Task Force: Gamma

ArjimCalodan · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject:

"Go ahead Mr. Croft, but please keep a close eye on the helm. We're still unsure what it was that damaged the Hartington and I wouldn't want to experience the damage it could wreak on a runabout."

Calodan had the sensor pod going at maximum scan resolution, gathering every bit of data he could about the area of space. He thought he might have picked up a few sensor blips of something, but he couldn't be sure. He launched one of the runabout's microprobes to act as a stationary sensor station, hoping to collect the data on the way back.

"Alright Mr. Croft, I think we're far enough out to risk jumping to Warp. Set a direct course to the planet, maximum cruising warp. I want to get there and get this dilithium without leaving the Hartington stranded out here too long." He watched as Croft worked the ship's helm and felt the familiar acceleration of the ship jumping to warp.

"Mr Kalev, if you would please run any diagnostics or prep on your equipment that is needed while we are in transit so we can speed this operation as much as possible. Ensign Tanay will assist you."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:13 pm Post subject:

ACTION

Hours pass as the Willamette cruised towards its destination. Kalev passed the time instructing the crew on various methods of dilithium extraction when , about halfway between their destination and the Hartington the Runabout's com picks up a faint distress call slightly off of their current course in a nearby system. Kalev pressed a control on his console and allowed the message to play in the cabin.

"To any vessel in range, this is the MCC Ciola en route to the Panthanel colony. We've been attacked by a Nekrali raider and are in need of assistance. Our shields are holding but we have no weapons. Please, hurry!"

As the message repeats, Kalev looks to the two Officers, waiting for his orders.
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject:

Calodan listened to the message and checked the distance to take a detour. "Standing Starfleet General Orders state that we are to render assistance when possible." He paused for a second, contemplating that this would be the first time he was ordering men into battle. For 5 lifetimes, he had never had to give an order that would directly endanger another man's life.

"Mr. Croft, set a course to the source of that distress call, Maximum Warp. Ensign Tanay, please assume tactical and bring us to Yellow Alert. Mr. Kalev, please assist Ensign Tanay in readying the ship for possible battle." Calodan silently cursed that the Williamette had been outfitted with a sensor pod and not a torpedo launcher for this mission.

He opened a comm channel to the Hartington, hoping that Lt. Ghan had managed to get communications back online. "Williamette to Hartington. We've received a distress call and are moving to provide aid." All he got in return was static. This was truly, his call.

He reconfigured the comms and sent a message back on the same frequency that they had received the distress call on. "MCC Ciola, this is the Federation vessel USS Williamette. We have received your distress call and are enroute to provide assistance."
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Azmay · Guest

Ensign Tanay sprang into action, passing from the azemébi posture to active status as if she were some kind of folded solar panel, that went unfolded under the rays of the sun; e assumed the Tactical station, and brought the ship to Yellow Alert.

"Ensign Tanay ready, Liutenant. Computer, bring the ship into Yellow Alert. Raise shields. Charge weapons."

Er voice was similar to Ensign Azmay's, but it had a harsher tone, and odd echoes. Not a man's voice, but not female either.

ArjimCalodan · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:13 am Post subject:

"Very good Ensign, but lets keep the weapon status to just a ready for now. Let's see if we can't talk out way out of this one before we start shooting."

The journey to the source of the distress call went by very quickly and the Williamette quickly dropped out of warp and in the middle of a pitched battle. Four small ships, about the size of the runabout were attacking a larger, cigar shaped ship. The larger ship was the source of the distress call.

"Hailing the Ciola," he said while opening the comm channel. "MCC Ciola, this is the Williamette. Please respond." All he got back was static. "Seems like the raiders are jamming. Trying an open channel." He paused and reconfigured the comms. "This is the USS Williamette to the vessels attacking the MCC Ciola. We're here responding to a distress call, please respond."

After a brief pause, two of the attacking vessels turned from attacking the freighter and opened fire on on the runabout. The ship was rocked with two hits, causing no appreciable damage. "It appears their weapons are a bit inferior. Let's get a tactical readout on these guys."
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Azmay · Guest

Koa Tanay nodded to the words of Lt. Calodan:

"Yes, liutenant. Computer: change weapons status from charged to ready."

OOC: I'm unsure whether it's Tanay's job to do the tactical scan that Lt. Calodan has asked for...

Marek · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject:

USS Willamette
Xavier Croft

Croft lined up several options for evasive maneuvers, just in case. It didn't seem these vessels would be much of a problem.

OOC Azmay, your character is manning tactical, so that would be your area. Unless you have a PM stating otherwise, I would follow Calodan's lead. Weapons have little effect on our shields, and apparently not much more effect on the MCC ship. You can infer a lot from that.
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Azmay · Guest

"Computer; scan the attacking vessels"

After waiting for the scan to finish, Ensign Tanay replied to Lt. Calodan's question:

"Liutenant, these result are being got: low-powered phased plasma cannons, phased polaron-based shielding, and some form of explosive or warhead in the fore of the ship"

ArjimCalodan · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

Calodan reviewed the information that Ensign Tanay had gleaned from his scans of the ship. "Very good Ensign. Phased polaron shielding? That's definitely exotic." He tapped a few commands into the console and the computer beeped at him. After taking another few hits from the raiders Calodan smiled. "Oh, I've always wanted to try this..."

Calodan tapped a few commands into his console. "Computer, prepare the deflector to emit a hyperon beam followed by a modulated Phase-conjugate graviton beam. Target the lead ship and activate the deflector when charged." The computer made an acknowledging beep and an orange and purple beam struck the lead raiders shields. There was seemingly no effect, but then the ship seemed to falter. A series of orange energy discharged enveloped the small craft and its external lights flickered..then extinguished.

"Gotcha!" At the quizzical looks from the crew, he decided he needed to give some explanation. "A while back, a Federation scientist had some theories on how to create powerful shields for a small vessel. His theories used a phased-polaron field...very similar to what these vessels use. Unfortunately, there was a flaw...they emitters could be overloaded with a hyperon beam followed by a modulated phase-conjugate graviton beam. I always wanted to try that out."

Suddenly, there was an explosion on screen. The ship that had been disabled had rammed itself in to the Ciola and had exploded. The other 3 ships had jumped to warp and left the area. "Mr. Croft, hail the Ciola and offer our assistance."
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Marek · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject:

USS Willamette
Xavier Croft

Croft chuckled at Calodan's explanation, then nodded. He opened a hailing frequency that matched their distress signal.

"MCC Ciola, this is the USS Willamette of the United Federation of Planets, may we be of assistance?" Croft brought the runabout closer to the ship, turning to Ensign Tanay he whispered.

"I would suggest standing down on the phasers, don't want to look aggressive."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject:

The scene of the alien vessel blinked away, replaced with a nearly human face. The hairless head of the alien distinguished by a bony ridge around the back head from browline to browline and another bisecting the top of the skull down to the nose. A smile shown on the man's sooty face as he looked upon his rescuers.

"I'm grateful for your assistance, Willamette. My name is Peor, Captain of the Ciola. You came just in time! Those damn vultures would have picked us clean. Would you be able to escort us back to Panthanel?
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

"I'm sorry Captain, but we're on an urgent mission. I think that we've scared away the raiders for the time being. Any information you can give us about them would be appreciated, we're new to this area."

Calodan regretted not being able to help the Ciola anymore then they already had, but they had to get the dilithium for the Hartington.
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Marek · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:59 pm Post subject:

Croft glanced at Calodan, slightly surprised at his response, Well the Hartington is a sitting duck, and these guys appear to be ok
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:53 pm Post subject:

"I'm sorry Captain, but we're on an urgent mission. I think that we've scared away the raiders for the time being. Any information you can give us about them would be appreciated, we're new to this area.

Captain Peor nodded in understanding, not wanting to press the issue.

"The Nekrali are pirates and scavengers. They infested this sector a number of years ago, around the same time most of my people's colonies in this area became relatively self sufficient. Most of the time they're harmless, but we weren't carrying any weapons -- my ship owner's idea of saving money and increasing cargo space. Well Lieutenant, we'd better part company, I'm on a schedule and need I'll need to be leaving if I'm to keep it. Thank you very much for your assistance. I'll be spreading the word about you... Federation is it?"
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:55 pm Post subject:

Calodan smiled, "That's right Captain, the United Federation of Planets. If you'd like to transmit the coordinates to your colony, we can stop by for a proper first contact when we're finished with our mission. Also, we'll keep you on our long range sensors and monitor for anymore distress calls and respond accordingly."
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