The Archanis Campaign: USS Odyssey
BF_MJ
Member
USS Odyssey NCC-80000
Beta Quadrant
“Commander, the captain is getting a priority alpha transmission from Starbase Twenty-Seven. An Admiral Beckett is transmitting on a secure channel.” announced Lieutenant Commander Jen. The Trill officer spun around in his chair at the operations console to look at the Bajoran first officer who was sitting in the captain’s chair. “Shall I direct the call to the ready room?”
Surprised to hear that such a highly important call was coming in, Odyssey’s first officer nodded in response to the joined Trill. Tapping her combadge she got in touch with the captain ahead of the transfer. Captain McCallister acknowledged the call and then closed the intercom channel at his end.
Curious to what could be coming in from Starbase Twenty-Seven, Cambil looked over her right hand shoulder. “Cline,” She called the security and tactical officer. “Is there anything coming in from the area Starbase Twenty-Seven is in that we should know about?”
“Give me a moment to look into it ma’am.” The Tiburon security chief responded.
While Cambil had ordered for the search in the most recent dispatches from Starfleet, the turbolift doors to the starboard side of the bridge had opened, allowing Counsellor Duncan, Commander Hunsen and Senior Chief Petty Officer Court to enter the bridge. The three men made their way across the bridge to their individual stations.
“Problem?” Duncan asked as he took his usual seat to the left hand side of the captain’s.
“It might be nothing, but the captain is taking a priority alpha call from Admiral Becket at Starbase Twenty-Seven.” Cambil answered.
“Twenty-Seven? Isn’t that on the outskirts of the Archanis sector? Near the Klingon border?” Court asked as he took up position at one of the mission ops stations behind the tactical station.
“Yeah, which makes me worried that-” Cambil didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence when the ready room door swished open.
Captain McCallister, with slumped shoulders and a solemn expression plastered across his face, walked across the bridge heading towards his chair. Cambil instantly stood up and took her seat to the right.
“T’Rani lay in a new course. Take us to Starbase Twenty-Seven. Warp eight.” McCallister commanded.
The Vulcan pilot instantly replied as her fingers danced across the holographic helm display. “Aye, sir. Course plotted and laid in.”
“Starbase Twenty-Seven, not Guardian Station?” Cambil enquired.
Shaking his head as he sat down, McCallister answered his first officer. “The Delta Quadrant will have to wait for another day I’m afraid Number One.” He looked down at the helm. “Engage!”
The Odyssey altered its course and headed out towards its new destination.
***
Several hours later and the senior staff of the Odyssey had assembled in the observation lounge to discuss their change in orders. McCallister had already heard an exchange between his counsellor, chief engineer and yeoman about a bet they had placed earlier on about the Delta Quadrant mission being postponed. McCallister had insisted that once the Archanis situation was dealt with they would be starting their deep space exploration mission.
Once again they were being sent off to deal with another incident that required their presence in the region. Leading the mission briefing right now was his wife who was explaining the part of the mission they would be heavily involved with.
Where she stood by the large wall computer monitor, Reyas was pointing at the schematic of the array they would be assisting building. “As you can see the new Archanis Array was meant to be used to help with taking deep space scans of nearby nebulas and other phenomena. But with what’s happened recently, Starfleet wants to get the array setup to be used to support the region with recognising when ships are crossing the Federation-Klingon border.”
“Are we truly certain this isn’t the Klingon Empire flexing its muscles for a bit?” Doctor Slyvexs asked aloud. “I hate to say it but it’s been over twenty five years since they last attacked this region and attempted to take it from us.”
The Denobulan woman had a point but McCallister didn’t completely agree with her assessment. Everything he had read from Admiral Beckett pointed to a different conclusion. “I’m pretty certain we can be confident who is making these attacks doctor.” McCallister said.
Moving the discussion on, Commander Cambil rubbed her Bajoran nose ridges and asked the next question. “What do we know about these Hunters of D’Ghor?”
As Reyas sat down, Lieutenant Commander Lenjir spoke up. “Next to nothing that would help us understand why they’re attacking Federation interests along the border, except for taking trophies.”
“What about their bases of operations?” Hunsen asked. The Betazoid engineer was rubbing his beard as he posed his question.
“Almost nothing is known about their base of operations. What Starfleet has is sketchy, intelligence scans have proven the existence of dilithium mining and heavy weapons construction. The hunters themselves are considered an undesirable caste in the hierarchy of the Empire. We know they’re House received a discommendation over twenty-five years ago.” Lenjir explained. “That said, their history is filled with stories of being a house filled with warriors.”
“Aren’t all Klingon houses filled with those?” Cambil asked aloud.
Duncan was the one to speak up. “Not completely and not in the way of the D’Ghor. Just reading the report, it would seem they’re the most aggressive house in Klingon society.”
“Indeed,” Lenjir added more to the briefings. “They also have the reputation of being formidable warriors. In the Dominion War, the Hunters consolidated their position within Klingon territory while a bulk of the Klingon Defence Force was engaged in combat duties. When the war ended the Empire found it hard to push them out.”
“Excellent, so we should expect them to last longer in battle?” Reyas questioned.
“Until death meets them…” Counsellor Duncan looked up from his PADD. “That’s what it says here in the briefing notes. Honour doesn’t always appear to be at the forefront of their thoughts. They’re not our typical garden variety of Klingon.”
McCallister agreed with Duncan’s assessment. “Exaclty, Starfleet intelligence was only able to provide a partial account of the military engagements the Hunters have been involved with. We can infer they like to play the long term strategy. Most of their engagements are successful. Beyond that, we know nothing.” Pausing as he looked at everyone around the room. “We are truly about to encounter an enemy that are almost unknown to us, even though they sit on our doorstep. Before we arrive at Starbase Twenty-Seven, I want everyone on this ship to go through enough battle drills. I want to know that every system is fully operational too. In the meantime Commander Cambil and Counsellor Duncan I want you to go through everything we have on these Hunters and the Empire. Anything you can give me will be appreciated. Dismissed.”
Everyone got up and left, except his wife. “Something on your mind Karyn?” McCallister asked after the door closed behind the last person out.
Nodding, she took her husband’s hand. “I know we’ve faced a lot worse, but as you said we are truly entering the unknown here. I’m worried about the civilian population on the Odyssey. We need to be extra careful if we engage these Hunters.”
“Absolutely. I’ll speak to Cline about extra precautions we could put in place.” McCallister squeezed his wife’s hand for assurance. He only hoped it helped as deep down he needed some himself. This felt like new territory for them all.
Comments
USS Odyssey NCC-80000
Haydorian System
“Entering the Haydorian system, sir.” announced T’Rani from the helm station.
Walking from the mission ops station, where he had been stood at reviewing further information coming in from Starfleet dispatches, Captain McCallister looked over to his pilot. “Take us to impulse.” He commanded as he made his way over to his chair.
“Yellow alert.” Commander Cambil ordered. The Bajoran first officer never took any risks, especially with everything they had heard about the Hunters of D’Ghor. “Mister Lenjir, begin full sensor sweeps at once.” She instructed their tactical officer.
“Yes ma’am.” The Tiburon man answered from behind her right shoulder.
Tugging on the ends of his jacket as he sat down, Captain McCallister took a breath before issuing his next order. “Lukiz, open a channel to the Haydorian colony and get me Governor Thelis.”
The Trill operations officer replied with an ‘aye’ as he got in touch with the Andorian colony.
Leaning in quietly, Counsellor Duncan whispered to the captain. “Remember sir that Thelis is half-Aenar. From what I’m aware of he is partially slighted and doesn’t wear a VISOR or has any prosthetic eyes.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” McCallister quietly said back just in time for the holographic resemblance of the hybrid Andorian-Aenar leader to appear in the center-front of the bridge’s main viewscreen.
Thelis was tallish but a very skinny man. Appearing to be quite old, even for Andorian-Aenar standards, he looked more like a relic than anything else. His pure white hair was almost matched by his very pale blue skin. Wearing dark grey attire, that almost contrasted his pastel complexion, the politician’s light blue eyes appeared unable to focus on a particular point. A dark blue silk scarf was wrapped around his neck and almost covered his mouth.
McCallister started with the introductions, “Governor Thelis, I am Captain James Preston Mc-”
“Yes, yes Captain McCallister of the USS Odyssey.” Thelis said, interrupting McCallister’s pleasantries. “Captain, we are in urgent need of your assistance.”
Sitting up straight concerned from the governor’s remarks, McCallister wondered what the governor needed. “How can we help?”
“We believe a pair of cloaked Klingon ships are loitering in the system. One of our patrol ships, the Lissan, was working on improving its sensors to detect cloaked ships when it discovered what appeared to be a subspace distortion. When they investigated it they discovered the distortion was moving. From the shape and size the captain feared it was two Klingon ships cloaked. The Lissan returned to orbit the colony to await your arrival.” Thelis answered.
Intrigued to know more, McCallister questioned the governor further. “Have your ships been able to track the distortion?”
“Indeed, it is currently moving in orbit above the seventh planet in the system. A gas giant we call Haydorief.” Thelis explained.
“Very well, we will make our way to Haydorief at once. Can your patrol ships meet us there?” McCallister asked.
“Captain, we only have two and they are refitted Khyzon-class escorts. They may not be of any use to what is awaiting you.” Thelis said. His voice sounded both whiney and concerned for the safety of his patrol ships.
Slightly frustrated to hear that he was reluctant to give up his ships, McCallister sighed quietly and responded. “Very well governor, keep them close to the colony and we will go alone. McCallister out.” Looking at his first officer, McCallister gave out a sigh.
Almost reading his mind, Cambil raised her voice as she gave out the orders that would start their mission in the Haydorian system. “Red alert, all hands to battlestations.”
As the lights on the bridge dimmed and the red flashing ones saturated it, McCallister followed Cambil’s orders. “T’Rani lay in a course for Haydorief. Full impulse.”
“Course laid in sir.” T’Rani said after a few seconds.
“Engage!” McCallister commanded. He then tapped his combadge, “Bridge to Reyas.”
“Go ahead sir.” His wife responded. She was in the cargo bays overseeing the final parts of the Archanis Array being assembled (well those parts they could do inside the ship for now).
“Karyn, I need you up here on the double. Bring Tremt with you too.” He ordered and then closed the channel.
Turning around from the operations console, the joined Trill operations manager spoke up. “Captain, I’ve just taken a look at what we know about Haydorief. It’s T class, surrounded by orbital rings, including one that's radiogenic. Shall I reinforce the shields with the main deflector?”
Nodding with agreement to the idea, McCallister said yes to Jen. “And make sure we are able to separate the ship in case there are more ships cloaked. I don’t want us to lose our advantage.”
“Aye captain.” Jen said as he turned his chair back around.
The port aft turbolift doors then opened allowing Commanders Reyas and Hunsen to enter the bridge.
“Reporting as ordered captain.” Reyas said with a smile. “I take it we have a problem?”
Nodding in response to his wife, McCallister stood up as the ship continued on its course. Briefing both his chief science officer and chief engineer with what they’re about to possible encounter, the captain wanted answers before they reached the planet. “Any ideas?”
“If the Klingon ships are cloaked and are creating the distortion in subspace then we may be able to detect them.” Hunsen suggested.
Reyas looked at the engineer and smiled. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” The El-Aurian woman asked the Betazoid.
“Reading other people’s minds is my job, not yours commander.” Hunsen said as he gestured for her and the captain to follow him over to one of the engineering stations. Sitting down at the main console, he started to tap away and loaded a program up.
As he did this Commander Reyas turned to her husband and explained what they were doing. “Something Tremt and I have been working on is how we get past the Klingon cloak. Obviously detection technology has come on leaps and bounds in the past thirty years and with the Klingons not advancing this technology as much as the Romulans were, we may have a solution.”
“Do tell.” McCallister insisted on the two of them sharing.
“It was something we were thinking about suggesting for the new detection grid.” Hunsen explained. “We send out tachyon and antiproton beams while at the same time carrying out metaphasic sweeps.”
“You’re certain they’ll break through Klingon cloaks?” McCallister asked.
“It’s a possibility.” Reyas said as she took the station next to Hunsen. It wasn’t her usual station but the two of them had been working on the idea together, so it made sense for them to be alongside one another.
“I’m bringing the modifications online. We can use the secondary deflector.” Hunsen shared.
“I’m reconfiguring our sensors now.” Reyas said and then looked at the captain. “It’s worth a shot.”
Agreeing with her assessment, McCallister gave his approval as he made his way over back to the centre of the bridge.
“Approaching Haydorief,” T’Rani announced. “I’m detecting a subspace distortion near the radiogenic ring.”
“If they’re trying to hide from us then they’ll think by hiding close to the radiogenic ring it will mask their signature.” Cambil said. The former tactical officer in her was now starting to come out. “Which poses the question, if it is the Hunters of D’Ghor, what are they doing here?”
“Reconnaissance.” Counsellor Duncan suggested. “One of the things noted in the research I read about them, they may be quick to attack their prey but they make sure they know more about their prey first.”
“What’s that old Earth saying about birds that prepare themselves for going into the kill?” Cline asked aloud.
“Circling like vultures.” Duncan answered. “Cline’s analogy is almost accurate, but these vultures like to attack and plunder a lot quicker.”
“Then let’s not give them an option to do such a thing.” McCallister said as he sat in his chair. “Cline,I want you to get a torpedo spread ready and to target the radiogenic ring near to the distortion.”
“Hoping to overwhelm the hunters?” Jen asked as he looked over his right shoulder towards his skipper.
Nodding to confirm, McCallister answered the Trill ops officer. “Something like that Cline.” The captain proceeded to ask his engineer and wife where they were with their anti-cloak scan. “Are we ready guys?”
Hunsen looked at Reyas and nodded to share he was ready at his end. She then answered her husband. “As good as we’re going to be sir. This will be a test.”
“Do it.” McCallister ordered.
Odyssey’s secondary deflector came online and the scans started straight away. Within a few seconds the ship had its answers.
Gulping a bit, Reyas reported it. “Sir, I’m picking up a Vor’cha class attack ship alongside a B’rel class bird of prey.”
“Open a channel.” McCallister ordered. He knew that attempting a non-military resolution would go unanswered but it was worth a try. The moment Jen nodded to say the channel was open, he cleared his throat and made sure he had a deep tone. “This is Captain James Preston McCallister of the Federation starship U-S-S Odyssey to the unnamed cloaked Klingon ships in orbit of Haydorief. You are trespassing in Federation space without permission. Disengage your cloaks and lower your shields at once.” There was nothing for a second so McCallister responded. “I have a full spread of torpedoes locked onto your signatures as well as onto the radiogenic ring near to you. You have five seconds to respond before I open fire.”
The two ships then decloaked and opened fire on the Odyssey. Both ships appeared to be damaged somewhat and had numerous scorch marks along their outer hull. Smears of red appeared across parts of the ships too. The symbol of D’Ghor was apparent, almost burnt on.
“Attack pattern alpha-one,” McCallister ordered as his ship rocked slightly from the outside pressure. “Fire at will!”
The Odyssey’s phasers and torpedoes came to life as it engaged the Hunters of D’Ghor.
USS Odyssey NCC-80000
Haydorian System
Another pounding hit the shields of the Odyssey as the Klingons continued with the fight. Turning to port on its axis, the massive Federation class poured fire from its phasers scoring multiple hits.
“For a group that likes to use old ship designs, I’ll give the Hunters of D’Ghor one thing for being smart to upgrade their shields.” Cambil muttered with annoyance.
“Shields at ninety-three percent.” reported Jen from ops. “They may have upgraded their shields, but their disruptors are having a tough time against ours.”
“Let’s keep it that way.” McCallister remarked with conviction. “What’s their shields like?”
Cline looked down at his tactical readouts and then answered his captain. “The Bird of Prey’s shields are at seventy-percent while the attack cruiser is at eighty-six percent. Most of their damage came from when we ignited the radiogenic particles.”
Further shuddering went across the Odyssey’s bridge as the Klingons carried on.
Holding to the arms of his chair tightly, McCallister wanted to finish this fight sooner rather than later. “Tell me there’s something about either one of those ships that we can use to our advantage?” He asked aloud to everyone on the bridge.
“Nothing on sensors is giving us any clues.” His wife remarked from the science station. Reyas had her eyes all over the sensor readings that were focussed on their attacks.
“We may not have anything on sensors but I have noticed something.” Hunsen answered as he turned in his chair away from the engineering station.
The Odyssey shook harder this time as the Klingons started to concentrate their fire on one section. A few minor explosions erupted around on the bridge as the ship took more damage.
Jen shouted at the top of his voice, “Shields at sixty-four percent!”
“Both Klingon ships fired a volley of torpedoes at our starboard shields.” Cline announced.
“Evasive manoeuvres T’Rani!” Cambil ordered the Vulcan pilot. “Punch our speeds up to full impulse!”
As the Vulcan carried out her orders and rocked the ship into a full spin away from the Klingons, Captain McCallister looked back to his chief engineer. “Come on Tremt, share what you noticed.”
The Betazoid engineer was quick to divulge his observations. “The Bird of Prey is an old d-twelve and we all know what to do with that.”
Confused by what he was suggesting, Counsellor Duncan looked over to his friend. “For those of us who are not technical minded or aren’t Betazoid, can you please explain.”
McCallister realised what his engineer was saying. “You don’t need to be technical to know what Tremt is saying Max.” He answered his third officer. “You need to know your Starfleet history. The Enterprise-D fought a d-twelve before its destruction in twenty-three-seventy-one. They defeated it as d-twelves have defected plasma coils in their cloak. The Enterprise used a low-level ionic pulse, it resetted the coil and triggered the cloaking device. A single torpedo against their primary reactor was enough to take them out.”
“That was almost thirty years ago, do you really think it’s going to work again?” Duncan questioned with reservation as the ship shuddered further.
“It’s worth a shot.” McCallister replied and gave Hunsen the order to get the pulse ready.
Quickly tapping away at his console, the engineer made the modifications to the main deflector and spun around to announce he was ready.
“Let’s do it,” McCallister ordered. “Cline, target all weapons on the Bird of Prey.”
The pulse was activated and the Bird of Prey started to cloak while back on the bridge McCallister gave the order to fire.
“Hit them with everything we’ve got!” He ordered.
Golden lances of energy followed by bright cobalt blue bursts flew from the Odyssey and directly against the smaller Klingon ship as it appeared to battle with its cloaking device. The pressure from the Federation fire was too much for it and within moments explosions erupted across the Bird of Prey as its port wing was torn off. Spinning out of control like the remains of a house stuck in a tornado, the Bird of Prey eventually lost its fight of survival and blew apart in a spectacular fashion.
Grinning with pride at their minor victory, McCallister was not going to forget they had one more ship to take on. “Bring us about and target the remaining ship. All weapons fire at will!”
The battle between the two ships continued to race until the Vor’cha appeared to increase in its speed, heading directly for Odyssey.
“Captain they’re on a collision course for us!” T’Rani announced, alarmed at the direction the battle was taking.
“Full rotation to port!” McCallister commanded. “Fire all weapons, target their engines!”
McCallister’s hope to stop them in their tracks while avoiding what they were about to do wasn’t quick enough as the Klingon ship rammed into the starboard side of the Odyssey at full speed. The damage sustained to the Federation ship was extensive as its shields were already weakened from the spread of torpedoes it had taken earlier. The Klingon ship was wiped out after its kamikaze run was completed. Multiple hull breaches soon appeared as plasma fires ignited across the starboard side of the Odyssey’s hull. The saucer section and stardrive section took heavy damage. Still rolling from its previous course, the Odyssey span further from the momentum that came from the Klingons ramming them.
On the bridge, which was now filled with smoke, fire and fallen bulkheads and smashed consoles, Captain McCallister attempted to push himself off from the deck plating. The moment the Klingons had smashed into them he had been launched from his seat. Not being able to find the energy, he rolled on his back and opened his eyes to see his counsellor standing over him.
“Sir, can you hear me?” Duncan asked.
McCallister’s eyes rolled backwards as he lost consciousness.
“Damn it.” Duncan said as he did his best to treat the captain. “I need help over here. The captain is out.”
“He’s not the only one Max.” Lenjir announced from where he was trying to help Commander Cambil to her feet. The Bajoran first officer was looking dazy and out of it.
“Where’s Commander Reyas?” Duncan shouted out. Instantly he knew he had to establish a chain of command while he held onto the captain’s head.
“Over here!” Reyas shouted from her position. She was stuck under a fallen beam and was doing her best to stay with them. “What’s happened to James?”
“He’s alive ma’am, but it looks like has a concussion!” Duncan said as he placed his medical tricorder down. Grabbing the nearest medkit, Duncan had already started to use the limited knowledge he had. “Ma’am, can you move?”
Reyas shook her head. “No, my legs are stuck underneath this.” She paused. “I don’t think I can feel them either Max.”
“Damn it.” The counsellor cursed one more time.
T’Rani who had just got off from the floor with help from Jen, realised what was happening and headed over with the joined Trill to help the science officer. “We need a plasma torch to cut this bulkhead apart or the commander may receive further injuries.”
Agreeing with her assessment, Jen went to the side and pulled out the nearest engineering locker a few tools, one being a plasma torch. Knowing she had the steadiest hands out of the two of them, he threw it over to her. “Here you go T’Rani.”
Doing her best to remain calm, Reyas smiled at the two officers trying to help her. Taking in a few deep breaths, she called over to Duncan who was being assisted by the captain’s yeoman. “Max, you need to take command.”
Shooting a glance over at her, Duncan quickly threw that idea back. “Ma’am you’re next in line after the captain and Commander Cambil.”
“I don’t think I’m in a fit shape to assume command.” She said between taking more breaths. “I need you to do this Commander Duncan, that’s an order.”
Looking at his friend Court, who was helping him with McCallister, the enlisted officer gave him a nod of support. Like a light bulb being switched on, Duncan did as he was told. “Yes ma’am.” He took a breath and took command. Noticing their chief engineer was available, he too was helping with those who were injured. “Tremt, can we transport our injured down to sickbay?”
Getting up from where he was, the engineer rushed back to his chair at the engineering station. Looking over his left shoulder, Hunsen announced the good news. “They are. Shall I beam them out now?”
“Do it.” Duncan ordered as he tapped his combadge. “Bridge to sickbay, standby to receive injuries, including the captain and Commanders Cambil and Reyas.”
“Acknowledged.” came the response from Doctor Slyvexs over the intercom. “Bridge, you need to know we are almost swamped with injuries down here. I need more power to bring the entire holographic medical team online.”
“Standby doctor.” Duncan said as he looked over to Hunsen, who appeared to be working on the doctor’s request.
“Transferring what’s left of emergency power to the holographic systems now.” The engineer said. “Try that now doctor.”
“That’s great, they’ve just come online.” The Denobulan medic reported.
Hunsen activated the site-to-site transporter and beamed everyone off the bridge who needed medical attention.
“Patients received, I’ll keep you posted. Sickbay out.” Slyvexs said before closing the channel.
Standing up straight, Duncan realised he now needed to find out what state the ship was in. “Damage report Tremt.” He asked as he walked over to where the engineer was sitting.
Everyone else, besides Court, returned to the stations to assess what their situation was. Court followed Duncan, being the acting captain meant that he needed to be close by.
Hunsen pushed away fallen debris from the console, attempting to get a full picture. “Multiple hull breaches along the starboard side of the ship but force fields are in place and seem to be holding for now. Main power is down. We've lost environmental control on decks seven to eighteen. We only have thrusters, impulse engines are offline and my engineers are trying to stabilise the warp core. Life support is barely working. Shields are down to seventeen percent and we don’t have long range sensors.” Hunsen tapped one more button on his console. “I’m dispatching holographic repair teams to critical areas but I need to get down to engineering to assess the whole situation.”
Duncan nodded in agreement, “Okay, let me know if anything else comes up.”
“Will do.” Hunsen said as he got out of his chair and headed towards the port side turbolift doors.
Turning around to face the rest of the bridge crew, Duncan could see they were all waiting for him to give out further orders. “T’Rani, stabilise the ship with thrusters.” Duncan commanded as he walked back to the middle of the bridge. “Lukiz, have we got communication ability with Haydorian?”
The ops manager looked at his console and nodded. “We do sir.”
“Then send out a distress call to the colony and make a request for aid at once.” Duncan ordered, he then looked to Court. “Tobi, begin preparations to evacuate the ship of the civilian population and then get me a full casualty report.”
The enlisted officer looked at his friend, looking a bit dubious at his first task. “Do you think abandoning the ship is wise sir?”
“Godforbid that Tremt is unable to stabilise the core, I don’t want us to be unprepared. Get it done Tobi.” Duncan said in a stronger tone.
Not hesitating to argue with his friend anymore, Court did as he was told and went off to begin his work.
Speaking up from the tactical station, the Tiburon chief security and tactical officer offered further information. “Commander, with barely any operational shields and the whole weapons array is offline we are a sitting target.”
“I know Cline, but right now we don’t have many options available to us.” Duncan reported.
“Can’t we at least launch the Aquarius to take point?” Lenjir requested.
“No.” Duncan replied. “We may need it along with our runabouts and shuttles to evacuate the ship, but have it prepped and ready just in case. Have your security teams issue out handheld weapons to every one too. I don’t want the Hunters of D’Ghor returning and attempting to take this ship from us.”
“Aye sir.” Lenjir went back to his station and got on with his orders.
As someone passed him a handheld phaser, the counsellor checked its power cells before placing it on his hip. He then looked around and realised he couldn’t stop if they were going to get out of this predicament alive.
USS Odyssey NCC-80000
Haydorian System
Trying to remain calm and take a few deep breaths, Alfie McCallister could see every other second his surroundings. The only light source that was working came from the flashing light belonging to the red alert klaxon. The intermittent crimson shades were not particularly helpful, however it was enough to see the faces of his brothers and friends.
“This is ridiculous.” complained his brother Henri.
“Can you think of another idea than Einstein?” Theodore mocked back.
“Well I’m not hearing anything from you Cochrane!” Henri countered with.
The banter between his brothers had become quite the norm between his brothers that Alfie had ended up ignoring them half the time. Looking around the room they were in (classroom twenty-one), Alfie attempted to find something he could use to either open the door or get a message out to someone on the outside. Using his hands, he pushed them against the wall trying to find a hatch or a manual override he could use.
“You found anything?” asked Alfie’s Bajoran friend, Faren-Cambil Leeyem. “I don’t think Professor S’Tefe is going to survive much longer!”
Looking over his shoulder, Alfie sighed at the scene behind him. Leeyem’s brother, Edon and several other students were trying to keep their teacher alive after he attempted to open the classroom doors and override the safety force field. The system backfired and sent the Vulcan academic across the room and knocked him unconscious. “I don’t know what I’m looking for, but I’m sure I’ve heard my dad say there is always an emergency hatch with an emergency kit in it. Even if we can help the professor, I’m not sure what else we could do without getting past the door.”
“Someone has to come and rescue us.” Leeyem stated as he started to help his friend by feeling the wall.
Kneeling down, Alfie felt a small bump in the wall and his heart skipped a beat or two. Hoping it was what he thought it was, he pushed against it slightly and small hiss followed. As he predicted, a hidden compartment revealed itself. Inside an emergency light was on, a small computer console was active and a first aid kit was available. Pulling out the kit after shouting out he found something, Alfie straight away started to see what the small screen could tell him. It wasn’t much as his access to the computer was limited. He handed the kit over to Henri who took it over to Edon to see if there was something they could use to help their injured teacher. Meanwhile Leeyem remained by his side and Theodore joined him.
“Looks like a ship-wide power loss of some sort. I can’t tell for certain but it looks like the reason why the professor was thrown backwards was because emergency force fields are active in every part of this deck and the ones above and below us.” Alfie mentioned.
“Why would so many be active?” Leeyem asked, however the Bajoran teen had an indication of why anyway.
Checking the readings one more time, Alfie told them why. “There’s a massive hull breach and life support has failed. I don’t think we’re getting out of here without some help from the outside.”
“How do we call for help without a working comm station?” Theodore piped up with.
Tapping away at the screen, Alfie had already come up with a plan. “I once saw mum call up the intercom system on our replicator by loading the main computer directory...if I can…” He paused as he tried to remember every step his mother took. “There, I did it. I’ve got the comm back.”
“Who do we call?” Leeyem asked nervously.
Looking to his friend and then back to his brother, both of whom had no idea, Alfie took a bold decision. “Well seeing as the children of the three most senior members of the crew are stuck, I’m sure the bridge won’t mind us calling in to speak to one of our parents.” He pressed another button and opened the channel. “Classroom twenty-one to the bridge, please can someone respond.”
It took almost a second for someone to respond, but the wait almost felt like an eternity. A familiar voice belonging to his godfather followed. “Alfie is that you?” asked Senior Chief Petty Officer Court.
“It is Uncle Tobi, I’m so sorry to call the bridge but we really need your help!” Alfie said.
“No problem Alf, what’s happened? Are you all okay?” Court asked concerned.
“We’re stuck in our classroom and when Professor S’Tefe tried to override the emergency force fields he was injured. Can you send someone down here to help us and get the professor to sickbay?” Alfie questioned.
“Hold on Alfie, let me see what we can do for you. Standby.” Court replied back with. A few seconds later he came back. “Alfie, the transporters are finding it hard to beam you all out in one go. We are limited with power at the moment. We can beam one person out one at a time, we’re going to start off with beaming the professor out of there first. Have you got the emergency first aid kit out?”
“We have Uncle Tobi.”
“Good, have someone activate it and place the tricorder on him. We can then use it to distinguish him from you all.” Court told the teenager.
Alfie looked to his brother Henri to do it straight away as the other students stepped away from their unconscious teacher. In a few seconds, after the tricorder was placed on his chest, the Vulcan man was beamed away.
“Well done guys, the professor is safe in sickbay.” Court told them. “Now listen, I’ve just spoken with Commander Jen and we’re not certain we can beam you all out. So this is what we’re going to do instead. Both of us are going to come down there and free you all. We can redirect the force fields and then get you off that deck to safety.”
“How long will that take?” Alfie asked, sounding worried.
“Only a few minutes.” Court answered with. “Can you wait that long?”
Looking around at everyone, they all looked scared and worried. Alfie spoke up for them. “We can Uncle Tobi, but don’t be too long.”
“We won’t, I want you to keep the channel open while we come to you.” Court said assuring his godson.
“Understood.” Alfie took in another breath as their waiting game started.
***
Main sickbay was crowded with so many people who were injured, so many were calling out in pain that it was becoming deafening for the Denobulan doctor. In her many years of service, Doctor Slyvexs had never considered that she would come to the train of thought that she was glad to have so many emergency medical holograms working around her. When they first introduced the system a couple of decades ago, like so many other medical professionals, she wasn’t too keen on them, but now they were making a difference as they dealt with the countless triages coming through.
Before her, lying on the surgical bed, was Captain McCallister. After being thrown from his chair on the bridge, the captain had passed out from concussion and was suffering from internal bleeding after one of his ribs had pierced his right lung. Working in unison with her staff, they acted quickly to save their commanding officer’s life. Helping her with the surgery was her deputy, Doctor Remi Forbes, a human man who had risen through the ranks dealing with frontier medicine on a number of Starfleet outposts and starbases. Odyssey had been his first ship posting since he graduated from the academy.
“BP is starting to fluctuate.” Forbes announced and then the captain’s body started to convulse. “His cardiovascular system is failing, I’m applying twenty milligrams of lectrazine. We’re going to lose him!”
Trying her best to keep her hand steady as Forbes injected the hypospray into the captain, Slyvexs was doing her best to repair the damage the captain had sustained to his ribs. The monitors around them started to give off warnings that the captain’s life signs were failing. “We’re losing him,” Slyvexs said as she completed her work and looked to her nurse, “Ten milligrammes cordrazine. We'll use it in conjunction with the cortical stimulator.”
Like a flash, the Caitian nurse picked up the hypospray, passed it to her boss and applied the cortical stimulator on the captain. “Ready doctor.” She hissed.
“Stand back!” Slyvexs ordered and the moment Forbes and others stepped back, she shouted. “Now!”
The captain’s body flinched slightly. Forbes had a tricorder in his hand already. “I’m getting a thready pulse.” He announced.
“Quickly. Seventy five milligrammes inaprovaline. I'll begin direct synaptic stimulation.” Slyvexs ordered as she got back to work on saving the captain’s life.
“Pulse is weakening. We're losing him again.” Forbes stated.
Frustrated that they may lose the captain, Slyvexs was not going to give up. “Cortical stimulator.” She instructed. “Now!”
Again the captain’s body flinched and then went limp.
Forbes looked at his scanner and spoke, “No change!”
“Again!” The Denobulan shouted.
McCallister’s body moved from the outside pressure and then the monitors showed a steady pulse returning alongside with brain activity rising again.
“We’ve got him back.” Forbes said relieved.
“He’s not going anywhere right now.” Slyvexs ordered as she resumed working on bringing the captain back to life.
***
Running through the corridors with Tobias was not how Lieutenant Commander Jen had expected their mission to Haydorian to turn out. Making their way passed each force field, being careful to keep what limited oxygen levels they had remaining, the two Starfleet officers were approaching one junction when Tobias stopped in his tracks.
“What’s wrong?” Jen asked.
Pulling his phaser out from his hip, Court didn’t have time to explain as he pushed Jen to the deck plating before both of them were hit by green bolts of disruptor fire. Rolling over the floor, with Lukiz in his arms still, Tobias pulled them both behind a nearby hatch. “Klingon life signs!” He said as he realised he was lying on top of his ex-boyfriend.
More disruptor fire came down the corridor, as the two men got themselves off from each other and into a defensive position. Phasers in their hands. Court, took his tricorder out and spoke up. “I’m picking up four life-signs, all of them Kligon and they're wearing some sort of EVA suits.”
Looking in between the debris from a fallen bulkhead, the Trill operations officer could see the four warriors all firing towards them. Each of their shots missed the two Starfleet officers that were now pinned down. “How the hell did they get on the ship?” He whispered.
“They must have beamed over before their ship rammed us?” Court suggested. “Anyway, we can’t get any further while they’re there!”
Tapping his combadge, Jen called the bridge. “Jen to the bridge, intruder alert on deck seventeen.”
“Lukiz, did you say intruder alert?” Came the response from Cline Lenjir on the bridge.
“I did Cline, get me security officers down here right now as Tobias and I are pinned down by Klingons in EVA suits!” Lukiz ordered.
“They’re on their way!”
Looking to Tobias, who was just as concerned, Lukiz just wondered how much more could the Odyssey take from today.
USS Odyssey NCC-80000
Haydorian System
Trying to lay down some phaser fire at the Klingon intruders, Tobias was certain that neither he or Lukiz would get out of this situation alive. The Hunters of D’Ghor’s conviction were strong that they were going to hold their position. Looking above the fallen bulkhead they were hiding from, Tobias raised his phaser and fired it twice down the corridor. It smacked one of the Klingons twice but their suits appeared to absorb the fire as if they were Borg drones with their own personal shields.
“This is ridiculous, we can’t get out of this.” Tobias muttered to the Trill officer.
Jen was firing his phaser while playing with his tricorder too. “Those helmut suits have an impressive absorptive rate. I think we need to change our phaser settings to maximum, we’re not going to get anywhere with the stun setting.”
“I’m happy to do that as long as I don’t get busted down in rank.” Tobias replied as he fiddled with the settings on his phaser and upped it to the maximum level. If the Klingons survived the vaporising setting, then he knew they were both as good as dead.
Nodding to Lukiz that he was done, the two of them popped their weapons out and fired at the Klingons. Both of them scored a direct hit at two of the intruders and both vapourised in an instant. The surviving members of their boarding party screamed in horror and began to run down the corridor. Before either Starfleet officer had a chance to aim their weapons again the last two Klingons fell to the ground as they were hit by a barrage of phaser bolts coming from the side junction they had just ran past. Dropping like dead weights, the Klingons were out and coming through the smoke with a smug look on his face, flanked by a whole team of security officers was Lieutenant Commander Cline Lenjir. The Tiburon security chief lowered his phaser rifle and indicated for the others to do the same.
“You took your time.” Lukiz remarked from the crouched position he and Tobias were in.
“You’re welcome.” Cline said with a smirk. “I thought you said there was a whole boarding party? Where are the others?”
“Blown to bits.” Tobias answered. “Their suits were able to absorb the stun settings from our handheld phasers, so I would suggest we either get these goons unarmed and into the brig before they come back around.”
Cline ordered his team to do that as he joined Tobias and Lukiz to rescue the trapped teenagers in the classroom.
After redirecting the emergency force fields and repairing the environmental controls and life support for the section, the three men were able to reach the door to classroom twenty one. Crouching down onto the deck floor again, Lukiz tore off the nearby wall bracket to reveal the emergency manual release circuitry.
The computer then beeped at him before speaking up. “Manual release is on-line.”
Pulling the handle out of its locked position the gentle hiss from the door behind the Trill operations officer indicated that the locks were disengaged. Straight away Tobias pulled out the magnetic lever and stuck it on the door. Using it to push one side of the parted door away, Lukiz and Cline pushed on the other side. Gaining entrance to the dark room, the three men shone their wrist torches into the room. Straight away they were surrounded by the teenagers and before Tobias could do anything else, he was hugged tightly by his godsons.
“Uncle Tobi, I’m so pleased you’re here. Where’s dad?” Alfie asked after letting go of his godfather.
Pulling the three McCallister boys to one side while the other two dealt with the other teenagers, Tobias explained what had happened to their parents. “Listen your dad is going to be fine, so is your mum. You guys know that Doctor Slyvexs is one of the best doctors, she will make sure they are comfortable and looked after.”
“I want to see mum and dad now.” Henri said, doing his best to hold back tears of worry and concern for his parents.
“Me too.” Theodore said in agreement.
“Listen guys, we’ve got a lot of injured souls right now. I’m not sure sickbay is the best place for you.” Tobias said assuring them. “We need to get you out of here first and then when it is safe and okay for you to see them, then we will go and see them.”
“You can’t stop us from seeing our parents!” Henri said stubbornly as he turned around to head to the door, but Tobias pulled him back with one swift room.
“Henri, I get it that you’re worried and scared but I need you to do as you're told and trust me.” Tobias said in a firm and parental manner. “You need to give the medical staff their chance to help your parents as well as others.”
“Uncle Tobi is right guys.” Alfie admitted.
Frustrated at his brother and godfather, Henri sighed out. “Fine.”
“Right come on, we’re taking you all to the auditorium for now.” Court said as he encouraged them to leave the classroom.
***
On the bridge of the Odyssey, Counsellor Max Duncan was aiding those that were left in trying to restore control of the ship. T’Rani had insisted on staying on the bridge, even though her husband was in sickbay. She had said it would be illogical for her to leave her post and pester the medical team. If she was needed then she would go when she was called. Deciding not to argue with Vulcan logic for now, Max had taken over at the operations console after Lukiz and Tobias had left to save the captain’s sons along with their classmates.
Trying to bring the internal sensors back online, the counsellor was relying on his engineering extension course from Starfleet Academy and the odd things he had learnt from Tremt over the year to be helpful. Tapping one more sequence into the console, he got a positive beep from the computer saying that the internal sensors were back online.
“Finally!” He said as he got up and made his way over to the tactical station.
“I assume you have got internal sensors back online?” T’Rani asked him.
“You assume correctly T’Rani.” Duncan remarked as he approached his destination and activated the intruder alert system. He wanted to see if there was anyone else on board that shouldn’t be...the computer beeped back in response and announced that his worst fears were proven. He was no longer reading the intruders near classroom twenty one, but at least eighty-six Klingon life signs all dotted around the ship.
“Bloody hell,” He cursed as he opened a shipwide communication channel. “All hands intruder alert, we have Hunters of D’Ghor on board in multiple sections. Implement defence procedure omega.”The intruder alarm then sounded across the ship as Duncan started to activate internal defences, those that he could power up. “T’Rani, start handing out phaser rifles to everyone here.”
The Vulcan pilot nodded in acknowledgement as she went over to the weapon lockers and tapped a button that allowed them to be revealed by a simple twist around from where they were in the walls. Straight away she started to hand out the rifles.
“Court to the bridge.” spoke Tobias over the bridge’s intercom speaker.
Tapping his combadge to answer, Duncan answered the call. “Go ahead Tobi, please tell me you have those kids.”
“We do Max and we’re heading to the auditorium now, but you need to be aware those Klingons we repelled took a lot to take down. They’re wearing some sort of body protection suit that can absorb our standard stun settings. It took Cline’s entire team to hit them multiple times from their phaser rifles for them to go down. Lukiz and I had to result in setting our handheld phasers to the top setting to take them out.”
Hearing that, Duncan was taking back a bit. “Understood. I’ll inform the crew. Is Cline with you Tobias?”
“I’m here sir.” replied the Tiburon man. “Do you want me to take teams to repel our uninvited guests?”
Duncan nodded, even though Lenjir couldn’t see him. “You read my mind, Cline. And use whatever force is necessary, you have my authorisation to do whatever it takes to remove the threat. Is that understood?”
“Perfectly sir. Lenjir out.”
As T’Rani came over and handed a rifle to the counsellor, he took it from her hands and brought it to its highest power level before placing the lock on it. “You heard the chief, set your weapons to high.” He ordered everyone on the bridge.
“We should secure the bridge from anyone trying to beam in. I could create a scattering field using a few tricorders.” T’Rani offered.
“Do it. We don’t know what these hunters have with them.” Duncan said as he looked down the security console to see that the Hunters were slowly making their way through the Odyssey. Thankfully they weren’t near to anyone else for the moment.
Haydorian System
Walking down the corridor, with his phaser rifle drawn and ready to engage the intruders, Lieutenant Commander Cline Lenjir looked behind him to see his security team still so close behind him. His entire security department was now working on removing the Hunters of D'Ghor that had boarded them after ramming Odyssey with their ship. Not sure if their plan was either calculated or reckless, the security chief stopped as they approached cargo bay three. Internal sensors had picked up a large number of Klingon lifesigns in the cargo bay. It was as if they were using it as a command post to coordinate their assault.
Already Lenjir had briefed his teams on what they would do. Deploying not only his security teams, but Odyssey's two hazard teams as well, he had planned for them to approach the cargo bay from several angles. The main objective was to remove the Klingon threat, however they all knew the Hunters of D'Ghor wouldn't make it easy for them. Commander Duncan, being the de facto captain for now, had authorised for Cline to use whatever force was necessary to remove them from the ship. Knowing from his previous encounter with them while rescuing the captain's sons and their classmates, he knew the Klingons had come on board with EVA-like suits on. So attempting to overwhelm them with gases like anesthizine or neurozine would not be an option. Instead Lenjir planned to remove them from the cargo by depressing the room into space. It may have seemed as an inhumane act, instead of stunning them all, but the fact it took several shots from their phaser rifles to take one of them down, it was deemed the best course of action. They could flush them out and then use the transporters on the Aquarius to transport them into their brigs. However the cargo bay controls had been damaged and to get them up and running, it required each team to manually release the mag-locks for the outer hatches.
Approaching the jeffery tube access they would use, Cline tapped the buttons on the lock to open it. Once the lock clicked that it was open, he pulled the handle up and opened the door. His security team all aiming their phaser rifles down the long tube in case anything came out. Luckily the light from the torches attached to their rifles showed that the long tunnel was clear. Tapping his combadge, Cline called out to the others. "Alpha team to all security teams, we're in position. I want a status report from everyone else."
As they entered the tunnel, Cline received a report from every team all stating they were approaching their targets and that so far none of them had encountered the Klingons. So far so good he thought.
After receiving news that every security team was moving in and removing their intruders, Commander Duncan moved away from the security station. He had just updated Lenjir on the news that they were still tracking the Klingons in the cargo bay. He gave them clearance to go ahead with their plan.
"Engineering to bridge." came the voice of Commander Hunsen over the bridge's intercom speakers.
Making his way around to the captain's chair, Duncan responded to his friend. "Go ahead Tremt. Please say you have some good news."
The Betazoid chief engineer chuckled slightly. "Some good news Max." He answered. "We should have impulse engines back online within the hour. We can do at least half impulse."
"That's some good news. Where do we stand with other tactical systems?" Duncan asked as he sat down in the centre seat. "Perhaps restoring shields or getting a few phaser arrays online would be good?"
"I've got damage control teams working on the shield array, should have those back in the next three to four hours. Phasers are a lost cause for the moment, but I'm hoping to get power restored to the forward torpedo turrets." Hunsen reported.
"Thanks Trent, keep me apprised. Bridge out." Duncan said as he tapped the control in the chair's armrest control.
"Getting comfortable?" remarked Senior Chief Petty Officer Court as he stepped off from the starboard forward turbolift. Like everyone else, the senior enlisted officer looked rough. His collar was undone while his jacket was unzipped completely with his sleeves rolled up. Not only was his uniform in a disarray but his hair was a mess with sweat across his face, neck and exposed chest. With a phaser rifle strapped over his shoulder and on his back, Court approached Odyssey's acting captain with a PADD in his hands. "I've got a head count for you."
Not looking forward to hearing it, Duncan took the computer device and started to read it while Court told him the statistics.
"We've got fifty-eight crew in critical condition, including the captain and our three commanders, while there are still ninety-three people still missing. Thankfully we know that no-one was blown out into space when the hull breached. There's still areas of the ship we can't reach and where the internal sensors aren't working properly. Sensor resolution is below twenty percent, so the computer can't identify certain lifesigns. I've got search and rescue teams, devised mainly from the science department looking for them." Court shared as he took the seat that Commander Duncan normally sat in to the captain's left. "How's Cline's hunting going?"
"They've just arrived at their targets, they should be working on the manual overrides as we speak." Duncan replied. He gave the PADD back to Court. "Good work on this Tobie, how's our civilian population holding up?"
"Well, from what I can gather. Using the various crew lounges as areas of shelters has proven helpful in keeping everyone safe while we undergo our little Klingon purge and restore systems." Court answered. "A number of them have asked why you've not given the order to abandon ship and use the escape pods to take them to the colony."
Duncan looked to his friend and considered his words carefully. "I've floated with the idea, but with Tremt stabilising the ship and Doctor Slyvexs' team still helping others, we're not abandoning ship yet."
"I get that, I do, but is it worth evacuating the civilians at least?" Court suggested.
"No, I'm not prepared to separate everyone. We don't know if another D'Ghor ship could arrive and start using them for target practice." Duncan said. "And I'm not splitting the ship up either. We need the power systems from the chevron section and stardrive section to keep us afloat until help arrives."
"Talking of which, any word from the colony yet? Have they sent anyone?" Court asked.
"Not yet, but with T'Rani commanding the Aquarius and helping Cline with his 'purge', we've got no-way to be certain they've got our distress call." Duncan remarked. "I'm just hoping that the governor is not being stubborn in sending them like he was with the captain."
***
Sat upright in the commanding officer's chair on the bridge of the Aquarius, Lieutenant Commander T'Rani observed carefully as Lieutenant Commander Lenjir's teams came to completing their mission. The skeleton crew she had with her operating Odyssey's support craft, were all working at peak efficiency in such a dire situation. At the moment they were the only sentinel for Odyssey and removing the Klingon intruders was a priority for securing the ship.
"Commander, I'm detecting the cargo bay external doors opening." announced the Pelian science officer. "The decompression cycle is starting."
"Onscreen Ensign Jriose." T'Rani ordered.
The mainscreen showed the large doors from cargo bay three opening slowly and the air rushing from it. Bodies started to flow backwards at fast speeds, all of them Klingons. Satisfied that their mission was succeeding, T'Rani ordered them to start to beam their prisoners up and into Odyssey's brig. The proximity alarm then went off.
Jrioise looked up from her console, "Ma'am, sensors are picking up the USS Discovery and USS Shackleton arriving. Captain Bennet on the Discovery is hailing Odyssey."
"Accept the call from our end and transfer it to the Odyssey at once." T'Rani ordered. Knowing that help had finally arrived placed the Vulcan woman at more ease. The arrival of a Centaur-class with a Rhode Island-class would make a difference to them securing the system further.
USS Odyssey NCC-80000
Haydorian System
Blinking once and then twice, Cambil Bexa wondered if she was dead and in the Celestial Temple with the Prophets. Reality then hit and she realised she was lying on a biobed in sickbay.
“Welcome back.” A friendly and familiar voice greeted her. Doctor Slyvexs held a medical tricorder in her hands as she smiled down at Odyssey’s Bajoran first officer. Taking scans of Cambil, the Denobulan physician was smiling at the results.
“Where...what...where am I?” Cambil said as she tried to talk but her body was calling out in pain in all areas, especially around her chest. Wincing at every pain receptacle that was going off in her body, Cambil had no idea how to deal with the state she was in. Trying to sit up, she was stopped by the friendly warm hands of Slyvexs.
“Easy Bexa.” Sylvexs instructed. “You’ve been through surgery and are still recovering.”
“What happened?” Cambil asked again as she calmed herself down.
“You were brought down here from the bridge and we had to operate on you” Slyvexs explained as she placed her tricorder down. “A large shed of bulkhead went through your chest and unfortunately caused a lot of internal bleeding. When we started the surgery we noticed your heart was heavily damaged. I couldn’t repair it.”
“So how come I’m still here?” Cambil asked as she tried to ignore the pain.
Loading a hypospray, Slyvexs explained it was pain relief and injected it into Cambil’s neck as she told her more of what happened. “I’m afraid I had to remove your heart and replace it with an artificial one.”
“Oh.” was all Cambil could say.
“Bexa, you need to understand that without your new heart you wouldn’t be here. I got Naprem’s consent before the surgery.” Slyvexs informed. “I’m afraid you’ll be in some agony for several days and won’t be returning to duty for some time either.”
“How long?” Cambil asked, almost breathless.
“Two, maybe three weeks. I need to ensure your body is adapting to the new heart and it to your body.” Slyvexs said. “So far, everything is going well.”
Smiling in appreciation for the doctor’s efforts, Cambil thanked the chief medical officer as she helped her sit up. Realising she was in the recovery ward, she looked to her left and saw Captain McCallister lying on a similar bed, asleep. “Is the captain…” She started and couldn’t find her words.
“He’s fine for now. We almost lost him. He suffered plasma burns to his thoracic region, internal bleeding.” Slyvexs explained. “I was able to stop a massive cerebro-vascular collapse. I’ve had to induce a coma to allow his body to heal. He won’t be returning to command anytime soon.”
“Who is in command? Karyn?” Bexa asked as Slyvexs went over to a nearby replicator and got her patient a glass of water.
Turning around with the cold beverage in her hand, Slyvexs sat on the edge of the bed as she caught Cambil up. “Max is. Karyn was crushed under the same bulkhead that hurt you. She’s currently being prepped for spinal surgery. She’s expected to make a full recovery too, but like you and the captain she won’t be up and about for some time.”
“Tell Counsellor Duncan, I want to see him.” Cambil said after sipping on her glass and as she pushed herself up further.
Stopping Cambil from moving any further, Slyvexs placed her hand back on her shoulder. “Bexa, stop. That’s an order. You’re relieved of your duties and I can tell you now that Max is doing a fine job.”
“I want to see him, along with my husband and boys.” Cambil insisted.
“I’ll comply with the latter but not on the former. Commander Duncan has enough on his plate right now and doesn't need a lecture from you. He is dealing with the ship and the Hunters the right way. Once the ship is docked and more repairs are underway, I will see if he is free to see you.” Slyvexs said in a firm tone. “Do I make myself clear?”
Surrendering to the doctor, Cambil nodded.
“Now let me get that lovely family of yours.” The Denobulan said as she went back to her office to make the call.
Cambil looked over to her captain and friend. He looked different from where he laid. One of them had to be up and about to help with the ship, she was certain she would do whatever it took to return to duty.
***
Entering transporter room two with Tobias in tow, Max realised that they were about to meet with Captain Bennet from the Discovery and both of them looked like a wreck. Neither of them had gone off from duty since the attack. It had been a long day and even with the arrival of the Discovery and Shackleton, the day wasn’t going to end anytime soon.
The transporter platform came to life and the sparkling light of the beam was created. A second or two later and Captain Zack Marshall-Bennet appeared.
“Welcome aboard the Odyssey.” Max said, smiling to the captain before them.
Stepping down and extending his hand out towards the acting captain, Bennet returned the gesture. “Thank you Commander Duncan. I wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Indeed sir.” Duncan said as he turned to Tobias. “Sir, this is Senior Chief Petty Officer Tobias Court. The captain’s yeoman and our chief of the boat.”
Shaking Court’s hand, Bennet said hello before paying his attention back to Duncan. “It’s good to meet you both. I take it the repair crews we’ve sent over are helping?”
“They are sir.” Duncan said in response. “Thank you again.”
“Not a problem.” Bennet said. “And I’ve just finished reading your report about your Klingon purge. I’ve spoken to Starfleet Command and please assure those involved that the ethical decision to ‘flush’ them out into space and beam them into your brig has been cleared by Rear Admiral Beckett.”
Pleased to hear that, Duncan smiled in appreciation. “Thank you sir.”
“Now you tell me there’s something about one of the prisoners you’ve taken?” Bennet said.
“Yes sir.” Duncan said and he insisted they leave the transporter room by gesturing towards the door with his hand. “One of them identified himself as Captain Kargarth, apparently he commanded the ship that rammed us.”
As they walked out of the transporter room, Bennet was quipped back. “I hope the usual remark of he will pay for what he has done has been shared?”
“Indeed.” Duncan said. “However he went on to say that ramming the Odyssey was part of a larger plan to disrupt our efforts in deploying the Archanis Array.”
“What do you mean?” Bennet asked looking at the counsellor.
“Captain, we're not sure but we’ve been scanning the suits the Hunters used and they’ve got a distinct signature on them.” Court stated.
“My science teams are looking at them in more detail, but it appears the Klingons have used viridium to insulate part of their suits. We think it’s their way of keeping track of one another.” Duncan added.
Entering a turbolift, Duncan called down to the deck where the brig was. As the lift moved on, Bennet crossed his arms against his chest. “That doesn’t seem like the cleverest thing to do. Viridium patches can be detected at least two sectors away, depending on their frequency.”
“Exactly and we’ve already adjusted our scanners to detect them. It would seem the Hunters of D’Ghor haven’t completely left the Haydorian system.” Duncan reported as the lift came to a gradual halt. “Before they attacked us, it would appear they launched a number of small crafts, mostly shuttles or one person pods to various locations. They even transported themsevles into outer space with these suits on. ”
“For what purpose?” Bennet asked.
“That’s why we need you sir.” Court replied.
“Me?” Bennet quizzed.
“Captain Kargarth has said he will agree to deal in telling us what they are doing in return for his freedom. I felt that was something above my jurisdiction to agree to do, plus he insisted on seeing a captain and not an acting captain.” Duncan shared.
“Very well.” Bennet said as they approached the large doors to the main brig.
A number of security guards stood by the entrance and as they entered the detention area, each brig was filled with the Klingons the crew had caught. Walking past each one, Bennet could see that every Klingon they had was no longer wearing their suits but instead were wearing basic grey jumpsuits, Starfleet edition. It was clear that Duncan had not taken any chance with his prisoners. He didn’t blame him for that.
Approaching the second to last cell, Duncan and Court stopped which Bennet did as well. “Captain Kargarth, this is Captain Bennet of the USS Discovery.”
Kargarth was a large Klingon man with a full head of thick black hair and a long goatee. He stood up from the bench he had been sitting on. His muscles were pushing against the jumpsuit, his immense build and intimidating posture made him formidable to look at.
“Captain Bennet,” He said with a smirk. “I see Acting Captain Duncan has got the guts to find someone worthy to face me.”
“Captain Kargarth, I don’t care very much for your tone and I am only here as a courtesy to Captain Duncan. Whatever it is you wish to say, you can say to me as well as him.” Bennet said in a stern manner. “You want your freedom, you best share something that is worth its while.”
Chuckling at Bennet’s approach, Kargath turned away from the Starfleet trio. “You humans make me laugh as you attempt to be strong in the presence of Klingon warriors.”
“I don’t see a Klingon warrior before me.” Bennet threw back. “Last time I checked, a Klingon warrior has a sense of honour, a sense of pride and a sense of duty to the Empire. What you have done here today does not match any of that, the fact you want a deal struck here makes you more like a sniveling Ferengi bartering for his life. So if you want any form of honour to be returned to you then you’ll do the right thing and share with me what you wish to trade with and you may be given an opportunity to join the disgraced in Gre’thor.”
Sneering at Bennet as he turned around, Kargarth stomped forward and stopped before the force field. “You do not understand such things like the Klingon afterlife.”
“I know you and your fellow Hunters are keen to get to it or you wouldn’t have taken the coward’s way out by ramming this ship.” Bennet countered back. “You’re wasting my time, so if you have anything of substance to share with me then spill it now or I will be on my way.”
Laughing aloud, Kargarth gave out a belly roar. “You amuse me captain, you and Captain Duncan make a fine pair of adversaries. I only wish I had a chance to meet the true captain of this vessel to praise him for such a well fought battle earlier.”
Bennet looked at Duncan. “I’ve had enough of this.” He looked back to Kargarth. “Captain Kargarth, you will be tried for crimes against the people of the Federation. I will be advising the highest penalty possible. I believe life imprisonment, even for dishonourable Klingons, is quite unbearable.”
“That is fine, but the only thing I will say is you will not find all of my people. I promise you captain, that your new array won’t come online and the Hunters of D’Ghor will be victorious.” Kargarth remarked. “There’s nothing you can do.” He then returned to his bench.
“Well this has been a complete waste of my time, but thanks for the heads up. We’ll start to look for your crew and make sure that none of them get the chance to hurt us again.” Bennet stated and signalled for Duncan and Court to leave the brig with him.
After the three men stepped out of the brig, Bennet looked at Duncan. “I need to return to the Discovery and inform the other captains of this. We also need to step up our detection grid building efforts at once.”
“Odyssey is no shape to help out right now.” Court remarked.
“No she isn’t, but between Discovery and Shackleton we could take over.” Bennet stated.
The intercom then went off with T’Rani’s voice following. “T’Rani to Duncan.”
Tapping his combadge and giving Bennet an apologetic look for the interruption. “Go ahead T’Rani.”
“Sir, the Aquarius’ sensors have just detected the arrival of the U-S-S Endeavour into the system. They are damaged as well sir.” T’Rani reported. She was still on board their support ship, guarding the vessel while Discovery and Shackleton towed them towards the colony's drydocks.
“Thanks T’Rani. Remain by our side while I speak with Captain Bennet.” Duncan replied and closed the combadge with a tap on his combadge again.
“That’s not good to hear.” Bennet remarked once the channel was closed. “I must get back to Discovery and speak with Captain Rourke and the others. We need to move fast on this.”
“Understood sir.” Duncan said. He looked to Court and both men knew that this day was going to get longer.
USS Odyssey NCC-80000
Haydorian System
Having the chance to finally take a break from everything, Commander Max Duncan was making his way down the corridor towards his quarters to take a shower, put on a fresh clean uniform and grab something to eat. The Odyssey was finally docked in at the Haydorian repair yard and thankfully the engineers and repair teams were a lot more welcoming than Governor Thelis had been. After being informed that he had two hours before Captain Bennet wanted to speak to him and Endeavour’s captain, Max felt that taking the opportunity to return home after being on duty for almost seventeen hours was definitely needed.
“Max!” came a familiar voice from behind.
Stopping in his tracks and turning on his heel, the counsellor/acting captain turned to see Senior Chief Petty Officer Tobias Court jogging down the corridor down towards him. “What’s up Tobi?”
Court slowed down and matched his friend’s pace as they carried on walking. “I’ve just spoken with the Starfleet liaison on Haydorian, they’ve offered for our civilian population to be evacuated while repairs are undertaken. They’ll provide full accommodation for everyone.”
Surprised to hear that, Max looked at Tobias. “Seriously? Who is our liaison with the Thelis administration?”
“A lovely bubbly Bolian woman who goes by the name of Lieutenant Commander Jesp.” Tobias answered. “Apparently the Starfleet base down there has the room for everyone. They’ve also offered to take on any of our injured as well.”
“Have you spoken to Slyvexs yet about it?” Max asked as they turned down a junction.
Shaking his head, Tobias answered. “No, not yet. I wanted to get your permission.”
“Well Tremt believes we will be at the yard for at least three days, if not four while repairs take place.” Max remarked as he considered the idea of moving the entire civilian population off the ship for a while. It would be such a bad thing for them all, especially the children, to have a break from the disaster that remained on the ship. “Make it happen Tobi and speak with Slyvexs. Where we can safely transport those in recovery or who are injured down to the planet then let’s do it.”
“Will do.” Tobias responded and gave Max a PADD, “I just need your authority to go ahead with it.”
Scribbling his authorisation onto the tablet that contained the orders already written, Max saw that under his name it said: ACTING CAPTAIN. Knowing that he’d be in this position for a little bit longer, he smiled at seeing it in writing.
***
Pleased to have her three sons around her, Commander Reyas was sat up in a private recovery room within Odyssey’s vast sickbay complex. Smiling from ear to ear, the El-Aurian science officer had undergone complete spinal reconstruction after being crushed by a fallen bulkhead on the bridge during the skirmish with the Klingons. Happy she had survived the entire ordeal, the smile she had was being surrounded by her three sons.
“And then Uncle Tobi came in with his phaser drawn and saved us all!” Henri said in an excited tone as he recalled their rescue from the Hunters of D’Ghor. “It was so cool!” He stood re-enacting it while Theo sat on a tall stall and Alfie sat at the end of her bio-bed.
Karyn felt slightly guilty for leaving the boys in such a dangerous situation but her El-Aurian wisdom reminded her that she couldn’t have done anything else about it while she was stuck under a ton of starship debris. Thankful they had survived, Karyn kept on smiling at Henri. He could be the most dramatic out of her sons sometimes. “Well it’s good to hear that we picked the right godfather for you all. Have you been doing as you're told by Uncle Tobias?”
Theo rolled his eyes at his mother and answered for all three of them. “Yeah of course, but it has been truly boring staying in the auditorium.”
“We got to eat a cargo hold of ice cream Theo, how was that boring?” Henri questioned his brother.
Laughing slightly at Henri’s comment, Karyn stopped herself as she felt a surge of pain from the movement. “Have you guys been able to return to our quarters at all?”
“Uncle Tobi said we won’t be able to go back there for a few days.” Alfie said. “Something to do with the damaged control teams making repairs to the life support systems and environmental controls. But he said we can all sleep in his quarters. He said we can all sleep on his couches and he’d replicate some sheets and pillows for us.”
Grateful for Tobi’s generosity in caring for her sons, Karyn smiled at the news. “Well just make sure you guys don’t get in his way and keep it tidy.”
“We will.” Henri said as he sat back on the spare stall next to Theo’s. “Do you know how much longer you and dad will be in sickbay?”
“A few more days.” answered Doctor Slyvexs as she entered the room.
Turning around to see the Denobulan woman enter, the three McCallister boys all appeared a lot more stiff in the doctor’s presence.
“When will they come home though?” Alfie asked, the concern in his tone was apparent.
Slyvexs walked over and looked over Karyn’s readings. “Well thanks to her super healing powers, your mum’s El-Aurian genes are doing amazing things in her recovery. She should be able to leave sickbay in two-to-three days.”
“That’s good to hear, I’m sure Commander Duncan would appreciate sharing the burden of command with someone else.” Karyn remarked as she made herself comfortable again.
“You won’t be returning to duty for another week or two at least commander. We’re going to have to start therapy for your body to truly come to terms to the surgery we’ve undertaken.” Slyvexs stated as she looked down at her patient before looking at the three teenagers. “So that means you’ll need to help your mum around when she comes home.”
“We will.” Henri said and got the support of his two other brothers.
Grateful that her sons were going to step-up to the challenge of helping her at home, Karyn was eager to get back to duty as well but she knew she couldn’t argue with Slyvexs. “How’s James doing anyway?
“He’s recovering nicely too. I’m hoping to wake him tomorrow morning and see how things go from there.” Slvyexs answered.
“It’s about time!” Theo said. “Can we see him when he wakes up?”
Smiling at his eagerness, Slyvexs agreed to it. “Absolutely, but I must now insist that the visitor's time is over. Your mother needs to rest and I believe your friends Edon and Leeyum are leaving too. Perhaps you five can return to the auditorium together?”
Reluctant to leave, the three McCallister boys got up and said goodbye to their mother.
Once they had left, Slyvexs looked back at Karyn. “You have three wonderful sons.”
“I do.” Reyas answered proudly. “Tell me Slyvexs, how is James doing? Truthfully?”
“I keep forgetting you El-Aurians are listeners, you can hear when something isn’t completely right.” Slyvexs remarked as she sat on the vacated stall that Henri was sitting on a moment ago. “It has been touch and go if I am completely honest. We almost lost him, but he isn’t giving up and neither should you.”
“Is he going to be okay as he comes around?” Karyn asked, concerned for her husband’s welfare.
“I’m expecting some memory loss and he may need some physical therapy to manage his injuries but nothing that’s going to stop him from being a father, a husband and sitting back in the captain’s chair.” Slyvexs said.
“Good.” Karyn said with a smile as she got herself comfortable, glad to hear that her family was safe...for now.
***
Hendor (Haydorian IXb)
Haydorian System
Shaniath, daughter of Jorpemk and sister of Kargarth, shoved the shuttle’s door off from its hinges as she exited her damaged craft. Behind her, three of her fellow crewmates from the Druvanna, followed her out. She pushed her long hair back.
Looking around their surroundings, an almost M-class atmosphere on one of the small moons that belonged to the last gas giant in the Federation system. After leaving her brother’s side to begin their back-up plan, Shaniath wondered just how long they would be using this moon’s large mountains to hide in before plotting their attack against Starfleet.
“It will do.” She grunted. “The kelobonite in the terrain will assist in masking our lifesigns from the Starfleet ships while we make repairs.”
Her companions all agreed as they surveyed their whereabouts with similar grunts.
“I want that shuttle up and running by sunrise. In the meantime, I smell the scent of a beast who could be tasty.” She pulled out her almost broken and rusty bat’leth as she walked into the nearby wooded area to hunt for her and her companions' meal for the evening.