Richie
sat in his ready room with a soft drink in hand when his communicator
beeped. "Bridge to Captain, we are receiving a message from
Admiral Ross."
"Put it through," Richie replied. Admiral Ross's face appeared in Richie's desktop monitor. "How may I help you, Admiral."
"I'm going to hold you Earthbased for a while," Ross replied. "Yesterday, we engaged the Dominion in the Chin'toka system."
"Let me guess, the results were not too good."
"That would be an understatement. The Breen have some sort of energy damping weapon. It neutralized our systems. Only one ship made it back to DS9, a single Klingon bird of pray. Otherwise, all we got back were escape pods."
"That is not good. I'll assume that you will need some assistance in developing a countermeasure."
"Absolutely."
"I'm sure I can keep the squadron engineers busy on that. Meanwhile, I'm going to check out the rebuilding of San Francisco. I'll be available if you need me for any reason. Kennedy out." As Richie exited the ready room, he saw Laura at the helm position. "Laura, it looks like you were right."
"How bad?"
"The Breen have a energy-damping weapon. It neutralized almost all of the ships."
"I didn't think that was possible."
"Basically, our squadron is going to be sticking around for a while. Care to join me?"
A young man stood at the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge. He was watching the reconstruction of the bridge when Richie showed up behind him. "Hey, Neil, how's the reconstruction going."
"It's progressing nicely. I'd say they'll have this thing as good as new by the end of the week."
"Let's hope we don't have to do this again. Anyway, this is my skilled helm officer, Laura Bennett. Laura, this is Lieutenant Neil Brantley. He's the chief medical officer of the Wildfire."
"Nice to meet you, Neil."
"Thank you," Neil replied. "I've heard the news about Chin'toka. Looks like the Breen weren't playing with all their cards here. Do you think we can come up with a countermeasure."
"We had better. Meanwhile, the Klingons are our only line of defense."
"However, like this bridge, the Federation will survive this. Speaking of which, Neil, would you care to help me out performing a song."
"Maybe, what are you thinking?"
In a arena in San Francisco, Richie took the middle of the floor. "I'm glad everyone could show up tonight. I'm going to start out with a song from the 20th Century, by Hank Williams, Jr. The story is about being able to survive by using his own means. I've asked Lieutenant Brantley to help me out in singing this piece. It's called A Country Boy Can Survive.
"He's pretty good," Amanda said of Neil as he started to sing.
"You realize that we're next," Sarah replied.
After the song, Neil reached for the Microphone. "Next up is a group of our female ship mates from the 10th Squadron. They love music and dance, and I think that it will show through. Ladies and Gentleman, the 10th Squadron Dance Troupe."
"That was a good intro," Richie stated as he grabbed his camera.
"Thank you," Neil said. "Just curious, why do you take pictures of their routines?"
"They like to have something to critique their performance."
"I see," Neil stated. "Personally, I think Commander Stacey looks pretty good in that outfit."
Richie exited his kitchen into the mess hall with a dish. "What we got here is a casserole of chicken, rice and broccoli with a touch of chedder. I'm sure you will enjoy this."
Neil took a bite of the casserole. "Is there anything you can't do?" Neil asked.
"Maybe, but there are some things I won't do. Could you hold this for me for a second?" Richie handed Neil a small box, then turned to the entire crowd in the Mess Hall. "If I can have your attention please. I have a special announcement. Would Commander Stacey please step forward." Amanda stood up and walked over to Richie and Neil. "Amanda, you have done an excellent job in command of the USS Wildfire over the past five months. I've recommended you for a promotion. I finally got the papers back from Starfleet Command. As of Stardate 52607.5, I hereby promote you to the rank of Captain, with all the rights and privileges associated with that rank. Congratulations, Captain Stacey, you have earned it."
"Thank you, sir," Amanda replied as Richie opened the box and placed the enclosed rank pip on Amanda's collar and gave her a hug.
CAPTAIN'S LOG, Stardate 52612.1: The rebuilding of Earth has progressed quite rapidly in the past week. The Golden Gate Bridge has been restored, as has much of the Starfleet Academy complex.
Meanwhile, the squadron has remained at a higher state of readiness, and we have had a chance to catch our breath. Engineering teams from all of the squadron's ships have banded together to take care of repairs and maintenance. I'm pleased to announce that we're back at 100 percent — if only we knew where we were going.
"So, how are your cadets doing?"
"They're ready to get into the fighting," Admiral Belding responded. "I've been trying to make sure they know the fundamentals of Starfleet service."
"They must be itching. I see they got your office back in shape in record time."
"It's looking pretty good. My computer terminal isn't quite working right."
“Let me take a look.” Richie said as he looked under her desk. “Ah, it looks like someone forgot to reconnect a wire,” he stated as the doorbell rang.
"Come in," the Admiral stated.
"Have you seen Richie?" Amanda asked as she entered the office.
"I'm underneath the desk. What do you need?"
"I just wanted to see what was going on down here."
"I'm just trying to get this terminal connected with the computer system. There, I'm done." Richie got up from underneath the desk and faced Amanda. "How have you been."
"All right," Amanda replied as Richie tapped on the console.
"Would you care in joining me for a little walk. I'm all done here."
Richie and Amanda walked the grounds of the Academy, "So, what's the latest news?"
"The Klingons took a serious beating in their attack on Avenal. I never understood why Gowron would order it against the advice of the Federation and the Romulans."
"Don't look at me — I'm no good at Klingon politics. I have heard that Colonel Kira is planning on swiping one of those energy-damping weapons."
"You would really love to play with that, wouldn't you."
"Captain," Kim said, "you have an incoming message from Admiral Ross."
"I'll take it in my ready room," Richie responded. He stepped into his ready room and tapped his computer panel, "Yes, Admiral, what can I do for you?"
"We finally got our hands on a Breen energy-damping weapon."
"That's good news."
"I would appreciate it if you can help test the device in order to determine the necessary counter measure."
"Absolutely, sir," Richie stated, "What would you like me to do?"
"The U.S.S. Ellsworth will be arriving with the commandeered weapon. You will be responsible for testing the weapon. We need to figure out just how this thing works."
"Aye, sir. I'll be expecting the arrival of the Ellsworth. My squadron is at your disposal."
"Good," Ross replied, "we could use all the help we can get. Ross out."
"Captain," Laura said, "the Ellsworth is in visual range.
"Let's see her, Laura."
"Their captain is ready to transport the unit over."
"I'll be in the transporter room. Have Bridget meet me there."
Richie and Bridget watched the transporter pad as the Breen weapon was beamed over. "There's our problem," Bridget commented, "Now all we have to do is come up with a solution."
"If there's any team that can come up with that solution, I trust this squadron. I think we should place the weapon on the Wildfire and test-fire out in the asteroid belt."
CAPTAIN'S LOG, Supplemental: we've installed the Breen weapon aboard Wildfire and are proceeding to run tests.
"You ready out there, Amanda?"
"About as ready as I'll ever be."
"Good. Donna, let's deploy the probe."
With the press of a button, Donna launched a probe out of the Baldwin's front torpedo launcher. "Probe deployed, sir."
"Amanda, she's all yours."
"Maria, is the weapon, ready?"
"Aye, captain. Weapon is on-line and ready to go."
"Fire." The Wildfire shot out a burst of energy fire, striking the
probe. "Rich, how did it go?"
"Very interesting," Richie replied. "The weapon had no effect on the probe with the shields off. I'm going to raise shields on the probe. Donna, make it so."
"Aye, Captain."
"Shields are up on the probe," Kristl replied.
"Maria, you may fire when ready."
"Aye, sir." The Wildfire fired another burst of energy, producing sparks around the probe. Sparks flew in the Wildfire's bridge as well.
"Captain down," Shandy exclaimed.
"I read you, Shandy," Richie stated over the comm. "We're reading an overload in the weapons systems. Do you need any assistance?"
"I think we'll be just fine over here, but I think we've done enough damage for one day."
"Agreed. I'll have Karen help analyze the results that we have so far."
Richie and Karen stood at a panel in the warroom, analyzing the results when Shandy walked in. "How's it coming?"
"Well," Karen replied, "apparently, the Breen weapon interacts with our shields in such a way that it produces an electro-magnetic pulse."
"If I remember correctly, EMP's can wreck havoc on a lot of power systems." "It is not a pretty sight," Richie replied. "However, I think that it is possible to modify the shields to prevent the EMP effects. Needless to say, that would make the Breen weapon useless."
"I'll get to work on it," Karen replied.
"Meanwhile, I'd like to check in on Amanda."
Richie walked in to the Wildfire's sickbay with a bouquet of a half-dozen yellow roses. "How's she doing, Neil?"
"Captain Stacey sustained a mild concussion with a short loss of consciousness, but my examination revealed nothing wrong. She ought to be back to herself in a few hours."
"What do you think happened?" Shandy asked.
"I'd say the weapon recoiled," Richie answered. "Karen's making adjustments to the weapon right now. Where can I put these flowers so that she sees them when she comes to."
"The second probe has been set."
"Good. Bring the modified shielding online."
"The new shields are up," Donna stated.
"Ball is in your court, Amanda."
"Maria, ready the Breen weapon." A burst of energy shot from the Wildfire toward the test probe, striking the probe's shielding. Upon impact, the energy quickly dissipated.
"Karen, you did a good job."
"I'm looking at the probe readings from the Ticonderoga. I'm reading EMP levels at 0.01%."
"I think that we can do a little live-fire exercise. Bridget, Karen, prep the Neosho, Ninnescah, and Verdegris. We're going to need some good piloting skills. Laura, you take one ship, Lieuteant Baker will take another. Kristy, do you think you can handle a runabout?"
"Aye, Captain."
"Captain, we've got three small warships approaching quickly."
"Let's see it, Kristl."
The Wildfire viewscreen showed the three runabouts charging toward her. "I'm performing evasive maneuvers," Anna responded. "Maria, prepare the weapon."
"Golden Eagle one to Golden Eagle two and three," Laura stated from the Neosho, "raise the shields and charge phasers."
"Maria," Amanda ordered, "Fire the weapon."
A burst of energy bolted from the Wildfire, striking the Verdegris dead on. "I'm hit," Kristy stated, "looks like my systems are still up and running. I'm returning fire."
"The weapon had no effect on the bogie," Kristl replied. The Wildfire rocked slightly with the fire of the runabouts.
"Try again," Amanda replied.
Another burst of energy jolted from the Wildfire, striking the Neosho. "No effect," Kristl stated.
"All right, let's throw in the towel."
SQUADRON LOG, Stardate 52694: We've finished up final testing on the Breen Weapon. The squadron is currently being outfitted with the new shield systems — leaving me with more time to attend to personal matters
"Spacedock is fitting the remaning ships with the new shielding as we speak," Richie stated.
"That's great," Amanda responded. "Do you have any idea when we would be ready to deploy?"
"I don't know, but the Klingons are having trouble holding the line."
"Hopefully, we can give them a little help. By the way, thank you for the flowers."
"No problem," Richie said, "Boothby did a very good job on short notice."
"Bridge to Kennedy," the comm system interrupted Richie's breakfast.
"Go ahead, JP."
"Admiral Ross is on the line for you."
"I'll take it in my ready room. Sorry, Amanda, duty calls. If it's good news, I'll let' you know."
"All right," Amanda said as Richie gave her a hug.
Richie stepped into his ready room and quickly sat down and tapped his computer panel, "Yes, Admiral, what can I do for you?"
"The Klingons have a hole in their defense perimeter. We'd like for yow to patrol the area around the badlands."
"We'll be underway as soon as the shields are upgraded on the last ship — it shouldn't be more than 45 minutes."
"Let me know as soon as you reach the Badlands."
"Aye, Sir. I think we're ready to test' our new shields on the Breen. Kennedy out." Richie turned around as the doorbell rang. "Come."
"How did your conversation with Admiral Ross go?" Amanda asked.
"We've been declared ready to roll. We've been ordered to the Badlands."
"I'll get back to my ship, then. So, Are we going to do a performance at DS9?"
"Dunno. I'm just glad we can get back to the frontlines."
Richie sat in the center seat on Baldwin's bridge, waiting for the go-ahead signal. "Captain," Laura said, "the Wasp is done with the shield upgrades."
That's the signal, Richie thought. "Attention all ships: follow on course for the Bajor sector, Warp 7. We'll be on patrol in the Badlands. Laura, set course."
"I'm way ahead of you, sir."
"In that case, let's roll"
"You wanted to see me, Sarah?"
"Yes, Captain," Sarah replied as she brought up the latest intellegence data on the Warroom screen. "For the past few days, the Dominion has apparantly been giving the Badlands a wide berth. However, this morning they're apprantly closing in on us." Sarah presses a button on the panel, showing a small Dominion fleet routinely patrolling just outside sensor range. The last pass through showed the enemy ships moving closer to the Badlands.
"Looks like they're wondering what we're doing out on the frontlines. Kennedy to Bridge: go to yellow alert. I'm on my way back up."
Moments later, Richie exited the turbolift onto the bridge. "I assume we've got bandits coming our way?" Jaimie asked.
"Affirmative," Richie responded. "Donna, raise shields and prepare to engage."
"Enemy vessels are within weapons range."
"Looks like we're about to give these new shields the final exam. Kennedy to all ships — fire!"
Phaser
fire blared from the fleet ships, striking hard on the enemy
vessels. "Two bogies down," Donna stated. "Looks like
they're powering up the Breen Weapon."
The Dominion vessels fired the Breen weapon on the fleet. "Direct hit. The new shields are holding," Maria stated as Wildfire's shields were struck.
"Good, otherwise, we would have done all that shield testing for nothing," Amanda wittedly replied.
"Captain," Laura stated, "I think the enemy has been surprised. They're not sure what to do."
"I know the solution," Richie stated. "Open fire."
The squadron blazed with phaser fire, striking the enemy ships dead on. "Captain," Donna said, "We're down to one enemy ship."
"Hold your fire," Richie replied. "I think we need to send a
little message to the founders." The Dominion ship warped away as
predicted. "Kennedy to all ships: consider that the final
test of the new shield system. I'd say we passed with flying
colours."
SQUADRON LOG, Stardate 52719.9: It's been a little over week since our first encounter with the enemy ships in the badlands. Starfleet has refitted many ships with our new shield systems, including the new Defiant. With the discovery that the Federation has sucessuflly devised a countermeasure, they have withdrawn to Cardassian territory. Admiral Ross and Chancellor Martok have agreed that it would now be the best time to attack. The Romulans have concoured, so our plans are to begin the endgame tommorow morning. Meanwhile, R and R prevails.
Richie began to MC the Dance Performance, "I have it on good authority that the dance troupe has choreographed some new routines to present to you. I also promiced Mr. Fontaine across the hall that I would not sing tonight. We'll start with a performance from the Baldwin dancers."
Sarah led the dance team on the floor. As the music started, Admiral Ross approached Richie. "We've got the rest of the fifth fleet as well as the ninth scheduled to arrive by 2300. We'll begin the engagment at 0500 tommorow."
"Aye, Sir," Richie replied as he started taking pictures.
Richie was sitting in his ready room when the doorbell rang. "Come."
Stephanie walked in, "You wanted to see me."
"I thought that you would like to see the new pictures from your performance last night on DS9."
"It's as if you re —"
"Don't go there," Richie inturrupted, sliding a PADD her way.
Stephanie looked carefully thorough the photos. "These look preety good. I can see that we were a little off. Anyway, what's your thoughts on the upcoming attack on the Dominion?"
"I think that it's not going to be a preety sight. We'll see a lot of casualties, but our ships are in good running order, and our wing will probably fare better than most."
"In that case, it might be a good idea to get some rest before tommorow morning."
"I agree. I'll see you tommorow at 0500."
Richie exited the turbolift onto the bridge. "All right, what say we have a little showdown."
As he expected, Richie saw the look of concern on everyone's face. "I know very well that we could be walking to our own deaths, but I would rather stand for freedom than to face Dominion rule. We've got a job to do, so let's not waste any time. Laura, set course for Cardassia."
"Aye, Sir."
Richie sat figidally in his chair. Nearly an hour has passed since the fleet left DS9, and he, like everyone else, was not sure what to expect. His thought were inturrupted by a call form the warroom. "Allison to Bridge."
"Go ahead, Sarah," Jaimie replied.
"I'm receiving a report that there's been a communications disruption on Cardassia."
"Understood, Sarah. I don't know about you, JP, but I can only explain that in one way: Sabotage."
"Do you suppose Damar is involved."
"I would bet on it. What do you think, Laura?"
"I have a feeling that the Dominion is going to cause the fires to stir even more, and that the Dominion may try to wipe them out."
"JP, do you think we can avoid hitting Cardassian ships without raising any suspicions?"
"I dunno, but it looks like we're going to find out."
"We're approaching the enemy, sir," Betsy stated.
"Go to tactical alert" Katy responded.
"Raise shields, charge phasers," Andrea added.
"Maria, arm the quantum torpedos," Amanda ordered.
"Yes, sir."
"Kennedy to Wasp and Ticonderoga, deploy fighters."
Several fighters were dispatched from the Wasp and the Ticonderoga. They immediately swarmed around the fleet ships in support.
The fighters swarmed around the Jem'Hadar vessels and unloaded a round of phaser fire.
"We've lost three fighters. They've taken a enemy ship with them," The Hood's tactical officer stated.
"Keep going for the enemy ships," Captain Traficant noted.
Dominion and Breen ships charged for the Allied fleet. The Federation was getting good shots of the enemy, but not without taking a few of their own. "The Romulans have lost 6 warbirds already, we've got a hole in the line," Kristy noted. The Defiant is filling in with wings 64 and 65."
"Have the Wasp and Tecumseh join them."
The Wasp and Tecumseh
swung around to fill the Romulan holes, shooting down any enemy
ships. Several enemy ships were destroyed. Several more
fired back.
The Ottawa was having problems with one dominion ship of her own.
"If you can't beat them, surround them," Briea commented.
"Aye, sir," Ellen replied, understanding what the Captain meant. The Ottawa immediately split, surronding the enemy and laying down phasers from three angles.
The rest of the fleet wasn't so lucky. "We've lost a third of our fleet," Donna stated to Richie.
"What's our squadron's status?"
"We've lost most of our fighters. All of our ships are still intact."
"Understood."
"Allison to Bridge."
"Go ahead, Sarah," Richie answered this time.
"I thought you might like to know this. I'm getting a report from Cardassia that the Dominion has leveled Lakarian City."
"You got to be kidding," Jaimie responded.
"Negative," Sarah said.
"Catptain," Donna inturrupted. Thae Cardassians are turning on the Dominion and Breen vessels. We've got two Galor-class ships escorting us.
"Thank you, Donna."
"The Dominion is beginning to retreat to Cardassia."
"They're faling back," Richie commented. "JP, I'll be in the warroom if you need me."
Sarah was surprised to see Richie enter the warroom. "Captain."
"At ease, Lieutenant. I think the next part of the game will be a little game of intellegence gathering. Anything new?"
"I'm recieving reports that the Dominion has resumed rampaging Cardassia."
"Sounds like the typical respnose to a rebellion," Richie noted. "I would suggest you keep monitoring. Put any pertinant traffic on speakers.
"Bridge to Captain, Admiral Ross has ordered us to proceed to Cardassia."
"Understood. Set Course and relay the order."
"Aye, Captain."
Kira, Damar, and Garek were sitting outside Dominion headquarters, laughing about the fact that the cargo door was too strong for their explosives. Their laughter turned to seriousness by the time the door opened, revealing tow Jem'Hadar escorting the Cardassian "puppet leader" Broca outside. The Cardassians immediately open fire on the Jem'Hadar. The Company charged ahead, striking any Jem'Hadar that they came across. The Jem'Hadar returned fire, shooting down Damar in the process. "Remember his orders, we stop for nothing," Kira commented after Damar was confirmed dead.
"Captain," Sarah exclaimed, "Kira has overtaken their headquarters. She's hailing the Defiant."
"Monitor it," Richie replied. He quickly added a comment, "You know, this almost feels like a standoff scene that could come out of a Western."
"This is intersting, Odo is asking to be beamed down to headquarters."
"He's proably going to try to convince the female shapeshifter using the Great Link."
"Do you think it would work?"
"More than likely. I've experienced a mind link. It's very powerful, but I would have to beleive that the Great Link is even more so."
"Aye, Sir."