"Combat Readiness"
Previous Post: "Quiet, Too Quiet"
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Stardate: 60324.2005
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Looking down at her instruments the Romulan/Terran hybrid could see that the ANUBIS had once again fallen under attack. Following the orders of the CO, the XO had deactivated the automated warning systems just in case this would tip the would-be intruders as to their full readiness.
Relying instead on manual scan of each and every deck, the XO and Sec/Tac diligently monitored the inside of the ANUBIS and witnessed the expert reaction of the security and marine forces as one after another sub-space disturbances were located all over the ship.
Witnessing first hand the success of the shields modifications and of the ease with which the security personnel were denying the invaders access to the ship, the Romulan/Terran hybrid glanced for a brief moment at the science station behind her and gave the CSciO an agreeing nod. Openly congratulating Maya and those who had worked with her in this aspect of the mission would have to wait until all traces of this threat were gone and the ANUBIS was out of danger.
Scanning her station to see the status of the three VIPER-Class Interceptors who had taken on the form of another SCARAB-Class Cruiser, at least as far as the sensors of the Cardassians had been concerned; the XO noticed that the illusion had apparently not tricked the dimensional foes. "Captain, VIPER squadron is not encountering any resistance."
Turning to meet the XO face-to-face, the ANUBIS' CO seemed to be debating between being troubled by the report or being happy that the three small ships had not been deemed worthy of attention by the dark creatures. Having thought of this for a few seconds, the CO smiled, "Let's just hope that our Cardassian friends will not be so antisocial, I would hate to have put David through so much hassle for nothing."
Looking down at his instruments, the CEO seemed to just ignore the comment made by the CO, the engineer instead concentrating on making sure that his department had remained safe and untouched during the boarding attempt. Not willing to celebrate just yet, David watched with great interest the information relayed by the internal sensors, having so far seen three separate distortions appear within the confines of Main Engineering before being closed as quickly as they had appeared. Noticing that the sensors no longer showed any sort of unusual activity, the CEO dared to venture a report to the bridge's staff. "Engineering is secured, none of those blasted creatures set foot in my department."
Seeing the announcement of the CEO as the opening entry in a department-by-department report, the CSciO followed suit with a statement of her own, one that many would have liked to be less wordy. "The modifications that were made to the shield frequency were apparently successful, I mean based on that each and every sub-space disturbance detected inside of the ship was so slow to open that security was able to react with ample time to spare. Maybe it would be an idea to make a note of these modifications and somehow relay them to Starfleet HQ, I mean this cannot be the first time that those creatures have done this, and letting the rest of the fleet know about this success would give them something to use if they should find themselves in a similar situation."
Shaking her head in disbelief as to the ability of the CSciO to go on and on like she had just done, the Sec/Tac decided to keep her report simple and to the point, something that she was sure everyone would greatly appreciate. "All decks have reported in, the ship is secure."
Looking rather pleased with the success of the first stage of their second visit to this region of space, the addressed the officers on the bridge before turning her chair to face the main screen once again. "Well done people, but we cannot celebrate just yet. The real threat is still to come and our success in dealing with them will mostly depend on our ability to divide their attention between us and the VIPERs."
With the ANUBIS still moving in deeper into enemy territory, all eyes shifted to the main view screen as it displayed the two approaching Cardassian GALOR-Class Destroyers. Looking a little puzzled by what she was seeing on her instruments, the Sec/Tac ventured a guess as to the general inactivity of the two ships. "Looks like they don't know how to react. They were probably expecting both ships to be incapacitated by those creatures, but instead of that they are looking at two Federation ships who I am sure are not looking at all pleased to be here."
Having scanned the same information, the Romulan/Terran hybrid followed with her own report and opinion. "Ens. Doratheva is correct, the Cardassian likely did not expect a second ship to arrive as back-up so rapidly. They likely also did not expect both ships to be fully operational at this point in time. This may give us a slight tactical advantage, one that we should take benefit of."
Knowing that any extra second spent thinking about this instead of acting could result in the advantage the XO had spoken of to vanish, the CO decided to not waste any time. Winning this encounter would require her to be certain of her actions and to not appear indecisive to those under her command. "Let's go! ANUBIS to VIPER, try to draw the attention of the ship on the left while we take care of the one on the right." Acknowledging the order she had received, Lt. Cmdr. Enaii did not sound disturbed by the fact that the CO had sent the three VIPERs to face off against a ship hundred times their size and possessing enough firepower to vaporize them in the first volley. =/\= Understood. =/\=
Moving ahead with their half of the problem, the CO opened a comm channel to the MCO has he and his men would be heavily responsible for the success of this mission. "Bridge to Lt. Pravat, have your troops stand by for boarding. Your target will be the setting of an uplink from the computer core of the Cardassian ship to ours. My guess is that somewhere inside that computer is the information we need to find the crew of the MERCURY. While you to that we'll keep them occupied with a different set of trouble."
Sounding more than ready to leap into action, the MCO replied without delay. =/\= We are heading to the nearest transporter rooms now! You'll have your uplink and maybe even a few prisoners to interrogate. Pravat out. =/\=
Turning to look at the Sec/Tac officer, the CO gave the signal to get things underway. Using the Cardassian's lack of readiness would require quick action, and the captain was sure that Ens. Doratheva was the right person for the task. "First, let's get their shields down so that Pravat and his men can have a little fun."
Nodding her agreement, the Sec/Tac officer turned her full attention to her instruments and using the ANUBIS' extensive list of offensive systems began working on the task given to her by the CO. "Aye Sir, locking phasers and torpedoes on shield generators. Firing!"
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #303
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
