BEGIN SIM

BEGIN SIM

BEGIN SIM

:: in her ready room, going over the latest intelligence reports from HQ ::

Hannah: Okay, try it now!

:: holds the bridge per usual when Harper is in her RR ::

:: she pinches the bridge of her nose as she feels another headache coming on ::

:: initiates the Skylark’s power transfer, but it doesn’t take :: Zoë: Nope, nothin.

:: is on the bridge, sitting at the auxiliary sci console, typing replies to messages from the science lab ::

:: sitting at main SCI/OPS, keeping herself as busy as possible so she doesn't have time to think ::

:: at the helm, running another coordination simulation of the departure formation with the other four Starfleet ships and five Free Fleets ships ::

:: spews a string of likely inaccurate Russian swear words ::

::has been prepping sickbay for battle, now chilling in the TL on the way to the bridge, before the storm eventually hits::

:: is at main TAC, also keeping her focus on the console to not give her mind the time to wander ::

Hannah: I swear I know what I’m doing!

:: gets a feeling that she maybe forgot to tell Wright something. hmm. oh well ::

:: looks over at the flashing indicator and taps it to read the details :: Self, internally: Oh hell.

:: is in the medical research lab, helping some of the techs get through their standard research samples for the next few days ::

:: in the fighter bay, checking on each of the fighters one by one to ensure that everything is as it should be, assuming that they'll likely be needed at some point ::

Zoë: Sure you do.

+CO+ Bridge to Harper. We have just received a classified message for you from Starfleet Headquarters.

:: configures another transfer sequence :: Hannah: Okay, one more time.

+CSO+ Put it through to the ready room, Commander.

::lift dings and she steps out to the bridge behind a couple of rando redshirts::

:: perks up, overhearing Wright's comm ::

:: initiates :: Zoë: Hey! Hey, we got it!

:: grabs an analgesic from the replicator, washes it down with coffee, and returns to her desk ::

:: taps the keys to put it through to the ready room ::

:: pats Ethan on the shoulder as she looks at what he’s doing :: Ethan: Nice job. You just have two cases left, and you’re all done.

:: looks back at Kuari, wondering if the Commander is as worried as she is ::

:: starts looking through the report, which is an urgent update to SF Intelligence's last on the Xovul fleet ::

This is it...

:: returns the look to Wright, but doesn't say anything, knowing they'll both be left wondering ::

Hannah: Really? :: sits up, forgets she’s prone in the Skylark’s guts, bonks her head on a pipe :: :: more Russian swear words ::

:: lets out a groan and drops his head to the desk at Acacia's words :: MED: You suck.

:: chuckles, teasing :: MED2: If you don’t finish before shit hits the fan, it’s fine.

:: raises eyebrow as she remembers and turns in her chair towards Wright :: CSO: Oh, Commander, I forgot that I had meant to tell you something before the party.

Oh-ho-ho, look at my baby lighting up. Oh man… Zoë: We got the reactor, we have life support, we have computer, we have sensor array, weapons, shields, auxiliary…

:: turns to fix his lead with an eyebrow-raised :: MED: Oh... that's a challenge. I'll get this done before shit hits the fan.

:: wonders if it is a feint, and considers that possibility for several minutes ::

::takes a detour to the replicator:: Computer: Mint cappucino and an everything bagel. ::waits until her breakfast materializes, and settles in at her station, connecting to the other SF ships in the area to link with their medical departments::

:: double-takes as she realizes Rike is talking to her :: SCI: Oh?

:: nods, smirking :: MED2: Attaboy. :: she moves on to check up on the next lab tech ::

:: slides out of the access hatch :: Hannah: All of it? They’re all getting power? :: gets over to the pilot’s seat, looks at the display over Hannah’s shoulder ::

CSO: Yes. We had a series of missing specimens from the Botany lab, but T'Lira helped figure out the culprit. Happened to be her son who was wanting to look at the plants, but we got them all back to the lab.

No, a feint would be a larger force... this is small enough that they do not believe we will notice it. Yes. Yes.

::hums, signing in and munching on her bagel::

:: looks up at Zoë over her shoulder :: Zoë: You did it, babe. :: can’t believe she just called someone babe for the first time in years ::

:: clasps her hands and leans her forehead against them, taking a deep breath ::

:: can’t believe someone just called her babe for the first time in forever ::

:: finding this to be a welcome distraction :: SCI: Oh! Taril is becoming a budding botanist, is he? Hmm. I wonder if we can do anything to encourage his participation with less specimen theft.

:: takes a box of samples into her office and tucks them away, idly checking the bridge feed ::

:: grins and turns his attention back to his work ::

CSO: Yes! I actually introduced him to botanical illustrations and let him look around my personal collection.

:: verifies the encryption on the message itself, including the rotating daily markers, and the hidden authorizations ::

:: finds herself almost smiling in spite of the situation :: SCI: Well. That's definitely a good start.

:: looks from the science personnel to the ready room door, wondering ::

:: glances to the ready room door, before turning her attention back to her console with a quiet breath ::

:: would not imagine that the Xovul could have compromised their comms, but is rewarded for her diligence with the verification that the transmission is legitimate ::

Hannah: Alright, awesome. Now that we have power, we can get Skylark up to a hundred percent. I gotta go work on Atlantis right now, but we’ll do some more, tomor—

Zoë: This evening?

Hannah: Uhhhh….sure? We’ll see where my power levels are at when I’m off-duty, but I’ll at least come by.

CSO: I'm wondering if he would be interested in plant genetics... Replicating Gregor Mendel's pea plant experiment should be simple enough for someone his age.

:: takes another deep breath and finishes the coffee, then stands and Picard-maneuvers ::

Zoë: Ooh, I hope you will. :: stands up, puts her arms around Zoë :: You can kiss while on duty, right?

:: helps another doctor carry a few sample boxes into his office, slowly getting everything loose in the lab squared away ::

Hannah: I literally don’t kno— :: is cut off by a kiss; does not care a whit ::

:: nods at Rike :: SCI: That's a good idea. Add it to your official list of work assignments and keep me updated. :: actually manages a small smile ::

Zoë: Don’t work yourself to death.

:: checks her captainly updo in the mirror, nods to herself, then strides purposefully out onto the bridge ::

:: perks her ears upwards expectantly when Harper emerges, following her with her large eyes as she approaches ::

Hannah: Okay. See ya tonight. :: floats two inches off the ground out of the Skylark and out of the shuttlebay ::

CSO: Signal the flotilla to form up for departure.

:: turns from her console to see Harper ::

:: looks up at Kate as she enters, and then nods at the command, her lips forming a grim line :: CO: Aye, Captain.

:: looks to Harper as she types her console, adding a reminder ::

:: does another check of the lab, finds one last loose hypospray, and puts it in its place ::

:: taps out a message to the rest of the flotilla, knowing that they were expecting these orders sooner or later ::

:: gets in turbolift :: Bridge.

:: having simulated this at least ten times already, he starts interfacing with the other 9 helm officers ::

:: leaves the lab techs to the last of the work, heading through sickbay out the door towards the turbolift ::

:: pops out of the turbolift, heads for the Engineering station on the Bridge ::

:: finishes with his counting and sorting, packing up the hypospray cartidges and rising to put them back in their place before poking his head into Acacia's office and comming her once he saw the office empty :: + MED: All cartidges are accounted for, sorted, and ready for the shit to hit the fan +

+MED+ Everything prepped in sickbay? ::takes a swig of cappucino::

Nobody in particular: Wait, what is happening now?

ACTION> One of the informal sub-fleets within Third Fleet begins to join up as the Sovereign-class USS Columbia, the Galaxy-class USS Discovery, the Galaxy-class USS Challenger. and the Prometheus-class USS Endeavour join the Atlantis, forming a straight line.

SCI, quietly: We are preparing to depart.

:: so far, all the fighters are in top shape, even if she personally does wish to run another diagnostic on her own, just for safety's sake ::

:: waves and nods to Ethan on her way out :: MED2: Thanks. :: she taps her combadge as the doors swish shut :: +CMO+ We’re ready to go. On my way up now.

:: checks her console, verifying department readiness ::

ACTION> Behind each ship in the informal "Orbiter" fleet, a Free Fleets ship joins the formation, with the HMS Syrinx behind the Atlantis.

:: oh no christ alive ::

+MED+ Sounds good, see you in a bit. ::closes the comm and munches a bite of bagel::

:; takes her seat :: XO: Yellow alert. Make the ship ready for slipstream flight.

CSO: Poll all ships for departure readiness.

:: triple-checks that the slipstream drive is as fine-tuned as when she last left it ::

:: nods and taps :: CO: Initiating poll.

CTO: Captain Grey, configure shield geometry for slipstream flight.

:: arrives on the bridge in short time, looking around, wary of the mood. She makes her way to her station, nodding to Tailor on her way ::

:: nods, doing exactly that and pulling up the shield geometry and triggering the yellow alert :: XO: Ready.

CO: All ships report ready, Captain.

:: checks her console :: CO: Ready for slipstream, Captain.

CSO/XO: Thank you, Commanders.

NAV: Initiate coordinated warp one departure.

CO: Sí, capitana. :: sends the command through the coordination system, and all ten ships warp into the black ::

:: is just sitting at her console like o_o' ::

CO: The flotilla is at warp speed, ma'am.

:: fears what she’s going to see at the other end of the slipstream ::

:: settles into her seat, watching the viewer warily ::

NAV: Coordinate the predefined slipstream solution and engage.

CO: Sí, capitana. :: issues the command through the system to the other four slipstream-capable ships ::

CO: Slipstream flight in one minute.

:: sits back in her chair ::

:: makes the standard shipwide slipstream announcements ::

:: catches her mood and offers Rike what she hopes is an encouraging smile ::

:: is definitely not encouraged ::

:: as the slipstream entry approaches, she finds herself thinking of the talk she had with her parents this morning ::

:: thinks :: I could just turn something off. Just switch something off, say, ‘Oh, oops, we have a problem, we can’t go to war right now, let’s try again never.’ I could do that. Would just be a couple taps. Nothing much.

Bridge: Slipstream in ten seconds...

:: thinks :: What’s a little court martial in exchange for continuing life?

ACTION> The five lead Starfleet vessels smoothly and simultaneously enter slipstream, pulling the Free Fleets ships behind them in their wakes.

:: checks the readings, fleet-wide ::

:: glances at D’bryn, coincidentally timed as if she’d heard the engineer’s thoughts. Again, she offers an awkward half-smile ::

:: closes her eyes as they enter slipstream, trying to center herself and stay calm ::

CO: Slipstream flight achieved... and all ten ships are stable.

:: checks Harper's face, not sure if she's prepared to confide in her just yet, but looks at the main viewer, assuming she'll know soon enough ::

:: nervously looks around at the rest of the bridge crew, sees Acacia’s half-smile, returns one of her own ::

:: wishes she could lift the mood, but now’s not really the time for... happiness ::

NAV: Well done, lieutenant.

:: nods to la capitana, still checking readings ::

:: why can't this be a normal starship? with the Harper? No way! ::

:: smiles at Navarro's job well done ::

:: doesn’t like that she’s prioritizing weapons and shields on the Skylark, but is doing it anyway ::

All: Flight time will be less than twenty minutes.

CTO: Tactical overlay of the destination star system on the main viewer please, Captain Grey.

:: quietly :: Self: Oh, good, plenty of time to sit and think about it.

:: enough time to think about the probability of Starfleet officers surviving wars... ::

CO: Yes ma'am. :: triggers the tactical overlay and flicks it up onto the main viewer ::

:: checks her phaser pistol ::

::saunters over to get another cup of coffee, wondering why everyone looks so tense::

ACTION> A red dwarf system with six planets, all within two-thirds an AU of the host star, appears on the main viewer. The second planet, class M, is indicated as a Free Fleets shipyard with both orbital and surface facilities.

:: looks up at the main viewer ::

:: looks at where they are, studying the viewscreen ::

All: Our slipstream drives give us a tremendous advantage in mobility over the Xovul, coupled with the technique we developed to tow non-slipstream vessels through the quantum tunnel.

:: is impressed :: Self: Wow.

:: also looks up at the main viewer, listening to Kate speak as well ::

:: nods at Harper's statement, in full agreement ::

All: We will likely arrive at least a day ahead of the Xovul attack force that is on its way to this system. Knowing that we also have the advantage in long-range sensor technology, we will conceal ourselves and lie in wait.

All: Should the Xovul detect such a large defense force, they would undoubtedly abort their attack. In order to discourage this conflict from escalating, we must not allow that to happen.

:: closes her eyes again to process the information that the Xovul are inbound to this system ::

:: takes a cue from Tailor and gets up to grab a coffee of her own, needing a bit of caffeine ::

All: We will conceal ourselves in an artificial orbit in the star's corona, using our engines to keep the star between us and the second planet.

:: oh god I shouldn't have done a good enough job to get promoted. whyyy ::

CO: :: voice shaking :: Wait, why do we not want them to abort their attack?

:: from her prone position on her backless seat, manages to puff up her chest proudly at Harper's plan ::

Self: So... it's hurry up and wait. No problem. ::takes a sip::

:: pauses her briefing to turn to Zoë :: CEO: I know that this is a terrifying, daunting proposition.

:: sits back in her seat and sips her coffee, wondering if Harper misspoke. She watches the exchange with a raised brow ::

:: how much trouble would I be in if I stole a shuttle and ran away? no- no, that's silly internally screams instead ::

Self, internally: You can do this. You can handle this. You've done this kind of thing before. It's going to be okay.

::listens, wondering if she mis-heard also::

CEO: I do not want them to attack at all. Our intelligence has delivered this advantage to us, and unfortunately, the cold calculus of war dictates that when you can strike with overwhelming force, you must.

CEO: And knowing what we do about the Xovul, so far, the only way that we have been able to get them to cease their aggressions was to send such a message.

CO: :: almost no voice :: Oh. Okay.

:: blinks, thinking: Damn. ::

:: returns to speaking to the group :: All: If it were not here, it would be elsewhere, and this bat-and-mouse game would continue for months. If we succeed here, the Xovul may reconsider their hostility.

CEO: Also, with us being hidden, they don't know how large a force we have. They could expect more to come into sensor range and will most likely not risk an attack.

:: reflexively mentally notes to correct Kate's idiom later ::

:: nods, taking it in. Not if, when. ::

:: knows that this is the best plan, but still doesn't like it ::

:: starts planning ahead by calculating an algorithm to maintain the artificial orbit in the star's corona opposite the planet while at considerably lower altitude ::

:: peers at her side console, looking over the tactical advantages of the area ::

::leans back in her seat some, it sounds like they're going to be here a while::

:: settles in, pulling up a report to work on for some sense of normalcy ::

All: Although we strike with overwhelming force, nothing is guaranteed, and even the victory we expect will be diminished by all of the life that will be lost, regardless of which side that life fought for.

All: Regardless, I am confident in this ship and my crew. If I must go into this battle, I can think of no finer crew to lead into it.

:: attempts to puff up her chest a little more ::

:: turns and offers Kate a tight smile ::

All: Do what I know you are all capable of, and we will get through this. Together.

:: really wants to talk to her mom ::

:: sits up a bit straighter, trying to project confidence instead of dread ::

:: returns an attempt at a reassuring look to Lexy ::

:: quietly interjects :: CO: Normal space in one minute, capitana.

:: nods to Doc ::

:: looks around the bridge :: All: If anyone wishes to brush up on combat training while we wait, duties permitting, I would be happy to have it arranged. Nothing helps more than practicing.

CO: Captain, will it be possible to perform standard scans of the system and the star once we arrive?

CSO: It will. They are expecting us at the shipyard and we are arriving at least a day ahead of the Xovul.

:: nods, happy to have that degree of normalcy ::

All: Normal space in ten... nine...

:: works on her report, keeping an ear to the bridge ::

:: announces the slipstream exit ::

:: turns her attention up to the screen without a sound ::

ACTION> The Orbiter Fleet simultaneously exits slipstream and pulls the five Free Fleets ships along with them.

CO: All ten ships report nominal slipstream exit. Drift is... 49 light-seconds.

NAV: Well done, Mr. Navarro. That may be a new record for lowest drift.

CO: Simulating the coordination so many times helped. :: grins ::

CSO: Inform the shipyard of our arrival and initiate standard scans of the system.

CO: Aye, Captain. :: first hails the shipyard to announce their arrival ::

:: notes that drift is also proportional to the size of the target star system, but feels no need to further qualify the praise from la capitana ::

CO: The shipyard expresses its gratitude, Captain. Initiating scans.

:: is mildly curious how close our scans of this system match the data on it provided by Queen Ashexana ::

NAV: Take us to the shipyard, for now.

CO: Aye aye. :: starts to coordinate the short flight over at high impulse, but realizes that's unncessary and just sends the order out to all ten helms ::

:: comes out of her reverie with a thought :: Self: Wait a minute…

ACTION> Another three Free Fleets ships here that act as the standard defense force join us as we approach.

:: taps at her console, pulling up information on thoron radiation ::

:: idly works on her report and sips her coffee, enjoying the calm before whatever busy storm she’ll inevitably face ::

:: pulls up the specifications of the other Starfleet vessels in the fleet ::

CO/All: Captain, I have an idea on how we can minimize or even avoid casualties.

CEO: By all means, lieutenant.

CO/All: In the battle at Refuge, Hannah Ziredac used a specialized thoron radiation pulse emitter to disrupt the weapons systems on one of the smaller Xovul ships. Thing is, hers is so small that it’s really only effective against the small ones, and leaves small ships vulnerable.

CO/All: But if all of the ships here can copy the pulse pattern and coordinate the radiation, we could zap the Xovul fleet’s weapons before they can even fire them.

:: listens closely to D'bryn's explanation, especially interested in a tactical advantage ::

:: looks up from her scans to listen, wondering if this is too good to be true ::

CO/All: :: suddenly nervous, suddenly the most Imposter Syndromy of the Imposter Syndromes :: Or, you know, at least one or two of em. Or one of em. Or something.

CEO: An excellent idea, lieutenant. However, from our stolen schematics for their dreadnoughts, we know that their capital ships have weapons hardened against such disruption that the smaller ships may not possess.

:: nods along ::

CEO: However, when it comes to unorthodox tactics like that, I want to hear them, from any of you.

:: raises an eyebrow and smiles faintly at D’bryn stepping up in her new role. Her smile fades as Harper replies, and she nods pensively ::

:: finds herself missing Ilaihr and his unorthodox tactics as well ::

CO: Do we know the composition of the incoming fleet? If they have smaller-than-capital ships with the big ones, we could take em out of the game.

CEO: Our intelligence believes it to consist of five dreadnoughts.

CO: :: nods :: If you don’t mind me asking, Captain… Do we have specs on their weapons systems? Maybe there’s something else I can cook up.

:: allows herself to feel some hope ::

CEO: We have the complete schematics for their dreadnoughts. The victory over the Xovul that led to the treaty was our destruction of one of their shipyards, and that was one of the spoils we were able to capture.

CO: I’ll take a gander. Thank you, Captain.

:: smiles approvingly at D'bryn ::

CEO: And thank you, lieutenant. Keep those ideas coming, everyone.

:: manages a small smile, encouraged by D’bryn’s enthusiasm ::

CO: Captain, I have the basic results from our initial scans of the system if you'd like to hear them.

:: takes to her console, accesses the schematics, starts pounding her brain for ideas ::

CSO: Yes, Commander.

:: checks the feed from sickbay, finding everything just as ready as she left if. She takes a deep breath, and reopens her report ::

Self: Weapons systems, weapons systems, weap…there you are. Okay. Okay, yeah, there’s the radiation countermeasures. Ooh, I actually like what they did there. Okay… :: reduces to technomumbling ::

:: focuses on listening to Wright's report ::

CO: The star is a fairly typical red dwarf with 6 planets, the innermost 5 of which are terrestrial. The innermost planet is a sun-blasted rock, planet 2 is of course Class M, planet 3 is a smallish desert planet with minimal atmosphere, planet 4 is a snowball planet but with a breathable atmosphere, planet 5 is mostly just an ice-covered rock, and planet 6 is a relatively small ice giant.

CSO: It sounds like a nice place. I hope we can take a look around when we are not here to fight.

:: looks upon the lovely class-M now filling the main viewer ::

:: kicks back, one leg over an armrest of her chair, leaning at a weird angle :: :: watches the power returning to her ship :: :: thinks :: Could just bounce. Harper gave me leave to do that. Could just dip right out of Federation space for a few weeks. Or a few years. Easy as pie.

CO: There are a few satellites around some of the planets as well, mostly concentrated around the ice giant. The Class M planet has no moons.

:: looks at the main viewer, admiring the choice planet ::

:: takes a moment to admire the planet on the viewer ::

:: nods along to Lexy's report as she sees the orbital shipyard crest over the planet's limb on their approach ::

:: thinks :: Yeah, but then I’d have to deal with all that guilt, blah blah blah. And Zoë’d never forgive me. But I could deal with that, right? I’ve broken hearts before. What’s one more? :: rethinks :: And I felt guilty for each one, ugh. Fine.

:: and actually would like the chance to see how the Free Fleets build their ships, and to take a look around the planet below, since it seems strangely empty of cities, really only containing the shipyard's ground facility ::

CSO: Thank you, Commander.

:: stands and looks around the bridge again ::

All: As for the battle plan, we expect no more than five Xovul dreadnoughts against thirteen of us. Prior to their arrival, we will stage Marines on the ground to defend against any troop dropships, and the three regular Free Fleets defenders will be out in the open, as they usually would be. When we detect the Xovul fleet, we will warp from the star's corona and engage, jamming their communications. As we arrive, we will launch fighters, some of which will target their dropships while others engage their escort fighters.

:: wishes she could concentrate on the planets in the system, but is calculating possible advantages ::

:: looks at the scans harder as if they will somehow reveal a tactical advantage to her ::

:: listens to Harper dutifully ::

All: We will coordinate our fire on each dreadnought, using our superior numbers to ensure they are unable to assume any protective formation, and focusing on the known weaknesses of the design, seeking to quickly eliminate them one after another.

:: nods, listening quietly ::

All: If any of our ships suffer significant damage, we will use that numeric superiority to protect them, and allow for their retreat if necessary.

:: nods ::

In the meantime... NAV: Take us to the star and assume the lowest safe orbit opposite the second planet.

CO: Sí, capitana. :: sends out the order to the fleet, and ten ships move toward the red dwarf star ::

:: watches the Class M planet move off the screen with some regret as their course points them toward the star instead ::

ACTION> The red glare from the dwarf star grows brighter and brighter as we approach...

:: still technomumbling, her hands propping her head up as she stares at the screen :: Okay, okay, sensors…Alright, sensors are… Oh, what if…

CO: Approaching the star and engaging automatic maintenance of the artificial orbit.

ACTION> The red dwarf fills the screen as the flotilla settles within its corona.

PAUSE SIM

PAUSE SIM

PAUSE SIM