Homefront PART I

 Episode Name:  Homefront PART I

   Written By:  Belgarath

         Cast:  Belgarath, Crayn, Cristobal, Dakin, Harris, 
                Havaris, Hurley, Laco, Novairen, Pellix and 
                Savarna.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Belgarath

     Aired On:  Fri Sep 24 01:34:37 2004

     Stardate:  54410.1

Time: Tue Sep 14 16:35:56 2004

Stardate: 54387.6

Hurley, having stopped up to check resource consumption, notes an incoming transmission. She glances around, cants her head to the side and opts to softly announce it. "Incoming message from the Merrimac, Sir." She glances back towards Harris. "They're all ready to depart."

Harris shifts in the command chair, considering the viewscreen for a moment. "Clear them for departure, Operations."

Pellix taps at the console before him, watching readouts as the ships coast away from the station, patching in remote sensors to get more than one perspective.

Novairen sits at the security station and doesn't do a whole lot besides glance over at the viewscreen at the mention of ships. As there's nothing on it, she goes back to watching the ceiling.

"You are cleared for departure, Merrimac," Ensign Hurley clearly states into the headset she half-dons at the moment with fingers holding the ear-piece in place.

The four vessels move around the station on impulse and toward the Korolev Station, where the new home of the Nausicaan refugees would be.

Harris settles back into the chair, releasing a soft sigh. "And that's that."

Hurley stands from the Operations console and smiles towards Harris. "I have my resource consumption readings and reports that I came here for, Sir. I'll leave you to it. Good day." To each around her, she offers the same friendly smile, then heads off towards the corridor.

Hurley heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.

Hurley has left.

Pellix tabs at a few buttons, frowning. "Not quite, sir, the Dalaria's warp engines are coming online, and they're still well within the impulse perimeter of the station. They shouldn't be going to warp for a few minutes, but..." Tappity-tap-tap, chime and beep. "...it looks like they're going to try and do so anyway."

. o O Novairen thinks "Translation: See you later, you sorry on duty suckers."

. o O Harris thinks "In a hurry? Korolev Station isn't what I'd call paradise..."

Novairen's examination of the ceiling is interrupted by a beeping at her console. She looks down, but doesn't touch anything. "Ops, you awake over there? The Dalaria's decided it's too good for your flight plan." Right as she's about to go back to business as usual, the console beeps even more insistently. "Hm? Incoming distress signal from the Dalaria."

"On speakers. Where's their flight plan taking them?" Not one for the chair for any extended period of time, Harris comes to his feet.

"The ship's swinging around, sir," Pellix reports grimly. "We have under a minute until it will be pointing our direction. Warp engines still powering up. Shall I bring up the shields?"

Well that's certainly not good news. With the tedium of an Ops shift interupted, Novairen's now paying her console all the attention in the world. "Shields won't do us any good if it hits us at warp. I recommend going to yellow alert until we can ascertain the situation." She's taping on the LCARS display. "I can't seem to establish an uplink with the Dalaria."

"Computer, yellow alert." Harris frowns, turning to the yellowshirt who replaced his granddaughter. "Get a tractor lock on them, set the beam to push them back. Tactical, lock weapons on their engines just in case we have to take them out. Engineering, try to override their computers and shut down their warp drive."

Across the station, klaxons go off as the yellow alert lights begin flashing.

Then the uplink works and the incoming emergency hail comes through...

On every viewscreen across the station, the image of a green, winged dagger on a black background appears.

Crayn steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.

Crayn has arrived.

. o O Harris thinks "Oh, bloody hell. Be careful what you wish for, Robbie, because you always get it in spades."

Pellix slaps at his console. "Acknowledged, sir," he shouts. As the terrorist sigil comes on screen, he wrinkles his nose. "I'm going to try and work backwards up their transmission to see if I can crack into their systems. You don't... you don't have much time before you'll need to fire, sir," he adds, attention already shifting to his work on the console.

Novairen looks over at the entrance to Operations and turns in her chair to slide out of the station. "Ensign, take over at Security. I have tactical," she announces to the compartment at large. After seating herself and logging into the new station, she calls up her layout and states, "Locking weapons. I recommend red alert."

Crayn, noticing the sigil from his quarters makes his way over to Ops to find out what's going on. Upon Novairen's order, he heads over to the Security console. "Sir, a report coming in. The USS Dalaria's entering warp. A bit too close.."

The station groans and shudders violently. The lights go out, occassionally flickering back on. Consoles explode and fires erupt.

"You have ten seconds..." Harris replies to Pellix just before all hell breaks loose. When the shuddering finally stops, he pushes himself off the deck. "Red alert! Damage report, all stations!"

The klaxons blare once again as the red alert lights flash, bathing the darkness in a red glow.

The terminal chirrups. "Commander Ghorev to Operations."

Harris taps the com terminal. Harris coughs before answering, "Operations, Lieutenant Harris here."

Pellix says something in Bolian that the Universal Translator helpfully translates to 'mucus-covered floor slug' and slaps at his console again. "We've been hit," he reports. "Fuel Pod; it's venting and combusting. Cascade explosions in a few seconds. We need to jettison the other fuel pods and flush the system, sir."

Over the terminal, Ghorev says, "What keeps making the station shake, Mister Harris, and what are you all doing about it up there?"

Novairen doesn't wait for an order from Harris to fire. As soon as Crayn makes the announcement she desperately stabs the control for the station's phasers in an attempt to halt what will no doubt be a catastrophic impact. It's no use though. Her finger meets a dead console right before she's shaken out of her seat.

The red alert klaxon sounds throughout the station.

Into the com terminal, Harris says, "The fuel pod was just rammed by one of the transports. Engineering reports that we need to eject them."

Crayn can't report much else at the moment as the large man is tossed from his area. Upon righting himself, he makes his way back, trying to get the unresponsive console back on-line.

Over the terminal, Ghorev says, "If we can maintain auxiliary power safely, do it. If you've got everything under control up there, that's good enough for me. I'll stand by for further briefing as the matter progresses."

The station vibrates with every booming sound that emanates from somewhere on the station.

"Do what you have to, Engineering. Try to save any of the pods you can, dump 'em all if you have to," Harris responds. "Damage control parties to all decks. Security, lock us down."

"Fuel pods two and four jettisoned," Pellix reports, and keeps tapping. "Flushing the system, rerouting power from secondaries in the mean time." He frowns down at the console. "We'll see if this works..."

Novairen climbs back into her chair and finds her console back online. After spending a few moments checking on the situation she says, "Crayn, route communications through your station. Coordinate with Dispatch. Lieutenant Harris, I recommend we declare an exclusion zone to one light second out."

Crayn nods and hears a chime as his console comes back. "Aye, sir." He taps a few buttons.. "Communications routed. Security teams dispatched. The station is now locked down."

Harris paces the deck like a caged tiger. "Get the runabouts readied and launched in a defensive perimeter. Thomas Paine too, as soon as she's staffed." He nods to Novairen. "Make it a light minute, and try and find me something to kill while you're at it. If those transports come back, I want them taken out. Mister Crayn, raise the Merrimac. Have her get the rest of the transports away from us."

The shaking stops, and a few of the lights come back on, as do some of the viewscreens that are still flickering the Tal'Kaden symbol. Fires continue to burn as the fire supression system does not kick in everywhere.

"Eventually we'll need to send some runabouts off to fetch the fuel pods," Pellix reminds absently, "before they find some planet and fall on somebody's head. Systems are flushed and returning power operation to normal, sir."

The terminal chirrups. "Lieutenant JG Prochazka to Operations."

Harris taps the com terminal. "Operations."

Novairen access both the station's subspace and sublight antennae and toggles the transmitter. "Attention all vessels in the vicinity of Starfleet Staion 419-U. An exclusion zone has been declared around Station 419 to a distance of one light minute. Any vessel entering this zone will be fired upon. Repeat: An exclusion zone of one light minute has been established around Station 419. Any vessel violating this zone will be fired upon."

Crayn nods. It takes him a few moments to establish contact. After a bit of dialogue, he nods. "Sir. The Merrimac agrees and offers any further assistance. They await further orders."

Over the terminal, Prochazka says, "I can report that the only major injuries in the Neutral Zone from whatever hit us seems to be material. Physical injuries seems to be only bruises and bumps."

Into the com terminal, Harris says, "Good. Coordinate with security and medical -- we're a little busy up here. Operations out."

Harris taps the com terminal and terminates transmission.

Harris settles into the command chair, glaring at the screen. "Tell them to keep their charges the hell away from us for the time being... and suggest that they run level three diagnostics on all their systems. Engineering... how are we doing?"

Harris taps his com badge. "Lieutenant JG Harris to Commander Ghorev."

Over Harris's com badge, someone says, "Go ahead."

"Power is back online, sir," Pellix reports. "I'm seeing to the computer to get this damned image off the screens." He glances sidelong at another screen and adds, "The Merrimac and remaining transports are at full stop."

Into his com badge, Harris says, "We've ejected fuel pods two and four, sir. I've ordered the runabouts and Thomas Paine launched on a defensive perimeter, and declared an exclusion zone out to one light minute around the station. Engineering reports power generation back online. I've asked the Merrimac to keep the remaining transports at a distance, and informed Captain Davenport that we will destroy them if they get too close."

Novairen is looking over scans of the remaining ships. "I have a firing solution on the remaining vessels. If they attempt to go to warp they'll be dead in the water. Mr. Crayn, info the transports that they have exactly four minutes to vacate the exclusion zone or they'll be disabled." Four minutes equates to the exact time needed at full impulse.

Over Harris's com badge, Ghorev says, "Has Paine launched? If not, I'll take command down there myself. And where are our Romulan liaison officers? I want them at consoles, either in Operations or with me on Thomas Paine."

. o O Novairen thinks "Might as well get the rest of the Rommie spies online with the computer. The rest of them already seem to be."

Crayn nods, communicating with the remaining vessels. "Aye, sir."

Into his com badge, Harris says, "Not as of yet, sir. Would you like me to hold them?"

Into his com badge, Harris says, "Regarding the Paine, that is."

"Signal the Paine to hold for Commander Ghorev. Have Security find our liason officers and get them down there." Harris glares at the screen for a moment. "Hail the Aegis, and let them know what's happened."

Over Harris's com badge, Ghorev says, "Yes, do. I'll be down there shortly. I presume Turbolifts are safe?"

Crayn taps his com badge. "Ensign Crayn to Lieutenant JG Donavon."

Into his com badge, Harris says, "I wouldn't recommend them, sir."

Over Crayn's com badge, someone says, "Lieutenant JG Donavon here."

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Lieutenant, are you appraised of our current conditions?"

Over Crayn's com badge, Donavon says, "No, Ensign, I am not. Lieutenant Foster was about to patch into Station's Operations but it seems you beat us to the chase."

Over Harris's com badge, Ghorev says, "Tubes it is, then. I'll triple-time. I'll hail you from there, Lieutenant. Ghorev out."

Harris's com badge clicks as Ghorev drops off channel. The channel closes.

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "We're not sure exactly what's happened yet, but the USS Darania jump into warp almost immediately following the terrorist signal. We now have an exclusion zone of 1 light-minute, and are targetting any craft entering that zone. Commander Ghorev is taking command of the Paine, and and all other ships are helping to clear out the zone."

Crayn looks over. "All ships are exiting the zone, Sir."

<CONTEST> Pellix contests his Computer skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

Over Crayn's com badge, Donavon says, "What are the orders for Timefleet? Remain here on alert?"

Pellix taps at his console, frowning more and more. "Bah. That damned dagger is going to be burned into the displays before I can get it off." He taps at his combadge, "Pellix to Engineering, is there a programmer down there who can clean out the main computer?"

Harris turns his chair to face Pellix. "Keep on it." To Novairen, he adds, "Do you need Timefleet to help secure the station?"

Novairen cranes her neck to level a stare at Harris. "I wasn't in charge last time I checked, Lieutenant. The Aegis is yours to deal with."

. o O Crayn thinks "I doubt we'll get Novairen to admit needing Timefleet for anything."

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Hold please, Aegis, Still awaiting orders."

Over Crayn's com badge, Donavon says, "Acknowledged, Ensign. Standing by."

"And I'm asking your opinion, Lieutenant. Do you need Timefleet's assistance to secure the station?" Harris lifts a brow in response to the stare.

Novairen turns back to her station. "I'm afraid I don't have enough information to render an informed opinion, sir."

Crayn just tap-tap-taps, keeping an eye on the rest of the station.. Yep.. no need to get involved in that subject.

"Mister Crayn, ask Timefleet to coordinate with station security in helping to get the civilian population back to their quarters," Harris orders after a moment. "That is, unless they have other pressing business to attend to. Mister Pellix, your progress?"

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Aegis, it would be most appreciated if Timefleet would coordinate with security to help bring the civilian population to their quarters, unless you have more pressing matters."

"Abyssmal, sir," Pellix responds cheerily, the taps and chimes of his console giving merry counterpoint. "I think the computer has taken a liking to that dagger-thing and prefers it to the LCARS, now."

Novairen logs out of her console and stands. "Ensign Crayn, take over on tactical. I'm heading below to take command of the security office."

Over Crayn's com badge, Donavon says, "Acknowledged, Ensign. Since you are security, I shall coordinate with you. Where would you wish Timefleet to run a security sweep in assisting with evacuations? And what decks have been swept?"

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Correction, Lieutenant. I'm taking over Tacical while Lt. Novairen will be coordinating from the Security Office. You'll be working with her on this."

. o O Crayn thinks "Unfortunately..."

. o O Harris seethes with frustration. He wants something to stab, maim, and/or slaughter.

Over Crayn's com badge, Donavon says, "Acknowledged. Timefleet will contact Lt. Novairen shortly. Aegis out."

Crayn's com badge clicks as Donavon drops off channel. The channel closes.

Novairen's com badge chirrups. "Lieutenant JG Foster to Lieutenant JG Novairen."

Harris folds his arms over his chest. "Let me take a look at that? Maybe I can help," he responds to Pellix.

Pellix's com badge chirrups. "Ensign Leres to Lieutenant JG Pellix."

Pellix taps his com badge. "Lieutenant JG Pellix here."

Novairen heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.

Novairen has left.

Over Pellix's com badge, Leres says, "Yes, sir, I've managed to make my way to main engineering. I was checking to see if there's anything I can assist with down here."

Pellix taps the com terminal. "Lieutenant JG Pellix to Ensign Leres."

Over the terminal, someone says, "Ensign Leres here."

Over Pellix's com badge, someone says, "Ensign Leres here."

Into the com terminal, Pellix says, "Ensign, we have a rather pernicious bug in the computer system; how brushed up are you in counterinvasive programming?"

Over the terminal, Leres says, "Well, I wouldn't by any means claim to be an expert or even a specialist. But I'll do what I can to help."

Over Pellix's com badge, Leres says, "Well, I wouldn't by any means claim to be an expert or even a specialist. But I'll do what I can to help."

Into the com terminal, Pellix says, "Same boat, Ensign. I'm getting a data wall from this end, and I can barely make out the edges. If you try and gain access from your end while I work on this side, one of us may get through. We can monitor eachother's progress on a parallel channel -- sound like a plan?"

Crayn sits down at Tactical.

Over the terminal, Leres says, "That sounds like a plan to me, sir."

Crayn moves over to tactical. "Re-routing communications to tactical."

Crayn's com badge chirrups. "Lieutenant JG Foster to Ensign Crayn."

Harris nods to Crayn. "Acknowledged."

<CONTEST> Pellix (claiming advantage) contests his Computer skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Into the com terminal, Pellix says, "Routing my keystroke log to your console, Ensign. Keep an eye out for stingers, this thing killed my processes last time I tried to take it down."

Over the terminal, Leres says, "Sending my keystrokes to you as well, sir. Keeping an eye out for anything in the least odd or out of place."

Crayn's com badge clicks as Foster drops off channel. The channel closes.

Crayn's com badge chirrups. "Lieutenant JG Foster to Ensign Crayn."

Crayn taps his com badge. "Ensign Crayn here."

Over Crayn's com badge, Foster says, "Good afternoon, Ensign. I do hope you're having a good day. Lieutenant Novairen has not responded to multiple hails, and I'm getting nothing when I attempt to contact the Security office directly. After this current crisis, could you make sure to schedule the good Lieutenant's combadge for diagnostics, for there must be a problem with it."

Harris drums his fingers on his armrest, watching the viewscreen. "Mister Pellix, when you get past the lockout, I'd like you to start working on the transport. Go back through the sensor logs, see if there was some kind of signal to their computers. I'll assist."

Crayn sighs and just rolls his eyes.

Pellix's console chimes and sings as he taps along at it; finally he leans back with a satisfied smile. "And there we have it," he declares, and looks up at his next order. "Yes, sir. Retreiving those logs just as soon as everything gets back online."

. o O Harris has a target for his anger now, and its name is Novairen.

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Aye, Lieutenant. My apologies. let me see if I can find out what's going on through the station."

The image of the winged dagger disappears from what functional viewscreens there are.

Cristobal steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.

Cristobal has arrived.

Crayn looks up as a chime comes in. "Thomas Paine asking for clearance to undock. Clearance granted, Paine."

Pushing himself out of the command chair, Harris makes his way to the operations console. "Transfer the data to operations. I'll go through it from there."

Harris stands and leaves Commander's.

Cristobal walks in, a grim expression upon his face. "Status, Mister Harris," he says, his eyes focused on the viewscreen.

Harris sits down at Operations.

Cristobal sits down at Commander's.

"Aye aye, sir," Pellix responds, and works at his console.

"We were rammed by one of the transports. We ejected two of the fuel pods. Turbolifts are down, fire supression is out, Lieutenant Novairen apparently refuses to coordinate with Timefleet in securing the civilians, and I have a headache. Sir." Harris glares at his console, pulling up the sensor logs. "It was the Tal'Kaden who did this."

<CONTEST> Pellix (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Crayn taps his com badge. "Ensign Crayn to Lieutenant JG Prochazka."

Over Crayn's com badge, Foster says, "Aye, Ensign. I'll be waiting."

Over Crayn's com badge, someone says, "Lieutenant JG Prochazka here."

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Lieutenant. Is there a reason why there are still civilians sitting in the Neutral Zone?"

. o O Crayn thinks "Are we usually partying during a red alert?"

Cristobal nods and says, "I gathered the last from the calling card they left. Have Kula work with Engineering to look into just how they got into the systems..." He glances at Crayn and asks Harris, "So who is securing the civilians then?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Harris mutters.

"Here's your data, Lieutenant Harris," Pellix announces, and begins paging through it, himself. "Telemetry first, comm logs next, then sensor logs. Give me a moment and I'll collate them chronologically."

<CONTEST> Harris contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Crayn looks over to Cristobal.. "Since Lt. Novairen seems to be having technical difficulties, I'm coordinating with TImefleet to have the civilians evacuated, Sir."

Cristobal mutters something in Klingon that the translators refuse to touch. He nods at Crayn. To Harris he says, "I know we're practically bathed in it from the Anomaly, but see if you can scan for any other sources of tachyon emissions that might indicate the presence of a cloaked ship. Glancing at Pellix, he asks, "Defensive systems are online Lieutenant?"

"We've holes, sir, but we're working on that," Pellix reports after consulting a side chart. "We'll be back up to fully operational shortly."

"The Paine is signalling, sir. Sublieutenant Ttomak is setting up a tachyon detection grid using our runabouts and the station," Harris reports as he works the console. "Would you rather I do the scan first, or later?"

Over Crayn's com badge, Prochazka says, "We were informed that the lifts was down, Ensign. And since the Neutral Zone seemed like a safe place, they were kept here instead of wandering about and possibly being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Cristobal answers, "Try to scan now. If there is a cloaked ship, it's going to see the grid being set up and leave the area. If we find them now we can catch them by surprise."

"Aye, aye, sir." Harris replies, frowning as his hands work.

GAME: Harris spends a courage point.

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

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Alright Lt. Prochazka. Just make sure everyone's safe and secure. If any issues arise don't hesitate to inform me. Lt. Foster, thank you for your patience, but it looks like the station's clear. Please stand by for any further orders. Crayn out."

Crayn taps his com badge and terminates transmission.

"Nothing doing, sir. There's too much interference from the Anomaly," Harris reports after a moment, glaring at his console.

"If I may, sir?" Pellix calls over to Harris and Cristobal, and gestures towards his console. "We've been dealing with the anomaly's interference throughout the Paine retrofit; I'm getting used to ignoring it."

Cristobal stands, heading over to the Operations console. Stepping beside Harris, he nods to Pellix and says, "Yeah, there's a bit of a trick to it. If you notice, the majority of the anomaly's interference occurs in the Kappa band. Screen those out from the sensors, and..." he taps away at the Ops console, giving it a try for himself.

GAME: Cristobal spends a courage point.

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

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

And it still doesn't work, apparently. Cristobal gives Harris a shrug and walks back to the center chair. "No Lieutenant," he says to Pellix, "Keep on plugging the holes in our defensive systems. Finding a ship is no good if we can't fight it."

Pellix taps at his own console, screening out Kappa and everything else. At Cristobal's order, he looks up, still tapping, and then looks back down as if he's looking at the apocalypse. "Ahm. I do believe you're right, sir. The sensor array just went out. Power surge. I'm sending crews." His fingers fly across the console.

. o O Crayn thinks "Well, at least he didn't shoot down Ambassador Gr'laH."

Harris wrinkles up his nose. "Great. I'll inform the Paine that we're blind."

Crayn continues to monitor the internal situation.. He looks up.. "Please get those sensors back up as soon as possible. If I have to shoot at something, I prefer to actually be able to see it." He smirks.

Cristobal nods as he sits down, then his head slowly turns around as he processes what he was just informed. Staring rather intently at the Bolian, he says slowly, "Get. Them. Back."

"Well, I was going to sit on it for a moment, Mister Crayn, but since it's so important to you," Pellix retorts, slapping at his console. "Out of my hands; they need to swap in new boards physically. In the mean time, I can see what I can put together by networking our buoys and piping in data from the ships."

. o O Cristobal thinks "How do these people manage to go through Academy training without flying into Io and then manage to be completely incompetent when they get /here/?"

Harris puts his head in his hands. "I'll go see if I can replicate a pair of binoculars," he mutters.

Cristobal says, "That's enough Lieutenants," giving stern glares to both Pellix and Harris. After deciding that the glare got his message across, he says, "Harris, /you/ link us up with the sensor grid. You coordinate the repair teams," the last said to Pellix.

"On it," Harris replies, his hands working the consoles. "Launching a spread of class-five probes in a 720-degree radius. Probes away." He pauses for a moment, then nods. "Linking into the sensor net of the buoys.... and we're back."

Pellix bobs his head. "Teams are in position, sir, we'll have our own eyes back in short order."

Cristobal nods, "And we're linked with the Paine and the runabouts as well?"

Laco steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.

Laco has arrived.

Harris nods. "No, sir. I'm still working on that part," Harris offers with a shake of his head.

"No, sir. I'm still working on that part," Harris offers with a shake of his head.

Cristobal glances at Laco's arrival and says to Harris, "Tell me when we're linked and I'll ready the scan." He stands and makes his way towards the Operations console, nodding to Laco.

Cristobal stands and leaves Commander's.

Pellix glances up from his station on Laco's arrival. "Thank the Bird," he sighs on seeing the blue uniform, and turns back to his own console.

Laco tucks his hands behind his back and slowly makes his way down into the pit. He occasionally steals a glance at a console on his way down there.

"Link established," Harris reports after a moment.

Cristobal says, "Beginning scan. Stand by Mister Crayn."

. o O Harris thinks "Work."

Crayn nods. "Standing by. Aye, sir."

Cristobal shakes his head and reports, "Still no sign of any ships." He glances to Laco and says, "We've set up a sensor grid with the Paine, the runabouts and a spread of class-five probes. Trying to see if we can pick out any tachyon emissions that could indicate a cloaked ship."

Crayn closes his eyes and mutters a prayer.

. o O Crayn thinks "Where's Cross when you need him?"

Laco comes to a stop behind the operations console, and inquires. "What is the range of the grid?"

"The distance is variable as the runabouts and the Thomas Paine move. We're the anchor," Harris offers in reply.

Pellix taps at his console, monitoring work crews and sifting data, looking none too pleased.

"That isn't an answer," Laco tells Harris, as he turns to Cristobal with an expectant look on his face. "Unless the grid is able to somehow extend the range of the individual nodes in it, they will surely surmise what we are doing from the pattern of our craft and move off. I imagine, if they were even there to begin with, that they are long gone. Or flying around under their cloak, snickering as they avoid us."

"Then play taunt-the-husar with them," Pellix suggests. It actually takes the translator a moment to provide 'cat-and-mouse' as an alternative. "If they are hiding from us and thinking they're outsmarting us, let them outsmart us right into our hand."

Cristobal nods. "We attempted to scan before the grid was formed. Lieutenant Pellix can explain about the power surge that happened during that attempt."

Harris takes a deep breath. "I don't know the theoretical maximum, Lieutenant, as I've never set up a tachyon detection grid, nor am I actually running it. If you want a more concrete answer, sir, might I suggest that you hail the Thomas Paine and speak to Sublieutenant Ttomak or Commander Ghorev?"

Laco continues watching the operations console. "Without a clue where they are, I don't think that would work. But I don't think they are out there anymore. And even if they pick up a trail, it will probably just head in a random direction for a few light years, before being obscured by some variety of natural interferance. Now, what is this about a power surge? Sabotage? Battle damage?"

Crayn whistles to himslf as he taps at the keyboard, just hoping for a target of some kind to pop up..

. o O Harris is having a very hard time keeping his anger in check.

"The fuel tanks were hit, we had to switch over to secondaries and flush the system, and then went back to primary power," Pellix explains in shorthand to Laco. "As the system came back online, the power levels were fluctuating as they settled back to normal, and we managed to overload the sensor array with too much attention." He wrinkles his nose. "Said excess attention being mine."

. o O Cristobal thinks "At least he was honest about it. Mostly. He missed the part about me telling him not to scan two seconds after he already did it, but whatever..."

Harris returns his attention to his readouts.

Cristobal sits down at Operations.

Laco grunts. "Nice work." Now, to Cristobal, "Still nothing out there? If anything *is* detected, there is the possibility that it is intentional, and intended to draw off our ships so that they can be eliminated in an ambush."

Cristobal glances at the console. He shakes his head and says, "Nothing on our sensors, sir. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say they're long gone."

Crayn checks his console. "Sir, the Aegis is firing up their weapons. They haven't requesting clearance to undock. Hailing them now."

Crayn taps his com badge. "Ensign Crayn to Lieutenant JG Foster."

Cristobal arches an eyebrow at Crayn, "Are you sure Ensign? I show their engines being activated, but nothing about weapons..."

Over Crayn's com badge, someone says, "Lieutenant JG Foster here."

Over Crayn's com badge, Foster taps in a request to secure the channel between the Aegis and 419 Operations.

Crayn blinks.. "Did I say weapons.. I meant engines.. Sorry."

Harris lifts a brow at Crayn, saying nothing but, "Tachyon sweep is inconclusive still."

Cristobal nods as Crayn clears up the confusion and looks back at his sensors. He murmurs a brief question to Harris.

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Lieutenant Foster, is there an issue? We have note of your engines firing up."

At his place, Cristobal says "So what happened with Novairen?"

Laco nods. "I assume that the commander will return when he has satisfied himself with the same conclusion. Is there any notable damage to any of our systems? Something that will be out of commission for longer than a week or so?" For now, he ignores Foster and Crayn's conversation.

Harris' lip curls slightly, but he keeps his eyes on his console as he responds to Cristobal.

Over Crayn's com badge, Foster says, "Nope, Ensign. Request by Commander Ghorev via Lieutenant Bright. Just double-reinforcing the power supply to Communications. We're all good here."

"The power system is going to need to be cleaned out," Pellix reports, "and at some point we should go retreive the jettisoned fuel pods. The sensors should be back online within an hour. There are still minor fires on multiple decks, but they're being attended to. It's going to smell on Deck 10 until we replace those bulkheads."

Into his com badge, Crayn says, "Alright. Just wanted to make sure. Thanks."

. o O Cristobal thinks "Great. Why does this stuff always happen to deck 10?"

At his place, Harris says "I was in charge up here when this all happened. I asked her if she thought Timefleet could be useful in securing the station after the incident. She refused to answer, so I told them to come aboard and assist us with security, coordinating with station security. She left here and... apparently ignored them. Even though I -know- her communicator was working."

. o O Crayn thinks "Oh man.. I live on Deck 9..."

Over Crayn's com badge, Foster says, "No problem. Aegis out."

Crayn's com badge clicks as Foster drops off channel. The channel closes.

At his place, Harris says "I heard the hail from Lieutenant Foster to her."

. o O Harris thinks "I am so going to love writing this report."

At his place, Cristobal says "Unbelievable. We need to bring this to station command. Let's talk to Commander Ghorev when this situation is over."

Cristobal shakes his head as he responds to Harris.

Dakin steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.

Dakin has arrived.

Harris smirks wryly. "Oh, I was already planning on it," he replies to whatever Cristobal said.

A hail comes in over Harris' communications headset. After a moment, he nods to something. "Yes, Sublieutenant, the Dalaria arrived after experiencing engine troubles."

Laco is standing in the pit, near the Operations console.

Crayn is manning Tactical, with communications being routed through the same console.

Dakin steps into the Ops center, his hand covering a small bleeding gash on his forehead and his uniform smelling of smoke. Spotting Laco, he calls out to the science officer, "Status report, Lieutenant?"

Laco continues to watch the Operations crewers in their work. "I believe things are under control. There are repairs to be made, but I'm told sensors will be back on line within the hour. Commander Ghorev has taken the Paine to set up a sensor net with the runabouts and some probes, but I believe the general consensus is that he won't find anything."

Harris is silent for a few moments more, concentrating on his readouts. "I can't vouch for the Merrimac, but I know that the Dalaria completed uploads and downloads both to our main computer, Paine."

Savarna steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.

Savarna has arrived.

Pellix clears his throat. "Lieutenant Commander, with your permission I'd like to head down to the sensor array myself. All I'm doing here is relaying status reports, and I feel I can be of more use downstairs."

Harris nods once more to the silent voice on the air. "Transmitting files now."

Dakin nods once to Pellix. "Permission granted, and keep us here informed." To Laco, "Casualty reports come in yet?" He brushes some of the blood off his forehead wound.

Laco replies to the Bajoran. "Probably. I have not asked yet, though. Mister Cristobal?"

Pellix nods, signs off of his console, and heads for the turbolift. He gives Savarna a short smile as he passes her.

Pellix heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.

Pellix has left.

Savarna steps in just as Pellix exits, turning for half a beat to watch him go before proceeding fully into the room.

Cristobal walks away from the Operations console and over towards Security. "Infirmary is reporting four casualties, two of them civilians. Chief Telkar is in surgery at the moment. Prognosis isn't good. Four officers are listed as critical but stable. Dozens more injuries, none critical."

Cristobal stands and leaves Operations.

Cristobal sits down at Security.

Dakin shakes his head as Cristobal recites the news. "Thanks -ever- so much, FNS," he says to himself. He looks over to Savarna and nods in greeting. "Lieutenant." Afterwards, he goes back to monitoring current happenings.

Harris frowns at the console, rubbing at his face. "Could have been worse," he murmurs, mostly to himself.

Cristobal arches an eyebrow at Dakin, trying to figure out if he was talking to him or not.

Savarna returns the nod, quickly. "Commander." She moves towards an open console, looking to Laco as she does.

Crayn continues to get in reports on the Tactical console..

Dakin waves his free hand dismissively to Cristobal. "S'nothing, Nathan. What's the status on the sensor blockade?"

Cristobal replies, "Well it's there and it's working, but not too surprisingly, if there was anyone out there, they were gone by the time it was established."

Havaris steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.

Havaris has arrived.

"Thomas Paine is going to be cleaning up the Dalaria's engineering section... if anything's left of it," Harris reports after a moment. "I've been reviewing the crew manifest for the Dalaria, sir... 150 crew, plus another 1300 Nausicaan refugees aboard. Since they hit us at warp, it's pretty safe to say no survivors."

Dakin nods to the arriving Havaris whilst holding his fingertips against a bleeding wound on his forehead that looks to just now begin staunching. Just before he can say a word of greeting, he hears Harris' report and frowns. "Mr. Harris, what's the story on this files you mentioned?"

"The Dalaria downloaded its logs and updated databanks to us -- everything since it left Inu Tontsu, sir," Harris replies, turning his gaze to Dakin. "Same with all the other transports and the Merrimac."

Dakin's com badge chirrups. "Commander Ghorev to Lt Commander Dakin."

Dakin taps his com badge. "Dakin here."

Over Dakin's com badge, Ghorev says, "In light of the Tal'kaden situation, and the fact that they've previously attacked other members of the Alliance, I've authorized Ambassador Gr'laH to leave his quarters under red alert, obtain his weapon from the armory, and return to his ship to serve in his military role temporarily. Advise your peopel."

Into his com badge, Dakin says, "Acknowledged. I'll notify the armory to expect him."

Over Dakin's com badge, Ghorev says, "Thank you. Ghorev out."

Dakin's com badge clicks as Ghorev drops off channel. The channel closes.