With a Rattling of Sabers
Episode Name: With a Rattling of Sabers Written By: Fortunae Cast: Ashilav, Dakin, Edwards, Foster, Havaris, Haven, Leah and Tibbs. Produced By: Starfleet Directed By: Fortunae Aired On: Mon Sep 30 01:50:08 2002 Stardate: 52670.1
Time: Sun Sep 29 21:08:19 2002
Stardate: 52669.6
Mission Briefing - "Disaster has struck and the Dominion have moved faster then anticipated. Days ago a Dominion Vanguard struck with lightning speed at the Andorian Colony of Fimdari, and though resistance on the ground is expected to continue for days, with the Dominion controlling the skies above Fimdari there is little hope of the invasion being repulsed by the beleaguered defenders alone. To further complicate matters not all of the forces being gathered for the assault on Occa are present yet, and your standing task group is not of the correct number and composition to engage the forces at Fimdari. Admiral Whitehorse has come up with an alternative strategy though.
Starfleet Intelligence indicated that it is likely the Siinogans are manufacturing Ketrecel White on Occa as part of their apparent alliance with the Dominion. This makes them critical to the long term Dominion plans in this sector but also provides an opportunity. The Siinogans took Bak'tur from the Klingons allegedly over a deep need of their people, so they will be very protective of it. To utilize that end to the benefit of Fimdari, Admiral Whitehorse is directing three quarters of the Allied Fleet towards Bak'tur in a supposed attempt to capitilize on the Dominion's distraction at Fimdari to retake that formerly Klingon world. It is his conjecture that the Siinogans will insist forces be pulled off of the Fimdari attack to defend their holdings on Bak'tur, leaving only a small force to hold the skies and allowing the ground battle to continue.
While the big fleet draws off the Dominion star vessels, a small attack wing of joint Federation and Romulan light vessels will "sneak" into the Fimdari system and attempt to seize control again of the skies and then provide orbital support for the defenders which will hopefully re-secure the planet. Starfleet vessels from the nearby sector are enroute at maximum sustainable warp to assist in this operation and should be arriving at Fimdari within nine hours of blitz providing enough of a deterrent when combined with the Alliance task group. You have been selected to man the Thomas Paine on it's first true fleet engagement, and the honor of saving Fimdari and your fellow crewmates that hopefully still survive on that cauldron of carnage."
(Scene) The crew of the Thomas Paine has boarded and the bridge crew arrives on the bridge preparing to depart to rendezvous with their task group.
Edwards leans forward in the command chair, gives the bridge and assembled crewmembers a once-over, and questions, "All systems in working order?"
Dakin nods to Edwards. "Phaser arrays and shield generatore nominal, torpedo mags full, launchers operational. We'll be giving as good as we get, Commander."
Foster runs his hands once over the Operations console. "Operations running at peak efficiency, sir."
Haven calls from her post, "Mission Ops is go, Sir."
Having just finished a diagnostic, Ensign Leah turns from the Conn to look at Edwards as she replies. "Helm is functioning well within optimum parameters, sir. We're ready to fly."
Tibbs glances over his shoulder from where he's standing at the science station, the short grey-haired man holds a hand up placatingly. "Sc-Science is good to g-go. All sen-sensor platforms check out." He comments, mildly.
Ashilav turns in her seat at engineering, giving a quick nod to Edwards. "Engineering reports everything is operational and well, sir."
The consoles hum quietly, and the lower decks all report in their readiness as well. The ship seems ready to leave.
Edwards comments, "That's what I like to hear." Toward his designated XO, at the tactical station, he asks, "Is our motley fleet ready to move out, Mr. Dakin?" -- Direct --
Dakin checks his console then reports to Edwards. "Affirmative, sir, all Allied ships report that they'll arrive at the rendezvous point as scheduled."
-- Direct --
Edwards nods at that, "Signal the Accountability and tell them that we're ready to go." That said, he clears his throat and addresses the room as a whole, "This is it folks. Our task force may be the only that keeps the Dominion from gaining a permanent foothold on Fimdari, enslaving many Federation citizens, and giving them a clear shot at Sector Command in Dulcais and our station. So let's go show the Jem'Hadar that they can't come into our backyard and start a fight without getting one hell of a bloody nose."
Foster smirks a tiny bit, softly at the Operations console. He nods. "Aye, sir."
Dakin simply nods to Edwards, in silent signal that he's ready to hand out some payback.
Haven's face darkens a bit as she blows out a long low breath before offering a hearty "Lets do it."
Tibbs twitches visibly at the peptalk, rubbing at his moustache. Still, for all his nervous demeanor, he returns his attention intently to his console, jaw clenching.
"For Fimdari, and for the Federation," Ashilav says from her station.
Leah looks a bit more eager than the others as she smiles and says, enthusiastically, "For Starfleet."
From over the comms system comes, "Thomas Paine this is Station 419 Operations Control. You are cleared for immediate departure through the trade lane at bearing 227. Mark 4. God Speed Thomas Paine."
Edwards leans back in his chair and states simply, "Let's go."
Dakin gives Leah an encouraging smile from his station.
Foster rests calmly at his station, waiting. He idly rubs a bead of sweat off of his brow.
Haven runs a quick check of the transporters as the ship prepares to undock.
Tibbs feeds the results of a fresh passive sensor sweep to astrometrics, posture seeming to relax as he settles into routine departure procedure.
Ashilav favors Edwards with a small smile - a confident smile - and she turns back to her station to monitor ship functions during the departure.
"Disengaging airlock clamps, undocking procedure complete," Leah says, going to work at the helm as soon as Edwards' spoke. "Using manuevering thrusters, bearing 227 mark 4. We're clear of the station...."
Under Leah's smooth hand the Thomas Paine eases out through the trade lane at 1/4 impulse, and is soon past the warp restricted zone clear to engage the warp engines for faster than light travel.
Edwards watches the viewscreen impassively and remarks, "Set a course for Fimdari on a parallel course with the fleet and prepare to match their speed, Ensign."
"Aye, sir," Leah replies softly as she works. After a few moments, she comes back with, "Course laid in. Warp speed to match the fleet's on your mark."
The Thomas Paine extends as it leaps to light speed and shoots towards the rendezvous point. After only a few hours of uneventful travel the Thomas Paine intersects the course of the task group from Dulcais. Moving along in a stately formation is a collection of Starfleet vessels, mostly Saber class, and in the lead the Defiant class U.S.S. Indominitable, the vessel assigned attack wing command. The Thomas Paine slips into it's place in formation and continues with it's sister vessels towards their rendezvous with Fimdari and the Dominion.
Act II -- (Scene) The task group approaches the Fimdari system running at lowered power, which, when combined by the ambient signal radiation from the Anomaly itself, helps screen their approach to lateral sensor range of the Fimdari system. A general fleet order to come to a full stop comes across the com channel band, then from Mission Ops, Haven indicates that the U.S.S. Accountability is hailing the Thomas Paine.
Edwards orders, "Full stop." After a brief glance toward Haven, he remarks, "Put the transmission on screen, Doctor."
Haven nods, her fingers flying over her console. "Aye, Sir. Piping it through... now."
Tibbs is busy trying to make certain that the ambient radiation from the Anomaly itself isn't wreaking too much havoc with the sensors. Still, he glances up out of the corner of his eye to watch the communique, undeniably curious.
"Aye, sir," Leah answers, bringing the ship to a full halt.
(Onscreen) A confident looking woman in her early thirties appears on the viewscreen, sitting in a spartan command chair. She rises to her feet and takes a few steps towards the viewscreen putting her hands behind her back to clasp as she does so. "Greeting Commander Edwards, I'm Lieutenant Commander Alice Martin. I've already spoken with the rest of the task group before we left Dulcais. I'm pleased to have a chance to work with you and your crew from Station 419-Upsilon." She smiles, and it is an easy smile the relaxes and inspires some confidence. "I'd like you to have your vessel start doing some high resolution lateral scans of the Fimdari system, I've got the other vessels taking me scans in different directions to ensure we aren't being suckered into a draw trap. After you finished your scans, send them over and then I'll start designating targets. I'm to understand the Thomas Paine hasn't seen any full combat press as yet? Any concerns about your vessel performance I should be aware of for my planning, Commander?"
Edwards straightens in his seat, doing his best to look commanderly. "We'll get on those scans ASAP, Commander. As for the Thomas Paine... no, I don't have any concerns. I'd put my life in the hands of this ship." A pause. "Which, in fact, I'm doing." A wry smile at that. "Anything else we can do for you?"
Dakin listens intently to the exchange from his spot at Tactical.
Foster rests his hands silently on the obsidian console before him, patiently awaiting any given orders.
Haven's light touch on the control panel keeps the convection open and steady.
Havaris has arrived.
Tibbs is jarred into motion as Edwards mentions the scans, stubby fingers stabbing at his panel to initiate them. "B-Beginning them now, s-sir." He comments in a mild, subdued tone, setting the information to pipe over to communications as results are reported. "It'll t-take a bit."
Ashilav turns and glances briefly towards the communication at hand between Edwards and Martin, but remains dilligent at her station.
(Viewscreen) Commander Martin smiles approvingly at Edwards response then says, "No. Once you have those scans have them sent right over. I'll call you again with your assignment after I've had a chance to look them over. Accountability Out." The viewscreen returns to the image of space before them.
Edwards glances toward Tibbs once the viewscreen winks out. "Just get 'em as soon as you can, Mr. Tibbs." he comments.
Dakin does a check on his console. "Wonder if Havaris has had time to do those system checks he was doing yet?"
Speak of the Devil. The Turbolift doors open, admitting Havaris to the bridge. He takes stock of the situation, glances about to make note of who's manning what, and promptly makes his way towards tactical. He offers Dakin a brief nod, "I'm here to relieve you, Sir. Everything's squared away down below." Havaris then notes to Edwards, "Lieutenant Junior Grade Havaris, reporting to Tactical, Sir. All Weapons Systems will be ready if we need them."
Dakin stands and leaves Tactical.
Havaris sits down at Tactical.
<CONTEST> Tibbs contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Tibbs doesn't look up, absorbed in the scans for a long few minutes. His bushy grey brows knit in distress, as he glances up. "Th-This isn't right. S-Sir, there've got t-to be some sort of.. Electronic c-countermeasures go-going on. I can't g-get clear scans." He states, in an apologetic tone. "It's n-not just normal interference."
Edwards frowns momentarily at that. "All right. Ops, reroute more power to the sensor array. Tactical, see if you can do anything to cut through those counter-measures. Then, Mr. Tibbs, see if you can get anything." he orders.
Dakin stands up from the Tactical station, allowing Havaris to replace him. "All yours, Mr. Havaris." He then walks to the Command area and takes the XO seat next to Edwards.
Dakin sits down at Command.
Foster nods, going straight to work. "Aye, sir. Rerouting power."
Havaris settles into his seat, wasting no time in ... attempting to find his bearings enough to execute his orders. He glances over his shoulder at Tibbs, then back to his own terminal, knitting his brows as he sets to work. "On it, Sir..."
Tibbs scratches at his head, thuroughly flummoxed. "L-Let me know when you're r-ready for me to run th-them again, L-Lieutenant." He comments to Havaris, and starts to set the scans up again, red in the face with embarrasment.
<CONTEST> Havaris contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Leah keeps her hands on her console, ready for any new orders from Edwards. She looks over her shoulder and catches Dakin moving to the XO's chair. Giving him a smile, she turns back to the helm.
The bridge is filled with the beeps and chirps as Havaris and Foster both try to work their magic to assist Tibbs with his scans.
Dakin gives a smile and a nod to Leah then directs his attention to his armrest console, which illicits a smile. "Jamming's being countered."
Havaris nods his head slowly at first, then with greater certainty as the seconds tick by. Finally he glances to Edwards with a nod, to Tibbs with a wink. Since Dakin's delivered the news, he simply nods his agreement and goes back to monitoring his post.
<CONTEST> Tibbs contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!
<CONTEST> Tibbs (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Tibbs releases a breath he'd been holding with a loud huff as the sensors finally start cooperating the way he'd like them to. "W-Well. N-No wonder. We-We've got ten d-dominion fighters and two G-Galors of Car-Cardassian make waiting for us. Sen-Sending the data to you, s-sir, and to communications for tr-transmission." He breathes, relieved to have it over with.
Ashilav blinks twice at the information, and glances to Edwards for orders.
Leah furrows her brow a bit at that information, looking over her shoulder at Edwards as well.
Edwards raises an eyebrow at that information, "Is that all? And I thought this was going to be hard." Ah, the picture of confidence, he is. "Havaris, transmit that data to the Accountability, if you would." -- Direct --
Havaris ticks an eyebrow at the list of ships waiting out there for the fleet, ticks his other eyebrow at Edwards' reaction to the news, and chuckles softly as he redirects the the sensor feed to the Accountability. "Done, Sir."
Edwards replies, "Thank you, Leftenant." He focuses on the viewscreen, waiting for any response that may come. And, as he waits, he adds, "Should be home in time for dinner, don't you think, Rann?"
Dakin smiles to Edwards. "With enough time for a nap and shower beforehand, sir."
Tibbs perks up visibly at the form of address, the term leftenant agreeing far more with his own Brit upbringing than the standardized one. He's blatantly relieved at the Commander's encouraging words, relaxing slightly.
The Accountability hails the Thomas Paine some minutes later, and once again the image of Lt Commander Alice Martin appears on the view screen, though her manner is a bit more business-like this time. "Excellent work on the scans, Thomas Paine. When we move into the system your vessel will be targeting Dominion Attack Fighter 977841. After you have disabled or destroy that vessel you will attack for opportunity unless redirected by myself. I have just received word from the task group heading towards Bak'TUR that they are in position so we will proceed immediately. Good Hunting Thomas Paine, Accountability out." The viewscreen goes back to the star field where the other vessels from the task group can be seen moving to warp and towards Fimdari.
ACT III (Scene) Despite the great factor of warp being employed, the last light year leg of the trip to Fimdari seems to stretch as the certain knowledge that battle awaits sinks in to each member of the crew. At the designated location at the furthest edge of the system, the fleet breaks apart into it's seperate warp approach vectors, avoiding the gravity wells in the system as planned and moving at such speed that the Dominion won't have much of a chance to react even if they pick up the vessels incoming on their sensors. In the view screen of the Thomas Paine the Dominion Fast attack craft 977841 grows larger and larger then it starts to manuever, obviously it knows that the Thomas Paine has come to reap it for what it has sown.
-- Action --
Edwards doesn't act quite so nonchalant, or perhaps flippant is a better word, anymore. But his demeanor remains calm, and he hands out orders efficiently, "Conn, get us into attack range, and prepare for evasive maneuvers. Ops, make sure the shields and weapons have enough power to do their thing, and prepare for any needed shifts of power. Science, keep your eyes on the battlefield. I want to know if our opponent here does anything funny or if his buddies start coming around. Engineering, you know what to do. Keep us alive. Tactical, well... blow it to hell."
GAME: Edwards spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Command (Starship) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Dakin tabs open an intership comm channel and says to both the bridge crew and to all else on the ship, "Red alert! All hands to battle stations!"
Foster quickly runs his hands along the ops console, constantly displaying readouts of power status and their allocations. "Aye, sir. I've got my eye on it."
<CONTEST> Havaris contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Foster contests his Shipboard Systems (Mission Ops) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Tibbs contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Foster looks back, "You should have enough power to begin the assault at this range, Mr. Havaris."
Havaris loves it when Edwards gives him those nice, open-ended sort of orders. "Aye, sir. Blowing them to hell, sir." He cracks his knuckles by balling two fists, flits his fingers across his console, and grins rather more hungrily than is likely entirely within protocol. He lets loose with the phaser banks, glancing up at the view screen to watch his volley spray across the enemy's shields, some of the energy actually getting through to mark the ventral side of the Jem'Hadar vessel, blackening the paintjob and doing a number on its hull. "Well, Sir. I can say with all confidence that they know we're here."
Tibbs stands at his console, stubby fingers flying across the keypad. "I'm o-on it, s-sir." He comments, then pauses as he watches the data filtering across his station. About that time, the middle-aged officer begins to shake visibly, although his actions don't halt or even slow. "S-Sir. Th-The task f-force en-engaged, b-but the Galor c-class vessels were ob-boviously very ready with j-joint support op-operations. The sab-saber class USS New S-Solomans has been d-destroyed." He stammers, white-knuckled, and without looking up.
<CONTEST> Leah contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs Fortunae's Shipboard Systems skill and Succeeds!
Leah works at her console furiously, trying to manuever the ship into a superior attack vector against attack craft 977841. "Aye, sir... accelerating to attack speed." She bites her lip, anticipating the manuevering of the Jem'Hadar pilot. He tries to jib one way and Leah jags, sliding even closer towards the ventral aft side of the fighter, trying to keep clear of his aft weapon. When the fighter's pilot tries to roll, Leah pulls the Thomas Paine into a boot legger spin, ending up with the nose of the ship facing the ventral surface ... "Sir, we're out of his aft firing arc... for now."
In the near space of Fimdari, the battle explodes into silent action among the stars. Lances of light stretch forth with deadly intent, Polaron Purple, Phaser golden. Half of the attack force seems focused on harrying the Cardassian heavy cruisers, which are supplying calculated support to the Jem'Hadar craft with the cunning the Cardassians are known for. One such tactic was them grabbing the largest piece of the dead USS New Solomons and tractor beaming it directly against the shields of the U.S.S. Serendipity. The Serendipity's shields buckle at the collision and go down under the follow up straffing of the Dominion Attack fighters just before the Serendipity expands in a burst of orange and yellow and then is dispersed into the stars.
<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs Fortunae's Starship Tactcs skill and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Command (Starship) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Edwards clamps his hands down on his armrests and focuses his gaze intently on the viewscreen, although he still listens to everything said by his surrounding crew. "Leah, keep us on their tail. Don't let them shake us." he states, "Havaris, give them everything you got. I don't want them to have a moment longer than necessary to breathe." His orders doled out, he watches, and adds, "This is our fight people. Now we just need to let them know that."
Dakin switches his attention back and forth between the viewscreen and his chair console. He gives no orders, as everyone's doing their job and doing it well thus far.
Foster lowers his head a little bit at the mention of the destruction of the Solomans and the Serendipity, but he continues to route the necessary power. "Mr. Havaris, I'm giving you a boost. Use it to fire phasers and a quick photon spread simultaneously."
<CONTEST> Foster contests his Shipboard Systems skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Havaris (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Havaris joins Edwards in his intent stare at the viewscreen. His hands move of their own volition, as it seems that Kusto's entered some sort of zen state over there at tactical. "Thank you, Mr. Foster." He finishes his firing solution, lets his hand twitch for a moment above the console, then drops his finger during one of Leah's jagging counter-jigs. His timing, it seems, is perfect. The phaser banks unload with all they've got, followed shortly thereafter by another tap from his finger, which sends a pair of photon torpedoes speeding right at -- into and through -- the hole Kusto'd blasted into the Jem'Hadar's shields. The shields close, just in time to contain the explosion from the torpedoes, reflecting the force right back into the vessel's hull. There's not enough left to identify the alloys. "If anything's breathing after that, Sir...? I suggest retreat."
<CONTEST> Tibbs contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Tibbs continues to tremble violently, though it doesn't interfere with his actions. "USS S-Serendipity's d-down." He reports in the background, wincing visibly as the sensor contact vanishes from his plot. "Al-Also picking up f-four new D-Dominion fighters inbound for the t-task force from the pl-planet."
Leah jinks the ship away from the debris cloud of the Jem'Hadar fighter and goes into evasive manuevers, waiting for orders from Edwards.
In the viewscreen the battle continues to wage beyond the expanding cloud of dust created by Havaris' pinpoint weapons work. Leah completes the evasive pattern to bring the Thomas Paine clear and out of the central furball, giving Edwards a moment to judge where he might best put his crew and his ship to effect. The four vessels that Tibbs announced were clearing the atmosphere break and head for the isolated Thomas Paine while the majority of the Starfleet task group continue weaving in and out of the zone around the Galors trading shots with those vessels and the Dominion Attack Fighters supporting them. After a smoothly executed scissor cross pattern by four of the remaining Sabers, one of the Galors explodes amidships sending it's forward bridge element tumbling end over end and into the Fimdari's atmosphere.
<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs Fortunae's Starship Tactcs skill and Succeeds!
Edwards flashes a satisfied grin as their opponent goes up in flames, "Good job, people. But it's not over yet." When the other fighters show up, he scrutinizes the viewscreen and remarks, "Leah, bring us about, and take us toward Fimdari's moon at full impulse. Let's see how these boys will react to us hightailing it."
--Direct to Leah from Edwards --
"Aye, sir," Leah answers, perking an eyebrow slightly. She speeds the ship up to full impulse, heading for the moon.
-direct back to Edwards-
<CONTEST> Dakin contests his Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Edwards watches the viewscreen, visibly pleased as the Jem'Hadar fighters split into two teams, each team heading for either side of the moon. "Leah, when we reach the moon, bring us around so we can tackle the two lucky ships that chose to follow us on our side. That should buy us time while the other two round the moon." he states, "Havaris, you know the deal. Focus on one fighter at a time."
<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Command (Starship) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Dakin checks his console while saying to Foster, "Mr. Foster, can we give Mr. Havaris another power-boost for this next volley?"
Foster turns from his console to face the Commander, "Sir. If we can slingshot ourselves around the moon, rounding at impulse and then just before coming into view of the other two cruisers hit into warp, we could possibly cause a collision between the four cruisers."
<CONTEST> Havaris contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
GAME: Leah spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Leah (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
<CONTEST> Fortunae contests his Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
<CONTEST> Fortunae contests his Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
<CONTEST> Fortunae contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
<CONTEST> Fortunae contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Havaris bobs his head up and down as orders are tossed this way and that, almost as though they were distracting him. His hands move madly over his controls, running a few different firing solutions through the computer. Foster's lack of answer to Dakin's question earns little more than a momentary sideways glance to the other officer, mildly displeased. He refocusses on his orders, picks his target, and lets loose with the aft phasers. Despite the best efforts of the Jem'Hadar to roll away from the shot, Kusto's aim is true, and the foreward shields of the unlucky fighter take a rather serious pounding.
<CONTEST> Tibbs contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Tibbs manages to not shudder quite as badly, growing accustomed to the situation bit by bit. "In-Incoming craft are f-firing." He comments shakily. "And t-trying to establish g-guidance l-lock." He adds, twitchily.
Attempting a manuever of her own accord, Leah works at the helm controls, trying a brake stop manuever... but she let's the ship drift a bit too high and her 'trick' is revealed to the fighters on the far side of the moon, before she dips the ship back down at the incoming craft.
The Dominion Attack Fighters fire ineffectually at the Thomas Paine from their maximum range, but they split the Thomas Paine as she comes about and swoops high and then down to meet them. They blow past and score several hits into the Thomas Paine's aft shields with thier own aft Poloran cannons. The Thomas Paine rocks and shakes making the crew grip thier consoles or seats with white knuckle force. The Dominion Craft that were taking the long way around divert thier course as Leah's slight overshoot reveals her direction and come tearing over the top of the moon to pounce... but then explode and tumble into wreckage as the Phaser Pulse Cannons of the Accountability and the precision fighters of her Saber wingmen backstab the Jem'Hedar and send their spirits back to the founders. The three vessels carry over and beyond the Thomas Paine on an angle to take them back around the moon more than likely to take another pass on the surviving Galor class cruiser. The Dominion attack fighter who straffed the Thomas Paine appear to be coming about for another forward pass.
<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs Fortunae's Starship Tactcs skill and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs Fortunae's Starship Tactics skill and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Edwards (claiming advantage) contests his Command (Starship) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
GAME: Dakin spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Dakin (claiming advantage) contests his Starship Tactics (Naval) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!
Edwards does not look quite so pleased this time, especially when the Accountability lends a hand. "Strafing run, people. We're going to stare into the enemy's eyes as we shoot him. Let's hit them with everything we have and show them that Jem'Hadar aren't the only fearless soldiers around here." he states.
Dakin looks over towards Foster, "What about that power boost, Mr. Foster? We got enough juice for another one?"
GAME: Foster spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Foster (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Mission Ops) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Foster focuses his eyes on the console, "At full impulse I couldn't give Mr. Havaris that extra jolt to tactical, but I think now I can." A moment of silence, "I've given him the boost. If we cut engines and lure the Jem'Hadar in, I can give him a second spread."
<CONTEST> Havaris (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Dramatically Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Tibbs contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Havaris rocks with the ship, shaking off the nervousness with a bit of a nervous twitch of his right hand. He's back to work at once, plotting his targetting well in advance of even attemptin to fire. He acknowledges Foster's news with a distracted nod, selects his firing solution, glances up at the view screen, then unleashes very literal hell on the incoming fighters. The extra juice in the phaser burst perforates the shields and scores a long rip along the nacelle of the lead Jem'Hadar fighter. Leaping on the sudden vent of plasma, Kusto eyeballs a single Photon torpedo, abandoning anything -like- computer aim, and detonates the torpedo right in the trail of plasma. The explosion sends the limping fighter spinning into the trailing fighter. The collision is brutal, and before either ship can hope to react, they spiral towards the moon and auger into the surface with a pair of bright flashes from the moon's surface. The way is quite suddenly clear for the crew of the Thomas Paine.
Tibbs clutches at his console, issuing a very strangled, terrified sound at Edwards' speech. For a moment, it almost looks like he's fighting back a panic attack, and he only manages to calm down enough to watch his station again once the two fighters angling over the moon are out of the way. Shaking like a leaf having a seizure, he stammers, "Th-Th-The last Galor has b-been des-destroyed." The science officer tries to soothe back his hair with a trembling hand, adam's apple bobbing up and down. "I th-th-think we just to-took ba-back control of F-Fimdari airspace." He quavers meekly, leaning on his station for support.
Leah can't help but grin, flooded with emotion. When Havaris wreaks his havoc, she chimes in with, "/Nice/ shot, Lieutenant," then works at the helm. The Thomas Paine comes around the moon as if prepelled by the spirit of it's crew, and into the now Federation controlled space of Fimdari.
Mission Conclusion -
Fortunae says, "The battle was fierce and close over all, more than one formerly proud Starfleet Vessel is drifting abandoned and sparking in the cold of space. But the planet beneath is secured for now, with your control of the skies above already Federation vessels are firing phasers down onto the planet and using transporter sweeps to apprehend and relocate the Jem'hedar into confinable areas. Within hours the Jem'Hedar victory unravels and becomes a painful setback in their cause to serve their Gods with victory. As night shifts around the planet different areas show the flames of the war that have yet be contained."
"When the task group from the neighboring sector arrives you find yourselves wondering which was more of relief - the arrival of your reinforcements or the word from the planet that there are survivors from your Civil Defense engineering mission and that they will be joining you soon. The battle lines are more than speculation now, and both sides are in high gear for the conflict that is to come. Across the inky void of space the stars twinkle as if unaware of the price being paid here and elsewhere to maintain freedom and prosperity for the peoples of the Alliance. But one star, on bright star, is the star of Occa and it's flash is almost like a beacon of invitation. Soon, you will accept."
