S4:E7 - A Gathering of Angels

[Richard James Litt]

[USS Challenger · Main Shuttlebay]

Ian smiled to hear Lieutenant Litt was with the evacuation and replied immediately.

"Galloway ta Litt. Coordinate with Katra Ops on where they need you for the evacuation of the civilians. Godspeed Lieutenant."

"œAye sir, I'm on it!"

The moment Captain Ian gave the order for Litt to contact Katra he went to his panel and quickly tried to contact them.

"Katra Ops, this is Lieutenant Litt, Chief of Flight from Challenger, Captain Ian told me to get in touch to find out where I am needed to evacuate civilians ..."

[Ian Galloway]

[Deck 1 - Main Bridge - USS Discovery]

The Captain stood almost with his mouth open at the reply.  Really?  Come in peace?  That is what coming in peace looked like to them?  He turned to his first officer with a look of 'Did they really just say that?' before looking at the cloud in front of them.

Luckily... or unluckily... he didn't have to think of a reply, as suddenly proximity alarms went off before the viewscreen showed weapons fire from the attack craft.  Nevir looked in horror as many of their smaller craft were suddenly destroyed, leaving the larger ships to face against many fighters.  He didn't have time to try and scan for survivors... at least not his ship.

"Weapons hot, prepare a full spread of quantum torpedoes for the first larger ship that tries to make a run for the station.  Take out as many fighters as you can with the phasers, full dispersal attack pattern Sierra." he ordered, taking a seat while he instructed his tactical officer to fire all phasers on all three hulls to hit the forward ships.

"Tekin to the fleet, return fire!" 

"Inform the station that we have engaged the Wanderers." he ordered, looking over at Torra.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian was fairly certain he knew what sort of people these Wanderers were before they fired, but now that he was certain, he set his jaw hard and spoke softly.

"Mister T'Kel, weapons free. Concentrate on individual targets to destroy them, we'll nae be leavin' cripples. Mister Ren, your headin' is 147 mark 9. Right down their throat. Mister ch'Verret. Send the followin' signal to the Wanderers. 'Lo I have become Shiva, destroyer of worlds.' Then I want Scotland the Brave throughout the ship and if'n you go gettin' clever with your selection, should we survive, you will find your new role aboard the Challenger as hull scrubber."

Ian then tapped the shipwide.

"All hands, I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way. Those words were first stated more than 600 years ago by a man named John Paul Jones. Today, those words are just as true as then. The Federation expects every person to do their duty. God speed to us all."

The intervening space between the Federation and Wanderer ships became a kaleidoscopic light show and Ian's eyes were hard and cold as he drove the Challenger directly into the heart of the Wanderer parasite ships.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck One - Bridge]

Wanderer Squadrons - Breaking through the Oort Cloud

She thumbed the com channel open.  "We come in peace.  Hold your fire."

She wondered if they would actually be foolish enough to wait for a further explanation.  Probably.  That was the reputation of the Federation.  They were 'good people.'

Good people didn't last long in this galaxy.

...
Oblong packets of charged particles rode narrow streams away from the Wanderer attack ships.  One-hundred energy projectiles in the 100 gigawatt range.

The Federation fighters did their best to dodge.  The Tholian attack ships, nimble and potent, performed evasive maneuvers.

It was impressive how much of the Wanderer fire they managed to avoid.

But when the first volley had finished its work, not a single one of those craft remained.  Between the Tholians and the Federation Fighters, dozens of lives had been snuffed out in an instant.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian was fairly certain he knew what sort of people these Wanderers were before they fired, but now that he was certain, he set his jaw hard and spoke softly.

"Mister T'Kel, weapons free. Concentrate on individual targets to destroy them, we'll nae be leavin' cripples. Mister Ren, your headin' is 147 mark 9. Right down their throat. Mister ch'Verret. Send the followin' signal to the Wanderers. 'Lo I have become Shiva, destroyer of worlds.' Then I want Scotland the Brave throughout the ship and if'n you go gettin' clever with your selection, should we survive, you will find your new role aboard the Challenger as hull scrubber."

Ian then tapped the shipwide.

"All hands, I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way. Those words were first stated more than 600 years ago by a man named John Paul Jones. Today, those words are just as true as then. The Federation expects every person to do their duty. God speed to us all."

The intervening space between the Federation and Wanderer ships became a kaleidoscopic light show and Ian's eyes were hard and cold as he drove the Challenger directly into the heart of the Wanderer parasite ships.

"Aye sir! Classic version it is." the Andorian replied back.  Then piggybacked the same comm signal as the Discovery to send Galloway's message, using the Challengers own bridge recording to use the sound byte from the Captain.. cause in the Captain's accent it would be way cooler.

" 'Lo I have become Shiva, destroyer of worlds.' "

Lahr then called up the requested song and had it played as background on all ships internal comm systems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqeYKf8tdsU

Operational Control Center - Katra Station

Solluk punched up the com system, transmitting to all Starfleet assets and allies:

This is Katra Station to all Starfleet Assets and Allies, Captain Solluk Speaking.  We have a complete sensor view of the system, and can provide intelligence on ongoing events.  Contact has been made between Captain Tekin's Task Force and the Wanderer squadron at the Oort Cloud.  I am reading that the Wanderer mother-ship has just launched two additional squadrons of twenty-five ships each.  One appears to be rounding towards Katra using a circuitous route.   The other is circumnavigating the system at high-warp, and appears to be on an intercept course with the evacuation convoy.  Tholian ships, be on alert: The Wanderers targeted the Tholian elements in Captain Tekin's Task Force with extreme prejudice.  They may do the same at other target locations. Time to intercept with the evacuation convoy is twenty minutes. Time to intercept with Katra Station is ten minutes.

SS Conundrum - In Orbit of the Trialus Sun

The two Squari operating the freighter were silent as the circlets they wore blinked away, reading their brain patterns and transmitting them to a distant receiver.  Meanwhile, the crystals aboard the freighter were reaching a critical energy state.  Soon, the energy field they produced would begin to interact with the natural anomaly at the core of the Trialus sun.  When that interaction reached nominal levels, the phase generator would have its desired effect.

Thanks to the Wanderer attack, the Federation assets in the system were surely too distracted to notice.

Everything was going perfectly according to plan.

[Challenger - Bridge]

Ruth hoped that everyone remembered that, while she was primarily a Science Officer, she could if necessary turn her hand to other Departments... well anything other than Engineering unless it was pre-warp, and Medicine bar basics.  If it required more than field dressings, administering a hypo, or as it happened, midwifery (the rural community in Trondheim she'd been brought up in, she'd learned a lot about births of humans and animals).  That said she was pretty sure that Lisa had Medical in hand and Dalish was fine in Engineering.

Challenger had always had a good crew, and they responded well to Ian, now they just had to pray that they got through this.

"Captain... there's something strange happening with that sun.  Chroniton flux waves too... Am I being too cynical to suggest that we're about to have a secondary attack of some kind.  Lahr am I cleared to talk directly to Katra Station?  If not please send a message to whomever at Science in the OCC just say 'Look at Triallus Sun core... something is happening to the core, I think they're - they being some 3rd party -  are going to harness it's power somehow...'  get all the Science boffins on it.  Tekin, Falleg-Tekin, T'Lara, I don't know who else but as our dear Captain would say... we need all the boffins heads metaphorically together on this one and quickly.  Sooner we are looking at that the sooner we can get something done about it.  Monitoring the core..."

Ruth's suggestion that another attack this time from within the solar system was worrisome.  "One sec, I'll see about trying set up a second dedicated open line to just the Science personnel.." the Andorian Ops petty officer answered, working at opening the various channels.

"Challenger to Science personnel, Commander Sigurdsdottir has noted something odd happening within the Trialus sun core.. may be possible attack.... requesting group call to discuss."    The message went out to not just Katra, but Discovery, Tempest and Healy as well.  It was an open broadcast.

Trialus System - Inside the Oort Cloud

Phaser beams and photon torpedoes flooded into the Wanderer squadron.  Of the fifty ships, ten instantly erupted into fireballs as they were torn to pieces and consumed by the plasma from their own perforated and overloading power cores.  Two others were lost to Tholian death-throes.  The sudden-ness with which it all occurred shocked Colonel Favala just as much as the Wanderers' initial volley had shocked the Tholian and Starfleet personnel.

A moment.  A flurry.  A flash.

Then: Over a hundred casualties burned in their seats, ripped asunder, and flash-frozen by the unrelenting cold of the void.

The thirty-eight remaining ships of her squadron opened weapons to full and peppered the Starfleet force with every joule of firepower at their disposal.

[Tess tLhoell]

Ensign Rebecca Ricci (Ops)
[Katra Station - OCC] (about 30 minutes before battle)

[USS Challenger · Main Shuttlebay]

"œAye sir, I'm on it!"

The moment Captain Ian gave the order for Litt to contact Katra he went to his panel and quickly tried to contact them.

"Katra Ops, this is Lieutenant Litt, Chief of Flight from Challenger, Captain Ian told me to get in touch to find out where I am needed to evacuate civilians ..."

While the evacuation was undergoing, another call for more help came in. Rebecca smiled as she opened the channel to reply.

"Katra Ops, Ensign Ricci here. Lieutenant, you can load up your shuttle with evacuees in Internal Bay 1 to join the convoy to head to New Bajor."

[Ian Galloway]

Trialus System - Inside the Oort Cloud

The Federation only very rarely started a fight.  This often led other nations to misunderstand them.  To see them as fluffy pacifists incapable of facing the rigors of battle.

In fact, while the Federation rarely started fights, they were very good at finishing them.  The United Federation of Planets had arguably never lost a war against any foe.  The power and ire that the Federation Starfleet was capable of unleashing was now, at last, on full display.  The Wanderers had skirmished with the U.S.S. Kir'Shara years ago.  Perhaps they thought they knew the worst they might expect.

They were mistaken.

Phaser beams and photon torpedoes flooded into the Wanderer squadron.  Of the fifty ships, ten instantly erupted into fireballs as they were torn to pieces and consumed by the plasma from their own perforated and overloading power cores.  Two others were lost to Tholian death-throes.  The sudden-ness with which it all occurred shocked Colonel Favala just as much as the Wanderers' initial volley had shocked the Tholian and Starfleet personnel.

A moment.  A flurry.  A flash.

Then: Over a hundred casualties burned in their seats, ripped asunder, and flash-frozen by the unrelenting cold of the void.

"All elements, return fire!  Burn them out of the stars!"

Forgotten were her orders.  Even her own admonishment that this was only a raid.  That excessive casualties should be avoided.

Rage and Revenge washed it all away.

The thirty-eight remaining ships of her squadron opened weapons to full and peppered the Starfleet force with every joule of firepower at their disposal.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian's command seat display showed that twelve of the Wanderer parasites were destroyed and that it was the cold, precise targeting by Challenger's Vulcan tactical officer that was responsible for three of those destructions and that made him smile grimly. With Scotland the Brave ringing in his ears, his blood was up and he felt as if he were fighting with Claymore as he faced the British at the Battle of Culloden.

The Challenger lurched as a pair of the parasites fired on her, but despite not having her point of impact shields online, the standard shields of a Trailblazer-Class Starship were still quite formidable and Ian's display showed that they were holding at 82% despite the near continuous pounding they were taking as the Challenger ignored the parasites and drove for the oort cloud and the Wanderer mothership.

"Keep your headin' 147 mark 9 Mister Ren, we are goin' for the mothership regardless of cost."

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck One - Bridge]

"Aye sir! Classic version it is." the Andorian replied back.  Then piggybacked the same comm signal as the Discovery to send Galloway's message, using the Challengers own bridge recording to use the sound byte from the Captain.. cause in the Captain's accent it would be way cooler.

" 'Lo I have become Shiva, destroyer of worlds.' "

Lahr then called up the requested song and had it played as background on all ships internal comm systems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqeYKf8tdsU

Ruth's suggestion that another attack this time from within the solar system was worrisome.  "One sec, I'll see about trying set up a second dedicated open line to just the Science personnel.." the Andorian Ops petty officer answered, working at opening the various channels.

"Challenger to Science personnel, Commander Sigurdsdottir has noted something odd happening within the Trialus sun core.. may be possible attack.... requesting group call to discuss."    The message went out to not just Katra, but Discovery, Tempest and Healy as well.  It was an open broadcast.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Although Ian's bloodlust was running higher than any Starfleet officer would ever admit to, he was still calculating their odds of survival. The added news that a group of these Wanderers were trying to flank them to go after the nearly defenseless convoy only served to stoke his bloodlust even higher. He would not break off from his goal of going after the Wanderer mothership unless ordered, but there was a lesser target he would spend the time to destroy if he could just find it.

"Mister ch'Verret, see if'n you can trace which one of these Leam-leat parasites has that Siursach commander who said she came in peace. I want to make sure she leaves in pieces."

At that moment, the comm panel on the command chair toned from Lieutenant Tharn the chief engineer.

"What have you got for me Dalish?"

"Your torpedo rack is ready. Just give the word and it will release all twenty quantums as a single stick of bombs."

"Any news on the point of impact shields?"

"You'll have them in five minutes. Assuming you can keep us alive that long."

"I promise you way more than five minutes Dalish. I'll nae be allowin' us ta suffer anything you can't fix until I stuff those twenty quantums up that mothership's arse. After that, all bets are off."

"I'll hold you to that promise. Tharn out."

As the channel closed, Ian took another vow.

"Aye Lass, that will be a promise I swear upon every ancestor of Clan Galloway that will happen."

The Challenger shook again and the shields now read 76% as she hammered through the parasites on her lone thrust toward the oort cloud.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck One - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian's command seat display showed that twelve of the Wanderer parasites were destroyed and that it was the cold, precise targeting by Challenger's Vulcan tactical officer that was responsible for three of those destructions and that made him smile grimly. With Scotland the Brave ringing in his ears, his blood was up and he felt as if he were fighting with Claymore as he faced the British at the Battle of Culloden.

The Challenger lurched as a pair of the parasites fired on her, but despite not having her point of impact shields online, the standard shields of a Trailblazer-Class Starship were still quite formidable and Ian's display showed that they were holding at 82% despite the near continuous pounding they were taking as the Challenger ignored the parasites and drove for the oort cloud and the Wanderer mothership.

"Keep your headin' 147 mark 9 Mister Ren, we are goin' for the mothership regardless of cost."

Lahr gripped the edge of his console as the ship lurched from the impact to the shields by the Wanderers.   That the Captain was ordering them towards the mothership was a bit surprising.  That would leave Discovery alone to fend off the remaining attack ships ... unless they followed to protect their mothership... which likely was Galloway's tactic.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Although Ian's bloodlust was running higher than any Starfleet officer would ever admit to, he was still calculating their odds of survival. The added news that a group of these Wanderers were trying to flank them to go after the nearly defenseless convoy only served to stoke his bloodlust even higher. He would not break off from his goal of going after the Wanderer mothership unless ordered, but there was a lesser target he would spend the time to destroy if he could just find it.

"Mister ch'Verret, see if'n you can trace which one of these Leam-leat parasites has that Siursach commander who said she came in peace. I want to make sure she leaves in pieces."

At that moment, the comm panel on the command chair toned from Lieutenant Tharn the chief engineer.

"What have you got for me Dalish?"

"Your torpedo rack is ready. Just give the word and it will release all twenty quantums as a single stick of bombs."

"Any news on the point of impact shields?"

"You'll have them in five minutes. Assuming you can keep us alive that long."

"I promise you way more than five minutes Dalish. I'll nae be allowin' us ta suffer anything you can't fix until I stuff those twenty quantums up that mothership's arse. After that, all bets are off."

"I'll hold you to that promise. Tharn out."

As the channel closed, Ian took another vow.

"Aye Lass, that will be a promise I swear upon every ancestor of Clan Galloway that will happen."

The Challenger shook again and the shields now read 76% as she hammered through the parasites on her lone thrust toward the oort cloud.

"Aye sir.  I'll find her!"

To do this was a matter of rewinding the video and sensor data on his console to the moment when the Tekin's query was answered.   One ship showed a small spike during the subspace communication. The Andorian then had the computer simply track that ship forward on all frames afterwards, extrapolating for the odd time when the ship would dart into a blind spot.

"I've located her ship.  She's harassing Captain Tekin and Discovery presently , sir."

[Tess tLhoell]

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Bridge]

Lt Cmdr. tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck One - Bridge] (Rearguard position)

Rayek's brow furrowed slightly as Tess agreed to his plan but then ordered something completely different.  He was silent a moment as he tried to figure out where the miscommunication occurred and more importantly what was it that Tess was actually wanting in regards to her order.  He knew what he intended with his plan.. but he wasn't quite certain what she intended with her own.  Magnetizing any fired torpedo casings with the same charge as the enemy ships would actually repel the weapons not attract them.  It was opposites that attracted.  Perhaps she misspoke? Yes, that must be it.  She was likely distracted by concern for Fvienn's safety even more than he.

Rayek, knew he should clarify her orders yet time was of the essence.  There would only be a slim window of opportunity in which to prep the area before the enemy were moving through the minefield laid by the Challenger.    While he could just follow through on his plan which had been intended to polarize the mines, Rayek was certain that Tess and others would notice that he hadn't followed her own order.   Rayek couldn't allow that.  So, he adjusted to the order given and tweaked it so that it would work.

A quick study of the sensor readings on the Wanderer attack ships, gave him the metallurgical charge of the vessels.  Working this backwards, Rayek had twenty torpedo casings highly polarized to an opposite charge and these were loaded into the forward rapid-fire torpedo tubes.

"Torpedoes at the ready, sir." he announced once his prep was done.  Then it was just a matter of moments before the first of the enemy vessels were in far torpedo range.  Normally a nimble ship at such a distance would be able to avoid a torpedo by a matter of meters..  with the strong charged casing in direct opposition to the vessels this should negate that nimble advantage as the casing drew closer and was attracted to the vessel.

"Firing!" With the ships rapid-fire launch capabilities 6 torpedoes were loosed in the space of 3 seconds.  The torpedo paths were computer selected to avoid the mines.  The hope being that they wouldn't be noticed until the ships were already mid field.
.
.
The ping of arm chair and vibe of his PADD tucked beside him at the side of his seat, drew his attention away from the effectiveness of the torpedo attack on the Wanderer ships.   He glanced over the message, at seeing its conclusion, he was glad that this Ensign Sirol knew to include Hrafn and the Captain in on its recommendation.  There was no way Rayek could see to this at present.

He would leave this to them.

The Battle Inside the Oort Cloud

The Tempest and Healy ably joined the fight as soon as the enemy ships were in range.  First torpedoes, and then phasers were able to be brought onto target.  Additional Wanderer attack ships were blown to pieces as they soared past.  Meanwhile, the onslaught of the Challenger and Discovery continued unabated.

The Wanderer squadron began to turn about, but before they could complete the maneuver, they collided with a minefield of torpedoes which had been specially prepared and deployed for this very purpose.

A rippling of detonations staggered the squadron, sending the surviving thirty ships peeling out in all directions in a desperate attempt to avoid the blazing carnage.
[...]

Tess caught the confused look on Rayek's face but she was unaware of her having misspoken and so didn't know what he was thinking about. Since he didn't say anyting but turned to carry out the order she assumed the matter had resolved itself or it had been something else that was on his mind.

Soon the confirmation came that the torpedoes were ready and Rayek gave the order to fire. Their hit ratio was flawless, enhanced by Rayek's suggestion of magnetization.

"Another squadron on approach!", someone called out on the bridge. Tess was about to give orders to fire but then a bright ball of fire erupted at some point between the vanguard and them.  "They have just found your Easter Eggs, Captain Galloway" , Tess remarked over the open channel. Since the man was from Earth she was sure he would get the reference.

"Still 30 fighters left, Captain."

"Continue to fire full spread torpedoes!"

It was then that her eyes caught movement on the screen that tracked the evacuation convoy. Up until now it had moved steadily on a direct route towards New Bajor. But now, a dozen of the small dots started to steer away from the group. That was alarming enough, but with horror Tess noticed that one of the ships was the 'Wonderland'.

Color instantly left her face, making her appear even paler than her natural complexion already was.

Her fingers started to tap frantically on the screen. At first she thought the Wanderers might have already reached the convoy, started an attack. Had she missed something? Solluk had said the fighters would reach the conoy in 20 minutes. Soon she realized that the Wanderers had not reached them ... but that some of the ships left the convoy for no detectable reason. What the HELL was Finn thinking??

While Tess fought with the wave of infuriation, fear and concern she tried to think of what to do. She glanced to Rayek who didn't seem to have noticed it yet.

"Ensign Oloze, open a channel to the convoy's leading ship." Nadia complied and Tess spoke.  "t'Lhoell from the USS Healy. Can you update me on the situation? Why are ships leaving the convoy?"

"We don't know, Commander. We have reached out to the ship's Captains and will try to make them rejoin us."

That answer was unsatisfying. But at least they tried to get them back.  "Thank you, Healy out." She wanted to call Finn - and yell at him. Why did he do that? She had trusted him! But she couldn't deal with it in the middle of a battle, not a battle like this or they would end up dead. They could not afford a distraction like this.

Tess looked over to Rayek. Clearly she was scared. And she didn't know what to do.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck One - Bridge]

"Aye sir! Classic version it is." the Andorian replied back.  Then piggybacked the same comm signal as the Discovery to send Galloway's message, using the Challengers own bridge recording to use the sound byte from the Captain.. cause in the Captain's accent it would be way cooler.

" 'Lo I have become Shiva, destroyer of worlds.' "

Lahr then called up the requested song and had it played as background on all ships internal comm systems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqeYKf8tdsU

Ruth's suggestion that another attack this time from within the solar system was worrisome.  "One sec, I'll see about trying set up a second dedicated open line to just the Science personnel.." the Andorian Ops petty officer answered, working at opening the various channels.

"Challenger to Science personnel, Commander Sigurdsdottir has noted something odd happening within the Trialus sun core.. may be possible attack.... requesting group call to discuss."    The message went out to not just Katra, but Discovery, Tempest and Healy as well.  It was an open broadcast.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Thanks Lahr!" Ruth said while trying to supress a chuckle at the fact that it had seemed to have become a 'tradition' for Challenger captains to have a Battle Song!  She totally approved.  The bagpipes were effective at stirring the blood just as 'Ride of the Valkyries' was for her.

Commander Sigurdsdottir to all Science personnel.  In case you haven't already gathered... something freaky going on with that Triallus Sun core.  Quick fire research found that Tetracellium is crystaline substance used in phasic, spacial and subspacial anomaly research, we know that is on the SS Conundrum, we need to somehow get that away from the Sun...as yet not sure how far that it couldn't be harnessed. However, through induction of phased energy discharges across the crystal mimicking the desired anomaly's frequency triggering and/or increasing activity. The tetryon and chroniton outputs are indicative of  Tetracellium amounts of roughly circa 110-115 tons, but we don't have time to measure accurately.  Suffice to say... enough to worry about  Suspect that chroniton flux increase is due to spatial rift forming for 2nd wave attack or armada coming through, and that the current battle is, unfortunately just a diversion... Please advise if you have anything further and send this information on to your attack teams.

Another thought occurred to Ruth that if the enemy were opening a spatial or time rift, could they harness the same power and lead them or push them through it somehow without they themselves being sucked in?

[Ian Galloway]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck One - Bridge]

Lahr gripped the edge of his console as the ship lurched from the impact to the shields by the Wanderers.   That the Captain was ordering them towards the mothership was a bit surprising.  That would leave Discovery alone to fend off the remaining attack ships ... unless they followed to protect their mothership... which likely was Galloway's tactic.

"Aye sir.  I'll find her!"

To do this was a matter of rewinding the video and sensor data on his console to the moment when the Tekin's query was answered.   One ship showed a small spike during the subspace communication. The Andorian then had the computer simply track that ship forward on all frames afterwards, extrapolating for the odd time when the ship would dart into a blind spot.

"I've located her ship.  She's harassing Captain Tekin and Discovery presently , sir."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"BOLLICKS!" Ian snarled at the report from Lahr, as it meant if he wanted to attack the parasite leader, he'd have to turn away from his charge at the mothership, which was not an option.

"Bugger the trollop! Stay on course Mister Ren, our target remains the mothership. Mister ch'Verret, signal the Discovery of the parasite leader's location, maybe one of them will be able ta eliminate her."

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Bridge]

"Another squadron on approach!", someone called out on the bridge. Tess was about to give orders to fire but then a bright ball of fire erupted at some point between the vanguard and them.  "They have just found your Easter Eggs, Captain Galloway" , Tess remarked over the open channel. Since the man was from Earth she was sure he would get the reference.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian smirked at the report from the Healy's commander and replied with a quick response.

"Aye that they have. Now they either have ta slow down ta slip through the field and that will give the station a free shot at them or they have ta go around the field which will give our remainin' fighters more time ta kill them.

"I've got another surprise planned and could use some cover durin' my run if'n you or anyone can help, it would be appreciated."

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck One - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"BOLLICKS!" Ian snarled at the report from Lahr, as it meant if he wanted to attack the parasite leader, he'd have to turn away from his charge at the mothership, which was not an option.

"Bugger the trollop! Stay on course Mister Ren, our target remains the mothership. Mister ch'Verret, signal the Discovery of the parasite leader's location, maybe one of them will be able ta eliminate her."

The Battle Inside the Oort Cloud

The Tempest and Healy ably joined the fight as soon as the enemy ships were in range.  First torpedoes, and then phasers were able to be brought onto target.  Additional Wanderer attack ships were blown to pieces as they soared past.  Meanwhile, the onslaught of the Challenger and Discovery continued unabated.

The Wanderer squadron began to turn about, but before they could complete the maneuver, they collided with a minefield of torpedoes which had been specially prepared and deployed for this very purpose.

A rippling of detonations staggered the squadron, sending the surviving thirty ships peeling out in all directions in a desperate attempt to avoid the blazing carnage.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian smirked at the report from the Healy's commander and replied with a quick response.

"Aye that they have. Now they either have ta slow down ta slip through the field and that will give the station a free shot at them or they have ta go around the field which will give our remainin' fighters more time ta kill them.

"I've got another surprise planned and could use some cover durin' my run if'n you or anyone can help, it would be appreciated."

The Andorian's antenna flinched and drooped a bit at the Captain's cursing due to Lahr's news about the woman's whereabouts.

As Challenger began weaving it's way through the Oort cloud towards the mothership Lahr felt bad about leaving Discovery to hold the Vanguard alone.

A flash on his console drew his attention and Lahr gave a whoop in cheer just moments before the Healy's Captain called in mentioning something about Easter eggs.   The reference made no sense to the Andorian.

A communication came in urgently for Colonel Favala.

"Colonel!  You have lost nearly half of your forces!  The enemy vessels are on an intercept course for the Carrier!  Report!"

"General!" the Colonel's rage subsided and she began to come to her senses.  "Resistance has been greater than expected.  However, if we proceed into the system and attack the station, I believe they will have no choice but to withdraw back to their core position."

[img with=50]https://i.imgur.com/Uj6ksg4.png[/img]

"Negative, Colonel.  I have forces enroute to the station and the convoy already.  You are to turn and defend the Carrier.  That is now your top priority.  The Wanderers must not lose their home, and I will not have this ship torn to pieces just as we've gotten it fully operational!"

Favala gritted her teeth, "Understood."  She switched channels, "All units, turn and burn.  Take out the Starfleet cruisers.  Focus fire on the unshielded ships in the rear."

Then unexpectedly the Wanderer attack ships run towards the station was turned about suddenly.  Oh!

"Sir,  your plan is working!  They are turning about... or at least this batch is.  At their possible speed, it won't take them long to catch up though.  They'll be on us before we reach the mothership."

With the enemy giving chase to them, Lahr wondered if Fleet Captain Tekin would give orders to the Tempest and Healy to pursue their pursuers?

[Tekin Nevir]

[Deck 1 - Main Bridge - USS Discovery]

He was not necessarily expecting a large scale battle, but he was prepared for it, and as Discovery shook, the Captain sighed; they were the first to have the new shields ready.  It was the QSD that was still offline.  After the initial volley against Discovery herself was done, and the shields had barely dropped but a few percentages, he actually smiled.

"Remind me to put in a commendation for Lek.  Said, attack pattern Gamma 4.  They may be more maneuverable, but we have a full 360 targeting view." he said, looking at his chair's display as the proximity sensor told of an explosion from behind them... Challenger's little surprise.

There was something that was concerning though.... the convoy was breaking up.. or at lest one ship was.  Every instinct told him to take the ship back there, especially with fighters incoming.  But he had a job to do, and nothing short of a dire emergency will force his hand.

Around them, Discovery's defenses were hit like bug bites, either inflicting no damage or only taking out a percentage or two.  Even with multiple attacks, the new shields were so far able to withstand quite a bit of punching.  Previously, the type of fire that Discovery would take would have brought the shields down at least by a quarter.  But he could hold auxiliary power for other systems now.

A message from Challenger informed them of a priority target; one of the fighters engaged with them might be the leader.  A chance to pull a leader off the battlefield...

"Find that lead ship and des- disable it.  I want the pilot in our brig." he ordered, before Torra notified him of an emergency message.  He instructed Nira to carry out his orders while he listened.

"DAMN!" he said, standing up.  With a fist clenched he called down to the refit team in Engineering.  "Bridge to Engineering... how are we on engines?" 

"We're having difficulty with stabilizing the quantum manifold.  I estimate about another half hour or so before the new drive is online.  You do have full warp, however." 

The Captain grimaced.    "Understood... stand by for high warp."  he said, sitting back down.

"Discovery to Challenger.  We still don't have our new drive.  And you know to obtain our max speed, we need to stay together.  I'm leaving you in charge of the fleet.. we'll be back as soon as possible.  Discovery out." 

"Helm, bring us about, set course for the star.  Maximum warp." he ordered, looking out the screen. The stars would be shifting, and then stretching soon.

"Bring tractor beams online, and hail the Conundrum.  Tell them to stand down and power down." he said, ready to grab the ship as soon as they dropped out of warp.

[Ian Galloway]

[Deck 1 - Main Bridge - USS Discovery]

"Discovery to Challenger.  We still don't have our new drive.  And you know to obtain our max speed, we need to stay together.  I'm leaving you in charge of the fleet.. we'll be back as soon as possible.  Discovery out." 

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"BOLLICKS!"

Ian thundered again as being in charge of the fleet meant he could no longer continue his run at the mothership. No, he had a greater responsibility now and that meant the Wanderer carrier got to survive a little longer.

"Helm bring us about. Course 125 mark 16. Tactical, I want that Siursach parasite leader reduced ta rapidly coolin' plasma as soon as you can lock onto her!"

He pounded the comm panel on the command chair.

"Dalish?"

"They're coming online... now Captain."

"You're the best Dalish."

"Tell me something I don't know. Now don't get my ship destroyed. Dalish out."

Ian chuckled at his chief engineer's claim of ownership as the Challenger's shields surged with renewed strength just as the ship came about. Lieutenant T'Kel at tactical began punishing every Wanderer attack ship that had the misfortune to enter her firing envelop, quickly destroying one of them and leaving two others heavily damaged.

Ian noted the shield increase with grim satisfaction and the damage to the other attack ships, but his eyes were fixated on the leader's ship and the grin on his became a feral thing that was as unsettling as it was determined.

"You are bloody next you slimy tart."

He murmured as the Challenger closed like an avenging angel of doom on the lead Wanderer attack ship.

[Tess tLhoell]

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian smirked at the report from the Healy's commander and replied with a quick response.

"Aye that they have. Now they either have ta slow down ta slip through the field and that will give the station a free shot at them or they have ta go around the field which will give our remainin' fighters more time ta kill them.

"I've got another surprise planned and could use some cover durin' my run if'n you or anyone can help, it would be appreciated."

"Lay out your plan, Captain. We will do anything we can to support you."

Lt Cmdr. tr'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Deck One - Bridge] (Rearguard position)

While Rayek's long fingers danced over the torpedo controls on his armchair console, prepping yet more torpedoes with the polarized charge, Tactical responded to the Captain's order, firing the next spread.  In the flurry of battle, Rayek really didn't have time to reflect on how odd it was to hear such orders from his gentle and caring wife, but the dichotomy of it wasn't lost on him.

Busy with prepping torpedoes and keeping track of the battle before them, Rayek at first, missed what caught Tess' attention.  It was only as she called to the lead convoy ship that Rayek switched screens to check on that section of the system and spotted the problem.

"Fvadt!" he swore vehemently before just barely managing to contain himself to mutter  "I'm going to kill him.."

Tess' look to him was frightened and Rayek imagined seeing accusation in there.  This was his fault for trusting her cousin.  For daring to believe he knew better how to protect his son.

"I'll fix this.  I swear." he assured her.  "The ship needs your attention on the battle directly ahead."

He forwarded the torpedo controls back to tactical while he turned his full attention to the situation with the Wonderland.

Obviously, the freighter Captain and others felt unsafe in the convoy given the powerfulness of the Wanderer attack.   Rayek put his mind to working out a plan that might work at keeping the solo freighter safe.

The path the Wonderland was taking seemed to be headed towards was one of the larger Oort Cloud debris.  It might hide them, if the Wanderers had subpar sensors.. which was unlikely.   He cursed again this time silently to himself.

The only way he could see hiding the ship was if it were cloaked.   Maybe the LoD Qan would be willing to extend its cloak to cover the freighter.  But no.. the moment the Wanderers were in range Rayek knew the Klingons would be joining the Tempest in outright battle.  No, the only cloaked vessel that might remain cloaked the entire fight was the Romulan Ambassador's ship.

Rayek checked his console.. yes sure enough, they were already cloaked... perhaps even out of the system.  He grimaced.  He knew what he had to do, yet hesitated.  Calling on their aid would cost him, but his son's life meant more.

He opened a channel, using an old now long defunct Romulan encryption code.  With any luck, Solluk and the others wouldn't be able to crack it.

Then in the rarest of the three Romulan dialects Rayek called on the RFS Nei'rhh.

"Tr'Lhoell iudaiht RFA Nei'rhh. Hveolhaonn mehre innaehv hwiiy e solÁ¦re. SolÁ¦re. Ehdhihss haeth-rrh'eilln Wonderland aeih aahja ehdhihss dohht aellei hnaifv ilkhelhedh. 'nhdh are 140 iurrha d'oan innaehv nviomn.  Hwiiy ehdhihss dvaer io ujudhueiusmm'ukssdh payr temdekon. Aeh dhroi. "

Yet even as the call went out, the attack ships that had been approaching the convoy at a relatively leisurely speed of warp 9, suddenly jumped to their high warp of 9.997 - now the ETA for the ships which was 15 minutes was now less than 5 minutes.

There seemed to be no response from the Romulan ship despite his call and to Rayek's horror one of the 25 Wanderer ships seemed to alter it's heading towards the Wonderland.   Fear gripped his heart.  "Aeh.  Taeth hÁ¦dl 'hh Innaehv nviomn . Raed'aeusnnta'jhiy kjumnaihsou aellei hveolhaonn htaodt'ia'rhoinnie Sk hwiiy."

Time dragged on while Rayek waited for a reply.

The attack ship dropped out of warp almost atop of the freighter and Rayek couldn't hold back the cry that ripped from his throat.  "No!"

And then just when Rayek thought all hope was lost... that he was about to lose their son.  The Astrocetus suddenly appeared on screen directly between the Wonderland and the attacking ship.. and devoured the Wanderer ship.  Rayek sagged back into his seat, tears of relief streaming unchecked down his cheek.

Unnoticed by him, the battle raged on all around the Healy.

Rayek expressed his fear and anger quite verbally while Tess tried to appear as normal as possible. Truth was, they both were scared as hell for the life of their baby. Rayek urged her on to focus on the battle but that was easier said than done.

An unfocused Captain wasn't good, even less in a battle. The Healy took one or two blows from the fighters. Reports from the various stations rang through the air. Though even that was not enough to focus Tess' attention entirely back on the battle when she heard Rayek speaking urgently, almost pleading, in a language even the UT struggled to translate completely. Tess gathered as much that Rayek was asking Commander Tomax of the Romulan Ambassador ship for help. Would they help? Tess prayed they did. However, seconds later Rayek's cry of horror froze her in equal horror. No ... no please ... "Rayek?", she gasped, but instead of hearing a reply from him another urgent voice finally got through to her.

"Commander!" Tess turned her head to find her father glaring at her from the science console. She knew he wasn't upset at her but had seen no other way to get her attention. "We need your orders!"

The Healy shook from another blow, someone called out the shields had taken much punishment. "Evasive pattern delta five! More energy to the forward shields! Once we come around, prepare attack pattern alpha one, but wait on my mark before engaging!"

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"BOLLICKS!"

Ian thundered again as being in charge of the fleet meant he could no longer continue his run at the mothership. No, he had a greater responsibility now and that meant the Wanderer carrier got to survive a little longer.

"Helm bring us about. Course 125 mark 16. Tactical, I want that Siursach parasite leader reduced ta rapidly coolin' plasma as soon as you can lock onto her!"

He pounded the comm panel on the command chair.

"Dalish?"

"They're coming online... now Captain."

"You're the best Dalish."

"Tell me something I don't know. Now don't get my ship destroyed. Dalish out."

Ian chuckled at his chief engineer's claim of ownership as the Challenger's shields surged with renewed strength just as the ship came about. Lieutenant T'Kel at tactical began punishing every Wanderer attack ship that had the misfortune to enter her firing envelop, quickly destroying one of them and leaving two others heavily damaged.

Ian noted the shield increase with grim satisfaction and the damage to the other attack ships, but his eyes were fixated on the leader's ship and the grin on his became a feral thing that was as unsettling as it was determined.

"You are bloody next you slimy tart."

He murmured as the Challenger closed like an avenging angel of doom on the lead Wanderer attack ship.

Then there was movement in the vanguard, the Discovery retreated from this battle scene to probably move to another, at least they were heading back to Katra and the Challenger was on her own in the front row. Captain Galloway was in charge now. Their orders remainded the same. They would not let any of these fighters get past them.

When Tess had a second to breathe, she called up the data for the section where the convoy was with dread. A gasp of relief escaped her when she found the Wonderland still on the monitor. Tess looked over to Rayek who was actually crying. She'd been on the verge, too, but seeing him like that made it extra hard not to give in.

The relief didn't last long though, the monitor still showed the Wanderer squadron - though one seemed to be missing. And did she have the readings of the Ooroyan there?? She looked to Rayek. "Did the Nei'rhh respond?", she asked.

[Ian Galloway]

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[USS Healy - Bridge]

"Lay out your plan, Captain. We will do anything we can to support you."

Ian watched the Discovery disable the parasite leader and it took every fiber of his being to not scream in frustration. Livid, he tamped all the anger down into his clenched fists and spoke in a deadly quiet tone.

"Helm, your course is now 86 mark 15, keep us between the parasites and the station. Tactical, your orders remain the same terminate those attack ships by any means available."

Ian then spoke into his comm panel.

"Galloway ta Healy, my plan has been overtaken by events for now. As flag, I have ta wait until we're certain the station is safe. If'n the Discovery returns in a timely manner, then we can implement my plan. I will send you the rough outline of my plan in a file shortly. Challenger out."

The file is a simple system plot showing the Challenger and the Healy driving directly on the Wanderer mothership, Thatch Weaving if necessary until the Challenger makes a strafing run down the length of the carrier. During the run she rolls to one side and dropping a stick of twenty quantum torpedoes as free fall bombs with the Healy flying close escort during the bombing run.

[Tess tLhoell]

"Healy to the Fleet, we took a bad blow and are left with impulse engines only. We'll try to keep up our shields as long as possible by rerouting energy."