "If they've determined that what they're picking up is a cloaked ship, and it's a biological type weapon, I'd wager that it's meant to prey upon a cloaked vessel's lack of shielding and possibly designed to contaminate the crew as well as do damage to the vessel itself."
<CONTEST> Sukhar (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Sukhar says, "Sir, I can get an intercept solution with passive scanners only, without dropping the cloak, but it will be a very close range solution. We *will* take some backlash, depending on the yield of the enemy projectile."
Leah wheels the ship about, choosing a course away from the gas giant that nearly revealed their presence earlier. She keeps away from the known gatherings of enemy ships and instead makes for a comet on a leisurely course out of the system, keeping away from it's 'tail.'
GAME: Idrani spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Idrani begins working at her station again, looking for a suitable corridor window for the Advent of Sorrow to pass. The information is relayed to the Helm station.
Tolsar turns his attention to Sukhar again as the evasive action is taken and says, "Is it still tracking us now that we've moved?" --Direct--
Sukhar says, "Yes, Sir, it is, and if we don't pick up speed soon, I'll have to revise my time-to-impact estimate downward, sharply. -- direct --"
"Helm, accelerate to emergency impulse speeds then calculate and plot a course for us to go to warp within the planetary system. Sub-Lieutenant Sukhar, of the theories about this device our allies have evinced, which if any do you concur with? Would any of you like to expand your thoughts on this first?"
Edwards, being completely non-technical, and non-biotechnical, offers helpfully, "Don't look at me. This so isn't my area of expertise." Now if he were being asked about explosions...
Dakin says, "My original recommendation stands as is, Lieutenant."
Gorgha says, "The Empire does not use such weapons. My theory is just that."
Sukhar says, "I am reasonably sure its energy output is that of a weapon, Lieutenant, and not a probe. I cannot state this as a definitive fact, but right now, to assume otherwise is to bet all of our lives on a guess."
GAME: Leah spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Leah (claiming advantage) contests her Space Sciences (Astrogation) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Dramatically Fails!
--Dramatic Failure result -- Leah worked with motivated speed on the unfamliar console, ramping it up to full impulse speed and keeping track of the minute navigation details as the Advent of Sorrow tore along a majority of light speed. At the same time, she calculated the mathematics for a safe warp corridor amidst the warp field mine field of the inner planetary system. And it was this double tasking, this calculating a current course and speed while plotting another under pressure on an unfamiliar system that waned her attention just enough for her pinky to hit the warp engage button for the course she had just plotted but was not in the proper position yet to commence...the Ts'lux T'Gora begins to stretch into warp speed and alarms from the inertial dampeners begin to sound... something has gone terribly wrong.
Idrani startles as the alarm sounds. Not being an engineer, she keeps monitoring the external sensors for any sign that the cloak has been compromised any further.
Sukhar looks shocked when the warp engines kick on, but is distracted from chastising the helmsman by the structural integrity warning alarms and instead starts delivering orders to his engineering officer in the aft portion of the vessel.
Edwards clamps down on his chair, as he tries to sink into it. This really isn't how he wanted to die... "Well, this sure did get a whole lot more exciting." he mutters.
Dakin nods to Edwards as he reaches for whatever's bolted down to steady himself. "Yes, sir... beats getting my legs out of this motor-assist contraption hands-down."
GAME: Sukhar spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Sukhar (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Sukhar barks out, "Bringing down cloak to raise shields! All hands brace for wavefront!"
<CONTEST> Sukhar (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
"Fudge," is Leah's immediate response to what she's done. As she realizes quite exactly what's happened, she braces herself for the wavefront.
Idrani braces for the wave front as well.
Gorgha begins to laugh at something internal that he seems to find very amusing and says more to himself than anyone else "Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam"
Sukhar, for his own part, says nothing more, and those who have never truly *seen* him work a console in an emergency situation may be a little unnerved to see a Romulan *bioscientist* operate a tactical console with both hands, independently of the other, switching his visual attention from hand to hand but keeping both operating separately, more like an android than a man. Somehow, this performance manages to bring the forward deflectors online, as the cloaking field dissipates, and the resultant last-second 'forward wall' is all that intercepts the wave front of gravimetric shear as the Romulan scout ship impacts it. It is only at this last second that one of the console-dancing hands lashes out to grab a railing, to stabilize him, and still he drops to his knees under the impact.
The Ts'lux T'Gora decloaks long enough for the decisive action of Sub-Lieutenant Sukhar to save them from an inglorious end of their adventures in the stars, and even as the Occan forces take notice and begin to maneuver, the vessel shimmers back under it's cloak and vanishes.
The Occan system shrinks in your rear view from a vast expanse of space to a platter sized vista to a point of light. You have succeeded in the dangerous mission and bring valuable if disheartening data back to the joint alliance command regarding the system defenses of the Dominion at Occa. And this disturbing new weapon that appears to track onto cloaked vessels. It will be many hours before you are safe back on Station 419, if you can consider even that fortress safe in these times. And as the Occan system is left further and further behind you, you can't help think that some of you will be going back to that beleaguered system, and when you go back there will be a price to pay in blood and tears.
