S2 - M9B - Lod Qan - Fruit of the Poisoned Tree

[Tess tLhoell]

NPC Cadet Benjin Moreno (Flight)
[Klingon attack shuttle - Chu'gos system]

Eli heard the order, tapped at a cursory short reply and cursed himself. He had been so eager to draw danger away that he had gotten to far ahead. His face contorted in a secret pain, which he quickly shoved inward. He had been afraid of the power failures and that they would be stuck inside the bay with no way to protect their ship.

But, that was no excuse for haste. Acknowledged. You'll follow my lead and hug my wing. If I order you to break for the ship you will do so. 

Eli's tone was firm but aware of the cadet's inexperience and he attempted to soften it.  Stick with me and we'll be fine. 

Benjin didn't even notice how tight he clenched his jaw from how tense he felt. With Eli's firm instructions coming in, it didn't lessen any. It only enhanced that this was a damn dangerous situation. Briefly Benjin wished he had not volunteered for this, but realized that it was foolish for various reasons. But still Benjin was grateful when his chief added a few words in a softer tone that made Benjin feel a little better. "Yes, Sir" , he acknowledged dutifully, trying to sound more confident than he was.

"Rayek sogh to Eli lagh' and Benjin ne',"   This time the call connected to the both shuttlecraft that the pilots were signed onto.

"The Captain is attempting peaceful communications with the approaching ships, if that doesn't go well and we are attacked, please take note now that I will be dispersing magnetic 'mines' to the rear of the LoD Qan to force the bulk of the combat to where our weapons are strongest - to the forefront.  Avoid the stern of the ship if possible.  If you must fly there, polarize your shields to the opposite field - to push the mines out of your way.  They may still explode bumping into one another but not directly against on your shields. Please acknowledge you received and understood this message."

Fortunately, Rayek's own communication came with new instructions.  Wise, Rayek sogh 

Eli rerouted his own navigational waypoints to alert to that sector, as well as adjusted and uploaded to Benjin's. He doubted he could set a recall for the cadet's shuttle-Klingons did not believe in retreat.

Benjin listened closely when Rayek's call came in. He followed easily and was already trying to figure out how to adjust his navigational waypoints regarding that sector. He certainly would have made it in a reasonable time but Eli was so much more experienced and was quicker with it even with this alien system.

"Acknowledged" , Benjin confirmed to Rayek and then activated the alert to the sector of the LoD Qan's stern Eli had sent to him at the navigational system of the shuttle he sat in. He then checked once more that his disruptors were adjusted to the correct frequency to destroy the Gregari once they arrived - which he didn't have to wait long for.

Benjin subconsciously held his breath as he watched the swarm nearing their location. They seemed so small individually, it was hard to believe they actually could be a threat to them. But he had read the reports and knew that the sheer quantity of them was what made them dangerous. They probably would be able to deal with the amont of Gregari they were facing now, but who knew how quick and how many more Gregari would show up after that.

The young cadet waited on pins and needles what would happen now. Then the Gregari set off multiple soliton waves that crashed into the LoD Qan's shields. Benjin's pulse spiked, his hand hovering over the controls for the disruptors. Captain Solluk had instructed not to fire before they were fired upon - but had the Gregari opened fire with the release of the soliton waves?

His fingers flew over the panel to target where the Gregari were but didn't fire yet.  "Eli lagh', aimed target and ready to fire."

[Catherine Goodspeed]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Time, as it was wont to do, ran out.

The soliton wave terminated 3 million kilometers from the Lod Qan's current position.  With that termination came ninety-nine Gregari vessels.  Solluk had personally seen a million such ships in action at one time.  This was a small scouting or patrol group.

The individual ships of this group were relatively small.  Only about 20 meters long.  But ninety-nine was about ninety more than Solluk felt comfortable with.  Individually, they were not a dangerous foe.  Their shields were weak.  Their solid metallic hydrogen hulls could be easily combusted by using the right phaser or disruptor frequencies.  They did not have the armor or bulk to resist torpedo effects.

But fighting them was like trying to fight a swarm of hornets.  You might swat a few.  Even a few dozen.  But sooner or later, you would take one sting too many.  Then it wouldn't matter how many hornets you'd killed on the way to your grave.

For a moment, Solluk felt a glimmer of hope as the flotilla of Gregari vessels kept still.

Vessels.  Even that much was an assumption.  For all Solluk knew, these were not ships, but rather the Gregari themselves.

On Hrafn and Zex's sensor screens, they might briefly witness a flurry of exceedingly low-level soliton wave activity between the ships.  Then, an incredibly powerful subspace transmission.

GREGARI

Their name?  A warning?  A friendly greeting?

It was impossible to know.

But soon enough, it became plain that this was no friendly encounter.

A dozen soliton waves launched towards the Lod Qan, smashing against her forward shields.  Then, using ion engines, the front line of the flotilla began to peel away like the petals of a flower.  They were making way for the next wave to fire their soliton weapons.

"We have been engaged.  Maximum power to forward and flanking shields.  We'll trust Rayek sogh's countermeasures to cover our rear.  Helm, wherever the greatest concentration of Gregari are, point our nose in that direction."

Solluk thumbed the Engineering intercom, "Bridge to Engineering.  We need main power and we need our cloak.  We are fighting to buy you time.  You are fighting to save our lives."

He did not consider that 'fighting to save our lives' might not be a particularly honorable motivation for Klingons.  But hopefully, deep down, they'd feel something for the sentiment.

IKS Lod Qan - Engineering

So they had ran out of time.  Precious, sweet time.

The subspace transmission was not what Cat Goodspeed had been expecting.

It almost echoed into her bones.  Like the words themselves formed part of a sub space wave.

She didn't like that.  She didn't like it one bit.

It was almost like a playground bully who may have not grasped a large vocabulary had grasped that shouting louder and punching harder would get their message across.

As soon as her bones had settled from the  one word shout came the shock of the waves hitting the forward shields like an angry ocean and Solluk's voice came over the comms.

Cat here Sir!  On it! Over!

"Torpa! Harl'on!!"  Cat yelled, even though there was hardly any noise through the breathing apparatus she still wore.

"Cease venting!!  Fire him up!!  Get this old man out of his chair... Now!"

"Bring down emergency shields in all areas! Divert power to the forward shields...."

Cat was screaming now.  Shouting as loud as the Gregari would, if they had vocal chords.  Part of Cats brain [which was always off somewhere else doing it's own thing] pondered for a millisecond if they did have vocal chords... Or hands...or body parts that she would recognise.

"Any non essential areas void of crew? Seal the doors and divert any power from those areas to the Bridge.. Give them as much power as we can spare!"

Cat could feel the air in Engineering returning.... Her ear popped.

"Keep your breathing masks on people!  Whatever happens we need to hang on as long as we can to give the bridge the power it needs until we get out of here or until our last breathe!"

"And if anyone says it's a good day to die I will introduce you to a clip round the ear!"

"Torpa!!  Times on when we will have cloak and when we will be ready to warp!  I need those numbers!"

[Kirok]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

As soon as the Gregari arrived, Zex squeezed Felleg hand in return.  Then let her hand go.  The time for fear was over, now all they could so was fight.

Zex saw the low-level soliton wave activity between the ships the ships.  Likely their way of communicating between themselves.  If they could interrupt that wave some how, maybe the could prevent them from communicating with each other.

She immediately began analyzing the wave.  They maintained their shape and traveled as a constant velocity.  She determined the average length and speed of the waves.

"Do we have the ability to create a soliton wave?  If so, we can send them empty signals.  Possible imped their ability to coordinate their attacks" the Deltan announced.

[Eydis]

[Lod-Qan Command Bridge] Eydis would nod and leave the command to Staff to handle their duties. Shi would rejoin hir own security officer who had finished moving all the torpedo warheads down. Shi would hir comm Badge to request for assistance.  I require some aid in transporting the warheads to the engine room. 

[Lod'Qan engine room] Would approach the engine room with warheads in tow. Pausing at the doorway shi wondered what condition the room might be in when shi entered. Shi had given time over command to hir xo and their orders to return the entity to tholian space. Shi hesitated a second at the door, wondering what it would be like to die. Off course if hir physical form should expire. Hit memories would make it back to the assembly and outlive hir demise. Would it be very painful, shi thought as the door opened. Worse would be failing this mission it would be worse then dying and completing the mission. Shi would tarnish hir families name with a failure of of historic proportions. Shi couldn't let down Loskene. Finding a steely resolve shi takes a step into the engine room. Looking back over at the warrior who had accompanied hir. He would carry hir memories to the assembly.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Rayek sogh
[chu' ghoS system - Lod Qan Bridge - day 9 - Gregari space - 1 hr into engine shutdown]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Zex had asked the question expecting Solluk to say no.  She had asked though because it was her duty as a diplomatic officer to always attempt a peaceful outcome.  And because she was scared - really scared that this would be their end.

So for a moment, she simply stared back at the Vulcan blank faced.  But that moment passed quickly.  So in one swift move, she removed the blue ice pack atop her head and stood before starting the visual message.

-/\-IKS Lod Qan to the Gregari.  We are a federation crew on an exchange program with Klingon's which should explain why we are aboard a Klingon vessel.  I am Deltan and it is not how habit to lie.  So I am being honest when I say that our ship is in need of repair.  We are venting heat because our environmental system in an effort to prevent us dying from heat exposure.  We could use your help in making repairs to our ship.  We would also like to make contact with you.  To open a dialog with you.  To learn about you and your culture.  We come in peace.  Please respond in kind-/\- she said.

She ended the transmission.  Blew out some excess air she was holding in.  Then sank back into her chair.

"I gave it all that I have.  Without revealing our mission.  I hope it was enough to resolve this peacefully" she said, more to herself than anyone else.

Having feared the Deltan would reveal too much in her 'honest communication', Rayek was relieved to discover he'd been wrong about what she was planning to be honest about.  He doubted it would make a difference but at least the Gregari wouldn't have foreknowledge of their mission goal.

Fortunately, Rayek's own communication came with new instructions.  Wise, Rayek sogh 

Eli rerouted his own navigational waypoints to alert to that sector, as well as adjusted and uploaded to Benjin's. He doubted he could set a recall for the cadet's shuttle-Klingons did not believe in retreat.

NPC Cadet Benjin Moreno (Flight)
[Klingon attack shuttle - Chu'gos system]

Benjin didn't even notice how tight he clenched his jaw from how tense he felt. With Eli's firm instructions coming in, it didn't lessen any. It only enhanced that this was a damn dangerous situation. Briefly Benjin wished he had not volunteered for this, but realized that it was foolish for various reasons. But still Benjin was grateful when his chief added a few words in a softer tone that made Benjin feel a little better. "Yes, Sir" , he acknowledged dutifully, trying to sound more confident than he was.

Benjin listened closely when Rayek's call came in. He followed easily and was already trying to figure out how to adjust his navigational waypoints regarding that sector. He certainly would have made it in a reasonable time but Eli was so much more experienced and was quicker with it even with this alien system.

"Acknowledged" , Benjin confirmed to Rayek and then activated the alert to the sector of the LoD Qan's stern Eli had sent to him at the navigational system of the shuttle he sat in. He then checked once more that his disruptors were adjusted to the correct frequency to destroy the Gregari once they arrived - which he didn't have to wait long for.

With the attack shuttles forewarned about his plan, Rayek had little else to do but wait on the Gregari response.  Because his position at Tactical required his diligent attention, he wasn't able to pace and release any of his growing tension, it simply remained with him settling like a heavy weight on neck and shoulders.

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Time, as it was wont to do, ran out.

The soliton wave terminated 3 million kilometers from the Lod Qan's current position.  With that termination came ninety-nine Gregari vessels.  Solluk had personally seen a million such ships in action at one time.  This was a small scouting or patrol group.

The individual ships of this group were relatively small.  Only about 20 meters long.  But ninety-nine was about ninety more than Solluk felt comfortable with.  Individually, they were not a dangerous foe.  Their shields were weak.  Their solid metallic hydrogen hulls could be easily combusted by using the right phaser or disruptor frequencies.  They did not have the armor or bulk to resist torpedo effects.

But fighting them was like trying to fight a swarm of hornets.  You might swat a few.  Even a few dozen.  But sooner or later, you would take one sting too many.  Then it wouldn't matter how many hornets you'd killed on the way to your grave.

For a moment, Solluk felt a glimmer of hope as the flotilla of Gregari vessels kept still.

Vessels.  Even that much was an assumption.  For all Solluk knew, these were not ships, but rather the Gregari themselves.

On Hrafn and Zex's sensor screens, they might briefly witness a flurry of exceedingly low-level soliton wave activity between the ships.  Then, an incredibly powerful subspace transmission.

GREGARI

Their name?  A warning?  A friendly greeting?

It was impossible to know.

But soon enough, it became plain that this was no friendly encounter.

A dozen soliton waves launched towards the Lod Qan, smashing against her forward shields.  Then, using ion engines, the front line of the flotilla began to peel away like the petals of a flower.  They were making way for the next wave to fire their soliton weapons.

"We have been engaged.  Maximum power to forward and flanking shields.  We'll trust Rayek sogh's countermeasures to cover our rear.  Helm, wherever the greatest concentration of Gregari are, point our nose in that direction."

Solluk thumbed the Engineering intercom, "Bridge to Engineering.  We need main power and we need our cloak.  We are fighting to buy you time.  You are fighting to save our lives."

He did not consider that 'fighting to save our lives' might not be a particularly honorable motivation for Klingons.  But hopefully, deep down, they'd feel something for the sentiment.

Benjin subconsciously held his breath as he watched the swarm nearing their location. They seemed so small individually, it was hard to believe they actually could be a threat to them. But he had read the reports and knew that the sheer quantity of them was what made them dangerous. They probably would be able to deal with the amount of Gregari they were facing now, but who knew how quick and how many more Gregari would show up after that.

The young cadet waited on pins and needles what would happen now. Then the Gregari set off multiple soliton waves that crashed into the LoD Qan's shields. Benjin's pulse spiked, his hand hovering over the controls for the disruptors. Captain Solluk had instructed not to fire before they were fired upon - but had the Gregari opened fire with the release of the soliton waves?

His fingers flew over the panel to target where the Gregari were but didn't fire yet.  "Eli lagh', aimed target and ready to fire."

The moment the soliton wave stopped - the Gregari ships riding it appeared 3 million kilometers in the distance.  The LoD Qan, 'flown' by a Klingon officer, used thrusters on back-up power to turn to face the murmuration.   For the moment the small vessels were keeping grouped together but yet distant enough from one another that phaser fire, even set to a sweeping pattern, would only be able to able to take out a few at a time if even that depending on their maneuverability, while in comparison the LoD Qan was a ... sitting duck.

The count was almost a hundred ships.  Small in comparison to what had chased down the Healy in the past.   For a long tense moment the tiny ships did nothing - and for Rayek that was almost worse than an actual attack for it meant more tension building as he envisioned the worst possible scenerios.

Now at much closer range, Rayek had sensors gathering everything they could passively about the ships.  Individually the ships were not a threat.  Their danger lie in their numbers and coordinates attacks.

There was a brief flurry of low-frequency wave activiity between the ships before a loud subspace call reverberated throughout the ship.  To Rayek the word was a statement of declaration.  This was their territory and the LoD Qan was unwelcome.

Rayek glanced towards Solluk but the Vulcan wasn't quite ready to give the order.  The Romulan checked the 'Old Man's' shield levels.  They were maxed out but on emergency battery power they might not hold long... if they held at all...  There was very little weaponry data available.  It was possible the Gregari could have weapon techniology that could cut right through their shields.   Rayek hoped he was just being overly paranoid with that manner of thought.

When the first dozen of smaller soliton waves rolled out towards the LoD Qan to strike against their shields rocking the ship, Rayek gripped his console tight and thought of Tess.  Glad that she wasn't here.  She was safe.  Their son would be safe too.

He glanced to his console readings regarding the forward and flanking shields.

"Forward shields down to 84%, port and starboard to 90%" he called out to the Captain just moments before Solluk announced to the Bridge at large that they were in fact 'engaged' in battle.

[Bridge - IKS Lod Qan]

Hrafn gave Zex's hand a little squeeze.  It always helped to know someone was with you and cared when in the midst of battle or impending doom... whichever it ended up being.  After all, that was how she and Nevir had ultimately became a couple.  After months of working together and dancing around avoiding the issue that they were in fact in love!

She considered Zex as a family member, perhaps a younger sister-like member, so her 'Mother Bear' feelings were strong in that moment.  She felt it too for Solluk and Rayek but while two women displaying emotion on a Bridge in such a moment might be passed with the rolling of an eye even by the Klingons, she wouldn't 'unman' the HoD and 'sogh at this moment.  Instead she just flashed a look at them which sent her love and a message of 'Well, here we go!'

"Almost makes you grateful when I'm verbose!" the CSO said with a mirthless chuckle.  "Not very verbal are they, and we know from last time we tried several methods of communication... none seemed to work!"

She held onto the edge of the console quickly as the swarm of Gregari hit the ship.  "They're still using small soliton waves.  I think our magnetic mines could be helpful after all!"

Rayek eyed the distance that the Gregari were stopped at Fvadt!.  They were well out of range of the distruptor cannon and at the far range of even the torpedos.

"Zex ne', inform the shuttles we need them to draw the Gregari closer if possible."

IKS Lod Qan - Engineering

So they had ran out of time.  Precious, sweet time.

The subspace transmission was not what Cat Goodspeed had been expecting.

It almost echoed into her bones.  Like the words themselves formed part of a sub space wave.

She didn't like that.  She didn't like it one bit.

It was almost like a playground bully who may have not grasped a large vocabulary had grasped that shouting louder and punching harder would get their message across.

As soon as her bones had settled from the  one word shout came the shock of the waves hitting the forward shields like an angry ocean and Solluk's voice came over the comms.

Cat here Sir!  On it! Over!

As the Gregari prepared to fire off a second wave, Rayek struggled to come up with a strategy to get the enemy vessels within range of his weapons.   In a moment of frustration Rayek fired off a torpedo center mass of those vessels - despite knowing that the torpedos wouldn't be effective at stopping the attack.  At 3 million km, the quicker, nimbler ships could easily avoid LoD Qan torpedos.

"We need closer." he stated the obvious.

[Kirok]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Zex turned to Rayek.  "Of couse.  Right away" she replied.

She opened a com channel to the shuttles.  -/\-All shuttles.  Do what you can to lure the enemy to use"-/\- she said.

-/\-Please acknowledge-/\-she added.

[Solluk]

IKS Lod Qan - Engineering

Torpa growled and smashed her fist against a console.  Fortunately, it seemed that Klingon consoles had been built with this kind of behavior in mind.  "Ten minutes is the fastest we can cold-start this core after a shutdown."  Even as she answered, it seemed ludicrous to her to be speaking of a cold start when the problem the ship had was overheating.  But while the cloaking system could not tolerate excessive heat, the matter/antimatter core demanded it.

"There is a procedure for an instantaneous cold-start, but it has been outlawed throughout the Empire."  She looked to Cat, "It's actually a Federation procedure.  We acquired it through espionage a century ago.  But it had unexpected temporal effects."

Her fingers danced across her console, "We can put these auxiliary fusion reactors from the impulse systems at 150% output for a limited time.  It won't let us go to warp, but it may let us fight long enough for us to get the core online through traditional processes."

She waited for Cat's decision:  The forbidden cold-restart, or merely increased fusion power?

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Solluk pressed his intercom, "Any bekks near the bridge, report and assist the Tholian Ambassador with transporting hir torpedoes to our engine room."

It was not long before three Klingons arrived to help Eydis.

When Zex asked about generating a Soliton wave, Solluk shook his head, "I do not know how to generate a Soliton wave without our warp drive being online.  Even then, this equipment is... dated."  He paused, his eyes widening, "But there may be more than one way to disrupt one.  I recall there was a Federation attempt at a Soliton wave based propulsion method in the late 2360's.  It went awry, and the Enterprise used photon torpedoes to disrupt the wave.

Rayek, we can't reach them with our torpedoes at this range... but maybe we can force them to come in closer to shoot at us.  Are there any records on what settings the Enterprise used on their torpedoes to make their disruption?  The Klingons were our allies at the time this method was pioneered.  We may have shared the information with them."

He swiveled, "If we disrupt their attacks by using photon torpedo detonations, they will have to close distance in order to keep firing at us."

Already, the next group of Gregari were firing their weapons.  The waves soared towards the Lod Qan at warp-speeds, crashing into the shields of the ship, depleting the defenses a few more percentage points.

[Don Damien Addams]

[Old Man]

Kal had distributed his team into the proper areas and ordered to assist the departments as needed. Even help them from from heat exhaustion if it got to that point. Ordered them to slow their breathing as combat to reserve the air. He went to the bridge to assist and stand by.

Then Engineer can shut down the training area for energy stability in the ship. That would be what he could offer. Of course his teams would have the proper weapons on them if the enemy had a way to get on the ship.

As he saw the little ships on the screen, he scoffed. They could not assist the fight but offensive but only aiding. They are like a bunch of little red ants attacking a huge animal. The truth small enemies in big quantity can be very effective. You can beat them down slowly, but they can keep coming at you like little mad bees with stingers.

[Kirok]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Zex was happy that her question had prompted an idea that might help them when this battle.  History, though, was not her strong point.  Nor were torpedoes, photon or otherwise.

But she did have one more idea to suggest.  One that might even help draw the enemy toward them.  Or have no effect at all.

"HoD.  The Gregari announced their name via subspace right before attacking us.  Perhaps echoing back their announcement to us via sub space might cause them to think we are going to reply in kind.  So it may cause them to go all in on the attack on use - cause them to all rush in at the same time" she hypothesized after turning toward Solluk.

"I may result in nothing.  So nothing lost.  Nothing gained?  Or we could learn something new about them?" she added

[Solluk]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Solluk considered what Zex was suggesting.

"So, you're hoping that if we repeat their words, they will see it as a challenge, and then be provoked to charge in?"

A psychological tactic.  Against an enemy whose psychology they did not remotely understand.

Still, as Zex pointed out, what was there to lose?  "As you say, it can't hurt to try.  Let's see what they do."

There were multiple plans in motion.   The attack shuttles, which might be able to lure the Gregari into advancing.  Zex's verbal challenge, which might provoke them to recklessness.  And finally, if Rayek could manage it, using photon torpedoes to disrupt their soliton attacks.  And that might force them to move forward in order to prevent the countermeasure.

Hopefully, one of these would bear fruit.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Rayek sogh
[chu' ghoS system - Lod Qan Bridge - day 9 - Gregari space - 1 hr into engine shutdown - Gregari attack]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Solluk pressed his intercom, "Any bekks near the bridge, report and assist the Tholian Ambassador with transporting hir torpedoes to our engine room."

It was not long before three Klingons arrived to help Eydis.

When Zex asked about generating a Soliton wave, Solluk shook his head, "I do not know how to generate a Soliton wave without our warp drive being online.  Even then, this equipment is... dated."  He paused, his eyes widening, "But there may be more than one way to disrupt one.  I recall there was a Federation attempt at a Soliton wave based propulsion method in the late 2360's.  It went awry, and the Enterprise used photon torpedoes to disrupt the wave.

Rayek, we can't reach them with our torpedoes at this range... but maybe we can force them to come in closer to shoot at us.  Are there any records on what settings the Enterprise used on their torpedoes to make their disruption?  The Klingons were our allies at the time this method was pioneered.  We may have shared the information with them."

He swiveled, "If we disrupt their attacks by using photon torpedo detonations, they will have to close distance in order to keep firing at us."

Already, the next group of Gregari were firing their weapons.  The waves soared towards the Lod Qan at warp-speeds, crashing into the shields of the ship, depleting the defenses a few more percentage points.

Rayek had been watching the Gregari casually scatter well in advance of his torpedo so that it's blast was completely ineffective, when Solluk made mention of using torpedos to disrupt the soliton waves.  The Romulan was already checking the Klingon database, silently praying to Elements that the Federation were their usual trusting selves and had given the knowledge to the Klingons.

The ship shook as the second soliton wave attack hit... dropping their shields further.

"Forward shields at 67%.  Flank at 78%." Rayek called out updating the Captain on defense status before continuing his search.

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Zex was happy that her question had prompted an idea that might help them when this battle.  History, though, was not her strong point.  Nor were torpedoes, photon or otherwise.

But she did have one more idea to suggest.  One that might even help draw the enemy toward them.  Or have no effect at all.

"HoD.  The Gregari announced their name via subspace right before attacking us.  Perhaps echoing back their announcement to us via sub space might cause them to think we are going to reply in kind.  So it may cause them to go all in on the attack on use - cause them to all rush in at the same time" she hypothesized after turning toward Solluk.

"I may result in nothing.  So nothing lost.  Nothing gained?  Or we could learn something new about them?" she added

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Solluk considered what Zex was suggesting.

"So, you're hoping that if we repeat their words, they will see it as a challenge, and then be provoked to charge in?"

A psychological tactic.  Against an enemy whose psychology they did not remotely understand.

Still, as Zex pointed out, what was there to lose?  "As you say, it can't hurt to try.  Let's see what they do."

There were multiple plans in motion.   The attack shuttles, which might be able to lure the Gregari into advancing.  Zex's verbal challenge, which might provoke them to recklessness.  And finally, if Rayek could manage it, using photon torpedoes to disrupt their soliton attacks.  And that might force them to move forward in order to prevent the countermeasure.

Hopefully, one of these would bear fruit.

Rayek was still searching the Klingon database - not an easy task since they were not known for being very organized, when Zex made her suggestion.   Interesting idea.   Rayek hoped it worked.   Then there it was...  the necessary mathematics needed to calculate the proper torpedo strength in order to disperse the soliton wave.  "The intel was shared Captain! I am working out the proper calculations now..  Hrafn lagh' I'm going to need the exact wave frequency and amplitude of the next attack."

They'd be ready to defend against the next attack.

[Catherine Goodspeed]

IKS Lod Qan - Engineering

Torpa growled and smashed her fist against a console.  Fortunately, it seemed that Klingon consoles had been built with this kind of behavior in mind.  "Ten minutes is the fastest we can cold-start this core after a shutdown."  Even as she answered, it seemed ludicrous to her to be speaking of a cold start when the problem the ship had was overheating.  But while the cloaking system could not tolerate excessive heat, the matter/antimatter core demanded it.

"There is a procedure for an instantaneous cold-start, but it has been outlawed throughout the Empire."  She looked to Cat, "It's actually a Federation procedure.  We acquired it through espionage a century ago.  But it had unexpected temporal effects."

Her fingers danced across her console, "We can put these auxiliary fusion reactors from the impulse systems at 150% output for a limited time.  It won't let us go to warp, but it may let us fight long enough for us to get the core online through traditional processes."

She waited for Cat's decision:  The forbidden cold-restart, or merely increased fusion power?

IKS Lod Qan - Engineering

There were days when Catherine Goodspeed really wished she'd gone into corporate catering.

She was pretty sure replicating sandwiches and handing round small gold wrapped chocolate and nut sweets was a lot less taxing on one's heart and less likely to result in possible death.

A cold start. Bloody hell.  Cat knew about those.

Cat had always tried to be fairly pragmatic growing up and didn't have many fears at her age now.

In fact she only had 2 recurring nightmares that seemed to have stuck with her from her late 20's.  One involved being a child again and at home as The Borg struck and not being able to find her parents.

The other was being forced to initiate a cold start.

It was always the same dream.  Some faceless humanoid shaped thing had killed her Father and all her beloved cats and pets.  It held a plasma rifle to her Mother's head and counted down from 5.  Cat would hit the switch then watch in terrifying slow motion as her flesh peeled away from her body and watch from dead eyes as planets boiled and burned from the explosion she had caused.

Both nightmares seemed to last for hours and always resulted in her screaming herself awake.

"no"  Cats lips set a firm thin line under her mask, one that meant her mind was made up.

"no... No cold start.   We may be getting our arse handed to us on a plate out there at the moment but the risks are too bloody great for that!"

Torpa had not taken her eyes off Cat " But Cat Lagh.  We may not last 10 minutes!"

A Klingon, who Cat did not recognise and who she assumed was one of the cannon fodder muscle crew laughed "Perhaps the aging female human is too afraid or too weak to perform such a task!"

Cat turned her body to face him and removed her mask. The look on her face was not a pleasant one.

"Shut up you stupid excuse for a Klingon. A dead Targ is smarter than you and has more head ridges than your Mother!"  Cat knew that last insult was severely uncalled for and would normally result in death for one of them but she was past caring.

Cat snorted "You know nothing!   That man who performed that stunt was born with a universe of luck on his side.  Only once before was it achieved, all others have failed!!"

"Even if it was a success it may not last long enough to help then we are dead in the water"

Cat was shaking in anger now. "We may not even last a second if we try a cold start!  Or end up 3 days back in the past or forward in time.  Or blow up this entire system!!"

"Then no new world for you and no rescue mission for the Tholians, just a lot of dead bloody us and dead bloody planets. All a waste!"

Cat shook her head "Normal restart now.  Bleed as much power to the Bridge... " Cat let herself have a small smile.

"And sod normal safety algorythms Torpa!  We go fast and dirty, like our Fathers did before us.  If it was good enough for them, it's good enough for us!" Cat smiled and nodded to Torpa and watched her get to work.

Cats eyes locked onto the Klingon she had insulted.

"This old man can handle bypassing most of them.  Fast and dirty is in his bones.  Trouble is these days Klingon's have picked up bad health and safety standards from Starfleet".

Cat kept her eyes locked on the Klingon she had insulted in case he went for a weapon and hit her com badge.

Captain, Cat here... Should be up in 4 minutes! All available power is being diverted to your command.  We've sealed off and shut down non essential areas to reroute more power to you. We're going as quick as we can down here sir!

Cat closed the COMM and started on calculations to try and speed things up her end.

She knew that if she survived this she would have another nightmare to add to her list but this new one would not be some made up fear; it would merely be her reliving the next 4 minutes over and over again.

[Hrafn Falleg]

Rayek sogh
[chu' ghoS system - Lod Qan Bridge - day 9 - Gregari space - 1 hr into engine shutdown - Gregari attack]

Rayek was still searching the Klingon database - not an easy task since they were not known for being very organized, when Zex made her suggestion.   Interesting idea.   Rayek hoped it worked.   Then there it was...  the necessary mathematics needed to calculate the proper torpedo strength in order to disperse the soliton wave.  "The intel was shared Captain! I am working out the proper calculations now..  Hrafn lagh' I'm going to need the exact wave frequency and amplitude of the next attack."

They'd be ready to defend against the next attack.

[chu' ghoS system - Lod Qan Bridge - day 9 - Gregari space - 1 hr into engine shutdown - Gregari attack]

"Aye Rayek 'sogh!" Hrafn replied.  It was evident by her clipped response that she was both concentrating on working something out, worried by the current situation and that her mind was working 'nineteen to the dozen'!

Muttering to herself she said "A solitary wave is a localized "wave of translation" that arises from a balance between nonlinear and dispersive effects. In most types of solitary waves, the pulse width depends on the amplitude. A soliton is a solitary wave that behaves like a "particle", in that it satisfies the following conditions: It must maintain its shape when it moves at constant speed. When a soliton interacts with another soliton, it emerges from the "collision" unchanged except possibly for a phase shift.  Hmmm can we disrupt it's phase shift... or it's ....hmmm"

Getting some feedback from the computer and working on her calculations she started on the math.

"v = f λ

f = 104.8 kHz = 1,048,000 Hz

λ = 30.4 light years =30.4/100  = 0.304 light years

v = 1,048,000 Hz Á— 0.304 light years

v =318,592 light years/second..." the CSO concentrated on the math, the tip of her tongue protruding in concentration.  Of the 3 primary Science disciplines she disliked pure Physics or even Applied Physics the most... it was the maths!  Finally she turned to Rayek and announced.

"The speed of the wave is 318,592 light years per second, the amplitude is give me a second..." The redhead worked on another set of calculations drawing on the ever-present bit of paper she'd pulled from her pocket.  People thought she was strange, maybe she was but it was easier for her to scribble on the paper when she could cross out and work out what she needed to input to the computer for it to work the harder calculations than it was to keep them in the brain and try to work it out there and get frustrated when the computer wouldn't comply.

"Going on the point they started and then to us being the 'period'...don't worry about the words it's just point A to point B in theory but it's a benchmark to measure by, they created just one wave in that period. They are having to sacrifice one ship to create the wave each time, eventually they will run out of ships, but each period is just one wave, it's all they can create.  Thus their frequency is 1, but they are moving at 318,592 light years per second, it throws out the frequency calculation a bit since they are only creating one wave and stopping, the height or amplitude of the wave is 21,408 km.  For non-science boffins the amplitude is calculated from their resting position as 'level' to top of the wave, bottom doesn't count!"

She took a deep breath anticipating the blank stares that normally anticipated her science commentries from those who wanted more the Janet and John grade school version of the information.

"Pertinent information: Frequency - 108.4 kHz, Velocity - 318,592 light years/second, Amplitude - 21,408 km." she said with a sigh.  No-one since working with Nevir ever really appreciated the work that went into giving 3 'simple' figures!

[Kirok]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

"Yes.  That is exactly what I'm hoping" Zex had replied to Solluk's question.  Minutes ago she had been praying that they could avoid combat.  Now she was proposing that they tempt the enemy into combat.  The juxtaposition of ideas did not elude her.

"Aye, HoD.  I'll work on setting it up and wait for your order to execute the order" she said with a smile.  She then turned back to her station.

Zex found the recording of the message the Gregari had sent them.  Then programed it to play back to the Gregari.  At the same intensity.  "I'm ready, Hod" she announced.

[Solluk]

IKS Lod Qan - Bridge

Solluk made a nearly silent sigh of relief as word came up from Engineering.  He punched the intercom, "Four minutes, acknowledged."  It was not nearly as bad as he'd feared.

Even as he spoke, her Engineering teams were shutting down safety circuits and bypassing power filters to increase the volume of plasma coming in to vital systems.  Rayek would shortly see his shield figures ramping up as the field generators hungrily lapped up the additional power.

As Hrafn made her calculations, Solluk was impressed at the speed with which she wrangled the numbers.

Then he remembered something important, and spoke up, "318,592 kellicams/second.  Not your fault, I noticed the consoles have a translation error mis-displaying kellicams as Light-Years."

He had noticed a dozen similar translation errors over the past week.  Normally it was not immediately critical, but in this case they were doing vital calculations on the fly.  This was hardly a new problem.  When he'd attended the Technical Services Academy, he remembered an anecdote about an Earth space-probe mission that had failed because of a translation error between meters and yards.  One of the early teething problems when forging a united Earth government: Standards had to be reached between different nations.

On screen, the Gregari were unfolding another layer of ships and firing another series of soliton waves.

"Prep torpedo and fire, Number One."

Even as all of this unfolded, He nodded to Zex to also try her plan.  Hopefully, between the two of them, there would be success.