Annihilated "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]

Stardate: 58202.28 0845

=Bridge - USS ZION=

Wright sat down at his station and tapped a few keys on his console. This was more than a blip he thought. Sir, this appears to be a debris field. He said with a sick feeling in his stomach.

"Helm, all stop." said Hunter

"All Stop Sir." came the reply

Hunter didn't need confirmation, a large piece of the Kittyhawk's saucer section was ablaze from plasma fires. From the view screen her registry could be read. He got up from the command chair and turned to Westfall, "Now is a good time Mr. Westfall, sheilds up, go to yellow."

"Aye Aye Captain Hunter", Westfall said, acknowledging the order. The claxxons sounded, and the visual warning system flashed, to alert all aboard the USS Zion of the change in operational status to Yellow Alert.

"Shield Status is maximum strength, Weapons systems armed and ready, Sir; Damage Control Teams report ready, Sick Bay is prepared to receive casualties".

Wright looked at the massive debris field and noticed that there were several escape pods. "There are escape pods out there. Scan for life signs. Beam any survivors directly to sick bay." Wright then remembered that the ships doctor was on the kitty hawk. Turning to the Captain he said, "Sir, our doctor was on the kitty hawk. I think under the circumstances I should take over down in sick bay."

Hunter nodded, "Go ahead,"

Wright nodded his head and quickly left the bridge for sickbay.

Hunter turned to Westfall, "There won't be any survivors on the ship, scan the area for escapepods with life signs."

"Aye Aye, Sir," Jeff Westfall said.

After several eternal minutes, Westfall spoke:

Captain Hunter, Sir, I have one escape pod bearing Two-One-Eight Mark Three Two Seven Degrees at 25,000 Meters, showing positive, but faint life signs. Engaging Tractor Beam to stabilize the pod... Positive Lock on the life signs...energizing... They're in Sick Bay now, Sir. No other life signs found within 60,000 Meters, Sir.

Shall I continue with sensor readings?

Hunter nodded, "Very good Westfall, widen search area and continue to search for survivors."

No other artificial energy signatures within four light years, no ion trail, no tachyon emissions, no particle beam residual traces. no tetrion emissions either, Sir.

No communications traffic on *any* Starfleet/Maquis Alliance Frequency or channel either, Sir...*Everything* here is DEAD.

Sarik and Atwood arrived on the bridge at the same time. They walked to the front of the bridge where Hunter was standing in from of the main viewer. He turned and updated them on the current situation.

"Gentleman, I need you two to investigate and find out what you can. I'd like to know if this is the work of 1 ship and who's registry she wears.