Unleashing A Storm

Posted on Mon Nov 6th, 2017 @ 5:46pm by Commodore Jason Myers & Captain Michelle Bartlett & Lieutenant Commander J'Loni Mo'Bri & Commander Rostra Tang & Lieutenant Mok'Tor & Lieutenant Ilona Forrester & Lieutenant Cor Cordale

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Outside Frontier Midnight
Timeline: June 18, 2399 @ 0005

"Commander...Enemy Klingon ships decloaking off the port bow. 4 Nev'gar criusers with 16 BOP's", T'Lar said quickly.

Michelle looked straight ahead at the viewer. "Shields up. Red Alert. Commander, tell your grandfather's fleet to stand by. Ms. Forrester, send a message to the Frontier Midnight. Advise them we've got company." she said. "I sure hope our own ships show up at some point.

"Sent, Commander," Ilona responded as she keyed in the requested information.

"Excellent." she said as the the Ops panel beeped again.

"Commander, hail coming in from Commodore Myers," Ilona announced.

"On screen." Michelle said as Jason's face appeared. "I didn't think you'd be the first to say hello."

"I wish I was the bearer of good news. Most of the blockade got attacked by those same hostile Klingons you just told us about. Plus a few Cardassians that suddenly pulled away." Jason replied. "There's 5 Starfleet ships. I hope Commander Mo'Bri's grandfather pulled through."

"He did." Michelle said. "Your orders?"

"You'll lead the 5 Federation ships. I don't think I need to remind you or them that you are in Dalacari space. Any order the Frontier Midnight gives takes precedence over mine."

"Understood, sir." Michelle said. "Wellington out." she said as the conversation ended. "Prepare firing pattern Zeta 5. Ms. Skyie, prepare to go to evasive pattern... Whatever the hell this thing can do to preserve power." she said. "Watch our power levels, Lieutenant. Target allocation towards weapons and warp drive."

"Aye, Commander," Ilona responded, eyes on the screens as another hail came through. "The lead enemy ship is hailing, Commander."

"Going to manual controls, ma'am." Cally stated, all levity gone from her voice in the seriousness of the situation, then threw quick glances to Kevin and J'Loni, "Sir, ma'am, I am going to try to keep our ventral aspect to the enemy as much as I can."

"Do it." Michelle said.

"Commander, Captain Kar'Bleck, my grandfather awaits your orders sir.", J'Loni said quietly.

"I need him to stand by just a little longer." she said. "Klingon vessel, this is Commander Michelle Bartlett of the Federation Starship Wellington. I trust you have a very good explanation for bypassing a Federation blockade and invading Dalacari space?" Michelle asked.

"Captain Jor'lag, of the IKS Kin'tagh, I need no reason to explain to you nor any one else. Surrender and prepare to be boarded!", he said sharply.

"I think you'll find, Captain, that today is NOT going to be a good day to die. For you anyway." she said as she nodded to Forrester to cut the transmission. "Commander, tell you granddad it's time to say hello." she added. "Bridge to Engineering. Mr. Cordale, I'm going to need you to give me every sliver of power you've got."

"You *do* know we don't hold any back, like in a bottle just in case, right?" he asked, while bringing the reactor up to a more nominal, power-rich mix. "Bringing her up to full Captain. We can squeeze one oh three on this puppy, but I wouldn't advise it. We just fixed like, every wire and plug on this baby, I'm not in a rush to blow them all out again." Cordale semi-advised.

"J'Loni to IKS Vor'Kon, grandfather decloak now!", she said. It didn't take long for 20 Klingon ships to appear just off the port bow. The Friendly Klingon fleet had just decloaked.

"This is the Flagship IKS Vor'kon.how may we be of assistance Commander Bartlett?", he said, graciously.

"Nice to meet you, Vor'kon. You can help by taking care of the rogue Klingons in front of us. They've decided threatening us is a good idea." Michelle said. "They should be an easy fight. They are petaQ with little honour."

Sensors had no trouble showing the Ts'usugi carrier strike moving into a defensive posture. With all the additional ships suddenly showing up, a request came in from the Frontier Midnight's tactical system for a refreshed IFF distribution, which carried Michelle's previous consent marker with it. Once the station's tactical department knew friend from foe, the sensor grid lit up like a yule log.

The station had just deployed tactical fighters. Small... too small to have pilots... though all in a defensive posture around the station, and easily upwards of fifty in number. The Ts'usugi carrier strike followed suit, though the fighter squadrons that they deployed were comfortably capable of seating a pilot. Sleek and streamlined, though they lacked any form of warp signature or even a nacelle design. They looked like someone plucked an atmospheric fighter off the ground, gave it the capacity for trans-atmospheric flight, and set it loose on the world. At the moment, both sets of squadrons were holding with their respective command centers.

Oddly enough, in addition to signaling their respective command centers, the Ts'usugi squadrons signaled the Wellington. A male Ts'usugi, black fur with a blotch of white over one eye, appeared on the screen. "Wellington General, this is Red Bishop. All wings report combat ready. Dalacari swarm reports combat readiness. Swarm logic primed, and standing by."

At that point, another 12 Cardassian vessels hailed the ship and decloaked. "Gul Kasella, we are standing by for your order."

"Gul Kasella's in our brig." Michelle said, replying to the message. "We won't be taking a message though." she said as she closed the channel. "Red Bishop, this is Wellington. Head for the Cardassian vessels and initiate any relevant combat patterns."

"Red Bishop to Wellington General. Beginning our attack run." and the Ts'usugi's image left the edges of the tactical screen. Those sleek fighters, and about a third of the odd ring-shaped pilotless ones, began their attack run. Drones first to catch the fire, and to begin feeding tetraquads of data back to Tee Eee Six Three Seven, the station's tactical Thinking Engine. It was then that the callsign might have made more sense.

In chess, the Pawns went first.

"Bridge to All Fighters. Prepare for deployment." Michelle called out.

"We're ready to go, Commander." Lawson's reply came quickly. "We're down two fighters due to mechanical problems but we can put up two squadrons of five each. Just let me know how and where you want 'em."

"That should be fine. Deploy two squads of five. You'll have additional assistance from the Dalacari and the Ts'usugi." Michelle replied.

Lawson then called his two squadron leaders. "Big Dog to Cobra and Ice. We have orders to scramble ten. Get 'em out there, ladies. Kick ass and take names." He hesitated a beat, then added. "Belay my last. We don't need names - just kick ass!"

T'Lisha was sitting in her fighter waiting for the green light. This time she would show her true colors only as a Starfleet flight leader was supposed to do. She had made sure Blue squadron was prepped and ready to go. "Blue squadron you better be ready to defend with your lives in the best traditions of Starfleet!", she said, as the nods from her pilots gave her. That being said, "Blue Squadron ready and prepared to go", she announced.

Lances of plasma erupted from each of the drones, dancing along the edges of the Cardassian shields as the defensive posture of each ship was tested. The Cardassian response was difficult to deliver, as the Dalacari swarm drones were very small and quite nimble, though the beams that found the mark utterly destroyed the drone that they connected with. Shot for shot, drone for drone, until the fourth shot was fired and the drone swerved. Somewhere, in a dark corner of the 'Frontier Midnight' Dalacari station, there was a black sphere of a computer system.

And it just learned.

For every drone that was shot down, there were two more to take its place... and as the battle raged longer, each drone got smarter. The Ts'usugi were harder to make contact with, as every couple of seconds their engines would flare to full throttle, and for a solid moment they achieved an incredible velocity. Little more than a blur, the fighters would dart forward, turn, bank, or even fully re-position themselves. All in a near-blink of an eye.

Blink Fighters. Now it made sense.

"Get me in contact with those Federation fighters." the wing leader chimed to the station, "Wellington Squadron Leaders, this is wing leader Red Bishop. Set comms for setting three four for station chatter. Probing shield harmonics of enemy craft and advance warning of broadsides or strike bombards."

As senior squadron leader, Muller answered for everyone. "Understood, Red. Wilco." Then, to all the fighters she commed "All fighters - make your setting three four to copy station chatter. Be alert for traffic. Those drones are smart, so keep your heads on a swivel, watch your squadron mates asses, and stay sharp. Cobra out."

"Cobra leader, Blue Flight leader, all fighters roger that, switch coms to three fore.Bishara out!", T'Lisha did and switched coms over.

"Orange Flight leader, roger that." Del Palo answered before the other two flight leaders responded.

The ship rocked as the first few volleys of hostile Klingon fire came in. "Report!" Michelle said as she braced herself in the chair, looking at Ilona.

"Commander, shields dropped to 80 to 70 percent. Engineering working on repairs as we speak.

"Fire on the first three sets of Klingons. Full spread of torpedoes, Mr. Barnaby." she called out. "Ms. Bishara, target phasers at their shield and weapon generators."

"Commander shield generators and weapons generators locked. Phasers also locked on phaser targets", T'Lar said.

"Maintain continuous fire. Ms. Skyie, evasive pattern Gamma 3!" Michelle called out as she opened a comm from her own panel. "Starfleet vessels, target your fire on the hostile Klingon fleet. Klingon vessels, what is your status?"

"Captain Kar'Bleck here, Commander you worry about your forces. Le me worry about these P'tak of a Klingon forces! Today is a Good Day to die! Ouap'la!" he said turned his ships to meet the enemy Klingon ships head to head. .

Michelle noted the Captain's comments as the line ended. "I think we've run out of good days to die. I'd like people to live for once. Keep an eye on the Klingon fleet, Ms. Bishara."

"Understood Commander", T'Lar said and she switched her sensor concentration on the Klingon fight, but not all, she still left room for some view of the federation battle as well


Cally noted then locations of all the ships on the small tactical display on her console, then rolled the ship to port exactly 23 degrees to present the least damaged shields to the enemy, then began to jink the ship, as best a wallowing elephant could, in both planes at three quarters impulse to throw off their aim.

"Wellington to Myers. Commodore, I've got at least 5 disabled hostiles. The Cardassians seem to be targeting the allied Klingon fleet at this point but they're being kept at bay. The blink ships are doing exactly what I'd hoped they would. And more, actually."

"Acknowledged. Maintain your focus on them. How are the fighters?" Jason asked.

"No serious damages to the fighters yet. Lawson's team is doing exactly what I need them to do." Michelle said. "it couldn't work any better if they could read my mind." she said before turning to tactical. "Maintain fire, set firing patterns at your discretion."

"Okay boys and girls," Bravo Squadron leader MacKensie said. "You heard it. Pour it on 'em..." she said as she swooped in on a high-side run on one of the enemy ships.

The Ts'usugi Blink Fighters were keeping the pressure up on one of the Cardassian flagships, pelting their shields with pulse fire and the occasional fighter-scaled torpedo. The Dalacari Drone swarm followed suit, lancing along the surface of the shields with plasma weapons and active plasma torpedoes. The Cardassian shields on the targeted ship couldn't take much more abuse, but all the fighter harassment had managed was to bring their shields down to almost the point of collapse. That's when the broadcast came over the coded channel.

"This is Fleetmaster Tukal of the ICF Orbital Dawn. Targeting the designated enemy craft for bombardment. Clear." came the order from the Ts'usugi Fleetmaster over the channel as the carrier slowly started to turn to present her broadside toward the Cardassian cruiser.

The Wellington got a quick hail from the Dalacari station. "Commander Bartlett, it's Rostra. Tukal's gonna fire on that Cardassian ship, make sure your people are out of that line of effect."

"Wellington fighters fall back and clear the area immediately!" Muller cried out over the fighter comm. "Tukal is gonna fire on that big bastard and we don't want to get caught in the fallout. Strategic retreat pattern Sierra Tango...execute!" she called as she carried out a swift Immelman turn, heading back toward the Wellington's area.

Tukal waited as long as feasible, making sure the designated area of space was clear of friendlies before he gave the order. "All batteries, fire." and pulse after pulse of dark violet energy, wreathed in what could best be visually described as bright blue frost, streaked across the region of effect to hammer into the weakened Cardassian shields. The barrage seemed almost relentless, and Tukal didn't seem like letting his proverbial finger off the trigger anytime soon. Joining the barrage of energy pulses were a small spread of torpedoes once the shields of the target craft collapsed. Sheathed in the same violet hued energy that their cannons projected, the demonstration was over quickly and the Ts'usugi mindset of combat was soon demonstrated: Harass with fighters, then destroy with the main craft.

Once the barrage stopped, there was one less Cardassian craft in Dalacari space. Explosions from within rocked the ship as any torpedo that didn't detonate on impact exploded from within.

All T'Lisha heard was the warning and suddenly the sky lit up like two stars collided. It was awesome to see the explosion of the spoonhesds ship go just like that. 'Way to go Rostra', she thought, as she came around back up on Cobra's wing once again. "Blue fighters form up on Cobra leader. Watch our spacing and watch your asses, Bishara out", she said. "Cobra leader Bishara here, Blue fighter squad formed, I'll be your wingman, Bishara out", she said quickly.

"Roger that, Hawk..." Cobra acknowledged, then put out a general call to all of her fighters. "Everyone form up on me. Lufbery circle, pattern left until we see what's gonna happen." A Lufbery circle was an ancient pilot's defensive tactic where members of a fighter group flew in a circle while assessing the battle scene. This allowed each pilot to watch another pilot's six while at the same time having his or her six watched by a following pilot. The beauty of this formation was that it also prevented an enemy from approaching without being seen.

"This is Blue Fighter leader, you heard the boss, Lufbery circle pattern, watch your spacing, go", she said, and followed Cobra.

"Capt. Kar'Bleck to Commander Bartlett, one Klingon cruiser, IKS Jin'tagh reports her weapons systems have been hit, her 4 BOP are covering for her retreat towards the Dalacari outpost. She is attached to my fleet. My remaining fleets have made a mess of Capt. Jor'lag's fleet and I am after him. Tell the Dalacari representative that, that explosion was magnificent and an honorable one. Quap'la Commander", and com went dead.

"Understood." Michelle said. "Federation Fleet, this is the Wellington. Keep an eye on the IKS Jin'Tagh. If it requires any sort of cover, please adjust course to do so." she replied. "Continue firing. All weapons, all targets." she said before contacting Lawson. "Commander, status report on the squadrons?"

After a quick private comm with Kat Muller, Lawson responded to Commander Bartlett. "Some of the fighters have taken minor damage but nothing critical that would prevent them from flying or fighting at this time. Presently they are once again deploying to a fighting position approximately 150 kilometers off our port beam."

"Tell them to not let up. I think we've almost got them where we want them." Michelle said. "Wellington to Tang, do you require any backup?"

Lawson relayed the commander's orders to the two squadron leaders, knowing that his pilots were already clamoring to get back into the fight,

"Rostra here, we're holding up and replacing our drone losses as we speak. I know the Ts'usugi lost a few fighters out there, but..."

"...well we can't recoup those as easily. There's a Klingon craft here, you know. We sent out some repair drones to assess the hull and patch any critical leaks..."

"... but I hope they weren't expecting us to fix their ship."

As discussions were being held over the secure channel, the Sutherland and the Luxembourg along with their fighters took out a wing of the hostile Klingon vessels. It was a scene probably almost nobody on any of the Federation ships had seen since the Dominion War. Phasers and torpedoes blasting all over the place, explosions everywhere. One wing of the Cause/Organization fleet was almost gone. But even those vessels captains knew they were outgunned if the Cardassians were now also putting up a fight.

"Luxembourg to Wellington. This is Captain Mulcair. We've disabled 3 Birds of Prey, but we're seeing some in your position. Best we can tell, there's even some confusion about what the hell the Cardassians are doing here."

"Long story, sir." Michelle said. "Commodore Myers will provide a briefing once we're not getting shot at. Continue your firing patterns and positions... Sir." she said, almost forgetting for a moment that this guy outranked her. "Mr. Cordale, let's get more power to phasers." she said, calling down the the engine room. "And if you could make this giant space elephant a little more nimble, that would be great." she said, already knowing Cor was on it somehow.

"She needs to lay off the Gamma Shift cookies if she wants to dance." Cordale's response came along the comm. "Okay, I can boost the phaser output BUT we'll need to do some patch jobs once this is over. I don't have that many EPS relays that I have absolute faith in, but the ones I do I can route through... Gimme two minutes boss."

"J'Loni to Cor, tell William pull all reserve fusion reactors on line and dump them into the warp dive. She can take it. Tell Christine get her ass moving on the navigation relays, she knows what is needed",she hollered quickly.

Cally swung the rear of the ship out to starboard with the command, altering impulse power to half and varying speeds while reducing the exposed aspect of the ship to the opposing fleet. Her eyes flickered to the tactical display and then spun the ship in both axes 180 degrees for a three second span to give the tactical officer a clean full broadside

"Captain Jor'lag, this is captain Kar'Bleck, of the IKS Vor'kon, stand down, ghuy'cha!, ( Klingon explicative)", he roared.

"Qu'vartlh!(Klingon explicative), I will not give up to a P'tak llike a targ!", Jor'lag spat back.

"Jor'lag, so be it!", he . "Commander train forward disruptors on his ship and fire", he said.

The disruptor from the Vor'Kon, took out most of the ship, leaving it in danger of expolding. Seeing most of his fleet crippled or fleeing it was only matter of time.

"Captain Jor'lag, surrender or die!", Kar'Blek said. Jor'lag had no answer so, " Prepare be transported to the Wellington's bridge for your arrest in this matter.

As Jor'lag materialized on the Wellington's bridge, Kar'Bleck said, " Commander compliments of the chancellor", he said and screen went black.

Michelle looked smugly at Captain Jor'lag. "I guess you are answering some questions today, Captain. You're under arrest. And if you're really good, I won't send you over to the Ts'usugi." she added. She knew nothing of their judicial system from her lunches with Valeria, but what she'd gathered they didn't handle thugs like Jor'lag that nicely. "Lieutenant, please escort Jor'lag to the brig. Gets any fuller, we're going to have to start charging rent."

T'Lar said, pistol drawn, "Captain Jor'lag, you under arrest! To the brig with you", and she escorted him off the bridge.

The tactical officer relieving T'Lar took a look at her station. "Commander, it appears they're backing off. The Cardassians appear to have given the order to retreat as well."

"Wellington to Myers. Commodore, are you seeing what we're seeing? It looks like they're pulling away."

"Confirmed. The Cardassians have 5 ships down right now... They're in retreat." Jason replied. "Good work, everyone."

A hail came in from the ICF Orbital Dawn. "Wellington, this is Fleetmaster Tukal. We show the invaders are routed. Do we give chase, fire a parting salvo, or let them go? The Warmind's prediction engine is a little fuzzy in regards to these ... Cardassians, was it?"

"Affirmative." Michelle said. "Honestly, I'd chase them past the border at least."

"I've got a couple Galaxy Class ships and a Prometheus that will continue their escort to the wormhole. I'll order them to rendezvous." Jason said.

The Fleetmaster took the suggestion under advisement, and cut the comms. Within moments, two of his carrier's escort craft broke formation and started to head after the fleeing Cardassians. Whatever their orders may be, he didn't share with the Federation. The comm opened up again a few moments later.

"That'll keep them busy." Tukal's voice rang out. He actually sounded a bit amused at this, the first time since the battle started that he showed anything aside from the gruff exterior of a master of a fleet. Though, now that the obvious threat was dealt with, he allowed himself some levity.

"So, when shall the peace talks resume?" he asked, now clearly amused.

"How does 1100 hours sound? Aboard our ship as our guest?" Michelle asked, unwinding herself a little though silently breathing a sigh of relief.

"1100 hours Federation standard time. I'll inform the Dalacari diplomatic charter and we'll arrive together. Thank you for the assist in this skirmish." Tukal said with a nod, then the line went back to the standard display.

"J'Loni to IKS Vor'Kon, Grandfather, have you sustained any damage?", she asked.

"Vor'Kon to Mo'Bri, yes, but nothing we can't fix. We are staying until the talks are finished", he said and the com went dead. She was greatly relieved they were alright.

"Cancel Red Alert." Michelle said as the lights came back on. "I'm not even supposed to be on duty right now" she said. "I'm going to excuse myself for a bit and get some rest." she said as she looked around and turned to J'Loni. "You have a meeting you have to be ready for at 1100. I'd suggest you do the same." she said. "Mr. Barnaby, you have the bridge."