Battle"
By: Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.27 1515

Commander Wright watched the main view screen. The stars flew by. They were getting close now; soon battle would be upon them and many would die. Wright briefly thought about the futility of this war. He did not believe it would ever end. Both sides had been so polarized by hatred for each other that no one was really trying to resolve the actual problems that started this war in the first place.

Wright's thoughts were interrupted by westfall...

"Commander Wright, Sir, we're closing on 100,000 kilometers to the enemy armada. Requesting permission to bring the weapons online."

"Easy Mister, let's wait until the Captain gets here," replied Wright.

Wright punched a button on the command chair, "Wright to Captain Hunter, please report to the bridge."

"I'm on my way." came the reply over the intercom.

Hunter entered the bridge and with a few quick strides sat down in the command chair Wright relinquished.

Hunter studied the data on his com screen. "Helm, match speed and heading,"

"Aye-aye"

He tapped his combadge, "Counselor Zoei, please report to the bridge."

On my way, Captain Zoei's voice crackled.

"Show time" said Hunter as nodded at Westfall, "Sound battle stations and designate your targets."

"All Hands to Battle Stations. This is not a drill, this is not a drill".

Zoei glanced around as she entered the bridge. Controlled chaos ruled the scene. The crew bustled efficiently through their assigned duties. She locked her eyes on the captain, and wound her way toward him.

Hunter stood up, "please Counselor, have a seat here," he said gesturing to the mission ops seat which was just to the left of the command chair.

"Captain Hunter, Sir, The crew is now at Battle Stations, we are prepared to engage the Federation Task Force on your order only. Weapons status: All offensive systems are armed, and locked. Ready to bring defensive systems on-line, all sensor arrays are at maximum sensitivity".

Hunter swiveled his chair toward Westfall, "are we picking up any of Mason's echos?"

"Negative, Captain," Westfall replied. "Nothing from Mister Mason's echoes?"

Hunter tapped his combadge, "Security, have Mister Mason brought to the bridge please."

"Designate your targets. For review we are attacking Two Galaxy Class, Five Akiras, Two Norway, Three Steamrunners and four Excelsior class ships".

Hunter watched on his console as Westfall's designations appeared overlayed on the chart showing the enemy's positions. He designated Enemy Craft as follows: Galaxy Class Starships G-1 and G-2 Five Federation Akira Class AK-1 through AK-5 Two Norway Class Ships Designated NO-1 and NO-2 Three Federation Steamrunner Class Ships Designated S1 through S3. Four Excelsior Class Ships Designated EX-01 through EX-03

"Transmitting Target Selection Criteria, to the fleet, now Sir"

Affirmative Captain. I'd recommend we match the targets' heading of 190, get in the middle of their formation and use a full-spread Quantum Torpedo attack from all tubes, rapid salvo. =From the middle of their formation, we stay tight and crowd both sides, they might just catch themselves in some cross-fire. Westfall thought to himself, "we are 'The Rabbit' the dogs of war want to trap. " He continued his explanation, "It's a variation of the Pincher Formation. Once they think they've got us surrounded, then all ships go "Weapons free to fire" and de-cloak and attack.

Hunter drew in a deep breath. Generally that was the strategy which was discussed. Westfall made some tactical modifications. "Helm bring us to a heading of 190 mark 0. Westfall, Multi-target firing solution, Quantum torpedos Maximum yield. I want us in a position to Minimize their effective return fire."

"Affirmative Captain, the firing solution is locked in, ready to launch on "Weapons Free" authorization. Our fleet acknowledges receiving "target acquisition" data. Synchronizing Firing mechanism with the cloaking device so the two event will happen virtually simultaneously".

"Riaan, report?"

"Sir weapons on-line fully charged, shields at maximum, sick bay ready for injured, marines on standby along with security throughout the ship in case of breach and we are boarded. All hands have reported in, damage control teams are on standby, along with engineering," as Riaan looked at Captain Hunter. "The crew and the ship are ready for battle sir."

Hunter nodded.

Hunter turned as the turbo lift opened and Silvio entered. He watched has Silvio took over the engineering station. After he was in position he asked Silvio for an engineering status report.

Silvio's hands hovered over the master control panel. It's readouts and monitors were all indicating readiness. "All systems are ready and at your command Captain."

One thing Hunter liked the about Silvio was: when he said the ship was ready, it was. "Thank-you Silvio."

Mason stepped onto the bridge with a security guard close behind him. He had not expected the be called to the bridge. He looked around, the tension was high.

Hunter motioned for Mason to come closer, then said, "Please make yourself comfortable in the observation lounge," he said gesturing in its direction, "I might need your assistance later."

Mason nodded and made his way to the observation lounge.

"Westfall, are we in position yet?"

"Thiry-seconds Captain."

"Helm, once I give the order to fire, I want full impulse toward the target G1. It will take almost 5 seconds for the shields to reach maximum. Put them between us and the rest of the fleet. I want some help. "

"Aye-aye Sir." acknowledged the helm.

Hunter sat back and collected his thoughts. "Well Number One, we ready?"

"as ready as we will ever be," replied Wright.

"Westfall," said Hunter gesturing toward the screen with two fingers, "give'em hell."

"With Captain's Compliments, Sir", he replied. Westfall initiated the shut-down of the cloaking device and watched the tactical display as the ordinance streaked towards their designated targets.

The Zion shimmered into existence on the stern of a galaxy class ship. Another galaxy class was just a dozen kilometers to the stern of the Zion. Before the Federation Captains could sound the alarm, eight quantum torpedoes found their mark on the bare hulls of each ship.

The first galaxy class was ripped to shreds. A torpedo blast ripped away a nacelle pylon while a subsequent blast ignited the venting plasma.

The second galaxy listed to the side as its systems no doubt were off line.

A large gapping hole was blown from the dorsal side of the saucer section all the way through the top. A plasma fire burned intensely where he main deflector array once was.

"Helm!" shouted Hunter, "now!"

The Zion turned sharply, and headed toward the molten mangled space frame of the galaxy class ship. As it did so, it narrowly missed a phaser blast from one of the nearby Akira class ships. The Second Galaxy Class ship promptly returned a phaser fire and launched two torpedoes which exploded against the Zion's shields.

"I think we've stirred the Hornet's nest," said Hunter.

"I think we stung them pretty good sir," said Wright. Wright watched his console. "Sir, the fighter wings report they are on stand by."

Because of the Zion's tactical position, every phaser bank had acquired targets and fired. The Zion erupted a volley of phaser blasts which found their marks on most every target.

Phaser blasts and torpedoes slammed into the burning wreckage of the galaxy class as the Zion put it between itself and the attackers.

A moment later the Zion's shields were fully charge. She peeled away from the debris field and made an attacking run on the nearby Akira.

Close behind the Zion, two Klingon Bird of Preys decloaked and engaged.

Up in front of the convey, a steamrunner class ship collided with an akira as it tries to come about. Both ships sustain moderate damage from the mishap. Then, the rest of the klingon fleet joined in.

The darkness of space was filled with a furry of phaser fire. Two of the steamrunners converged on the Zion. Both fired forward torpedos.

"Inbound Captain, two Steamrunners running at full impulse".

"Give them something to chew on Westfall," said Hunter. "Firing Photon Torpedeos at target S-1", Westfall said.

Both steamrunners launched a total of 4 photon torpedoes which blazed a path toward the Zion.

"Captain, four torpedoes launched, inbound starboard side...target a-01 through a-04"

The torpedoes impacted the shields causing the ship to rumble. With out warning the Steamrunners discharged their forward phasers, again the Zion lurched and rumbled from the hit.

"Status?" barked Hunter.

"Shields are holding. They are at 35%. Rerouting more power to the starboard shields," shouted Silvio.

"Launch the fighter wing" commanded Hunter.

Alpha Wing, you are cleared--immediate launch to your objectives, Beta Wing in T-5:00 *mark*, Charlie Wing in T minus ten minutes *mark*

Fighter wing Alpha has left the launch bay, Captain, Beta and Charlie on T minus four minutes, and t minus nine minutes respectively".

"All wings confirm "Scramble Order" Captain".

Hunter spun in his chair, "Helm, evasive maneuvers!"

The Zion turned as the Steamrunners charged by, firing their aft torpedoes. One of the torpedoes missed, the other impacted the aft shield.

"Helm, pursue the Steamrunners."

"Aye-Aye"

"Westfall, target their shield generators, fire when ready."

Suddenly one of the steamrunners veered away from the other one.

"Stay on S1" said Hunter, "Match course and speed."

"Aye-Aye" said the helmsman.

The Steamrunner began tactical evasive actions, the smaller ship was more maneuverable than the larger sovereign.

"Come on Westfall, Take your shot." said Hunter with concern.

Westfall targeted the first Steamrunner's Shield Generators, and launched two Quantum torpedoes to disable their shield generator and disable their warp core and simultaneously concentrated four of the forward phasers in a lattice-pattern of attack on the wildly erratic Steamrunner's hull.

Before the Zion's weapons could recharge to finish off the wounded steamrunner, the second ship turned and charged head-on.

"Sir, we're not going to recycle before S-2 does damage," Westfall said as calmly as if he were reporting: "We're out of coffee Captain".

The Steamrunner unleashed two photon torpedoes and phaser fire on the Zion which rocked violently.

Sparks erupted from an overhead EPS conduit and the lights on the bridge when out. Sparks and smoke erupted from various consoles.

Hunter found himself gasping for air after being thrown violently to the deck and having the wind knocked out of him. He grabbed the arm of the chair and lifted himself up to his knees. He looked over at Westfall, "Fire!"

Westfall looked grimly at the Captain, as he said in a coldly emotionless voice, "I couldn't light a cigar for you Captain," our entire offensive weapons array just went out with the lights".