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"Sir, we think that we have found out who attacked us and kidnapped the captain." Said Schulte with Wantoch next to him.
"Very well, lets assemble the command staff in the briefing room and go over that information together." said Stratton.
The command staff of the Saint George sat around the conference room table and listened as the computer spoke.
"Encountered by USS Voyager in 2371 the Vidiians are a class III humanoid species from the Delta quadrant. Two millenuim ago, a disease known as the phage infected vidiian society. They have been unsuccessful in finding a cure for the disease. As a result, thousands of Vidiians die each day. Vidiians aren't born with the Phage, but rather are usually diagnosed with it during childhood. Evidence seems to suggest that the infection rate is not 100%. Excrutiating joint pain is an early symptom of the Phage. This stage alone has been known to kill some of the Viddiians. The Phage consumes the body, destroying genetic codes and cellular structures. It resists all attempts to destroy it. Vidiian technology can't keep up with it. Therefore, in order to survive, they harvest organs from the dead, but sometimes more aggressive means are necessary. Once organs are grafted intoVidiians, they are bio-altered and can't be returned to the previous owner. The Vidiians have been searching the quadrant for races immune to the diesease, in the hope that it would eventually lead to a cure. They found that Klingon genetic structure has phage-resistant nucleotide sequences. They were prevented from using this as a cure, however.
Congregating in groups is strictly regulated. It is considered a threat to public health. Healthy people tend to stay away from the diseases ones. Before the phage, the Vidiians were educators and explorers, and their greatest achievements were artistic in nature. Now most of their energy goes into fighting the phage. The Vidiians have one main hand-held device-a neuro-resonator. First the victim is stunned, and then a quantum imagery begins a microcellular analysis of the body. Through this device, the Vidiians are able to learn everything about a person's anatomy, right down to their DNA sequencing. This is also the device used to locate and extract organs. Vidiians disguise their underground passageways with forcefields that look like geological structures. They typically use members of other races as slave labour to do their pysical work, as the Phage makes them weak.
Voyager passed out of Vidiian space sometime after late 2372 but although there was no further direct contact, this was not the last the Federation ship has heard of the species. In 2375 Voyager was contacted by the "Think Tank", a small group of aliens who specialize in solving problems for other species. The Think Tanks representative, Kurros, informed Captain Janeway that his group had recently found a cure for the Vidiian Phage. It can only be hoped that with the end of this great burden on their civilization, the Vidiians returned to a more peaceful lifestyle."
The faces in the room were pale and grim. Stratton looked at each of them in turn and could tell by the clench fists and tightness around their mouths and eyes that they were as affected by the information as he was. He spoke slowly, "Some how this race has found its way into the Alpha quadrant and now has our crew...Options?"
"Mine the hull of their ship until our crew is returned." suggested Seaman.
"Beam over a tactical strike team to resuce the hostages." suggested Wantoch.
"Send in the Ice Warriors in the Fighters." suggested Webster.
"Give them the cure." suggested Urvand.
Stratton smiled and nodded, "Yes, I think that sounds like a plan... Seaman, prepare the mines for deployment. Wantoch, get your team ready. Webster, man the Fighters. Doctor, prepare the cure."
"Exocomps." said Seaman.
"Exocomps ... what?" asked Wahlund.
"We're going to use Exocomps to deploy the mines. The Fighters will be able to get in close enough to drop the Exocomps and the Exocomps are small enough to be able to slip through that ships sheilding and sensors undetected. They will attach the mines to the hull around the engineering section." said Seaman.
"I'm not crazy about the idea of planting mines on ship that has my wife and the captian held prisoner. Won't blowing up the ship defeat the purpose of a rescue?" said Wahlund.
"We're not going to be using these mines to blow up the ship. These will have just enough power to rupture their hull and disrupt their systems. But they won't know that. Once Commodore Stratton gives the order, we'll arm them and the Vidiians will then detect them and that will give us as edge." said Seaman.
"Yah know, as a civilian we're fed all that 'STARFLEET peace-exploration' stuff. I never realized that you are a bunch of sneaky, devious mothers when you have to be." said Wahlund.
"If we equip each member of the strike team with a bio-feedback emitter to block their lifesigns, they should be able to beam in to the Vidiian ship undetected." said Urvand.
"Once they are aboard they should be able to find the hostages and use signal enhancers to break through that ships shielding to beam out." said Schulte.
"We're bringing our Captain and crew home." said Wantoch.
Webster walked along the line of his strike group wearing his evac suit and carrying his helmet under his arm. "You've all had a chance to inspect your ships and review your orders. Are there any questions?" He paused, his team stood in perfect formation, almost unblinking, "All right then... Saddle up, Lock and Load!"
"ETA." asked Stratton.
"Nottarts nebula will be in transporter range in 25 minutes." said the conn officer.
"Launch the Fighters." said Stratton.
"Aye sir, all Fighters have launched."
"Ice Warrior's reporting in sir. We will meet you at the rendevouis point." said Webster over the com.
"Godspeed Mr. Webster!" said Stratton.
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