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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">~~
Challenger, Bridge ~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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 <st1:place w:st="on">Neptune</st1:place> 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."<br>
<br>
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 <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Anderson</st1:place></st1:city> was standing there as he often
seemed to be. He turned to see T'Pren and Chris at their stations as well.<br>
<br>
"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. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Anderson</st1:place></st1:city> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Chris nodded
in acknowledgement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"Reading
your mind Ma'am." <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Anderson</st1:place></st1:city>
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The ship
rocked, but Bingham kept their path true. "Sir, ten seconds till we're
through the enemy fleet." Bingham shouted as he flew.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">'Aye
Sir." <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Anderson</st1:place></st1:city>
replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">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."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The ship
shuddered as <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Anderson</st1:place></st1:city>
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 <i style="">Vanguard</i> taking disruptor fire
... wait ... direct hit to port nacelle."<br>
<br>
"Woah!" Chris shouted as he glanced at the viewscreen.<br>
<br>
T'Pren looked up to see a large explosion bloom in the lower right-hand
corner. "That was quick. <i style="">Vanguard</i>
destroyed." She scanned the area. "Mr. Bingham, debris at
0 mark 46, watch yourself."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"Yes,
ma'am," Bingham gasped. He was working his panel like mad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><br>
Chris listened intently for any communications coming from the Vanguard's
escape pods. There were none.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"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. "<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hull</st1:place></st1:city>
plating is taking damage to port, down to 82%."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><br>
"<i style="">Nightingale</i> is requesting
immediate assistance," Chris said, relaying the message from the Venus now
under attack.<br style="">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="">
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">“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.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">“Aye, Sir.”
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Anderson</st1:city></st1:place> 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. <span style=""> </span><br>
===================<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Captain Corad
Cole<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">CO<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">NX-04
Challenger<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">&<span class="apple-style-span"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Sub Commander T'Pren</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">XO/CSO</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">NX-04 Challenger</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">&<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">LtCommander Chris Stingley</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">CCO</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">NX-04 Challenger</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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