Distress call

Posted on Sat Jul 2nd, 2022 @ 8:58am by Lieutenant Kasey Tanger & Captain Maia Sterling & Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran-Blake & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake & Lieutenant Commander Robert Hendon & Lieutenant Commander Havri Belbre & Lieutenant Isabelle Raal & Captain Karyn Somers & Lieutenant JG Marina Tanger & Lieutenant JG T'Plana-hath & 2nd Lieutenant Saul Humphries & Lieutenant Steve O'Carroll
Edited on on Wed Jul 6th, 2022 @ 3:18pm

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: 8 hours out form Omicron Delta
Timeline: 239506.11

Captains Log Stardate 239506.11

The Leto has been travelling at warp six for over a week and we are about 8 hours out from Omicron Delta. Sensors have registered a distress call almost directly ahead. The SS Rutledge a passenger luxury liner is or was being attacked by pirates. I have adjusted our course to intercept and acceleration to warp 9.6. our eta if 4 minutes.

[ON]

Maia was sitting in the center seat on the bridge.

"Anything on sensors yet, Lt. Belbre?" Maia asked.

Belbre replied, "Sensors show there are 2 pirate ships in the location. Appears there are some weapons firing from them Captain. She hits the Red Alert tones to let the rest of the ship know we are going in harm's way. All security personnel respond to assigned stations.

All security is standing by ready to repel any borders or mount an operation to board the Rutledge to help repel borders if necessary."

"Excellent, Havre. Bring the ship to red alert. The captain ordered.

Sheena was sitting in her seat watching the main viewer. "Pirates? Orion's or worse? Passenger liners are known to carry a lot of wealth and are ideal for the pickings especially out here." Sheena said.

"That's why we are heading there now," Maia said.

Maia turned to Tactical.

"Mr Gibbs do you have a fix on them yet?" Maia asked.

Stepping out of the turbolift Isabelle made her way to her seat, settling into it she waited to see what was going on.

Robert followed Isabelle out of the turbo lift. He had been alerted in sickbay where he had been doing his rounds.

“Any news on casualties yet?” He asked.

"Negative were still too far out of range," Maia said.

- Intelligence, Dark Room -

Lieutenant JG T'Plana-hath made her way to the 'Dark Room' as the Intelligence suite was called, a reference to an old Earth Dark Room where the film was developed and to the fact that the lighting in most intelligence suites was almost always backlit red. She approached the secure airlock door that was guarded by two security personnel. She smiled and approached them "I am Lieutenant JG T'Plana-hath and newly assigned to this ship as an Intelligence officer, please allow me to enter my identification code and perform my biometric scans to enter." The Security guards looked at each other then back at her "Just let me do it, if I fail then you may take me to the brig." With that, they stepped aside, and she walked up to the keypad and deftly entered her keycode, placed her right finger on the finger pad and felt the prick as it read both her fingerprint and blood, then had her retinal scanned. With a hiss, the airlock door opened, and she stepped inside, once in she heard a soft thud and clank as the airlock door resecured itself. As usual, the room was cool and dimly lit in red, she was surprised not to see anyone else in here yet as Red Alert had been activated. She looked about and found a workstation and sat down, she again put in her security code and pulled up the current situation, ready to assist tactical with all the intelligence analysis gathered by the ship's sensors and from the core memory of the ship's computer.

LT Belbre knew about the new black ops officer. She hit her Communications button. =/\= Lt T'Plana-hath what are your sensors showing. I have authorized complete access to your section. You can do anything you need to help us out. Give us any details you and your section can come up with.=/\=

Marina arrived at the Darkroom shortly after T’Plana-hath. She tapped her comm badge in response to Belbre’s communication. “Thank you, Lieutenant, we’ll keep you apprised of anything we find.” She looked to T’Plana-hath. “What do we know so far Lieutenant?”

T'Plana-hath looked over at Lieutenant Tanger just as she finished her first sweep and analysis "It would appear energy-dampening weapons are being used. I am awaiting further analysis but it would appear there are two ships engaging, however, the sensors are also detecting several smaller objects orbiting around the Rutledge." she replied. "I will have better data with the next sensor sweep." With that she turned back to the console and rapidly began bringing data up on her screen, trusting that Lieutenant Tanger would relay the information to the bridge. "Lieutenant, be advised the smaller objects are four Federation Attack Fighters, with one Interceptor-class starship and one Heavy cruiser-class starship, affiliation unknown."

Marina nodded. “Thank you, Lieutenant, good work.” She tapped the comms. “Tanger to bridge...According to the data we’re getting it would appear we have two ships currently engaging one another, the sensors are also detecting several smaller objects orbiting around the Rutledge, four Federation Attack Fighters, with one Interceptor-class starship and one Heavy cruiser-class starship, affiliation unknown."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Looks like we have a firefight on our hands, let's give them a hand." Maia said.

Ryan had been in the gymnasium working out when the alert sounded. He immediately grabbed his gym bag and rushed out for the bridge. He arrived a minute later. All the bridge stations were manned as he approached Maia in the Captain's Chair. "Where do you need me most?"

"Man the helm Commander," Maia said.

"Aye Captain." He took a couple of steps and relieved the ensign at the flight control console. He confirmed their current position in relation to Rutledge. "Now two minutes, eighteen seconds from intercept Captain."

Belbre said a phrase in her own language. "Captain as we are getting closer. It appears there are 4 ships, not 2, and are attacking the Rutledge. They are 4 Orion Mauraders and are in close proximity to attack the ship. They are bold due to the limited defensive capabilities of the Rutledge. They are not showing any recognition that we are approaching."

"Good, advise when we are in phaser range." Maia ordered.

Belbre advised, "LT Gibbs in 10 seconds open fire. They still don't appear to know we are here yet." She sent the coordinates to Gibbs console.

"Mr. Gibbs warn those ships off," Maia said.

Lieutenant JG T'Plana-hath again began comparing sensor data to the computer Library data and was suddenly shocked by what she saw. The Heavy cruiser-class was using an experimental device created by Starfleet Intelligence known as a spoofer because it was able to give false information to a starship's sensors. The energy output and data stream were what gave this away. She knew one had been lost just recently by a Special Operation's Reconnaissance fighter lost recently in this quadrant of space. The Heavy-cruiser was spoofing the Leto's sensors creating the illusion of four Orion Marauders instead of the Heavily armed Heavy-cruiser, which was now in the process of shifting itself towards an intercept of the Leto. While the four Federation Attack fighters continued to harass the Rutledge and the Interceptor-class began making approaches to the Rutledge. She had further data now as they approached and she worked around the 'spoofing', the Heavy-cruiser was actually an old Andorian Battlecruiser from around 2280s, and the Interceptor-class was a Breen privateer. She hit her combadge, bypassing her direct supervisor, =^= Bridge T'Plana-hath, please adjust the ship's sensors to the codes I am sending now. We are being 'spoofed' by an experimental Starfleet Intelligence device designed to feed false sensor data. Be advised we have an old Andorian Battlecruiser from the 2280s turning to intercept us. Also be advised the Rutledge is severally damaged and about to be boarded by a Breen privateer. There are also still four Federation Attack Fighters harassing the Rutledge. I estimate Rutledge's shields will fully collapse within the next three minutes. T'Plana-hath out. =^= She then turned and looked at Lieutenant Tanger, "My apologies but I felt it was faster and better to relay the information myself then report it to you then have you report it to the bridge. I am of course willing to accept any punishment you may deem necessary for my subordination of your authority."

Marina offered a nod. “Thank you, Lieutenant, but that won’t be necessary. It was quicker for you to relay, than it would have been to inform me of all that first. Keep watch on the situation, I’ll be on the bridge.”

Belbre responded, " We will be in phaser range in 2.5 minutes. Lt Gibbs adjust your fire and fire when we are in range. We need to help the Rutledge out. Captain, suggest, perhaps a marine boarding party to help protect the Rutledge and her crew plus passengers as well. We will be in transporter range in 3.5 minutes."

"What is the status of the liner? Maia asked.

Belbre replied, " The Rutledge is showing some damage. Shields are 40%, soon the Orions will be able to board her to take prisoners for the slave trade. We can approach from 258.6 mark 187 to have the best attack angle on them without damaging the Rutledge with our fire."

"Ma'am, I am pleased to cover whatever position you need but I suggest a shuttle launched remotely to the opposite coordinates would maybe trick the Orion's into seeing a chance to get prisoners if we transmit false bio signs from it and program it to look like deserters. Then we can get close enough to maybe extend our shields around the Rutledge long enough to get the crew on board." Tanger replied as he was on the bridge and felt like he needed to be useful.

"Good idea Mr. Tanger. Man the Communications Console and contact the Rutledge and let them know we are on the way."

Maia turned to Mr. Gibbs.

"Mr. Gibbs please put the tactical display on the screen." Maia ordered.

Arriving on the bridge Marina nodded to Maia as she headed across to her station and took a seat.

T'Plana-Hath's hands flew across her console as she interpreted the data coming from the sensors and being correlated by the ship's computer. She saw an opportunity to bring the Battlecruiser out of the fight by riding back on the spoofing signal and taking over the ship's computer and controls. =^= T'Plana-hath to Captain Sterling, I may be able to take the battlecruiser out of the fight and off line. I am going to hack it's core computer and control systems through the spoofing device. Permission to try? =^= She began inputting the necessary virus code in anticipation of the captain's permission to do so.

=/\= Excellent idea Lieutenant, please proceed=/\= Sterling replied

T'Plana-hath initiated the virus program and within moments she was in the Battlecruisers computer core. She quickly began issuing commands and locking them to her command codes. She also placed flags to alert her should an individual try to override the commands. She shut down the ships weapons and shields. Next she shut down the warp core and placed a command on it to eject should anyone but her try to restart the core. Finally she shut down the communications, transporters, cargo bay doors and impulse engines. Effectively the ship was dead in space and at the mercy of her commands. =^= Captain, the Battlecruiser is ours and is out of the action. We can deal with it at our leisure. =^= T'Plana-hath smiled to herself, that is what happens when you install and use Starfleet Intelligence hardware and software, she thought to herself.

=/\= Understood lieutenant well done =/\=

Once the tactical display was up Maia had the helm maneuver the Leto so that it was in a position to extend its shields around the Rutledge so they could beam the passengers to the Leto.

Belbre responded, "Beam them directly to cargo bay one. Medical can check them out and triage them for injuries. And treat anyone that is injured there. Also, it will give Security time to check to be sure there is no one that is a security risk as well. We want to be sure there are no security threats on the Rutledge."

"Cargo bay reports they are all on board."

The smaller ships are breaking off. Lt O'Carroll said at ops.

The cruiser is limping off as well looks like the day is ours.
Steve added.

Belbre responded Security is checking the survivors for security problems now Captain. They also have a security perimeter set up till finished. Medical is treating the injured now. The cruiser is showing 30% shield strength and also damage to weapons systems as well. They will not be a problem for anyone for a while till repairs are made.

The other ships jumped to warp and have left the area. They appear to not want to deal with us.

It's hard to tangle with a Federation starship when your clearly outgunned. What about the status of the liner?

Belbre responded,"The ship has damage but can be repaired so it can continue on. The engineering systems need some repairs, and it can have full shields with only minor repairs. The propulsion system is working. With some minor assistant the Rutledge can continue on to her destination with no problems.

"Good, Lieutenant make sure our guests know we are going to repair their ship and see to their injured and needs.

=/\=Commander Toran I want you to assemble a damage control team to fix the Rutledge so our guests can get under way again=/\=

=/\= Understood but Federation attack fighters? What he hell?=/\= Sheena answered, shaking her head in disbelief. Why would Federation attack fighters be harassing a passenger liner? This was something to look into later.

T'Plana-hath swore in a very unVulcan like matter. The Battlecruiser had managed to go to warp before the Leto could board and secure the ship. It somehow got the warp core back online. There was nothing for it now but to inform Lieutenant Tanger and Captain Sterling of the loss of the highly classified 'spoofer', perhaps she could chase down the ship's warp trail in the Nightstalker with a small team and either destroy or recover the 'spoofer' device. She quickly typed in the commands to start tracing the warp system and tracking of the vessel. =^= T'Plana-hath to Captain Sterling and Lieutenant Tanger, may I see you in your ready room Captain with Lieutenant Tanger? =^=

Hearing T’Plana-hath’s message Marina nodded to Maia as she stood up from where she was sitting. No doubt she’d find out what the problem was when hath arrived at the ready room.

T'Plana-hath turned to Lieutenant Wynn "Please excuse me but I must go and see the Captain and Lieutenant Tanger. Could you please continue to monitor the tracing I have on the warp signatures." With that she got up from her station, exited the Intelligence suite and made her way to the bridge.

----------Bridge----------

Maia supervised bridge operations herself. Her crew was more than capable. She knew that the battlecruiser had somehow restored their warp core and escaped. So be it, her responsibilities as a Federation starship captain was to protect the lives and property of the Federation. She knew that she would run into them again. Especially as long range sensors indicated they were headed directly for Omicron delta. Maia learned a long time ago that sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you.

She saw T'Plana'Hath enter the bridge.

"What can I do for you, Lieutenant?" Maia asked.

Marina moved from her station to stand alongside Sterling, waiting to see what T’Plana-hath had to report.

T'Plana-hath looked at both Captain Sterling and Lieutenant Tanger "Captain I believe this would best be discussed in your ready room. The nature of the information is classified, and there is the more delicate diplomatic aspect also. I believe it would be advisible to also have one of the Ambassadorial staff present as well."

Captain Sterling got up and lead the way to her ready room.

Marina followed Sterling to the ready room along with T’Plana-hath.

I tracked and plotted the course of the Battlecruiser. I laid course and I set them into the computer tracking system. Belbre noticed the course was taking it in the general direction where they were planning to have some e R&R. "Captain the Battlecruiser is moving in the general direction where are going. It is possible we may have to deal with them again.

I laid in a tracking system to monitor it and track the warp signature of the Battlecruiser."

[OFF]

------------------------------

A Post by:

Captain Maia A. Sterling
Commanding Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lt JG Steve O'Carroll
Asst Chief Operations Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Marina Tanger
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Commander Dr Robert Hendon
Chief Medical Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant JG T'Plana-hath
Intelligence Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Kasey Tanger
Diplomatic Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916