Battle Cries"
By: Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Stardate: 58204.14 1915
=USS Zion Bridge=
The USS Zion and the USS Atlanta, two of the Maquis best ships closed rapidly on the the freighters seeking asylum. Not yet in range, Hunter stood up, mentally preparing for the battle ahead.
He turned to the tactical officer, ´Westfall, status'?
"Sir, the ship's company is at Yellow Alert at present, I recommend we escalate to full Red Alert. All Stations are manned, All weapon systems are loaded, shields at maximum, modulation at maximum. All weapons crews are at ready status now. Sick bay reports ready to receive casualties, Major Madrani reports four squads have teamed with Zion security staff, they're already deployed and ready to engage, one boarding party is on standby if needed.
The five freighters are continuing to execute Defensive Pattern Alpha Three, as per the instructions relayed to them with the deployment formation signalled from the USS Atlanta.
The fifth ship is a freighter, USS Eagle, has extensive damage to both warp nacelles, her engines are failing, shields at 10% and falling quickly.
The imminent danger is to the USS Eagle, under attack from the USS Bezar, an Excelsior-B Class Federation Starship, standard weapons and defensive armament. There's a Sabre Class Ship, the USS Lynx, being engaged by the USS Atlanta. and an Excelsior Class ship, the USS Horatio, which has not engaged the freighters, or targeted us. I suspect they may be playing decoy for the Cardassian ship, wherever it is...hoping we'll take the bait and engage them.
Some distance away, a 5th freighter, the USS Eagle, is being assaulted by an excelsior class ship, the USS Bezar. The USS Eagle's engines are failing and sheilds are down to 10%
"´Keep an eye out for that that reported Cardassian ship. It could be lurking cloaked and hail the USS Bezar Mr. Westfall, ´
"Hailing USS Bezar Captain Hunter, on all Standard Federation Frequencies *in the clear*".
"USS Bezar: This is the USS Zion of the Maquis Alliance. You are
ordered to immediately cease and desist your engagement of the
freighters in this sector, and return to Federation Space". You are
declared to be enemy combattants, and will be engaged if you fail to
comply". Ensign Westfall's tone of voice was cold.
"Captain Hunter, Sir, Incoming Signal from the USS Bezar, they are responding," Westfall said: "On main Viewscreen".
With a look of recognition, a lanky young man stood up from the command chair and approached the viewscreen. ´Captain Hunter, your reputation precedes you. I am Captain Dodeson. Please be advised this is a federation matter. Withdraw immediately.
Hunter looked at Wright and then back at the Captain of the USS Bezar Dodeson couldn't have been more than 25 or 28.
Wright managed to keep a grave look on his face, however, he was shocked to see such a 'child' commanding a Federation vessel.
The young captain stared back at Hunter with every effort to look tough.
Hunter folded his arms, ´negative Captain Dodeson, we are here to provide escort at the request of these ships. Stand down immediately and return to Federation Space.´ said Hunter.
´These ships are traitors to the Federation and are property of the federation. Withdraw now or suffer the consequences", Dodeson replied.
Hunter shook his head, ´Dodeson, your on a hundred year old ship that has been taken out of mothballs. You don't stand a chance. Don't risk the lives under your command".
´Our ship may be old but our weapons are the newest systems. You've been warned Captain.'
"Captain Hunter, The USS Bezar Sir, has changed course to intercept the Zion and is charging weapons. They will be attack ready in 75 seconds Sir, they are now designated by Tactical as Alpha Target." I'm going to inform USS Atlanta we are engaging the USS Bezar as our Alpha target.
"Battle stations Westfall," Hunter said taking his seat.
"Aye Aye Captain Hunter," Westfall acknowledged the order.
"All hands, Red Alert and to Battle Stations", Westfall's voice
was heard ship-wide over all the communication channels.
" They are firing on us," Westfall stated. "Very old Mark V torpedos, probably from the Constitution Class. They're museum pieces now, but they'll still do the freighters major Damage, Sir".
"Evasive maneuvers pattern omicron-6," ordered Hunter.
The Ancient torpedos impacted the Zion's shields which caused the ship to lurch a bit. Wright looked down at his console and wated the damage assements roll in. There was no serious damage reported. "No serious damage being reported Sir." said Wright. Hunter nodded.
"Helm, bring us about to 280 mark 7," said Hunter.
"Westfall execute pattern echo-alpha-1, target weapons and propulsion," said Hunter
"Engaging pattern Echo-Alpha-1, Aye-Aye Sir," Westfall acknowledged and simultaneously executed weapons fire from the forward phaser array, hitting the warp nacelles, and knocking out the Excelsior-B's ancient phaser array.
"Status Mr. Westfall?" Captain Hunter asked.
"The Zion's shielding is modulating at random high frequencies, we're at 97.3 percent and recycling quickly Captain Hunter. Their phaser arrays are off-line, although their photon torpedo tubes continue to fire. All our weapon systems are operational and armed.
"The USS Bezar is venting plasma, warp engines offline, maneuvering thrusters only, no impulse engines. Numerous hull breaches, on all decks, she continues to fire torpedoes, Sir".
The USS Eagle's shields just dropped, they may be inoperable. Captain Hunter, I'm seeing multiple transporter signatures from the USS Bezar, now that the USS Eagle's shields are down, they are reporting a boarding party heavily armed, phaser rifles, stun grenades, she's definitely being boarded by hostiles, weapons fire in Engineering, Science, Tactical, Armoury, the USS Eagle still has impulse power, but Warp Drive is down."
"Hail the Bezar," said Hunter
"Aye-Aye Captain", "USS Bezar, this is the USS Zion, you are
ordered to surrender. Stand down and prepare to be boarded".
Dodeson's image appeared on the screen. He stood surrounded by smoke and eps conduits dripping sparks. Over head panels dangled by wires with twisted pieces of metal. Dodeson was bleeding from his ears and mouth and was burned about his face. ´We won't surrender Captain. will will destroy the traitors one way or another".
"You leave me no choice then," said Hunter. "Good-bye Captain Dodeson".
Hunter took a deep breath. "Westfall, terminate the Bezar". The Zion launched 4 torpedoes which smashed into the saucer section of the USS Bezar, and then detonated. "Torpedoes away, Captain. Sensors report no survivors. The Bezar has been destroyed". Westfall stated the obvious, for the official record. When the blinding light dispersed, a debris cloud filled with sparks of plasma was all that was left.
"Helm, bring us within transporter range, on the double," said Hunter.´Aye-aye," said the flight officer.
Hunter tapped the comm button on his console, ´Major Madriani, the USS Eagle has been boarded, your services will be needed. We'll be within transporter range in"...?
"One minute," replied the flight officer.
"One minute," echoed Hunter.
As Rusty scrambled his marines into the large cargo transporter, Hunter watched as the remains of the Excelsior fizzled away.