The Best Laid Plans

 Episode Name:  The Best Laid Plans

   Written By:  Starfleet & Belgarath

         Cast:  Foster, Ghorev, Idisha, K'net-mauri, Nilee, P'Trell, ToQ'ra

                and Turtledove.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Starfleet

     Aired On:  Mon Nov 04 00:43:46 2002

     Stardate:  52754.1

Time: Sun Nov 03 19:37:12 2002

Stardate: 52753.6

The mission is a simple one. Escort a silver suitcase to the Neutral Zone, where the Praetorian attack ship T'Kavrus will take possession of it. The suitcase is under guard in the cargo bay - two inside, two outside and four on standby for it. The heavily guarded case contains the 'crown jewels' of the Romulan Empire. Five artifacts from the days of the very formation of the Romulan state, they are the icons of the principles of D'Era. The Federation came into possession of the artifacts through Solok, the Ferengi merchant, who purchased them from Janzon Nilee. Janzon Nilee, a Trill archaeologist, was murdered for the artifacts. The symbiont then passed to Galen Merus, who now sits on the bridge of the USS Thomas Paine. The irony is that he is escorting the same artifacts into Romulan Space that in a former lifetime he smuggled out of Romulan Space. Ambassador K'net-mauri, current caretaker of the artifact, is escorting them home to his people. The helm is manned by Ensign Smith. Thus far, it's smooth cruising to the rendezvous point.

Idisha stands intent before his station. Not of any particular need at the moment, he studies the powerplant displays as if trying to bring to the fore the cursory training he had at the academy and that of the course he's taking just now. Lets see...primary intermix...fusion activity... His eyes move into more familiar territory. Environmental, check. Shields, check. Phaser capacitors...green...

Ghorev says, "Ambassador," to K'net-Mauri, gesturing to the third seat, to his left, traditionally reserved for a Counselor, "you're welcome to take a seat, unless comfort in travel is out of fashion this year."

The irony of Nilee's presence is not lost on K'net-mauri, though he made no comment on it aside from fixing the Trill man with a too-long and peircing look when he entered. He nods to Ghorev, moving slowly to take the indicated chair. "Thank you, Lieutenant," he replies. "Though as far as I can tell, comfort and fashion are almost universally at odds and only overlap coincidentally."

Nilee didn't miss the look given to him by the Romulan Ambassador upon his entrance. Standing with his back to the front of the bridge, the Trill glances over to the Romulan a few times as he steps onto the bridge, visibly tensing with his arrival. The Trill looks back over once more as the Romulan looks away, watching him for a split second before turning his attention back to his station, fidgeting a little bit more than would be usual, even for someone standing.

Ghorev says, "We suffer for our art, Ambassador." He turns his head to fore of the bridge. "Flight Control, estimated time until rendezvous?"

Smith reports, "Fifteen minutes, sir."

Turtledove stands at tactical, surveying the console and occasionally tap-tapping at it, though the tap-taps are few and far between. She maintains excellent posture, meanwhile, periodically glancing casually between Nilee and K'net-mauri.

P'Trell sits in the command chair next to Ghrorev's. To any who know him, Prythra is most definately not his usual jovial self tonight. He's barely spoken a word to anybody since boarding outside of prefessionally curteous communication directly pertaining to the mission.

K'net-mauri smiles faintly at Ghorev's comment. He takes no further notice of Nilee, or at least seems not to.

Idisha hmms. Primary intermix...through to eps...power exchange...right. It all makes sense...sort of. I'm lost somewhere in the dilithium fractionalization and angle of input... He's brought a finger up to his lips as he stares at the readouts.

Ghorev says, "Mister Turtledove, upon entering the Zone, scan for any other ships than the T'Kavrus." He turns his chair sideways to face her. "If any are seen, go to silent yellow alert and notify the T'Kavrus. If not, we will proceed at standard operational protocols to the rendezvous point."

Idisha looks over at a display...a message from engineering. He sighs and turns to face Ghorev. "Sir. Engineering is reporting that power transfer is currently in an imbalance. We are currently limited to warp four and impulse performance is...limited as well." This is /not/ what he wanted to hear.

Nilee focuses all his attention onto the science controls, monitoring various things that probably, don't really need monitoring. Doing his best to keep his attention from wandering back over to the Romulan sitting near the command position. With his attention focused, his fidgeting seems to decrease, though he still appears tense if he is observed.

Turtledove taps at the console and looks up, glancing at Ghorev. "Yes, Captain." She looks back down, her fingers suddenly becoming more active as she prepares to perform the scans.

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

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

GAME: Nilee spends a courage point.

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

Ghorev swivels his head back to Idisha. "How limited?" This is clearly not what *he* wanted to hear either. And as he says it, he's reviewing the data on the command chair console.

K'net-mauri also looks to Idisha, though his expression is more curious than displeased if one can discount the permanent Romulan scowl his brows give him.

Turtledove's brow furrows gently as she performs the scans. After a few minutes, she looks up from the console. "I'm not reading any ships in the Zone, Captain. We are free to proceed at standard operational protocols."

Idisha returns to a flashing message and purses lips. Not good. Another exchange of messages and he turns back to answer the 'commander'. "If we come to all stop, we're looking at a 20 minute repair time. Otherwise, five hours. Right now we're limited to one quarter impulse without risk."

Nilee is tapping at his console like he was, trying to keep busy when he clears his throat suddenly, "Uhmm... Lieutenant?" He looks over his shoulder in Ghorev's direction briefly before he starts speaking again as he turns back, "I'm detecting something..." he pauses tapping a few times, "Sensors are reading a debris field ahead... the mass and spread pattern of the debris suggests it was a vessel similar, or with the same size as the T'Kavrus..."

Ghorev frowns. "Dead stop, Mister Smith. Tell the Engineering team they have *fifteen* minutes. Mister Turtledove, belay the standard operational protocols. Silent Yellow. if aything comes within *2 minutes* of intercept to us, I want to know about it."

Idisha gives a nod. "Aye, sir." And promptly relays the message to Engineering. He looks a little pale, much like when he was in hell. Probably from the same feeling of helplessness that he can't go down and assist.

"Aye sir, answering full stop," Smith says. His finger tapping brings the ship's hum to a lower pitch.

K'net-mauri comes quite suddenly alert at Nilee's words, exacting minute changes in his expression and posture that make him go from straight-backed but near-sleepy serenity to crackling attention. He looks for a moment as though he's about to start barking out orders, but he does not and instead listens silently to the proceedings.

Ghorev says, "Ambassador, if you wish to use a side station to contact your people, I'll arrange for you to be able to enter any one-use disposable cypher you may have for such things."

Turtledove nods to Ghorev, already starting to carry out his orders, her fingers running quietly over the console. "Understood, Captain." Not long after, the message that the ship is in Yellow Alert silently flashes across panels, ship-wide. "All tactical and long-range sensor arrays are brought to full operational status, sir."

Idisha sighs and turns his head back towards Ghorev. "Engineering is on it sir. They can't guarantee the fifteen but will give it their all."

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

Nilee starts tapping at the science station once more, with the change of pace of this mission from slow to fast, all those things that didn't particularly need monitoring, suddenly do, and he starts working away at the station with renewed vigor.

Ghorev swivels back around. "Thank you, Mister Turtledove. Mister Nilee, assist tactical with a full spread scan of the debris. I want to know what kind of energy weapon took them out."

GAME: Nilee spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Nilee (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

K'net-mauri nods to Ghorev and gets to his feet without comment. He moves as slowly as he always does, but even so it does not take him long to take an empty station and make his transmission. He scowls at the result even as his interest returns to the results of Nilee's scans.

Nilee shakes his head slowly as he the results of his scan start scrolling across his screen, "Results inconclusive, sir. I'm not reading anything that could indicate what caused the destruction of the vessel." With that he starts tapping his console again, going over the results once more to make sure.

Ghorev shakes his head. "Keep an eye on everything on a reasonable vector between the debris and us. I *cannot* consider this a coincidence .... Ambassador, if you hear anything, do let us know, please." But the look on his face shows a worry that belies his courtesy.

Visual sensors show it before the ship's other external sensors do. Decloaking on top of the Thomas Paine, then swooping down from a high arc at tremendous amounts of speed is a Klingon warbird. It launches a spread of angry red glowing torpedoes and a full disruptor volley onto the Thomas Paine before there is a chance to react. The ship rocks violently under the impact. Smith's console explodes and he flies out of his chair and collapses onto the floor. His face is black, and his dead eyes stare at the ceiling of the Paine's bridge.

K'net-mauri replies dryly, "I recieve no reply. I will tell you when I do. And I don't think it coincidence either. But --" His reply is cut short as the Klingon craft appears with its sudden violence, and he grips the console as the Thomas Paine rocks. A moment later he's not looking at the dead man's smoking face, but trasmitting again.

Ghorev grips the edge of the console. "Shields," he barks, clearly hoping there are some left. "Report!"

Turtledove looks up as the Warbird de-cloaks, her eyes widening and lips parting slightly, surprised. Quickly, her hands lock on the edge of her console, managing to keep her upright as the ship rocks with the force of the Klingon's attack. "Captain. Shields at 20." She pauses a beat, then quickly appends, "Weapon systems are online, sir."

Standing up, with little time to properly brace himself for the oncoming assault, Nilee does grab the edges of his station with a death grip, but the rocking of the ship knocks him to the floor, his body hitting the ground as the Klingon ship finishes its pass. Grunting he begins to pull himself back up to his console as best and as quickly as he can.

K'net-mauri scowls, snaps, "Comm's jammed!"

The Klingon ship is hailing.

Ghorev says, "Lovely," with his angry face on. "Bring that onscreen. Mister Nilee, while I'm talking to our aggressors, you take Mission Ops and start reconfiguring it for emergency Flight Control. I want to be able to surprise them if necessary."

Idisha picks himself up off the floor and promptly checks his displays. "Engineering reporting a null helm, Sir! Hull breach on deck two!" Damnit, I just fixed that! "Operations is offline. I'm working on it!"

Nilee manages to pull himself up to his console, slowly at first, his reactions become quicker as he taps at the console before he hears Ghorev's new orders, "We're being scanned sir..." he pauses and nods, tapping the console a couple times, he brings the hail onto the viewscreen before turning and making his way to the other station, moving as quickly as he can.

Turtledove's back straightens, her expression reverting to a neutral state as she continues to work her console. Her finger movements are precise and smooth, indicating no hint of haste or unease.

The image if an aged Klingon male pops onto the screen. He has a snarl on his face as he glares through the screen and into the Thomas Paine's bridge. "Drop your shields and surrender!"

Ghorev glares back at the viewscreen. "Do Klingons forget the protocols of war as they age? Do you expect me to yield to an unknown enemy, who strikes without warning for an unknown purpose?"

The Klingon slams a fist on the armrest and stands up, his features growing more annoyed. He stands there, glaring at Ghorev for a few seconds before a grin appears on his face and he laughs. "Very well, Andorian! You will know my name. I am ToQ'ra, of the House of ToQ'ra! Hand over your cargo to me and you may live out the rest of your miserable life!"

GAME: Idisha spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Idisha (claiming advantage) contests his Systems Engineering (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Idisha reviews his work and shakes his head. Alright, time to really get into it. He sends a quick message to Ghorev's display and stares at the engineering display for inspiration.

Ghorev stands forward himself. "And do you intend for me to beam this cargo to you, Captain, or will you be naming dead men to beam aboard here to claim it?"

All signs of him being jovial washes away as the Klingon grins his teeth. "I said surrender!" ToQ'ra shouts. "Power down your systems now or be destroyed!"

Nilee makes his way across the bridge and sits down at the mission ops station starting to work with it as ordered, silently, without a word, although he does give an occasional glance to the viewscreen and the Klingon.

Turtledove continues to work quietly at her console. Her expression is relaxed, showing no discernable reaction to the exchange between the Klingon and Ghorev.

Foster has arrived.

K'net-mauri, having no luck with an unfamiliar comm system, sits and grits his teeth and seethes, his face clothed in all the wrath his heritage can provide him, but facing no one.

Ghorev continues tense 'negotiation' with the Klingon who has crippled the vessel with his sneak attack. "As you can see by your tactical sensors, Captain ToQ'ra, our Operational systems have taken heavy hits. We will have to shut down our systems manually. I can *begin* now, of course, but it will take us several moments to comply, unless you want us, and our cargo, to be destroyed before you can claim a thing. You would lose the glory of the kill, as well as prize you seek."

Turtledove is standing at Tactical, quietly working at her console.

Nilee stands and leaves Science.

Nilee sits down at Mission Ops.

ToQ'ra snaps his head to the side, looking at someone off the screen. When he looks back, he grinds his teeth some more before saying, "You have ten minutes to get your systems down! I am keeping an eye on you." The transmission ends.

Ghorev says, "Ten minutes. I've faced worse odds." He gestures. "Mister Foster, I see you escaped the carnage on Level 3. Take Ops. We're routing Flight Control through to Mission Ops. If you can do *anything* to make Flight Control look *worse* than it is, that would help tremendously. Remember we're supposed to look like we're powering systems *down* here, people. So anything that generates *more* power rather than being subtle is going to get us killed."

The turbolift doors swish open and Foster strides into the 'fray'. He beelines to the CONN, manuevering around the fallen Mr. Smith. At the words of Ghorev, he stands aside and instead sits at Ops. He nods, "Aye sir. Making us appear more of a wounded duck than we are, sir."

K'net-mauri looks at Ghorev and smiles slowly at him, evidently pleased by the Andorian's performance.

Foster busies himself at the Operations console. He occasionaly glances back at the fallen body of Smith.

Ghorev says, "Let's review. We have no Operational Systems, no Propulsion Systems, 20 Shields, and some weapons systems. We have life support, we have the equipment locker full of personal equipment, and we have us. We also have what they want, and if we push it, they have to come and get it." He sits back down in his seat, now that the need to confront the Klingon has passed. "I'm going to assist in the re-routing of power. Ambassador, unless you have objections, Mister Turtledove and her team are going to start .. separating the artifacts from each other, and scattering them all over the ship. If they want those pieces, they can damned well play 'hunt and seek' for them, and we know our ship better than they do."

K'net-mauri nods to Ghorev, "Under the circumstances, Lieutenant, I cannot object. That seems a most intelligent course of action. He cannot mean to leave us here even if he should get what he asks for."

Turtledove looks up from her console for the first time since the Klingon came onscreen, acknowledging Ghorev's statements with a nod, and standing by for further instruction.

Nilee looks up from mission ops, his fingers still tapping something as he starts speaking, he looks at Ghorev, "Lieutenant... the artifacts, they have some unique properties, specifically, a unique element that isn't found anywhere on our ship, Tracosium, they will likely be easily detectable if the Klingons know anything about what we're carrying." He pauses, "May I suggest we setup several beacons to emit sensor ghosts of this element to throw the Klingons off if they do board? We probably don't have time to set many up, but the more we can setup, the longer it will take the Klingons to find the artifacts..." he pauses once more before finishing, "Giving us atleast a few more minutes..."

Foster offers from his console to affirm Nilee's statement, "A minute can make a huge difference, yes. How difficult would it be to set those up, however.. do we have the time to spare from repairs?"

Ghorev makes a negatory gesture in Nilee's direction. "Until we can bring the EPS conduits back online manually, we don't have anything more than auxiliary power, Mister Nilee. For now, we'll have to rely on cunning. I want those artifacts scattered and I want transport inhibitors from our equipment locker placed with each one. Mister Turtledove, Mister Foster, see to it. Mister Nilee, start working out the programming for those ghosts. I need those conduits brought online manually *yesterday*. Mister Idisha, make it happen. And if anybody knows who this Klingon is, now would be a very good time to tell me."

Foster breaks from the Ops station, nodding to Turtledove but then shaking his head at Ghorev's last comment. "Never heard of this HoD, sir." Oddly, he uses the Klingon word. He keeps moving toward Turtledove.

Idisha muttes and shakes his head before turning from his display and nodding to Ghorev. "Aye, sir." And he makes for the lift.

Foster throws in an "And aye, sir." At the end of that statement about the HoD.

Nilee nods to Ghorev and starts to stand, "Yes sir." Moving from the mission ops station back to his science station to get to work on programming the interior sensors to throw off the Klingons.

Turtledove flicks a glance at Foster, makes one last tap at her console and heads for the lift. On her way, she says, "Understood, Captain."

Nilee stands and leaves Mission Ops.

Turtledove stands and leaves Tactical.

Nilee sits down at Science.

Idisha stands and leaves Engineering.

Ghorev says, "Ambassador, I won't lie to you -- things don't look splendid for us here. Do you require privacy to dictate a log back to your people?" He spins to look K'net-Mauri dead on. "I can at least promise that as soon as we make our move, a probe containing both our logs, and your transmissions, will be launched."

K'net-mauri replies, "I have been here, and noticed that. And I am sure your people will tell mine what has become of me. Your own log will be sufficient. I thank you for your courtesy."

<CONTEST> Idisha (claiming advantage) contests his Systems Engineering (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

GAME: Foster spends a courage point.

GAME: Nilee spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Foster (claiming advantage) contests his Concealment skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Foster (claiming advantage) contests his Concealment skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Nilee (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Concealment skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Concealment skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Concealment skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Idisha contests his Systems Engineering (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Nilee mutters something that doesn't sound overly pleasant under his breath as he works with the science console to attempt to set up the sensor ghosts, shaking his head, "It's going to take me a lot longer than I anticipated to determine the correct sensor algorithm to setup the sensors ghosts... we don't have enough time..."

Ghorev says, "Nor enough power. Not yet. I hardly know you, Mister Nilee, so I'm going to ask bluntly: How are you in a skirmish?"

K'net-mauri looks to Nilee, "Probably not much of a concern. Most of those things are of common elements anyway."

Nilee frowns at the mention of being involved in combat, the suggestion clearly not sitting well with him, "I have the basic Starfleet training given all Cadets at the Academy sir, but never went beyond that." He looks over to the Romulan, "Partially, perhaps, but all of the artifacts contain a common element that Starfleet does not use in its ship construction... which will make them easily detectable." He pauses, "Are replicators still functioning sir?" he asks as he looks over at Ghorev again, "If we could set the computers to randomly replicate small amounts of tracosium when the Klingons beam aboard, it would throw them off as well... though with power the way it is this may not be a viable option."

Ghorev makes a trilling sigh-like noise. "I suppose it was too much to ask. Fortunately, I am rather well-off in such a confrontation. When Mister Idisha brings the power systems online, you're going ... well, I'm going to have to delegate *something*, I suppose. Please tell me you at least have a rudimentary understanding of life support systems?"

Nilee shrugs slightly in response, having turned fully away from his science station by this point, "I have basic training in all shipboard systems, but I'm an astrometrics technician, so I have very little specific experience with environmental systems."

Foster walks back in through the turbolift, rubbing some sweat off of his forehead. He straightens out his uniform as he comes out, moving back around to the Ops station, a nod to Ghorev on his way. "I've concealed two of the artifacts, sir. Ensign Turtledove is concealing three, and is probably still doing the last." He retakes his post.

Foster sits down at Ops.

Ghorev grunts his acknowledgement. "Let us hope we survive so that you can diversify a bit more, Ensign." He turns back to the Romulan. "If we give you a weapon, Ambassador, will you stand and deliver, or are you not so inclined?"

K'net-mauri smiles dryly at that, "I'm sorry to say, I am practically useless in that respect, but I would certainly prefer to make an effort."

Ops power comes online and the console flashes its ready status.

Ghorev says, "Very well." Then a turn to Foster as the power comes back 'on'. "Mister Foster, I need to know if there's any sections that are suitable for what I have in mind. We're going to need to blow our own hatch, as it were, at some point. It will have to look like an accidental overload and explosion of a conduit on an uninhabited deck."

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

Ghorev, that said, settles back down into the chair, eyeing the console fitfully. As he reads the data there, he starts tapping in a nervous gesture -- time is running out and the crude plan is rapidly reaching the crux point in which its coherence or dispersion is going to be apparent. "Come on ... come on...."

Nilee opens his mouth to say something back to Ghorev in response to his last coment to him, but is interrupted by several loud beeps from his console, he turns around and taps it a few times, "Lieutenant! I've got the correct sensor algorithm... setting the internal sensors to start emitting sensor ghosts on your command, sir."

The turbolift doors slide open, and Turtledove walks back onto the bridge, heading for tactical at a brisk pace. On the way, she says to Ghorev, "Captain, three of the artifacts have been scattered and transporter inhibitors applied to them." She resumes her stance at tactical, tapping at the console immediately.

Foster nods, "Aye, sir. Preparing to blow our casket." He begins finding for an uninhabited, availabke deck for this.

K'net-mauri has had decades to eliminate his nervous gestures and he made a good job of it. He sits there quite still. Even so, the tension in him is easily seen, though if it's nervous or eager or something else is obscure.

Turtledove sits down at Tactical.

Ghorev gestures. "Do it. Every second is going to count. Put at least two such ghosts on the bridge here with us. Tell Security what you're doing, on a secure internal channel. Make it vague enough that if the Klingons have some means of listening in regardless, they'll still have to think about it some. Mister Turtledove, have your men scattered likewise. Klingons didn't invent the ambush, and it's high time they learned that." He continues rat-tat-tapping. "Come on ... I know you're there ..."

GAME: Ghorev spends a courage point.

Idisha enters the bridge appearing content with his work. Oh and armed with a type II at his side. Bearing more on their belts, he nods to Ghorev and lifts up said belts. Three in total. "I rather thought we might need these, Sir."

<CONTEST> Ghorev (claiming advantage) contests his Material Engineering (Structural) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!

Foster looks at Idisha, nodding. "I'll definately take one, Mr. Idisha. Thank you."

Nilee nods his head and activates the internal sensors to emit the sensor ghosts at various positions on the ship, including the two on the bridge, on his screen a layout of the Paine comes up, and several glowing dots appear as the internal sensors emit the ghosts, he nods, "Sensors activated, Lieutenant, informing security." He turns and types in an explanation and sends it off to the security office for them to distribute.

Ghorev suddenly has a triumphant look on his face. You know ... the one that says 'We may just survive this after all'. He accepts the belt. "Ah, yes, the groceries. Thank you, Mister Idisha."

Ghorev then adds, "Mister Turtledove, listen very carefully while you strap that thing on."

Turtledove nods to Ghorev, her finger-tapping increasing as she follows his orders. "Security men are being dispatched as ordered, Captain." Her head comes up afterward to regard the arms-bearing Idisha, a surprised grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. She quirks her eyebrow at Idisha, approvingly, as she walks over to acquire a pistol from the young engineer. She looks back at Ghorev, as she takes the weapon. "Listen carefully, sir?"

The Klingon ship is hailing.

The computer beeps as the Klingon ship hails a second time.

After handing a Type II off to Ghorev, Idisha tosses one to Foster and takes the steps to Turtledove giving her one as well. Checking his hrisal and the setting on his phaser, he smiles to Ghorev. "Would you like the receipt sir? Or are the Klingons about to get a full refund?" He winks.

Ghorev says, "I'm sending you some coordinates. On my signal, when Mister Foster blows the hull to conceal the power up, you'll aim everything we have on manual override at that spot. We won't have time for phaser lock. Now, look just suspicious enough to be suspicious, and put the Klingons onscreen."

K'net-mauri remains, alas, unarmed. What with the Klingon's hailing, it's not the time to mention it, though.

Foster smuggles his pistol and hides it just by his console. He then sets up the blowing of the deck, and holds his finger over the 'detonate' key on the LCARS.

Turtledove takes the phaser pistol, nods to Ghorev, and says, "Yes, Captain." She returns to Tactical, strapping on her phaser en route, and gets to work.

Nilee does his best to keep his mind off of what is likely to come by occupying his time monitoring the sensor ghosts and keeping them in check.

The Klingon ship hails yet again.

Ghorev kneels quickly by the side of the command chair, opening up a side panel, looking like, well, you know, he's been working there.

Turtledove grits her teeth, an odd expression for her, as she slouches over her console. She sends brief, furtive glances at the viewscreen. Meanwhile, one might assume that she is preparing to aim the entire functioning weapons array at the presumably given coordinates.

Turtledove taps at the console, bringing the Klingons onscreen.

Idisha heads back over to engineering and makes busy.

K'net-mauri crosses his arms over his chest and scowls.

The comm system comes to life as the ship receives a general transmission from the Klingon ship. "Starfleet ship, your ten minutes is over! You will lower your shields in ten seconds or I will open fire!"

Foster glances once at the brooding Romulan, before looking to the Klingon. His finger still wavers over the LCARS.

Idisha lifts a hand and grips the console, bracing himself for incoming fire. He won't eat floor this time...

Boom boom boom! The ship shakes slightly and the lights begin to flicker as the Klingon ship starts pounding on the shields.

Ghorev grunts. "So much for ten seconds to comply. Mister Turtledove, lower aft shields, to show that we're sincere, then send a message that we'll lower the remaining shields when they cease fire."

K'net-mauri uncrosses his arms, the better to steady himself. He says something obscene in Romulan, under his breath.

Turtledove's expression softens slightly, relaxing, as she taps gently at the console, lowering aft shields and sending a brief message to the Klingon ship. "Done, Captain. Awaiting confirmation that the message was received, sir."

Foster mutters something under his breath about Klingon's and time, his finger almost hitting the LCARS button at the shake, but he adjusts.

With one light still flickering in the corner, the pounding silences as the barrage comes to a stop.

Nilee manages to keep himself upright this time, though barely, he grips the edges of his station with his knuckles turning white.

Idisha lets go of the console and adjusts his baldric before settling in for another pounding.

Ghorev says, "Lower shields. Mister Foster, the second they *lock* on sensors to beam aboard, prepare to vent that section of deck. As soon as the ACB beam reaches us, we lay down the hammer."

Foster says, "Aye, sir. Ready to vent."

Turtledove gives her console a single tap. "Shields are down, Captain."

Nilee glances away from his console as he takes up a more secure position, "The Klingon ship is scanning us again..."

Foster slams his finger down on the LCARS panel, "Venting now, sir!"

Ghorev says, "Hail the Klingon vessel and tell them to be careful...their last shots have caused several containment breaches in our decks."

Nilee looks back at his console, only to look away to report again, "Klingon vessel has lowered shields."

Ghorev says, "FIRE!"

Idisha sighs as he thinks about the heinous amount of hull work the Paine is going to need.../again/. But braces to enjoy the ride.

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Turtledove contests her Shipboard Systems (Weapons) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

K'net-mauri grips the side console with one arm and faces the viewscreen, grinning a cruel wolfish grin. Regardless of the outcome, it was an audacious and guileful effort, one to warm the Romulan heart.

The weapons streak through the air, concentrating fire on the section of the Klingon ship where the neck meets the body. As fiery hot balls of plasma and lances of phased energy burn through the weak point, it begins a chain reaction down the ship's spine. Plumes of fire billow out of the top of it before it explodes is an enormous fireball, sending debris scattering through the black sky.

Four columns of red light appear in the middle of the bridge.

Turtledove's hands move quietly over the console at Ghorev's order, her mouth curving slightly upward as her fingers tap down, letting loose a satisfying offensive stream, as described above. As the red forms appear, her hands drop immediately to her belt.

Ghorev, already to one side of the chair, twists around behind it, opening fire.

Foster drops the the floor, picking up his phaser as he does. After a short duck and roll and coming up to his knees, he opens fire.

Andorian ears know the sound of a transporter whine when they hear it. Dropping to a knee, Idisha draws his phaser and whirls to face the sound cueing in on the noise he fires out of reflex.

Turtledove drops to her knees behind Tactical, pulling her pistol up and aiming with one fluid motion.

Being unarmed and with little combat experience, Nilee does the only logical thing in this situation. As soon as he hears the transporters and the scrambling of weapons, he drops to the floor, stomach down.

Unarmed at the side-console and unable to drop to his knees behind anything except, perhaps, an open railing, K'net-mauri doesn't do a thing but stand up.

GAME: Ghorev spends a courage point.

GAME: Foster spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Ghorev (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Foster (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

GAME: Idisha spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Dramatically Fails!

<CONTEST> Idisha (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Upon materialization, the front three forms collapse from a direct hit by a phaser. The one in the back, Captain ToQ'ra, manages to beam in alive and dives behind the conn console. "That cargo is mine! I will have it or I will go to Sto'Vo'Kor!"

Ghorev gets off the shot that takes down one of the three, of course, but then is taken from behind by Turtledove. Even the Andorian nervous system can't handle it all at once, and despite his pain tolerance, Ghorev slumps against the back of the chair, phaser dropping to one side of him. His exact state is unclear, but what *is* clear is that he's not firing another shot in the immediate future.

Next in the chain of command, Foster speaks out, "Cover him! All sides!" He stands from his knee and begins to circle around the CONN.

Idisha rises and uses tactical for cover, moving in beside Turtledove. Taking aim on the console in question, he makes ready to blast anything that so much s twitches. "I would send you there Klingon. But I know my duty. Surrender!" Yeah, he knows its not likely.

Turtledove stumbles slightly as she fires, her wayward shot striking her CO square in the back. A surprised blink and a split second later, her attention swings away from Ghorev, and back to the Klingons. She doesn't ask for surrender. She fires. On the enemy. Hopefully.

Nilee crawls across the floor and pulls himself up to a console, that is, hopefully, out of the line of any incoming phaser fire. He starts tapping at it as the armed personnel try and take down the Klingon, he tries to raise a containment field around the console and the Klingon.

<CONTEST> Turtledove contests her Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

K'net-mauri checks and stares when Ghorev is hit. Now that was unexpected. He moves slowly away from the side console and towards the command center, dislikeing that totally unprotected position but unable to make a dash. He replies to the Klingon, snapping, "Yours? What are you talking about?" even as Turtledove fires.

<CONTEST> ToQ'ra contests his Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Foster's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

ToQ'ra continues shouting, "Never! YOU surrender and I will give you a quick death! I will get that cargo! It is mine! Mine! MINE!" He pops up from his hiding spot and fires a burst of disruptor at the closest person.

Turtledove's shot slams into the console near ToQ'ra, and fries the conn.

GAME: Foster spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Foster (claiming advantage) contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Foster watches the Klingon pop up as he brings his type II in over the console, and gets a welcoming blast of disruptor in his chest. Foster staggers back a few steps before he squeezes off a shot before he falls on his back.

Idisha watches Foster get shot and doesn't wait to see if the man is down and out. Just assumes the blast was a little more than happy and takes the initiative. With the conn already fried, he thumbs his phaser up to ten and blasts the Klingon's cover out from under him. He'll fix it later.

<CONTEST> Foster contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

<CONTEST> Idisha (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Turtledove fires off a second shot at ToQ but it misses, hitting his cover. Her eyes narrow slightly, thoughtfully, as she takes aim and fires at ToQ again.

Nilee is really at a loss of how he can somehow contribute... wihout a weapon, he just keeps himself somewhat out of the line of sight of the Klingon as best he can.

K'net-mauri does much the same, bowing at the waist to duck down. But he makes his slow way towards Ghorev. Under the crackling of fried equipment and the humm of phaser fire he mutters wrathfully to himself, "Of all the stupid, absurd things... you don't see me trying to take possession of the sacred hairball of Kahless the unendurable and run off with it..."

<CONTEST> Ghorev contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

GAME: Foster spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Turtledove contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> ToQ'ra contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Foster contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> K'net-mauri contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Nilee contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Idisha contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

With a plume of fire and a deafening roar, Idisha destroys the conn. It sends shrapnel in every direction, and blows the Klingon onto the floor. He's dazed, having dropped his weapon. Only K'net-mauri is hit with debris, and a chunk of duranium embeds in his shoulder angrily. Turtledove doesn't need to take her shot after all, just confiscate the weapon. ToQ'ra lies on the floor, barely moving, and muttering to himself in confusion about honor, Romulans and Gowron.

Foster stumbles to his feat, moving over towards the fallen ToQ'ra, phaser pointed at him. He slaps his compin.

Foster says, "Lieutenant JG Foster to Lieutenant JG T'sal."

Idisha hops over tactical's display and procedes to cover the other Klingons. "Sorry about that, Sir." He offers to Foster. "But I didn't want him detonating some suicide device on the bridge and it looked just bleak enough that he might try it." He glances over at K'net. "I'll fix it later." Referring to the conn of course. The Romulan gets a smile. Not a smug one. But one of honest appreciation.

Nilee is standing behind a sensor station that only shields the upper half of his body, when the conn station explodes, and shrapnel starts flying, Nilee's unprotected legs become a target of the flying duranium. A sharp, jagged piece of metal imbeds itself in his leg as he lets out a yelp of pain and collapses onto the ground, from the shock of the injury.

"Sickbay, go ahead," is Doctor T'sal's reply.

Foster looks at Ghorev, K'net and Nilee. "Medical team to bridge. We have three injured."

"I am on my way. Medical personnel have been dispatched to Engineering, too," comes T'sal's reply.

Ghorev is slumped against the base of the command chair's back, in a position that would be awkward for a human, perhaps even dangerous. Three cheers for ghelnoid skeletons. He is silent, still.

K'net-mauri gets smacked backwards and twisted around when he's hit in the shoulder with a peice of flying metal. He stumbles and catches the back of a chair. Straightening up, he grimaces, making a soft hissing noise and glaring as the wound starts to bleed green over his tunic, much the same shade as the garment. He doesn't seem to appreciate Idisha's honest appreciation.

Foster nods to himself, slapping his compin and then again. "Lieutenant JG Foster to Security. Prepare a brig. We now have an esteemed guest on board." Foster seems all business. He winces though, when he breathes.

Turtledove relaxes her trigger-finger at the last minute, assessing Idisha's handiwork with a vaguely surprised half-smile. The smile disappears quickly thereafter, as she stands and makes for the Klingon, confiscating his weapon and standing over him with her pistol drawn and aimed. She waits patiently for Security to arrive.

Security acknowledges Foster's request.

Doctor T'sal steps onto the bridge carrying a medical kit. She is, as always, a vision of stoic control. She moves to Nilee and kneels down since he is first. She prepares a hypospray and injects him with a painkiller. She taps her badge and initiates a medical transport for him to the infirmary and stays by his side until he beams out.

Nilee pulls himself up against the bulkhead groaning, he lets his leg rest against the ground as he looks down at the bleeding wound, grimacing.

Idisha is busilly covering the three clumped Klingons, but gives a nod of the head towards the Ambassador, making sure the man gets tended to.

Foster walks over to an empty command chair, plopping himself down it. He rubs his chest, and smiles at Ghorev. "Well. That was unexpected." Yes, he spoke to an unconscious man. He scans the bridge. "And we just fixed her up, too."

Two security officers arrive and pick ToQ'ra up by his arms.

Nilee dematerializes from the bridge as he is transported down from sickbay, still leaning against the wall as he dissappears.

K'net-mauri looks just about as pleased at the prospect of being tended to as he did at being hurt in the first place, but the scathing look is the only objection he actually makes.

Idisha looks to Foster. "We? I just fixed deck two and now I've got two /and/ three to do. Not to mention operations to get functional...and that blasted console." He thumbs his free hand at conn...or what's left of it.

ToQ'ra, still a bit delirious, continues mumbling to himself, "My artifacts... Must get them... honor fromrrrbrr..."

T'sal makes her way down to K'net-mauri. She arches an eyebrow at him. "Ambassador," is her emotionless remark to him before she examines his wound. She resets the hypo and injects the Ambassador with it. "Report to the infirmary and we will remove the shrapnel."

Turtledove steps back as the Security guys pick up ToQ. She glances at Foster. "Shall I retreive the artifacts and secure them, sir?"

Foster looks up at Idisha. "Well, I'll lend whatever hand I can, Mr. Idisha. And next time, please avoid blowing up things that results in shrapnel. You hurt us more than you helped us." He looks as ToQ'ra is carried off. "You got lucky." He looks at Turtledove, "Yes. Gather the artifacts and secure them in security."

K'net-mauri glares at T'sal, looking more like a man who's about to belt someone across the face than one who has recieved gentle medical care. He says, "Probably someone will have to direct me," in a tightly controlled voice before snapping his gaze around to the muttering ToQ'ra.

T'sal makes her way to Foster, examines him and injects him with the pain killer. "Report to the infirmary for dermal regeneration, Lt." She sets the hypo for stimulant after scanning Ghorev, and injects him to bring him to.

The security officers drag ToQ'ra onto the turbolift, and hold the door for Turtledove.

Idisha raises a brow and looks to Foster. "More like you got lucky sir. If he'd had it on the setting I was expecting you wouldn't be talking to me. And conn was already fried sir." Seems he's not eating that comment. "Or would you rather he have kept picking us off?"

Ghorev twitches and comes to, slowly, gripping the back of the command chair. "Ngh..."

Foster snaps at Idisha, "Irrelevant. I said to cover him, all sides. Not blow up the console I'm laying right next to, and that hit other members of /our/ crew. Do /not/ do it again, Ensign. Is that understood?" A look to Ghorev, and then a nod to T'sal. "I'll be down shortly."

Turtledove nods precisely to Foster. She heads for the lift, sparing Idisha a look that might be taken as approval, and winces as she glances briefly at the awakening Ghorev. She steps into the lift, the doors closing behind her.

ToQ'ra mumbles, "Gowrrrrron... prrrresent... Rom..."

K'net-mauri settles down a little, stepping back from the edge of a towering rage into the slightly more stable territory of just being really angry. "I myself," he snarls quietly, looking down at his shoulder "Am pleased Mr. Idisha did as he did."

Idisha stays quiet for the moment, keeping his gun and attention on the three Klingon's who've yet to be removed.

. o O Idisha thinks "Frost your orders, Sir. I'm not a combat engineer for nothing."

Ghorev slowly rises to his knees, shaking his head a bit to clear it. "I smell ... plasma burns. How bad?"

Turtledove has left the bridge with security and the Klingon captain. Security isn't long for dragging the other three away. They arrive on the scene and take the prisoners onto the turbolift.

Idisha snaps into response. "Conn is fried. Minor injuries. The Klingons are under containment."

Foster stands from the command chair, moving over close to Idisha. "I said, is that /understood/, Ensign? That was too risky. We had him covered and outnumbered. Your move was young, brash and foolish." He looks at K'net, "In this situation, Ambassador," he stops as Ghorev speaks. "You're pretty banged up, sir. As his Ensign Nilee, and the Ambassador got hit as well, but not as bad." He looks at Idisha, eyes ablaze.

Idisha watches the Klingons be taken from the room. "Your words are clearly understood, Sir." He doesn't seem to much care, intent more on Ghorev's condition.

Ghorev nods a response that grows stronger as it continues. Hoorah for stimulants and good nervous systems. "Check ... Mission Ops console. Make sure it's still intact. Mister Nilee had switched .... flight control functions to it earlier. Damage report from ... Core?"

T'sal looks at Foster. "And I said report to the infirmary, Lieutenant."

Foster says, "You also told the Ambassador to as well."

Idisha moves over to ops and checks its status. Performing an interior scan if possible just in case there are more Klingons on board.

Foster shakes his head, sighs, and sees Ghorev back in charge, so he complies and moves to the turbolift.

Foster stands and leaves Ops.

T'sal turns her stoney eye toward K'net. He knows what she told him, too, but he's under no obligation to follow her directive. Unless he doesn't want to sleep with duranium in his arm. She simply arches an eyebrow at him.

K'net-mauri gives Foster a sizzling look, lowering his head a little to stare at the guy in a predatory fashion. He says nothing, though, and looks at Ghorev, saying, "Shall I, before I report to your infirmary, see if I can't summon another courier? Or would you rather wait and meet them with a little more dignity?" He manages not to sound -too- venomous, but that chunk of metal in his arm is no good for his temper at all.

Foster takes the turbolift down yo Sickbay to be treated.

T'sal's comm badge chirrups. "Doctor, you're needed in the infirmary right away. Ensign Bela's baby's life is in danger." T'sal taps her badge calmly and says, "Acknowledged." She packs up her gear and heads toward the turbolift.

Ghorev nods. "Ambassador, get that cared for. I'll arrange with Dr. T'sal for a secure terminal for you in sickbay." He slumps into the command chair, gingerly. "Mister Idisha, when systems come back online, send word home, and let me know when Mister Bela has the warp core online so we can limp after." He rubs his face. "And then someone fill me in on what happened when I was out. This is going to be one ... unusual report ... even for --- " He looks up. His voice trailing off at the hail to T'sal. He just looks ... crestfallen ...