And Tomorrow the World Part I

 Episode Name:  And Tomorrow the World Part I

   Written By:  Grey

         Cast:  Adansae, Goodwin, Grey, Hamilton, Katoka, Kogh, Lopez and Nabrun.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Grey

     Aired On:  Sat Dec 17 10:04:23 2005

     Stardate:  55488.6

Time: Fri Dec 02 19:51:26 2005

Stardate: 55453.6

The camera fades in on the Paine's bridge as it knifes through space at warp speed, the stars streaking by on the viewscreen. Lieutenant Commander Goodwin is sitting in the command chair flanked by Ambassador Kogh and Ensign Adansae, while Lieutenant JG Lopez and Lieutenant JG Nabrun man the Conn and Mission Operations consoles. The bridge crew is rounded out with Lieutenant KJ Katoka handling sciences and Lieutenant JG Hamilton manning tactical.

"As some of you may or may not know," Goodwin says to his crew. "An organization headed by former Admiral Leyton, Chief of Starfleet Operations, has formed." He's looking quite alert in the big chair, ready, despite the fact they have not even reached the border. "It's called the New Federation Alliance, and has been working to destabilize the Romulan-Klingon-Federation Alliance, by raiding Allied ships, and even going so far as to create biological weapons of mass destruction able of killing all Vulcanoid life on a planet."

Kogh is seated rather ramrod straight, arms folded across his armoured chest. He is quite silent.

Katoka stands at the science station; her light eyes downturned toward the console, surveying the data that flashes across the black polymer. At Goodwin's words she glances up and turns, shifting her shoulders back toward Goodwin as she absorbs the information with the faintest of frowns.

Adansae listens silently, attentively, her eyes not straying from the commander's face.

. o O Kogh feels irritable. Deeply irritable.

. o O Katoka thinks, "What happens to make people like that?"

Nabrun tilts her head, listening closely to Goodwin as he speaks. Her eyes, however, are focused on the panel in front of her.

Glancing up from her place at Tactical as the Lt. Commander begins to speak, Jasira studies the man for a moment taking in his words. Concern shows in her eyes, but her face stays vacant.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Biological weapons. Oh joy."

Lopez keeps half an eye on her terminal through the commander's briefing.

"They are being supported by elements of a Klingon house, Koraga, and have flagship on the U.S.S. Corso, a stolen Starfleet experimental vessel with an installed cloaking device." Goodwin pauses. "We'll be joined by both Klingon assets and half of the 17th Fleet, so I think that should make it clear just how serious this is. We have several possible, credible locations for the New Federation Alliance base of power, and we'll be fighting vessels that can cloak. So I need everyone sharp, focused, and coordinated."

"Understood, Sir." replies the dark haired science officer. A few sharp movements close a few screens and then open another two before she refocuses her attention on Commander Goodwin.

Nabrun dips her head once. "Aye, Sir," she calls quietly in acknowledgement.

Adansae is bright-eyed and pale-faced as she listens; when Goodwin finishes, she gives a little nod and a soft "aye, Sir" before moving to double- or triple-check her medkit supplies.

Peeking back down at the consol before her, the colors flashing in a rhythmic show as the vessel cuts through space; Jasira takes a deep sigh. Fun, fun, fun she thinks to herself as she nods to show she understands the importance of staying alert, "Aye, Sir." she says her eyes returning to the flashing colors.

Kogh arches both eyebrows, directing a glance at Goodwin. "Half?"

Lopez give her aye of acknowledgment, quietly. She glances to the next console, Mission Ops, and raises an eyebrow.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Fun, fun, fun."

"I relayed your information to Dulcais and Dulcais Strategic Operations made its decision to detach that number of assets," says Goodwin, calmly. "And if there's an issue with that number because I was not given a specific number of ships to detach, then I suggest there not be, since we'll be soon massing at the border to cross-over." His eyes are more forwards rather than looking at Kogh.

Nabrun turns her full attention back to the panel in front of her. "Sir," she calls quietly, pleasantly. "I just got a hail from the battle group. We've got the Sorrento, a Springfield class, under Captain Kennesaw. There's also the Antietem, a Norway Class with Captain Carmichael. The Baden Powell is a Saber class with Commander Lexington. The Discovery is a Nebula with Captain Potrikos. The Champion is a Norway as well, under Commander Davis. The Ganning is a Steamrunner, with Captain Xoshkinala. The Glasnost is a Springfield, with Captain Gerrin commanding. Finally, we have the Teohuiticlan, which is a Niagra class under Captain Argasso.

Lopez intones from her place at Conn, directing her voice back to the well. "Sir, time to border a little less than 10 minutes."

Nabrun is quiet for a moment, waiting until Lopez is done, before calling, "And they'll be meeting us in approximately five minutes, Sir."

Adansae glances between Kogh and Goodwin as the two address each other, then shifts her gaze to Mission Ops in an attempt to catch Nabrun's reaction. She's foiled by the arrival of new information -- to which she listens, nodding.

. o O Goodwin thinks, "No problems. No problems. No problems."

Katoka does much the same as Adansae, her attention shifting between the talking bridge officers as information flashes across the console. She nods in soft, somber acknowledgement.

Kogh growls, very quietly, but no more pleasantly for the lack of volume. "Three," he says, almost as a part of the growl. "The Empire said -three-, Commander. Not -eight-."

Studying the read outs before her, Jasira's eyes cut to the side as Goodwin informs Kogh of the what's what in the world. Blinking she returns to her duties, her fingers flying across the displays.

"You're free to open up a channel with the Klingon group so perhaps we can deal with this matter, Mister Ambassador," suggests Goodwin, sounding a touch unruffled by this. "I am sure Lieutenant Nabrun can key them for you. Put a different way: I've got a battlegroup. We can deal with the who said what when later."

Kogh considers that for a few moments... and then shrugs. "I wouldn't call it a -battlegroup-..." A pause. "But very well. The Federation is free to make it's own mistakes."

. o O Lopez thinks, "You've got a battle group, but if they starting shooting at the extra ships when we go across, it will go home possibly a smaller group."

. o O Adansae thinks, "I hope someone is able to subdue him if he decides to bite."

"Mister Nabrun, please get me a channel to the lead Klingon vessel, on screen if possible," suggests Goodwin from where he sits, seeming to be kicking his brain into overdrive.

. o O Goodwin thinks, "Now how do I get to sell /this/?"

Staring intently at the displays Jasira begins pulling up specs on all the ships given in the run down by Nabrun.

Adansae stiffens as the Klingon growls his disapproval. If she wasn't already so pale, she'd likely lose the rest of her color as she shifts her gaze to his face -- quickly, and then away again.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Man, Klingon's are grumpy."

Katoka studies her displays with measured neutrality, glancing only once at Kogh, then quickly back to her console.

The Betazoid replies with a quiet, "Aye, Sir," before tapping at the console for a moment. "Sir, channel opened to the IKS Rogarron." Nabrun glances briefly at Kogh, then back to her console.

. o O Kogh thinks, "Damnable Terrans. Do they -ever- listen?"

. o O Katoka feels apprehensive.

Kogh simply grunts, shifting in his seat. The creak of his armour is the only additional sound 'he' makes.

After a moment an older Klingon appears on the screen. "Yes, Thomas Paine?" he asks abruptly. He looks less than happy, to boot. Behind him the bridge of his ship is a flurry of activity as they prepare for the upcoming mission.

Goodwin stands up, and makes the pitch of his large-scale naval task-force leading career. "IKS Rogarron, this is Lieutenant Commander Joshua Goodwin of the Starfleet battlegroup. Your officers may have noticed that the Federation has assigned nine ships to his battle." And here he becomes humble. "When the Captains of these fine vessels heard of the glorious battle that was to be had against these New Federation Alliance dogs, they demanded that they be able to pledge their arms and join glorious House De'tang and the Imperial Klingon Defence Force in honorable bloodshed. We but await your word to cross and make towards the operations area."

. o O Goodwin thinks, "What was /that/?"

. o O Nabrun thinks, "Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no. Commander! What are you doing? You just flopped on your back and showed them your tummy. Are you asking for a belly rub?"

GAME: Goodwin spends a courage point.

GAME: Goodwin contests his Persuasion/Debate+A vs Difficult and Succeeds.

"Great House Qeth states it's affirmation of the Commander's word in this," Kogh... well, affirms, gruffly, from his seat in the Command pit.

Looking up from her post Jasira takes in the mass of Klingon's staring back at her from the screen. Sitting a little taller in her chair she takes a quick breath and swiftly looks back down.

Adansae listens attentively to Goodwin's words as he displays his diplomatic skills in action.

. o O Kogh thinks, "Even though it would rather ram a fist down said Commander's throat for forcing me to do so. Thoroughly insulting. -Underhanded-."

. o O Kogh feels a mixture of disgust and anger... and that irritability, which probably contributes to both.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Damn, they are scary in mass. What am I saying /they/ are scary one on one. Don't look, just work."

"Two, Commander," replies the Klingon, before sneering slightly. "You may bring an additional two ships from your group, for a total of five. I expect you to hurry so that we can rendezvous on schedule." Then like that the communications goes dark as the channel is cut off.

"Mister Nabrun, please contact the Glasnost, attention Captain Gerrin with that news. Please tell the Captain I recommend the Glasnost, Balden Powell, Antietem, and Discovery to take across with the Paine." Again, Goodwin seems to be handling this in stride. "I would like her input, however, before we set off." He settles down in his seat.

. o O Goodwin thinks, "Not as bad as it could have been."

Nabrun nods as she taps at the console, doing as asked. "LTCMDR Goodwin of the Thomas Paine to Captain Gerrin of the Glasnost. LTCMDR Goodwin requests the Glasnost, Balden Powell, Antietem and Discovery to take across with the Paine." She pauses as the reply from Captain Gerrin that, instead of the Antietem, the Light Cruiser Ganning go, instead. The information is relayed back to Goodwin.

Goodwin nods his head once. "Then let's load up and head out," says the second officer. "Mister Lopez, lay in a course for the operational area. Mister Katoka, work with Mister Hamilton for a plot of our combined battle group so I have a solid tactical display. Mister Nabrun, tell the, ah, revised, battlegroup that we're moving out at best speed of our slowest vessel." A beat. "We're headed in, people."

GAME: Hamilton spends a courage point.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Starship Tactics+A vs Challenging and Fails.

Nabrun taps at her console again, smiling as she converses with the officer on the other end, informing them of the order. She seems relaxed, though anticipatory.

"Aye, sir," responds Lieutenant Lopez, leaning close over the conn board, to a chorus of dissonent boops and beeps. The Paine shifts course, its trajectory through space shifting.

"Aye, Sir." Katoka replies, a few quick taps shifting her display to the space around the starship. Her eyes glance up to focus on Mister Hamtilon and her console beeps a few times as she transmits the spacial data.

Moving her fingers across the consol Jasira pulls up screen after screen of data on the ships that can be seen outside the window. Nodding her head she turns her attention to the information Katoka just sent her, "Aye, sir," she says manipulating the information, then sending it on to Goodwin.

. o O Lopez thinks, "Oh, three little maids from school are we..."

The Paine and its group cross over the border, the five ships marked on the tactical map that Hamilton and Katoka worked up. The five dots pass over the border and soon enough begin to close on another group marked with the three pointed Klingon insignia. Within an hour the two groups are within moments of meeting, their courses merging towards the final goal.

"Mister Hamilton, yellow alert," says Goodwin to the tactical officer behind him. "Shields up. Mister Nabrun, ask the Balden Powell to come forward and take point and scout with us. Mister Katoka, eyes towards the operational area, please. Mister Lopez, let's take lead ahead of the main group so we can screen for them."

"Aye Sir," Barana calls back just before passing along the request to the Balden Powell. That accomplished, with a minimum of beeps from the console, the Betazoid says, quietly, "Sir, the Klingons are split into a 1st, 2nd and 3rd wing, 20 ships."

Adansae takes the move to yellow alert as her signal to give her supplies a final check; after all, something might have shifted out of place in the preceding hour.

Jasira runs her hands across the consol and all around the bridge, ribbons of light begin to pulse with a soft yellow glow, "We are at yellow alert, sir."

. o O Adansae thinks, "Klingons, everywhere... it's like a nightmare."

Kogh remains almost exactly seated as he was an hour ago: arms folded across his chest, back straight. And still silent.

Two quiet taps sound as Katoka shifts her weight and pivots to face the operational area, taking up a console on that side of the bridge as the yellow pulse emmenates from the dark polymer.

. o O Nabrun thinks, "Computer, how many ships do the Klingons have? The Klingons have 20 ships. Commander, the computer says that the Klingons have 20 ships."

. o O Nabrun has a flash of wry, almost ironic amusement, underscoring anticipation.

Lopez examines in split-screen on her console the relative trajectories, positions, and paths of the other ships, Federation and Klingon alike. With the IKS contingent travelling at 8.5 it is a relatively easy thing to plot a course, and increase warp to move into the lead. Lopez, while alert, seems thus far comfortable as she and Paine have their conversation. "Taking the lead now, Sir."

The combined battle group heads towards the target area, a section of space 2 light years in size based on the coordinates provided. Pre-battle chatter can be heard as the Starfleet and Klingons prepare. A pair of B'rel class scouts move forward to join the Paine at the front. Finally they group reaches the edge of the target area.

"Mister Nabrun, we may wish to suggest to our Klingon colleagues they go under cloak. We may be able to lure some folks to come out of the woodwork if they see five Starfleet ships instead of a twenty-five ship wargroup," remarks Goodwin. "Let's begin with search pattern Delta - keep the scouts forward as a screen for the warships behind us." He drums his fingers lightly on his armchair.

. o O Goodwin is tense. This is a lot of responsibility, to say the least.

Watching ship indicators move across the map on her screen, Jasira, nibbling on her bottom lip in a nervous fashion, brings up more information. Confirming once again that the arrays are fully functioning she looks once more at the map then runs the confirmation again.

. o O Hamilton feels nervous.

Goodwin adds, to his crew back at the sensors: "I want a work-up of the area, Mister Katoka. Major debris or bodies - that sort of thing that might cause us problems in a firefight." A beat. "Mister Hamilton, let's start looking for the bad guys."

Nabrun speaks quietly at the comms for a moment, then calls back to Goodwin. "Sir, the Klingons are cloaking and moving off 2 au to engage sensor sweeps. They're also enroute to an asteroid belt which should provide them with decent additional cover."

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Okay, everything is running correctly. Wait let's see that again. Yup it's good. One more time for good measure."

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Hamilton spends a courage point.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

"Aye, sir." Katoka replies as her light gaze shifts back to the console. A moment passes as her fingertips thrum, waiting for a reply from the computer system, and she makes an adjustment or two before replying confidently. "I don't see anything within 3au that would cause trouble, Sir. It looks clear."

"Aye, sir," replies Jasira her hands running across the consol, adjusting her settings. "Nothing within 5 au, sir."

. o O Lopez thinks, "How... convenient. Are they looking for signs of cloaking, I wonder?"

Lopez bides at the conn board, continuing the lancing flight on their search path.

"Mister Lopez, let's bring ourselves around to assist with the search in the asteroid field," orders Goodwin as he watches the space fly by. "Mister Katoka, when we're in range, I want an analysis on the field - especially see if you can adjust for any interference it might be giving our sensors. Also feed the information to tactical and conn so we can maneuver." Then, to Barana. "Mister Nabrun, let our wing know we'll be assisting with the search and it might be good for the bigger cruisers to navigate a bit safer course or stick outside the field until we have a solid analysis."

"Aye, Sir," comes the standard reply from the Betazoid. The message is passed along, and she reports back, "The Baden Powell will be assisting, Commander Goodwin."

Lopez comes about-- or rather, she persuades the Paine to come about, acquiescing to Goodwin's request.

GAME: Katoka spends a courage point.

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

The board flashes beneath Katoka's ministrations. Then again. Shaking her head the woman mutters to herself, lips pursed, as the console protests at her insistance. "..Sir. The field is clear.", she begins. "But.. " Again, she harrasses the console then looks up at the Commander. "There's an artificial field of some sort that is scrambling the sensors."

Looking in on the arrays once more Jasira, her bottom lip still between her teeth, turns her attention to the asteroid field. Adjusting the computers diagnostics to disregard the interference she adds the data from Katoka into her computations and producing a new map sends to Goodwin, "New data integrated sir."

. o O Nabrun thinks, "Which, of course, means we're in deep trouble when whatever it is comes out of hiding. I think I saw a nature vid like this once. The big fish waits in the reeds, projecting an odd signal to attract the smaller fish. Then it eats them."

The Paine closes on the asteroid belt, seemingly alone in space with the Baden Powell, except for the flashing indicators on the tactical map tracking the Klingon wings. On the viewscreen the asteroid belt starts to come into range, clearly comprised of heavy rocks floating through space.

Goodwin glances behind him to the science officer as they approach their first complication since the little mess with the ships. "'Artificial field' is good but an analysis of the field is better, and a way to punch through it is even better yet. What have we got?"

GAME: Katoka spends a courage point.

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors+A vs Challenging and Fails.

Again the young science officer peers, her face a mask of concentration as she tries to get further information out of the sensors. After a moment she looks up. "I can't get anything from this range, sir. Maybe if we navigated closer."

Goodwin nods once. "Keep at it. Mister Lopez, bring us in. Mister Hamilton, let's keep an eye out for someone coming on out of that little artificial field to try to get the drop on us. Also, give me an opinion on whether it'll be able for our trailers outside to maneuver effectively in here." For now, it seems, Josh is content to keep an eye on the plot on his armchair console.

. o O Goodwin thinks, "3D map in your head. 3D map in your head. Just like they taught in Command school."

Adansae's eyes skip around the bridge as others offer reports, her face drawn with concern.

Kogh shifts in his seat, leaning slightly to one side, peering at Goodwin curiously for a moment. That moment, however, passes swiftly, and his gaze returns to the viewscreen, accompanied still by his silence.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems+A vs Challenging and Marginally Fails.

Katoka spends a beat to nod her acknowledgement to the Commander and dips her head forward as she gets back to work, her only verbal reply a distracted, "Aye, Sir.", before the puzzle recaptures her attention.

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Pulling up Katoka's data concerning the 'Artificial field' Jasira nods her head as she studies the information, "Aye, sir," she replies to Goodwin. Trying to focus the sensors in tighter she gives a snort of irritation, "All most had it," she grumbles softly, "Sir,' she says louder, "I can't get a clear reading but the field is large. About 3000 kilometers and it's centered on a huge asteroid located about 2 au away."

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Dang it almost had it. Slippery."

. o O Hamilton feels aggravated.

Lopez reports faithfully, "About 15 minutes out sir. 2 AU," she repeats.

"Mister Nabrun, let the group know we have a possible target at those coordinates. Mister Hamilton, Mister Lopez, I want that feedback for whether the cruisers can come in to play." Josh's voice kicks up by a degree of tenseness at the report of a potential target. "Mister Katoka, anything?"

"Sir." Katoka speaks, her voice projecting. "I'm through. The field is surrounding thirty Klingon upgrades, all powering up with their courses set for us. The field centers around a main asteroid on which I'm detecting some sort of..", she pauses, frowning as she tries to be more precise. "..installation. I'm trying to get a reading on it.."

Nabrun taps the com, in motion almost before Goodwin gets her name out. "Aye, Sir," she says, then proceeds to inform their escort and the other ships in the other wings of the possible target. "Sir? The Ganning confirms the reading in the field as well, and the rest of the wings are on standby."

. o O Nabrun thinks, "Oh. Hell."

. o O Nabrun's heart sinks slightly at Katoka's news.

Straightening up as Katoka announces the number of ships Jasira's fingers automatically brings the array data on screen, "Sir it might be mute now, but anything over 250 meters is going to have trouble moving inside the asteroid field." She looks down at her consol, then switches displays.

Katoka mutters from her console, still working at the sensors. "..upgrades, no.. Upwards of thirty ships, Commander.", she says, looking up at Goodwin.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Thirty. Yup, still in working order."

Lopez says, "Confirm that, Sir... no room to wiggle in there."

Even as the annoucements start to come in, the first movement inside the asteroid field can be seen as Klingon ships start to appear from between the rocks and slice out into open space. At first its one, then a couple, and soon there is a steady stream. Its clearly only moments away from a battle now.

. o O Lopez thinks, "Here we go..."

"A lot of us can't, but the B'rels can get in there, and so can we," says Goodwin, thoughtfully, thinking this through. "All right." Plan set, the orders come out rapid fire. "Mister Hamilton, red alert. All hands to battle stations. Mister Lopez, bring us about, send us bolting towards the Allied battlegroups like we're running. Mister Nabrun, tell the allied Klingon vessels to spread so they can get a good fire arc on the vessels chasing us. Then, when we draw the hostiles close, decloak and blow 'em away. Have the B'rels come around into the field if they have to and pull up behind so they can hit them from the rear. Have the Balden Powell follow our lead." A beat. "All right, folks. Here we go."

Nabrun nods to Goodwin and responds with her customary "Aye, Sir," before passing the message along. She blinks for a moment, then looks back over her shoulder at Goodwin. "Sir, the Klingons respectfully request that you insert that order somewhere delicate, in a particularly painful manner, and follow it with a pain-stick, turned sideways, for good measure. They'll not be taking orders from a human, and prefer to fight their own battles. If I'm not mistaken, they have no intention of falling into line with your wishes on this."

Adansae is already at her battle station, such as it is, and duo-armed with her medical tricorder and medkit. She responds with the requisite "Aye, Sir."

Seeing the ships appear before her eyes Jasira's fingers slide over to the 'red alert' just waiting for the order, "Aye sir," she says the lights changing from soft yellow to a harsh red, throwing her features into contrast with each flash. Pulling the array up to prominence on her consol she checks once more for her own mental health, "Shipboard phasers are online sir."

. o O Goodwin thinks, "Of course not. It might actually be an effective plan."

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Kogh leans forward in his seat marginally, lips curling into something of a smile. It's not a pleased smile, but then, it's not exactly an unhappy smile either. Teeth show. "You are in Klingon space. -You- take orders from -them-, Commander. Or you make -suggestions-," the Ambassador breathes. Well, half-growls.

Lopez turns the Paine tightly, concentrating evidently on trying to pour enough speed into the maneuver to make it look like an unstructured retreat. "Aye, sir."

GAME: Lopez contests her Shipboard Systems/Flight Control vs Routine and Succeeds.

"Sir, I'm showing twenty B'rel scout ships, ten K'vort class cruisers and two Vor'cha class attack cruisers coming our way." Katoka glances up as she addresses the Commander.

The lead ships, a group of B'rel scouts, take up pursuit of the Thomas Paine and Baden Powell, while the rest of the group pours out behind them. Three of the allied B'rel class scouts uncloak and and fire on the main group. They have the surprise for a moment before the enemies return fire clearly hitting all three and destroying one. A moment later they're breaking rank. The five ships chasing the Paine break off, sensing the trap it would seem.

Goodwin sounds a bit exasperated at the reply from the Klingon allies, and more so when "his" lead screen of B'rels jumps the gun. "Can we then get some sort of /direction/ from the Klingons about how they want to approach this battle?"

. o O Lopez thinks, "Ask *them.*"

GAME: Nabrun contests her Culture/Klingon vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Nabrun nods her head to Goodwin and doesn't even bother to reply as she turns to the comms, expression neutral. She speaks quickly and efficiently, using as few words as possible to get the question across. The reply is curt and quick. "Sir," she calls to Goodwin. "The Commander requests we assist with the 2nd wing, attacking head on, or the 3rd wing, which is flanking while wings 1 and 2 attack."

"Not so much on the attacking head on," ruminates Goodwin, nodding his head. "Mister Hamilton, fire rear phasers at our pursuing vessels! Mister Nabrun, get the Glasnost and let's see if Captain Gerrin wants to have the Fleet vessels help us pinch." Then, to the front, "Mister Lopez, once we've fired, bring us about to pursue those B'rels we were able to catch by surprise. Hopefully our first screen will help us take them down."

GAME: Hamilton spends a courage point.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems/Tactical+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

. o O Lopez thinks, "That sound somewhat like option one, I guess... C'mon, Tommy. One more time without too much subspace whiplash.."

GAME: Lopez contests her Shipboard Systems/Flight Control vs Moderate and Fails.

Nabrun speaks quietly into the comm then shakes her head. "Sir? Gerrin is suggesting we form up with the Klingons. It's not advisable, at this point in time, to split off and do our own thing. It's recommended that we forget about pinching what and where and fall in with the 3rd wing on the flank, should you not want to attack head on."

. o O Nabrun thinks, "Ok, so I added a bit of my own commentary in there. But going off on our own would be a very, very bad idea. Not only would we upset the Klingons, we'd be sitting ducks. We have a better chance doing it this way."

"Aye sir," Jasira intones her attention focused on what she loves to do, blow stuff up. Her fingers glide over the consol the rear phasers repeatedly sending out beams blasting into two to the Klingon ships in pursuit, causing damage and explosions.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Oh, yeah."

Lopez leans low over her board, but the maneuver in turning the Paine does not result in the tight flight path she might have envisioned. "We're out of position sir, to make a good attack on those B'rel scout ships..."

The Klingon enemies are splitting into two groups, the smaller of which appears to be now rounding on the Paine and the Baden Powell. The larger forms up to pursue the friendly B'rel wing, which is now supported by decloaking K'vort-class cruisers as well. The two sides are exchanging fire, with two of the enemy B'rel-class scouts exploding. The Glasnot and the Ganning move into rank with the 2nd wing.

"Mister Lopez, have us form up with the third wing," says Josh, as his attempt to take down those pursuing and (briefly) surprised B'rels has met only limited success. "Hopefully the Baden Powell will follow."

. o O Lopez thinks, "If it can. If WE can."

GAME: Lopez contests her Shipboard Systems/Flight Control vs Routine and Marginally Succeeds.

Lieutenant Lopez sets her jaw, and sweeps wide, with the Baden Powell in pursuit, to form up with the third wing. "Coming into formation," she reports calmly.

"We're in formation. Mister Nabrun, let the Wing Three commander know that we're in position and awaiting his direction," says the Lieutenant Commander, watching his display. "Mister Hamilton, fire at those ships that were chasing us, including torpedo. Mister Katoka - let's get working on tactical scans. I want to know if our enemies have some secret flaw that we can brilliantly exploit."

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors+A vs Challenging and Fails.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems/Tactical+A vs Challenging and Dramatically Succeeds.

Nabrun nods to Goodwin, but doesn't waste time with replying to him. Over the coms she goes, and reports back. "Commander, we need to keep up, because they're not going to come back to get us."

Katoka takes a deep breath inward, shifting one panel on the pulsing red console to another. Her fingers fly over the illuminated buttons as she shakes her head, squinting at the emerging data. Again she tries, but her expression says it all. "Sir, I can't pick up anything on them.. I'm going to recalibrate the array and try again."

Watching the explosions on her display Jasira's fingers linger over the fire command sequence watching for the ships to come into range, "Aye sir," she says a cheerfully, "Come on baby," she mutters to herself as she sends a mass of phasers and two torpedoes towards the already damaged ships, "Ha," she breaths as one explodes and the other falls to impulse then stops completely dead in space.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "HA! Eat that."

GAME: Lopez spends a courage point.

GAME: K'Vort Cruiser contests its Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems vs Lopez's Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems/flight control (given Advantage) and Fails.

GAME: K'Vort Cruiser contests its Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems vs Lopez's Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems/flight control (given Advantage) and Marginally Fails.

From the smaller enemy group a K'Vort cruiser peels off and heads towards the Thomas Paine. It weapons spit out disruptor fire, sending several shots lancing towards the Thomas Paine, but they all miss. Meanwhile the 3rd wing continues its speedy flanking move, the friendly Klingon ships ahead blazing a path for the Thomas Paine to follow.

"Maybe it will show them we have some use," mutters Goodwin, pumping a small fist from where he sits, keeping the motion small and next to his console. "Mister Nabrun, find out if we can get some help over here. Mister Hamilton, let's fry our bigger target. Mister Katoka, keep on it. Mister Lopez, keep flying just like that. I'm not a big fan of being hit."

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems/Tactical+A vs Challenging and Fails.

Lopez asks, "Permission to try and recover some long ground, and catchup up with our wing, Sir?"

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

"Yes, sir.. trying.", murmurs the Science Officer as she continues to try and get something useful out of the scanners. Whatever she did seems to work, as she issues a faint smile and gives a quiet 'ahha' before addressing the Commander. "Both port shields on the K'vort are damaged. If we can hit it with a focused shot, we may punch through."

. o O Lopez thinks, "I bet I can get us into position for that... unless they nail us first."

Sending out another grouping of phasers and two more torpedoes Jasira grumbles as they streak by the K'Vort as the large ship seems to almost move sideways to avoid them. Smiling at Katoka's words her fingers linger over the pad waiting for it to move in.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "What a time to miss."

GAME: Goodwin spends a courage point.

Nabrun taps the comm for a moment then hails not the Klingons, but the Powell. The request for assistance is quietly, quickly made.

GAME: Goodwin contests his Starship Tactics+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: K'Vort Cruiser contests its Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems vs Lopez's Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems/flight control (given Advantage) and Succeeds.

GAME: K'Vort Cruiser contests its Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems vs Lopez's Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems/flight control (given Advantage) and Fails.

GAME: Goodwin contests his Coordination/Reaction vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Nabrun contests her Coordination/Reaction vs Routine and Marginally Fails.

GAME: Katoka contests her Coordination/Reaction vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Coordination/Reaction vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Lopez contests her Coordination/Reaction vs Routine and Succeeds.

The Thomas Paine shudders when one of lancing disrupter shots from the K'vort cruiser slams into the little ship that could. Its not a heavy impact, but the ship still shakes. The officer manning engineering looks up and says, "Shields down by five percent, sir." On the tactical display, for those looking at anything but the immediate threat, ships are getting destroyed. At least 10 ships are not destroyed or out of commission.

"Mister Lopez, I don't know if you've pulled a Picard Maneuver outside of the sims, but now you do. Throw us into warp nine and put us on the port side of the K'vort," says Goodwin, hanging onto his chair as the ship sways. "Mister Hamilton, then blow her out of the sky. Port shields. Mister Nabrun, have the Baden Powell come around for a more conventional attack, then we'll make a dash for the wing. We should be able to catch up." Josh furrows his brow slightly, calculating.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems/Tactical+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Goodwin sways when the disruptor blast rocks the Paine, but rolls with it. "Mister Lopez, let's peel towards the K'vort and put us on her port side. Mister Nabrun, have the Baden Powell join us and hopefully we can punch through it's weakened shields. Mister Hamilton, hold your fire until we're on the port side of the K'vort."

Seeing the disrupter shot stream towards them on the display Jasira holds the edge of her station and braces as the ship shudders, "Aye sir," she says her fingers hovering over the consol, ready to fire.

The blast sends Katoka a half-step backward as she steadies herself against the console- no time lost before she's back at her station, fingertips coaxing another answer out of the console, maybe.

GAME: Lopez contests her Shipboard Systems/Flight Control+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Nabrun seems to be in the zone - until she gets knocked out of her seat and stumbles a bit. "They're with us, Sir," she calls back to Goodwin, looking a touch put out. It passes quickly, however, as she tries to resettle.

GAME: USS Baden Powell contests its Shipboard Systems+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

GAME: USS Baden Powell contests its Shipboard Systems+A vs Challenging and Marginally Fails.

GAME: USS Baden Powell contests its Shipboard Systems+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Lopez tights her handhold on the side of her console, rocking but not unseated. She listens to orders, to the reports and relays being made, while the ship steadies from the 'flesh wound' it receives, "Just a love tap, Tom," she murmurs to herself, and she responds to Goodwin, "Coming right up," she answers Goodwin. With a artful little slide, dodge and weave, The Thomas Paine is going just where it was told to go.

As the Paine and Baden Powell slide into position off the K'vort's port side the two smaller unleash a barrage from their weapons. Hamilton's torpedo sends explosions out from the hull of the Klingon cruiser, and the Baden Powell's barrage tears huge chunks out of the other ship. The K'vort is clearly disabled or heavily damaged and no longer maneuvering or fighting.

"Nice flying, Mister Lopez. Now give me a burst of warp nine and bring us back into line with the wing," orders Goodwin, looking satisfied at the damage done to the pesky K'vort.

GAME: Lopez contests her Shipboard Systems/Flight Control+A vs Moderate and Marginally Succeeds.

Lopez glance back to the other members of the bridge crew, and says, "Better shooting, Sir..." she says and pops the ship into Warp 1, "- but I can't make nine at this distance and hanve any time to-" and there she brings them out of warp with a rapid punch of a prompt, RIGHT up against another vessel, almsot. "-stop." She looks faintly embarassed.

GAME: USS Baden Powell contests its Shipboard Systems vs Moderate and Marginally Succeeds.

Like the Thomas Paine, the Baden Powell skips up to the 3rd wing, though through impulse power. Its takes them a few moments to catch up and get into position.

"All right. As long as we're with the group," says Goodwin, though he does look momentarily concerned at how close they get. But there's the wan smile of a pleased commander. "Bring us into formation, Mister Lopez. Mister Nabrun, find out where we're needed. Mister Katoka, give me a tactical assessment. What have we got in front of us?"

. o O Goodwin is having a heck of a rush, though it's probably all instinct and has very little logic to it.

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Katoka contests her Starship Tactics+A vs Moderate and Automatically Fails.

The console erupts in a flurry of beeps as Katoka moves to fill the command. A beat passes; a moment, before the data comes back and the dark-haired girl tilts her head and simply stares at the console in confusion, then parts her lips and speaks as her fingertips dance again. "..scans complete - relaying the data to Lieutenant Hamilton for analysis, Sir."

GAME: Lopez contests her Shipboard Systems/Flight Control+A vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Starship Tactics vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Nabrun mmms quietly. "Sir? I'm getting reports in from the Glasnot, Ganning, Discovery, Baden Powell and the three wings. All of the Fleet vessels have suffered minor damage, with the Glasnot in the worst shape. Glasnot, Ganning and Discovery are in the second wing, down in the center of the fighting. The Klingons have lost six ships, all six B'rel. The enemy has lost 8 B'rel, 2 K'vort and one of the Vor'chas is heavily damaged. And they need us up in the formation, just with them, for now. They're not attacking anything yet and simply need us to not be lagging behind."

. o O Goodwin thinks, "Damn, Ruma. Don't give out on me. I owe you a favor."

Lopez pulls into the formation, the way someone pulls a piece of furniture into place in a room. She all but pings the neighboring vessels to check her distance. Once bitten. "We're not going to lag," she asserts. "We're with them."

Looking at the tactical data as it appears on her display Jasira begins to break the information apart to quickly study it. "Sir looking over Mister Katoka, tactical assessment it looks like our wing has the perfect positioning to attack and squeeze the enemy group we are currently flanking. If we do so we can cut the group in the middle. Leaving us to rear flank the Vor'cha and a couple of Kvort's which would give us tactically superiority, sir."

On the forward viewscreen the Vor'cha that Hamilton mentioned can be seen exchanging shots with a pair of friendly B'rel scouts. The Vor'cha's anchoring the center of the enemy's rear position, and facing away from the 3rd wing while fighting.

. o O Hamilton thinks, "Makes sense in my brain. Let's hope they understand me."

"Well. Keeping with the Ambassador's suggestion, Mister Nabrun, let's let our lead vessel know of Mister Hamilton's analysis, and see what it has to say," says Goodwin, keeping his eyes locked on his tactical display, but then flicking up to the viewscreen to check out the Vor'cha in question.

Nabrun studies the screen for a long moment then nods to Goodwin before she begins to speak. "Commander, Commander Goodwin asked that information from our tactical officer be passed along. According to her analysis, this wing is in an optimal position to attack and squeeze the group we're currently flanking. By cutting the group in the middle, we'll be able to rear flank the Vor'cha and two of the K'vorts, providing us with the upper hand. Would this be an acceptable tactical position to take?"

GAME: Nabrun spends a courage point.

GAME: Nabrun contests her Persuasion+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

On Nabrun's screen the Klingon on the bridge of the 3rd wing's lead ship, the IKS Pa'torg, is quiet for a moment. Finally he smiles. "I believe that your tactical officer is quiet correct. Our wing will attack and take down the House Koraga scum! Today is a good day to die!" He looks off to someone else on the bridge. "Bring us about and lay in an attack pattern."

Nabrun dips her head respectfully to the Klingon on the screen and looks briefly over her shoulder at Goodwin. "Sir, the Klingon Commander finds that tactical position acceptable. He's coming about and they're laying in an attack pattern. Our wing will, apparently, be taking down the House Koraga scum."

Goodwin turns towards his bridge crew. "You heard the woman." A thin smile. "Mister Lopez, bring us about. Mister Katoka, find me a juicy target for the Paine as we cut out way on through. Mister Hamilton, work with the Lieutenant, please, there."

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Lopez contests her Shipboard Systems/Flight Control+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

"The Vor'cha and the K'vorts are only slightly damaged - there's nothing immediately vulnerable. There are two B'rels that have taken heavy. One has lost its shield and the other is about to." Katoka reports from behind the bridge. Again her board sounds, just more chirps and beeps amidst the sounds of the ship, as she sends the data over to weapons. "..transferring to weapons, Sir."

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems/Tactical+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

And Lopez coaxes Paine into position for the run. "Acknowledged," she tells the command well. And there is a kind of glee to the punch of fingertips over the slick surface of the console. The officer at conn sends the Paine streaking through the airless space. "A good run," she says to herself... or to the Paine. Either way, it sounds like a request.

"Yes sir," replies Jasira her embarrassment from the slight chastising causing a ting of color to her cheeks. "Thank you Lt. JG Katoka," she says staring briefly at the information before her fingers fly manically around the board causing a phaser spread and a couple of torpedoes to erupt from the Thomas Paine knock both B'rel scouts out of commission.

GAME: B'rel Scout contests its Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems vs Lopez's Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems/flight control (given Advantage) and Fails.

GAME: B'rel Scout contests its Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems vs Lopez's Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems/flight control (given Advantage) and Marginally Succeeds.

GAME: B'rel Scout contests its Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems vs Lopez's Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems/flight control (given Advantage) and Fails.

. o O Hamilton feels Embarrassed

. o O Hamilton thinks, "At least I can still hit things."

GAME: K'vort Cruiser contests its Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems vs Lopez's Intellect/logic & Shipboard Systems/flight control (given Advantage) and Succeeds.

The 3rd wing turns and slices into the main enemy ranks. The Paine, the Baden Powell and the friendly B'rel scouts twist and turn through the battle, letting their tactical officers hammer away. The wing tears into the unprepared flank of the enemy and the wave of damage they inflict is enormous. Several enemy ships explode, including the Vor'cha in the center and one of the K'vort's. Of course, the enemy returns fire and several blasts lance past the Paine. A pair hit, however, hammering the little ship and blowing out the aux engineering console. The officer there goes slamming the floor screaming in pain.

GAME: Goodwin spends a courage point.

GAME: Nabrun contests her Coordination/Reaction vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Goodwin contests his Coordination/Reaction+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Katoka contests her Coordination/Reaction vs Moderate and Fails.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Coordination/Reaction vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Katoka contests her Fitness/Vit vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Lopez contests her Coordination/Reaction vs Moderate and Marginally Succeeds.

"Mister Nabrun, take that!" Counselor Adansae has gone below-decks to deal with matters, and so Goodwin is forced to call on the Mission Operations officer to tend to the wounded engineer. "Mister Hamilton, how are we doing according to the plan? Keep pouring it in there."

GAME: Lopez contests her Shipboard Systems/Flight Control+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

At the back of the bridge the blast knock Katoka off her feet as well. She clears a foot off the ground before she lands awkwardly, gasping with surprise and pain, most of her weight on one ankle which twists angrily before her momentum drives her into the ground. For a moment the science officer lies there, stunned, before she shakes her head and begins to slowly stand.

GAME: Nabrun spends a courage point.

GAME: Nabrun contests her First Aid/Combat Medic+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems+A vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Hamilton contests her Shipboard Systems/Tactical+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Lopez rocks sideways, and nearly out of her seat, clinging to the space she needs to stay in. Her eyes are pinned, captured by the necessities of keeping the Thomas Paine moving. "Go, go, go..." she repeats, extending the arcing, rolling path of the flight, that now and again jerks port or starboard.

Nabrun dives for the injured engineer like a catnip starved feline on the only living catnip plant for miles. Out comes a hypospray as she tries to get a grip on the screaming, flopping man. She takes a convenient flop to administer what is, apparently, a painkiller. Whatever it is, it slows the screaming.

. o O Katoka feels mild panic at the impact.

"We are still within the boundaries of the tactical plan sir," Jasira replies her eyes following the tactical data as it streams past. "Sir we have disabled or destroyed half of Koraga's ships. Seven ships remain out of those it seems five are breaking off and seem to be setting a course elsewhere," she says fingers flying across the console firing another burst of phasers into the side of a B'rel class ship.

. o O Katoka thinks, "Owwwww! Ahhh, ankle.. focus Aleshanee, focus. Get. up."

As so it is true as Lopez bring the Paine around for another pass. The tide of the battle has clearly turned and the House Koraga forces are damaged, destroyed or scattering. The two ships that remain to fight are destroyed in heavy crossfire.

"Mister Katoka, get me a lock on those warp signatures. Get me an idea of where they are heated," demands Goodwin, even as he smiles at the ships running. "Chief." The neglected NCO sitting main Operations is called out. "Find out where the wing now needs us. Will we be making a run on the base itself?"

The science officer gets to her feet a moment later- noticably favoring the ankle she landed so awkwardly on. She grips the console a bit too tightly, leaning on it as much as she is using it, not even sparing the distraction to tuck her fallen strands of hair back behind her ear or into her braid before she begins another series of scans. "Aye, sir.", she replies.

The chief turn back to Goodwin. "Sir, we're being ordered to take the asteroid installation while the Klingons finish here."

Nabrun tends to the man on the floor, finally getting him calmed down enough to send down to the sickbay. Once he's being moved, she stands and starts for Katoka, apparently meaning to do her work on the hoof, as it were.

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors+A vs Routine and Marginally Succeeds.

GAME: Katoka contests her Space Sciences+A vs Routine and Automatically Fails.

"All right, Mister Lopez. Bring us into the field to make a run at installation," says Goodwin, turning his attention towards the area they have been ordered to take. "Time to be nimble."

Katoka grimaces, her weight momentarily shifting to her bad ankle as she leans too far to one side. She works at the systems for a moment, then shakes her head and looks up to reply. "Sir, I have the data but I can't configure a course from it. Helm?", she inquires, again gritting her teeth as she lifts one hand as if to wave off Barana.

Lopez nods to Goodwin, and calls to Katoka, bent low over her displays, "Route the data, I'll do that plotting?" Here eyes flicker to the medical activity. No time now.

. o O Lopez thinks, "C'mon, Thomas. You and me. We understand nimble. Now lets get this job done..."

GAME: Lopez contests her Space Sciences/Astrogation vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Nabrun crouches next to Katoka and shakes her head. "Let me scan it," she commands quietly. "Keep working, you won't step on me." Out comes the tricorder. Whatever she sees on the scan has the Counselor smiling a bit. "Simple sprain," she tells Katoka and then pulls out the autosuture. "I'll have you right as rain in just a moment."

Lopez takes the data and runs with it, and for the moment, the Paine coasts "We're looking at a small world-- the path cuts into the empire too deep to be something large."

Katoka nods; assumedly to the woman crouched at her feet as her fingertips fly over the console. "On its way, Lieutenant Lopez.", she replies to the Helm.

With the battlefield and damaged ships floating around space, the camera shows as the Paine banks and hears into the asteroid belt. The ships passes by the skeletons of a pair of destroyed B'rel scouts as it fades from view.