"Operation Assault, Phase 3"
Previous Post: " Was That The Sound Of Something Breaking Or Just My Nerves Finally Snapping?"
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Stardate: 60298.1549
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Triggering the avalanche had caused the snow released from the mountain to impact against the cloaking field of the ship used by the Jem'Hadars. That by itself was not enough to allow the ANUBIS' sensors to detect it regardless of how good they were or how brutal the impact had been, but the unique properties of the snow found on TOLAR IV had caused an interesting effect when it came in contact with the energy field of the cloaking device.
Looking at her instruments, the circular shape of the cloaking field seemed to glow making the Romulan/Terran hybrid smile, something that she rarely did while on duty. The plan had worked exceptionally well and because of it the second team would be able to beam within yards of their target if not inside of it. While waiting for the return of the CSciO to the bridge, the COO performed a few scans of the newly discovered ship on the planet surface, its cloaking device no longer protecting as it should. "Based on the size of the cloaking field, the ship generating it is either a large scout-class ship or a small frigate. Since the ship is still undetectable through optical scans and there is no way to confirm the material of the ship, there is no way to say for sure if the ship is of Romulan construction of if the cloaking device was stolen and installed on another type of ship."
Having also scanned the disturbance caused by the avalanche, Rawyvin offered his point of view on what the COO had just reported. "Agreed, but I think it is unlikely that the ship within the cloaking field will be of Dominion origin since there are no records of them having anything that small. The Founders never built anything small and I doubt that they would have started such a practice just for this."
Using her Intel training, the Romulan/Terran hybrid continued with the theory about what the second assault team would likely be encountering once they beamed down. "Based on the tactics used during the Dominion War and all other conflicts involving the Founders after that, it is more than likely that a group of Jem'Hadars led by a single Vorta were sent to take control of a Romulan ship possessing the technology they required for this mission. Again based on our knowledge of Dominion tactics and method of operation we can expect there to be a minimum of 6 Jem'Hadars following the Vorta."
Appearing less than pleased by what he had just heard, the CO turned his gaze to Rawyvin and stared at his Chief of Security for a few seconds before voicing his decision. "Even if there are only six Jem'Hadars down there, they are more than enough to cause trouble for the most experienced of us; do you think you can't handle them?"
Meeting the CO's eyes for a brief moment before looking at the Romulan/Terran hybrid sitting at the Ops station, the Sec/Tac officer debated the full implication of the answer he was about to give. As a Lt. JG, Rawyvin knew that he lack a certain level of experience on board the ANUBIS and its systems, and that if he should admit to having the slightest misgivings about going down to the planet surface as Capt. Simmons had hinted the task would be handed over to the COO. Rank and experience did count for something but Lt. Seth also knew him to be more than ready for this and despite the risk of sounding over confident of his own abilities the Sec/Tac decided to not outwardly show what little hesitation he might have had. "Yes sir! I know that I can."
Not looking at all surprised by the forcefulness of Rawyvin's reply, the captain motioned for him to go to the transporter room and join the other members of the 2nd assault team since Cmdr. Rikar had been made to be unavailable for the task of leading. "Keep your eyes open and remember that we are looking for information on the extent of their knowledge of the Mind Stone and if we are lucky the location of Ens. Summers."
Acknowledging the words spoken to him by the CO, the Sec/Tac officer nodded once before heading to the turbolift just as the CSciO stepped out. Passing right next to her like a runaway train, Rawyvin exchanged a simple smile with the Shillian before vanishing behind the closing turbolift doors.
Welcoming the CSciO back to her station, Capt. Simmon explained in a point blank way what he wanted to happen next. "We have so far managed to do all this without breaking cover and I would like this to continue since we have no idea as to who else is out there. Can we give the Transporter Chief a set of coordinates that would *safely* take the 2nd Assault Team into the cloaked ship?"
Looking down at her instruments and thinking back to the nearly impossible tasks that she had just finished turning into a done deal, the CSciO had not been in anyway ready to say that what the CO had just asked would be undoable. "Beaming the team into the ship without having access to its internal layout is extremely risky, but there is a part of the field that is registering more than the rest which could be an indication of where the cloaking generator is. Since it is unlikely that such a power dependant piece of equipment would be anywhere else but engineering, we could use that as general targeting based on the knowledge that in the greater majority of ships, regardless of who built them, the engineering section is the largest of all areas."
As the ANUBIS' 2nd officer and in the absence of the XO, the Romulan/Terran hybrid thought it to be her responsibility to point out to the CO the obvious dangers in the plan being considered. "Sir, even if we can target their engineering area, there is no telling what the assault team will encounter once they are down there. The risk may be too great to take."
Appearing as if he had already made his decision, Capt. Simmons turned his chair around and replied to the COO's concerns by speaking directly to the CSciO so as to not waste any time. "Relay the coordinates to the Transport Chief and warn the assault team that they may be in for a rough arrival. Sending our people directly into their engineering section is too much of a tactical advantage to pass up since it is likely that there will be few Jem'Hadars stationed there if any and it will allow Lt. Seth and Lt. Dawson to take complete control of the ship within moments of their arrival."
Although considering the plan to be a highly dangerous one, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had to concede that the advantages stated by the CO were important enough to warrant the taking of a few risks. Those risks would have been easier to accept had the COO been the one in command of the 2nd Assault Team, but all she could do was hope that luck would be on their side and that all would proceed without any incident.
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Serenna
Chief of Operations / Second Officer
USS ANUBIS
