NX Mission: The First Casualty

[Solluk]

This is the Captain. All hands repel boarders.

[Engineering]

Bota was half-way through the delicate procedure that would allow him to pull the faulty antimatter injector when the command came through the shipwide intercom.

"Mister Hendrix," he called out, "and Mister Fritz, open the emergency arms locker and arm the Engineering staff.  Then take defensive positions on the catwalks.  I suspect it will be a bit before Security can get reinforcements down this way."

The pair rushed to the arms locker kept on site for just such occasions, but then paused.  "We need the lockout code, Sir," Fritz reported.

Bota opened his mouth, then closed it.  Shouting out his security clearance codes while boarders were marauding through the ship seemed like a bad idea.  Opening his mouth a second time, he called out, "You're engineers.  Grab a laser torch and figure it out."

Returning his attention to the matter at hand, he completed the second revolution of the injector assembly, and lifted it carefully out of the core housing.  The injectors were incredibly sophisticated pieces of equipment, and an errant bump could easily damage them.

They were essentially the endpoint of a particle accelerator system that carried antimatter particles into the intermix chamber for injection into the dilithium crystals.  Equipped with complex valving mechanisms and magnetic constriction channeling, there was a lot that could go wrong with the unit.  While this injector was already damaged, he had high hopes that he'd be able to repair it.  Most of these high hopes were predicated on the fact that the spares were in another room, and it might not be safe to go get them.

Setting the injector onto a specially prepared and grounded mat, he heard Fritz declare, "Got it," and heard the door to the weapons locker falling free.  Hendrix grabbed a bunch of phase pistols and started passing them around.   Someone slipped one of the pistols into Bota's waistline.

"Thank you," he said without looking to see who it was, and took out a multimetric diagnostic tool to check the alignment of the injector channel.

"I hear shooting outside," Fritz said as he and Hendrix took the lift up to the catwalk.

"I trust that you will slay all of our dragons as we continue repairs," Bota replied- with much more certainty than he felt.

[Kinley Garrison]

[Cafeteria]
Grace wheeled around and saw yet another masked soldier behind her. Wielding her spanner like a baseball bat, she hit the soldier square on the back of the neck with a resounding dull thud. That must have done something to activate the self-destruct mechanism in the vest as the masked assailant suddenly vaporized right in front of her with a scream.  Turning around, she saw another goon hit the the Chef pretty hard. Grabbing a phaser from an injured crewman, she fired, hitting that assailant.  Turning to Jada, she shouted over the klaxon. "Let's get outta here."

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

"We lost the nacelles.  We still have impulse.  I still can tell what hit us, or where it's coming from."  Morris yelled over the chaos of the bridge.

"I can't move without knowing if we going to hit something else."

[Sickbay]

As everything went violently wrong, Tyvon found himself thrown to a bulkhead where he heard a hail for him. As the Doctor went into triage mode, Tyvon hit the comms panel and heard the message.

This is the Captain. I copy, hold that mess. Get yourselves to safety, we're under attack. he said, his anger flaring toward the aliens. Another message hit him, and he punched the panel twice to switch to the channel from the bridge.

This is Tyvon, I copy. Get us to that Nebula, that should at least put us on even ground, maybe we can lose them... Who are they? he asked, as a masked figure attacked sickbay.

[Bridge]

"=/\=Acknowledged, captain." Mahak said crisply into the arm of the chair. He looked up and shouted over the noise to Chestnut.

"Ensign, move us to the nebula." The Vulcan ordered. "Polarize the hull plating. Don't return fire. Reroute all available power to engines and plating."

For him, the order not to bother firing back was coolly logical. They had no hope of engaging so many ships. Right now they needed escape more than defense.

[Ser Conley]

[Bridge]

"=/\=Acknowledged, captain." Mahak said crisply into the arm of the chair. He looked up and shouted over the noise to Chestnut.

"Ensign, move us to the nebula." The Vulcan ordered. "Polarize the hull plating. Don't return fire. Reroute all available power to engines and plating."

For him, the order not to bother firing back was coolly logical. They had no hope of engaging so many ships. Right now they needed escape more than defense.

"Aye aye, Full impulse."  Morris choose to say.  Instead of cursing loud loudly.  The Lexington shot like an arrow towards the nebula.

"Brace yourselves."  Morris said, gripping his console.  For three seconds nothing happen.   Then the ship was rocked by three more blasts.  Almost knocking the Lexington off course.  Morris righted the ship and the Lexington entered the nebula. 

[Jettis Jyur]

[Bridge]

"=/\=Acknowledged, captain." Mahak said crisply into the arm of the chair. He looked up and shouted over the noise to Chestnut.

"Ensign, move us to the nebula." The Vulcan ordered. "Polarize the hull plating. Don't return fire. Reroute all available power to engines and plating."

For him, the order not to bother firing back was coolly logical. They had no hope of engaging so many ships. Right now they needed escape more than defense.

[Bridge]

In all the commotion, Jettis' brain had shifted into high gear, studying their opponents, trying to surprise the panic that rose up. Scanning the ships that had materialized out of nowhere, and trying to figure out a firing pattern, anything that would help them avoid this relentless assault.
As the attacks continued, however, his station flickered and refused to help him, not yet exploding but clearly on the verge. "Science station is inoperable, sir. Couldn't get a good reading on the intruders before it shut down, they likely aren't in our databases." He reported to Mahak, standing up from his station. Moving instead to the nearest unoccupied and still operable Tactical station. Resuming his previously interrupted scans, he tried to make do with what was not his station. It didn't have the necessary programming to get a thorough read on everything, but he would make it work.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Bridge]

In all the commotion, Jettis' brain had shifted into high gear, studying their opponents, trying to surprise the panic that rose up. Scanning the ships that had materialized out of nowhere, and trying to figure out a firing pattern, anything that would help them avoid this relentless assault.
As the attacks continued, however, his station flickered and refused to help him, not yet exploding but clearly on the verge. "Science station is inoperable, sir. Couldn't get a good reading on the intruders before it shut down, they likely aren't in our databases." He reported to Mahak, standing up from his station. Moving instead to the nearest unoccupied and still operable Tactical station. Resuming his previously interrupted scans, he tried to make do with what was not his station. It didn't have the necessary programming to get a thorough read on everything, but he would make it work.

[Bridge]

"Do the best you can, ensign." Mahak said calmly.

The bridge of the NX class vessel seemed to shudder inward at the impact from the enemy weapons. The Vulcan gripped the edge of the captain's chair, his lithe body moving with the sudden jerky rhthym brought on by Chestnut's maneuvering and the incoming fire.

"=/\=Captain, we have entered the nebula." Mahak said into the chair's commlink.

[Catrin Maddux]

[Mess Hall]

Commander Maddux was highest ranking and taking charge, with a line to the Bridge, so d'Jada addressed her. The Orion exchange officer was nominally in Security and there to offer advice just like this. 'Ma'am. My people have encountered these monsters before. We would run, and keep running until the other side of the sector, and never return.' It seemed an unlikely suggestion for the proud alien warrior, but there was no shame in backing off from unbeatable odds, and there was honour in saving one's crew and living to tell about it.

[Mess Hall]

"Ma'am, I reckon there's an invasion force everywhere." Thomas quipped, collecting himself before diving forwards into a roll, coming up behind an attacker to bring his knife across and rip through it's achilles tendons. Or at least where they should be. Didn't seem to really matter, seeing as how it was finished off by a crewmember who drove a dinner knife into it's eye. "What are your orders, Ma'am?"

[Mess Hall Madness Part Deux]

Rho was doing her best in an overwhelming situation. The crew were coming to her for leadership. Combat wasn't her specialty, but she'd wing it for now. She turned to Ensign Jada.

"Well, there's an old Earth saying, He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. I'm all for a strategic retreat."

She then turned to address Sgt. Wang. A bit exasperated by his flippancy, she decided to ignore it and chalk it up to typical MACO behavior.

"I'm well aware of that Sergeant, but as I only have eyes in here, I can't be certain of where else we've been boarded. I think we ought to get the ensign over here to the Bridge. Her people have dealt with these invaders, she might have valuable insights."

Unless Security and the MACOs showed up soon, that task might be easier said than done, considering there may be other skirmishes happening onboard.

[Alexander Wu]

[Mess Hall Madness Part Deux]

Rho was doing her best in an overwhelming situation. The crew were coming to her for leadership. Combat wasn't her specialty, but she'd wing it for now. She turned to Ensign Jada.

"Well, there's an old Earth saying, He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. I'm all for a strategic retreat."

She then turned to address Sgt. Wang. A bit exasperated by his flippancy, she decided to ignore it and chalk it up to typical MACO behavior.

"I'm well aware of that Sergeant, but as I only have eyes in here, I can't be certain of where else we've been boarded. I think we ought to get the ensign over here to the Bridge. Her people have dealt with these invaders, she might have valuable insights."

Unless Security and the MACOs showed up soon, that task might be easier said than done, considering there may be other skirmishes happening onboard.

[Mess Hall]

Resheathing his knife, Thomas scooped up a discarded disruptor rifle while glancing around the mess, grimacing at the scene. Most of the remaining occupants were injured or immobile, and although there weren't any attackers left standing, there would be no telling if another wave would be coming. He spared a quick look over to the Orion ensign, his frown worsening. She looks alot more like one of us than a ship officer. Can fight like one of us too, in a pinch. "Atwood, you're with the XO and the Ensign. I'll escort the Commander to Engineering and link back up with you as soon as I can. Ma'am, if I may, I suggest we use access tunnels to reach the upper decks. Less likelihood of running into some of these...aliens."

[Jada]

[Mess Hall]

"Well, there's an old Earth saying, He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. I'm all for a strategic retreat."

d'Jada smiled tightly. 'My people say something similar.'

"I'm well aware of that Sergeant, but as I only have eyes in here, I can't be certain of where else we've been boarded. I think we ought to get the ensign over here to the Bridge. Her people have dealt with these invaders, she might have valuable insights."

'Too few, but I'll tell your captain what I know.' she promised. d'Jada shrugged at Grace as they were switched, then formed up with Atwood and Maddux. 'The Raptorans are obsessed with secrecy, they don't want anyone to see what they look like. They even wear suicide suits with built-in disruptors, that's why they disintegrate on death or unconsciousness. The advantage is you can trigger the suit to go off by causing sufficient injury that the suit decides the soldier is non-viable.'

[Kinley Garrison]

[Mess Hall]

Resheathing his knife, Thomas scooped up a discarded disruptor rifle while glancing around the mess, grimacing at the scene. Most of the remaining occupants were injured or immobile, and although there weren't any attackers left standing, there would be no telling if another wave would be coming. He spared a quick look over to the Orion ensign, his frown worsening. She looks alot more like one of us than a ship officer. Can fight like one of us too, in a pinch. "Atwood, you're with the XO and the Ensign. I'll escort the Commander to Engineering and link back up with you as soon as I can. Ma'am, if I may, I suggest we use access tunnels to reach the upper decks. Less likelihood of running into some of these...aliens."

[Cafeteria]

Nodding at the MACO's suggestion, Grace suggested to the other group .  "I know these tunnels like the back of my hand."
Using a pencil on one of the napkins from one of the spilt lunch trays, she drew a rather rudimentary map. "The shortest way I know to the bridge is through Tunnel #6. Then you take a right and go through Tunnel #18 until you reach this ventilation port. Kick that open and you'll be just inside the bridge."   Scanning the area, she found the port she wanted. Unscrewing the tunnel access, Grace peered into the dark tunnels. "I'm ready when you are. "

[Alexander Wu]

[Cafeteria]

Nodding at the MACO's suggestion, Grace suggested to the other group .  "I know these tunnels like the back of my hand."
Using a pencil on one of the napkins from one of the spilt lunch trays, she drew a rather rudimentary map. "The shortest way I know to the bridge is through Tunnel #6. Then you take a right and go through Tunnel #18 until you reach this ventilation port. Kick that open and you'll be just inside the bridge."   Scanning the area, she found the port she wanted. Unscrewing the tunnel access, Grace peered into the dark tunnels. "I'm ready when you are. "

[Mess Hall]

"I'll take point, just tell me which directions to go." Thomas slid his disruptor through first, grimacing at narrow and cramped confines of the tunnels ahead. Just climbing in meant he was already crawling on his hands and knees, and he clambered along, holding the rifle in one hand so he could use it if they ran into anyone intent on killing them. "We had tunnels like this during training." Thomas commented, glancing back over his shoulder to make sure the Commander was close by. "I've always hated them."

[Kira Wyman]

He turned to the Doctor. "I'm on my way to the bridge. Keep me updated." he said, as he left the bay at a run, firing as needed as a seemingly unlimited number of attackers appeared randomly.

Sickbay

Arsenio nodded at the captain before watching him leave, he looked over at an ensign and pointed at the door. "Lock the door, don't let anyone one in unless they're friendly!" Arsenio shouted over the commotion that had errupted in the Sickbay.

As Arsenio lifted the ensign, who had took a hit to his head, onto a biobed, he couldn't help but think about his fiancée, Kaia. Was she ok? Was she hurt or captured? So many thoughts were bouncing around his head and he decided he needed to focus on something else. Arsenio looked up to Gabriel, who had helped him lift the injured ensign onto the bed.

"Where's the godamn security detail? We're sitting ducks here and could be mince meat in minutes." Arsenio frowned at the ensign, knowing he'd have no knowledge of where security were but hoping he had an answer. The ensign looked back at Arsenio and shrugged. 'I wished I had a good answer for you boss, but not in this situation.'  Arsenio tapped his combadge, hoping he'd get some light on the situation from the head of security. =^="Apostolos to Harmon, where, for the love of God is my security detail. We're sitting ducks down here and soon we could be under hostage. I want a security detail, now."=^=

[Dylan Torngate]

As the ship entered the nebula, the alien ships standing down by the nebula and disappearing from sensors. The ship was temporarily at ease, but that would only last a short time. The last of the boarders were the biggest concern now.

As soon as the ship was secure, Tyvon hoped they would report in to the bridge.

[Bridge]

Tyvon entered the bridge, shoving his phase pistol into his waistband as he walked on. "Report." he said, looking around to see who was present. "Who are they? Why are they here?" He asked the surrounding area. The viewscreen was a mix of colors, a strange peaceful color to the chaos within the ship.

[Jada]

[Corridors]

d'Jada, Atwood, and Maddux had fought their way through the corridors, through Raptorans (or so d'Jada had called them) who seemed to appear around every corner ahead and behind, disruptors blazing. d'Jada let the MACO corporal lead the way while she watched the rear. Stealing a phaser rifle from a fallen security officer, she peppered blasts at a mob behind them, and disembowelled one ambusher with her wicked knife; mercifully, he disintegrated before anyone could see or hear the outcome. The Orion woman moved like a deadly huntress, quick to attack and to kill.

[Bridge]

Her borrowed uniform blood-spattered and scorched, the Orion exchange officer stalked onto the Bridge, briefly scanning to confirm it hadn't been taken over before addressing her temporary captain. 'We don't know, but they're here to kill us all.' she answered with a dreadful certainty. 'Last century, they invaded the Triangle region, in the coreward Orion Arm, with a fleet of ships painted to look like predatory birds. They made no communication, no declaration of war or vengeance, they just began bombing and blasting our colonies from orbit, scorching and cratering entire planets, attacking even as people evacuated. We might never have known until it was too late, but one pirate stumbled upon the massacre of Farx and fled under hot pursuit to raise the alarm. For three years, the Orion Space Navy fought tooth and nail, and even destroyed our own ships, just to protect the evacuees. We abandoned eleven worlds, millions were killed, a billion were displaced, and we fled to the other side of the Triangle, and never returned. Orion society still suffers for this.' d'Jada explained intensely, still filled with emotion and shock for an event that happened generations before she'd been born, it had so scarred their society. Bitterly, she added 'We will have vengeance, even if it takes centuries, even if we have to blow up their sun...'

Catching herself, trying to maintain her cool against such catastrophe, d'Jada went on. 'They never communicate, they don't respond to offers of peace or ransom or surrender. They never show their faces, and wear suicide suits with internal disruptors to disintegrate their bodies on death, to hide their secrets and the numbers of their dead.' She dipped her finger in the green blood on her uniform; disgusted, she wiped it back on. 'Even their DNA is scrambled, but we know they have copper-based blood like ours, skin tones like yours... Our hackers were able to access and partially decrypt one message, and got a corrupted name. We think they're called Raptorans. We don't know what they want, only that didn't seem to find it in the Triangle.'

d'Jada shuddered, and fixed Captain Tyvon with a steady, testing look, saying more laconically 'I suggest you humans consider returning to Earth and forgetting all about space. It's dangerous out here.'

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Bridge]

Tyvon entered the bridge, shoving his phase pistol into his waistband as he walked on. "Report." he said, looking around to see who was present. "Who are they? Why are they here?" He asked the surrounding area. The viewscreen was a mix of colors, a strange peaceful color to the chaos within the ship.

[Bridge]

"Captain." Mahak stood smoothly and vacated the captain's chair. "Sensors are malfunctioning, but approximately a dozen enemy vessels opened fire on the Lexington. We have entered the nebula."

At the captain's question about the enemy's intentions Mahak raised an eyebrow.

"I did not think it would be prudent to attempt to hail an enemy flotilla while they were attacking us," The Vulcan said, his words punctuated by the casual disdain reserved for humans. "And I do not believe it would be logical to attempt communication with them now, sir."