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<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>[ Intrepid: Bridge ]</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>NX-07 Intrepid had been trailing the Nausicaans at a safe distance for a
few hours since leaving the pirates' base in the Poseiden system. The group
consisted of two enhanced Nausicaan raiders and the cargo freighter Oregonian
which the manifest showed was still carrying her dilithium cargo that had
originally been bound for Earth.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Intrepid had been on an intelligence gathering mission investigating the
hijacking of the cargo ship. They found a distress beacon which lead to
survivors and a trail that finally led them to the nearby Poseiden system. With
navigational data obtained by hacking the freighter before it left the system
they had continued a distant pursuit to continue their investigations. They were
now heading toward a previously uncharted location, the Xantia system.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>[ Bridge, Yorktown ]</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Da'nak passed a hand over his face, then drained the cup in front of him as
he trained his eyes and antennae at the main screen. Stars passed by leaving
long multicolored tails.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>The Yorktown had been trailing the Romulan Bird of prey for two days with
four Andorian cruisers in tow. The Romulan had managed to download the
information on the Andorian's experimental 'Phantom Device' from the renegade
cruiser Kumat, which the Yorktown had been sent to intercept. Once they had
encountered the vessel however, Da'nak was surprised to learn that his brother
and a group of Isolationists had taken control of the vessel... and he was not
happy to see him.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>After a short fight, Da'nak was forced to board the Kumat in order to save
the Yorktown from destruction. Once there, he was able to determine the weakness
of the 'Phantom Device', is was capable of rendering an entire starship
intangible, but at the cost of expending massive amounts of dilithium. Da'nak
also learned that his brother, K'den, blamed him for the death of his mother,
challenging him to the Ushaan.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>During the duel, the Kumat was attacked by the Romulans, which provided the
distraction needed to beam Da'nak back to the Yorktown. In the ensuing fracas,
the Yorktown's Captain was injured and the Romulans managed to hack in and
download the Kumat's database. By the time, the Yorktown was prepared to engage,
the Kumat had been severely damaged. The only option left to keep the
information from being passed on was for K'den to overload the Kumat's warp
reactor, taking one of the Birds of prey with it, and damaging the other.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>It was then that the Andorians had arrived, commanded by Da'nak's old flame
Quirra. After a quick rundown, Yorktown moved into position and fired the
finishing salvo at the wounded Romulan... only to see it flash into warp just
before the torpedoes could finish her off!</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>And there chase was on. For two days the Romulan had led them deeper and
deeper into space. Fortunately it's cloaking device seemed to have been damaged,
as it hadn't tried to hide it's trail, which made tracking it all that much
easier. As he looked at his navigation instruments, he noticed that they were
approaching a previously uncharted star system., the Xantia system.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"Commander. We're picking up vessels directly in our path. Sir, one of them
has been identified as the ESS Intrepid."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"Open a channel, encrypt it. You never know who will be listening"</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"Aye Sir."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"Intrepid, this is ESS Yorktown. We have sustained battle damage. Our
Captain has been injured, Executive Officer Ca'daar is in command. We are
tailing a Romulan vessel carrying sensitive Andorian information. Intrepid, what
is your status?"</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>= Ethan Armstrong. Commanding Officer speaking. We are tracking two
Nausicaan ships and a stolen cargo vessel. We believe there is a Romulan
connection with the hijacking and have tracked them here. Their destination we
believe is the uncharted Xantia system. We have so far avoided confrontation.
Can we assist? =</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>= Roger that Captain. The Romulan vessel needs to be stopped at all costs.
The information it's carrying has the potential for a major shift in the balance
of power in this quadrant. We are being shadowed by Andorian task force Shulkar.
They have orders to render all possible assistance. We may have trouble if the
Romulan reaches the Nausicaans. We are prepared for a confrontation.=</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>= We are now picking up the Romulan and Intrepid stands ready to assist.
=</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>[ Nausicaan Raider ]</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"An Earth vessel has entered sensor range, and four Andorian cruisers
traveling at high warp" the sensor officer reported to his acting commander,
Urnogar. "They are on a parallel course to ours."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"Impossible, This system is uncharted. Unless they have found out about our
deal with the Romulans" Urnogar replied. "Four Andorian ships you say?" he
mused. "Maintain radio silence, lets watch what they are doing. We can play
innocent"</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"Wait, there is more" the sensor officer frowned. "A Romulan ship is ahead
of us, on the same bearing. They are visible, uncloaked and I am reading
significant damage" </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"The Earth vessel must be following that ship." Urnogar paused to consider.
"Send a message to the Romulan ship stating we do not appreciate being drawn
into their battles. Prepare to drop out of warp, get our men back from the
freighter and lets get out of here. We are close enough for the drop off, and I
don't also plan on dying for their cause" he said, referring to those already
lost on Romulan missions.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>[ Intrepid ]</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"Sir, the Nausicaan ships are slowing. I believe they have spotted Yorktown
and the Andorian ships. They appear to be changing course. Abandoning the
freighter" Ensign Wun reported from tactical. "Their actions suggest they have
also now detected us" </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"I don't think it is going to matter now Ensign." Ethan said. "Continue our
course to the freighter. Go to tactical alert."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>[Yorktown]</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Commander!"</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Go ahead crewman." Da'nak sat, his antennae still affixed to the main
screen. He couldn't let the Romulan slip through.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Sensors indicate the BOP is headed straight for the Nausicaans. It has not
made any indication of slowing."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Da'nak bit his lower lip. "Well then we'll just have to see how good he is.
Send word to the Andorians... brace for evasive maneuvers, we're following him
in."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>"Aye Commander."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>[Outside]</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>The Bird of prey bore down on the Nausicaans and the freighter they were
escorting like it's namesake, making no attempt to answer the hails being sent
in it's direction by her confused allies. The Romulan Captain simply continued
on in his frantic pace.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>At once he was upon them, diving through the escort formation, sending the
ships scattering, dropping all of them out of warp. Directly behind her, the
Yorktown and Andorians slowed as well. The four Andorian vessels backing ' off,
taking a stance outside the chaos as the Yorktown executed the same maneuver as
the Bird, plunging into the midst of the swirling vessels, narrowly missing a
collision with the lead Nausicaan. Doggedly however, she kept on the tail of her
objective as the various vessels began to twist and turn wildly, like ancient
dogfighters from earth's first great war.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Intrepid arrived on the scene as the Nausicaans opened fire in the
confusion. Shots were exchanged on both sides, plumes of fire erupting from
Nausicaan and Starfleet alike. Finally, Yorktown managed to roll free of the
twisting mass of energy beams and metal and draw a clear firing solution to it's
prey.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Intrepid began to strike back at the Nausicaans who also continued their
general withdraw from the situation. Speeding away at full impulse whilst laying
down cover fire to deter anyone following. As the Nausicaans moved further way,
Intrepid gave up the chase and let them go to warp, turning back to the
freighter and Romulan engagement. There was bigger fish to fry.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>A savage smile split the face of Yorktown's temporary commanding officer as
he saw his Chief armory officer line up the shot. He raised his hand and opened
his mouth, ready to give the order to open fire when suddenly the Romulan winked
out of existence before him!</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>[Yorktown]</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Da'nak sat dumbfounded, his mouth hanging slightly open before he regained
his wits.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Sensors on maximum sensitivity! He's repaired his cloak!"</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Aye Commander. Commencing sensor sweep."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Stay on it crewman. We have to get him."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>After a few moments with no report, Da'nak hung his head. He had
failed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> "Open the channel to Intrepid."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>=Ca'daar to Intrepid. We've lost the Romulan, repeat... we've lost
him.=</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>[ Intrepid ]</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Ethan stood up from his chair. = We are no longer tracking them either.
They just completely disappeared off sensors. = he looked around at the bridge
crew to see if anyone had anything contrary to report. = However it seems
probable they are heading toward the Xantia system. If there are more Romulans
in the system we may be walking into overwhelming odds. Perhaps we should take
stock before continuing our pursuit? = Ethan suggested. He imagined that
Yorktown could do with some repairs before entering battle again. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Before a reply could come through Lt Mendez reported that there was a
priority one communication from Starfleet Command. He heard similar coming in
over the Yorktown frequency. Something had happened on the Romulan border. =
Looks like we've got even more to discuss = he said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>[Yorktown]</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Da'nak's antennae moved lazily back and forth as he mulled over his next
course of action.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>=Affirmative Captain. It will do us no good to go off half cocked. I'll ask
the Andorian task force to continue the sweep for the Bird while we compare
notes. We still have extensive battle damage and could use the help of
Intrepid's engineering and medical teams to asses and repair the damage. =</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>= My teams are at your disposal Commander. =</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>=Thank you Captain, Ca'daar out.=</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Deftly, the blue helmsman swung the large craft around to rendezvous with
her sister ship. His insides were seething that they had lost the Romulan that
had helped send his brother to a cold grave amongst the stars, but he was in
command now, at least for the moment and had to think of the good of the
Yorktown.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Cromwell." He said, looking over at the junior helmsman. "Prepare a
shuttle."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"
class=Apple-style-span><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">And.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> Cmdr Da'nak
Ca'daar</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"
class=Apple-style-span><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Executive
Officer</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"
class=Apple-style-span><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">ESS
Yorktown</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"
class=Apple-style-span><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"
class=Apple-style-span><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Cmdr
Ethan Armstrong</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"
class=Apple-style-span><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Commanding
Officer</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"
class=Apple-style-span><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">ESS
Intrepid</SPAN></SPAN></DIV><BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 size=2 face="Franklin Gothic Demi" FAMILY="SANSSERIF"
PTSIZE="10"><BR></FONT><FONT lang=0 color=#000000 size=2 face="Times New Roman"
FAMILY="SERIF" PTSIZE="10"><I>You ever dance with the devil in the pale moon
light?<BR>I always ask that of all my prey...<BR>I just like the sound of
it.....<BR><BR></I>Jack Nicholson- Batman</FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>