"Executive Decision"
Previous Post: "Take No Prisoners"
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Stardate: 60325.1955
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Looking down at her screens the Romulan/Terran hybrid found it hard to believe that they were orbiting the same planet that they had been since their arrival. Looking out any of the windows had been the only true way to confirm that the ship had been in high orbit of a planet since the interference field was blinding the sensors, but now not only could the XO see the planet on her instruments but she could also pick up the prison compound and the Marines walking into its higher-most levels.
Having confirmed that all of the Marines had safely beamed down and entered the enemy compound the XO turned her focus on the three ships that shared the planet's orbit with the ANUBIS, at least what was left of them. Scanning the powered-down weapons platforms the Romulan/Terran hybrid could not help but being impressed by the sheer devastation the satellites had unleashed making the hybrid more than thankful for the work the CSciO, CMO and ILO had done on the virus that had lead to their taking control of the orbital network.
Allowing herself a moment to think of the most recent casualty, the Romulan/Terran hybrid looked up from her station to see the ANUBIS' CO standing in the middle of the command pit. The woman stood there like a statue while watching the events unfolding around her, keeping her eyes trained on the devastation that filled the forward view screen. Where there had been three Cardassian ships only a few moments ago now floated a field of debris that stretched as far as the eyes could see. Not looking back or moving in any way the CO demanded an update on the status of their adversaries, "Report."
Looking across the bridge to the ANUBIS' avatar, the XO waited to receive confirmation of what both she and Ens. Eva had already realized thanks to their tactical scans of the area once occupied by the three Cardassian ships. Listening to the unemotional report from the COO, a mixture of gladness and sorrow filled the bridge as each officer came to contemplate the extent of the devastation unleashed against those who had opposed them. "Cardassian GALOR-Class Destroyer number one has suffered damage to 87% of its primary hull leaving only a few sections intact but detached from the rest of the ship, offensive and defensive systems are inoperative, emergency life support systems are rapidly failing. Cardassian GALOR-Class Destroyer number two, the ship that had earlier ram us, has suffered a complete structural collapse, sensors are picking up no energy signature or life sign of life. Cardassian battleship ULTIMATE VICTORY has taken heavy damage to all of its primary systems including propulsion and tactical. Sensors are also detecting severe fluctuations throughout the ship's power systems leading to violent explosions. Detecting several decks open to space, no force fields have been activated to stop or contain the decompression, I estimate that unless they can restore auxiliary power the entire ship will suffer a catastrophic failure in less than four minutes."
Adding her report to that of the ship's avatar, the CSciO focussed on the living aspect of this carnage never having suspected the intensity and extent of the devastation the orbital platforms had been capable of until she had witnessed it first hand. "Captain, sensors are picking up faint and scattered signs of life on the first GALOR-Class destroyer and battleship. If we act now we should be able to rescue many of them before it is too late."
Turning around to meet the eyes of the scientist with her own, Rikar allowed the rest of the bridge's staff to see the absolute coldness that had taken over her soul. No one was blaming the CO for feeling the way she was but that had been far from having them anticipate the harshness of the captain's reply to the CSciO's comment. "Why would we want to rescue them? They got exactly what they deserved."
Having shared the loss of one of their own meant that many of the officers on the bridge could empathize with the feelings voiced by their CO, but that still did not make what the decision taken by the captain the right one. Glancing over to Ens, Mei the Romulan/Terran hybrid hoped that the CNS would say something that would bring back some sort of sanity into the thoughts and actions of the captain, but Susan seemed at a complete loss for words. Seeing that humanitarian assistance was not a valid option the XO went ahead using a different approach. "Captain, capturing prisoners and bringing them back to NEW ALEXANDRIA could provide us with immeasurable Intel on this rogue group and their activities."
Looking back at the XO the CO first appeared ready to blast the Romulan/Terran hybrid for having suggested that they should rescue the survivors but as the seconds passed the darkness that had taken hold of Rikar slowly slipped away until she turned away and vanished into her Ready Room without saying a single word.
After motioning the CNS to follow their captain, even if only to insure that she would not be alone, the Romulan/Terran hybrid took command of the bridge and of the rescue operation by looking at the Chief of Security. "Lock in on whatever life signs you can and beam them directly into the brig, then inform Sickbay that they have patients onboard. Lt. Cmdr. Maya, lets see if we can isolate the battleship's core computer and bring it onboard, the information it contains might prove interesting if it survived the pounding the ship suffered."
Appearing relieved that the XO had shared her views as to the rescuing of the Cardassian onboard the devastated ship, even though it had been for entirely different reasons, the CSciO was more than happy to lend her expertise to the retrieval of the computer core.
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #373
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
