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:: in the ready room, looking over the final reports from the fleet ::

:: is overseeing repairs in Main Engineering ::

:: at the helm, running QSD solutions for the destinations he's hoping the captain wants ::

:: and demonstrating the solutions to T'Lira, who has the Ops console ::

:: comes into her office to find a coffee on her desk, making a mental note to put Jasper up for promotion ::

:: manning Ops at the moment, something that is a reminder of past missions, while looking over the QSD solutions being demonstrated. While she is familiar with the QSD from a theoretical and scientific perspective, seeing it in practice is another matter entirely ::

:: is on the bridge, checking over the latest department reports, focusing mostly on the post-battle repairs that were completed overnight, nodding approvingly. She takes a deep breath, satisfied with what has been accomplished, ready to move on to their next mission ::

:: checks the morning report and her duty roster, smiling to herself as she realizes she has bridge duty ::

CAG: I try to anticipate where la capitana wants to go, and have solutions pre-calculated.

NAV: I do not imagine that to be a simple nor straightforward task.

:: is in a meeting with Everly and other Marine officers, handling new training programs and how to get the word out to the other Marine and Security without taking them off their own duties ::

:: grins :: CAG: You'd be right about that.

:: she exits the ready room and walks briskly across the bridge, wearing a sunny smile :: All: Good morning, everyone! Who is ready to head out, perhaps for some shore leave?

:: he catches sight of Acacia with the coffee in hand, ducking his head and hurrying into the lab to check testing ::

:: sips her coffee as she goes over all the reports for the morning, blessedly less than the past few days ::

:: beams a broad white strip of teeth at Harper and looks around at the bridge crew's responses ::

:: sets the report and the empty cup down, nodding and waving to the nurses as she heads out the door and toward the turbolift ::

:: sighs :: My life is power distribution. Diagnostics, power distribution. Power distribution, diagnostics. Maybe I am a diagnostic. Maybe one of these days someone's going to come down here, come around the corner to my station, and just find a big diagnostic sitting here.

CO: I can get behind that, ma'am.

:: arrives on the bridge, looking around as she heads to her station. She senses a good vibe, and smiles ::

:: wonders what Hannah is doing; sighs again; smiles; thinks about all the wonderful lifetimes she lived with her ::

NAV: Well, then, set me up a slipstream solution for Earth!

CAG: Contact Refuge control and get departure clearance, Commander.

:: pulls up the slipstream data for Earth :: CO: Already done, capitana.

CO: Aye, Captain. :: sends the request through to Refuge control ::

:: perks up a bit, looking at the viewscreen ::

ACTION> Refuge control answers... with a comm request.

:: smiles in greeting to Emily as she arrives ::

:: thinks fondly of one particular iteration where they lived on Earth, on a small goat farm (minus the goats, at that point) outside Lebanon, Vermont ::

:: shares a smile with Harper, sensing a good mood ::

:: it was October, and the pumpkin patches and corn mazes were cropping up everywhere :: Heh. 'Cropping up.'

:: notes the hail :: CO: Captain, Refuge Control is hailing.

:: Picard-maneuvers, then turns and faces the main viewer :: CAG: On screen.

:: they went later in the evening, when the corn maze was turned into the 'haunted' corn maze, and men dressed up as spooky scarecrows jumped out of the corn at them, consoling their fright with 'treat tickets' ::

:: sighs ::

:: glances back at Emily and smiles before facing forward ::

:: looks up at the screen expectantly ::

:: puts it on screen, as requested ::

ACTION> Lady Venya Kashar appears on the viewer, not dressed in her usual leathers, but in a sleek indigo dress that brings out her violet eyes, cut to emphasize her voluptuous form while showing lots of light green skin.

:: shares a smile with Navarro as well, feeling quite good ::

+CO+ Why, Katy-Kat, were you going to just leave without saying goodbye to me?

:: smiles, indicating that she's not actually offended ::

:: watches the viewscreen with interest, also smiling at the sight of Venya ::

:: is sitting in the pilot's seat of the Skylark watching Jurassic Park again, in her underwear, drinking Hell-Cat Maggie right out of the bottle :: :: mouths :: 'Hold onto yer butts.' :: drinks ::

:: dips her head in deference to their allied leader, who they have certainly become quite a lot more acquainted with lately :: +Venya+ Of course not, Lady Venya. Please, accept my apologies, and my thanks for your hospitality.

+CO+ Oh, think nothing of it! We are the ones who should be thanking you, after all, as my beloved port would not longer exist without your help. :: she drops her usual saccharine air and looks directly at Harper :: Thank you, Captain. Truly.

:: blinks, a small shiver running up her spine when Venya breaks character ::

+CO+ And not just to you, but to your entire crew, and to the crews of the other Starfleet vessels here, and to those who were lost. Thank you. We owe everything to you.

:: signs off on replacing some plasma conduits, goes back to daydreaming, wondering which iterations she can turn into reality ::

:: opens her mouth to speak, but her voice catches, when Venya is so suddenly... real ::

:: thinks about the iterations where they got a cat, then the ones where they got a dog, then the ones where they got one of each ::

:: she finally answers :: +Venya+ It was our honor, Lady Venya, and we are all better for your port and its wonderful people still being here.

:: bows her head in agreement to the Captain’s statement ::

:: watches Venya closely, used to her manner by now, picking up on Venya's genuine gratefulness in this moment ::

:: finishes the inventory in the armory ::

:: gets lightheaded :: Uh oh.

:: gets lightheaded :: Oh great. My favorite.

:: a grin spreads across her face as she returns to her usual manner :: +CO+ Do come visit again soon, Katy-Kat? :: she eyes T'Lira and Navarro at the front consoles and nods approvingly before adding :: And tell your lovely wife that I'm so sorry to have missed her!

:: is in the backyard of the house on the overlook again ::

:: is sitting on the grass of the backyard, the whiskey gone from her hand :: Hey.

:: smirks, amused by Venya’s ways by now ::

+Venya+ We will return when we duty permits it, and I will certainly give your regards to Commander Wright.

Hannah: Oh! Hey love! :: sees her half-dressed, obviously drunken state :: What're...what's up?

:: notes that someone else is manning the Science console, aware of the reason, and thinks it's good fortune for Alexis to not be there, knowing full well her usual discomfort in front of Venya ::

:: she grins and waves with wiggling fingers :: +CO+ Safe travels to the great ship Atlantis, Katie! :: the comm goes dark after a couple of long seconds during which Venya's eyes linger ::

Zoë: Oh hey. :: wobbles side-to-side, trying to figure out how to stand up :: Jus gettin transpor'd agains muh will. Mus be Wednesday.

:: helps Hannah stand ::

:: looks around the armory ::

Self: So post-combat details are complete...

:: finally signs into her console, side-eyeing Kate as the transmission ends ::

:: no one cares or responds ::

:: smirks as she sits down :: CAG: I assume that means we have departure clearance. NAV: Take us out of the asteroid field, and then to warp speed upon clearing it.

CO: I believe so, yes, sir.

NAV: Sí, capitana. :: brings the impulse engines to life and makes for the navigable paths through the asteroids ::

:: emerges from the backyard :: I can't understate how convenient it is that you two are in the same place. :: sees Hannah's state :: Did I catch you indisposed?

:: takes another deep breath in her seat as the begin moving on ::

Destiny: What if you, like... pull us inta yer wha'ever-this-is, but we're, like...in the shower? You jus gonna deal with a naked person standin here talking about light-balls an shit?

ACTION> As a few other ships leave Refuge for various destinations, Atlantis joins them, the great allied fleet going its separate ways.

:: furrows her brow dismissively :: Z/H: The rendezvous with the other Light-keepers. It's off.

:: once the ship is clear of the asteroids, he engages the warp engines in the general direction of Earth required for the slipstream drive ::

CO: Warp one and standing by for slipstream, capitana.

XO: Make the ship ready for slipstream flight, Commander.

:: snorts :: Destiny: 'Light-keepers'? What sorda Terry Goodkind-ass name izzat?

Destiny: Wait, why?

What to do, what to do?

:: checks to make sure all his duties are done ::

Yep, all aligned, completed, and nominal...

There's... Someone found out. A very dangerous someone. They've captured at least one of the other Light-keepers. Killed them, far's I can tell. They're able to track the others somehow. I'm doing what I can to counteract them, but for now, it's a dangerous idea for any Light-keeper to be exposed. I urge you both not to leave Atlantis. It's not impenetrable, but it's one of the best options you have.

Destiny: We'll let the Captain know. What can I tell her about this someone? Who is it?

Marine> :: appears in the doorway of the armory, giving Ammora a smile :: TAC: Captain Grey sent me to retrieve you for the release of new training protocols, by the Academy. Everyone's meeting in the main training room in five minutes.

Marine: Can't wait.

Z/H: I don't know his name. No one does. There are those in the deepest intelligence agencies who have referred to him as 'The Emissary'. But that information has long since scattered to the winds, and what little I've been able to find so far is encrypted to hell and back.

:: uses her console to review reports from sickbay, interested in how the different perspectives meshed together ::

Marine> :: cackles at Ammora's deadpan response, bending over with laughter :: TAC: She doesn't look that enusthed either.

:: notes a blip on the sensors and checks the scans :: CO: Captain, sensors are detecting a spatial anomaly in a star system near our current course.

CAG: What sort of anomaly?

Marine: :: smirks :: I'm sure it'll be a riveting experience for all.

Destiny: I'm... look, I'm thrilled about this exposition but this meeting could've been a subspace message.

:: does a final check and heads to the main training room ::

:: takes pity on the newbie at Tactical and hops off her seat, trotting over to the station and showing the ensign how it is done, configuring the shields ::

:: looks closer at the sensors :: CO: At this time, unknown. Sensors cannot properly identify the anomaly with current information and parameters.

:: hopes he gets to punch someone ::

Z/H: From what I've seen of The Emissary, security measures will only slow him down. But that's if you don't see him coming. The best measures on the scant few documents are not unlike fortifying against the Borg. This man—if that's what you can call him—possesses technology beyond anything I've seen.

:: nods to Harper :: CO: Atlantis is ready for slipstream, Captain.

XO: We are in no hurry. Shall we check it out?

Destiny: What if we just... :: shrugs :: just get rid of the Lights? Fling em into space, fire em into a star.

:: moves down the hallway into the main training room, finds a seat and sits ::

:: lingers on a nurse’s report, frowning at her perspective of the care one patient was given ::

NAV: Alter course and increase speed to warp four. XO: Stand down slipstream preparations.

Zoë: We can't give up on them yet. There's still a lot of potential knowledge we can gain from them. I don't want to waste it just yet. And the method the Emissary is using to find them isn't efficient, whatever it is. If it were, he'd've gotten them already.

CO: Aye aye. :: changes course to intercept and throttles up ::

Destiny: Whass 'e an Emissary of, anyway? Or did someone pick that name without knowin what it means?

:: settles back into her chair and waits for their arrival ::

Hannah: I don't know. But if he is an Emissary of something, I shudder to think of what it could be. Okay. Don't use your Lights, not consciously. Keep them secure. Talk to your captain about security, but only tell her what she needs to know. Good luck.

:: comes to in Main Engineering ::

:: watches the viewscreen curiously ::

:: comes to as the raptors search the kitchen for Lex and Tim :: :: looks at the grinning, cunning face of the velociraptor, and the terrified faces of the children :: :: shudders ::

:: points out a few things to the ensign at Tactical, from her history as a Marine, who admits they're happy that they're not at the meeting downstairs ::

:: leans over to an obviously-new recruit :: Recruit: These are routine. Slideshows and procedure changes.

Marine> :: follows Ammora to the main training room, seeing the majority of Marines and Security and Tactical stuffed into the room ::

Recruit> :: nods, smiles awkwardly ::

ACTION> Several minutes later, Atlantis exits warp near the source of the anomalous readings, now resolving into a patch of warped space orbiting a gas giant.

:: pauses her work to pay attention to the rest of the bridge ::

:: turns sensors on the anomaly, starting with the standard battery of scans run on almost any anomaly ::

:: flies a slow approach to the anomaly ::

Recruit: If you can survive the Xovul attack, this is a cakewalk.

:: watches over the ensign's shoulder as they perform their routine upon exiting warp ::

Recruit> :: nods again, still looking a little off ::

:: watches the space warp on the main viewer, narrowing her eyebrows :: CAG: What do you make of that?

:: heads to the turbolift :: TL: Bridge.

Security> :: turns in in their chair to glance at Ammora and the new recruit :: TAC/Recruit: I heard it's more of a change of training methods; the Academy sent the new paperwork to the Chief earlier today... she's been in meetings with other officers all day over the new protocols.

:: watches as the scans run their course :: CO: I am uncertain, Captain.

NAV: Bring us into orbit of the planet, near the anomaly.

Security: Sorry for my misunderstanding, ma'am, I didn't get the memo.

CO: Yes ma'am. :: does so, falling into orbit behind the anomaly, but with the bow a safe distance away ::

:: watches the viewscreen with a curious eye ::

Security> :: waves it off with a dismissive motion, turning to face the front as the officers entered ::

:: steps out of the turbolift onto the bridge :: CO: Captain? I have— :: looks at the viewscreen :: Whoa.

:: wonders how the leader of the security training heard him talking to the recruit when the room was so stuffed with people ::

:: gets pulled in by the anomalous readings and itches to take over the console, but makes an effort to let the ensign cover the station to learn, and supervises ::

:: looks to Zoë, then back to the screen :: CEO: Looks like a warp field, right?

CO: Yeah. But, it's...is it orbiting that planet?

ACTION> The anomaly vanishes as the warped space returns to normal.

:: blinks ::

:: looks to the recruit, winks ::

:: watches D’bryn curiously ::

:: enters with Everly and the SICs of Security and Tactical at her sides, stepping to the front of the room and taking position :: Marines/Security/Tactical: Attention! :: raises her voice to get everyone's attention ::

:: blinks as it vanishes, checking the sensors for any indication of what had happened ::

:: stands at attention ::

CAG: Anything? Where did it go?

:: looks to Harper, dubious ::

ACTION> From the atmosphere of the gas giant, a salvo of four plasma torpedoes erupts, slamming into our unprotected hull! Things explode all over the place as power junctions overload, causing shields and weapons go offline as the torpedoes surgically pick their targets.

:: is thrown back into her chair, stunned ::

:: gets rocketed over the seats behind him ::

XO: Shields!

:: flies out of her chair and tumbles across the ground, groaning ::

:: sees sparks ::

:: bolts to his feet, looks to Grey ::

:: is tossed back into the turbolift doors ::

:: clambers to her feet, runs for her seat and buckles in ::

:: slowly, groggily gets up, turning a medical tricorder on her bridge-going counterparts ::

Recruit> :: looks terrified ::

:: is sent flying over the railing, hitting her head hard on the floor with a distinct audible curse; slowly sitting up to rub her head with a grumble :: Tactical/Security/Marines: DISMISSED! GET YOUR ASSES IN GEAR TO YOUR STATIONS YESTERDAY!

:: manages to hold on to the console, with no time to buckle in, he tries to get the helm to answer for some evasives ::

Recruit: Stations! You heard her! Go!

:: moves to Grey :: CTO: Captain, you okay?

:: pushes through the crowds, hurrying to his standard station with other security officers at his heels ::

CO: We've got overloads and fires along Decks 3, 5, and 6! Dispatching repair teams!

:: sees the attack coming from scrutinizing the console, not even having enough time to vocalize it, but manages to reach for the shields. It's not soon enough however, and as the ship shudders she manages to latch onto the ensign and secure themselves to the base of the console with all seven limbs before they're tossed ::

Self: Damn it, I just cleaned up all this mess!

CEO: We need the shields, Zoë!

:: scans people on the bridge and turns a dermal regenerator on a few of them, repairing the damage from sparking consoles ::

:: gets up and smacks the Red Alert :: Bridge: Red Alert!

+Shipwide+ All hands, battlestations!

:: is shaken from her chair, immediately assumes it's the Emissary :: Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit.

:: hears the overhead ::

CO: Helm is sluggish, capitana, but I am trying evasives.

:: pushes herself up, wobbling slightly as she straightens with a groan :: TAC: I'm fine. Let's just get up to the bridge. :: takes off at a surprisingly fast sprint for someone who had gotten head-impacted to the floor barely a few minutes prior ::

Newbie TAC Ensign> :: is overridden and just watches in dismay ::

:: keeps an eye on sensors as she attempts to find the target, while also checking for damage reports ::

ACTION> A battered Xovul dreadnought emerges from the gas giant, looking like it has seen better days. It hails.

CO: Working on it, Captain! The damage has cut off direct power to the deflector array. I have to reroute!

CTO: Yes, ma'am! :: sprints off after her ::

:: waves a dermal regenerator over Kuari’s shoulder, working through the injured on the bridge ::

NAV: Get us out of here if you can, Zorro!

:: shakes head :: CO: I don't have warp engines, at the moment.

:: sees the hail :: CO: Captain, the Xovul ship is hailing.

CO: Shields unresponsive! :: notes Acacia's presence and tries not to wiggle too much, most of her focus on getting a tactical readout on the dreadnought ::

:: furrows her brow ::

:: pauses a few feet from the turbolift, bracing herself against the wall with a groan as her eyesight swam and pressing her head against the wall for a stabilizing ::

:: reroutes power to shields, has to do some finagling :: CO: I have power to the shields but I need some time to get them up to full!

:: finishes repairing Kurai’s wing and indicates it with a pat on her shoulder, moving on to the next injured on the bridge ::

:: grabs Grey :: CTO: Captain, you okay?

CTO: Look at me, look at me...

CEO: Zoë, I am going to stall them as long as I can. Get me shields and weapons while we talk, and warp engines if at all possible.

CO: Aye, Captain!

:: nods to T'Lira and stands without Picard-maneuvering, and even musses up her hair slightly :: CAG: On screen.

:: puts it on screen as requested ::

CTO: Captain, look at my finger right now... :: holds his finger in front of her face ::

ACTION> The former Ykavosh, having been deposed by the Vash that helped us in battle, appears on screen, laughing.

:: tries to keep a straight face as the Captain opens a channel ::

Skylark: Shields at maximum, do the, uh... the Borg thingy where it changes and stuff. Skylark> Beginning multiphasic shield modulation. Skylark: Yeah. That.

:: grumbles, swatting at where she thought Ammora's finger was, but being off by about an inch and a half ::

Ykavosh: What is the meaning of this attack? You have gone rogue from your government!

:: continues laughing ::

:: stares her dead in the face :: CTO: Captain, you have a concussion. If not worse. We need to get you to Sickbay.

:: grimaces, unsettled ::

:: thinks, I think you answered your own question, Cap. :: :: thinks, If there are any telepaths on the bridge, please don't tell her I said that. ::

:: decides that it would be truly unfortunate if a torpedo were to suddenly find itself on this unpleasant individual's bridge at this exact moment, however illogical the desire is ::

:: gets the shield charge rate up another ten percent, holds off on a verbal update ::

:: stops laughing :: I escaped from their custody and assembled a crew still loyal to me. I then set a trap that you predictably fell for, and now I intend to kill the Risian che'k'nagh that started all of this!

:: wonders where the hell the higher rank marines are and is about to check the roster, but is distracted by the hail and the Ykavosh of the Xovul on the main viewer ::

:: clenches her eyes closed with a breath :: TAC: We... can't risk being down a tactical on the bridge. You're... first-aid trained.

:: correction, her wish to see a torpedo on his bridge is entirely logical ::

:: frowns, watching the viewscreen ::

CTO: Captain, I can go to the bridge.

+CMO+ Ammora to Acacia.

:: glances down at her console, reminding herself that she is manning a station for once in a long time, and notes a slight increase in shield power ::

+Ykavosh+ The war is over, you backwards fool. What does killing me, and my crew, gain your precious Xov? I worked so hard to understand it, but this makes no sense, even to me. Your Xov is not a god, and this will not set right some supernatural tally.

:: stalls ::

:: blood pumps ::

:: taps her combadge :: +CTO+ Yes?

Skylark: Do some scanny business. Like, your secret special Section 31 scanny business. Skylark> Running basic scan. :: looks at display, rolls eyes :: The fucking Xovul? Again? Okay, replicate me 32 ounces of water, four alka seltzers, and black coffee. Guess it's time to kick some more ass.

+CMO+ Captain Grey has a concussion, maybe a brain bleed. I'm initiating an emergency transport to Sickbay and heading to the bridge.

:: is leaning back against the wall for support, hands pressed into her eyes as she fought back against the pain of the concussion and waves of dizziness that came and went ::

It will satisfy me, woman! I should have killed you instead of merely breaking your face that day. Had I done so, things would be a lot less complicated right now.

CTO: Stay with me for a second.

:: taps her combadge :: +TAC+: Thank you.

CTO: I'm sending you to Sickbay. Keep talking, keep thinking...

:: thinks, What a baby. ::

+Ykavosh+ Yes, yes, you would still be abusing your power and interpreting the Xov when that is the duty of the Ykaxov. :: rolls her eyes :: You are an insult to the very code of behavior that you hold so sacred.

:: taps Grey's combadge :: Sickbay: +Sickbay+ Ammora to Sickbay, emergency transport, Captain Grey.

:: bears her teeth slightly, this time not in a smile but in a snarl, a small sound emanating as she eyes the Xovul on the viewscreen, but not loud enough to be picked up by the outgoing audio ::

:: on second thought, perhaps some form of intervention is required, as this is very clearly not a stable individual at this given moment ::

TAC: I hear you. :: mutters a curse under her breath as emergency transport whisked her down to sickbay ::

:: taps her console, coordinating sickbay as doctors swarm to Grey’s side as she transports in ::

:: dashes to the turbolift :: BRIDGE!

:: right hand trembles, shakes it off ::

:: roars in anger at the insult :: Enough, che'k'nagh! I will make right my mistake and end you!

:: turbolift opens onto the bridge, heads for the TAC2 console, stops ::

+Ykavosh+ In that piece of garbage? Your ship is as broken as your dignity.

:: looks at the main tactical console ::

Self: Oh shit.

:: grimaces at the chatter on the bridge ::

:: ekes out a little more charge rate on the shields ::

:: spits and cuts the comm as the busted-ass dreadnought charges ::

Self: Well, here we go.

CEO: Tell me that was enough time, Zoë!

:: hears the ruckus, poking his head into the main sickbay, before realizing that it was his wife... and he knew he couldn't be involved in her care, ducking back into the lab ::

CO: 78% and climbing! Weapons online too.

:: grimaces at the numbers on her console ::

CEO: Excellent work!

:: brings the ship about, having regained full helm control ::

:: steps up to the XO :: XO: Commander, permission to take my station?

:: is swarmed by the medical staff, leaning heavily on one of the nurses for support :: Medical Staff: Head hurts...

CO: All fires suppress, Captain. Repairs to power distribution underway.

:: sees Ammora approach and steps to the side :: TAC: By all means. :: nods to the overwhelmed ensign that was at Tactical when she took over :: Ensign: Watch him, good chance to learn.

:: smiles at that ::

:: sits on the bridge, while other doctors and nurses work in sickbay ::

:: terrified as hell to take main tactical :: XO: Thank you, Commander.

:: steps up to the main station, breath catches in his throat :: Self: You got this. Check... everything.

>> Nurse Collins: :: uses a dermal regenerator at grey’s head ::

:: sits back down and buckles into her chair, not even aware if she was hurt in the initial attack or not ::

TAC: Mr. Ammora, fire at will.

:: blinks :: CO: Yes, Captain!

:: hops down to her seat and grips it tightly, switching gears in her head and taking stock of the situation ::

:: launches a full volley of phasers across all open arcs ::

ACTION> Even the phaser shots make a noticeable dent in their shields, as more plasma torpedos shoot toward us.

:: twists the ship in a spiralling course, managing to avoid all of the plasma torpedoes ::

:: taps her console, contributing what little she can to the battle ::

:: launches an array of photon torpedoes ::

:: blinks a bit ::

:: sits on the edge of the biobed, slightly weaving despite the solid surface she now sat on, waiting for the results ::

:: is sweating profusely :: Self, internally: Phasers still nominal, photons reloading, shields holding...

TAC: Quantums, lieutenant. We can spare them.

:: makes her way to Kate’s side, wielding a dermal regenerator on her arm ;:

:: nods :: CO: Aye, Captain. :: launches quantums ::

:: looks down when she feels the dermal regen, then up to Emily :: CMO: Thank you, I had no idea.

ACTION> The dreadnought's shields fail.

CO: Captain, shields on the Xovul ship are failing...

:: offer Harper a half-smile then moves on to the next crew member ::

ACTION> Another salvo of plasma torpedoes arrives, two bursts of four. Despite Navarro's efforts, three impact the shields, but he manages to evade five.

:: bucks :: Oof. CO: Shields down to 54%, Captain.

:: grips his console as the ship shakes ::

:: notices the drop in shields, confirming Zoe's assessment ::

TAC: Target the previously-identified dreadnought weak points with quantum torpedoes and fire.

:: moves on to regenerating Ammora’s burns :.

:: waves the CMO off ::

CO: Aye, Captain...

:: targets the weak points, one being the lowered shielding around their warp core :: CO: Quantums away! :: fires ::

ACTION> The dreadnought reels, its hull integrity falling, but it presses the attack, firing another large salvo of plasma torpedoes.

CO: Incoming! On it. :: engages another fancy evasive pattern from the previous battle that he saved as "Harper Alpha" ::

:: watches the balance of battle, thinking the Ykavosh has gone mad ::

CO: Hull integrity on the enemy vessel is collapsing...

:: continues treating the bridge officers, moving next to the XO and waving a dermal regenerator over Kuari’s wing ::

ACTION> "Harper Alpha" is an inertial-dampener-ruining pitching arc that times the ship's rotation through the gaps in the torpedo salvo, and manages to evade all but one.

TAC: Rid the universe of this flaeyr zokit jama-na.

:: doesn't know what that means ::

CO: Aye Captain, targeting their warp core. :: fires another round of quantums ::

:: even the universal translator can't parse "flaeyr", but zokit jama-na eventually resolves as Risian profanity that's literally "fucking pleasure-denier" ::

:: doesn't feel good hitting the 'fire' button ::

ACTION> Our quantum torpedoes fly true and strike the dreadnought's warp core, causing it to detonate and finally rid the universe of the former Ykavosh.

:: continues work on Kuari’s wing, disturbed that their attempts with communication with the xovul resulted in this ::

:: takes a breath ::

CO: Direct hit, Captain, target destroyed. Debris dispersing on a standard trajectory. No escape pods detected.

:: relaxes her wing to stretch it out a bit as Acacia works on it, then as the ship explodes on the main viewer, she squints her eyes shut ::

:: left hand trembles, shakes it off ::

:: watches the dreadnought's destruction on the main viewer, wishing she could exult in it after all the pain the Ykavosh caused her ::

:: but instead, she just feels hollow ::

:: a torpedo to the warp core is just as well as her original idea ::

:: rubs his eye briefly ::

:: grimaces, but sticks to her work ::

All: Now, this war can be over, as an enemy to both the Federation and the Xovul has fallen.

:: nods absently ::

CEO: Damage report, Lt. D'bryn?

CO: Oh, I'll be patching up the power distribution system all the way back to Earth, but otherwise we're okay. Fire suppression kicked in before anything vital was destroyed.

:: looks up to Harper solemnly, the fight a pitiful one in the face of the battle that came before ::

CEO: Thank you, Zoë. Your quick work during his attempt at a villainous monologue was key.

:: shakes her head in pity and disgust ::

NAV: Take us home, Doc.

CO: Those monologues never sound as cool as they think they sound.

CEO: He just sounded childish.

:: shakes her head ::

:: checks the systems ::

CO: Sí, mi capitana. :: engages the warp drive and then readies the slipstream computer ::

XO: Make the ship ready, again, for slipstream flight.

:: considers the sad state of the Ykavosh and his motives. She has witnessed similar folly times and time again. She shakes it off and focuses on post-battle reports as they come in ::

ACTION> Atlantis warps away from the scene of the failed ambush.

:: cranes her neck up towards Tactial :: TAC: Mr. Ammora, configure the shields for slipstream flight, please.

:: sits back in his chair, letting out a sigh as they warp away ::

:: bolts back upright :: XO: Yes, Commander. :: reconfigures the shields ::

:: waits for confirmation ::

XO: Shields realigned, Commander.

:: turns and nods to Harper :: CO: Atlantis is ready for slipstream, Captain.

XO: Thank you, Kuari. :: looks forward at the star trails :: NAV: Engage slipstream drive, Mr. Navarro.

:: activates the QSD :: CO: Slipstream flight in one minute.

:: reaches for her commbadge, pressing carefully to not dislodge the line of pain meds for her head :: +TAC+ I'll... be out of duty for a few days. Confirmed concussion, can I trust you to be able to handle the bridge?

ACTION> A minute later, Atlantis is smoothly pulled into a slipstream tunnel for Earth.

:: blinks, gulps :: CTO: +CTO+ Yes, ma'am.

:: coordinates patients as best she can ::

ACTION> And some time later still, Atlantis exits slipstream in the vicinity of Earth, the pale blue dot visible on the main viewer and growing in size.

:: smiles at the sight of Earth, even though it is not her home ::

CAG: Contact Starbase One for our clearance, Commander.

:: grins at the view on screen, happy to be home away from home ::

:: smiles warmly at Earth, looking forward to seeing her mother ::

CO: Aye, Captain. :: sends the request through ::

ACTION> Clearance comes in with a welcome home attached.

Bridge: Job well done.

CO: Clearance granted, Captain.

CAG: Thank you, Commander. NAV: Take us in, Zorro, thrusters only in the Starbase.

:: monitors defenses ::

CO: Yes, ma'am. :: angles the ship toward the Starbase, the iconic spinning top design now visible on the main viewer above the planet ::

:: watches their approach, all smiles as she looks around the bridge for her crew's states ::

:: keeps his eyes on his tactical console, occasionally glancing up at Earth ::

:: watches curiously but quietly ::

:: smiles at Harper ::

ACTION> Atlantis slows as she glides through the spacedoors and, once inside Starbase One, cheering people can be seen through the windows.

:: gently guides Atlantis to her berth with only the thrusters :: CO: And we are home, capitana.

CAG: Engage docking umbilicals.

CO: Engaging now.

ACTION> The sound of the umbilicals attaching can be heard through parts of the ship.

CAG: Transfer to Starbase power.

:: takes in a deep breath, the thought of seeing her parents exciting her, soon to be in her future ::

:: does so :: CO: We are now on Starbase power.

CAG: Thank you, Commander. Well done at a station you have not worked in a long time.

:: stands and lets out a breath, once more looking around her bridge ::

:: looks at Captain Harper ::

:: smiles as she starts to speak :: Bridge: Secure your stations and enjoy some shore leave! The details of the leave are not yet finalized, but it will be a long one as a reward for the incredible job you did during that hellish time. I am proud to have gone through it with this crew.

:: secures his station ::

:: arches her back from her prone position on her seat, puffing out her chest a little in pride for their crew ::

:: nods :: CO: Thank you for your leadership, Captain.

:: makes mental note to check in with Mom while she's back in this neck of the woods ::

:: graciously nods at Ammora where she might have smirked before ::

:: looks at Ammora and back at Harper :: CO: Seconded!

:: smiles at Kuari, gratitude for the compliment from her friend evident in her eyes that get slightly moist :: XO: Thank you, Kuari.

:: she takes another deep breath and lets it out before looking around the bridge once more :: Bridge: In the meantime... :: she claps her hands on her thighs :: get the hell out of here and go play! You have earned it!

:: hops off her seat prematurely, then scurries back to secure her station ::

:: secures the helm with a flourish ::

:: locks down phaser control, torpedo control, and shield access ::

:: gladly turns over the repair work to the Starbase crew ::

:: watches everyone close out their duties as she sits back down to take care of the station in the arm of the captain's chair, taking a moment to herself after she finishes securing it ::

PAUSE SIM

PAUSE SIM

PAUSE SIM