Shipyard Inspection

Posted on Thu Dec 15th, 2022 @ 11:57am by Captain Paul MacLeod & Ensign Robert Harper & Admiral Deela T'Lar & Commodore Leon `Lee` Pike & Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell & Lieutenant Jackson Blake Dr & Ensign Diana Ravenbroke & Commander Sarah Rodgers & Lieutenant Samuel Carrington & Lieutenant JG Dustin Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Aubrey Miller & Ensign Suki Solwick & Lieutenant Thomas Locke & Lieutenant JG Tenu & Ensign Tezu

3,146 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 113 - No One Left Behind
Location: Various
Timeline: MD3 - 0530hrs - Following 'Arriving in the Dewa System'

ON:

The Essex, Vanguard, Luna, Falcon, George Washington, Kearsarge, Constantinople, and Conqueror slowly approached Dewa VI and it's orbiting Shipyard.

As the ships of Task Force One decloaked, the ships of Task Force Two also started to decloak.


Vanguard, Bridge

"That got their attention. We have Romulan ships approaching our position, shields up and weapons hot." Metsker reported from Tactical One.

"They've been instructed to hold position Commander." Locke reported from Tactical Two.



Essex, Bridge

"Admiral, they are holding position." Ensign Tezu reported from Tactical. "They've been instructed to allow us to inspect their facility."

Deela was a little uneasy with how willing they were to allow them to do so. She thought that they'd put up a fight, "Very well. But when we do, we need to be on guard. I do not trust them."

"I thought the mission briefing said this base built small ships and 'Snakehead' fighters, not Warbirds." The Kelpian Science office asked.

"So we thought, but obviously our intel was incorrect." She needed to re-evaluate the situation.


Luna, Bridge

"Commodore, one of the Romulan ships, a d'Deridex is maneuvering slowly, trying to get in behind us." Harper reported from Tactical.

Lee sitting in his command chair "Inform Admiral T'Lar about it."

"Aye sir" Harper tapped a few buttons, "Sent."

"I have the ship locked on sensors."

"Lieutenant Zh'zyllehr, get ready to move the Luna to turn around facing the warbird if need be."


Essex, Bridge

"Admiral, the Luna is reporting that a d'Deridex is trying to get in behind them."

Deela asked her tactical officer, "What about their shields and weapons?"

"There shields are up, but weapons have now been powered down." Ensign Tezu reported from Tactical

Deela could fire up their weapons and bring up their shields but she was afraid that it would show some aggression and it would just end up in a fire fight. But then again, she didn't want to get caught with her pants down. They were in a difficult position, "Tell all ships to hold their position and not fire up weapons as of yet. But if they show any kind of aggression, not to hesitate to protect their ships. Also, we'll need to send down a team to inspect their facilities. That team needs to be on high alert."


Luna, Bridge

"Commodore, that d'Deridex is holding position with their shields up but weapons have been powered down." Harper reported from Tactical.


Falcon, Security Station, Bridge

Diana fidgeted with her gills as she waited for the next step in the plan.
"Keep it together, Diana. It'll all work out...I hope," Diana gulped, going through her mental pictures as a way to refocus and stay calm.

Dustin the chief of security for the USS Falcon heard the soft pleas of Diana. "Steady Ensign, remember your training. You will do fine." He said with a big grin. He appreciated the help from the bridge.

"Thank you, Sir. [Here we go,]" Diana smiled her thanks and took a deep breath as an excited shiver ran down her spine.

Ezekiel looked over to Dustin. "Lieutenant Reynolds, do you see the warbird sneaking around on the Luna?" He called out, hoping that his chief was ready to react, if and when he gave the order.

"Yes captain." Dustin called out, as he continued to scan the ship. "So far, they are only positioning for posturing." He called out in a cool and collected voice. He wanted to Diana how to react to a tense situation.

"Number one, signal the Flagship. Request permission to alter course to cover the Luna." Ezekiel ordered as he looked over to Sarah his first officer.

"Yes Captain." Sarah replied and turned to her station and got in contact with the Flagship, speaking directly with T'Lar. "Commander Rodgers of the USS Falcon requesting permission to to change our course to cover Luna."

While they waited for the admiral to confirm, Dustin leaned over and softly said. "You are doing great ensign." He said, feeling like a mentor to the ensign assisting him at the tactical station.

Diana grinned again, feeling even more at ease in her position.


Essex, Bridge

"We've been hailed by the facility and they have agreed to let us fully scan them and offered limited access to their systems, however they will not permit us to beam anyone over. They claim to have a case of Romulan Spider Flu that's broken out." Ensign Tezu reported from Tactical.

Deela cursed under her breath, "And?"

"I am picking up one case of Romulan Spider Flu aboard" Lieutenant Tenu the Kelpian Science office reported, "but that's all. I am able to fully scan the base now".

Deela still didn't trust them but she wouldn't risk the health of the crew, "Very well. Do so."

At that moment, she also received the hail from the Falcon, "T'Lar here. Proceed slowly, with caution. I don't want to spook them." She waited for the scan to be completed.

Lt. Doyle turned to T'Lar, "May I speak freely Admiral? Why are we just sitting here? If they are holding our people, shouldn't we forcing them to let us beam down?"

Deela understood his frustration, "Well, first of all, if there is a true case of the Romulan Spider Flu, I'm not willing to risk the health of our people. Second of all, I am sure that Bremer has pushed his authority and already has a team if not more, to verify if the reports are true. If so, I don't want to risk pissing off the Romulans and putting those away teams in harms way. So until we know for sure, we'll wait. Keep an eye on their weapons, making sure that they're not firing them up."

Alex looked at her and could see Deela's mind working. She knew Deela enough that she wasn't going to wait for long. Deela was planning to force her way to inspect the facilities but she also knew that their presence was making them nervous and that they would have no choice but let them beam down.


Romulan Facility

"Is everything secured?"

"Yes Colonel, all projects have been deleted and purged from the database and secured and encrypted in your ship's database."

"You deleted the transfer log?"

"I had it downloaded to a mobile device, and records of that transfer have been whipped."

The Colonel nodded. "Major L'Ras?"

"We're ready to receive their away team if they send one. I have guards posted as ordered."

"Colonel, their ships here at Dewa II are all combat capable and out number the vessels we have in the area, cloaked and here. I'll be several hours before we could have substantial re-enforcements here."

The Colonel nodded. "Signal their lead ship."

"Channel open Colonel."

"Starfleet vessel, this is Commander Vornak, this inspection is a surprise. Why are you here?"


Essex, Bridge

Deela spoke under her breath, "So predictable."

She nodded to her crewman, "It's been reported that you are holding Federation Citizens. It is imperative that we beam down a team to confirm those reports. If you ARE holding them, we WILL be retrieving them from your possession, giving them medical treatment as needed. I also understand that you have a case of the Romulan Spider Flu but our sensors only are picking up on one case which leaves me suspicious that you are trying to keep us from doing so."

"We have no prisoners on this facility. Feel free to scan." The Colonel replied.

Ensign Tezu shook his head as his three arms flew across the tactical console.

"See, only Romulans here." The Colonel replied with a smug smirk.

Deela wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. Her Betazoid senses were also telling her something. She looked at Tezu for a moment. She decided to take advantage of the peace treaties in place. She, not knowing if they were fooling their scans or they really had nothing to hide, decided to screw it and demand to investigate further, "Then you have nothing to worry about, do you?" She gave the attitude back at him, "We have a right to demand that you allow us to beam down a team to see for ourselves according to the peace treaties in place! So, I AM going to send down several teams and you WILL NOT try to stop us nor get in our way! So, get ready to receive them."

She was very stern in her demands and she wasn't going to back off.

Tezu smirked.

"Open a channel to all ships." She took a breath and addressed the Commanding Officers of each ship, "We will be sending down away teams to investigate the facility. I would like each ship to assemble a team and include medical personnel. We may encounter resistance, so proceed with caution." She waited for the ships to respond.


Falcon, Bridge

"You heard the Admiral." Ezekiel called out as he looked over to Sarah his first officer. He really wished he was leading the mission. Dealing with the Romulan's always made him a big uneasy. His eyes said, what he wanted to verbally speak out.

“Yes Captain,” Sarah replied. “Lieutenant Reynolds, Ensign Ravenbrook, Ensign Trizur and Lieutenant Miller, you are with Captain Bagwell.” She would leave it to Dustin what additional security he would bring.

"Commander I think I should remain on the ship, with the Romulan's in the area I believe my place should be on the bridge." Dustin said, as he smiled at Diana. He knew she could handle it.

Diana smiled gratefully at Dustin, boosted by his confidence in her.

Sarah considered what he said and nodded. “Lieutenant Reynolds will remain.” She looked over at the others. “Good Luck, Captain. Give them hell.”

"Count on it, Commander." Ezekiel said, as looked over to Diana, and then at the away team.

"Aye, Captain." Diana answered, then nodded to Commander Ezekiel, adjusting her uniform as she walked over to the turbolift.


USS Essex Bridge

Deela turned to her XO, Alex Harrison, “Alex, take a team down too. Bagwell is sending down a team as well. They may have gotten rid of any signs of the Federation citizens being there. Don’t leave until every nook and cranny has been checked out. They may be blocking our scans. So don’t trust the equipment.”

Alex nodded, “Oh, I will not leave until I am sure they aren’t holding anyone.”

Deela nodded, “I know you will. That is why I am having you go down there, especially with your skills. I don't trust him. I am not down there but I am getting that familiar feeling he isn’t being truthful. Also, I can tell that he thinks he is much smarter than us but you prove him wrong." She scoffs, "I would love to see that smirk taken off his face, but I’d better stay here.”

Alex gets on the comm, “Dr. Blake, report to the transporter room”. She takes her team down to the Romulan facility along with Dr. Blake just in case they need medical attention. She was warned that there may be some resistance from the Romulan named Commander Vornak. She was joined by Bagwell’s team as well. Once down there, they were met by the smug Commander.

Since departing, Doctor Jackson Blake had spent the journey preparing for any eventuality that he could forsee. Be prepared for the worst, as an old mentor had often advised. That way, you would never be caught out. And so, when he was summoned to the transporter room, he left sickbay in the capable hands of his medical team.

With a fully packed medical kit slung over his shoulder, he had joined the rest of the away team in the transporter room. Every one of them was a new, unfamiliar face yet he trusted that Admiral T'Lar would not be entrusting this mission to anyone but her best officers.

And so, along with the others, he was transported down to the facility, unsurprised to find a welcoming party. For his part he remained as far back as possible, instead studying the rather non-descript surroundings of various shades of grey metal forming the floors, walls and ceilings, interspersed with doorways or corridors. The lighting kept the interior dimly lit, with no natural light as far as he could see.

It had been a whole ten seconds and he couldn't wait to leave but they had a mission to complete.

He turned his focus on the Romulan who had been waiting on their arrival, curious to see how this would play out. With most Romulans, you never could quite tell their intentions or motivations. He suspected this would be one of those times.


Luna, Bridge

Lee sat there thinking for a moment "Mr. Harper, assemble a security team and head over to meet the others."

Harper nodded, "Yes sir."


Romulan Installation

Ezekiel beamed down with Trizur, Miller, Ravenbrook and a random security officer assigned to the Falcon. His team was highly trained, and all decent marksman. Maybe this is why the Admiral had his team go in first to clean house. Today he was taking a small team, a team that has had a lot of simulated combat practice, no in person confrontations. He hoped today would be no different.

"Ensign Ravenbrooke, is this your first mission?" Ezekiel asked, knowing she was knew and on temporary assignment. The mission was not necessarily combat. Ezekiel hoped to show her the ropes. He hoped things did not escalate. He had never trained with her, and she was new to special operations, well she was new to his team.

"Yes, Sir. We had simulations at the Academy, but this is my first field mission. You don't need to worry about me, Sir, I'll pull my weight," Diana squared her shoulders and gave him a sharp nod of affirmation. [This is what I've trained for, and I'm NOT going to fail them!] Diana thought to herself, tightening her hand around her weapon, her heart rate spiking as her adrenaline started racing.

Harper and a small team from the Luna beamed in. The Ensign looked around, then had his team take up positions around the shipyard's small operations room.

Harper then walked over to Bagwell and Ravenbrooke. "Commander, Ensign, my team is in place. Any orders?"

Alex had a heated argument with Commander Vornak as the others began getting the inspection in motion. She let him know that they were going to investigate whether he wanted them or not. It didn't go well but she made her point and he left in a huff. She then walked up to Bagwell, "Admiral T'Lar says to make sure that we look in every nook and cranny because it's been reported that they've found Federation citizens at Dewa II. She also says that you'll be in charge here so with that said, my team will take direction from you. So, shall we begin?" She waited for Bagwell to decide.

Diana nodded at the other Ensign in greeting as she stood at parade rest beside Bagwell awaiting orders.

Ezekiel just grinned, as he looked to Alex. "Then lets proceed." He said, not really having anything to motivational to say. Plus they were near Romulan's. He wanted to make sure everything was by the book. He got ready to stare, as he looked to Commander Vornak, who started to approach their position.


USS Vanguard, Bridge

"Sir, the Pegasus's group is approaching our position." Metsker commented.

"They must be finished at Dewa II." MacLeod replied.

"Well, they aren't the only ships inbound...I'm picking up over twenty Romulan Warbirds, various types, inbound. They'll be here in about fifteen minutes." Metsker added.

"Let the Essex and Pegasus know." MacLeod ordered as he shifted in his seat.


Romulan Installation

"Commander Bagwell, the Vanguard just signaled, there are over twenty Romulan Warbirds inbound, ETA twenty minutes." Harper reported.

"Understood, we will be quick." Ezekiel said, as he looked over to Harper. They had very little time to waste.

Alex got the same message. She looked over at Bagwell, pointing, "Since your team is going that way. my team will go this way. We'll meet back at this point in 15 minutes." Alex took her team down a corridor with tricorder in hand. They looked in every room that they could find. She pounded on the walls, as she listened for any hollow sounds that could possibly have a secret room. She also looked for anything that would be a red flag.

One of the security personnel chuckled. Captain Harrison, have you ever played any Escape Rooms game?"

Alex gave him an annoyed look, "Can't say I ever have."

He chuckled again, "When we get back to Starbase 400, I'll have to introduce you to it. You'd be a natural."

"Well, if we don't get back to the rendezvous point in 5 minutes, we won't be going back to Starbase 400. There's nothing here. Let's head back."

Ezekiel looked to the others, and he was forced to agree. They did not want to be on this station, when the twenty warbirds arrived. They learned, all they were going to learn.

The Luna team had been do inspections of their own. Harper came back with a look of concern. He had seen something that was disconcerting. He walked up to both Bagwell and Harrison who were getting ready to leave. The had less than 5 minutes to get back to their various ships and leave the area. In a low voice, he addressed both of them, "I found something that I think Starfleet needs to know."

Alex frowned at him, "Is it something that can wait until we get back?"

He shook his head, "Probably better if we don't discuss it here."

Alex agreed, "You're right about that. We really need to get out of here right now. Once you get back to the Luna, relay what you found to Admiral Bremer and Admiral T'Lar. See you all back at Starbase 400." Alex and her team beamed back to the Essex.


Essex Bridge

Alex got back to the bridge, "There wasn't any federation citizens there. Ensign Harper found something but there was no time to discuss it." Alex took her spot next to Deela," Understood. Set course for Starbase 400 immediately." Essex took off.


Luna, Bridge

Harper stepped out of the turbolift and reported to Pike as he passed. "We found evidence that the Romulan are trying to integrate Borg technology they learned about on The Artifact aboard their ships but haven't been successful yet."


A moment later the ships from Starbase 400 turned and shot away at warp back toward Starbase 400.


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