ST:SoD227 | "Clash of the Forges Pt. II"

Stardate 99938.9

The Valley Forge's battle with the feared bounty hunter Bendral Maar and his mercenary fleet is interrupted by a Survivor vessel, and the former foes must work together for their very survival. But even their combined strength may not be enough against this enemy...

---

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Keliaya@anncaris | On the VF bridge, the crew watches as the shadow ship suddenly appears out of nowhere, instantly striking the cloaked and unshielded Loki with a Nuhar-like antiproton beam that tears right -

Keliaya@anncaris - through its hull. It follows up with a barrage of red bolts which pepper the intel ship, wreaking devastation across its hull before promptly moving along

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson: "The Loki is disabled! New hostile moving directly for the Lexington."

Keelah@crystyl leans forward, watching in shock, "All vessels focus fire on that ship!"

Keelah@crystyl muttering afterwards, "Hopefully the mercs see our change and realize it's their enemy too..."

Keliaya@anncaris | The Reliant Defender closes in, but it barely begins its barrage when it abruptly stops firing and goes adrift

Keliaya@anncaris:"What just happened to the Defender?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "It looks like that ship sent a signal and its systems just...locked up."

Keliaya@anncaris | The merc carrier, which was previously firing on the Defender, moves to intercept the new arrival

Keelah@crystyl:"We can't do anything for him right now"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "Message from the Namaset. That new ship has Andarash command codes and just shut them down as well."

Keelah@crystyl sighs

Keliaya@anncaris | The VF moves in, but the merc carrier reaches the shadow ship first. It manages to fire on it, though its shots simply pass right through before being decimated by the torpedoes. Not long -

Keliaya@anncaris - after the merc carrier is blown to pieces, there is a flash on the corner of the viewscreen as the Loki's core goes critical

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson: "The Loki is gone. Enemy ship is still heading towards the Lexington."

Keliaya@anncaris | The Lexington meanwhile has begun moving from its position. Several of the merc raiders around it make an attack run on the incoming shadow ship, which completely ignores them as their shots -

Keliaya@anncaris - once again just pass through it

Keelah@crystyl:"We can't worry about survivors just now, the Lexington is vulnerable. Watson, you can see what things defenses are - any ideas how to bypass?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Just as Keelah asks that, the turbolift doors open and Emma rushes out, "An unstable warp bubble! Captain, when we were on the Aethon, we saw the Kratt use an unstable warp bubble to force a -

Keliaya@anncaris - ship like that out of its phased state and make it vulnerable to attack!"

Keelah@crystyl snaps around to Kelly, her eyes asking if we can do it

Keliaya@anncaris nods, turning to the Engineering console immediately, "We'll get one ready."

Keelah@crystyl:"How long do you need?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Just a few minutes!"

Keliaya@anncaris | On the viewscreen, the Lexington goes evasive as the ship fires its Nuhar-like beam. It begins to try and flee, with the shadow ship hot in pursuit

Keelah@crystyl:"You've got two. Helm, block their path"

Keelah@crystyl turns back to Emma, "Good thinking. Now get to work evacuating the outer sections; prepare for hull breaches and lock down all bulkheads"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ann glances back to Keelah briefly before nodding, "Aye Cap'n."

Keelah@crystyl | Emma runs to a console, "On it!"

Keelah@crystyl catches the glance from Ann, "Their shields might have them phased out but I do not believe they are foolhardy enough to try phasing through an entire ship. We just need them to break off to buy us time"

Keliaya@anncaris | The VF moves in, positioning itself between the shadow ship and the Lexington. The shadow ship does indeed break off, before turning back and clearly angling itself for an attack run on the VF...

Keelah@crystyl:"Fire up the saucer core and brace for tight maneuvering. The more we hug them the harder it will be to effectively target us"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Saucer core is ready, Captain."

Keliaya@anncaris | The VF moves close around the incoming ship, indeed causing its first few beams to miss

Keelah@crystyl:"Time to show us what you've got Ann. Kelly, where's that warp bubble?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Almost there..."

Keliaya@anncaris | The shadow ship switches to short bolts, which are more difficult to evade. Ann dodges and weaves the VF through them, though a few shots still impact, rocking the ship. Fortunately, the bolts -

Keliaya@anncaris - clearly don't hit as hard as the beams

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson: "Generated armour at 70% and dropping!"

Keelah@crystyl:"It will hold"

Keliaya@anncaris | The shadow ship locks on to the VF with a white beam

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "It's their energy drainin' tractor beam. But our Borg mods're holdin' it off f'now"

Keelah@crystyl:"Kelly, now would be an excellent time..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Warp bubble is ready!"

Keelah@crystyl:"Do it!"

Keliaya@anncaris | A large amorphous bubble emits from the Engineering section of the VF, enveloping the shadow ship. The shadow effect around it fades as its phasing fails, and the ship solidifies. It continues -

Keliaya@anncaris - its bolt barrage and the VF continues to run circles around it, making the targetting difficult. As they pass through the fore of the now solid ship, we can see on the viewscreen...

Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://i.imgur.com/KZEeicA.jpg

Keelah@crystyl:"Time to turn the tables, Lennie tractor beam. Auxiliary power to weapons and fire all"

Keelah@crystyl frowns, "To do all this while brandishing our name... unforgivable"

Keliaya@anncaris | Lennie locks on to the VF-H with a tractor beam as the VF unleashes all its weapons. Now, the shots don't pass through as the enemy's shields flare up to absorb them instead

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson: "Negligible damage to enemy shields. Captain, our armour is dropping below 40%."

Keelah@crystyl:"Eva, open signal all ships to hit it with everything"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva nods, "On it, Captain!"

Keelah@crystyl turns to Watson, "If the Aethon is still stalking out there, see if they can slip inside the enemy shields"

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson nods and taps her console as well

---

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | On the Lexington, Captain Omar, Rianni and Daz's MACO team are in the lift when the ship rocks slightly

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"What's happening out there?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Our task force must have moved in to engage the merc fleet"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 <C - Mia> "Oui, but neither side has been targetting us. Another vessel has joined the battle and destroyed the merc carrier. Loki and Reliant Defender are disabled. Mon dieu...the Loki is gone."

Rianni@crystyl:"Gone?! What is this other vessel?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 <C - Mia> "Unknown, but it is heading for the Lexington. We will do our best to evade."

Rianni@crystyl looks to Omar, "We need to finish this quickly. If the Loki got taken out from cloak, and the Reliant Defender is down... this enemy is formidable. The Valley Forge can't handle them alone"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 nods, checking her rifle, "Agreed. Everyone pick your targets."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | They take cover on the sides as the lift doors open...

Leila Omar@annpc#557 ...to the sight of unarmed mercs with their arms raised

Rianni@crystyl sets her target and pauses to reassess, "Daz" she waves him and the squad in

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The squad moves in and the mercs step aside for them, arms still raised. In the centre of the bridge stands the organic-armoured Bendral Maar, his weapons set aside on the ground by the -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - captain's chair behind him

Leila Omar@annpc#557 steps up towards him, "You're surrendering?"

Rianni@crystyl covers him from Omar's side

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Another ship has joined the fight. It's tearing through both our forces and gunning right for us. None of us will survive this if we continue to fight each other. The bridge is -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - yours, Captain."

Rianni@crystyl:"One failed job and now you've got a taste for it so you're giving up? That's not the Bendral Maar everybody knows and loves"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "I have come this far by understanding my enemies, and I can see that this new threat is going to take our combined efforts to overcome. Look for yourself." He nods to the -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - viewscreen currently displaying the aft view of the Lexington, where the shadowy ship comes into view hot in pursuit, firing Nuhar-like beams

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Eshara can wait. For now we must live to fight another day."

Rianni@crystyl glances, "I was afraid of this... Captain, we're in trouble if that thing is here. We need to get this ship to action stations now"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 nods to Daz, "Take the mercs to the brig. Lieutenant, inform the bridge crew it's safe to take their stations."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Daz nods back and begins rounding up the mercs. Meanwhile, Bendral Maar heads for the comm station, prompting Omar to raise her rifle again

Rianni@crystyl steps away tapping her combadge to start calling everyone up

Leila Omar@annpc#557 points her rifle at Maar, "Where do you think you're going?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Maar: "Coordinating my forces from your communications terminal. Unless you'd prefer we continue to be picked off one by one?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 considers for a moment, "Mia, monitor his communications. If he tries to direct his ships against us, cut him off."

Rianni@crystyl | Mia: "Leave him to us mon Capitaine!"

Rianni@crystyl moves around to start getting tactical up and running, "Your bridge crew are on their way"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 looks over, "Thanks to Maar here, my Chief of Tactical is no longer with us, so I'll need you to remain on that console."

Rianni@crystyl:"I will adapt to the differences in the Lexington quickly"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 sets her rifle down and takes the command chair, "There's no ship in Starfleet closer to the Valley Forge, so I'm sure you'll get acquainted in no time."

Rianni@crystyl does indeed get straight to work in getting the ship into the fight, coordinating with Mia where needed

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | A few moments later, the bridge crew arrives and begins to take the other stations. On the viewscreen, the Valley Forge has moved in between the Lexington and the shadow ship, drawing fire and -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - running circles around it

Rianni@crystyl looks up with a smirk, "You show them Ann..."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | A strange blob then emerges from the VF's Engineering section, enveloping the shadow ship and causing the shadow effect to fade away. The VF's weapons open fire, no longer passing through the -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - vessel but getting absorbed by its shields instead. They're not making much of a dent on the shields, but at least conventional weapons are now having an impact

Rianni@crystyl:"The enemy is vulnerable, but their shields are strong"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The merc ships immediately join in the shooting, no doubt at Maar's direction. However, the future ship still focuses its attention on the Valley Forge. The Aethon briefly flickers into view -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - as it sticks its nose through the shields, firing all its forward weapons directly onto the hull. However, it doesn't breach the hull and the vessel locks onto Aethon with its draining beam, -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - quickly shutting the stealth ship down and returning its attention to the VF

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Keelah got it off our back, time for us to return the favour. Load one of our tricobalt warheads and mix it in with a spread of photon torpedoes."

Rianni@crystyl nods and taps, "Spread is ready on your order Captain"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Ready phasers to detonate the warhead just before it impacts the enemy shields and fire."

Rianni@crystyl:"Understood"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 leans forward and observes

Rianni@crystyl lets the weapons come to bear with an optimal line of sight as the Lexington peers up and over the silhouette of the VF and fires a tight spread across VF's shield perimeter, following with phasers -

Rianni@crystyl:- to detonate the warhead at the right moment

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The warhead detonates just off the enemy shields in a bright blast and shockwave which simultaneously detonates the photon torpedoes, causing a blanket of pure energy which pushes the enemy -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - vessel away from the VF. Combined with the fire from the VF and merc vessels, its port shields drop below 70%

Rianni@crystyl:"A significant dent in their shields, but still a ways to go"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Concentrate all fire on their damaged shield facing."

Rianni@crystyl nods and begins a firing sequence optimized to burn down shields with rapid fire phaser bursts from different arrays

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The enemy ship begins to turn towards the Lexington, firing another concentrated AP beam. The Lexington swerves, dodging the blunt of the attack, though it still skims the shields which causes -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - the bridge to shake

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Helm, try to lead them after us in a way that exposes their weakened side for attack from the other ships."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The pilot nods and starts to go evasive, leading the future ship after the Lexington in the suggested manner. As the enemy draws closer behind them, Rianni notices its name on the viewscreen

Rianni@crystyl doubletakes, "Wait... what? Oh that's just wrong on so many levels!"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | A glowing torpedo emits from the VF-H's fore

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "Chroniton torpedo, Captain. They will bypass our shields."

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Shoot it down, Lieutenant. Don't let any of these near us."

Rianni@crystyl fires everything she has in point defense

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The torpedo clearly has superior programming to any modern torpedo and is much more difficult to target, but the sheer volume of point defense still manages to nail it in the end. Then it -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - fires three more torpedoes at once...

---

Keliaya@anncaris | On the VF...

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson: "Captain, they're firing chroniton torpedoes at the Lexington. Our armour will protect us, but they'll go right through the Lexington's shields!"

Keelah@crystyl nods, "Ann, can you get us in the way?"

Keliaya@anncaris | On the viewscreen, the Lexington's point-defense systems manage to shoot down the first torpedo, but the VF-H follows up with a salvo...

Keliaya@anncaris | Ann nods, "Aye Cap'n! We got just enough time..."

Keelah@crystyl:"Brace for impact and be ready to switch to standard shielding if needed"

Keliaya@anncaris | The VF turns about sharply, wedging itself between the Lexington and VF-H again. The point defense systems flare up, catching one of the chroniton torpedoes, but the remaining two impact -

Keliaya@anncaris - directly on the VF. The lighting flickers and the bridge shakes violently, sending everyone tumbling around

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson clambers back up to her console, "Armour has failed! Hull breaches on Decks 3, 4 and 5! Switching to standard shields!"

Keelah@crystyl:"Swing us around, protected the exposed decks"

Keelah@crystyl | Emma chatters on comms in the background, "DC teams to decks 3, 4 and 5 portside"

Keliaya@anncaris | The VF swings around, conventional shields snapping into place just fast enough to catch an antiproton bolt. Meanwhile, the Lexington turns back around, bearing its full forward weaponry upon -

Keliaya@anncaris - the future VF. It flies in formation with a merc destroyer and two raiders, landing several hits on its attack run. The VF-H refocuses on the Lexington, its barrage of fire cutting down the -

Keliaya@anncaris - merc destroyer and one raider

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson taps away at her console, "We still have two thirds of our phaser banks online."

Keelah@crystyl:"Then we are far from helpless. Keep up the assault, focus on their weakened facing shield"

Keliaya@anncaris | The VF moves back in, taking another attack run on its weakened shield facing. A modified freighter, supported by the remaining merc destroyers, follows suit. This time however, the VF-H focuses -

Keliaya@anncaris - on the Lexington without switching targets. It locks on to the Lexington with its draining tractor beam, and the Lexington loses shields in almost an instant, having no Borg countermeasure

Keelah@crystyl:"Send the squadron in, they should be able to poke through those shields again and skim it's hull to take out that emitter"

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson nods, "Squadron is heading in."

Keliaya@anncaris | As expected, the fighters slip through the shields, opening fire on the emitter. The beam fizzles out

Keliaya@anncaris | Watson: "Emitter is down!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Lexington's lost significant power. Shields and weapons are down, they've barely got impulse maneuverability."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ann: "Might need to run distraction for 'em again..."

Keelah@crystyl:"Good. Now get them out of there before they get caught in the crossfire. We're going to have to Ann, take us back in. Shunt all available power to the shields"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Diverting all available power to shields."

Keliaya@anncaris | The VF dives back in...

---

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | On the Lexington bridge...

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | We see the fighter squadron taking out the draining beam emitter from the viewscreen. Just as they break off however, the VF-H emits a pulse around itself which seems to EMP the entire -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - squadron, leaving them adrift

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "All systems suffering from significant power loss."

Rianni@crystyl:"All weapons are completely offline"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"What /do/ we have?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "Critical environmental systems, comms and low impulse maneuverability."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 taps her armrest, "Rexxe, can you get us more power?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The Lexington's Chief Engineer responds through comms, "Both cores are drained, Captain. I'm going to need at least fifteen minutes to restart them!"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | On the viewscreen, the VF makes an attack run, flanked on either side by the QanwI' and a merc raider. The VF-H fires after them, landing a hit on the VF's shields but it adeptly breaks away

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The two raider destroyers that follow aren't as lucky. They land some good hits, but are both cut down by the VF-H's return fire

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"I don't think we'll have another fifteen minutes."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "There's still a modified freighter undamaged. Its captain is refusing to engage the enemy ship. I don't blame her- it would be suicide. They don't have great weaponry, but what -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - they have got is power. I can arrange a power transfer to the Lexington."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "We will still require a core restart to continue generating power, but such a boost could keep us in the fight for the moment."

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Rexxe, are you still getting this?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 <C - Rexxe> "Yes Captain."

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Liaise with engineering. Get it done."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Maar taps away at the comm terminal. The Lexington settles in front of the modified cruiser, which powers up a deflector beam connecting the two vessels

Rianni@crystyl:"We're getting systems back online Captain"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Load the second tricobalt warhead while we're completing the transfer. Same as last time, Lieutenant."

Rianni@crystyl nods and starts working, "On it. We'll be ready"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The VF makes another attack run. This time, the VF-H lands several more accurate hits. The VF's shields collapse and one of the AP bolts graze the starboard nacelle, leaving a blackened gash -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - from which plasma begins to vent. Fortunately, the VF's impulse engines seem unaffected by the hit as it manages to break away and evade further fire

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "That's all the power they have."

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Helm, take us back in. Tactical, you know what to do."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The Lexington's engines power back up to full impulse as it dives in for another attack run

Rianni@crystyl times her shot again and fires the spread, detonating the warhead just off the VFH shields like last time

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The spectacular explosion lights up the area once again with a bright flash followed by a sequence of smaller ones almost resembling fireworks. The VF-H returns fire and the Lexington goes -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - evasive, though a few shots land. The minimal shields that have been restored are immediately stripped away, the remaining energy transferring to the hull beyond

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "Structural integrity at 75%."

Rianni@crystyl:"Ventral phasers are down but..." she double checks, "yes, enemy facing shields are down!"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"This is our chance. Load quantum torpedoes and fire everything we have into that opening!"

Rianni@crystyl hits it with everything available

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The field lights up with flashing quantum torpedoes and orange phaser fire. The VF-H returns fire with a volley of AP bolts. Despite the pilot's best efforts, several shots land, causing the -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - bridge to shake violently. Lights and consoles flicker out and Rianni is knocked to the ground. As she falls, she sees her console sparking, likely about to explode...

Rianni@crystyl rolls with the tumble to take cover

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | She gets to cover just in time as the console explodes, sending a shower of sparks across the area. Maar's console also explodes right in his face, sending him flying across the bridge. The -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - bounty hunter rather nonchalantly gets back to his feet, simply shaking off the explosion which would've killed anyone else. His organic-looking mask and parts of his armour look blackened, -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - only adding to how intimidating he appears

Rianni@crystyl gets back to her feet and finds a spare console to tap back into tactical

Leila Omar@annpc#557 gets to her feet after being thrown from her chair, "Report."

Rianni@crystyl:"We've lost weapons. And I mean... properly lost, they're all going to need repairs before firing anything now"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "Structural integrity at 16%. Hull breaches on Decks 11 through 15. Casualty reports just coming in."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Pilot: "We've lost impulse. I've only got maneuvering thrusters."

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"What about the enemy?"

Rianni@crystyl:"We hit it with enough to take down most ships, but that thing is tough even without its phased shielding. Definitely hurt though, looks like we've got some of weapons out of play and it's impulse-

Rianni@crystyl:- engines are barely holding together"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 looks to the flickering viewscreen. The VF-H has several scorch marks across its hull now, while the VF swoops by, one nacelle still trailing plasma

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"It's up to Keelah now..."

---

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | On the VF bridge, Keelah watches as the Lexington unloads its entire arsenal onto the VF-H, taking a few hits in return from the AP bolts before trying to limp away on maneuvering thrusters

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Watson: "The Lexington's pretty much disabled, but they've dealt damage to the enemy. Their shield facing is remaining down and I'm working out an optimal firing solution to take out their -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - remaining weapons systems..."

Keelah@crystyl:"Focus on their engines. Removing their teeth will mean nothing if they can still limp away"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Watson nods, "Understood, Captain."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Ann: "Ready to take us in for 'nother attack run."

Keelah@crystyl:"Get us in there"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kelly: "Now might be a good time for those gravimetric torpedoes we still have from the Horde conflict."

Keelah@crystyl:"An excellent suggestion"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Watson: "Loading them up now."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The VF swings around for another attack run, once again supported by the QanwI' and merc raider. As they close in, Watson taps away at her console and a full spread of gravimetric torpedoes -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - fires right into the VF-H's impulse engines, followed by fire from her modified blue phasers, causing a spectacular series of explosions on the rear of the VF-H's saucer

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The QanwI' and raider support with torpedoes and cannonfire into the saucer. Among all the flashes of light, it is easy to miss the red glow building from the VF-H's hull. Watson opens her -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - mouth to warn everyone, but Ann has noticed it as well and is already pulling the ship to the side. She manages to maneuver the bridge out of the beam's way, but they had moved in too close -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - for the attack run to dodge the attack completely

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The red beam impacts the underside of the unshielded VF's saucer, punching a hole clean through to emerge on the dorsal side. Fortunately, one of the QanwI's torpedoes hit the emitter a second -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - after and the beam dissipates rather than being sustained and cutting the ship in two. However, the damage from the one concentrated hit is already significant...

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The bridge shakes violently as the central light shatters in a shower of sparks. All the consoles on the starboard side of the bridge explode, sending Kelly, Silvestrie and an Ensign flying back. -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - The viewscreen flickers and fails as does the rest of the bridge's lighting and consoles a second after, leaving everything in total darkness

Keelah@crystyl recovers herself and heads to check on those thrown by the blast, shouting out over the chaos, "Report!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Emergency red lighting snaps on, though it still flickers erratically. Eva and Lennie's consoles pop back online and the helm console flickers, with the rest of the bridge remaining dark

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Silvestrie and Kelly are unconscious but both breathing. Silvestrie has slightly more severe injuries with a singed uniform and some burns on his arms

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The random ensign redshirt is dead, however, because what did he expect from wearing that shirt...

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie calls for emergency medical teams to the bridge while Emma tries to work with Eva to get organized with the status around the ship

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 grabs her console and gets back up, tapping her console, "We've lost all power. Hull breaches on...every deck, that beam went right through us. Seven confirmed fatalities, no full count on -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - wounded and their condition yet...Kelly, how's she doing? I felt her get hit..."

Keelah@crystyl:"She's still with us Eva, stay in the game. Are emergency bulkheads holding?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "Bulkheads and force fields are in place, but we're going to have to route some power away to keep them sustained. Everyone, hold on."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 taps her console and the artificial gravity shuts down

Keelah@crystyl:"What about the enemy's status?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Watson moves over to Lennie's console. Her hair is a mess and her uniform is now torn, but she's still standing. She taps away at the other section of the science console, "They've lost -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - maneuvering capability and their shields have failed on all sides, but two of their weapon hardpoints still read functional. QanwI' and the raider are moving in for another attack."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Watson brings up the visual feed on her half of the console, creating a makeshift viewscreen that displays the damaged VF-H, now with even more scorch marks across its hull

Keelah@crystyl joins her, "Ann, we need to protect ourselves as a priority. Keep them on our aft section as best you can. Watson, where are we on weapons?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Watson shakes her head, "Only three arrays are still operable but I don't have power for any of them."

Keelah@crystyl:"Alright, focus everything on defensive for now. We'll have to hope the others can finish the job"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | On the makeshift viewscreen, the QanwI' and merc raider comes into view, cannons blazing. The VF-H's two remaining weapons light up into concentrated beams focusing on one ship each. They both -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - successfully dodge the first beam, but the merc raider is hit by the second, exploding outwards in all directions. One piece of debris slams into the QanwI's starboard wing, sending it -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - off-balance just as the VF-H fires a second beam. It is unable to avoid the shot entirely due to the impact and the tip of its port wing is caught in the thick red antiproton beam. The cannon -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - on that wing is incinerated immediately, sending the raptor spinning out of control, but not before it manages to unleash another torpedo that takes out the array which is emitting the beam

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Watson: "The last beam is reacquiring us as a target..."

Keelah@crystyl:"Shields?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Watson: "What shields we can get working won't help against that beam. Better to keep our limited power on engines."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Ann taps on her console, just managing to steer the VF clear of one beam

Keelah@crystyl:"Nicely done Ann"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The VF-H switches to a burst of three bolts for its next shot. Ann evades two of them, but the third hits the Engineering section, causing the bridge to shake again, a little less violently -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - than before. However, the helm console flickers for the last time and goes completely dark

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Ann: "I've lost helm control! We're a sittin' snipped Neiirrh!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The VF-H's emitter glows red as it powers another concentrated beam to finish off the VF...

Keelah@crystyl:"Brace for impact!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The impact doesn't come, however. Another ship resembling a smaller VF suddenly jumps out of warp, its forward point lighting up and emitting a thick orange beam. The beam strikes the VF-H's -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - final weapon and the gathered energy disperses across its hull in a wave of cascading red and orange. Lights flicker and go out across the ship

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie doubletakes at her screen, "Junior?!"

Keelah@crystyl:"What was that?"

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "Um... reads as antiproton, not a Nuhar beam o'course. S'more like an Undine weapon"

Keelah@crystyl:"Well for once I'm glad he didn't listen to instructions"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Seelix's ship jumps out of warp behind Junior, likely having chased him down to arrive to a Wolf-359 type scene

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Meanwhile, medics finally arrive on the bridge, rushing over to assist the wounded

---

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | On the Lexington bridge...

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | The viewscreen displays the view of the disabled VF-H, with the disabled VF drifting close by, flanked by Junior and the Freedom's Spirit

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Skolyr: "Final casualty report- 5 fatalities, 22 injured, with 3 in critical condition."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "Captain, we have a problem."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 looks over, "What is it, Bandoni?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "The enemy vessel is self-repairing in a manner similar to Borg regeneration. By my calculations, it will likely regain weapons before any of our vessels are in a state to destroy it completely."

Rianni@crystyl:"Us maybe, but there are new players on the field and they are unhindered"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"I don't imagine we can hail that bioship of yours, right?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Skolyr: "I do not see any traditional communications systems."

Rianni@crystyl shakes her head, "Not when he doesn't have a crew. As it is we could send a message but he wouldn't understand anything. Lenni- CMDR Lendaria has a system of lights and colours to communicate -

Rianni@crystyl:- direct with him. But if she can't help - which I think is likely looking at the Forge - I could beam over to Junior"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bandoni: "Our transporters are down, but we can still launch shuttlecraft."

Rianni@crystyl:"That would do. Thing is though, this is the first I've seen of Junior even having a weapon. So I have no idea if he's even capable of finishing the job"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"We may not want to," she stands, stepping over to the science console, where she points out something, "Is that what I think it is?"

Rianni@crystyl joins her to see

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Skolyr nods, "I believe so, Captain. An Iconian gateway generator."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 glances to Rianni, "You said most of our weapons have taken damage and need repairs?"

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Yes Captain"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"The kind that can be done on the fly, or the kind that's going to require a spacedock?"

Rianni@crystyl:"With a little elbow grease - whatever that actually is, you'd have to ask Commander Keliaya... - but with some of that, we might be able to get something out of at least a few arrays. But the -

Rianni@crystyl:- Lexington won't be punching anywhere near its weight class without a spell in drydock"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 nods, "And the Valley Forge doesn't look like it'll be going anywhere at all without some extensive repairs. The only docks around here are either independent ports that'll charge a hefty fee -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - for their facilities and resources and Commonwealth ports. We're not welcome at those, and we know the Andarash is compromised. If either of our ships show up there, the enemy'll probably try -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - to finish us off. We can't stay in this region in this state."

Rianni@crystyl looks to Omar, "You're thinking to use that gateway generator?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"If we can commandeer that vessel, it'll neutralize the threat and provide us a means of retreat. We have Valley Forge's MACOs on board in addition to our own, who started to gear up for combat as -

Leila Omar@annpc#557:- soon as we retook the armoury. We can launch a full assault on that ship."

Rianni@crystyl:"I should advise you that this enemy is known to field particularly powerful combat armour and weaponry. During each engagement they have proven superior in every manner. That said, we do have Sin -

Rianni@crystyl:- and Mia who both have experience against this enemy, and unique skillsets that could create an advantage"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Seeing what they have on their ships, I don't doubt they have superior personal equipment, too."

Rianni@crystyl:"Still, if we are to attempt this then the sooner the better. Don't give them any chance to recover their position before we strike"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 considers for a moment, "Take the bounty hunter with you. He took down one of our MACO teams on his own. He might try to make a run for it once you have all the enemies down, but we need his -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - skill on this."

Rianni@crystyl hrms, turning to Maar, "What do you say, keep this truce going for a chance to put those bastards in their place?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar nods, "They interfered in our business. Let's teach them a lesson they won't soon forget."

Rianni@crystyl starts heading for the turbolift, "With me then, we'll mobilize the others on the way" she pauses in the lift and looks back, "Captain, permission to disembark?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 nods, "Permission granted. Good luck over there, Lieutenant."

Rianni@crystyl returns the nod and lets the doors close. As the lift starts to move she looks to Maar while tapping instructions to Mia, "So... betraying us before or after we take that ship?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "I said it would be best for us to focus our efforts on this enemy. I intend to honour my word."

Rianni@crystyl smiles, "After, it is then"

---

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | On the VF, Eva announces, "Thorkildsen reports that he's shut down the primary warp core. The antimatter containment systems are failing and the safety systems are practically rendering it -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - useless anyways. We've still got the secondary core up and running, but the hit we took to the saucer has disrupted the power grid so it's not feeding all its power properly."

Keelah@crystyl has moved to the engineering station to support Thorkilsden from the bridge, "I will redistribute the power grid to maintain critical system and keep the cores stable"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Ann: "Looks like our deflector's totally fried, too. Even if we patch up tha' nacelle leak, we're not goin' to warp 'till we get a replacement deflector..."

Keelah@crystyl:"Then it is a good thing there is one out there ripe for the taking"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"You mean from the Valley Forge H?"

Keelah@crystyl:"They have one, we need one. It is only logical"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Ann: "I think the Lexington's had a similar idea. They're launchin' shuttles towards the H."

Keelah@crystyl looks around, "A boarding party. Most likely Rianni and the MACO's"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Ann nods, "Once they get control o' the ship, we can send some teams over for salvage."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 taps away at her console, "I have comms back up. Do you want to contact the Lexington or the shuttles?"

Keelah@crystyl:"Assuming they manage to. That is quite the bold move, even for Rianni... this must Captain Omar's influence" she turns to Eva, "The Lexington, let's hear her plan first"

Keelah@crystyl makes her way back to her chair, brushing away the debris and broken glass from the light dome and pushing a bulkhead to one side

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar appears on the Lexington's bridge. There are similar signs of battle damage, but not quite as extensive as the Valley Forge's bridge with half its consoles pretty much down

Keelah@crystyl looks up as she finishes clearing the bulkhead, "Captain, it is good to see you in one piece. How is the Lexington holding up?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "We're running on minimal power at the moment, but we can keep our critical systems sustained until Rexxe has the primary core rebooted. We're still going to need some repairs -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - afterwards, though. Mostly to weapons and shield systems."

Keelah@crystyl:"That's good to hear. I fear we have paid a hefty price for our interference, but we are still here. We saw the shuttles, you're attempting to take the H?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Omar nods, "It's a risky operation, but I think it's more useful to us intact than destroyed."

Keelah@crystyl:"That is true, but risky is an understatement. Still, I trust Rianni's judgement and I know she would have fought you down if she felt strongly enough against it. I wish we could assist from here, -

Keelah@crystyl:- but I don't think we've anything more to offer that you don't already have to hand"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "You still have those specialists on board with experience on Iconian gateways?"

Keelah@crystyl:"Assuming they don't count among those incapacitated or lost, yes. We're still fighting to contain critical systems so we don't yet have a full accounting of our losses. What do you have in mind?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "We could use some of your specialists once we have the enemy vessel secured. We're planning to use the ship's gateway generator to retreat to safety. We can't trust ourselves to -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - be safe in any Commonwealth repair facility right now, and independent ports won't be much better."

Keelah@crystyl:"A home port would be advantageous to us both. Our deflector is also completely blown out so it is only alternative to a very long sublight journey"

Keelah@crystyl thinks a moment, "We might not have anyone else to help take the ship, but the Freedom's Spirit is still out there. Eva, contact Seelix. Tell her to find the QanwI' and get Lexi and her warriors to-

Keelah@crystyl:- that boarding action"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "On it, Captain."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "Lieutenant Tierno also tells me you can communicate with the bioship?"

Keelah@crystyl:"It's a work in progress, but yes. Speaking of Junior, Lennie what's going on with him?"

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie wipes her brow as she turns, "I dunno if it's a growth spurt, or he just didn't show his teeth before. But damn, our boy's full o'surprises"

Keelah@crystyl:"And as for why he disobeyed instructions and came charging in...?"

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "Oh, right! I ain't sure, but I think he must've detected our heavy damage. No doubt he tried t'behave, but he ain't never been one t'sit back while th'Forge's threatened. He's still -

Keelah@crystyl:- really agitated, I can't get him t'stand down his weapons. But he ain't firin', he's just guardin' us"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "We could use a backup in case we can't take control of the enemy ship. It's regenerating like a Borg vessel. Do you think you can get him to fire on it if we need to?"

Keelah@crystyl looks back to Lennie

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie hrms, "I mean, he's sure capable. An' willin'. But he's so high strung, I've no idea how he'll react if we let him off th'proverbial leash. Could be he goes straight for th'kill, y'know?"

Keelah@crystyl thinks, "Alright then... what if we don't set him loose on the H but give him something more constructive to focus on?"

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie tilts her head, "Whatcha thinkin'?"

Keelah@crystyl:"Reliant Defender. We know Junior is at least someway compatible with the Nuhar. If he could give a jump start, then the Reliant Defender could easily keep the H from regenerating it's weapons with -

Keelah@crystyl:- some precision strikes" looks to the screen, "And being Nuhar, he probably knows Iconian tech better than any of our specialists so we could use his expertise for your plan too"

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie thinks a moment and nods, "I think we can steer Junior like tha'! Might be easier if I go wit' him though an' direct from his own bridge"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Ann nods, "Good idea! We got shuttles we can launch to take ya over."

Keelah@crystyl:"Alright. Ann, you're on shuttle duty. Get her safely to Junior and stick with her in case she needs to bail out"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Ann: "Aye Cap'n!" She stands from the helm console, which still flickers once every few seconds, and moves for the turbolift

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie heads out with her

---

NPC@annpc#557 | The Lexington's shuttle moves into the VF-H's damaged hangar, with the doors and part of the ceiling blown open by the battle damage and covered by a basic force field. A few defenders are in -

NPC@annpc#557 - the hangar, but immediately retreat as the incoming small craft opens fire

NPC@annpc#557 | As the shuttle touches down, Daz hands Bendral Maar a phaser rifle, "All our weapons are set to maximum to deal with these suits of theirs. Try anything and you'll be getting a taste of them too."

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Don't worry. My sights are always on the target, and right now, you're not targets."

Rianni@crystyl:"Right now..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz nudges him to exit first as the hatch opens, "We'll be watching you."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin: "Just remember, if I decided to I could pop your brain with a thought. And I don't like competition for being the biggest pain in little miss Starfleet's backside over there"

Rianni@crystyl looks to Sin, "Yeah, aren't you supposed to be all powerful. You should be able to do that to everyone on this ship without us having to mess about at all right"

Rianni@crystyl | Sin flusters, "Well... I mean I could... sure, yeah. But... that's no fun!"

Rianni@crystyl eyerolls, "Come on, 'P'..."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin looks confused, "P?"

Rianni@crystyl glances back with a grin, "Yeah, not quite Q" and pokes her tongue at Sin as she heads out

Rianni@crystyl | Sin bristles but doesn't bite

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar takes the vanguard without complaint, holding the rifle at the ready as they press onward. The door into the rest of the ship appears to be sealed by the fleeing crew, and a shot -

NPC@annpc#557 - from Maar's phaser doesn't punch a hole through it, only leaving a scorch mark

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz gestures to Morozov, who takes a brief look at the panel before saying, "We're going to need Mia for this."

Rianni@crystyl | Miadrone hovers right up and begins interfacing

NPC@annpc#557 | The door is much harder to hack into than a door has any right to be, but Mia manages to break in and get it open!

Rianni@crystyl:"Nice work Mia"

Rianni@crystyl | Miadrone gives an affirmative beep

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar continues forward, rifle in hand. Not far out of the hangar, they are engaged by five of the suited figures. The team returns fire, but the enemy's shields flare up, able to absorb shots -

NPC@annpc#557 - from full powered phasers while returning fire with red AP bolts emitting from raised wrists which make them look rather Borg-like

Rianni@crystyl | Sin closes her eyes, reaching out for her trademark blood boiling move

NPC@annpc#557 | The five suited figures all begin to collapse, Sin's signature move bypassing their defenses

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Impressive."

Rianni@crystyl looks to Sin

Rianni@crystyl | Sin gives Rianni a smug grin, "Much more entertaining this way!"

Rianni@crystyl looks to Maar, "Much as she likes to come across as just being full of bluster, she does not exaggerate"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "And I thought Eshara was dangerous. Where do you people come from?"

Rianni@crystyl:"All different corners of the galaxy. Our home territory is towards the core of the Alpha Quadrant. But our specific operational base is towards the galactic rim bordering the Beta Quadrant. And we -

Rianni@crystyl:- allies gathered there from even further afield"

Rianni@crystyl | Sin: "Give me a break, he was just making conversation not asking for a sales pitch"

Rianni@crystyl sighs, "Nobody said this was a recruitment drive. Just trying to summarize"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar gives a slow nod at the sales pitch before pressing onwards. As they make their way down another hall, two armoured Klingons with bayoneted rifles rush in. Maar hits both of them -

NPC@annpc#557 - with precise headshots, but the bolts simply pass through their unarmoured heads as they return fire down the hall

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar ducks into cover, "Holographic defenses. I'll keep them occupied, look for the emitters and take them out."

Rianni@crystyl | Miadrone begins scanning and looking to take them out at the source

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar spins his rifle around before emerging from cover and charging in, using the weapon as a club as he engages the holo-Klingons in close-quarters, keeping them occupied on him. Mia is able -

NPC@annpc#557 - to locate the emitters, but she can't hack into them remotely and it would be easiest to just shoot them

Rianni@crystyl looks up at hearing Miadrone beep and sees that she's projected holographic targets on the emitters and promptly places a series of shots

NPC@annpc#557 | The holo-Klingons flicker away and disappear as the emitters are taken down

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz: "Nice shooting."

Rianni@crystyl:"No need to sound /so/ surprised" she smiles, "I do pay attention to your training most of the time"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz chuckles, "I'm glad you do. Looks like we're all clear to proceed now."

Rianni@crystyl:"Then let's keep moving"

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar presses on once again. They move through the next hall without issue, but as they turn the corner, they come under fire from a group of six suited figures

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz: "We can use your mind-weapon again Sin!"

Rianni@crystyl | Sin sighs, "So boring..." and concentrates

Rianni@crystyl | This time however, to alleviate her boredom, she mixes things up by instead compressing the space around the figures into microscopic black holes

NPC@annpc#557 | The figures are crushed, their suits crumpling before sliding off in a liquid-like substance onto the ground

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Interesting technology."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin huffs with offense, "Technology?!"

Rianni@crystyl:"What, boiling blood too mundane for you now?"

Rianni@crystyl | Sin beams, "I like to mix things up!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Not your ability. That," he points to the crushed-armour turned silvery liquid. "Nanotechnology?"

Rianni@crystyl:| Miadrone hovers down to scan it, her avatar appearing before them, "Oui, monsieur Maal! It would appear so. However this appears to be far more than nanotechnology as we understand it, these units-

Rianni@crystyl:-could be capable of much higher functions"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "I've encountered something like this once before. It wasn't a suit, but a being that could move and fight on its own. I thought it was one of the Dominion's Founders at first, -

NPC@annpc#557 - but it proved to be technological in nature. Much like these suits."

Rianni@crystyl:"We have heard whispers of these beings. It seems probable that they are connected, if not one and the same"

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar nods, "Let's keep moving."

Rianni@crystyl nods

NPC@annpc#557 | They don't get far when they are attacked by another group of five suited figures. This time however, Sin finds her attempt to use psionics on them blocked by something...

Rianni@crystyl:rolls 13 (1-100)

Rianni@crystyl | Sin grumbles, "Either one of them is a strong psionic keeping a defense up, or they're all capable to some degree"

NPC@annpc#557 | One of the MACOs loses his shield and takes a hit in the leg. Daz drags him off to a side room while the rest of the team keeps up covering fire

Rianni@crystyl | Sin: "Want me to breach the hull and just suck them out into the void? I'm sure Mia can put up a forcefield to protect you. Probably"

Rianni@crystyl:"Let's... call that plan b for now..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar: "Just keep them occupied from using their abilities on us the way you do. I'll deal with them."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin nods, "Easy enough"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz: "We'll cover you."

NPC@annpc#557 | As the MACOs and Sin keep the enemy team distracted, Maar charges out. He leaps from side to side erratically, evading shots. He takes a glancing hit to the shoulder and arm, but it doesn't -

NPC@annpc#557 - seem to slow him down and he is soon upon the enemy. Their suits begin to form melee weapons, but they're nowhere near fast enough. As he did with the MACOs, Maar positions himself in the -

NPC@annpc#557 - centre of the group, whacking left and right with the rifle in a series of flowing moves, wielding the weapon not made for close-quarters combat like an expert swordmaster

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar moves so quickly even Rianni is barely able to follow his movements. Ori's enhanced physiology might be capable of catching up with him, but original Rianni would definitely have been -

NPC@annpc#557 - outmatched if she went up against him

NPC@annpc#557 | Soon, the five suited figures collapse in thuds around him, killed from sheer blunt force trauma even through the protection of their armoured suits. Maar makes his way back towards the team -

NPC@annpc#557 - calmly with a twisted and ruined phaser rifle in his hands, "I'm going to need a new weapon."

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz tosses him another rifle, "Here, take Setlinn's. He's hit, we should have someone take him back to the shuttles."

Rianni@crystyl:"Well I can see now how you were able to overpower the Lexington crew" she nods to Daz, "See to it"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz instructs one of the MACO medics to take the injured back before raising his rifle again, "All good to press on, Lieutenant."

Rianni@crystyl:"Let's move"

NPC@annpc#557 | The team makes their way past another group of holo-Klingons, reaching a lift. As expected, the panel is locked

Rianni@crystyl | Mia gets to work

NPC@annpc#557 | After a good minute, Mia is able to access the lift. Through the lift's controls, she also gets access to all the lift systems, not quite a full schematic of the ship, but it does give a good -

NPC@annpc#557 - idea of how to get to the bridge and several other key places. This lift doesn't go directly there, but they can take it a few decks up to change for another lift that heads to the bridge

Rianni@crystyl | Mia logs the information, "We have a route to the bridge now. One more lift after this one"

Rianni@crystyl:"Thanks Mia, you direct us then"

Rianni@crystyl | Mia sees to the controls for them

NPC@annpc#557 | The first team squeezes into the lift, with the rest of the MACOs waiting for it to come back as there isn't enough room for all of them. As the lift ascends, Rianni's combadge chirps

Rianni@crystyl taps, "Tierno"

NPC@annpc#557 <C> "This is Lieutenant Dalavi of shuttlecraft Plato. Looks like we have Klingon reinforcements inbound to support you."

Rianni@crystyl smiles, "Must be from the QanwI'. Figures Captain Vix wouldn't miss out on a party like this. Mia, can you liaise with the Plato to have the Klingons meet us before the next lift"

Rianni@crystyl | Mia; "We shall do so at once!"

---

Ann Carter@anncaris | Meanwhile, Ann and Lennie begin to approach Junior in one of the VF's shuttles...

Ann Carter@anncaris:"Sooo...Junior's got someplace to dock, or we gotta transport in as usual?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"If he has, he ain't shown us yet. Gonna have t'transport"

Ann Carter@anncaris nods, "Want me to come with, or should I stay up here just in case?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"I'd welcome th'company. But might be best if ya got eyes on things out here. Still escape pods an' things out there we ain't even got t'lookin' for yet"

Ann Carter@anncaris:"I'll keep ya updated on anythin' up here. Good luck with Junior. Not sure how to even begin askin' him to do a power transfer myself..."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Yeah... guess I'll-a find a way!" she smiles and waves, moving to the transporter

Ann Carter@anncaris waves back and turns to tap on her console, "Transportin' ya down now."

Ann Carter@anncaris | Lennie disappears into a transporter beam and rematerializes in the usual chamber she arrives in when visiting Junior. The area itself has not changed, though there is an unexpected guest. The -

Ann Carter@anncaris - Witch stands with her hood lowered, casually leaning against a wall

Lendaria@crystyl looks over with a frown, "Don't tell me you've been interferin' wit' Junior now..."

Ann Carter@anncaris | Witch: "Can't I pay a friend a visit? One of my primary concerns is the safeguarding of Primeval lifeforms, in case you had already forgotten."

Lendaria@crystyl:"And I'm sure th'timin's purely coincidental too..."

Ann Carter@anncaris | Witch: "Well, the guest quarters you've assigned me on the Valley Forge-A aren't exactly the most accommodating as of this moment."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Right, yours were in the section that got blown out weren't they. Sorry for tha', but I guess ya saw it comin' so was no real drama for ya"

Ann Carter@anncaris | Witch: "Indeed. Hence, I am here. Don't let me get in the way. You have work to do."

Lendaria@crystyl:"An' I suppose it was too much trouble for ya to pull out anyone else stuck in tha' section wit' ya, was it?" she continues while checking her interface with Junior

Ann Carter@anncaris | Witch: "I am here as a guide, not an emergency transporter."

Lendaria@crystyl:"As a guide, ya could've guided folks t'safety"

Ann Carter@anncaris | Lennie finds it simple enough to get Junior to pilot himself over to the Defender. Figuring out how to do a power transfer is a different thing, though...

Ann Carter@anncaris | Witch: "I could, just as you could use a regenerator to regrow every strand of hair that falls off. But you don't do that when you brush your hair every morning, do you?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"Y'can't compare sentient life to a strand o'hair, I don't care how grand a scale ya see th'universe on"

Ann Carter@anncaris | Witch: "They would have died eventually. Today, tomorrow, a century from now. Their deaths in this moment serves best to further this timeline to a better future. Not much in the way of -

Ann Carter@anncaris - consolation, I know. But it is how things must be."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Well I'm-a glad ya philosophy works t'make it all so convenient for ya" she continues to move around, working to get Junior directed

Lendaria@crystyl:rolls 16 (1-100)

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "Hey Lennie, Junior's makin' a light show for the Defender. Just in case ya can't see wha's goin' on from inside. No sign o' power transferrin', though."

Lendaria@crystyl sighs, "Dammit. He's tryin' a talk to Defender..." she moves again

Lendaria@crystyl:rolls 3 (1-100)

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "Okay, now he's getting in /really/ close. Don't think they'll collide but uh...yeah, dangerously close."

Lendaria@crystyl taps her combadge, "Thanks Ann, but this's good. I think... Junior ain't got a deflector that I know of, so tryin' a get him t'latch on t'share his power"

Lendaria@crystyl moves again to another console

Lendaria@crystyl:rolls 13 (1-100)

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "An' now he's backin' away again. Huh."

Lendaria@crystyl facepalms, "Ok, so not tha' one..."

Lendaria@crystyl moves back to the previous console since she got him closer with that instruction set

Lendaria@crystyl:rolls 98 (1-100)

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "He's movin' back in again. Skimmin' right above the Defender, like he's lookin' for somethin'. Think we're gettin' somewhere."

Lendaria@crystyl smiles, "Tha's it Junior, ya can do it..."

Ann Carter@anncaris | There is a soft thud and a slight rumble

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "He's latched on!"

Ann Carter@anncaris | The Witch smiles, "Well done."

Lendaria@crystyl pats the console, "Attaboy! Now let's hope this theory works an' ya can actually jumpstart a Nuhar construct like a lithium battery... Keep an eye on Defender for us please Sweets. Let me know if -

Lendaria@crystyl:- ya see any sign o'change in him"

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "Will do!"

Lendaria@crystyl glances back to the Witch, "So glad ya approve"

Ann Carter@anncaris | After a few moments, Ann speaks on comms again, "Readin' some systems comin' online on the Defender!"

Lendaria@crystyl:"Perfect! He got sucker punched mid-fight, so let's try an' get him up t'speed asap. Though I'm-a sure he can process it all quicker than we can explain, but yeah"

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "Want me to get him on comms, or?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"If ya can, sure!"

Ann Carter@anncaris | A moment later, the Reliant Defender's voice sounds on comms, "Thank you for the assistance."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Good t'hear ya voice RD. How ya doin'?"

Ann Carter@anncaris <C - Reliant Defender> "That vessel utilized an override command I have not seen for a long time. I was forced to shut down, but my systems remain undamaged. I see you have contained the threat -

Ann Carter@anncaris - for now, though at significant cost."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Ya ain't wrong. We got people on tha' ship now tryin' a take it. Wit' th'damage they caused, we need their tech intact t'get outta here. But tha' things regeneratin' itself. Think ya can help us -

Lendaria@crystyl:- out an' run a bit of overwatch? Keep 'em down wit' some precision strikes an' all?"

Ann Carter@anncaris <C - Reliant Defender> "I will regulate the amount of power used to keep its regeneration at bay without risking your people on board."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Perfect, thanks! An' just a heads up, we spotted an gateway generator over there. Got designs on usin' it t'get ourselves outta here since both th'Lexingon's got no safe harbour to hit for repairs -

Lendaria@crystyl:- an' th'Forge lost it's main deflector so can't even warp. Just mentionin' on th'off chance ya got some Iconian known how tucked away in tha' big old brain"

Ann Carter@anncaris <C - Reliant Defender> "I am the Last Defender of the Gates. I have obtained significant knowledge on gateway systems, more so than my Iconian allies likely ever intended when they were alive. I -

Ann Carter@anncaris - will dispatch drones to assist in utilizing the technology correctly. Where do you wish to travel to?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"I don't think anyone's got s'far as thinkin' on tha' yet. But if we really can link in to th'network wit' this... we could head straight back to th'Heart, right?"

Ann Carter@anncaris <C - Reliant Defender> "That is correct."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Tha' could well be th'favourite then. We first went missin' from there, an' it's where th'rest o'your kind are now. Not home for th'Lexington, but close enough I bet. But yeah, we'll figure tha' -

Lendaria@crystyl:- once we're in a position t'actually consider it"

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C - Reliant Defender> "I will keep the enemy vessel disabled for the time being."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Appreciate it. How ya's link wit' Junior? Y'all actually talkin', or his jus'... doin' his thing?"

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C - Reliant Defender> "I am able to access a limited number of data, but he is as alien to me as he is to you. The code is not something I am currently capable of comprehending. Analysis suggests -

Ann Carter@anncaris:- it is more akin to your neural signals."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Makes sense. Well, how's th'power transfer? Ya good now, or need a little more still?"

Ann Carter@anncaris <C - Reliant Defender> "My generators are back online. I am not yet at full power, but the generators will be capable of handling the complete restoration of power levels from here."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Sounds good. Yeah, I don't imagine Junior's got enough juice t'fully charge ya back up! Probably drain himself dry before then. But s'long as ya good, we'll get him off ya" she gets to work

Ann Carter@anncaris | Having figured out how to get him there and previously having pulled Junior away by mistake, Lennie gets Junior to break off on the first try!

Lendaria@crystyl:"Alright RD, we'll leave ya to it. Gonna go huntin' for survivors here"

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "Ready to beam back, Lennie?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"Actually Sweets I thought we could try usin' Junior. You got a transporter but no space. Our boy's got space but no transporter. So if we follow ya like a lil' freighter ya can fill us up"

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "Oooh, tha's a good idea! I'll start lookin' for survivors an' transport 'em over to Junior."

Lendaria@crystyl:"We got nav down pretty solid, so it should be easy t'get him followin' ya. An' if Seelix is back twiddlin' her thumbs, get her on th'case too"

Ann Carter@anncaris:<C> "Think she's just delivered Lexi an' her warriors to join the action. I'll call her over, too."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Alright, let's get t'work then"

---

NPC@annpc#557 | In the hallways of the VF-H, Rianni's team once again takes down another set of holoprojectors. As Miadrone leads on, they can hear the sounds of fighting and shouting ringing from the -

NPC@annpc#557 - intersection ahead

Rianni@crystyl:"Either there's a mutiny underway, or the Klingons have arrived"

NPC@annpc#557 | Indeed, as they reach the intersection, they see Lexi and her warriors taking down the last of some suited figures. The QanwI' crew have all switched to primarily using melee weaponry, quickly -

NPC@annpc#557 - learning that it is far easier to take down the suits with bat'leths and blades than it is slowly chipping away at them with disruptor fire

Rianni@crystyl smiles, "At least they're having fun"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz steps over, giving Lexi a nod of his helmet, "Welcome to the fight, Captain Vix."

Rianni@crystyl | Lexi thrusts her sword to her side, thrashing the blood from its blade, "Nice of you to invite us to this little shindig!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz: "We could use all the help we can get. There's plenty of hostiles to go around, and your close-quarters expertise has some good use here."

Rianni@crystyl | Lexi grins ear to ear, "Yeah I know, you're all lost without us to save the day aren't you! HAHA!" she gives Daz a hearty pat on the back

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz chuckles, "Let's press on. Lift to the bridge shouldn't be far now."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Let's finish this"

NPC@annpc#557 | The door to the lift soon comes into view, but they are met by a volley of AP fire that sends the team into cover. Daz returns fire, taking a peek out as he does

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz: "Looks like these ones don't have suits. Must be running low on equipment or getting desperate."

Rianni@crystyl:"Well they're clearly not running low on weapons yet"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz: "You can take a breather, Sin. We've got this."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin: "In other words you're saving me for the bridge. Got it"

Rianni@crystyl | Lexi laughs, "You'd only pout if you were all tapped out before we got there!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Captain Vix, did you come just to torment people or were you actually planning on fighting some too?"

Rianni@crystyl | Lexi turns a scowl towards Rianni before grinning, "Now there's the little spitfire I welcomed into my House!" she turns to her squad, "Well come on, you all heard the little lady. Get in there!"

Rianni@crystyl | Lexi & Co. all charge in

NPC@annpc#557 | Despite the enemy's superior weaponry, the enemy is outnumbered and outmatched by the MACOs and Klingons and their last line of defense before the lift to the bridge quickly collapses

Rianni@crystyl sighs and mutters, "Why does she have to call me little in every sentence..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "She's not exactly large, herself. Good fighter, though," he remarks as he rather casually snipes off an enemy with his new phaser rifle

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz and the MACOs move forward as the last of the enemy drops. He picks up one of their AP rifles, looking it over, "Nice of them to arm us before we storm their bridge. Take their weapons -

NPC@annpc#557 - with us, they'll probably do a better job of punching through their shields and armour than our phasers."

Rianni@crystyl:"Good idea" she swaps her phaser for an AP one

NPC@annpc#557 | As the MACOs swap weapons, Daz signals for Miadrone, "Mia, you're up."

NPC@annpc#557 | The lift door lies just ahead of the fallen defenders

Rianni@crystyl | Miadrone gives an affirmative beep and moves to the lift panel

NPC@annpc#557 | With previous experience, it takes Mia significantly less time to tap into this lift. As she accesses its systems however, she notices something new...

NPC@annpc#557 | A system warning reads: SELF DESTRUCT INITIALIZED. COUNTDOWN 7:29

NPC@annpc#557 | The counter of course decreases by one each second

Rianni@crystyl | Miadrone starts beeping erratically

Rianni@crystyl:"What's wrong Mia?"

Rianni@crystyl | Miadrone projects the countdown

Rianni@crystyl:"Oh..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz: "Can you override it?"

Rianni@crystyl | Mia' avatar appears shaking her head, "Non... it /might/ be possible from main engineering. But given how far advanced everything else is here, we do not anticipate favourable odds of doing so -

Rianni@crystyl:- within the required timeframe"

Rianni@crystyl:"Then our only choice is to take the bridge but keep at least 2 senior officers alive then make them cancel it"

Rianni@crystyl | Lexi groans, "Yeah... are you forgetting that you're dealing with a bunch of zealots here?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Well we're not gaining anything from standing here debating the matter"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar steps forward, "I have an idea. But you won't like it."

Rianni@crystyl:"I don't like any of our other options, so you may as well throw it in"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "No time to explain it in detail. You have access to the lift now?" He looks to Miadrone

Rianni@crystyl | Mia nods, "Oui"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar steps inside, "I need a team of you with me. And you," he gestures to Sin, "to help with the suits."

Rianni@crystyl glances to Sin who nods in return, "Don't worry LT, I can keep him in check"

Rianni@crystyl:"So where are you heading?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Right to the bridge." He gestures around the lift, "I'm going to need everyone in here to play dead."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin frowns but seems agreeable

Rianni@crystyl:"I think I get it. Convince them that you're on their side and you took out our squad. They lower their guard and cancel the destruct"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Exactly."

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz and several of the MACOs step into the lift, "Not a bad plan."

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Send us up."

Rianni@crystyl | Mia nods: "Activating now"

---

NPC@annpc#557 | The VF-H's bridge has some damage, though it is more on the level of the Lexington than the VF. All the consoles are still operational, only some of the lights are out, with the odd piece of -

NPC@annpc#557 - debris here and there. The camera pans by a particularly sharp-looking piece as it makes its way to the lift entrance, where two suited figures stand with their arms raised

NPC@annpc#557 | The door opens to a lift of downed MACOs (and Sin). The two figures exchange glances as Maar's voice sounds

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Hold your fire."

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar steps out from the side of the lift, his arms raised

NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Douglas of the VF-H, who we briefly saw at the end of Season 1, stands from his chair. He is wearing a suit, but his helmet slides down to reveal his face as he turns towards Maar

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas: "I know you, bounty hunter."

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Good. Then we can skip the introductions."

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas: "Y'don't know us yet."

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "I don't care who you are. We have a common enemy."

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas: "Didn't you turn your ships against us?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "You were intent on destroying the Lexington when I was on board. I didn't intend on just lying down and giving up."

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas: "But you're giving up now?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "No. I'm offering you a way out of this."

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas: "What've you got to offer us? You think you alone can turn the tide of this battle?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "I offer you my services, yes. More importantly, I offer you them." He nods towards the lift

NPC@annpc#557 | Suit #1: "Captain, I'm still reading lifesigns from them."

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Of course you're still reading lifesigns from them. I held one of their ships for some time. I've read their regulations and studied their code of morality. I watched as they -

NPC@annpc#557 - came back and risked many more ships and lives to try and save the ones I held. They won't destroy this ship with their precious people on board."

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas: "You want us to use 'em as bargaining chips."

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Not just them. I'll take care of the rest of their boarding parties."

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas: "And I suppose you want a ticket out of here in return."

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar nods, "As I said, I've studied their rules. I stole one of their ships, incapacitated, imprisoned and killed their people. I don't intend on lying down and giving up, remember?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas considers for a moment, "We could use a man of your skill. Welcome aboard, Bendral Maar."

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas steps up and offers a hand. Maar gives it a shake

NPC@annpc#557 | Douglas: "Computer, this is Captain Alonso Douglas. Code Alpha-1-1, abort destruct order."

NPC@annpc#557 | Computer: "Self-destruct aborted."

Rianni@crystyl | As soon as the computer confirms, Sin reaches out in her mind and tightens a grasp around Douglas' throat, both crippling him and silencing him

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar leaps into action at the same time. Not realizing that Sin had already silenced the captain, he reaches up with his lightning fast speed, grabbing the sides of his head and snapping -

NPC@annpc#557 - Douglas' neck with an audible crunch. The rest of the bridge doesn't even have time to react as the bounty hunter immediately dives into a roll, grabbing the sharp piece of debris we saw -

NPC@annpc#557 - earlier. He ends the roll behind the cover of a console, where he plunges the shard into the chest of an unsuited officer who's just beginning to reach for her pistol

NPC@annpc#557 | The two suits begin to turn towards Maar, firing their AP weapons from their wrists

Rianni@crystyl | Sin slowly rises from behind them, reaching out with a hand towards each. Still favouring her Vader impression since she didn't get to finish the job the first time; she compresses the area -

Rianni@crystyl - around each of their necks to choke them, whilst also lifting them off their feet

Rianni@crystyl | She would hold them to drain them to the point of falling unconscious before launching them both in opposite directions

NPC@annpc#557 | As Sin quickly deals with the two suits, another officer on the bridge starts yelling, "Computer, reinitialize des-" She doesn't get to finish as Daz takes aim, downing her with an AP shot to -

NPC@annpc#557 - her back while she is turned to one of the consoles. The rest of the MACOs are also up on their feet and move into the bridge, picking their targets. Maar joins in having recovered the pistol -

NPC@annpc#557 - of the officer he just stabbed and they make short work of the bridge crew

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar tosses his pistol aside as all the enemies are down, looking over to Sin, "No need to fry my mind."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin hrms, "I dunno... you did steal my kill on the Captain there..." and smirks

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar: "Perhaps you should kill faster next time and spend less time making a show of it."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin hrmphs, "And where would be the fun in that?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz meanwhile gives Rianni the all-clear before stepping over to Maar, "What happened to not lying down and giving up?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "I'm not about to make the same mistake of underestimating psionics."

NPC@annpc#557 | The lift door opens again and Rianni arrives

Rianni@crystyl steps out, looking around at the mess, "Well, you sure made short work of them. Good job everyone"

Rianni@crystyl | Lexi follows and huffs," What?! You didn't save me any?!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz: "There's still more around for everyone. We have to secure the whole ship."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "We'll have to secure the whole thing. But now we have the bridge, Mia, do you think you can work your magic and lock down the remaining crew?"

Rianni@crystyl | Mia nods and heads to a console with Miadrone hovering along, "We shall do our best Ms. Rianni!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Daz meanwhile makes his way beside Rianni, "Have to admit, I was expecting the bounty hunter to /actually/ sell us out there."

Rianni@crystyl shakes her head, "He's a man worthy of his reputation, not a Ferengi arms dealer"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar nods, "I /have/ actually read your rules. I know you won't kill me if I cooperate. Them, they might very well throw my corpse into deep space as soon as we're out of here."

Rianni@crystyl smiles, "Rules are many things, but rigid isn't one of them. While your assertion isn't wrong, it also assumes we would look to take you prisoner"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Prisoner is better than dead. From their hands or hers," he nods towards Sin

Rianni@crystyl shakes her head, "Not saying anything /is/ on the cards as that's not my place. Just pointing out that she-" pointing to Sin, "-first crossed our path when she worked as a hunter like you and snuck-

Rianni@crystyl - onto our crew to claim a bounty on that one" pointing to Lexi, "Which is now void, so don't waste your time thinking on it"

NPC@annpc#557 | Maar eyes Lexi, "That's unfortunate. I have a feeling she'll enjoy seeing which one of us comes out on top in a fight."

Rianni@crystyl | Lexi grins, "It's a foregone conclusion, but I do enjoy a bit of a slap and tickle to whet the appetite before hitting a barrel of bloodwine. HA!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "As I thought."

Rianni@crystyl raises a hand, "Aaanyway... point is, don't rule us out as allies. We might surprise you yet. But first things first, I need to update the Captain" she steps away tapping her combadge

---

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | On the VF bridge, Eva announces, "Rianni reports they have control of the bridge. Mia's locked down the rest of the ship and the MACOs and QanwI' crew are sweeping through the ship to secure it."

Keelah@crystyl:"That is welcome news indeed. Hail the Lexington, we need to get organized from here"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 taps her console and a moment later, Captain Omar appears on the viewscreen again

Keelah@crystyl:"We've just had confirmation from the away team that they have taken the bridge and are now just containing the remnants throughout the rest of the ship"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "Excellent. We just restored main power and should have the transporters online in the next few minutes. Do you need any assistance over on the Valley Forge?"

Keelah@crystyl smiles, "I think we found a roll duct tape down below that is now holding the core in one piece, but thank you. Right now I am more concerned about survivors from the Loki. We have Junior and the -

Keelah@crystyl:- Freedoms Spirit out searching, but they are limited"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Omar nods, "We'll focus our efforts on recovering survivors from the battlefield, then."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"It looks like the An have regained control of their ships and are moving in as well. Should I ask them to focus on search and rescue too?"

Keelah@crystyl:"Yes, that has to be the priority. Our squadron is still out there too but if we can find them and get them to Junior he should be able to give them a boost like he did the Reliant Defender"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, tapping her console

Keelah@crystyl:"We don't have much left to aid the search, but if you start struggling for room we can take them in"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "There's also the modified cruiser that transferred power to us during the battle. We believe it's been modified for prisoner, maybe slave transport. Not the most comfortable of -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - accommodations, but it has a functioning environmental system and it's better than being stuck in an escape pod."

Keelah@crystyl nods, "Agreed"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "Once we have all the survivors, I suggest we regroup to discuss what to do from here. The Lexington still has some conference rooms in good condition to host everyone."

Keelah@crystyl:"That sounds good to me. I think we might have one left, but it's likely buried..."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Omar: "Hopefully we'll get all that sorted once we have the gateway up and get back to safe harbour."

Keelah@crystyl nods, "For now I'll be content with the knowledge that we have all of our survivors taken care of and the situation is stable"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Omar nods, "We're commencing our search now. Take care over there on the Forge, Keelah."

Keelah@crystyl:"We'll see you shortly Captain"

---

T'Lana@anncaris | Once all the survivors have been picked up and the VF-H completely secured, Keelah transports over to the Lexington

T'Lana@anncaris | She materializes on the transporter pad to find Lennie and T'Lana waiting for her just off the pad, along with Commander Skolyr of the Lexington

T'Lana@anncaris 's uniform and hair is dustier than usual, but otherwise looks unharmed

Keelah@crystyl doesn't exactly look her usual pristine self either, "Commander, it is a relief to see you in one piece. What news of the rest of your crew?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Captain. I was just discussing that with Commander Skolyr here. 77.5% of the crew have been recovered alive. The remainder are either confirmed deceased or unaccounted for. The probability of -

T'Lana@anncaris:- locating more still alive at this point is low enough that the number is likely to be final."

Keelah@crystyl:"Well there is always a chance. We'll make sure to be thorough" turning to Lennie, "Nice work out there with Junior"

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie smiles, "He made us proud!"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "And thank you all for the rescue. I hope you do not mind- I made the assumption that you would wish Commander Lendaria to accompany you to this meeting. I am told your First Officer is -

T'Lana@anncaris - temporarily incapacitated, and so it would be logical to bring your Second Officer."

Keelah@crystyl:"Indeed it would. Besides, I don't think she'd ever forgive me if I sent her back to look after the Forge as it is right now"

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "Hey! That's... actually quite accurate..." she chuckles

T'Lana@anncaris | Skolyr: "Follow me, Captain, Commanders."

---

T'Lana@anncaris | In the conference room, the ship leaders are all gathered. Captain Omar has both Skolyr and Bandoni with her as well as Vice Marshal Esan and the Vorta representative Eris. Commander Kesa has -

T'Lana@anncaris - brought Vice Commander Moya with her. Lexi and Captain Arvalan are in attendance too, along with the large golem holo-avatar of the Reliant Defender

Keelah@crystyl | As the rest get settled, Rianni and Maar enter, taking a seat as well

T'Lana@anncaris | Captain Omar: "Looks like everyone's here. Let's get started. As all of you know by now, we plan on using the gateway generator on the enemy vessel to retreat to safety. Most likely back to -

T'Lana@anncaris - somewhere in the Alpha Quadrant."

Keelah@crystyl:"How confident are we that we can reliably master the technology and control our gateway access? Not wanting to doubt, but once bitten twice shy"

T'Lana@anncaris | Reliant Defender: "Your last usage of one of their gateways was unintentional and altered by an external factor. I have dispatched my drones to the captured vessel to study it. Their gateway -

T'Lana@anncaris - technology is essentially identical to the original Iconian technology, with modifications for compatibility with their systems. Under controlled conditions, I do not believe there is any need -

T'Lana@anncaris - for concern."

Keelah@crystyl:"Very well, I trust your judgement of course. So the question then is where to return to"

T'Lana@anncaris | Reliant Defender: "Commander Lendaria had a good suggestion."

Keelah@crystyl:"Did she now..." looks to Lennie

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "What? Don't look at me in that tone of voice, you heard him. It was a good idea!" she fidgets under Keelah's gaze, "...which was to go straight back to the Heart"

Keelah@crystyl:"I see"

Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "Yeah, since we went missin' from there, lot of our shared crews're linked to th'place. An' since it's the Nuhar's home now, kinda be nice t'take RD here back to his own kind too"

Keelah@crystyl | Rianni: "We also don't know what the state of Starfleet is right now. The reason we got chased down in the first place was because of these temporal guys messing with Starfleet Security to shut -

Keelah@crystyl:- down DSEC. Until we know more, avoiding Federation space might not be such a bad idea"

Keelah@crystyl nods in consideration, looking to Leila for her thoughts

T'Lana@anncaris | Omar nods, "I agree. We're a DSEC ship as well. We'll find friendly port there, and there's access to gateways to return to the Gamma Quadrant to resolve this infiltration of the Commonwealth, -

T'Lana@anncaris - for either us or that An exploratory ship you encountered. The next question is, who's coming with us?"

Keelah@crystyl:"I suppose that depends on the feasibility of return. Targeting an existing gateway with that ship is one thing, but to my knowledge there are no gateways out here to return to"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Not with the commandeered gateway generator, perhaps, but the Iconians have enough precision control to be able to direct the gateways of the Heart to a variety of destinations for a one-way journey."

Keelah@crystyl:"Well that certainly opens up options for our An friends then. Can't be often the chance arises to welcome a generational exploration ship back into the family"

T'Lana@anncaris | Esan: "Indeed. As a member of the Nos'telari, I'll remain with the Lexington to explain the situation to them before returning to aid in the situation here, on whichever vessel chooses to -

T'Lana@anncaris - return and assist."

T'Lana@anncaris | Kesa: "My ships will stay here. Our orders were to watch you in Andarash space, not outside of it. Leaving will most likely brand us as rogues in this current situation. We'll do what we can -

T'Lana@anncaris - from inside the Andarash until you return. Hopefully we'll have more information for you to work with to finally expose these infiltrators."

Keelah@crystyl:"Just remember to watch yourselves. You've seen what it took to stop just one of their ships here today. And there is nothing to say that there are not more out there still"

T'Lana@anncaris | Kesa nods, "We'll tread carefully and try not to warrant the attention of another one of these ships."

Keelah@crystyl looks to Maar, "So that brings us to the bounty hunter"

T'Lana@anncaris | Captain Omar: "While he did stun or knock out most of us, he still caused a good few fatalities with his attack, including a few at his hands personally like Commander Th'vosren, my Chief of -

T'Lana@anncaris - Tactical. Not to mention the seizing of a Starfleet vessel."

Keelah@crystyl | Rianni chimes in, "Without wanting to undermine what he did here by any means, it should also be said that we probably wouldn't have taken the H without his assistance"

T'Lana@anncaris | Bendral Maar: "My pistols do not have a stun setting. When your Commander Bandoni knocked my rifle away, I had to defend myself."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 nods, "These are facts that should be weighed by JAG officers, and we'll be heading to friendly territory soon. We can't take all the surviving mercs with us, but there should be enough space -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - on that slaver ship and what remains of the other damaged merc vessels that can still sustain environmental systems. My suggestion is, we let the crews go and take the man behind it all back -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - with us to the Heart. Starfleet can decide Maar’s fate there- or if things are bad at home, then DSEC and the Coalition can put him on trial independently."

Keelah@crystyl | Rianni looks up to Maar at her side to gauge his thoughts on the proposal

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "With the losses of these ships I gathered together, there's going to be quite a few people after me in these parts. Nothing I can't handle, but it'll make doing business here a -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - little problematic. I'll go along with these trials of yours. Probably best to lie low for a bit, anyways."

Keelah@crystyl:"That is most agreeable of you. All things considered, I don't think any of us can ask for any more at this point"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Bendral Maar: "Your laws seem fair. I know you won't execute me for what I did, so there's not much risk in coming with you."

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"The JAG'll take into consideration all the help you provided as well. You'll be hard pressed to get a fairer trial anywhere else in the galaxy."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Maar chuckles, "From the number of wanted individuals I've delivered to various governments, I can certainly agree."

Keelah@crystyl:"So with that settled, it would seem all that remains is to make ourselves space worthy enough to make the jump and finish sweeping for survivors"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"You have impulse, right?"

Keelah@crystyl:"Yes. Technically we have warp too, we would just crumple without the deflector"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"We shouldn't need warp to pass through an Iconian gateway. To be safe, you can fly in close formation with us and we'll extend our deflector field over both ships, just in case there's any -

Leila Omar@annpc#557:- interference during the passage from subspace or something."

Keelah@crystyl:"Thank you, with that we should be fit to travel at any time then"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Reliant Defender: "The risk should be minimal, as unshielded biological individuals are capable of traversing ground-based gateways without harm."

Keelah@crystyl:"Very true. But we've seen more than our fair share of wormhole mishaps, and not just the one that brought us here. So it is better to not expose ourselves to any additional risk if we can avoid it"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Agreed. One last thing," she glances over to the Vorta at the table. "What about you, Eris?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Eris: "I wish to uncover the truth behind this conflict and safeguard the Dominion, of course, but I see no method for me to continue our investigation here. Maar and his mercenaries have -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - eliminated our Dominion escort, and I cannot work among the An," she looks across to Keelah. "This Coalition of yours, I understand it is a sort of fledgling intergalactic alliance?"

Keelah@crystyl nods, "Correct. But if I may, why is it that you can't work with the An? Obviously the larger organization is out, but we now have confirmed allies here clear of infiltration also working the same objectives"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Eris: "The Dominion will continue cooperating with the Imkalath and his organization. Personally, my only options at the moment are to travel with either you, one of the Andarash vessels or -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - the slaver ship. I was not designed to work amongst mercenaries and criminals; there are other Vorta lines far better suited to such work. And while these Andarash may not be affiliated with -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - the greater enemy, they still must report to their superiors, some of whom are. Not to mention the generations of animosity between the Commonwealth and the Dominion. Even if we have a common -

Leila Omar@annpc#557 - enemy, working within the Commonwealth is not a good idea."

Keelah@crystyl:"I understand. Well, you are a guest of the Lexington so as long as Captain Omar has no objection. But since we do not know how long it will be before someone returns, I assume you will first need -

Keelah@crystyl:-to contact the Dominion with an update?"

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Moya: "I'll pass a message along for you through the Imkalath's people."

Leila Omar@annpc#557 | Eris: "Excellent. I look forward to making formal contact with your Coalition on behalf of the Dominion, then."

Keelah@crystyl:"I am confident that the trip will be beneficial"

Leila Omar@annpc#557:"Sounds like we have everything sorted, then. Let's make our final preparations, make sure we've picked up all the survivors and get underway."

Keelah@crystyl:"Agreed"

---

Keliaya@anncaris | About half a day after the meeting, Keelah is back on the damaged bridge of the VF as the search for survivors is officially concluded and the vessels gather to head off

Keliaya@anncaris steps out of the lift doors, one of which doesn't quite open fully

Keelah@crystyl looks over with a smile, "It is good to see you back on your feet"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles back, "The bridge has seen better days, though. Good thing I got a view of it through Eva's eyes first, so it's not a shock..."

Keelah@crystyl:"Better days, but also worse. And that's the important thing"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "True. I still remember when we had to overhaul the whole bridge, back when it still looked like the Lexington's."

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "Incoming hail from the Namaset, Captain."

Keelah@crystyl looks over, "On screen"

Keliaya@anncaris | Commander Kesa appears on the viewscreen, "Looks like you're all forming up to go through that gateway. About time we made our way back to the Andarash, too. It's been an honour working -

Keliaya@anncaris - alongside you, Captain. I'm sorry we doubted you at the start there. And that our compatriots came in shooting at first..."

Keliaya@anncaris | Kesa chuckles, "Let's leave that detail in the past."

Keelah@crystyl smiles, "Context is king, as my husband would fondly point out here. Nobody acted rashly or unjustly at any time, even when your compatriots came in shooting at first; because their context at the -

Keelah@crystyl:- time was a clear picture of us being an enemy vessel. The important thing is that we were able to move on. I do not know when or if we will meet again Commander, but I will certainly welcome that -

Keelah@crystyl:- day should it come to pass"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kesa: "You and me both. Until then Captain, I wish us all good luck in getting rid of this infiltration business. If we clean things up before you do, we'll try to lend you a hand. Maybe even -

Keliaya@anncaris - alongside the Dominion, if we manage to make peace again once we're not being manipulated by outside powers."

Keelah@crystyl:"A day we can all look forward to. Until then" she bows her head slightly

Keliaya@anncaris | Kesa returns the gesture before the comm ends

Keliaya@anncaris | Ann: "The Andarash ships are warpin' off. All o' us goin' through the gateway are in position. Lexington's extendin' their deflector field now."

Keelah@crystyl:"Alright-" she looks around to Kelly, "-Ready to go home?"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles and nods, "It's been too long already."

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "Giving Reliant Defender the signal."

Keelah@crystyl smiles and looks back to the front, "You heard the lady Ann. Let's go home"

Keliaya@anncaris | On the viewscreen, an Iconian gateway quickly forms and expands in front of the VF-H

Keliaya@anncaris | Ann: "Aye Cap'n. Takin' us though."

Keliaya@anncaris | The VF moves in, with the underside of the Lexington's saucer visible just above as it flies close by in formation, covering both ships in its deflector field

Keliaya@anncaris | The gateway looms closer and closer. As they approach, the familiar Spherescape can be seen on its other side

Keliaya@anncaris | Soon, they are through the aperture and the view of the Sphere fills the entire screen. Ahead, a number of ships stand gathered, understandably wary of the new arrivals. Among them are the -

Keliaya@anncaris - usual Coalition members- Iconian ships, Nuhar Constructs, Colonial Fleet, Starfleet, KDF and so on, but also an unfamiliar vessel that resembles a Starfleet profile yet matches no known -

Keliaya@anncaris - design parked in the vanguard beside the Starfleet heavy hitters

Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://i.imgur.com/MJRa9M1.jpg

Keelah@crystyl | Rianni's eyes widen, "What on Earth is that...?" looking to TP who's been hovering nearby, "Could they have finished that project ship already?"

Keliaya@anncaris | TP shakes her head, "It couldn't be...we've been gone for a while, but not quite long enough for that!"

Keelah@crystyl:"I'm sure we will find it all out in good time"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Knowing how fast things developed out on the rim when we were here, we've probably missed quite a few things in our absence."

Keelah@crystyl:"If nothing else, it will give me something to ask about in between answering all the questions about our impromptu expedition during the debrief"

Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "Yes, it'll help take the focus off you for a bit. We've got a long story to tell too..."

Keelah@crystyl:"I can see this keeping me tied up for a good few days. I'll have to leave the Forge in your capable hands for the time being"

Keliaya@anncaris:"I'll get us started on repairs. Plenty of that to go around."

Keelah@crystyl | Rianni looks to TP again, "Hopefully you won't have fallen too far behind in your classes. You'll be back in the classroom again now!"

Keliaya@anncaris | TP smiles, "Luckily I had Mia here to keep my studies going!"

Keliaya@anncaris | The camera slowly zooms out from the bridge as they converse, moving out into the Sphere to show the full scene of the arriving ships. Behind the damaged VF and Lexington limping back, -

Keliaya@anncaris - Junior follows along resembling a smaller replica of both ships. The undamaged Freedom's Spirit flies beside it, then the Aethon and QanwI', now missing its port wing turret and a chunk of -

Keliaya@anncaris - that wing. The opposite wing is damaged as well, with a slightly bent turret and impact marks from debris. Finally, the massive Reliant Defender comes through, and then the commandeered VF-H -

Keliaya@anncaris - at the very end, passing through the gateway just a few seconds before it snaps shut