***
**** Romulan Empire ****** Procouncil Broc Jomar & Senator T'Azar
Vice-Chairman of Council of Tal'Shair *****
T'Azar caught Senator Broc Jomar as he was leaving the meeting. "Senator," she said in a whispered voice, "I suggest a preliminary attack on Cardassia, I have some warbirds already standing by . . ."
It was my understanding T'Azar since you are the Vice-Chairman of the Tal'Shair you had a Strike in mind, lets go to the Warbird Fleet and make a Plan an attack on a Sector that the Cardassian would never expect.
T'Azar was sitting in the command chair of her ship, the IRV M'Seer, and thought about the plan she and Broc Jomar had initiated. There was an outpost on an asteriod in a remote system close to Ferengi Space. Tal'Shiar reports stated that it was a manufactoring center for white. Cardassia would have to defend that outpost from an attack due to it's importance to the Dominion, but any ships Cardassia sends to that outpost would not be able to return in time to aid in the forthcoming stand the
Federation was proposing. T'Azar felt that sending some of her ships to destroy that outpost would help to divide and weaken the Cardassin resources.
These ships belonged to the Tal'Shiar and were not included in the fleet that the Imperail Senate agreed to send the Federation, so Romulan resources would still be strong. She sent the orders and noted the cloaked ships that left the area, she knew some of the agents on those ships and hoped to see them again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 11 Aug 1998 19:09:21 -0000
Rear Admiral Threats IV streaks back to the Quicksilver-A,taps his comm badge and gives all of his cadets direct orders to reboard the ship at once.
Threats IV enters the ready room and tells Lieutenant Commander Jarok,"You have the bridge temporarily,commander!" The Rear Admiral starts to speak,"Computer......Hail the Nazgul and ask for position in this first of many barrages upon the Dominion." As Rear Admiral Threats IV awaits a response,he re enters the bridge,"Admiral on bridge!!!!!!",shouts and salutes of Cadet Harmon. "At ease, cadets and officers," says Threats IV. "Lieutenant Narik, turn on all shipboard communications," the RAdm asks. "Channels open, Admiral," Narik responds quickly.
Threats IV begins to speak, "Cadets and Officers this is Rear AdmiralThreats IV speaking. At this time we are going to go into a full scale war with the Dominion. I can not stress enough that all of the training you have received will sorely tested. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask your department heads because we will not have time in battle to do so."
"I know we are not supposed to be in on the battles but the Federation has had a great loss of vessels and we have been specially commissioned by Starfleet to join the war effort. Therefore, I ask all senior cadets to take over department head duties."
"While we were docked here at Deep Space Nine, the engineering crew of the station put us under full armament, we no longer have a Type X phaser. We have the strongest in the fleet at Type XII. Our photon torpedoes in our stock along with our quantums and our warp nacelles are to full capacity." "So cadets and officers,I have to say good luck."
As the channels close,Threats IV starts to think,"Man, I wished that we knew how to defeat the Dominion quickly and as easily as possible, I know as long as they breed Jem'Hadar we have a long war."
"Prepare to get underway,thrusters at 1/8 impulse for warm up," orders Rear Admiral Threats IV. As the Rear Admiral gets his engines warmed up a message from Admiral A* comes in........
***
**Adm A* on DS9 to her crew**
Finally, the meeting had ended. Adm A* hit her com and notified the Nazgul to prepare for departure. As she walked into Quark's to relax for just a moment, she saw the FAdm talking to an extremely upset VAdm Kbee, but she proceeded to the table where her crew were seated.
"At ease," she ordered as the came to attention. "We have our orders. Admiral Starr will be sending us battle plans. As an academy vessel, we will be bringing up the rear of the central flank since our crew is mostly cadets and not that experienced. Return to the ship and prepare for departure, I will be there shortly."
Adm A then went to a non-Starfleet communications terminal and sent out a subspace hail . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 1998 03:25:20 EDT
**Adm A* on the USS Nazgul-A**
Adm A* listened to the person on the other side of her com panel and her face became very sullen. After breaking communications she returned to the USS Nazgul-A and left her XO in command while she went directly to her ready room.
There she brought up the official reports on the computer.
"zzzzt..........*snap*...ssssssssssssssssszztmiral Belin of the USsssxzxt...keye. Re-krtch-t this is Vizzzxt *pop* {crackle}attacked
by Jem Hedarsssss refuge in Badlanzzzt"
She turned off the audio, that was the last message recieved from the The USS Hawkeye, it was officially missing in action. This was very bad. The plans Adm A* wanted to initiate depended on the contacts Vice Admiral Belin could make. Well, she was on her own, she may have to call in a few favors, but that is what favors were for. She was determined to win this battle without losing any more cadets!!
***
The Okuda silently cruised through space at warp three taking a route from Cheron to its objective DS9. Along the way passing Omega and Maximillian systems. The Okuda had reached the Indarax system when a Klingon ship intercepted the Okuda and hailed her. It was the IKV Hov veS and her captian, one Cmdr.Koloth. "Adm.Castle, I must speak with you urgently and in person here on my ship." Koloth immediatly said.
"I'm alittle busy with a patrol for Dominion ships in Federation space commander. How important is it?" I asked Koloth.
"Extremly important, it deals with something I can't go into detail over subspace." Koloth answered.
"Very well, I'll beam over immediatly then. Lock onto my position and beam me over." Admiral Castle responded.
A short while later Cmdr.Koloth and Adm.Castle were talking on the Hov veS as the commander related the information I knew that this was indeed important info that couldn't be trusted to be sent by subspace communications even if it was sent encoded at the highest security level. My expresion went from one of curiosity to horror. If this information turned out to be true, then the Federation, Klingons, and Romulans would be in for a great deal of trouble.
After returning to the Okuda I ordered the ship to head for DS9 at maxium warp hoping to catch Admiral Starr before she left. A meeting was being conducted and would last a full four days, one day had already passed.
***
As Brian Reilly came up to the meeting room door to greet Ben Sisko, he saw his timing was excellent as he watched the brass walk out. The expressions on their faces on heir faces told him they had been in there for hours only to be in back at the same place they had started. He looked for Ben, the only Starfleet Captain to be allowed in the meeting. Brian walked over and laid his hand on Ben's shoulder. "How's the plan coming?" "You mean we're supposed to be planning something in there? We've
been playing black jack all this time." He gave a tooth filled chuckle. "Hey, what is that shiny thing on your neck? Brian!"
"That's right, you are now looking at CAPTAIN Brian Reilly. It came through last night. So how do I look? "Older than me."
"Hey don't insult me now OLD MAN."
"To bad Dax isn't here, she'd have loved to hear that switch."
"Speaking of where is she?"
"In command of Opps. At least she's supposed to be."
"What do you mean?"
"The casualty list just arrived. I haven't had much of a chance to look at it."
"So what is the plan?"
"We really don't have one yet. We know we have to invade Cardassian space now but the problem is how."
"Well you can expect me up in the front lines. I want to get thoseSOBs for every friend they have killed."
"Whoa, wait. That is something I wanted to talk to you about. I am going to Commanding the Defiant. I would like you to be in temporary command of the station."
"I'll need a good Dr. and a ah.....Good Trill Science officer at my side.Someone with a level head."
"That person wouldn't be an ingenious brunette that has lived over seven lifetimes, would it?"
"Possibly. Come on, I just want the best at my side, that's all."
"Brian, Jadzia married Worf, learn to live with it."
"I have." Ben looked at him with a look that mocked Brian's statement.It was clear Sisko was a parent. "Are you sure they are.....happy? I mean come on, she has always gone for the men in a position of power."
"Let it go."
"Fine. I'm going to go see Dax." Before Ben could comment he continued,"Just to say high."
As the turbo lift abruptly stopped at Opps, Brian's first sight was Worf, and not Dax.
Worf spoke, "Command......Captain," he sounded surprised and disturbed,"Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yeah, I was looking for Jadzia. Do you know where she is Commander?"
"She is on deck 4 looking at the recent casualty list."
"Thank you commander."
"Your welcome Captain, and.............Congratulations."
Brian smiled as the turbo lift glided away to deck 4. Just goes toshow, a little chivalry never killed anybody, including a Klingon. As the turbo lift stopped and Brian got out, he realized, he didn't knowwhere he was going. "Computer, which way to Lieutenant-Commander Dax?"
"Twenty feet to the left and the fourth door on the right."
"Thanks." As he entered the room, the only person there as Dax. The new uniform made her look un-naturally thin, but the blue around her neck flattered her figure. She turned, her eyes were filled witht ears.
"Anyone I know?" Dax looked at a word pad she had downloaded the list onto.
"Brian, I'm afraid......." She could hardly keep her composure, "It's the Blake, Brian. It's gone. Everyone. Gone. Chris too."
"Does Kbee know?" Kbee had been the XO aboard the USS Watergate,back when they were lieutenants and ensigns, Chris and Dax being the later.
Dax answered, sobbing, "Yeah, she came up with me. She had to go to the meeting though, she took it really hard."
Brian was starting to loose it. All the Vulcan training in the world couldn't berry his 3/4 Vulcan genetics, not this time, not this one. He had lost too many friends in the war, but he never thought it would, or COULD ever be Chris.
In a fit of rage he took off his fourth pip from his collar and through it on the table he stood beside.
"It isn't fair Dax, it isn't fair. I was supposed to be in that retallian, but I was told to stay behind, wait for word on my promotion
and a first officer. And you know what? Because I stayed Chris volunteered to take my ships place. It is not fair! I should have been there I should have died in that attack and Chris should be the one receiving the fourth pip," Brian took a long pause, "You know, when I received command, I was going to ask Chris to be my XO, but instead he too as promoted to commander and received the Blake. It isn't fair."
"Brian," She sat next to him on the conference table and put his head on her shoulders, she didn't know how to comfort herself on the situation, how the hell was she supposed to comfort Brian? "You don't mean that."
"Yes I do. It isn't fair. We keep losing our friends and close ones in this blasted war, and it is not anywhere near over. And the real kicker is we could be next. It isn't fair."
"You know what? It is fair. It is DAMN fair," She and Brian sat up straight, Brian seamed angered by the remark and wondered for a brief second if she was a changeling, but then knew there was more she was going to say, "We received something from the Blake just before the Warpcore failed."
"What did they send?"
"A message and a record of their scans of the cornas region."
"Isn't that the region of space we're invading?"
Captain Sisko walked in just as Brian said those words. "Yes it is Captain."
"So it was more like a suicide mission?"
"I would prefer to call it a covert mission with little chance of coming out alive. We didn't to send your ship for a suicide
mission, so we used your promotion as a lure to keep you here, Chris then volunteered, despite the conditions."
Dax stared into blank space as though visualizing everything Ben had said, "Stubborn until the end, that was Chris alright. So what are our orders so far?"
Ben had that looking his face again. The one that said that if he had to listen to these bureaucratic worries bicker over the same damn subject over and over one more time he was going to climb on top of the promenade with a phaser riffle and start picking people off one at a time.
"The same as it was yesterday and the day before and the day before that and the week before that. We know we have to attack, but they can't settle on how and when. And the thing is, if we wait much longer, the dominion are going to figure it out somehow and bring in more troops to defend the region. One thing though is that Captain Reilly here is going to command the ship, considering the severity of his ships handicap."
"That reminds me, congratulations Brian. I knew you'd beat me to the Captaincy, but I didn't think you'd have beaten Chris."
Ben continued as Brian put his fourth pip back on, "I'm sure Chris would have been promoted by his heroic duties if he had come back. Commander, Brian has asked for you to stay here and be his XO. Can you do that?"
"Of course. I think Nog can pilot the Defiant just fine."
"Excellent, now I will leave the two of you alone, for I have to go back to the meeting." Brian and Dax could both tell he didn't want to do this as he virtually growled meeting', "I swear, if I have to listen to those bureaucratic warriors, I'm going to climb to the top of the promenade with a phaser riffle and start picking people off one at a time." As he finished with a grin he exited.
Remembering what he came to do, he turned to Dax and began to speak,"Jadzia, I would be honored if you and Worf came aboard the White Tiger for a meal. My two senior officers, will be joining us, although one being a hologram and the other an android, they won't be eating with us."
They shared a laugh as the two looked out into the stars in rememberance of Chris.
***
***Adm. Llira Tyrel of the Moonblade at Quark's on DS9***
Sitting at the bar and staring at the consistant flow of top brass entering into Quark's, Llira took the square-shaped glass in her hand (now nearly empty) and set it on the bar. A noticable "clang" permeated the area as the bottom of the cup hit the bar. She tossed a few slips of gold pressed latinum on the bar, which were quickly swooped up.
"Don't say I didn't warn ya!" Quark's words bellowed out from behind the bar as Llira stood up and walked to the edge of the bar. As she passed the far end of the bar, she whispered the following into Morn's ear: "Now, I finally get to find out what's going on around here."
The tone in her voice was one of slight frustration and an overtone of concern. She had recently been pulled off her assignment in Starfleet Intelligence and assigned a posting in the GEC. Then, she was beckoned off to DS9, where she's spent the last forever discussing the declining value of Taruvian currency with Quark.
She wandered over to VAdm. Kbee, standing just outside earshot. She didn't want to interrupt any important conversations between the VAdm. And Fleet Admiral Bailey, but on the other hand, she wanted her presence to be known.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
** Adm A* of the USS Nazgul-A to Adm Threats of the USS Quicksilver-A**
"Admiral, incoming message from the USS Quicksilver." the communications officer reported.
"I'll take it here." Adm A* said from the command chair. She listened to Admiral Threats request to be included in the first wave of the attack on Cardassia. "At least he could have spoken to me directly rather than have the computer make the request." she thought to herself. "Well, I don't like sending Academy ships into war, especially to the front. On the other hand, Academy ships are not even supposed to engage in battle. However, I guess these are some of those extortionary times life warns one
about, might as well make the best of it."
"Open a channel to the Quicksilver. I want to speak to Admiral Threats directly." After a few seconds Rodericks face came onscreen. "You received my request?" he asked.
"Yes, I did, and I don't like it. However, your expertise in battle will be a valuable asset. Transport your first and second year cadets to the Nazgul, I will send you my third and fourth year cadets. At the very least, it should improve the make up of your crew and provide them with first hand training. Proceed to the front group and await your orders."
"Yes, Sir!" responded Adm Threats such stern conviction, Adm A* became concerned.
"And Admiral," she added, "bring them all back intact. Nazgul out."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The USC Okuda is missing in action. The USS Sakii is hereby ordered to investigate.
By order of
Admiral Starr L'Xidex
Admiralty Board
**
In the ready room, Captain David Lowe rubs his eyes in frustration.Paperwork! One unique constant in the universe, it seemed, was paperwork. With a new ship and crew, PLUS the added responsibilities of training cadets, the red tape seemed almost endless.
But there were bright spots. His senior staff was now assembled, and his shakedown cruise was going well. The cadets under his charge were performing admirably.
The door chime rings, and the Captain signals for the door to open. Dr. Garrison Pohler, the ship's Chief Medical Officer enters the ready room. Dr. Pohler was new to the MacArthur, having come aboard a few weeks ago from Jupiter station. He was itching to get a frontline assignment, tired of the rear echelon work in the Sol system. Pohler was, in many ways, one of the most obnoxious men that Dave Lowe had ever met. There were some that say the EMH-1 Alpha, the program developed at Jupiter
station by Dr. Lewis Zimmerman, was patterned somewhat after Dr. Pohler, although he would never confirm that rumor. Despite Pohler's demeanor, he and Lowe had become fast friends.
"Good afternoon, Captain."
"How can I help you, Doctor? As you can see, I am a little busy with all the paperwork," said Lowe, as he gestures over all the PADDs on his desk. He sighs and rubs his eyes again.
"You are not wearing them, Captain." said Dr. Pohler sternly. "I specifically remember seeing in your medical file that..."
"Yes, I know, Doctor. I am not wearing my glasses. I feel silly. I mean, in the history of medical science, hundreds of doctors, centuries of research..."
"There is still nothing better than Retinox. And you are allergic to Retinox. Relax, Captain. I am sure you are not the first starship
captain that had to wear spectacles."
Before he could retort that point, the door chime rang again. "Come,"said the Captain.
Commander Max Schoenfeld, the ship's first officer, came into the ready room. Schoenfeld had attended the Academy with Lowe, although their careers had taken different paths. Lowe could tell there was something amiss.
Schoenfeld looked a bit uneasy, something definitely on his mind."Captain, we have received new orders from Starfleet Command. Priority One, sir. Your eyes only."
That much security could only signal trouble. "Thank you, Max. Route itthrough to this console, please. Doctor, if you wouldn't mind...."
"I'm not leaving until you put on your glasses," Pohler chided. Asuppressed chuckle came from Commander Schoenfeld.
"DISMISSED!" With that the two officers turned on their heels and exited for the bridge, still smirking. The Captain quickly attempted to regain his composure, turned the communications panel toward him and squinted.
"Damn," he said, as he put on his glasses. Finally, he hit the 'receive' button on the console.
As the message decoded, the picture pixelized and refocused on the familiar face of Admiral Larson. Larson was probably wanting a report on the shakedown, as he was in charge of the project. "Admiral," Lowe started, I was just finishing that report you requested..."
"That is not what I am calling about. Looks like we are cutting your shakedown cruise a little short. Sorry Dave, your shakedown mission is over."
"Sir, with all due respect, we still have a boatload of cadets. We have much work to do, yet, before I feel this ship is ready for action."
"Your status is noted and logged. As of Stardate 9808.13, the USS MacArthur is fully commissioned. Your ceremony will have to wait. You are to report directly to Admiral Yuchtar at Military Operations Command, you are part of that division effective immediately. What is the status of your cloaking device? I trust that the Klingons that came with it and Jupiter Station's staff were able to get the system operational."
"Yes, sir, the cloak is operational in all flight modes."
"Excellent. You will need it where you are going. Your orders: proceed to Deep Space Nine to join the fleet. We are attacking the Corvus system, in Cardassian space. It is a key planet, providing resources for the Dominion war machine. It is vital that we penetrate their defenses and take the planet."
An offensive? This was news, and the MacArthur was being invited to the party.
"Your role in this fleet is key. You will operate cloaked and observe and record the battle. We need you to remain out of sight and monitor the progress from the rear. At no time are you to enter the conflict. Do you understand, Captain?"
"You mean, we are just to SIT there while the battle rages on? What if the battle is not a tremendous success? What if the fleet needs our help?"
Admiral Larson understood Lowe's point, the task he was assigned would not be easy. "I know it sounds absurd, Captain, but the only Federation ships I know about in this fleet with a cloaking device are the Defiant, the Sun Eagle, and the MacArthur, at least until we get permission from either the Klingons or Romulans for more ships to be refitted with cloaking devices."
"Where is the Admiralty Board? Why aren't they getting more ships refitted with cloaking devices?"
"Trust me, Dave. When you get to Deep Space Nine, there will be no shortage of brass! Fleet Admiral Bailey himself is leading the operation from Deep Space Nine. The Defiant will lead the assault on Corvus. The fleet will be moving in uncloaked. We need a full sensor analysis of the battle. Probes would be ineffective, we need this data to evaluate the defensive systems of the Dominion and to make future battle plans." "So we get to make the game film," muttered Lowe.
"I do not understand, Captain. Game film?"
"A reference, Admiral, to 'football', an old Earth game of the early twenty-first century. The game film, Admiral, was what the team coaches would use to analyze the performance of their team after a game. Not the most glorious assignment, but I see the point."
"I am sorry, Captain, but I assure you your role will be as crucial as the Defiant's. This data will allow Starfleet Command a great opportunity to study our enemy. I am transmitting the necessary telemetry to your ship's computer. All you require to use the cloak is your voice authorization, and that of a flag officer at Deep Space Nine."
"Understood, Admiral. We will be underway immediately. MacArthur out."
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