[Galaxy] 2169.04.26 ~ DJL ~ Capt Cole, SCmdr T'Pren & LtCmdr Stingley

[naschell at comcast.net]

~~ Challenger, Bridge ~~ 

Corad was sitting on pins and needles. They had been in warp for almost six hours now. Alpha group had them and the Freedom leading the way with seven Neptune frigates and two Venus and Sol ships following behind. As they sat there waiting Mr. Bingham turned and said, "We’ll be exiting warp in sixty seconds Sir." 

Corad stood up; he wanted to face the oncoming storm on his feet. For a moment he considered making a speech, but the crew knew what this battle potentially meant and they would fight till their last breath to ensure their survival and ultimately victory. Corad looked over to tactical and saw Anderson was standing there as he often seemed to be. He turned to see T'Pren and Chris at their stations as well. 

"Mr. Bingham, we're to push our way through the enemy armada. Once we do this we're to come about and start engaging the enemy. Anderson I want you to delivering as many heavy blows as possible as we punch threw them. T’Pren and Chris I’m gonna need updates from both of you as they come in be it status of other ships in our battle group or what ships are the weakest.” Corad said as he looked at each person as he spoke to them before they exited warp. 



Chris nodded in acknowledgement. 



"Yes, Captain," said T'Pren, her eyes on her sensor reports. "Scans are beginning to pick up the Romulan armada, sir ... coming in at heading 0 mark 0, the leading edge of the force has ... I'm counting 30 vessels, sir, of varying sizes." She had to turn away then, to speak to Tactical. 



"Mr. Anderson, sending you coordinates. Choose your preliminary targets," T'Pren continued. "Am I correct, sir, that we will be primarily targeting the larger vessels? And leave the smaller ships to our fighters?" She watched as the rest of Alpha squad began to alter formation somewhat, although the Challenger was still the tip of the spear. 



Chris looked up from the comms. "Freedom is asking if we are noticing any fluctuations in the scanners on the number of vessels. They think some of the signals are disappearing." 



Corad thought he saw Romulan ships but wasn’t sure if he was seeing ghosts in the shadows, “Let Fleet Captain Ramirez know that the Romulans more then likely cloaked once we exited warp.” Corad said as he turned to see them heading head long into the formation of Klingon and Nausiccan ships. “Brace yourselves, we’re going in!” Corad shouted as they flew into the enemy armada with all weapons firing. 



Chris tapped the buttons to activate the tactical alert status. Red lights flashed around the bridge and all across the ship. Down below, everyone would be rushing to stations. 



T'Pren looked up from Science. "Sir ... whether it was a sensor glitch or data stream interruption, I am not sure ... but now I am reading only 20 vessels, all Klingon, with a small contingent of Nausiccans coming up behind. Varying types of craft from battle cruisers to fighters." The Romulans had been there, she was almost sure of it. But now her attention had to be on the battle. 



The internal comms flared to life as station after station began reporting in. Chris' trained mind activated almost as if a similar switch had been thrown. At that moment, the world was all but forgotten as all his attention was focused into monitoring the chatter... 



T'Pren's fingers were flying over her console, keeping the sensors tuned to the firefight. "Klingon battle cruiser responding, we're being targeted," she said calmly, then raised her voice slightly. "Mr. Anderson, polarize hull plating." 



"Reading your mind Ma'am." Anderson said as he targeted with one hand and polarized the hull with his other. A full spread of torpedo's was launched along with the phase cannon's, nearly all of them connected but none where kill shots. 



The ship rocked, but Bingham kept their path true. "Sir, ten seconds till we're through the enemy fleet." Bingham shouted as he flew. 



Corad held his ground as the ship rocked as he said, "Mr. Anderson wait till we're barely through our turn to resume firing torpedoes while continuing to target with the phase cannons.” 



'Aye Sir." Anderson replied. 



The ship groaned as Bingham brought her about to face the rear of the enemy fleet. Corad could swear he felt the ship shuddering as if it was begging to be left of the proverbial leash. Suddenly the ship groaned again almost like a battle cry assuring the crew that she had no intention of letting her crew down. Corad couldn't help but smile. ”We’ve stirred the Hornets nest." 



The ship shuddered as Anderson launched torpedoes and fired the phased cannons. "Good shooting, Mr. Anderson ... direct hits, Klingon battle cruiser, forward shields are down. Mr. Anderson, fire at will," T'Pren said. "Sol vessel Vanguard taking disruptor fire ... wait ... direct hit to port nacelle." 

"Woah!" Chris shouted as he glanced at the viewscreen. 

T'Pren looked up to see a large explosion bloom in the lower right-hand corner. "That was quick. Vanguard destroyed." She scanned the area. "Mr. Bingham, debris at 0 mark 46, watch yourself." 



"Yes, ma'am," Bingham gasped. He was working his panel like mad. 


Chris listened intently for any communications coming from the Vanguard's escape pods. There were none. 



"Battle cruiser 2 approaching off our starboard ... the Nausiccans appear to be 'ganging up' on our Venus' .... " she looked at the monitors again, fingers flying over the console. "Beta Wave approaching the leading edge of the Klingon front now." This was fascinating, one corner of T'Pren's mind noted. The smell of sweat and adrenaline was reaching her nostrils. " Hull plating is taking damage to port, down to 82%." 


" Nightingale is requesting immediate assistance," Chris said, relaying the message from the Venus now under attack. 



“Hail Captain Michaels of the Ludington, they should be the closest ship in formation to render assistance.” Corad said as he turned to Chris. “Mr. Anderson lets clear the way.” 



“Aye, Sir.” Anderson said with a smile as he sent a full spread of torpedoes connected with an already weakened Klingon battle cruiser. The battle cruisers hull started to buckle as it was coming onto the viewscreen. As it erupted into a fireball there was a cheer on the bridge. 
=================== 

Captain Corad Cole 

CO 

NX-04 Challenger 

& 

Sub Commander T'Pren 

XO/CSO 

NX-04 Challenger 

& 

LtCommander Chris Stingley 

CCO 

NX-04 Challenger
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