Fire All Weapons (USS Yorktown)

Posted on Wed Jul 2nd, 2014 @ 5:23pm by Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Branson & Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Lieutenant Commander Holly Gillo & Lieutenant Nuala Takabe & Ensign Natia Nechayev & Chief Warrant Officer Xelonul Blackthorne

2,872 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Mission 86 - Discovery
Location: USS Yorktown
Timeline: 0900 hrs, Following 'Tests Begin'

ON:

The Yorktown eased up to the firing line as the crew made this final preparations for the first firing test...

Yamaguchi gently tapped the displays on the board before her as she brought the Yorktown into position and with a gentle tap, she brought the small frigate to a gentle stop. "We're in position Captain." Yamaguchi reported.

She knew what was coming, the Yorktown would take shots at the Excelsior class ship which had been reduced to service as a target drone, Yamaguchi let out a breathe as she could already see in her minds eye what would happen. Scorched fireballs blasting their way across the Ex-USS Ingram's hull, destroying hull plates and other sensitive gear which remained aboard her superstructure.

Yamaguchi looked at the hulked target ship. "We will sent you to the hereafter. noble soul." she said quietly as she turned to Nechayev as she opened her mouth to give the order but she stopped herself in time as she caught K'Temoc's eye before she nodded to him, then she turned back to her panel. As much as she wanted to be the one to give the order, today it was not her place.

“Ready Ensign?” K’Temoc asked Nechayev.

Without waiting for a command, Natia pressed the holographic display on her chair and let loose a full barrage of phasers at the Derelict wreck, as she attempted to push the weapon systems to there max capacity as she watched the Derelict ship begin to break up under the constant weapons fire.

Torilla watched in silence as she watched the phaser fire from the Yorktown tear into the Ingram's superstructure, the incandescent fireballs began their murderous job of violently breaking the ship apart into pieces by way of slagging and disintegrating sections of the ship's hull, she turned her attention to the drill results. "Every shot hit Captain." Torilla reported, her voice level and cool, the model of professionalism. "Ingram's hull is down to eighty two percent of normal integrity."

K’Temoc glanced at his right panel, he wasn’t happy with the first test. While the targeting systems did well, locked right on without adjustments, the Yorktown’s pulse phasers should have done much more damage to an unshielded vessel. “Ensign, is your panel reading maximum yield on each phaser discharge?”

"Yes sir, because I set the phasers to max capacity to get a read out on how well each pulse phaser did and test to see if there would be any power fluctuations under max set conditions and continuous fire conditions, sir." Nechayev said as she looked at her read outs again and bit her lip slightly. "Last two shots dropped in power by .5, sir. Trying to figure out why the last two pulses dropped in intensity now." she said as she worked at her remote station. "Hmmm, Seems the power dropped somewhere around deck three, sir." Natia said as she localized the problem down to a deck as that was the best she could do.

“Takabe, scan the Ingram’s hull, is ablative armor still present?” K’Temoc asked.

"Captain, the all the armor on the Ingram has been destroyed." Takabe answered. Nuala raised her eyebrows in surprise as she scanned the Ingram. "Sir, the damage to the outer hull is extremely severe. However, the damage to the inner structure is only superficial. The weapons never penetrated into the inner hull."

“Bridge to Engineering, check power flow regulation to the pulse phasers, and verify the power cells in each emitter were fully charged before we left the Station.” K’Temoc ordered.

The response came back. "Sir. I checked those systems myself not even an hour ago, everything was at a hundred percent... I'll check again." Ensign Davis responded as Fives cut into the line. "Bridge. Fives.. the system linkages seem to be bleeding off power for some unknown reason, I'm trying to lock down the issue as we speak."

“Bridge,” Blackthorne added, “there appears to be defective power coupling that’s responsible. We have a few replacements in stock, I think I can squeeze in there and swap it, but we will have to deactivate the weapons systems first.”

“Understood...will further tests cause any harm to the ship?” K’Temoc asked.

“I don’t believe so, beyond a reduction of phaser efficiency.” Blackthorne replied.

K’Temoc thought for a moment, the power level wouldn’t effect targeting, which is the reason they were here anyway. “As soon as we’re finished with these drills and leave the range, we’ll make those repairs. Bridge out.”

After the comm closed, K’Temoc looked back at Nechayev, “Prepare Quantum Torpedoes, one salvo, target the Ingram amidships and fire when ready.”

"Oooo." she let out with a degree of excitement as she sent commands to the armory to load make sure the torpedo launchers were loaded and once cleared she pressed the fire control button and launched a singular quantum torpedo at the now semi broken apart Ingram. "Direct, hit." though now we are losing power to the launcher I just fired the torpedo from." Natia said a bit perplexed.

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "Sir, the issue for the torpedo launcher is resulting on the power couplings on Deck three." she reported evenly as she tapped her combadge, she then passed the information along to Lieutenant Lasky.

The response was unusual as the entire bridge crew heard a loud cracking sound, Torilla winced. "Fives... you alright?"

"I'm okay.." his response was quiet. "I just... hit my head.." he explained. "Right.. Deck three, section five... I'm on my way now." he added. "I'll call when I have something to report."

K’Temoc shook his head. He knew small things like this crept up in any new ship, that was the point of test flights and training before a ship was sent into full time service, but it was still frustrating. “Ensign, power down the weapons systems.”

"Aye Sir." Natia responded.

A few minutes ticked by in silence before the com beeped to life. "Fives to Bridge. I have it... It’s a faulty power regulator, I've yanked it and replaced it, I'm going to do the same to its twin over in section three. Give me five minutes to get it sorted and then you can finish demolishing that old scrap heap."

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "Fives, we must discuss your tendency to point out the obvious."

"Commander, I was thinking..." Fives responded.

"Ooooh do tell?" Yamaguchi inquired as she crossed her arms over her chest as a smile graced her lips.

"What if the computer is causing this?" it was an honest question or so Fives thought.

"Fives... I don't think this is the computer, for one that ship out here has no real target signature designating it as a Federation ship, it’s a simple derelict and her time to die has come. We'll look at the computer later."

"Understood sir." Fives responded.

Torilla sighed as she hoped it wasn't the computer, her life was already interesting enough and she knew she wasn't in top form either, she would need to do a full medical workup as soon as she got back to the Starbase.

Another few minutes ticked by as Fives worked to repair the damaged systems and when Torilla could feel her patience wearing out, the com beeped. "Fives to bridge. She's all yours... full power to the weapons has been restored..."

Torilla smiled as she proceeded to crack her knuckles. "Ahh.." she sighed happily, at times she was at her best when she got to destroy something.

“Ensign Nechayev, power the weapons systems back online. Engineering, keep an eye out for any power drops or spikes. Ms. Takabe keep an eye open for any leaking power or radiation into the system’s systems or ventilation.” K’Temoc ordered.

"Powering up weapons." Natia said as she kept an eye on the weapons closely, raising the ships phasers in increments which took slightly longer but better safe then sorry. "We are good." Natia said smiling.

Nuala carefully scanned her screen. "Radiation levels are well within operating parameters. Power levels are steady Captain." Takabe reported to K'Temoc.

“Ensign Nechayev, destroy that hulk.” K’Temoc then added with a smile.

"Operation Obliteration of the Space Hulk commencing." Natia said as she fired both phasers and soon followed up by torpedo's in full spread, which so far hasnt shown any problems with the systems. Meanwhile on the view screen, phasers streaked across space striking the space hulk as it began breaking up even more they it began to suffer minor explosions as it broke up, then the added impact of a full barrage of quantum torpedo's impacted and vaporized the rest in five direct hits on the larger chunks, causing a cascade of explosions which obliterated the rest.

Yamaguchi watched in silence as the remnants of the former USS Ingram slowly drifted out of the center of the explosions from the weapons fire from the USS Yorktown. "Farewell brave soul." Torilla commented softly.

K’Temoc smiled, “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” He looked back at his left panel, then sat up a little taller in his seat. “Commander, take us over to range Two-Sierra. Let’s see how the Yorktown does firing at a moving target.”

Yamaguchi nodded her head as she checked her distance to everything around her, before laying in a course to range Two Sierra. "Aye Captain, we're on our way." she smiled.

K’Temoc looked over at Nechayev, “This next test, the Yorktown will be sitting still, firing on a moving target. We not only need to make sure we can hit a moving target, but also keep the time it takes to lock weapons on to a minimum.”

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "Time to arrival. two minutes, eight seconds."

"Yes sir, I shall attempt to blow something up while its moving which im sure I can do reasonablly well, Wish me to use my best skills to determine which weapon we use or what?" Natia asked for clarification.

K’Temoc nodded, “Go ahead, but we do need to test both phaser and torpedo accuracy.”

Yamaguchi monitored her approach to the range. "Approaching destination." she explained.

"Once we're on the firing line, signal the Range Master we're ready to proceed." K'Temoc said to his XO.

Yamaguchi nodded as she brought the small but heavily armed ship into position as she killed the engines, then she opened a com line to the Range Master. "Yorktown to Range Two Sierra Range Master."

"Go Ahead Yorktown." the response was prompt.

"We're in position and ready to start." Yamaguchi reported, all business.

"Understood. here they come... happy hunting, Range master out." and with that the com went silent as she smiled. "Let the games begin."

Instead of the planned one ship, two started moving into sensor range. An old Miranda class ship that was making course changes to simulate 'zig-zagging' evasive action and Yeager Class ship that was moving slower, simulating a freighter or larger vessel.

"Ensign, target the escorting Miranda's impulse engines and weapons...let's see if we can not only hit a moving vessel, but hit vital systems. Once she's taken care of we'll handle the slower Yeager."

"Yes sir." Natia said as she calculated the angle and realized that any number of locations the ship could go, 'hmmmm' she thought to herself as she set the phasers up wide beam dispersal, 'a hand phaser can do it, why not a ships phaser' she continued to think to herself as she opened fire and blanked the area in several bursts of wide beam dispersal and then followed up with a full barrage of quantum torpedo's to add to the blanket affect.

K’Temoc wasn’t happy, not with the efforts of his Tactical Officer but with the ship’s targeting systems. Why wouldn’t they lock on targets? Even though the Miranda took hits, and even the Yeager took a hit, the weapons fire would have been ineffective in real combat.

K’Temoc tapped the intercom, “Chief Branson to the Bridge.” He then looked over at Yamaguchi, “Commander, take Tactical Two, work with Gillo and run diagnostics of the targeting systems, look for any variance then manually realign them. I want the next test to go smoother. Holly, also make sure proper power is flowing to the targeting sensors, that could also affect their resolution. Ensign Nechayev, continue manual targeting and finish off those two vessels. Ms. Takabe, run a diagnostic on the ODN systems between the Tactical Stations and Weapons Control, as well as between Tactical and the Sensors...lts make sure there’s no issue with those systems talking to each other.”

"Excuse me sir, that was targeting manually. I noticed the targeting sensors were whacky but thought I would fix them later so I was targeting manually and using my eyes to find things. But sensors to keep an eye on everything else. For this last assault I wasnt using the targeting system at all." Natia said admittingly. "Wanted to show some initiative that I could do something besides aim and shoot and could actually repair something as well, put some of my academy training to work shall we say." Natia told the Captain as she looked down at her chair slightly ashamed.

"You did the right thing, I'm just concerned as to why the targeting systems are malfunctioning. Not being aligned is one thing, not working properly is another." K'Temoc replied, flashing a reassuring smile.

Yamaguchi knew exactly what the Ensign was trying to prove as she had been in her shoes twenty years earlier during her first assignment on the USS Halfgan, an Akira class ship which she sometimes thought about. "Ensign. Stay frosty." she said quietly as she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She nodded to Branson who had arrived to relieve her, she rose out of the Chief as she tapped the display once.

"Thanks Chief." she didn't know him personally but she made it her business to get along with everyone who wore the uniform, she then moved over to tactical two where she sat down as she started her series of diagnostics, a routine she had long ago nicknamed 'Old Cuss'an'Whack'.

"Ensign. you start realigning the Phaser's. I'll handle the Torpedoes, then you check my work while I check yours." she turned to Holly Gillo who was seated nearby. "Lieutenant, What the Captain said." she said to the other two women she was now working with. "Lets do this folks." and with that she turned and went to work.

"Yes sir." Natia said as she accessed phaser control.

"Mmm..."

"Engineering to Bridge." Fives voice came over the com system. "Captain. I couldn't help but monitor and I found some issues in the targeting systems themselves... mostly yard goofs from the looks of them, I'm swapping out the software now and you'll be ready to roll in two minutes."

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "Fives... and here I was thinking you had nothing better to do." she commented.

There was a soft chuckle over the com. "Well what can I say?" he inquired. "I'm working on it from my end, stand by."

Yamaguchi smiled as she thought about the Lieutenant in Engineering, he knew he carried a torch for someone on the Starbase, she hoped it would go well but she didn't know how it would end really. "Mmm... it looks like a short in the computer core." she commented. "Attempting to bypass... and Nope. its not letting me have it." she sighed but she knew that hitting the console would serve no purpose.

Nuala intensely studied the data on her station. "Captain, all systems are functioning." she reported. "As a matter of fact, the systems look as if they have been fine tuned. The tech who installed them at the shipyard must have been very talented or have a lot of time on his hands."

Yamaguchi listened to what the Orion woman was saying as she paused.
"Fives.. Tom, check every system on the ship and all the linkages.." she then added. "then document what you find and cure whats needed, no need to contact us when you find things okay?"

"Right Commander, Engineering out." and the com was cut with a soft tone as Yamaguchi turned back to her console. "No way its that easy... the easy way is always a trap." she muttered to herself.

"Done realigning the emitters sir." Natia pipped up.

Yamaguchi looked at the Quantum torpedo launchers with a critical eye as she took her time doing it before after a lengthy pause, she turned to K'Temoc as she nodded her head, clearly the launchers met with her approval.

"Fire." K'Temoc ordered, and with that, several salvos of blue Quantum Torpedoes were launched. They tracked toward the ill fated target ships, and ripped them apart.

K'Temoc smiled, and even though the torpedoes seemed to track a little inconsistently, they still did the job...however the next test would be tougher.

"Gillo, go over all Tactical systems while we're moving to the next range, make sure there's no additional issues. Commander, take us to the next range, one quarter impulse."


TBC...

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