Battle II"
By: Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Riaan, Operations Manager, [PST]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.27 1555

Hunter climbed to his feet, holding the side of his chest. Looking around there was thick smoke and showers of sparks coming from several consoles.

Riaan turned and looked at the Commander, "Sir, I am reading power fluctuations ship wide. Damage reports coming from all over the ship heavy damage to deck 2, 3 and 4, forward sections hull integrity in that area is at 65%, weapon systems are offline, shields holding at 78%. We have a hull breach on deck 5."

Silvio was also thrown to the ground after the last attack. He picked himself up just as the dim emergency lighting came on. He looked at his station. Red lights flickered, pointing system damages. IN an instant he surveyed the system. His hands flew over the controls. "First things first, " he thought, "Gotta give Westfall his guns back."

Hunter watched Silvio has he worked on at the engineering station, "Silvio? Status," asked Hunter impatiently.

To Riaan it seemed like an eternity as waiting to see if Silvio could get the weapons back.

Luck was on their side, it was just a power failure. Ships like the Zion were built with redundant power pathways. Quick like lightning, Silvio began re-routing power to the weapon systems. "Re-routing power to the weapons systems," shouted Silvio. A heart beat later, "Done! Weapons are back online and charging."

"Confirmed Sir, weapons are back online." said Riaan.

Hunter turned to the helmsman, who had collapsed and was laying on the deck. He was still breathing but had a large gash bleeding from his head. Hunter motioned to Riaan to check out the injured crewman as he sat down at the conn. Navigational controls were still responding.

This is Riaan to sickbay, we need a medic on the bridge, crewman down, he is severely injured with a possible concussion and he has a deep gash to the side of his head. Pulse is fine.

After quickly accessing the helmsman Riaan turned to the Commander, "sir do you wish to take over the helm or do you want me to locate another helmsman."

"Yeah, get another helmsman up here, I'll take over until then."

Suddenly damage reports started flooding in from all over as her console began chirping off the reports. Heavy damage to deck 2, 3 and 4, forward sections hull integrity in that area is at 65%, weapon systems are offline, shields holding at 78%."

Zoei shifted in her chair. Tension was rising within the ship. She could feel the press of emotion as the bridge hummed with activity. She closed her eyes and focused her thoughts off of the Zion and onto the remaining ship. The confidence of the crew was waning. From the bridge, she felt the captain. He feared he wasn't going to win this encounter. He was becoming reckless and willing to risk far more than was wise.

"Captain," Zoei interrupted the work on the bridge.

Hunter, turned toward Zoei. "Yes Lieutenant?"

"Obviously, the Redmond is outmatched. This has not escaped the attention of her Captain." Zoei's dark eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the Captain for his response.

Hunter looked back at the screen.

Hunter maneuverer the Zion out of the Steamrunner's direct line of fire. Maneuvering thrusters were impaired and the ship was sluggish in accelerating.

"Westfall, can you give me a scan?"

"Affirmative Captain Hunter. Sensors are on-line and fully operational. The wounded streamrunner is adrift, with no power from its warp core, the other steamrunner is providing cover, guarding its position..

I show a Federation Akira leaving this area and returning to the main battle. Sensors sweeps of the wreckage and the debris field would indicate the Klingons have lost 2 B'rel class ships."

Hunter frowned, "Silvio, sheild status?"

"Forward shields are up to 78% Captain," said Silvio.

Hunter was impressed with the power of the Zion. This was the first real test of her abilities.

"Zoei, can you sense anything from the Rockwell?"

"Tension, more than I would expect given the circumstances. There is a concern regarding the stability of," she paused slightly and cocked her head, "the stability of the shields, but their tactical people are almost panicked. Their weaponry is failing."

"Let's go finish off the Redmond." said Hunter.

Hunter flew the ship, bringing it about and bringing it to an optimal firing distance from the Steamrunner.

"Wright, mind taking the helm?"

"Aye sir," said Wright as he took the helm controls

"Here's what we will do," said Hunter sitting back in his chair, "When the weapons are charged, fire on the damaged Steamrunner, try to finish it off. Silvio, reinforce port shields, we'll turn to port, Westfall you nail'em again with our port phaser banks. Wright, you bring us to all the way about and head back the way we came. If the second steamrunner chases us, Westfall will give'em a couple quantums to chew on from the aft torpedo launcher."

The ship rocked as both the steamrunners fired phasers.

"Sir, both the steamrunners are running with damaged systems, their phaser output is down to 59%, there is minimal penetration because of our modulated shield frequencies. Thanks to Mister Silvio,the weapons are back online.

"Then fire everything we got" said Hunter.

The Zion unleashed another volley of tremendous fire power at the steamrunner, It lurched to the side.

"Sensors indicate that the steamrunner, the USS Redmond, is disabled. Its warp core has been ejected and reserve power systems are inoperable. They're no offensive threat, unless we sail into them.

"Okay Commander take us out of here, hard to port."

Wright engaged the impulse engines and turned hard to port. The other steamrunner, the USS Rockwell, fired two torpedoes which detonated on the reinforced port shield. The ship rocked, but suffered minimal damage," reported Westfall.

The Zion accelerated to full impulse and, as expected the Rockwell gave gave chase.

"Launch aft torpedoes," commanded Hunter.

"Confirm aft torpedo launch, four Quantum Torpedoes and four Photon Torpedoes from the Aft weapons array, confirm detonation, direct hit on USS Rockwell's forward shield".

"Status," asked Hunter.

"Captain, their forward shields are down to 23%, they're severely weakened. S-2, the USS Rockwell has turned to port, they're trying to outflank the Zion, Sir.

"Commander, evasive maneuvers please," said Hunter calmly.

Circling starboard in a large sweeping arc, Commander Wright easily puts a good deal of distance between the Zion and the enemy ship.

"Captain, Forward torpedo tubes are re-loaded, and phasers at 100.00%," stated Westfall.

"Prepare to fire," replied Hunter.

"Commander, all stop, bring us about."

The Zion rapidly slowed down and reversed engines allowing it to quickly turn and face its oncoming attacker which now at taken advantage of the Zion's lack of forward movement, firing two torpedoes and its forward phasers.

The ship shuddered hard.

Then, in efforts to avoid the Zion's deadly forward weapon systems, the Rockwell attempted evasive maneuvers, turning to its starboard side. The Zion launched 8 more quantum torpedoes.

"Sir, we've inflicted heavy internal damage to all the critical systems on the USS Rockwell, she's running on emergency power, minimal life support, all of her primary weapons arrays are off-line. The quantum torpedo volley took everything but impulse power."

The Rockwell veered in attempt to speed by the Zion's port side. The Zion fires forward phasers as it approaches. The Rockwell's forward sheilds buckle and go offline.

Then as it passes, the Zion fires its port side lateral phaser array. The Rockwell sustains heavy damage from its attempt to run past the Zion. Then, lastly, Zion fires its aft phaser array and 4 photon torpedoes which detonated on its shields followed by 2 quantum torpedoes which detonate on its hull.

"Captain, the USS Rockwell is adrift, with no power signature, no shields, and no power to ship's weapons".

Zoei watched the ship, the silence deafening. Just moments before, the noise had been resounding. Deliberation, fear, resolve had emanated from the crew, but now, now it was quiet.

"Good shooting Mr. Westfall."