Arriving at Rashanar

Posted on Thu Apr 20th, 2017 @ 11:31am by Commander Jonathan Roebuck IV & Colonel Danny Lennox & Lieutenant Nick Archer & Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Branson & First Ramata`tar & Captain Andre DaSilvor & Brigadier General David Hurd Sr & Captain R'nard Lokran & Captain Jack Solomon & Major Patrick McMichaels & Major Edward Maxwell & Commander Hades,MD & Commander Dalenna Coolidge - DaSilvor & Lieutenant Zhao Quan & Lieutenant David Hurd Jr & 1st Lieutenant David Henry & 1st Lieutenant Jericho Alexander & 1st Lieutenant Klaus Gunther & Sergeant Calthier & Lieutenant Thomas Locke & Lieutenant Ariel Gilmore & Lieutenant Catherine Mclintock & Lieutenant JG Dye Heron & Lieutenant JG Marshall Robinson & Ensign Brandy Ragen

3,991 words; about a 20 minute read

Mission: Episode 94 - Return to Rashanar
Location: Various Ships
Timeline: MD2 0445hrs

ON:

Most of the trip from Starbase 400 to the Rashanar Battle Site had been flown at Slipstream, but the last bit had been at standard Warp speed because of the course corrections needed to hug the Federation border with the Romulan Neutral Zone and then edge the Romulan border. Kind of like The Triangle that Starbase 400 monitors, the Rashanar Battle Site sat in a triangle between Federation, Romulan, and Cardassian space, sitting just within Federation space.

It was earlier morning when the ships arrived just outside the Boneyard.


USS Kearsarge, Bridge

Roebuck yawned as he stepped onto the Bridge, mug of hot coffee in his hand. Ramarata'tar stood in the middle of the Bridge as he watched the main viewer. A few moments later the rest of the ship's Senior Staff of the mission arrived and took their positions.

"Report" Roebuck said.

"We are just outside of the battle site. Sensors are picking up hundreds of derelict ships and what might be a few scavenger vessels as well." The Jem'Hadar First replied.

"Advise the Conqueror of our sensor readings and hold position while we await orders." Roebuck replied as he took a seat in the Captain's chair.


USS Falcon, Bridge

Arriving at Rashinar, Colonel Hurd stood. It was as though he could almost sense the death and destruction that had raken place here. Shaking this feelings off, or at least trying to, he said aloud, "XO, Give me a forward visual, get me some sensor readings, and locate the Paris Island'"

Patrick switched to main viewer. The scene was devastating. It was truly a starship graveyard. "Sensor sweep now, Colonel"...... "By Odin's one eye " he exclaimed and stood.

"Colonel, sensors are picking up possible scavenger ships, but I can't get a lock on them at this range with all the debris floating around and from the distortion from the artificial gravity field at the center of the site and the antimatter asteroid that's roaming the boneyard." Lennox spoke up from Tactical.

"Very well Lennox, at least try to pin down a general area where they might be, although if I had my guess they have already ran", Hurd said, his eyes glued to the devastation on screen, devastation he had never seen, not even during the darkest days of the Dominion War. "Patrick", Hurd said, " Let the Conqueror know what our sensors have picked up, and you or Lennox get me the location of the Paris Island".

Lennox watched the sensors for a moment. "Colonel, I don't think we've been spotted. Our Task Force is on the far side of the Boneyard from where the original operation to clear it began. It appears these scavengers are working their way this direction, but their current flight patterns are unaltered since our arrival." He continued to watch the sensors for a moment. "I'm picking up one Dagger type, one Corvette type, and a couple of Hawk type pirate ships. They seem to be coordinating their efforts too."

Patrick sent the message to the Conqueror, including the recent information from Major Lennox then started a short range scan for the Paris Island. "There's a lot debris and derelicts, Colonel. Perhaps some of the fighters from the Conqueror can get in closer while we survey the wrecks" he said.

"Agreed, transmit that data and those requests as needed". Hurd replied.

"Aye, Aye Sir" Patrick replied, sending the data and fighter recon request to the Conqueror.

Lennox continued to monitor the sensors.


USS Conqueror

Andre was not on the bridge as they dropped out of warp. Feeling and hearing the change in the ship he got up and looked out of his ready room window. Even from here he could see some of the ships, or rather the remains of ships. Throughout his career he had seen his share of destruction, but this dwarfed everything he had witnessed in the past. He walked out from his ready room and paused at the entrance to the bridge. He looked around, everyone was looking at the viewscreen. He looked at his himself, and like the rest of his bridge crew he was transfixed, but only for a second.

He walked to his seat and sat down. "Ok, everybody. Start the sensor scan of the field. Start with a perimeter scan and work inwards. Try to identify as many ships as possible. Contact the other ships, and let them know that we will start from this side and work our way across the field. Send a special note to the Falcon. At the moment we don't know where the Paris Island is, but we will get to it when we get to it, not before" Andre looked again the view screen, "I don't want the Falcon breaking formation to go looking for the Paris Island. Looking at the number of ships here it is quite possible we may not actually be able to find her."

He looked around the bridge, Major Maxwell was not here. He tapped his commbadge, "DaSilvor to Maxwell. Please report to the bridge". He looked once more around the bridge, "Have the fleet move up to the nearest ship, and the Ark Royal, Mercy and the Kearsarge can start work. The Falcon can keep point, we will bring up the rear." He sighed, "Once Major Maxwell has his fighters in place we can spread our selves a little thinner, but for the moment we keep a tight formation."

Commander Lokran was seated beside DaSilvor at the XO station. He got up and went to do the scans. This was a vast graveyard of ships, and he needed to know just where they were.

"On my way up Captain." Ed replied as he finished briefing the pilots on their patrol areas. He had only a few fighters at his disposal, and he had to keep them as even as possible over the duration of the mission. "My pilots are just about ready to launch." He announced as he entered the bridge.


USS Mercy, Bridge

The trip had been short but Shrivol had tired quickly. He'd retired to the ready room to rest but had quickly fallen ill and had to be taken to sickbay. Hades now sat in the big chair, his mind running over the to do list. Hades startled at the voice. "I'm sorry Ensign?"

"We're approaching the coordinates," the ensign repeated.

Hades stood and straightened his uniform, "Drop out of warp Ensign."

He felt the pull of the ship as the warp drive disengaged. "Activate the view screen," Hades said as he clasped his hands behind his back. The view screen fizzed and an image of destruction formed. A cold chill ran down Hades' back. He heard the gasps of the crew.

The coms officer piped up, "Sir incoming messages from the other ships. USS Conqueror is relaying starting coordinates."

Hades sighed. "Come about we'll start at the other side. Bring up sensors and start targeted scanning. Signal the lead ship and all other ships that we're ready on the Mercy and that we're starting retrieval." Hades walked over to the chair and brought up the search grid. "Nice and slow helm," he said as his eyes fixed on the search grid.

Silent minutes ticked by as the ship moved painstakingly slow. After about half an hour of searching the sensor alarm went off. Hades hit the coms button on his chair. "Hades to sickbay, prepare to receive."

It was Eviess' voice he heard back. =/\=This is Eviess, sickbay is ready.=/\=

"Hades to transporter rooms. Stand by. We're getting our first lock on coordinates." He stood and walked over to the view screen looking at the sea of destruction. "Transporter room begin."

Hades watched with a mix of sadness and anger as the floating Starfleet officers were transported from the black void of space. He knew they would be appearing in Sickbay and the two cargo bays that were converted to receive them. He sighed feeling the heaviness of what they were doing.

William turned to Eviess. "I'll start the retrieval in the cargo bay then transition the worst here. Sound like a plan?" he asked her.

Eviess gave a nod. "Sounds good to me." She watched as the transporter started to shimmer in sickbay. A shudder ran through her. All those people..."

Kevin took a team of medics with him to finish the set up in the cargo bay. Hopefully the casualties would be minimal. But they were ready.

Kevin started examining the bodies coming in. Most were dead and beyond recognition. When the live ones came in, he switched his attention to them.

=^= Matthews to Eviess. We've got 12 live so far out of 100. I've got 3 coming up to you =^=

Eviess felt slightly confused. How would you find live people when they were strictly on recovery? Her answer came when a team of medics started bringing in cryo tubes. "Of course," she muttered. The medical ship they were doing recovery on had cryogenics tubes." She sighed. "Eviess to Matthews I need your help up here."

"On my way " he replied, leaving Ensign Taylor to finish up in the cargo bay. William materialized a few feet from her. "What did you find, Eviess?" he asked.

Meanwhile on the bridge Hades paced nervously. He wanted to be down there helping but knew that his place was on the bridge. He sighed as he listened to the recovery count. It was staggering and sobering. He sat down in his chair and pinged out a message to the lead ship on their progress. He then gave helm coordinates to move the ship to a new location and start searching there.


Kearsarge, Bridge

The Intrepid class ship moved into position and scanned the first ship.

"We're in position Commander. We're starting on the far side of the field from where the original mission to clear the boneyard began." Branson reported from Flight Control.

"USS Ranger, Excelsior Class Refit." Cole reported from Science.

"Sensors show they exhausted their compliment of torpedoes. Two of their phaser banks were destroyed, the rest suffered overloads when their power grid suffered a cascade explosion." Krall reported from Tactical. The tall Capellan Ensign continued to scan for a few moments before he added, "I'm unable to tell if their armory or small arms lockers still have their compliment of rifles or sidearms."

Roebuck nodded. "Ensign, have Team One beam over and collect any personal weapons they find and provide any assistant the Medical and Engineering teams need."

Roebuck turned the monitor beside the Captain's chair toward him and looked over the sensor readings himself.


USS Ark Royal, Bridge

Jack was reading a report in his ready room when the signal came through that they had arrived at the Boneyard. Putting down his Raktajino, he came though onto the Bridge and took his seat at the Conn.

"Sir, we've arrived at the Boneyard along with the rest of the fleet," reported the helm officer. "We're receiving co-ordinates from the Conqueror...they have advised of where they will be beginning their operations."

Jack walked over to the Helm and read through the information from the Conqueror. It was good to see that they were already organised and underway. Jack tapped the helm officer on the shoulder. "On screen, lets see what we're dealing with here," he asked.

Once the viewscreen updated, Jack and the other brigde officers could see the extent of the damaged ships before them. Although he'd served in the Dominion War, this was one battle that he'd managed to miss somehow....although that gave little comfort for those who had not survived it...

"Ops, whats the nearest ship to us?" Jack asked as he kept his eye on the viewscreen. Knowing where to start was like trying to find a needle in the haystack, however this haystack was large enough to give anyone ample pickings.

The Operations Officer ran a scan of the nearby ships. "The USS Winchester, sir...shes' an Akira Class starship," she reported. "Sensors show they exhausted and burnt out their Phaser banks, however it seems that they still have an amount of Quantum Torpedoes and Photon Torpedoes aboard. It seems as though their Torpedo launchers were damaged during the attack both fore and aft... the computer core seems to be intact though... there are multiple hull breaches that can be sealed with power generators and it seems like the Bridge is intact."

Jack nodded as he understood the report. "Right we'll begin there," he began explaining. "Have Quan, Robinson, Sullivan and Blackthorne report to my ready room. Also send a message over to the Conqueror and let them know that we're starting here." He headed back to the ready room as he considered his next move.

Quan received the message to report to the Captains ready room while he was still preparing a series of storage lockers for anything they might retrieve from the ships. "Quan here, I am on my way, Sir".

Taking one final glance at the space he had made available he turned and left the area and headed for the command deck.

Two minutes later he entered the Captains ready room, "Lt Quan, reporting as ordered, Captain".

Jack turned around to see Lt. Quan waiting in the ready room. He guided out a seat for him. "Take a seat lieutenant, I'll get started once the others arrive," Jack explained.

A few moments later the Robinson and Blackthorne arrived. "Robinson and Blackthorne reporting as ordered Commander." Robinson said as the two took seats.

Jack nodded to them both as they reported in. He knew that his new that his new Asst CEO was on board and he wanted to see what ideas they had as well. "Welcome gentlemen, we'll get started momentarily

Once Sullivan and Fulton had arrived, Jack began his briefing. "Right our first checkpoint is the USS Winchester...an Akira Class thats not too far from our bow," he began.

"Ops reported that theres some unused ordnance on board and that its possible to access the computer core and the bridge... So all two teams will go on board. Robinson & Blackthorne, your team will go over with portable generators and start sealing up breaches closest to the Bridge," Jack instructed.

"Quan, you'll go over with Sullivan and work on getting the Computer Core online and downloading as much data as you can... But let me make this clear... At the first sign of trouble get back here...no excuses." Jack was very clear on this.

"I'm not losing anyone on this mission... Dismissed."


USS Conqueror, Bridge

Andre was listening the messages as they came in. He was pleased that it had all started off smoothly. One message from the Falcon made him frown. Four pirate ships working the damaged and destroyed ships. He to Maxwell, "How soon can we get our fighters out there, Major?"

"I've got four birds out now, ill put the rest out and send them over as a unit. We should move over ourselves to back them. Eight fighters might not be enough to dissuade four ships." Ed said as he relayed orders to his pilots. He'd rather be out there himself, but he hadn't been cleared back to flight status yet.

Turning to Dalenna, "Dalenna, I want to know the instant we pick them up on the sensors. If need be we will have to 'deter' them from further scavenging"

Dalenna nodded, "Yes, I will let you know." She put her full attention to the sensors.

Andre smiled and turned his attention back to the now launching fighters. Andre nodded and got up from his seat, "Don't spread them too thin Major, but move them towards the intruders. Set up a constant sensor log transmission from the fighters back to the other ships."

"That's standard procedure Captain, unless we don't want them to be detected. Then we'd shut down the sensors."

"Excellent, Major. That is exactly what I want. I don't want the intruders blundering on to one of our ships and panicking. The last thing I want is a fire fight. If the sensor logs are transmitted in real time to the rest of the fleet it may just be enough to drive the intruders off. If not then they can have our full undivided attention, and I can think of several officers who would be quite happy to explain why grave robbing is a bad idea."

"Yes, I imagine Colonel Hurd would like to have words with them himself." Ed commented dryly with a smirk.

Andre smiled at the Major's comment, he liked the way the man thought.

R'nard returned to the XO seat. "It seems going well." he said. "Too easy, and that's what has me worried."

Andre looked around at R'nard, then at Maxwell, Dalenna, and Lt Hurd. "I expect you all to be on top of your game. It's your four jobs to make sure it stays that way. If I have to burn those ships paintwork, I want it to be as a last resort."

Hurd nodded and calmly said, "Yes sir".

Dalenna nodded her head, acknowledging him.

Below decks, Gunther was already finishing his pre-launch checklist on his Eagle. Dressed partially in flight gear, he was ready for the word to launch as needed. A young piloe seat of his fighter, finishing up his own pre-launch checklist. "Everything checks out on my end Frogger." Gunther nodded at the young Lieutenant, as he climbed into the cockpit. "Let's fire them up Weasel." Controls were pressed, and the reactor came to life on the fighter. After locking his flight helmet in place, he looked at his wing mates, Weasel,Chopper, and Bouncer to make sure they were powering up. Then he glanced over to Jericho's pair of ships.

Jericho was in the cockpit of his Valkyrie, ready to launch. He looked over at Gunther and gave a nod.

Gunther nodded back. He then keyed his ship to ship frequency, "This is a milk run compared to our last sortie Fenris. "

Jericho laughed at Gunther's comment. "Roger that, Frogger. Just a walk in the park" he chuckled. The young 2Lt in the seat behind him grumbled. "Was that your stomach, Wolfman?" He asked with a chuckle. "Just a bit of indigestion, Fenris" he replied, adjusting the seat.

"Frogger, we're strapped in. You ready, Angel?" He asked his wingman.

"We're locked and loaded, Fenris" the female 2Lt answered.

Gunther transferred reactor control to his impulse engine controls, and his single impulse engine came to life, with that familiar orange glow. "Eagle Flight 556 ready for launch." It did not take long for the Bridge to reply, "Eagle Flight 556, flight data transferred to your computers. You are cleared to launch. "

His navigational display showed his assigned waypoints, plus a notation to transmit his sensor data in the open. "Weasel, do you see the mission note?" "Aye, configuring systems now." Gunther gave a thumbs up signal to his wing men, and lifted his ship a few meters before engaging thrusters. His group of fighters exited the shuttle bay before they engaged their impulse engines, causing the eagles to zoom away from the Conqueror. His flight path would take him in observation range of the scavengers.

Fenris launched with a lurch of excitement, followed by Angel, staying in formation behind him. They fell in next to Frogger and Weasel.

"Milkrun or not people, keep your heads on a swivel. With all the debris out here I wouldn't be surprised if someones operating at low power and we don't see them. Weapons on standby and keep your fingers off the pickle buttons until I say the word or you get engaged by our friends out there." Ed ordered over the radio. "Your sensor telemetry is coming in fine, so keep it by the numbers."

"Roger that Reaper", replied Gunther.

"I copy Reaper" Fenris replied.


USS Falcon, Bridge

Staring out at the destruction, Hurd said, to nobody in particular, "Location of the nearest wreck and its status?"

Patrick took the first sweep. "USS Viking: Defiant class. No power and multiple hull breaches. Looks like they ejected their warp core. Location: 5000 km dead ahead" he said, bringing it up on the main viewer.

Calthier had his platoon suited up and ready to roll. "Calthier to Colonel Hurd. Alpha platoon suited, booted and loaded "

"Understood Calthier, stand by", Hurd said momentarily muting the channel. Looking at Patrick, he said, "Close us to within 2.2 km and tell the Chief we have our first assignment and i need her up here, and alert sickbay to prepare to receive the remains of the Viking's crew". Stepping a little towards the view screen Hurd added, "Once everything is ready i'll lead the team over, and you will be in charge here number 1, no arguments, understood?" "Also, have Lt. Henry come up here as well".

Patrick brought the Falcon to 2km and went dead stop. "Colonel, regulations state no commanding officer is to go into a hostile environment until the threat is eliminated " he said. "Lt Henry. Report tp the Bridge"

"Standing by, Colonel " Calthier replied. He growled. "Hoo raah " he shouted.

Henry entered the Bridge minutes after he was called up. He greeted the Colonel and Major.

"Greetings Lieutenant" Patrick said to the newly promoted 1Lt.

Until he got called to the Bridge, the young Lieutenant only thought that he was along for the ride, given that the platoon aboard were Combat Engineers. " Where do you want me Sir?" Henry said.

"As soon as the Chief gets up here, were are heading over there", Hurd said pointing at the Derelict Defiant- Class starship on screen. Turning his head to look at Patrick, he added, "I am well aware of what the regulations say, but im going anyway".

"Yes Sir," Henry replied. A little exploring is good for the soul, he thought.

Patrick nodded to Hurd. "Aye Sir" he said, standing by for departure. "Stand by, Alpha platoon" he ordered.

"Alpha's ready, Major " Calthier replied, locking his helmet on.

"Ok, lets give Captain Casion a few moments, and we will get going".

"Yes Sir.", Henry replied.

Deb charged onto the bridge, coming to a halt at the aft Engineering console. She sat and stated up everything.. "Ok colonel.. We're as ready as we will be...

"Lets get going, but first", He said pointing at the derelict on the screen, "Given the information you have on that ship, its condition, and lack of a warp core, whats your assesment on getting at least emergency power back up?"

"Fortunately the defiant class is a much tougher ship..." Deb said after a second.. "Helm we need to close to 1000 meters please.. " She was working her console.. "Fusion plant 3 is offline but intact. Gravity systems appear intact but off line..."

Patrick closed the distance to 1 km of the Viking. "We're at 1km, Captain " he told Casion.


Battle Site

Gunther and his flight detected at least 4 unknown contacts with power sources in front of them. Weasel relayed their sensor readings to the friendly vessels. "Frogger to base, I confirm one Dagger, one Corvette, and two smaller craft. The two larger ships appear to be maintaining position next to two derelicts. The Hawks appear to be covering for them. Maintaining distance at this time. Please advise."

Hurd tapped a button on a nearby panel and said, "Please advise on the situation as to what they are doing, and keep an eye on them."

Gunther replied, "There is alot of transporter activity on the larger ships. The smaller ships appear to have their weapons powered up. Will maintain observation position otherwise ordered. "

"Very Well", Hurd said with acid in his voice, "Do not fire until fired upon".

"Roger that," Gunther answered. But his master arm switch was turned on as soon as he launched.

Jericho flipped on his weapons. Angel complied as well, eager for battle.


tbc...

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