Act One, Scene One

[Akirapryde]

PROLOGUE

"Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 53829.04"

"Where to begin." Sighs for a moment

"We are one day out of Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards enroute for Deep Space Nine. The USS Thunderchild NCC-63549, has once more risen from the ashes of its near destruction. This time our near destruction was at the hands of the Dominion and their ruthless Jem'Hadar fighters. During the final hours of the Dominion War, we were conducting rapid raids behind enemy lines. During one of our raids when we were jumped out by a handful of Jem'Hadar attack ships. At first the attack seemed random, but as the battle continued it was clear that somehow the enemy knew where we were and how to hit us hard. The attack came swiftly and without warning as they pounced on us from a nearby asteroid field. During the hight of the battle, both Captain Evelyn Hoffman and Executive Officer, Commander Zdenko were killed."

Another shorter sigh

"Prior to the battle, my role aboard the ship was as a pilot assigned to the tactical fighter wing. However due to injuries from a prior battle, I found my post on the Bridge coordinating the fighters with the ship's actions. I wish I was anywhere else but on the bridge during that battle. If I was just in my fighter with my brothers and sisters, I wouldn't be here today to leave this log. But fate had another role for me and now I must fulfill that role, rather I like it or not."

"With our core leadership dead or not on the bridge I was forced to assumed command of the ship. The battle was brutal and the Jem'Hadar once more proved how they can be a very aggressive enemy. With the bridge smashed I was forced to act as both Commander of the ship, Tactical Officer and Helm Officer all at the same time. As the battle raged, there were times that I was the only active officer on the Bridge. We took a heavily pounding during the battle and at one point we lost main power. I remember back during the Academy how it was said that within any military unit is a group of people on the verge of chaos and panic. This may be true, but not for this crew! They ARE the exception to that rule. Despite loosing nearly all of the senior staff, the junior officers held their departments together. I don't think any commander could ever be more proud of any crew during such a situation as I am after the fact. This ship survived that battle because of its junior officers and the crewmen that supported them."

"As the battle continued, engineering was able to restore main power and had beaten the Jem'Hadar fighters back. However this short breathing room came at a heavy price. So many of the ship's crew and our fighter pilots had paid a high price. Still despite our best efforts, time and the battle were shifting against us. Sensors detected a pair of Breen warships closing on our position. We only had minutes till the Breen were to arrive and the Jem'Hadar ships were regrouping to renew their attack on us. I was left with the painful decision. Do I order our retreat or stay and fight. In retreat I save the ship and whats left of the crew. And at the same time I would be abandoning our fighters at the edges of the battle. Staying and fighting didn't ensure that we could save those brave pilots or meant I could retreat later. My God, what a painful choice."

"With our warp engine back on line, I gave the order to withdraw from the area. I remember the moment those words slipped my lips. Those who agreed with my order followed them without question. Those who didn't turned and gazed at me. I felt their pain and knew what was in their minds. I was breaking one of the most important unwritten rules in Starfleet. Never leave your shipmates behind. How could I forgive myself for what I was about to do. I was leaving my own brothers and sisters behind. I could hear their voices as they were locked in a life and death struggle. I didn't have time to think, the window was closing on our escape. I demanded the order be followed and what was left of the bridge crew obeyed it. I never gave that order a second thought at the time. But it is all I can think about now."

"I can still hear the communication channels echoing in my memory when I close my eyes. The voices of my brothers and sisters calling out to me. They begged for us not to abandon them. Pleaded for us to come back and get them. But we didn't have a choice. I didn't have a choice. It was either leave or the whole ship would be lost. I won't lie, I do wonder sometimes if we could have pushed forward and broke the Jem'Hadar lines. And in doing so, allowed our cut off fighters to come aboard. Would we have been caught by the Breen during that attempt. I have replayed the battle over and over again in my mind. Each time, trying to figure out what I could have done to save them. To do something better than what I feel like I had to do."

"I guess the worse is not really knowing if I made the right call or not. I know for a fact that this will become an order that will haunt me for years to come. I can see this in the eyes of those crew members that remained aboard during and after the refit. So many of them look at me with honor and respect, but there are just as many that look at me with hatred and disgust. So many had been lost during that battle. So many friends and shipmates who had perished, could I have saved my fellow pilots? The unanswered question that will also haunt be, this much I am sure of."

"I know that Lieutenant Jenifer Luther, one of our engineers, thought my actions were cowardly. She has made her opinion of my actions and of me personally clear on a number of times during our repairs. I do feel for her loss. Her husband, Lieutenant Markus Luther, was a member of my fighter group who was still fighting when we were forced to withdraw. Both of them had been a pair of my best friends and now he is gone. Jenifer wont speak with me unless it is about the repairs or in regards to official business. I have tried to express my sorrow for her lost but she shut me out. Maybe it is something I deserve. After all, I alone stand by my actions and because of them, he is gone. Markus had been listed as missing in action but after the war his remains were discovered. Now his official status is listed as killed in action. My best friend is dead, and my order is to blame. I am to blame for his death. How could I ever expect her to forgive me when I can't forgive myself."

"If you ask Star Fleet, they think I made the right choice. I have a shiny new medal to prove their thoughts of my actions. 'Showing Courage and Leadership in the true spirit of Star Fleet' is what the plaque reads. Vice Admiral Ross patted me on the back telling me I did a fine job in saving my fellow shipmates and the ship. Some even suggest that I was a hero in my actions. I don't feel like much of a hero. Jenifer requested a transfer off of the ship two months ago. I don't blame her. I know that look in her eyes when she looks at me. I couldn't even bring myself to look her in the eyes anymore. She left the ship with hardly any fanfare. I guess her days of exploring the galaxy are over. She has returned home and started to rebuild her life. I too feel the call of the stars fading in my ears as well. Its time for me to find a new life beyond Starfleet as well. I don't think I have many more battles left in me."

"After the battle, the ship was in shambles and main power failed not an hour after we made our escape. For nearly three hours we were dead in space and the crews' nerves were on edge till a pair of Romulan Warbirds showed up. It was lucky for us that they did, they were able to tug us back to Deep Space Nine. To think, that I would have been so grateful to see Warbirds. It was under the orders of Vice Admiral Ross, that I would remain in command of the Thunderchild as we limp our way back to the Fleet Yards for repairs. He tasked me with an amazing mission. To command the complete refit of the ship. The vision of Admiral Ross and Admiral Tate was remarkable. An honor that I don't think I deserve. The repair crews couldn't believe that the ship had survived. By this time, we realized how badly our ship was damaged. But the Thunderchild was a proud and strong ship. She had survived the Battle of Sector 001 and she would also survive this. During the nearly year long repairs, I was promoted to Commander as I continued to over see the repairs and refit of the ship."

"During our repairs, I had to replace Lieutenant Luther as she departed the first chance she got. I was lucky to stumble across a upstart fresh Lieutenant Kiera Medart. Smart kid but she has no real idea what is beyond the Sol System. I caught wind that she was looking to leave the shipyards and we needed to new Chief Engineer. Who knew that my pretty shiny new medal won me some favor with Star Fleet Command. I went to Admiral Ross and spoke with him about her request to joining our crew. I mentioned how she was leading much of the repairs and the installation of the new engines. I pointed out that no one knew this ship better than Lieutenant Medart. Next thing I knew, she was promoted to full Lieutenant and her transfer was approved."

"For all of her smarts though, she has failed to be able to locate the problem with our warp engines. It would appear that we are bleeding off energy via our warp field. She has sworn up and down that her engines are operating at peek efficiency, however the loss of energy is still there. The problem started to show its self right after we left the Fleet Yards. During the last few hours, I have made a point to dog her about her new engines and the loss of power. I know it is getting under her skin but I need to see where her breaking point is. I plan to push her even harder tomorrow if she can't correct the problem by then. Hell we only been out of the yards for just over a day. There is no reason why the engines should be bleeding power like this."

"The energy bleed off is enough of a problem but there is also the annoying problems with our computer have been plaguing us since we left the ship yards. The good news is that the random false alarms are giving the security teams a run for them money. It is good training if you ask me. Still, I would like to deliver the Thunderchild to her new Captain in prefect working order. If only Lieutenant Medart can fix her engines or she better have a good reason as to why we are bleeding energy. That or I all give her some close personal combat training with our resident Klingon exchange officer."

Laughs a bit, "Lieutenant Kinchlirah seems like a fine officer. Her combat record is rather impressive. She brings to the ship a whole new point defense system that is singly designed to protect the ship against small ships like Jem'Hadar fighters. A massive power drain on the ship, but creates a interlocking network of micro phasers that can track and engage these fast moving targets at close ranges. The system is remarkable if it will function as Lieutenant Kinchlirah claims. On a personal note, when the rumors came down that I might be assigned as Executive Officer Lieutenant Kinchlirah and I had to end our personal relationship. We have assured ourselves that this is only temporary. Once I deliver the ship to Deep Space Nine and her new commander, I have my own plans."

"Ensign Arendse made a bothersome comment to me yesterday. He said that he was inspired to serve under a hero like me. I will give the young ensign credit. One day he will make a fine Tactical Officer, but his current judge of character is off. I am no hero. A hero would have been able to save those pilots before we withdrew from the battle. No, I am just that guy that made that call. For right or wrong, I must accept what I ordered. And because of that order, my best friend is dead. My fellow pilots are dead. Would Captain Hoffman or Commander Adolfs had made the same call? No, I do not see myself as a hero. I don't think I ever will."

"Currently we are enroute to Starbase 74. Limping along due to computer and warp field problems. The Thunderchild is operating on a skeleton crew and will be picking up the rest of her crew once we arrive. At that time we will also be picking up our new fighter wing along with their fighters. I had had the flight crews stationed at Starbase 74 to continue with their training. I managed to hand pick most of the pilots that would make up this ships new wings. Some of them are combat vets, while others are fresh from the Academy. Together they make a strong mix of skills, experience and fresh ideas. I am sure that our new captain will be impressed with these men and women."

"Speaking of, tomorrow morning we will be rendezvousing with the USS Intrepid to pick up our new Captain and Executive Officer. I personally know Captain Campbell. He served aboard as a Operations Officer during the war, before joining Admiral Tate's staff. He is a good officer and a friend. I can't think of a better officer to lead this fine ship and her crew. As for the new XO, there are only rumors about who that might be. My own guess is that Captain Campbell already has one in mind. As for my role, I have fulfilled my duty. I have seen the ship from space wreck to rebirth. Today, the USS Thunderchild has become the first official carrier in Starfleet. This along with my own long term plans, I have to say my career couldn't end on a better note. That considering how I reached this point in the first place. This is much more than what I dare ask for."

"After our short stay at Starbase 74, we will be departing for Deep Space Nine where our ship will take part in the promotion ceremony of Admiral Ross. I have it on good authority, that the Admiral has personally requested our ship along with a few others to be part of his ceremony. The Thunderchild was his Flagship during the invasion of the Velos system. While that invasion failed, the aftermath of that operation put this ship on the path that turned it in to what the Thunderchild is today."

"Commander Addison Bonham, acting Commanding Officer, USS Thunderchild, End Log."

[Kiera]

“Chief Engineer's Log, Stardate 53829.04 ”

“Wow, still not used to saying that.” Giggles a bit

“I can't believe my luck. First it was good, and then the engine I helped put in this ship is giving me loads of trouble. It's like... like the way I was in my teens. I rebelled against my parents a lot then. My engine... Another thing I need to get used to saying... My engine is just like a teenager. It doesn't want to do as I tell it to, no matter how much screaming at it I've done in the Jeffries tubes when no one else was around.”

“Today has so far proved eventful, to say the least. Not two days into our leaving Utopia Planitia and already I'm getting pressed harder and harder by Commander Bonham, our acting Captain. I've never had to work under this kind of pressure, not even at the Academy. I have a feeling he's testing me, but I can't be sure if he's just naturally impatient and hot-headed.”

“I still have no clue how our power is getting drained. I feel like a surgeon who can't find the correct artery that's causing internal bleeding...” Pause “...Unless the patient is being stabbed in different spots, just out of sight of the surgeon. But who would do that so far inside Federation space? If this were a different era, like that of Captain Kirk's time, I'd suspect our Klingon exchange officer, Lieutenant Kinchlirah. But with all the help we've done for the Klingons, and vice versa during the Dominion War, I can't point the finger at her. Besides, she hasn't given me cause for suspicion. Except for a few outbursts and rumors, she hasn't shown any kind of malicious intent to harm the ship.”

“No, I have to rule out the possibility of sabotage. This is a problem that the work crews at Utopia Planitia have made, so I have to clean up our-I mean their mess. Nothing puts engineering work through it's paces like actual usage. Simulations can only do so much. If I can't fix this problem it will put a black mark on the reputation of the shipyards. The shipyards my parents are assigned to.”

“My mother and father couldn't have been more proud of me when I told them of my promotion to Lieutenant and posting as a chief engineer. To be honest I think my mom was rather jealous of me, seeing as it took her twice as long to reach Lieutenant, Junior Grade, when I made it to full Lieutenant in half the time. But that didn't stop her from hugging and kissing me over and over. To be honest it got kind of embarrassing, especially when her superior officer walked in on her giving me an especially big smooch on the cheek...”

“My dad wasn't as emotional as my mom, but he still hugged me in one of his trademark bear hugs. Unfortunately during my 2 years at the shipyards, I wasn't able to work with either of my parents directly. My dad was on another work detail the entire time I was there. He was working on one of the new Prometheus-class ships, so a lot of his work was classified. To be honest I was rather jealous of his assignment. I would have loved to have helped laid the foundations for such a magnificent ship. But I was able to help repair and refit the Thunderchild, a ship I'm quickly growing attached to.”

Sighs

“Unfortunately not so much of either had happened, to be honest. With all these malfunctions and the warp energy bleeding through the warp field. You know, its almost like we are dragging a weight behind us. But still, I am pleased with these new warp engines. Trouble and all. I was leading one of the best teams at Utopia Planitia by the time I transferred to the Thunderchild. All of my team's work was higher than Starfleet spec. But the other crews seemed to not put their all into the ship's systems. Once I became chief engineer I made sure to check on the team leaders, making sure that their teams completed the work well. Too many times I had to get on someone's ass for not fixing something the correct way. It seems like I had too many slip by me.”

“I haven't had a lot of sleep since we left the shipyards. And my engineering crew, what there is of it, are all pulling double shifts to try and fix the problems that slipped past my oversight. I just wish that we could have gotten the rest of my crew before leaving, instead of having to fly out to Starbase 74 to pick them up. With just a skeleton crew it's almost impossible to find and fix all the bugs in the systems.”

Sighs loudly

“I have to tell the Commander that I cannot fix the power drain issue. Not with a skeleton crew, at least. My parents always told me that if there was a problem I couldn't solve, I was to 'google it.' That's an old Earth term that meant researching what could be the answer. I'm kind of a history nerd... Well, I've searched through the Starfleet database, and couldn't find an answer that was plausible to our situation. I just have to keep searching through the bowels of the ship to find the problem. More sleepless nights. Maybe I can raid sickbay for some stimulants stronger than coffee.” Yawns “The doc and their medical team isn't supposed to board until Starbase 74.”

“I hope I'm not transferred off the ship when we get there. I don't think I can solve the power loss before then. But I have taken care of most of the small bugs when they pop up. Like the problem with the Ops station on the bridge not displaying the correct sensors. That was a pretty bad issue. Luckily I caught it right after we departed. To think that we were getting the wrong sensor readings for almost six hours. Lucky we didn't fly in to another ship or something. Another issue was with a short in the Captain's Ready Room. Commander Bonham was complaining about a light that kept burning out. That was actually one of my easiest fixes. It was just a problem with an EPS conduit housing being damaged. Everything else has been just one headache after another. This ship has more gremlins than I ever imaged it could.”

Another sigh

“I could really use some rest. Maybe a good night's sleep will help me with my problem tomorrow.”

“Lieutenant Kiera Medart, Chief Engineer, U.S.S. Thunderchild.”

[Lieutenant Kinchlirah]

Welcome Aboard Lieutenant Kinchlirah, again

Standing on the pad of just prior to transport, Lieutenant Kinchlirah looked around the ship that carried her back in to Federation space. She was returning to her first official posting aboard a Federation ship. Sure serving along side them in battle was one thing but this adventure had opened up a completely new experience for her. One that brought something in to her life she never dreamed from a human. It was General....er Chancellor Martok's idea that more warriors of the Empire serve along side our Federation allies. It is a trail program that had some success in the past. But for her, it meant so much more than just that. She was hoping beyond hope that this would open up doors for her that would other wise not be offered to her in the Empire. Already, she found something she never dared possible. All that was left was to continue down this path. She gave a nod to the transporter operator and soon she was beamed off the ship.

She stared through the transporter shimmer at the sight of the USS Thunderchild. There is a Petty Officer, Vulcan female, at the transporter controls and a young human man stands in front of the control platform just between the transporter pads and the Petty Officer. He wore the rank as Ensign as he smiled at me and said, "Welcome Aboard Lieutenant." She heard his Klingon and found it horrible and could only think, 'my reception committee.

The Klingon warrior is an impressive sight to most "starfleets". Nearly two meters tall in her military boots, she is clad in the traditional uniform of the Empire. There is a bright medal on her chest. Her hair is a cloud of red and it is displayed in full traditional style as so to show off her thick forehead. Her eyes are large, penetrating, and brown. The center of her chest was exposed in traditional style. Lieutenant Kinchlirah was well endowed just like most Klingon women. Hanging from her left hip was a Klingon Disrupter and on her right a traditional Klingon Blade. Lieutenant Kinchlirah smiles at the two crew members and it is a predatory display. She could see how the Ensign was uneasy at the sight. Her over-all impression is disconcerting, to say the least.

The Ensign introduces himself, but she stopped him with a hand, "Your Klingon is insulting. I can speak English just fine" Lieutenant Kinchlirah said coldly. Shifting uneasily, he reached for the large bag beside her - her personal effects. She also reach for it and they took hold of the handle. The pair stop and stared into each others eyes for a long second. He lifted the bag and so did she. Again they pause and stare.

He said, "I can carry this Lieutenant." He seemed determined to do so.

She was not some weakened beast and was determined to carry her own belongings. The bag was now suspended between them as she assure him, "I am quite capable." The Ensign gave another tug and she immediately counter by giving her handle a yank.

For the moment, they both had forgotten about the transporter technician. No one knows that that Petty Officer thought of the scene which was playing out before her. It must seem like a comedy routine just for her benefit as the two of them were struggling for possession of the bag.

Knowing his place, he bowed as he let go of the bag, "Yes Lieutenant, I am sorry." He took a step back and motioned for the door. "This way please."

He had surrendered the bag far to easily which disappointed Lieutenant Kinchlirah. She took the bag with such force that it whipped about. The battle over the bag ended before it could begin. She turned and headed for the door with the Ensign following closely.

The Thunderchild was in impressive ship. She was to be the first of her kind in the Starfleet. Lieutenant Kinchlirah had done her homework on the ship. After the Dominion War, the Federation had learned a valuable lesson regarding small ship tactics. The Thunderchild was to be a test bed of new technology, which was why she was here in the first place. This mighty ship had undergone nearly a year long refit to act as a carrier. The joint project involved some of the best minds that both the Klingons and Federation had to offer. Lieutenant Kinchlirah had been helping in developing a different kind of defense grid for the Thunderchild. The ship still carried its main weapons systems, however thanks to the Empire the Thunderchild carried a grid of weapons specially designed to target and engage smaller ships at closer range.

After the over all tour, Lieutenant Kinchlirah was pleased to finally see her weapon grid installed. She had been here before but had to leave a couple of months ago. The weapon grid had not been fully installed prior to her departure. She had been edger to see what was done since her departure. Her specifications were what she had planned them to be. She had left very clear instructions and she was pleased to see that they were followed.

She noticed that some of the new crew had come aboard since her departure. It was clear that some of these new recruits haven't seen a Klingon before. Their looks made her feel uneasy but she shook it off quickly. She knew the score aboard this ship. Being a Klingon aboard a Federation ship was one thing. However for Lieutenant Kinchlirah, being a scientist and a Klingon offered its own issues. She was brought to her cabin that she used to occupy a few months ago.

The Ensign attempted to explain the luxuries of the ship only to be stopped by Lieutenant Kinchlirah once more. "Ensign, I understand you are new. However I have been here before. I was part of the first phase of this ship's refit. So I know my way around" she said while turning around. She dropped her bag on the table as smiled, "Even your Brig is like Risa."

The Ensign nodded as he retreated, "The Duty Rooster has been posted Lieutenant. You are expected on the bridge within the hour. Also, Commander Bonham sends his regards." He said as she looked around the room.

She smile top herself at the name, but made to outward expression. With a nod she said, "Excellent, Ensign. Inform the Commander that I shall be there as soon as I get my things put back away."

He nodded as he continued to back out of the room and left without another statement.

Lieutenant Kinchlirah walked slowly over to the bed. It was not a Klingon bed, but over the past few months she had come to welcome it. Her untimely departure from the Thunderchild was of a personal nature and Commander Bonham didn't like not knowing, but accepted her request to keep it private. As she had promised, she had returned.

For the past few months, it was her work that had been the center focus of the Thunderchild's defensive systems. Thirty separate phaser arrays lined the ship on both top and bottom. Each array were independent of each other with their own back up power supply and targeting systems. The idea was that once the ship was placed on Red Alert the system would switch to automatic fire mode. It would be able to track and target fast moving ships at very close ranges. And engage those targets once the Tactical Officer removed the safety. The system was interlocked with advanced IFF systems to keep friendly fighters from becoming targets. If the test system worked, than she would be honored throughout the Empire for its development.

She walked along her quarters and came to a stop at her dresser. Her belongings were just as they had been the day she left two months ago. She ran her hand over the Bat'leth hanging over her dresser. She remembered the day that she was welcomed in to the Order of the Bat'leth. When she was young, no one thought she would make it this far. After all her love for science had easily over shadowed her love for battle. But she had found in battle, the science of war. She smiled as she reflected on her life and the rewards that came with her hard work.

She turned and walked for the bathroom and the shower beyond. It was time once more to prove why General....Chancellor Martok choose her for this critical mission. The way he put it, one would think that the fate of the Empire rested solely on her and her project. Her success and that of the Thunderchild would open up a new future for the Empire and change the balance of power once more.

[Akirapryde]

OOC Narrator Note: I just got Technical Adviser (TA) approval for this post. Seeing how it is only the two of you and both have informed me that you are ready. I am posting early. This is not a change in the official posting schedule rather it is catering to the wishes of my two players in the moment. I can not promise that future posts will go up ahead of their release dates.

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The Attack, Stardate: 53829.11

The Attack
Just Twenty Four Hours out of Sol System
USS Thunderchild, NCC-63549
Stardate: 53829.04
Commander Bonham, Acting Captain

Commander Bonham stepped on to the bridge with a look of concern on his rugged face. He had been summoned to the bridge by the Operations Officer regarding yet again another issue with computer control. "We can make it better Fleet Yards said. Seems to me that we have had more problems with our systems than ever before." He grumbled as he stormed passed Lieutenant Kinchlirah and the tactical station. It had been a very eventful day with false alarms and sensor blackouts across the ship. What made him the most mad over the situation was that no one, NO ONE on the ship could explain the rash of system failures.

Commander Bonham stood just over two meters tall and was a well built attractive human. Normally, a nasty burn that covered the left side of his face and went below his uniform often disguised his smile and the soul of a man that had great care for his shipmates. While he could easily have the scar removed, Commander Bonham has chosen to keep it as a reminder of that day he abandoned his best friend. Unlike so many officers from the Dominion War, he bore his scares for all to see. The years on this ship has taught him both courage and humility in the face of death. If it was not for his latest rounds with Starfleet Medical and their councilors, he would have been cleared for a position of Executive Officer. To him, it was those very scares that held him back from command. However to Starfleet Medicial, it was his inability to forgive himself that was holding him back.

Starfleet Medical was the last thing on his mind right now. He had much larger issues if he was to deliver this ship to its new commander safely. Their problme now was once one system went in to failure, it would cascade across other nearby systems. Teams would be dispatched to repair the faulty system only to find that the system was operating normally. "Tell me Lieutenant" he said speaking to Kinchlirah, "What do the Klingons call gremlins." There was a hint of humor in his voice but it was clearly a front as anger boiled just below the surface. He stormed passed Tactical on his way across the bridge.

The tall Klingon watched the ship's commander cross the bridge as she answer, "Gremlins? Yes, I know what you mean. We have many names for them. Pakleds. Ferengi. Tribbles. Sometimes we call them 'starfleets'."

As he walked across the bridge of the Thunderchild towards the Operations Station there was purpose with each step. He was in foul mood and dared anyone to cross him this morning. He knew that they were doing their best under the conditions. But being out of control like this was testing him. Still despite his anger, the crew had become his family. During the ship's repairs, he has come to know each member of this crew like they were his personal family. Even the twenty two cadets they took on two weeks ago. Commander Bonham took the time to get to know each of them on a personally level.

The situation on the Bridge of the Thunderchild seemed to be in a hyper sense of tension. "Talk to me Ops" he said in a deeply calm yet demanding voice.

Lieutenant T'Lora hands drifted over the controls of her station, "Sir, I have detected some more strange operations from the central computer. However I am finding it harder this time to locate which systems are being effected......Puzzling" Her Vulcan face shifted as the information revealed a new problem. Her hands moved over the console, then without looking up from her station, "I am detecting an unauthorized transporter operation."

Commander Bonham rushed over to the Ops Station, "What do you mean? Which transporter?"

Her hands glided over her controls as she discovered more information regarding the situation. Her station lit up as the situation evolved, "Sir......." she said as she looked up, "All of them." She paused for a moment, "I am confirming twelve separate site to site transporter beams across the ship. All beams have originated from within the ship and terminated within the ship."

"Damn those upgrades" Commander Bonham said with a cruise. "Some one locate our Chief Engineer and inform her that the transporters are acting up now."

Lieutenant T'Lora looked up from her station, "Lieutenant Medart and her entire engineering shift are currently located on deck fourteen, Holodeck two."

Commander Bonham looked at the young Vulcan with shock, "What are they doing there?" His frustration was no longer.

Lieutenant T'Lora returned her attention back to her station, "It would appear that they were just transported from Engineering to the deck fourteen." Commander Bonham was about to cut in to say something when the Vulcan cut him off with urgency, "Sir, I am detecting another unauthorized transporter operation cycling up."

Commander Bonham looked over the controls, "Shut it down!"

In that moment a buzzing sound filled the bridge as the five personal of the morning bridge shift started to glow in a soft blue light. Even as the transport was taking place, Lieutenant T'Lora fought in vain to halt the transport. However it was too late. Within seconds, the entire bridge crew were gone and five other crew members stood scattered across the bridge. The look on their faces showed their confusion. Each of the new inhabitants of the bridge carried some kind of tool. Finally an Andorian stepped forward and activated his com-badge, "Crewman Thelev ch'Irroh to Flight Operations, my deck crew and I were just transported from our stations on the flight deck to the bridge. The Bridge crew is not at their stations on the bridge. Please advice."

---

Deck 16, Section 8:

Commander Bonham and his bridge crew rematerialized in the ship's Gymnasium. There was clear anger over his face as he looked around. He tapped his com-badge, "Lieutenant Medart these computer issues have gone far from annoying to, FIX MY SHIP!" The anger dripped from every word as he looked around calculating how long it will take to get back to the bridge. However over the com-channel, a strange garbled noise was heard. Bonham turned in anger back to his staff.

(OOC Character Information: TurboLifts are currently off line. It would appear at the moment that the Computer has suffered a critical system failure that has cascaded across all internal systems.)

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Deck 8, Section 15:

The sounds of transporters down the corridor could easily be heard as the supposed transporter malfunction continued send members of the crew across the ship. At this point, each transporter was acting independent of the others picking up members of the crew and transporting them to another position within the ship. TurboLifts are all nonfunctional as well as voice interface with the computer. With engineering and the bridge not manned by their crews, it has become hard to bring the situation under control. Sounds of urgent calls down the hall indicated the chaos and confusion that has been caused by the 'malfunction'.

The corridor lit up with the soft blue glow of a transporter. Normally this would trigger a number of alarms on the tactical officers sensors on the bridge and within Central Security Station three decks above. However those stations were not currently manned by their crews. Also due to the 'malfunction' it was suspected that it would be nearly impossible for the computer to identify this one signal as that of an intruder. However with the latest upgrade that the Thunderchild had, the computer did detect the signal and identify that the origin of the beam was not from the ship. This caused an alert to be sent from the internal security sensors to both the bridge and Central Security. At two separate stations within the ship an intruder alert signal was activated. However neither stations were manned so there was no one to react to it.

As the transport completed, the woman dressed in a Starfleet uniform stood in the middle of the corridor. Her uniform indicated that she was a member of an engineering section. This would allow her to move about without drawing much attention to herself. Her long fiery red hair stood out as did the fire in her eyes. This fire from her eyes, reflected a deep routed mission that was driving her. Once the transport was completed she reached with her right hand up to a small device on her left shoulder and activated it with a few taps. Once the device was activated she cupped the right side of her face with her right hand and tapped a device in her ear with a finger, "Susquehanna, transport complete. Sensor dampening field has been activated."

The device on her shoulder was clearly homemade and ensure that the internal sensors of the ship could no longer detect her. Despite the upgraded sensors on the ship they would only be able to detect a shadowy ghost of her body. The device was playing havoc on the internal sensors of the ship making identifying the intruder all but impossible for the ship's stricken computer. All it could tell was that the intruder was a female and possible human. Beyond that, the ship could not gather any further information about her. It was the same device that allowed her to breach another Starfleet facility a weeks ago. However unlike today, she had been able to slip in and leave completely undetected. Today however, she wanted to be detected. Today, her mission called for her actions to be witnessed but her identity to still remain a mystery. 'All in good time' she thought as she gave a nod to herself.

Despite her goals today, she still had to move with caution. After all, the goal didn't call for getting caught. The Thunderchild proved to be more problematic getting on board undetected. Three times she had attempted to get on board only to trip the upgraded internal security systems. A number of fail safes had prevented her from taking the security systems completely off line. Truth be told, she was getting frustrated with the whole issue. Scrambling the entire Computer was starting to look like an inviting idea. However that would send the Thunderchild back to the shipyards for months of computer repairs. And worse yet, possible injuries. That was something she was unwilling to accept at this stage. She came up with this plan just before the Thunderchild left the shipyards yesterday. It was daring but offered the limited possible risks of other's being hurt. After all, she didn't have any issues with the crew of this ship. She only needed to complete her mission and that meant accessing their computer core.

A light brown leather pouch with a flap hung from a strap that crossed over torso. The pouch hung just above her waist and looked more like a purse. There were no markings on the pouch and the flap fastened with a simple leather tie. The intruder reached in to her pouch with her left hand and pulled out a tricorder. Carefully as her eyes scanned the corridor, she opened the tricorder and started to scan the area. Her voice seemed to be the only voice on the deck "continue to monitor the situation, Susquehanna. I can detect that damping field just a few meters away from my position. I am preceding towards Computer Control Center." Though the sensors could not detect her physical form, it was able to detect and record her voice. However it was unable to detect the signal which was being transmitted to the device in her ear.

Another female voice softly spoke in to the intruder's ear, "Confirmed. Our transporter protocols are still in effect. I am still detecting a large number of independent transporter signals across the ship. A number of intra communication traffic across the ship indicates the crew is in a state of chaos. Aside for who is in the Computer Control Center, your deck is clear of life forms. Proceed with caution. This wont last for long, you need to be quick. Be advised, there is an intruder alert single that has been triggered. However it would appear you were right, it has not been acknowledged by either security or the bridge station. There is no indication that the crew is aware of you beaming aboard. I will continue to limit their ability to track your movements from here and watch their attempts to regain control over those effected systems. Be safe." The transmissions that the intruder heard were only in her ear. No one around her would be able to hear what was being told to her.

The intruder nodded as she moved down the corridor, "understood. Keep monitoring my progress. I don't want to have any security personal sneaking up on me." She left the channel open as she started to walk down the corridor.

The intruder cautiously proceeded down the corridor as she used the tricorder to scan the area around her. She could easy identify the dampening field which prevented her from beaming directly to the Computer Control Room. The plan had been simple, override the Computer Operations by using Starfleet's own command codes. Set the crew in to a state of chaos and exploit the situation so that she can download the data that she needed. Then slip away before the crew could react to her actions. She had thought that she had calculated everything that could go wrong with this plan.

Seconds after her plan started, she detected a dampening field in the Computer Control Room. She wasn't sure if the dampening field was as a result of the 'computer malfunctions' which she had caused across the ship. Or it could have been someone detected the computer virus that she had uploaded in to the Computer Core yesterday and was reacting to it. Or as a result of a crew member reacting to the supposed random transporter malfunctions which was clearing a path for the intruder. It really didn't matter why the field within the Computer Control Room was set up. The fact that it was there was enough of a problem.

This forced her to beam in a corridor instead of the Computer Control Room as she had wanted to. She wouldn't lie, the speed of the damping field had impressed her. She already had her thoughts as to whom had attempted to ruin their plans. Still, now she had to adapt to the change in the situation. There was simply no choice to back off now. Tomorrow the Thunderchild's situation would change. No, she simply had no choice but to continue now. She had already passed the point of no return two weeks ago. She simply couldn't go back now. The fate of the Federation now rested in her hands alone. No one had believed her so now she had to do the unthinkable to protect the Federation.

The change meant that her limited time would be pressed even tighter than before. She had planned for the entire infiltration was to last four and a half minutes from beginning to end. The download of the date would take two and a half minutes. Now, she was forced to amend her time tables. Still she could not remain on board for longer than four and a half minutes. This deadline was the amount of time that it would take a security personal to override the lock outs that isolated this deck from the rest of the ship and reach the Computer Control Room. There was nothing left to chance, it was four and a half minutes. Not one second longer or else she risked capture and a return to Starfleet Medical. The very thought of that place caused her heart to race with fear. They tried to murder her and claimed it was a suicide attempt. She couldn't go back, not while the fate of the Federation was in the balance. Capture was simply not an option for her. She couldn't go back, she won't go back. She had to prove to them that she was not lying. And the truth that she needed was hidden in this ship's memory core.

However she couldn't tip her hand, not yet. He knew that she had escaped and was out for revenge. He had tried to kill her once already and he wouldn't stop now. She had tried to run and hide but his people had found her back on Mars and tried again to silence her. But now everything had changed. Now she knew who he was and she was able plot and plan for his actions. She knew that he had the resources of Starfleet behind him. No one would listen to her, no one would believe her. The crew of this ship would carry out his orders without question if they caught her. They would kill her just like he had tried on Earth. With her death, soon would follow the Federation. No, she couldn't trust this crew, capture could not be accepted. No matter the cost. It was because of this baseline fear, she had no choice but to get away before the crew could react to the situation.

Even if they could escape the ship, they were not out of harms way yet. Their runabout, the Susquehanna, despite being state of the art for a runabout, but it still had its limitations. It could never hope to out run a ship like the Thunderchild. This was why they had to keep surprise and time on their side. The success of their mission depended on keeping at least two steps ahead of Starfleet. Just like at the Proxima shipyards, they were able to take full advantage of Starfleet's weaknesses. Getting their hands on the Susquehanna while it was at the shipyards was no easy task. It was in taking the runabout while Starfleet was still unaware that the little ship was even missing, this was a work of art.

Our intruder worked her way up the corridor hoping that her luck would continue to hold out despite the changes to her over all plan. Still cautiously and with great awareness moved up to a door and scanned inside it. "Susquehanna, I am at Computer Control Room. The scans indicate that the field is in fact originating from within the room. I am detecting a few life signs within the room but the field is preventing me from getting a fix on numbers or races. Can you penetrate the field and beam them out?"

The ear piece came alive once more, "No, the field is too localized and is scrambling my targeting sensors. Look, it's too dangerous. Let us switch places and I will clear the room for you."

The intruder started to tapped a few commands in to her tricorder, "No. There is not enough time. It will be just like how you trained me. Don't worry, I can do this" she said as she closed her tricorder and placed it back in to the pouch. "Plus we will never get this close to the data again. We have to continue" she explained as she pulled out a set of darkened thick glasses and earplugs out of her pouch. "I have overrode their security lock outs and am proceeding forward with our plan. I will contact you when I have the room secured. Out" she said then removed the comlink from her ear and held it in her hand as she put the ear plugs in her ears. Then she placed the comlink in her pouch with one hand and slide the glasses over her eyes. As she pulled a metal canister from her pouch. It was crud but would be highly effective for her desired goal.

The intruder didn't like the idea of a direct confrontation with Starfleet personal. However, from the very beginning she knew that this was a risk that had to be accepted. She pulled the pin on the canister and remained low as she activated the door controls. On her command and to the surprise of those inside, the door hissed open. She rolled the canister in to the far side of the room where she saw the most personal. She shielded her eyes by turning away and covering her ears as the device went off. A loud popping sound erupted from the device as the entire room filled with a near blinding light. Nothing permanent just enough to give her the upper hand in the coming battle. She moved in as the doors closed behind her.

She scanned the room carefully as she sized up each of the four crew members. Even as the man standing next to her was drawing his weapon, she took the vital moments to examine the situation. In preparation for this mission she understood the importance of learning as much as she could about the crew. She felt that hours of study would be the difference between success or failure. Each bit of information no matter how trivial was critical to success. For her, this mission was simply too important to leave to chance. As she took in a deep breath her heart rate slowed and her eyes shifted from target to target. Each crew member coming in to prefect vision through her mind's eye. Carefully and rapidly she assessed each one.

To her left was the young Ensign Stanton Faulknen in a golden uniform. He graduated from the Academy three months ago and the Thunderchild was his first post. His dedication to his duties and eagerness to learn more earned him the respect of the ship's acting commander. He scored average in most of his classes but never seemed to give up no matter the obstacles before him. He was from a small town just outside of San Fransisco. He has had a relationship with a woman back home that was going on six years. He had recently acquired a ring which he had planned to give her next year on his shore leave. His position on the ship was with Security and was currently on duty.

This area was part of his normal patrol so she had figured that an encounter with him was probable. To her disappointment because of his location in relation to the concussion blast, he didn't suffer as much as the other three crew members had. This meant that he was much more aware of what was going on around him. Also his better training in security operations as well as the simply fact that he was about to target her with a phaser made him particularly dangerous. It was these reasons why she placed Ensign Faulknen risk assessment as the highest in the room and therefore he had to be subdued first.

Turning to face the intruder was the Vulcan Computer Specialist Lieutenant Paaleia. One of nineteen Vulcans aboard the ship. She graduated the Academy three years ago and served aboard the Thunderchild during their last ill fated mission. She had decided to stay on board after the ship returned to the shipyards for repairs. Her scientific mind made her a good selection for Computer Specialist though she has noted in her personal logs of her passion for music. There were more than ten entries in her personal logs regarding Commander Bonham. However, Lieutenant Paaleia felt that the Commander only saw her as more of a daughter rather than an acceptable mate. A situation that the Vulcan did not find logical. The intruder could empathize with Lieutenant Paaleia's conflict in having feelings for a superior officer.

Lastly, there were a pair of cadets set at their consoles within the computer control station. They were both reacting much slower to the situation than the first two officers. Cadet Arron Vangelos and Ashlea Galven. Both came aboard a few weeks ago as part of their cadet cruise. Each had scored unremarkable in their classes which is why they were not given better assignments for their cruises. The intruder placed their threat level as low on her list.

The intruder could plainly see the open tricorder on one of the consoles. It was clear that it was the source of the damping field. As she finished her assessment of the situation her eyes glided back to her single largest threat, Ensign Faulknen. Her breath now fully drawn and her body and mind fully switched in to combat mode. The sounds and smells of the coming battle triggered thoughts locked deep in dark places of the intruder's mind. Ensign Faulknen had just fully drew out his phaser and was just starting to swing it towards the intruder.

The intruder side stepped to the left in a fluid motion closing on the young security officer as he attempted to take aim at her. The intruder's speed was much faster then Ensign Faulknen had expected and her experienced gave her an unfair advantage over him. The intruder caught his wrist as he attempted to take aim at her at the same time she drove her left elbow in to his soft side just below his ribcage. The blow winded the young Ensign taking the fight from his lung and weakened his resolve.

If he had realized the close ranges, the young Ensign would have never reached for his phaser. It was a classic rookie mistake. The intruder comforted herself with the thought that at least in this encounter, he would survive and learn from the mistake. Something that so few of her closest friends had the opportunity to enjoy. But still she meant to make him pay dearly for the mistake. To make it a lesson that he would not soon forget. Holding his right wrist firmly, she twisted his wrist turning his elbow upward. At the same time she drew back her left arm and raised it above his right arm. She brought it down on the fully extended joint.

The arm bent in such a way that it clearly broke, the sound of the joint breaking was clearly heard in the room. The phaser flung from his grip and flew somewhere across the room as the intruder whipped the broken right arm like a rope. The young Ensign let out a scream filled with pain as he was helpless to stop the intruder. The intruder pulled on the damaged arm as she spun him around and built up momentum. Using her leverage and speed she sent the Ensign stumbling towards a nearby consoles. With the motion that was given to him, he flipped over the console and temporally vanished from sight.

Even before the Ensign was no longer a threat, the intruder was already tracking Lieutenant Paaleia. The Vulcan was in full motion to intercept the intruder when she had walked in to the room. As the Lieutenant plotted out her own actions, the intruder was considering the possible attacks that the Lieutenant could carry out. The intruder controlled the speed of the attack and this gave her an incredible advantage over the defenders. Lieutenant Paaleia's ability to act without emotion and fully with logic made her very dangerous as well as predictable and the intruder was not about to underestimate either. As Lieutenant Paaleia moved in for the attack, the intruder spun to the left side of Lieutenant Paaleia and drove a powerful punch in to the side of the Vulcan followed by another powerful blow to the lower back. The intruder's actions were clearly a martial arts form that Lieutenant Paaleia had seen back on Vulcan.

The two hits were surgical and meant to stun the Vulcan long enough for the next attack. For all the power of the twin hits, Lieutenant Paaleia spun as she blocked the third attack. Realizing that Lieutenant Paaleia had recovered faster than expected, intruder shifted her attacks in mid motion by dropping her torso and in doing so avoided Lieutenant Paaleia's swing. Again, the intruder actions were much like a martial arts form favored by many Vulcan officers. Like a great cat, the intruder sprung up and forward with a powerful side kick to Lieutenant Paaleia's right side shoulder. The force of the kick thrust the Vulcan to the right and square in to a bulkhead. The blow snapped the Lieutenant's head back and sent her stumbling down to the deck.

The intruder knew that the two cadets were moving to engage her long before they realized that their actions were detected. As she landed after her kick on Lieutenant Paaleia, she hit the deck in a roll to buy time and steel the advantage from the two cadets. With all her motion, she leaped her body back up in to the air once more. In mid air, the intruder spun her body over and in to a spinning kick. The top of her boot landed square on the side of Cadet Vangelos head. The blow sent him half stumbling half flying backwards and over the console that Ensign Faulknen had just stumbled over. The Ensign Faulknen was just recovering from his own beating when he was knocked back to the ground by Cadet Vangelos. The two shipmates were no longer a current threat as the intruder shifted her attention Cadet Galven.

Cadet Galven didn't waste any time as she unleashed a series of rapid random attacks on the intruder. It was clear that Cadet Galven had focused a bit too much time studying Computer Operations and Technology rather then her personal combat classes. The intruder was easily able to deflect each attack with skill of a martial arts' master. What Cadet Galven didn't realize was that the intruder was using the cadet's attacks to set the cadet up for defeat. The intruder deflected the cadet's last attack and using the momentum of the attack, the intruder spun the cadet around and locked her neck in a choking hold. The cadet let out a helpless scream as panic filled her mind. 'One, two, three' the intruder thought as she counted carefully. Too much time in the choke hold and the cadet could be seriously injured. The fight faded quickly from the cadet as her body went limp and the intruder let the cadet slip to the deck in a deep slumber. The battle was over for the young Computer specialist.

From the intruder's periphery vision, the intruder took notice of Lieutenant Paaleia moving at her. The motion of the Vulcan's arm was a clear indication of the Lieutenant's next attack. 'A Vulcan neck pinch....really?' crossed the intruder's mind. Such a classic Vulcan attack and for the trained infiltrator, easily blocked. It was a logical move for Lieutenant Paaleia, end the battle right here with one attack. The intruder shifted her weight in full motion as the battle tempo never slowed down. Using her speed the intruder shifted to the left while grappling Lieutenant Paaleia's attack. While Lieutenant Paaleia might be stronger than the intruder in normal situations, the use of momentum gave the intruder much higher advantage than the Vulcan's pure strength. The intruder spun around Lieutenant Paaleia body taking with her the Vulcan's arm and tightening the grapple hold. "Good night!" the intruder said as she surprised the Vulcan by reversing the neck pinch. Lieutenant Paaleia fell to the deck in a heap of unmoving flesh.

During the intruder's training for this mission, it was clear that the upper hand would at one point in time shift to the Starfleet defenders. It was a risk that could not be ignored. So as part of her training for this mission, she focused on what would happen once the upper hand shifted against her. It was Cadet Vangelos who bravely leaped from the console and grappled the intruder. There are times when timing just wasn't in your favor. In this game, Cadet Vangelos was able to get behind her before she realized he was there and grappled her in a tight bear hug style attack.

To both of their surprise, he was able to pin her arms just above her waist. It was in that moment that the intruder knew that the upper hand had shifted. Time was critical to steel back the advantage. In that moment, and much deeper in her mind something was unleashed. The intruder glanced at the reflection of the being behind her on a nearby monitor. She saw the Cardassian holding her fast in his arms. "Settle down you Federation whore!" he spat at her.

Terror filled her mind as she knew what was coming next. It always came like this. The group of guards would hold her down and force their way with her. Panic filled her mind as she let out a terror filled scream that shocked everyone in the room. Her eyes refocused on pure survival. She fought back like a caged animal twisting and struggling with all her might. She had to ensure that he couldn't further secure and tighten his grip. The intruder flexed her body and twisted it over and over again to work his arms just a bit looser.

Her mind raced forcing herself to realize where she really was and not to allow these illusions to ruin their chance of success. Once more she screamed as she could see those nasty Cardassians lining up to take their turn with her. She fought both in her mind and with her body. She couldn't loss control, 'Goddess, please not now!' she screamed in to her own mind. By sheer force of will she could see past her nightmares and see what was going on. It was in that moment she spotted Starfleet's last critical mistake.

She spotted Ensign Faulknen rushing to where the phaser had been flung. She knew that due to this mistake she had time to work herself free. But that time would soon elapse. She had to work free, NOW! She used her motion once more and snapped her head backwards right in to the cadet's face. The impact broke his nose and caused both to stumble. Still he held her fast yelling for the Ensign to help. With the Cadet dazed slightly, the intruder bent her whole body forward as she thrust her right leg out and beside him. Bending as much as her body would allow, she forced her joints to bend beyond their limits. This caused her great pain but the attack had to be landed. She screamed out in pain as she landed her kick to the back side of his head.

The blow blurred his vision slightly and forced him to stumble forward towards one of the consoles. With their position right where she needed them to be, she put her final plan in to motion. She leaped up while he held her tight. Bending her knees she planted both of her feet on the console. With all her might she pushed herself off of the console and backwards. The motion sent both Cadet and the intruder in his arms stumbling backwards towards a nearby bulkhead. She timed her next action with such perfection that even a Vulcan would be impressed.

As Cadet Vangelos hit the bulkhead with his own head, she slammed her head once more in to his weakened face. The combined impacts took their toll on the young cadet. His grip gave way as he slid down to the deck. The sound of the door to the mainframe room hissed open in reaction to the cadet and the intruder being near the door. The Cadet slipped down towards the deck with thoughts of starships in his dreams. The battle for the Computer Control Room was reaching its conclusion and till this moment not one crew member had been permanently injured. A fact that she could take pride in. Still there was no time for reassuring herself as the battle was not over yet.

The intruder landed lightly on her feet with her center of gravity centered perfectly. Her eyes fixed on Ensign Faulknen who was just raising up from behind a console with his phaser in his off, left, hand. It was clear that this was not his dominate hand, but he was still focused on using the weapon. The smile on his face told her that he had assumed that the battle was over and he was the victor. 'Arrogant' she thought as the two carefully plotted out their next actions. Not even seconds passed as the two took their next actions.

Time faded away as the two combatants locked glares at each other. She saw hatred and revenge in his eyes. In her eyes, he saw her determination. In just a few short moments, she had taken down three of his shipmates with what seemed to be little effort. He had every intention to make her pay for her attack on his ship. It was these emotions that she knew all too well, revenge. 'If he only knew' she thought. What he could never understand was that he was the last person standing in the way of her mission to save the Federation. In her eyes, Ensign Faulknen saw the kind of determination that would not be denied. It was as much a test of wills as it was a test of speed.

Ensign Faulknen knew what had to be done and this guided his actions. His finger moved over the phaser while taking aim with the weapon. He changed the settings to heavy stun. He smiled cause unlike her first attack on him, now he had range on his side. He assumed that this automatically gave him the advantage. She had no weapon and thus he knew he had beaten her. It was arrogance that blinded him to the consequences of his actions. So what if she got a bit hurt from the stun. It was what she deserved for what she did here today. With little regard for cover or the skill that she had shown to this moment, he rose up from behind cover and took aim at her. Her speed and reaction was as fast as it was when she first walked in to this room. She leaped to the right side so fast that it was hard for the Ensign to track her.

Her actions were faster than what he could predict as he fired his phaser at her. He couldn't deny that the shot was a bit blind as she moved just moments before he hit the fire button. He watched her as time seemed to slow to a painful crawl. She reached out for the open tricorder on the console next to her. She snatched it up and flung it at him as she let out a loud grunting sound. The phaser beam passed over her left shoulder and in to the mainframe room. The tricorder spun on its flat side like a Frisbee towards him. Ignoring her desperate attack, he tracked her with the phaser counting on his next shot to hit her. A shot that would never come as the tricorder impacted his head causing his vision to blur and go black. The tricorder broke as it smashed in to bulkhead near where the Ensign had been standing. The battle for the Computer Control Room was over just moments after it started.

---

(OOC Informational for all characters in play: Security has been notified of an intruder in the Computer Control Room, Deck 8, Section 15. The party has been notified of the intruder. Statements in blue will be available for review after the next Plot Line Post. Statements in light red are not known to the party or the ship at all. You may not use either of the colored statements in your current posts. Please take time to consider your actions. Ask me questions if you wish. Plot out your next actions carefully! Next post will go up in seven days. Remember all conversations between players should be conducted in game/in character to ensure that vital in game information is not lost.)

(OCC: Narrator Edit, corrected the Stardate. It is Feb 16, 2377)

[Kiera]

Section was a contribution by Medart (former Character to our game).

"...Sato, check the-" The hum of a transporter beam ringing in her ears was the first sign that she knew something was wrong. Before she knew it, it was too late to stop what was about to happen. At first she was disoriented. 'Wasn't I just in Engineering looking at a diagnostic panel?' she thought as she looked around at her engineering team. All seemed to be just as disoriented as she was. The entire main engineering division was standing around the vast gardens of one of the holodecks on board of the Thunderchild.

It took Lieutenant Medart a few seconds to get her bearings. She knew this wasn't earth, but this also wasn't engineering either. 'Great' she cursed herself, "now the transporters are acting up." she looked around for the exit arch of the holodeck and she called out "Computer, exit." The computer responded with some kind of unintelligible gibberish. Lieutenant Medart let out a huff of frustration as she called out, "Computer, arch." Again the computer replied with an unintelligible gibberish. With a heavy sigh, she shook her head as the situation hit home, 'another thing I need to fix.' The weight on her shoulders was getting heavier and heavier by the minute.

She looked around and did a quick headcount to see who was with her. It seemed that her entire engineering staff including those who were working in the twin Impulse engine rooms were also transported to this holodeck. Just like they were, she was puzzled as to why they were beamed to the holodeck.

It was time for her to take control and start fixing this new malfunction. 'So the holodeck was still operational' She thought then put her priorities in line. 'End the holoprogram and reconnect with ships computer. Lastly find out why the transporters went haywire' she thought taking in the situation. Within moments she pointed to a crewman, "Crewman Kiev, find the computer terminal so we can get out of here" she commanded. She then turned to Lieutenant Jacobson, the senior officer of the Impulse team, "Tina, get a team together and start fingering out what is wrong with the computer interface." Lieutenant Medart turned and watched as her team were all watching her.

She motioned to Lieutenant Ottmar, her right hand in warp engineering. "Todd, I need you to find a communication hub and see if we can reach the bridge. We have to let them know about the malfunction."

Before anyone had a chance to react to the orders, a fussy broken communication link broke through the sounds of the vegetation. Despite the weak communications link, everyone knew the voice of Commander Bonham. "Lieutenant Medart these computer issues have gone far from annoying to, FIX MY SHIP!"

The young Lieutenant Medart took a deep gulp as she looked around as if she was searching for God himself. "Lieutenant Medart here, Commander. I was just about to contact you" there was clear nervousness in her voice as she spoke. It was clear that she didn't want to give this report. "It would appear that the transporters are malfunctioning right now. My team and I were beamed in to a holodeck and are currently trapped here. As soon as we can get out of the holodeck I will, sir. Voice commands aren't working so I'm having a crewman get the door open for us. I'll personally head to the computer core to shut it down so we don't have to continue to have these issues, at least for now."

She knew that this wasn't what the Commander wanted to hear but it was the only option if they were to fix the computer. The backup core could support the ship for the time being. But not at full operations, so she knew that they would have to keep the ship at low power until they can get the main core fixed. It was the only option they could offer the Commander at this moment.

'Good,' she thought. 'Maybe he'll let off my back a little since I thought about our other issues and had a plan on how to stop these problems. I just hope none of the crew were beamed to their death in space or halfway inside a wall because of me' she looked down as she thought. She should have been able to track down these malfunctions by now. But she couldn't understand why the computer was acting up like this. She had gone over hundreds of lines of code and found nothing wrong. The weight of the guilt was sitting heavy on her as she waited for the Commander to respond. That was even if he could hear what she reported. 'Great' my first real chance to show my skills and my ship is bound and determined to watch me fail.

[Akirapryde]

From the Gymnasium: Stardate 53829.04

In the Gymnasium Commander Bonham looked around at his bridge crew as the broken and static filled report from his Chief Engineer was coming over the communication's channel. "Computer!" he yelled out and was answered by unintelligible gibberish. By this point, his anger was clearly seen across his face. Before he spoke, Lieutenant Kinchlirah and raised her hand to stop his action.

"Before you act Sir" she said calmly and looked in to his eyes. "I was just in contact with a janitor who had been beamed in to the security office. I could hear an alarm over the broken comlink and talked him through how to figure out what was going on. It would appear that we have an intruder alert. Deck 8, Section 15" she informed.

In that moment the reality of the situation started to sink in. His eyes went wide as everything finally clicked. He turned around and realized that his entire command staff had been taken out of action in one series of transports. His mind switched gears as he turned and opened up the channel once more to Lieutenant Medart. "Belay that Lieutenant" he ordered to Lieutenant Medart. He continued, "Get your team together. Your orders are Lieutenant, make your way to the Bridge. Take the Main Computer Core off line at once. Lock out all command functions from there. Shut it all down. We have an intruder situation aboard. Make sure your people are ready to defend the Bridge."

He paused to hear the hum of another transporter operation. Within seconds he saw a three man security team beamed in to the Gymnasium. He didn't like the developing situation. He added to the open line, "Lieutenant we do not know how many intruders there are. Gather up as many crew as you can find. Get a force shield around the bridge and secure it all costs. Is this clear Lieutenant?"

As he waited for a reply from his Chief Engineer, he turned to Lieutenant Kinchlirah. "Take those security personnel and find our intruders." He paused then gave a stern look, "Lieutenant, defend the ship." His order was clear and to the point. "I will take the bridge crew to the Emergency Computer Core. From there, we will regain control of the ship systems."

He heard Lieutenant Medart come back over the com link but stopped her with the additional order, "I want you to send some of your team to take the main power relays for the transporters off line also. It would appear that our transporters are making this crisis worse for us."

Lieutenant Medart replied over the broken comlinks, "Yes, sir." Her voice was very distorted and nearly impossible for the Commander to understand. He shook his head as he knew the crisis could only get worse from here.

---

(OOC: Narrator Note: There was a mistake within my post, "The Attack". I had said that the Holodecks were on Deck Fourteen when they are in fact located on Deck Three. This is per Advanced Technical Specifications for the Akira-Class Production Vehicle. Please make a note to this error. Also unless I can find other more canon sources for the internal layout of the Thunderchild, I would like to maintain using this site for the internal layout of our ship. Thank you for your time.)

[Kiera]

Deck 3: Holodeck 2

"Yes, sir." Ok, now I have orders.

"Time for us to go. Ensign Holland, you take Kiev and Grif and take care of getting the transporters offline. I don't know what else is broken on this ship, but assume the turbolifts are offline. Use the Jeffries tubes."

"Lieutenant, that's a lot of climbing," crewman Grif complained. I sighed and glared at him.

"I don't care how many decks there are. You will follow my orders, crewman," I threatened. He might have been a whole foot taller than me but he cowered as if I was a Gorn looking to make a meal out of him. I wasn't in the mood for arguing right now.

A door materialized from the foliage. Thank you, Kiev. Now we can leave. "Cutler, make sure to turn the holodeck off and join Holland. You all heard the commander. There's an intruder alert. Find a weapons locker and equip yourselves. If you find any crew tell them to gather in the mess hall and gather weapons. Security teams are to contact Commander Bonham for further orders. The rest of you with me. Let's go!"

I exited the holodeck first and immediately turned right towards the nearest Jeffries tube entrance. I stopped at a weapons locker and pulled out 3 phaser rifles and 8 phasers. I took 2 of the phaser rifles and 4 of the phasers, handing them out to my staff, then headed into the Jeffries tube first, a phaser on my hip. Luckily we were only on deck 3, with the bridge being on deck 1. I quickly led my team to the bridge, seeing a shocked flight deck crew manning the stations as I poked up from behind a console.

"Who's in charge here?" I ask.

"I am, Lieutenant. Crewman Thelev ch'Irroh. We were transported here randomly by-"

"Yes, I know already. Thank you, crewman." I dismissed him and told him to get phasers from the weapons locker. They weren't a well-trained security team, but they would have to do.

I barked orders, just like I would have if I was in Engineering. "Crewman, your crew secure the turbolift doors. Simmons, get a forcefield up around the bridge. Brown, man the conn." My brain was running 10 times as fast as I could spit out directions.

I ran to Ops and entered in a series of commands. They weren't being recognized by the console. I smashed my fist against it. I had to rush across the bridge to the Engineering console and luckily it worked when I entered the commands to shut down the main computer and lock out the command codes. The only ones who had access to the computer now were Commander Bonham, Lieutenant T'Lora, and myself. I hoped I wasn't too late.

After all the excitement I sat down in the command chair, mentally exhausted. An Ensign came up to me with some water and I drank it greedily. I handed the bottle back to him, half of it gone. "Thank you, ensign. I needed that."

I looked around the bridge and saw all stations manned, all doors secured and guarded. After knowing the bridge was secure I tapped my communicator and contacted the commander. "Bridge to Commander Bonham, bridge is secure. I shut down and locked out the computer so only you, Lieutenant T'Lora, and I have access. I sent a team to shut off the transporters. They haven't reported in yet."

[Akirapryde]

The Attack (Part Two)

The Attack (Part Two)
Deck 8, Section 15 Computer Control Room
USS Thunderchild, NCC-63549
Stardate: 53829.04
Commander Bonham, Acting Captain

The battle had been hard fought and was over within moments of its beginning. The intruder reached towards a console as she ripped off her glasses and pulled out the ear plugs. She returned them to her pouch as she pulled out her comlink once more. Catching the used canister between her feet she hoped it up much like a soccer move. It was flung upwards and she caught it with her waiting hand. She didn't want to leave anything behind that would give Starfleet something that they could use to track who she was. She returned the canister and its pin back to her pouch. Time was ticking down as she figured that the crew had to know that the transporter malfunctions was just a cover for her intrusion of their ship. Her only hope was that they didn't know where she was or her goals. This bought her just enough time.

Returning her ear piece to her ear, she slid to a stop before one of the consoles. She pulled out her tricorder once more, "Susquehanna, I have secured the Computer Control Room and am opening the data link now!" she said out loud as she opened her tricorder. The battle had eaten up valuable time so she had to rush. She tapped her tricorder a few times as she entered the commands needed to start her plan, "Time!"

The female voice on the other end replied, "T minus one minutes, forty five seconds. Data link has been created and uploading security protocols now. Hold on....scanning their internal communications networks." There was a pause over the communication link, "Be advised, security has been made aware of an intruder on deck eight, section fifteen."

The intruder blinked as she spun around scanning the room, "how is that possible!" Even before she could finish her statement the answer became clear. In the doorway leading to the Mainframe Room lay a third cadet on the deck. It was Cadet Madhev, another Vulcan aboard the ship. The intruder knew that this cadet along with a few others had been a last minute addition to the ship's crew. Her remarkable skills in science and computers pushed her through Starfleet Academy faster than even her fellow Vulcan classmates. Cadet Madhev had a younger sister back on Vulcan. They had just exchanged a series of person messages regarding the upcoming long deployment.

This was not Cadet's Madhev's normal shift. 'What the hell was she doing here!' thought the intruder as the situation ran through her mind. The cadet had to have been here when the malfunctions started. When the intruder came in to the Control Room, Cadet Madhev had to have been in the Mainframe Room, which was the chamber that actually housed the Computer Core its self. She had to have heard the combat and called security. The room was small and crowded with the Core. When the intruder and Cadet Vangelos slammed in to the bulkhead next to the door, the intruder remembered that the door had opened. When the door opened and exposed Cadet Madhev, it was then she decided to try to engage the intruder. If she had just remained safely in the Mainframe room, she would have been unharmed. When the intruder dodged the incoming phaser fire from that security ensign, it hit Cadet Madhev instead.

The phaser wound to the cadet's head was clear for the intruder to see. "Damnit!" the intruder cried as she reached down to the base of the console nest to her and pulled the first aid kit from its holder. "Susquehanna, We have a serious causality. Keep the corridor clear of security personnel. Buy me as much time as possible."

As the intruder rushed over to Cadet Madhev's side, she fell to her knees and opened up the kit. The female voice on the other end of the comlink spoke once more, "Their computer confirms Security Level Ten Accepted. Clone program is interfacing with their Computer Core now. Stand by.... Got it, we are in control. Starting bulk memory data transfer. Also uploading new protocols. Security personnel are attempting to respond to the alert. Locking on and engaging transporters. Time, T minus, fifty seconds. I am not detecting the damping field, I can beam you out at any time."

The intruder didn't waste time to respond to the statements as she focused on the young cadet. She scanned the cadet with a medical tricorder and allowed a frustrating sound to slip from her lips. The cadet's life signs were dropping fast. She couldn't understand how a phaser set on stun could have caused so much damage to a person. 'unless......' she thought of the different setting on the phaser. "This is why I didn't bring a damn phaser! There was no reason for him to fire like that!" she said pulling a hypo and injecting the cadet, "stupid.....stupid..." She worked with all the haste that she could to set up a device on the cadet's forehead. Finally she answered her female accomplice, "NO! Just keep buying me time."[/color] The intruder paused as she continued to work to save the cadet's life, "she's dying."[/color]

"They are attempting to regain control over their transporters. I am not sure how long I can keep blocking their efforts. Locking on to another security team on Deck Seven just above you, sending them to the weapons pod." There was a pause, "Damn! I have lost control over internal sensors, switching to our own sensors. The link holding. Luckily we have that sensor dampening field around you." The female voice said then added, "Transfer at forty percent. Data is clean and starting to increase in transfer rate."

Once more the intruder injected the Vulcan with another hypo and activated the device which caused the Vulcan's whole body to flex a bit. "Come on, fight!" The intruder scanned the Vulcan's body once more as she watched the life signs as they continued to drop, "don't give up on me!" There were tears in her eyes as she could relate to the pain that Cadet Madhev's sister would feel. The pain was so unbearable she couldn't let that little girl suffer as she did. Her mind clouded as she remembered the intense heartache that came with that pain. Beyond the walls of the Computer Control Rooms, the intruder could hear the sounds of intense combat. Explosions and the screams of the dying filled her ears. She looked over a raise of near by rocks and knew that it was only moments before a enemy patrol would be coming by.

"FIGHT MADHEV! Don't GIVE UP ON ME!" In the distance there were sounds of intense weapon's fire as she could see from the corner of her eye a Cardassian moving behind one of the consoles. She fought back the dark memories once more as the pain of the past rushed forward. She did everything in her power to calm her mind but her mind was racing to save the Vulcan's life. She couldn't loss control, 'please Goddess, not now.....' she begged.

The female voice spoke over the com-badge, "Bulk data transfer at eighty percent. I am losing control over their transporters systems. I have to get you out of there! T minus thirty seconds till mission termination. Locking on to you, get ready for beam out."

"NO! Not yet!" She never shift her eyes from the cadet whom she was working on saving, "I am not leaving her to die!" the intruder yelled out. She looked down and in a moment she saw a yeoman laying in the dirt. A large pool of blood had gathered.

A male voice called out to her, "Corporal!" The intruder looked up and saw a Starfleet Marine holding his hand out to her. In his other hand was a rifle and his uniform was covered in dirt as if he had been in combat for weeks. "She's dead! We have to go!"

A near by explosion caused the intruder to loss sight of the Starfleet Marine. Through the smoke of the Computer Control Room she could hear his voice. "Don't be a hero" the vile Cardassian said as he moved along the edges of the room. He stepped over the unconscious bodies of the Starfleet Personnel. His voice was filled with hate and evil. She knew him all too well, and she hated him. "The array, tell me the codes to the reactivate it and I can save her. I can save all of them. Just give me the codes."

Terror filled her heart as she shook her head. It was that kind of terror that one can only feel when they are faced with an evil that could have only crawled out of hell it's self. "NO! NEVER!" the intruder cried as her voice was filled with terror and fear at the same time. She had long before swore to die before she would give up the codes to the array. Emotional pain filled her voice as the tears blurred her vision. Somewhere in her mind, a scream snapped her mind back in to reality. At her knees, laid a Vulcan cadet, or was it a middle aged yeoman. Her hands shook for a moment as the intruder shook her head from side to side trying to clear her mind's eye.

Over the comlink, the other female voice sounded worried, "What? whats going on? Heads up! Scans shows security personnel attempting to reach your section from Deck Nine. I am sure they are aware of what I am doing. Clever! They are using the EPS crawl spaces to mask their location." There was a pause then a bit of laughter. "Not so fast boys. GOT YOU! energizing! Enjoy the bio-waste tanks!" More laughter over the comlink, "Their life signs are stable and strong. Just wish I could see them swimming in that waste. Bet they didn't like that to much."

The intruder had no clue of what her partner was saying as her mind fought for control over reality and her heart begged for the cadet's survival. "Uh?? No. Nothing" the intruder's mind continued to race, "Sorry. keep me informed," the intruder said as she heard the explosions around her. The screaming of soldiers dying. The intensity of the battle raged around her as another explosion rocked the ruins of the once proud temple her unit had used for their last stand. Once more the intruder returned her focus to the wounded Vulcan, "I can't let her die!" The smell of burnt flesh filled the air as a pair of Cardassian Fighters rocked over head. Their bombs landing not far from the fox hole that she was using for protection. It was happening again, that out of body experience that plagued her for so long.

The skies were filled with the orange glow of explosions as the sounds of heavy energy weapons filled her ears. "Commander, we have to get out of here" yelled a tall bloody man dressed in a Starfleet Marine armor. He carried a TR-120, which was a magnetic pulse rifle, in his arms. It was clear that he was wounded and worn from the extended battle. From her advantage point high above the scene she could see her friends, her fellow soldiers below her. These marines were her family. There were others within the group that were not part of her military family. They were dressed in almost rags. Those were armed with what ever weapons they could get their hands on at the time. Even as detached as this was, the pain of the vision was nearly unbearable. In the real world, her tears dripped from her face as she knew that they would all die.

She saw a red headed female marine officer returning fire and yelling out commands, "reinforce that flank!" as a missile rocked over head and exploded somewhere behind them. Hidden in a small hole and protected by another pair of Marines, a blond female marine worked a communication uplink. "Where is the fleet!" the Major yelled as she fired her own TR-120.

Another female soldier rushed up as a new explosion filled the area. Throwing herself in to the air to avoid the explosion, she flew towards the foxhole. Within seconds the female marine landed right next to the blond. Two other marines flew in to the air as their death cries echoed in the memory. "Leave it to the fleet to miss all the fun! So where are those evac shuttles!?" screamed out the other female marine. Like the others, this one was dressed just like the rest of the marines and equally worn and wounded from the battle.

The blond looked up from her comlink equipment, "Fleet Support keeps ordering us to hold our position, Sixty Seven degrees, Five Minutes South, by One hundred degrees East. They are attempting to break through. However resistances has escalated considerable."

The Major rushed over to the blond through the smoke, "Tell Fleet Support we have been holding this position for three hours and are getting hammered. We can't hold out much longer. We need those shuttles!"

The blond turned up from her uplink. Blood covered her face as the horrors of this losing battle filled her eyes. "All I am getting is that we are to hold our position and stand by. It seems as if there is some argument on their end. I can hear their voices. It sounds so confusing on their end."

Another male soldier screamed from his fighting position while he returned fire, "Don't they know we are dying here!"

The world snapped back in to full vision. Once more the intruder was back aboard the Thunderchild as the female voice screamed out over the communication link, "HEY FOCUS!! Data transfer has been terminated. The mission time has elapsed. You have to get out of there!"

The intruder opened her eyes to see the young cadet laying on the deck before her. Her mind blurred from the memories as she looked at her hands shaking uncontrollable. Her vision had become blurred by the tears in her eyes. But the realization of life and death before her had not changed. "Susquehanna, you have to give me as much time as you can" she leaned down and placed her mouth over his and started CPR. In between breaths the Intruder cried out, "Come on Madhev, fight!"

The female voice broke in once more, "They've cut power to all of their transporters. I cannot cover you anymore. I have to beam out of there now."

The intruder didn't reply as she repeated the steps of CPR till Madhev finally let out a deep painful cough erupted from her lungs. The intruder sighed heavily as she placed the medical tricorder on the Vulcan's chest and tapped Madhev's own com-badge, "Computer Control to Medical Bay! Phaser wound to the right upper skull. Intracranial hemorrhage along the extra-axial. Subdural hemorrhage due to scoring of the bridging veins in the subdural space between the dura and arachnoid mater. Bleeding has been confined but not stopped. Prepare for Emergency Transport." Just as someone on the other end was asking who was placing the report, she closed the link.

The intruder spoke to her own ship. "Susquehanna, lock on to this medical tricorder. Beam it and the cadet site to site, to the Thunderchild's ships medical bay." Her voice was filled with that presence that demanded that her order be followed without question.

"Standby, I have something strange on the sensors. I got the lock" There was a pause, then the Cadet's body glowed blue as she vanished. "Transport complete. She is in the medical bay. Can I beam you out now?"

With the time running out, their mission was now in jeopardy. The intruder was filled with a renewed sense of urgency. She turned and started to rush for the console and her own tricorder. Deep within her mind were the echoes of that long forgotten battle and the pain that came along with those powerful memories. Her mind raced with the events of this day as well as those of the past. She never heard the warning over her comlink about a sensor shadow right outside the door of the Computer Control Room. She moved as fast as she could towards the tricorder hoping that she could escape without further Starfleet involvement. It was the hissing of the main door in to the room that finally caught her attention.

The intruder turned just in time to catch a glimpse of the Klingon in full motion within the doorway. With all her power, lieutenant Kinchlirah slammed her fist in to the intruder. Her long red hair flew to the side as the blow landed across the intruder's jaw. The Klingon had hit her full and had drawn blood! The power of the hit was so much that it nearly knocked her completely out. Blood droplets flew onto the wall and fell to the floor. The Intruder had never felt such a powerful attack!

This kind of blow might have dropped nearly anyone else but this hit had another effect on the intruder. Something deep in the intruder's mind "clicked" and her instincts kicked in. Turning the power of the blow in to momentum even before the Klingon had fully recoiled from the swing; the intruder spun her on her heels. She absorbed some of the impact of the blow with the momentum of her body.

Dropping her torso, she was able to redistribute her center of gravity and coil her body into a spring. Blood dripped from her mouth as she came full around, ready, near the floor. The Klingon was poised for for her next attack. They locked eyes. To the intruder, it was a well known fact that Klingons were by far the best warriors in the Galaxy. All humans had a deep rooted and well founded respect for those warriors. After all, the intruder had fought side by side with Klingons during the war and on each occasion, they had earned her respect.

During that brief moment while they stared into each others eyes, it was clear that the Klingon had recognized the intruder. Lieutenant Kinchlirah paused, as a memory sprung forward from the ghosts of days long gone. Lieutenant Kinchlirah knew this intruder... but couldn't place how or when they had crossed paths.

In the intruder's eyes, the enemy couldn't help but see courage. The kind of courage that can be found in the heart of a Warrior. There was no hate, no anger in the intruder's eyes. This was not about the ship or anyone aboard. For this intruder, her actions aboard this ship were somehow demanded by some unknown reason. Just as in this very moment, the Klingon will carry out her duty to protect her ship. The fact that the intruder had taken the full force of Kinchlirah's first blow and was still willing to fight back was impressive on its own.

With all her might the intruder sprang upward and forward. At the same time she let out with a powerful yell. The yell mustered as much inner strength as she could summon. Unlike other battles that Lieutenant Kinchlirah had been in, where she had heard the cries of pain or weakness, this was a Warrior's yell that signaled the coming battle. The entire situation filled Kinchlirah with a sense of excitement - to face off with an opponent that was willing to go blow for blow.

This intruder might be small compared with a Klingon; however she didn't lack honor nor courage. In that, Kinchlirah could respect this intruder.

Up came the Intruder like a great spring unloosed. Using the built up energy and momentum from the first hit, the intruder's counter attack was both fluid and steady without a single break in action. The over all recovery and continued speed of this short but intense combat couldn't help but impress Lieutenant Kinchlirah. The intruder used her size, speed and leverage to their fullest advantage against the Klingon. As the intruder sprang upwards, she spun her body bringing her feet forward and landed a twin kick on lieutenant kinchlirah. The double kick attack against Kinchlirah's chest was powerful and could have easily knocked any normal person off their feet. However, this person was a large Klingon.

For all of Lieutenant Kinchlirah's skill in combat, the blow did have its desired result on the larger, more powerful Klingon. The exchange of energy between the intruder Kinchlirah was just enough to knock the larger Klingon off balance. The intruder landed on her back as Kinchlirah stumbled backwards into the corridor. The power of the intruder's kick caused Kinchlirah to yield valuable ground as now the doorway was controlled by the intruder.

The next action would mean the end in this short combat. Lieutenant Kinchlirah had the advantage now. The intruder's attack was masterfully carried out, however it ended with her landing on the deck. While the Klingon, on the other hand, was once more outside the room she had tried to secure. Not a second was lost between the two as each knew their next action would mean victory for their own cause. This was no longer about skill or power. What would happen next would be determined only by sheer speed alone. This type of contest placed the intruder in the advantage.

While regaining her balance, Lieutenant Kinchlirah was far from out of this battle. She surged forward once more with a sense of determination in the set of her jaw. Letting out her own Warrior's cry! The excitement of the battle filled her - she smiled! For, win or lose, the past few seconds had been the most exciting since she had arrived! Each time she served alongside Starfleet Personnel, she had noticed a trend that bothered her. They had automatically assumed 'the Klingon' would make for a good target... needs to be taught a lesson... or something.

This was different. Here was an intruder who had a mission - a goal! Some driving force behind her actions! While Lieutenant Kinchlirah didn't know what this mission was, she knew it was there. This intruder fought with both determination and Honor. An Honorable foe for an Honorable Klingon!
The door and victory were only milliseconds away. Already Lieutenant Kinchlirah saw that the intruder was also in full motion. Once more, timing was going to be everything.

The intruder kicked her feet into the air and coiled them back towards the deck as she flung herself upwards back to her feet. Her red hair flew through the air. Distance closed so fast that Lieutenant Kinchlirah could make out the blond roots along the intruder's scalp. The intruder could not withstand another attack from the Klingon. Lieutenant Kinchlirah was going to make sure of this fact.

BUT... In defeat, a warrior may still find victory through cunning. Once more, the pair locked eyes. The intruder reached for the door controls. Lieutenant Kinchlirah drew back her fist to deliver a final mighty blow. The grin on the Klingon's face could easily be mistaken for something else. In this case, it was the thrill of this short, intense battle. (Or just simply... exercise.) Lieutenant Kinchlirah continued to let out her scream as her fist surged forward at the intruder's head. However the blow would never come. The doors hissed closed once more. The clicking sound told Lieutenant Kinchlirah that the locks had been activated.

Her fist impacted with a loud... crunch.

With the door only acting as a momentary delay, she had only seconds, "Susquehanna, lock on to me and be ready for beam out!" She half yelled as she flung herself over to the tricorder on the console. With her body surging with adrenalin, her hand reached up and deactivated the device on her arm. In that moment, a ghost came in to prefect view of the ship's intruder sensors. Once more the ship detected the intruder and sent a renewed set of alerts of the intruder and her location. Now, the ship's computer could identify the intruder as Petty Officer, 2nd Grade Dolores Traver. Last known to be under the care of Starfleet Medical just a few months ago before she escape their custody.

Only seconds had passed and the intruder could hear the Klingon attempting to by-pass the locked doors. "Susquehanna, now!" she called out as she snatched up the tricorder from the console. That simple tricorder would hold the key to everything they are doing. Within that tricorder was her ability to right a crime that had gone unpunished for too long. To avenge those betrayed. He would be made to pay for his crimes! 'Please Goddess, don't let this end here' she prayed as she heard the door unlock and start to hiss open as she heard the transport start.

Her body now covered in blue as the intruder could see the Klingon rushing in to the room with three other armed security officers. The look on the faces of the security officers was that of anger. The Klingon on the other hand, had a different look. Just like that, the intruder was gone from the ship. For all of their training, all of their technology, the Thunderchild had been infiltrated and their shipmates subdued by this lone intruder. Despite their best efforts and security protocols, valuable data had been stolen. The anger of the security personnel was clear and written across their faces. For the intruder however, the quest for justice would continue one more day. Yet a new question was now raised. Who's justice would prevail in this contest.

---

Not even seconds later, the intruder was back aboard the USS Susquehanna holding her valuable tricorder. An attractive red headed woman spun in the one of the command chairs of the runabout. "You really took your sweet time over there, Seona" the red headed woman said. Behind her and through the main view ports the mighty Thunderchild hung in space. Stars whipped passed as both ships were traveling at warp speed. The proximity of the Thunderchild to the runabout meant that the much smaller ship was using the Thunderchild's own warp field to 'hitch a ride'. The woman got up from her chair and moved over to the intruder, "Oh merciful Goddess, your face" she said with concern as she grabbed the first aid kit and started to walk over.

The Seona smiled as she waved off her companion, "It hurts more than it looks" she laughed as she walked towards Maura. "As for being late, that was a move right out of your own pay book, Maura." Seona flopped in to one of the pilot chairs as her energy seemed to fail her. She appeared exhausted as she allowed her arms to flop towards the floor. She looked out through the main viewing window at the Thunderchild just above them. She could easily make out the port side warp core ejection hatch and the red yellow markings that outlined the hatch.

Maura moved over with the first aid kit and tended to the nasty wound on the side of the intruder's face. "Goddess, what hit you, a brick!" With all the care of a nurse, Maura moved Seona's face so to get a better look at the wound.

Seona laughed, "No. Worse! It was a Klingon." The pair laughed at the joke over the nasty wound. Seona spun in her chair towards the controls and started to run her hands over them. "Securing tethers and deploying the anchors now" Seona added as she continued worked the controls. "If the program in their Emergency Computer Core runs right, they won't be able to regain control over their navigation, warp engines or helm for the next ten minutes. That should give us more than enough time to get out of here."

Once the commands were issued to the runabouts controls, the Thunderchild started to drift further and further away till the smaller runabout was no longer in the Thunderchild's warp field. In a blink of an eye, the Thunderchild rocketed away as the two ships separated. In that moment the Thunderchild's energy drain vanished completely and its power outputs returned to normal. The added strain on the warp field that was caused by the runabout's close proximity also vanished. With the tethers disconnected the Thunderchild was able to identify the source of the energy drain on the ship. It was positively identified as the USS Susquehanna. A Federation Danube class which had been modified to serve as Admiral Stamen Sartre personal launch. According to records, the tiny ship was currently reported undergoing standard maintenance at Proxima shipyards.

Maura watched the mighty Thunderchild slipped from vision as it continued on its current course and speed. "You were wrong by the way. It took them nearly ten minutes to lock down the Command Codes and the Computer Core. As for engineering, seven minutes to activate emergency override protocols. Thanks to your plan, we had control over their computer core in less than four minutes. Who knew that Starfleet ships were so vulnerable to suck attacks." There was a bit of a smile on her face as she explained how the crew had reacted to their invasion of the Thunderchild. "The only problem with your plan was the time you spent to save that crew member. Seona, I know you did what you thought you had to do. But you really need to be careful" Maura had a genuine look of concern on her face.

Seona nodded, "yeah I know." Seona said as she continued to work the controls, "but I couldn't let her die." she sighed for a moment, "though, the memories are coming back more intense. I am going to have to adjust the dose age." She paused a moment to wonder if the Cadet would survive or not.

Maura had a look of concern on her face. "Seona, maybe this is a sign. Look, we have the files we can send them to Starfleet Intelligence and run. Maybe we can find some help for you. Please Seona, we have to think of what those memories are doing to you."

Seona shook her head, "No Maura!" she waved off Maura's hand. "He will never stop hunting us. Starfleet can't be trusted to stop him or the attack" she demanded. "No we have to see this through." There was concern on Maura's face. "don't worry about Starfleet, I left a complete log of how we infiltrated their systems and how they can prevent such attacks in the future."

Maura looked shocked, "you did?"

Seona laughed, "well yeah, I am not a traitor you know" she said as her hands glided over the controls. "Coming to a stop" Seona added as she continued to work the controls of the runabout. Her hands ran over the controls with determination. They were away from the Thunderchild, but not out of danger yet. It was important to remain one step ahead of Starfleet at each turn. To underestimate Starfleet would mean certain capture and surely certain death. Seona's eyes ran over the controls as she issued in further commands. "Okay I am deploying the decoy probes now" she said softy as five small probes shot away from the runabout.

Maura only nodded as she continued to treat the nasty face wound. The Susquehanna's own sensors confirmed what they already knew would happen. Each probe left a warp trail as it departed, and that matched Susquehanna's own warp signature. However Seona had added a slight change to the probes programming. She knew that Starfleet would not be fooled by five identical warp trails. So she ensured that each warp field appeared as if it was masked in some way. As if the probe or the Susquehanna was attempting to mask its own trail. The masking was done completely at random as would be the Susquehanna's own warp trail.

It wasn't as if she was trying to hide the warp trail. Seona knew that this would be self defeating to their plan. She knew that the Thunderchild would be able to detect the warp trails. No she wanted to confuse the Thunderchild as to where they were actually going. Force time to remain on their side and cause the Thunderchild to react to them. The warp trails would be hard to find, but not impossible for the Thunderchild. It was more important to misdirect them.

"Let us get out of here" the Seona finally said once she was sure that her long range sensors detected the mighty Thunderchild coming about. She entered in to the helm their next direction and left just as the last set of probes were entering warp. She checked her watch and noted that everything was happening right on her time table. The reaction of the Thunderchild's crew was right on time, finally. 'Lets play cat and mouse' she thought as she watched the scatter of probes and their own warp trail behind them.

The Maura sighed as she finished treating the wound. "I knew I should have went." She said softy, "Seona, it was foolish of you to insist on you going. Next mission, I will go."

"I know its foolish Maura, but you can't go. You have to remain out of sight. He doesn't know about you yet. I can't afford from him to know you are helping me" Seona said as she rose up from the control. She touched the side of her face and felt no further pain. "I just can't believe I forgot to lock that stupid door" Seona said softly.

Maura smiled and reached up and took Seona's hand, "Hey baby sis, its okay. Even we can't be expected to think of every little detail."

Seona reached in to her sack and pulled out the tricorder. After looking at it for a moment before handing it to Maura, "So do you think they will take the bait?"

Maura nodded, "After today, I don't think they'll have to choice" she said opening up the tricorder. "After all, nearly half of the of the data is in regards to Admiral Ross and Admiral Tate. They will have to notify him of what happened. Once he knows we are after him, then he will have to start reacting to us. Then we can have our vengeance." She said as she scanned the data on the tricorder. "Now it is up to the Thunderchild to play their part in our game."

Seona smiled as she nodded, "Next, its time that we show our selves to him. Lets let him know that we are alive and well. Lets see how he deals with that fact." Seona stood there for a moment before adding, "soon sister we will have our justice. Soon they all will be avenged."

Maura gave her sister a hug, "Go get some rest" she said softly. Then Maura turned and set back down to check the controls, "We have a couple of hours before we reach the space lines. I want to continue your training."

Seona nodded as she turned and walked towards the aft section of the runabout. "I am glad you are here, Maura" she said as she came to a stop and half glanced over her shoulder. There was much more that she had wanted to say but she couldn't bring herself to say it. "I....." she stuttered then continued, "I don't think I could have made it this far without you."

A look of concern came over Maura's face again, "hey, something wrong?"

Seona looked back towards the aft of the ship, "no" she said with a lie. There was something wrong but she couldn't say it. Instead she shook her head as she said, "no, that blow just really shook me up." Seona continued walking aft, "I do need to rest." Within seconds, she vanished leaving Maura alone of the flight deck of the runabout.

Maura turned around in the command chair of the runabout. There was a look of concern on her face. Something was off with her little sister and Maura knew it. The trick was uncovering what was bothering her little sister. That was the mystery. Maura scanned the controls of the ship as she leaned back. The Thunderchild was already making maximum warp for where the Susquehanna had been. Maura smiled as she watched the long range sensors loose sight of the Thunderchild. "Time to play your part Commander Bonham. Notify Starfleet that there are terrorists out there looking for a pair of your star Admirals. And they will let him know we are coming," she said softly.

Narrator Notes: By the time the Bridge and Engineering are both secured, the intruder had beamed off the ship. Helm and Navigation were locked out as control over the warp engine. However, systems returned to normal operation roughly fifteen minutes later. Surprise surprise, that phantom drain on the warp field has vanished as well as further computer malfunctions. Characters may use all lines in light blue as part of their investigation. I will field any and all questions via PM on this site.

[Akirapryde]

The following are facts that have been learned within the first hour of the intruder's attack on the USS Thunderchild

1) The identity of the attacker has been identified by the computer as Petty Officer: Dolores Traver. Her medical and service records are available for review. This identification comes from the physical appearance of the intruder based on the seconds just before the attacker beamed off the ship. However due to sensor malfunctions, this identification can not be confirmed beyond a 76% likelihood.

2) Proxima shipyards has confirmed (to their surprise) that the USS Susquehanna has been stolen. They can not confirm when the ship was taken from their yards. However they can confirm that it was signed in just over two months ago. This was the last time they can confirm the ship was in their custody. A computer virus was discovered which moved the Susquehanna's current location within the yards making the search for the ship difficult. This coupled with the fact that no one was looking for the ship allowed it to 'slip through the cracks' and vanish from their yards.

3) Despite Cadet Madhev's severe injuries, she will make a full recovery and will be able to return to duties in two weeks. The acting Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Ron O'Keefe noted that had the intruder not risked those vital moments, that Cadet Madhev would not have survived her injuries.

4) Acting Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Ron O'Keefe was also able to identify the blood left behind by the intruder. With 79.3% likelihood, the real identity of the intruder was Maura MacConnell (AKA The Gypsy). He did note that the DMA had suffered a level of damage that has made a more positive identity impossible. Despite the computer's identification, he is sure that his identification is correct.

5) Long range sensors have identified eight possible warp trails. Each leading to well traveled areas of space.

Post your actions and questions here and be ready for Act One, Scene Two. This new thread will start as a briefing before the Command Staff. Make sure you have all your questions answered for this upcoming briefing to Commander Bonham.

[a magical taco]

Captain Campbell's Log
En rout to rendezvous with USS Thunderchild
VIP Quarters, USS Intrepid
Stardate: 53829.04

"Captain's Personal Log Stardate 53829.04

This is Jackson Fionn Campbell, the new captain of the USS Thunderchild, at least I will be when I rendezvous with her at Starbase 74. I cannot wait to see her again, to walk her halls or to enter the bridge. To sit in the captain's chair? I still cant believe she is about to be mine. I can't think of a ship I would rather take command of than the Thunderchild. It is one thing being a Captain and adjutant to Admiral David Tate. But it is something completely different commanding a starship. I still remember when the command was given to me by Admiral Tate. The Thunderchild is to be Starfleet's very first carrier. This command will surely be one that will be written in to the history books. Not that the Thunderchild wasn't already in the history books. A fine ship with a heroic history.

The last time I saw her we had crawled back from the Cardassia space with our tail between our legs. Ambushed by a handful of Jem'Hadar attack ships, we never even saw coming. If I recall, I was in a scheduled meeting with Lieutenant Jenifer Luther, our ships chief engineer when the attack began. Tactical Officer Bonham took control of the bridge after the Captain and XO were killed. Even then he was a fine officer and he proved himself in an impossible situation that day, a situation I am not envious for missing. He lost both his best friends that day and the respect of much of the crew. They obviously do not know the cost of leadership or the toll it takes.

Fires had sprung up all over the ship, people were laying wounded or worse down every corridor. Power was failing everywhere as the ship took a heavy pounding that day. I knew my efforts would be better severed helping where I was rather than trying to return to the bridge to take command. Beside filling me in while in battle would not have been the best use of our time. I remember the end of the fight, most of its a blur but, toward the end I was trying to help a young ensign who had taken a piece of shrapnel to the chest. He was bleeding badly and there was no way to apply pressure without pushing the shard deeper into his body.

When that lad died, I sat back on my heels and looked out the window as one of out fighters was destroyed in a blast of light before the Jem'Hadar attack ship turned toward the Thunderchild. I could see more of our fighters out there but they could not stop the Jem'Hadar from firing in time. I shouted for everyone to brace for impact. The explosion had knocked me off my feet and into the adjacent wall knocking the air from my lungs. In that moment, I thought that this was going to be the end of us all. We would never escape this battle.

My head was swimming, outside I could still see our boys fighting. I remember thinking we needed to run, needed to get out of here. Our shields were dead and our haul wasn't going to last much longer. I cursed Bonham, 'get us out of here you fool', I think I even yelled it out loud. Another impact and another trip into a wall. I believe that's when I broke my nose, or at least when I noticed it was broken. A medical officer saw me then and tried to help but I brushed him off, telling him to help someone who was actually hurt. As he walked way I noticed he was bleeding himself and pretty badly. I stepped to help him when we went into warp. The acceleration with our ship degree of damage sent me off my feet.

That's the last thing I remember before waking two days later in a hospital bed in Deep Space Nine. A broken nose, three cracked ribs, a concussion, and a eight inch scar down my left shoulder blade. I was awake just in time to see her depart the space station. I remember watching her being tugged in to warp. Her haul was smashed and the scares of the battle were clearly visible. I actually thought that would be the last time I would see the Thunderchild. Surely they would take her to deep space and scuttle her. Fate played a hand in the Thunderchild's return to glory.

Later that day I was given my orders to report to Admiral Tate as soon as I was fit for duty. Admiral Tate had been a long time friend and hell taught me everything I know about leadership. It took almost a week before the doctors finally released me from their care though I bet they wanted to keep me longer. Being bed ridden was not going to be my fate. I started working for Tate the next day. We spent the next year helping the Cardassians rebuild their shattered Union. The Dominion had been beaten and driven from our space, but in their wake was left suffering and destruction that bordered unspeakable.

Now, I sit here looking out the window of this Intrepid Class ship eagerly waiting my new ship. The last time I was aboard, I was her Operation's Officer. I haven't named my XO yet, but after tomorrow my ship will have a Captain. Tomorrow I will be returning to the Thunderchild as her Commander.

end log"