Treacherous Waters - Chapter 9
Chapter 9 <combined>
Gibraltar
A gravid hush had fallen over the assembled bridge crew as the Gibraltar led the Velk flotilla closer to their intercept with the oncoming vessel. Visions of an enormous and deadly Dominion warship flitted through their minds, and no amount of positive thinking could overcome their certainty that a ninety-year old escort and a dozen middling Velk patrol cutters would prove short work for as ferocious an enemy as the Jem’Hadar.
Turning around in his chair to face the Tactical console, Sandhurst directed a carefully neutral expression at Lar’ragos. “How many quantum torpedoes do we have again?”
“Eight,” the El Aurian replied dispassionately. “Plus our compliment of forty standard photons, sir.”
Facing forward once again, Sandhurst briefly met the intense gaze of Ramirez at her post in the lower bridge well, before setting his eyes on the streaking starscape of the main viewscreen. “Tightbeam comms to the Velk ships. Inform them that if this is a Dominion warship, we’ll be targeting their propulsion systems first, followed by weapons.”
Lar’ragos raised an eyebrow, “Shoot ‘n scoot, sir?”
“Correct,” Sandhurst affirmed. “If we can slow them down or knock out their warp drive altogether, we give ourselves the chance to fall back to Velkohn and regroup. Hopefully, Starfleet can provide us some backup by then.”
Lar’ragos grunted, “Keep hope alive.”
“Hope for the best…” Sandhurst cited the ship’s unofficial motto.
“…Plan for the worst,” Lar’ragos finished for him.
“Accelerate to Warp 8.3 and prepare to launch the tactical probe.” Sandhurst ordered.
“Aye, increasing to 8.3, Captain.” Lightner nudged the starship forward.
The Class-5 probe’s warp sustainer engines would serve to keep the device close to Warp 8 while Gibraltar fell back to wait for the Velk squadron to catch up. Hopefully, the probe would allow them a glimpse of what they were up against.
“We’re now at 8.3, sir.”
“Launch probe,” Sandhurst said quietly.
“Probe away,” Lar’ragos confirmed.
“Decrease to Warp 2 and standby to join up with the Velk.”
Casting a glance towards Shanthi at the Sciences station, the captain studied the young man’s dour expression. “I’m guessing the subspace interference isn’t abating?”
Shanthi turned away from his display, his eyes weary from staring at the monitor. “Yes and no, sir.” He accessed his board, transferring the image from his display to the main viewer. “As you can see, the subspace interference from the attack on our convoy has dissipated this far from the point of detonation. However, the incoming ship is approaching us from the general direction of the Bog.”
Sandhurst studied the graphic, taking note of the glowing nimbus of energy surrounding the scattered star systems that comprised the Bog. “That’s all theta radiation?”
“Yes, sir.” Shanthi corroborated, “I’d estimate that centuries of mining in the Bog have generated massive quantities of theta radiation that now extend out in a spherical corona over a lightyear in diameter. The approaching vessel has undoubtedly detected this, and has moved to place itself between us and the Bog.”
Nodding slowly, Sandhurst summarized, “Using the background radiation to blind our sensors.”
“That’s about the size of it, sir.”
“Clever,” Sandhurst muttered.
*****
USS Intrepid
Gamma Quadrant, intercepting unknown forces
The bridge crew hunched over their panels, staring intently at the darkness ahead, willing themselves to see enemies that were millions of kilometers away-----but nearly sitting on their laps, in terms of astronomical distances.
“Estimating six minutes before hostile firing range.” Pal reported tersely from OPS.
“Bring all phasers to ready. Load tubes fore and aft.” The instructions flowed from Aubrey with practiced ease. He scanned the bridge with confidence, letting each crewman see his trust. “Commence battle preparedness.”
“Shields are up. Phaser banks one through fifteen on line…quantum torpedoes set for high speed discharge.” Adol confirmed smoothly.
Intrepid was one of few older ships to carry quantum torpedoes. During the war, Starfleet had given her a compliment to better prevent the ship’s classified technology from falling into enemy hands. Since then, she carried them only if their mission profile warranted it. Aubrey was grateful that the yearlong exploration of the Gamma Quadrant had justified the payload.
“Dr. Kella reports that sickbay is on Code Blue for battle triage.” Shantok dutifully announced.
Lieutenant Pal scratched his goatee thoughtfully. “Captain, subspace interference is thinning out in this region. It’s because we’re moving away from the epicenter of the eruption. As we do, the interference ripples are diminishing.”
“True.” Shantok validated from her own station on the upper deck. “In addition, theta interference is dissipating as we travel away from the Bog.”
“In other words, we’re losing our invisibility.” Aubrey admitted unhappily.
“In a manner of speaking. However, we should be able to identify the contacts and establish communication within the next minute.”
Seeming not to hear, the captain spoke out to the center of the room. “Bridge to engineering. Mr. Benjamin, stand by to channel subspace energy through the deflector, as we discussed. That should keep our friends out there blind for another few minutes.”
“Aye, sir.” Came the steady voice from the speakers. Benjamin’s elusive confidence was paying a visit…hardly a surprise now that he was back in his element.
“Sir. I should point out: this will be our last chance to make a positive ID.” Shantok seemed detached and official as she spoke.
“Wait a minute…” Adol suddenly exclaimed. He looked with alarm at his board. “I have another contact…much smaller…it’s moving at warp eight point three. Possible collision in two minutes on present heading.”
The captain’s response was automatic. “Helm, execute evasive pattern Tango Three. Mr. Pal, can you tell if it’s a torpedo?”
Pal franticly scanned his readings. “Interference is still too high to read details, Captain.”
Sorna’s next update nearly overlapped Pal’s. “Tango Three confirmed. Object now receding away from us and not pursuing.”
Aubrey felt a final touch of hesitation. If he let nature take its course, the approaching vessels would soon stand revealed, due to the dissipating interference. But if they were hostile, he would be giving up his only advantage-----an advantage they would badly need to survive.
To the intercom he said, “Mr. Benjamin, proceed with sensor blind.”
“Aye, sir. Commencing surge.”
From Intrepid’s secondary hull, a high-energy subspace field spread out into space-----a cone of interference whose frequency precisely matched that of the ambient noise around her.
“Now showing sensor jam.” Adol stated.
Aubrey settled casually against his chair. “Ensign Sorna, please accelerate to warp nine point three and resume original course.”
“But sir, our navigational sensors are jammed as well. We’re flying blind.” Sorna observed uneasily.
“Steady as we go.” He said gently. “Follow your pre-programmed flight path.”
The commanding officer turned his chair to face the tactical station just behind him. “If this works, by the time they have a sensor fix on us, we’ll be just behind the attack force. We’ll match speed, then bring all weapons to bear on the lead ship-----a phaser and torpedo salvo at full yield. We’ll then target engines on the smaller ships before veering off at maximum warp.”
Adol’s face tightened with concentration as he prepared for the coming ordeal. “’Hit and run’ tactics.” He affirmed.
“And Mr. Adol,” Aubrey said conversationally, “I know this doesn’t’ need to be said, but----“
“Don’t fire without your direct order.” The Andorian completed for him. “There’s a small chance they’re not enemy craft. Understood, sir.”
Aubrey nodded approvingly and turned back to the viewer. From the corner of his eye he saw Shantok studying him. He could almost feel her uncertainty. It was not the support he was accustomed to. He felt both annoyance and regret at the idea that he might have to prove himself again to her.
“Engineering reports auxiliary power on automatic feed to the shields.” Pal added.
“Commencing attack run. Pattern: Aubrey-Sierra.” The young helm officer said nervously. Through dry lips she continued, “Intercept in seven, six, five, four…”
*****
Gibraltar
“Probe telemetry?” Sandhurst inquired urgently, not bothering to look over at the Science station.
There was a brief pause as Shanthi tried again to cut through the cocoon of interference surrounding the approaching vessel. “The craft is now radiating a scattering field, Captain. The probe just passed our target… not getting much except approximate mass.” Shanthi shot Sandhurst a quick glance, “Too small to be a Dominion battleship, too big to be a Dominion fighter.”
“Ops, patch me through to the Velk task force. I want them to broadcast our challenge hail in concert with us. That should be sufficient to burn through the comms interference.”
“Aye, sir. Standby.” Seconds crept past. “Link established, Captain. The Velk are ready to broadcast.”
“Approaching vessel, this is the Federation starship Gibraltar. You will identify yourself immediately or you will be presumed hostile and we will open fire. This is your only warning.” Muting the audio, Sandhurst called back to Lar’ragos. “Lieutenant, prepare to coordinate fire with the Velk. If we don’t get a response, that ship’s going to have to punch through a wall of photon torpedoes at warp. I don’t care who you are, that’s going to hurt.”
Lar’ragos affirmed the order, slaving the Velk tactical systems to his board as he set a proximate target, centering his firing reticule on the densest region of interference…
*****
Intrepid
“Intercept in six, five, four, three, two-----“
“Incoming transmission.” Adol abruptly exclaimed. Without waiting for the order, he put it on the bridge speakers.
“-----Federation starship Gibraltar. You will identify yourself immediately or you will be presumed hostile and we will open fire. This is your only warning.”
Aubrey sensed what type of man might lie on the other end of the transmission. The voice had carried a grim determination with it, as though its owner were resigned to cleaning up other people’s messes…and resolved to doing so by any means necessary.
But the dilemma of who was who had just become a moot point. For Intrepid had just swept into the midst of the Velk’s rear flank at warp nine, bearing down on the fleet like an attacking eagle.
On the main viewer, a procession of small craft flew by. The simple design of the ships became visible, confirming their origin.
“Captain, sensors have identified the vessels as Velk patrol cutters.” Pal said excitedly. “And I’m now reading a Starfleet transponder signal at 350,000 kilometers off our starboard bow.”
“Reduce speed and match orientation of the trailing ships.” The captain stood from his command chair. “Mr. Adol, hail the-----“
He was interrupted by a dull thumping noise, followed by a deep vibration in the deck.
“We’re being fired on.” Shantok announced. “Two Velk warships are launching torpedoes.”
Something else punched the ship, this time with more force.
“Three more volleys. Direct hits forward and on our port quarter. Shields at 94 %. No other damage.”
“Sir,” Shantok said with quiet earnestness. “The warheads are low-yield by Starfleet standards. But enough hits will produce significant damage.”
Having reached the same conclusion, Aubrey tapped a panel on the command board next to his chair. “Velk forces. This is the Federation starship Intrepid, Captain Jason Aubrey commanding. We mean you no harm. Please break off your attack.”
It was only a matter of seconds before the response came. This time the deck shook harder and the lights dimmed.
“That was a full spread by both ships. Forward shields now at 81%.” Adol hands hovered eagerly over the firing controls. “Sir, I could take out their weapons array with just a few shots…”
“Stand by.” Aubrey returned.
“Why are they still attacking?” Sorna asked angrily. “They have to know we’re Starfleet by now.”
“Captain, the Velk fleet is breaking formation and coming about. They’re arming torpedos.” Adol gritted his teeth, and anxiety laced his next words. “We can’t take a salvo by that many ships.”
“And we’re not. Sorna, reverse engines. Take us out of warp and hold position.”
Ensign Sorna’s expert fingers danced over the CON board. “We’re secure from warp speed,” she verified within seconds. “Now showing all stop.”
Aubrey stepped up to the command deck. “Open a channel to the Gibraltar.” Glancing over Adol’s shoulder, he indicated the tactical display with an index finger. “Keep on eye on that fleet in the meantime. If they take any more shots at us, we’ll have no choice but to return fire.”
*****
Gibraltar
“New sensor contact!” Juneau shouted. “It’s appeared on our port-aft quarter, distance three-hundred fifty-thousand kilometers. It’s matched speed and course with our flotilla.”
Grimacing, Sandhurst barked, “Where the hell did they come from? Helm, engage intercept course. Tactical, identify that ship.”
Lar’ragos paused, looking skeptically at his scan results as if trying to decipher a foreign language. “Captain, target reads as a Federation Excelsior-class starship.”
Shanthi spoke up from the Science station, “Sir, it appears they suddenly accelerated during their final approach, effectively jumping ahead of their interference wave and catching us off guard.”
“Nice,” Ramirez said, her tone tinged with admiration, “a warp intercept Picard Maneuver.”
Juneau glanced back from the Ops board, “The Velk have just opened fire on the Excelsior, sir.”
Pivoting in his chair to face Tactical, Sandhurst fixed his troubled expression on Lar’ragos. “Pava, can you override the Velk weapons arrays?”
“Trying, sir. They disconnected from our tactical link to engage the ship when it dropped in on top of them. Looks like they’re panicking.”
Pell looked up from her post in the well, “The ship’s transponder isn’t broadcasting, and they’re too far from us for a visual identification of their registry.”
“Incoming hail from the ship,” Juneau announced, enabling audio.
“Velk forces. This is the Federation starship Intrepid, Captain Jason Aubrey commanding. We mean you no harm. Please break off your attack.”
“Intrepid’s dropping out of warp and is falling behind us,” Juneau updated. “Velk ships adjusting course to pursue.” Looking across to Lightner at the helm, Juneau whispered, “Isn’t Aubrey the lunatic that set off the genesis device in the Kokala nebula during the war?”
To his credit, Lightner minded his post and assiduously ignored her.
Toggling the comms from his chair, Sandhurst hailed the Velk formation, “Velk defense vessels, this is Gibraltar. You are firing at a Federation starship. You will cease fire immediately or I will begin disabling your vessels.”
“Captain,” Ramirez glanced up from her console, “Intrepid’s power signature and armaments are reading as comparable to those of a Galaxy-class. If that’s really one of ours, she’s been upgraded significantly.”
Sandhurst nodded curtly, still focused intensely on the tactical plot map displayed on the main viewer. “Acknowledged, Exec. See if you can confirm those modifications through our database.”
Looking frustrated, Lar’ragos growled, “Velk attack wing now on approach to the Intrepid’s coordinates. They’re arming torpedoes.”
Shaking his head in resignation, Sandhurst said in subdued voice, “Fire a full spread of photons, warhead yield one-fifth of standard. Hit the four ships closest to Intrepid. Looks as though we’ll have to get their attention the hard way.”
Lar’ragos’ hand flew across his board, making the necessary modifications to torpedo yield in seconds. “Aye. Torpedoes away, sir.”
“Incoming hail from Intrepid, Captain. Directed at us specifically…”
“On screen.”
The image on the viewer shifted from that of four crimson missiles rifling towards their Velk targets to the visage of a Starfleet captain seated on the bridge of his ship. “Gibraltar, this is Captain Aubrey. We are coming under fire by Velk forces and may be forced to take defensive action. Urgent that you respond."
Sandhurst opened the channel, “We read you, Intrepid. I’ve just opened fire on the lead Velk ships with low-yield torpedoes. We’re hoping to bring them to their senses.”
*****
Intrepid
“Acknowledged, Gibraltar. We’re tracking your fire.”
“Direct hit by all torpedoes. Someone over there is a good shot.” Adol muttered approvingly.
“Velk fleet is dropping out of warp close to our section.” Aubrey continued, glancing at a panel mounted next to his chair.
Lieutenant Pal studied his data carefully. “Velk fleet is in disarray, Captain. Two ships have broken off and are approaching us slowly; others are following an elliptical trajectory around us at one-eighth impulse. I show overlapping COMM chatter from all ships. It looks like the ranking Velk over there is being challenged.”
“I hope you can talk some more sense into them, Captain…Captain…?” With a polite smile, Aubrey looked openly at his counterpart. “I’m sorry I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Inclining his head in a collegial gesture, Sandhurst offered, “Donald Sandhurst, Captain Aubrey. You gave us quite the scare. We were convinced that you were likely a Dominion battleship inbound to strike at the Velk homeworld.”
“It’s a pleasure, although I would have preferred bumping into you at a restaurant or a boring command briefing.”
“Likewise,” Sandhurst returned, toggling his comms to hail the Velk. “Velk task force, I regret the necessity of firing on your ships, but you were pressing an attack on one of our starships. Stand down immediately. The Intrepid possesses significantly greater firepower than Gibraltar, and if we were to continue firing on one another, your forces would find themselves at a distinct disadvantage.”
After a moment's pause, Pal announced, "Velk ships are standing down. They're disarming their tactical systems, sir."
“You have a way with words, I’ll grant you that.” Aubrey said with a deadpan delivery. “Now that that’s settled, I suggest a meeting between us and our respective command staffs, so we can compare notes. If you agree, we could convene aboard the Intrepid in one hour.”
There was the briefest hesitation from Sandhurst before he replied, “We’ll see you in an hour then, Captain.”
*****
Hey, I’d read it.
