S2E9 Overlord

[Dylan Torngate]

[Battle Bridge]

Explosions rocked the battered ship, and the acrid taste of smoke filled the air as the Challenger and her two escort ships were pummeled by firepower from three superior warships, the burnt-orange of phaser fire strafing across and down patchy shield grids and ablative armor, melting away hull plating on both ships as they passed by each other, slowly passing at quarter-impulse by each other like broadside barrages of olden sailing ships. The ships streaked smoke, plasma, atmosphere, and flame behind them as these dreadnoughts of the stars traded haymakers, and the squeal of metal and blaring of alarm klaxons filled the ships. Automated internal transporters had evacuated the main bridge when it had been rocked by torpedo barrages, and now the ship was commanded from the Battle Bridge buried deep within the core of the ship. Damage control teams all across both ships were working feverishly to keep the weapons and defensive batteries alive. And yet, both ships were pulling their punches just so slightly. Neither ship's medical wards had been targeted, as medical crews worked to save those they could and ease those they could not.

On the Bridge, Dylan coughed, choking on the atmosphere that was slowly growing more toxic as he called out orders, still directing the battle for all three ships from his spot in the room. "... sequence Omega. Recognize voice pattern Rear Admiral Dylan Torngate. Authorization..." he choked out, his next words obscured by the noise of battle as the Challenger and her opponent passed each other, beginning the slow circle back around on emergency thrusters while also engaging the other's two escort warships when able.

The battle raged, with the Starbase, their target, in the background. Dark. Powerless. Looming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Earlier - USS Challenger]

Dylan was down in the torpedo room of the ship, inspecting the men and armaments in the room. The ship loomed in alert lighting, and the mood on Challenger was tense. The strategists had decided the Challenger had been out of the fray long enough and had made the choice to send her back to the front lines. While skirmishes were near constant, no side in the war had gained much ground. Admiral Leyton and his rebels had managed to do no more than stand pat - while the Federation smuggled supplies to the embattled worlds, but were unable to commit the full resources of Starfleet to the cause. No draft, no reserve fleet, no mass mobilization from the politicians. No fleets the size of those seen in the Dominion war were present here - no politician wanted to admit the situation, as it would be political suicide in the current climate. It didn't affect Earth or the inner planets yet, so nobody really cared. Public opinion was a weapon.

Starfleet hadn't been sitting still, however. Plans had been made for an offensive, one the Challenger would help lead. The Challenger had departed Deep Space 9, after a brief stint into the Gamma Quadrant and the Starbase Katra, though it barely deserved the title base, with two ships. The Defiant-class escort USS Stalwart, and the Centaur-class destroyer USS Revere. The three, under the group name Dynamo, had a very simple task - strike out and take back one of the rebel-held Starbases. The feat was not easily done - although the target was an older base, it was still heavily armed and a formidable foe.

The task group had been underway for three days now and were nearing the front lines. It now came down to not if they would be engaged, but when. Dylan could only hope they were ready. They had taken aboard a contingent of boarding troops, specially trained to take back the station. Starfleet's banner once stood there - and now it would again.

Dylan continued to walk down the rows of warheads, observing them and the persons around him, knowing they were ready but offering what little he could to help.

[Malik Grippen]

[USS Challenger, Bridge - Helm]

Malik sat at the helm station aboard his new posting, the warhorse USS Challenger. The first iteration had been around for almost 90 years, having more comeback tours than a 1980's rock group. It was a unique mix of older and newer systems, all coming together to somehow work and still serve a purpose for Starfleet. The ship was resilient that was for sure and Malik did feel a sense of honour at all the people that would have served aboard a Challenger prior to him. The name had an aura of something intangeliable, its own personality, a special glue that had kept it going for all these years. This version was now a Trailblazer class vessel, one of only two of its type, it had a lot to live up to carrying the Challenger torch into the future.

The ship was responsive to his inputs and moved with a smooth and easy grace. It wasn't the fastest or most agile, but that didn't matter, the Challenger would keep going through any adversity and come out the otherside.

As for their current mission, Malik had been studying the intelligence and previous mission reports. This Admiral Leyton was a deluded, wannabe ruler, a man clouded by his own sense of self importance living in a fantasy universe of his own prejudice and false facts. It was extremely troubling to Malik that so many of his Starfleet brethren had been seduced by the rebels and were now ready to fight their own side. Galactic history contained countless characters such as this, people with undeniable charisma (or mind control technology) able to convert others to their own way of thinking. They all met the same fate, in the end. Leyton would be no different and the Challenger would be the one to haul the offensive out of its current apathy.

Grippen's console chimed an alert, the defensive line of the rebels was fast approaching. "We are approaching the starbases' outer perimeter defence batteries." The task group had no doubt been detected, but Starfleet didn't use cloaking devices and so there was no way around it.

[Lizzie Vaughan]

Bridge

As there was no XO currently on board and no need of her talents in Sickbay, Lizzie was on the Bridge while Dylan made his tour of the ship. It had been a quiet run in, but she expected for things to get very hairy very quickly. She was pulled out of her thoughts by the new Conn Officer.

[USS Challenger, Bridge - Helm]

"We are approaching the starbases' outer perimeter defence batteries." The task group had no doubt been detected, but Starfleet didn't use cloaking devices and so there was no way around it.

Lizzie nodded.

"Red Alert. Raise shields and ready all weapons." She ordered. "Signal the other ships to do the same." She then activated the internal coms system.

Bridge to Torngate. Admiral, we are approaching the Rebel Station and I have ordered the group to Red Alert.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger -  Deck 9 - Forward Torpedo Bay Control]

Lahr walked a pace behind the Admiral, as Captain Torngate performed his inspection on the readiness of Torpedo room and its personnel.  Lahr's own security team had been split with their numbers joining other teams to form a defense squad which would remain on the ship and assist tactical and the more numerous offensive team.  Skarggarg, Burke, zh'Tianihr, Tragnar, Stull, M'lenda, Gnarld and Jengas all were on the offensive team which would be boarding the enemy controlled starbase.  This left Jonston, Rolands and Tim - the 'weaker' of his team on the ship to be their defense against retaliatory boarding.

As he followed behind, Lahr struggled with what to do with the new guy Nari.  Physicallly the Hupyrian was best suited for joining the Boarding team, but the man had just returned to active duty following a major combat injury that left the man without his left arm.  A bionic replacement had been made for the man but Lahr had to believe that there was going to be some mental scarring as well.  He'd tested the petty officer as best he could when he was first assigned to the ship less than a week ago, but Lahr wasn't quite ready to put him out in the field, if he wasn't going to be out there along with him.. and at the moment it seemed like Lt. Taray had decided to keep Lahr, on the ship.

Lahr's thoughts on what to do with Mr. Nari were cut short when the Red Alert klaxon sounded throughout the bay and a moment later a call came in for the Admiral.  It seemed like the inspection was over.  Lahr waited on the Captain before heading for the Bridge as well.

[Mondo'li Nari]

USS Challenger -  Deck 9 - Forward Torpedo Bay Control

As the lighting in the torpedo control room gained a sinister red hue, the towering form of Mondo'li Nari glided into the space.  The Hupyrian had earlier been sent on an errand to help distribute sidearms to designated personnel.  Now, returning, he wondered what task the more senior Petty Officer might set him to.

Mondo had met ch'Verret some days earlier, and it seemed to him that the Andorian was not entirely sold on Mondo's readiness for action.  Nothing had been said.  No disparaging remarks.  But there was some vague hesitation behind the man's eyes.  The reason for it was plain enough.

Mondo had been critically wounded in his last mission, a rather nasty fight against Gamma quadrant pirates.  In an exchange of fire against boarders, he'd lost an arm.  The following six weeks had been spent in convalescence, first on a Hospital Ship, and then at a proper planetary hospital facility.  His replacement arm had gone from seeming like a numb alien machine grafted to his body, to a natural-feeling alien machine grafted to his body.   The Doctors assured him that he would feel unity with the limb eventually.

He was not entirely sure.  But if ch'Verret worried about Mondo, then he was not alone.  Mondo also worried about himself.  He had no idea how he would perform when the bloody horror of combat once again descended around him.

Speaking in a low tone, Mondo commented, "All arms have been distributed and the armory secured, Petty Officer ch'Verret.  I await further assignment."

Mondo had a rifle slung across his back and a Type-II phaser holstered at one hip, opposite a Tricorder and PADD stashed in a satchel.  He had been tempted to add a survival knife to his kit, but resisted the urge.

They would be fighting Starfleet officers, today.  Traitors, perhaps.  Or, if briefings could be believed, brainwashed victims of Leyton's mind-control.  Slitting throats and spilling intestines were actions not well received by Starfleet even against hated foes.  Against former colleagues?  Such a thing would be seen as monstrous.

There was a tension in the air.  A charge building up in anticipation of a lightning bolt descending from the sky.  Some of the people standing in this room would probably not be taking breath at this time tomorrow.  It was a sobering feeling, depressing the heart even as adrenaline sped its action.

Mondo's gaze rested on the Andorian's face, waiting to hear how the man wanted him utilized in the fight ahead.

[Lek]

[Engineering]

Lek stared absently at Challenger's pool table and with no alerts indicated, in his mind, all was well enough. He knew there was always preventive maintenance to do and at least a dozen minor issues that needed tending, but nothing serious. The biggest issue was the entire plasma conduit system on the ship. He wasn't going to have another rupture like the last one. P

"Once was enough."

He muttered with some anger. Four members of the crew died in the gym on deck 16 from the undiagnosed flaw induced by the yard during the conversion that turned the Excelsior-Class Challenger into the Trailblazer-Class version. Lek was determined to never let a yard mistake cost his crew casualties again.

[Malik Grippen]

Bridge

As there was no XO currently on board and no need of her talents in Sickbay, Lizzie was on the Bridge while Dylan made his tour of the ship. It had been a quiet run in, but she expected for things to get very hairy very quickly. She was pulled out of her thoughts by the new Conn Officer.

Lizzie nodded.

"Red Alert. Raise shields and ready all weapons." She ordered. "Signal the other ships to do the same." She then activated the internal coms system.

Bridge to Torngate. Admiral, we are approaching the Rebel Station and I have ordered the group to Red Alert.

[USS Challenger, Bridge - Helm]

Malik nodded, �Aye ma�am.�

The Risan linked in with the tactical station and activated red alert, plunging the bridge into the traditional crimson gloom of battle-stations. Almost instantaneously, the bridge was filled with more crewmen and officers to man vacant posts and stand as auxiliary to maintain command capability in the event of casualties. One of which was lieutenant Taray, the ship�s chief tactical officer, who promptly activated shields and weapon systems.

The bridge staff quickly began to work together like a fine tuned machine, irrespective of the fact some of them were newly transferred in. Starfleet training and ship design ensured one could perform their assigned tasks across any class in conjunction with others. The two other ships in their mini-flotilla responded in kind, readying themselves for the coming battle. It was the first fleet action Grippen had been a part of outside of the simulator; even if it only consisted of three it was still exhilarating.

His console notified him of the group�s updated status. �The Revere and Stalwart have acknowledged and are standing by for further orders.�

He was glad they had brought a defiant class along with them, those small ships had enough firepower to punch a hole through a small moon.

Grippen swivelled round in his chair to face the red-haired executive officer, �Commander, how has Admiral Leyton converted so many to his cause, the files mentioned some type of mind control technology, does it work at range?�

Malik had experienced suggestive control before, albeit through natural means at the hands of Orion female pheromones. The outcome of that had been quite pleasurable, he really didn�t like the sound of being controlled by a mad admiral.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 9 - Forward Torpedo Bay Control]

USS Challenger -  Deck 9 - Forward Torpedo Bay Control

Speaking in a low tone, Mondo commented, "All arms have been distributed and the armory secured, Petty Officer ch'Verret.  I await further assignment."

Lahr looked up at the Hupyrian for a moment nodding at the man's comment.  "That was fast." Lahr remarked "Alright, why don't you head on up to the bridge and relieve the crewman on the secondary tactical station, have him head to his secondary duty station.  You'll be shadowing me in the upcoming battle from that position. I'll be up there shortly."

Lahr hated to give the man such a bogus assignment, especially given the commendation the man had received from none other than Chief..er Commander tr'Lhoell, but until Lahr knew how Nari was going to react in battle the Hupyrian was a huge liability on pretty much any task.  This way at least in the thick of things if the man showed grit and was steady he could be passed some responsibility.

Lahr then looked over towards the Captain.  "Is there anything more you wanted to see, sir?"

[Lizzie Vaughan]

[USS Challenger, Bridge - Helm]

Malik nodded, "Aye ma'am."

The Risan linked in with the tactical station and activated red alert, plunging the bridge into the traditional crimson gloom of battle-stations. Almost instantaneously, the bridge was filled with more crewmen and officers to man vacant posts and stand as auxiliary to maintain command capability in the event of casualties. One of which was lieutenant Taray, the ship's chief tactical officer, who promptly activated shields and weapon systems.

The bridge staff quickly began to work together like a fine tuned machine, irrespective of the fact some of them were newly transferred in. Starfleet training and ship design ensured one could perform their assigned tasks across any class in conjunction with others. The two other ships in their mini-flotilla responded in kind, readying themselves for the coming battle. It was the first fleet action Grippen had been a part of outside of the simulator; even if it only consisted of three it was still exhilarating.

His console notified him of the group's updated status. "The Revere and Stalwart have acknowledged and are standing by for further orders."

He was glad they had brought a defiant class along with them, those small ships had enough firepower to punch a hole through a small moon.

Grippen swivelled round in his chair to face the red-haired executive officer, "Commander, how has Admiral Leyton converted so many to his cause, the files mentioned some type of mind control technology, does it work at range?"

Malik had experienced suggestive control before, albeit through natural means at the hands of Orion female pheromones. The outcome of that had been quite pleasurable, he really didn't like the sound of being controlled by a mad admiral.

Bridge

Lizzie watched as the Bridge crew went about their assigned tasks with the competence she had come to expect of a Starfleet crew. Then Grippen asked how the mind control technology worked, her eyes went hard for a second as she remembered the state Dylan had been in when he returned.

"While we have not been able to examine the specific technology used, analysis of the victims have suggested that it takes close proximity as well as prolonged and repeated exposure." She replied. "As such we should be safe from its influence during combat." She paused. "And as to how he managed to convert so many, that was a combination of allowing those who originally assisted him to remain in their postings and undue influence in many parts of the fleet."

She paused again as she contemplated the situation.

"Is there any sign that we have been detected?" She asked. "Are their weapons or shields powering up?"

[Malik Grippen]

Bridge

Lizzie watched as the Bridge crew went about their assigned tasks with the competence she had come to expect of a Starfleet crew. Then Grippen asked how the mind control technology worked, her eyes went hard for a second as she remembered the state Dylan had been in when he returned.

"While we have not been able to examine the specific technology used, analysis of the victims have suggested that it takes close proximity as well as prolonged and repeated exposure." She replied. "As such we should be safe from its influence during combat." She paused. "And as to how he managed to convert so many, that was a combination of allowing those who originally assisted him to remain in their postings and undue influence in many parts of the fleet."

She paused again as she contemplated the situation.

"Is there any sign that we have been detected?" She asked. "Are their weapons or shields powering up?"

[USS Challenger, Bridge - Helm]

Malik noticed the commander's expression when he queried the mind control technology, perhaps she had known someone who had been converted. Was there really so much discontent within Starfleet that people would willingly turn against their own, without the need for mind control? Malik had never heard anyone speak of rebellion before, but then again his Starfleet career was still relatively new.

"This feels wrong, we're about to enter a battle against our own colleagues. Many people may die, on both sides." Perhaps he shouldn't have mentioned it, officers were expected to set an example to the rest of the crew afterall, but this whole situation was messed up. He was about to say 'there must be another way' when he stopped himself, Starfleet command knew what they were doing. Admirals with copious amounts of gold on their collars would have sent the flotilla here because it was the best option, he didn't get to see the whole picture afterall.

"I'm struggling to believe so many of our own people have been duped into this rebellion, you know?"

He turned his attention back to the console as more status reports and refreshed passive scan data was streaming in, "The station's shields are raised, but their weapons remain offline." The base relied on their perimeter defence mostly, which was thought to be enough to deal with most threats. For larger threats the station would have relied on the fleet to intercept the enemy before they got too close, by which time it would be too late.

"The outer perimeter defences are online and have powered weapons. They shouldn't prove too much of a problem. We can drop out of warp within weapons range in 2 minutes."

The 'outer perimeter defence' consisted of an orb of phaser and torpedo batteries at evenly spaced points, with the starbase at its centre. Since a threat could come from any direction, the defence was designed so that as many weapons as possible could be brought to bear in a single direction, whilst not compromising overall defensive coverage. The task group would take some hits, but the advanced 'point of impact' shielding of the Challenger aided by the immense firepower of the Stalwart would surely be sufficient to punch a hole through.

[Mondo'li Nari]

USS Challenger - Torpedo Room

There was a nearly imperceptible change in the expression on Mondo's deeply wrinkled features.  It was a change so subtle that perhaps even the man himself was unaware of it.  His voice was its usual steady baritone as he replied, "At once."

And then he slid away just as silently as he'd arrived, as though his oversized frame was carefully balanced on antigravity skates.

A minute later, he arrived on...

USS Challenger - The Bridge

He arrived in time to hear the Flight Officer lamenting the current state of affairs, and then to report the state of the enemy's defensive systems.  Mondo shared Grippen's sense of wrongness about the whole Leyton rebellion.  These were the sorts of things that were never supposed to happen in the Federation.  Starfleet was not meant to be a factional, fractured service.  While many personalities and opinions mixed together in the Federation's great melting pot, they were all supposed to share the common goal of Peace.

But of course, Peace meant something very different to Admiral Leyton.  As hard as it was to believe, the Admiral was probably seeking it in his own way.

Mondo spoke up briefly, "Petty Officer Mondo'li Nari, reporting to auxiliary tactical by order of Petty Officer ch'Verret."  He did not reply or comment on Grippen's concerns, though he might have if this had been another venue.  It would be something to talk about another time, if they ever found themselves sharing the same off-duty space.

Instead, he proceeded to the station he'd been assigned and spoke briefly to the crewman already there.  Auxiliary stations were sometimes used to perform specialty tasks.  Sometimes, like today, they were used to provide redundancy to important jobs.  From the auxiliary station, Mondo would be able to supplement the primary Tactical officer's actions, and even replace him seamlessly if something went awry during combat.  It was a sensible, necessary post.

And yet he could not escape the sensation that ch'Verret had little faith in him.  It was not something he could fault the man for.  Not when Mondo had doubts of his own.

But he could not deny that some part of him was wounded by the realization.  To one raised as a Servant, knowing that a Master doubted your competence and capability was a hard thorn to bear in the soul.

He would just have to prove his ability.  Both to himself, and to his superior.

Only then would the state of the universe feel right again.

Taking in a holistic view of the tactical situation, Mondo spoke again, "I believe we are being intentionally encouraged to penetrate the outer defenses in preparation for an ambush which will occur between the outer defensive perimeter and the core base which is our objective."

[Lizzie Vaughan]

USS Challenger - Torpedo Room

There was a nearly imperceptible change in the expression on Mondo's deeply wrinkled features.  It was a change so subtle that perhaps even the man himself was unaware of it.  His voice was its usual steady baritone as he replied, "At once."

And then he slid away just as silently as he'd arrived, as though his oversized frame was carefully balanced on antigravity skates.

A minute later, he arrived on...

USS Challenger - The Bridge

He arrived in time to hear the Flight Officer lamenting the current state of affairs, and then to report the state of the enemy's defensive systems.  Mondo shared Grippen's sense of wrongness about the whole Leyton rebellion.  These were the sorts of things that were never supposed to happen in the Federation.  Starfleet was not meant to be a factional, fractured service.  While many personalities and opinions mixed together in the Federation's great melting pot, they were all supposed to share the common goal of Peace.

But of course, Peace meant something very different to Admiral Leyton.  As hard as it was to believe, the Admiral was probably seeking it in his own way.

Mondo spoke up briefly, "Petty Officer Mondo'li Nari, reporting to auxiliary tactical by order of Petty Officer ch'Verret."  He did not reply or comment on Grippen's concerns, though he might have if this had been another venue.  It would be something to talk about another time, if they ever found themselves sharing the same off-duty space.

Instead, he proceeded to the station he'd been assigned and spoke briefly to the crewman already there.  Auxiliary stations were sometimes used to perform specialty tasks.  Sometimes, like today, they were used to provide redundancy to important jobs.  From the auxiliary station, Mondo would be able to supplement the primary Tactical officer's actions, and even replace him seamlessly if something went awry during combat.  It was a sensible, necessary post.

And yet he could not escape the sensation that ch'Verret had little faith in him.  It was not something he could fault the man for.  Not when Mondo had doubts of his own.

But he could not deny that some part of him was wounded by the realization.  To one raised as a Servant, knowing that a Master doubted your competence and capability was a hard thorn to bear in the soul.

He would just have to prove his ability.  Both to himself, and to his superior.

Only then would the state of the universe feel right again.

Taking in a holistic view of the tactical situation, Mondo spoke again, "I believe we are being intentionally encouraged to penetrate the outer defenses in preparation for an ambush which will occur between the outer defensive perimeter and the core base which is our objective."

Bridge

Lizzie nodded as Mondo entered the Bridge and took up the tactical station. When he made his suggestion, she looked at him before giving another nod.

"Excellent point." She replied. "If they wanted to spring a trap, that would be the place to do it." She added.

She then turned back to Grippen.

"All stop Mr Grippen." She ordered. "And signal the other ships to hold here too."

She turned back to Mondo.

"No station of this size would be left with out some sort of Starship protection. I want full scans of the area for any ships and that includes places where they might be hiding." She ordered.

[Mondo'li Nari]

USS Challenger - Bridge

Mondo wasn't sure exactly what he was expecting to happen after he spoke his appraisal of the situation.  Perhaps it was because of his current self-doubt, but he was surprised to find his comment taken seriously, with the entire flotilla ordered to be stopped in its tracks.

"Aye, Sir.  Reviewing tactical scans, now," he said.

But... there was nothing.  No sign of a ship.  No evidence of a trap.  Nothing more than intuition.

Where would I be?

Nothing on the tactical scans suggested trouble.   Rather, everything he saw suggested that they had somehow caught the target sitting on their shields.  Undefended by any ships.

A perfect surprise.

A surprise that Mondo might be squandering by stalling their strike force.

Was this a product of his recent trauma?  Was he merely showing the trepidation and cowardice of a beaten animal?

It was a terrible possibility.   But then a thought occurred to him.

He abandoned the tactical scans, with their pre-programmed pattern recognition algorithms.  They sought metals, power patterns, and warp signatures.  But the point of an ambush was very much to avoid displaying any of those things.

Instead, he pulled up the astronomical scans which were routinely conducted by Stellar cartography.

His gaze settled on one feature of the area.

"Sir... there is a comet passing within the defensive perimeter.  It has a tail of particulate-laden ionized plasma approximately 1 million kilometers in length.  I can not actually detect enemy vessels... but if I were the enemy, I might attempt to conceal any number of ships on the far side of the comet's tail.  If kept on the drift at low power, our sensors might not be able to pick them up."

[Malik Grippen]

[USS Challenger, Bridge - Helm]

�All stop, aye commander.�

Any discussion about the �wrongness� of the situation wasn�t to be had, that was fine, they had a job to do. Malik sent a communication to the other ships to come to a full stop, timed in such a way so that the group would drop out of warp at precisely the same time and remain in the arrow head formation with the Challenger at the tip.

The viewscreen changed from the streaking scene of warp speed to the blackness of normal space. They were positioned 20m km from the perimeter, well outside of torpedo range. In the distance, a tiny pinprick of blue light could be seen, barely perceptible at this distance by the naked eye. As Mondo relayed the astrometric data, the dot must be the aforementioned comet.

Malik listened as the Hupyrian delivered his theory of the comet and hidden ships. The last Hupyrian Malik had seen was back on Risa. An influential Ferengi merchant had hired out one of the Grippen family�s pleasure boats for a private excursion. The Ferengi had no less than five Hupyrian as bodyguards, they never cracked a smile throughout the entire trip, despite Malik using all of his repertoire of inappropriate jokes.

�Commander, I would agree with Mr Nari�s assessment. Perhaps we should send a class V reconnaissance probe to the other side of the comet?�

[Lizzie Vaughan]

Bridge

Lizzie listened to both specialists and called up the comet's data before nodding in agreement to Mondo's hypothesis.

"Prepare the probe." She ordered. They needed to know what, if anything, was hiding behind the comet.

She didn't like this situation. All her experience was telling her this was wrong and they should have more support before trying to retake this station. But they had their orders and all they could do was be as cautious as possible.