Engagement at Pacifica "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Riaan, Operations Manager, [PST]
Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]
Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Zarg , Warrior , [NPC]

Stardate: 58205.29 1310

==Deck 11: Shuttle Bay #2==

Madriani look out from where stood solemnly on the ramp of the Armored Personnel Transport. He watched his heavily armed marines as they marched double file, loading themselves into the APT. Four such vehicles would be loaded to form the primary ground assault on the forces maintaining security for the puppet government.

Madriani to Flight Control.

"Yes Sir?" came the response.

"Who's leading the escort?"

After a brief pause Flight Control responded, "Burner, Sir."

"Patch me through."

Burner was running his fighter through it's pre-flight check when the normal banter on the comm channel was broken by Flight Control with a message from Major Madriani. "Burner here Sir," he replied.

"I know I don't need to tell you this son, but getting us safely to the surface is solely your responsibility. There's a lot riding on this mission...you understand this right?"

"Completely understood Sir," replied Burner with confidence.

"Good," he said with a pause, "...now, as you know, we're going to stay well hidden on the far side of this moon until the battle is engaged. So unless you hear otherwise, stick to the plan, once the enemy is engaged, send a recon ship to find a safe course to the citadel. You'll take us in, standard formation.

"Yes sir, you can count on Alpha wing," said Burner.

"Good man, Madriani out."

Madriani turned around as the last man boarded. The ramp began to rise and closed behind him.

Madriani to Flight Control,

"Flight control here," came the response.

Madriani replied, "Signal the bridge and let them know we are ready."

"Roger."

The flight control officer turned and activated the comlink to the tactical officer, "All flight stations are ready Sir." *** ==Bridge-- 1320 hours==

"Captain Hunter, I have confirmation from the Flight Control Officer that the Marine Assault Force is aboard their Armored Personnel Transports, completed pre-launch, and standing by to depart for descent to Pacifica, on your order," Ensign Westfall relayed from Tactical.

"Have them launch and take up their holding pattern," replied Hunter shifting pensively in his seat.

"Affirmative, Captain," Westfall replied.

"This is the USS Zion. Major Madrani, you are clear to launch *IMMEDIATELY* to your pre-determined attack co-ordinates."

"Acknowledged," replied Madriani.

Hunter tapped his console, "transporter room, has our company arrived?"

"Energizing the last group now Sir...., They are all on board."

==Transporter Room #1 1321 Hours==

Zarg stepped off the transporter padd, for the second time today, and for the second time today, his appearance surprised Sam Carter who was there to receive the Klingons who would help in the invasion of of the Yamato and to help defend the Zion itself from boarding parties.

He stepped up to her, this time dressed for fighting in close quarters. Looking down, he grinned at her. I"m back," he said. He turned slightly and with an arm's length gesture toward the crowded room of Klingon warriors he said, "we got a few more volunteers," he said dropping his arm to his side. "Lt, Darg and his 40 warriors will accompany your Lt Javis if we are able to board the Federation garbage scow, You have me and 20 of us to help defend the Zion.

Sam nodded as she overlooked the group of heavily armed Klingons. "One question Zarg," she whispered. "Do they accept orders from a human femalë?"

He laughed loudly, "They are bound to honor and duty...." he said proudly. He folded his arms across his chest and turned slightly to regard the troops. "Today, they will be victorious! or cross the River of Blood and meet Kahless!"

His speech roused the warriors who cheered holding up assortments of weapons.

"Excellent, she gestured at Zarg and showed him a padd. "Post your men, here at Engineering, here the junction and here. Sam pointed out several more spots.

*** ==Bridge==

Hunter looked at Ensign Forrester, sitting at the OPs station, "Where is Riaan?"

"She's taking final preparations," she replied.

Hunter tapped his combadge, "Riaan, we're moving in, what is your status?"

Riaan to Captain Hunter we have triage setup and prepared for emergency medical treatment anyone who has minor first aid will assist with the injured, also we have one shuttle bay setup as a morgue. I will remain here temporarily and reassign those that are less seriously injured and to assist with evacuations on any deck that becomes compromised unless you need me on the bridge instead.

"Very good," said Hunter.

Hunter turned again to Westfall, "Have the marines and fighter wings deployed?"

"Captain, all ships of the Maquis Armada report they are in holding position."

Hunter gave Westfall a brief nod, "Helm, take is into our attack position," he said.

"Aye-aye," replied the helmsman.

"Westfall, signal the IKS fleet to take up their positions."

"Affirmative, Captain," Westfall replied.

"All ships of the Joint Armada to assigned positions and acquire targets".

Hunter stood and tapped his combadge, "All hands...battlestations."

He watched as Pacicia drew closer in the viewscreen. Hunter turned as the turbolift doors opened and the bridge security teams began to file out.

The command staff had considered engaging the operation from auxiliary control but in the end, decided to fortify the bridge instead. Three klingons accompanied them.

He walked around the circular pathway that went around the outside of the bridge as if he were inspecting the bridge crew. He watched as security took up defensive positions. He stopped and looked over the young ensign who sat at the science station. He seemed nervous.

He paused near Westfall who with his usual cool disposition continued to scan and make tactical computations.

Next he eyed the systems display, "Everything ready Silvio?"

Silvio flashed Hunter a smile. "Yes sir, " he said. Silvio tapped a few more keys, "Silvio to Engineering, activate Warp core security field."

"Aye sir," came the reply.

***

==Bridge -- 1330 Hours==

Westfall's console beeped, Hunter looked over at him with anticipation.

Westfall reported, "Every ship reports in attack profile. Our inital position and attack profile is Cardassian ship, target designated C-6".

Hunter sat down in the command chair and looked over at Wright, "Ready Commander?"

Wright looked up from his console and nodded at the captain. "Ready Sir."

He took a deep breath, "okay Westfall....open fire."

Westfall recapped the target acquisition data on the tactical display and launched four quantum torpedos toward C-6.

"Four quantum torpedos away Captain," Westfall reported.

"Shields up," said Hunter, "fire photon torpedoes and phasers"

***

==Bridge of the Ta'Gatomesh==

Gul D'Malm's jaw dropped he saw it. A moment later his tactical officer sitting in front of him spotted it too, "Sir!" he shouted.

He sat in disbelief, "Sheilds!" he yelled angrily. He knew what he saw were four enemy torpedoes heading toward them. In split seconds they would find their deadly mark on his ship and detonate.

An explosion rocketed his bridge sending him flying to the floor. He wrapped his arm around a bulkhead as the bridge decompressed. Bodies and debris flew through the gaping hole in front of the bridge. Moments later a containment field activated, sealing the bridge from the void of space.

He stood up, his arm broken, and his blood dropping on the floor. "How?" he wondered.

He looked out the gapping hole, his bridge was torn in half. He stood just feet from the jagged edge. The bow of the Ta'Gatomesh was completely annihilated. Plasma sparks illuminated the debris floating away.

Everything was silent. He couldn't hear the roaring plasma fires which consumed his ship decks below.

He looked up and saw the enemy decloaking. The huge sovereign class Maquis ship shimmered from the darkness of space. He scowled at what was unmistakeably a chain of 6 photon torpedoes which had just been fired succession and now streaked toward him at high speed.

He screamed angrily in frustration and hopelessness. His voice was lost in the roaring explosion which ensued.

***

==Bridge USS Zion -- 1331 Hours==

After Westfall reported the complete annihilation of target C-6 Hunter turned to Wright, "Well, that turned out well," said Hunter. But Wright could see he was uncomfortable.

"We rely on our cloaks too much," said Hunter realizing the devastation which could be inflicted on any unshielded ship.

"Better us than them Sir," said Wright. "I will take any advantage we can get."

"Westfall!" barked Hunter, "Initiate attack sequence on target F1." Hunter turned his chair toward the view screen and watched as the cardassian continued to disintegrate. "Let's go get the Yamato," he said a little more subdued tone of voice.