The Search Begins (part 3)
Posted on Sat May 10th, 2014 @ 5:49am by Commander Alexandra Vance & Lieutenant Ilse Frost & Lieutenant Roberta Andrews & 1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia & Ensign Kela Sirel & Lieutenant JG Talia "Phoenix" Richards
1,381 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Revenge
Location: Calypso
[CONTINUED]
[OLD]
"I guess that works. I want low orbit scans, keep moving and don't slow down except to keep the friction low. I doubt that the Engineers will be too happy if we have a fighter or eight with scorch marks." The rest copied in, then split as they neared the planets. Five fighters were going low, while one attempted to stay in orbit and do a wider scan. Since they didn't have the same abilities as a Federation Starship, some of the scanning had to be done with their eyes.
[NEW]
-^-Vance, we're starting phase one of the scan process. If we find anything I'll let you know.-^- Leroy closed the comm, and watched as five of his men plummeted down into the atmosphere. He made sure that the Caly had an open com to his men who were doing the ground work, but decided to keep his off just in case.
Phoenix went in fast and low, figuring if anyone wanted a target, she would be a hard one to get a lock on. She used the orbit of the planet and the thrust of her engine to streak across the surface, barely at a safe altitude. "Let's see if anyone comes calling..." she quipped.
=^= We have a transmission Lock.=^= Munich replied. =^= If anyone answers the call we will have them pinpointed. The Calypso has your back.=^=
[Engineering]
O'Brian was listening to the conversations from the bridge; she had actually smiled when Andrews was 'taken to task' by the Commander. "Serves you right, 'Stretch.' " She said to herself. She continued to monitor her board and listen to the goings on. She thought back to her last adventure on the Ares, and certain people. "Amateurs." She thought.
[Fighters]
"I'm getting interference! Static. Can you copy, Mangalia?" Phoenix called, her voice cutting through the music and chatter.
Leroy had cut off the music before reaching his planet, but caught interference as Phoenix tried calling in. "Say again? Someone tell me what she said?" As he looked at his instruments, he pulled up, signalling his six to follow him as they shot out towards the planet Phoenix was searching, the interior habitable planet.
"Interference...signal breaking up...controls not responding..." came the broken reply from Phoenix.
-^-Whoever's closest to her, get her off that ship!-^- Leroy called out to the other fighters. As he neared, he noticed flashes of light and the fighter burning in the atmosphere. Phoenix had been orbiting the planet he guessed, or trying to escape. -^-Someone give me a sit-rep!-^- he called as he closed in. He had his fighter pulling as much power into speed as he could, even going as far as to drop his shields for that little extra umph. As he tried to get in close he felt something g grab him, ripping him from his fighter.
Phoenix felt the heat build as she raced to get out of the atmosphere before all her systems shut down. Something down there had done a number with them and she was flying by the seat of her pants. Why was it when things went horribly wrong, heat was involved? Did she have to live up to her nickname yet again? Well, she hoped she would. If not, there would be no rising from the ashes for this Phoenix.
Just then she felt the tingle of a transporter lock and smiled. And here came the cavalry, right on time.
Leroy dropped into his wingman's jump seat and looked over. -^-Who's got Phoenix?-^- he called out worried more about his pilots than his own fighter.
-^-I got her CAG,-^- one of the others called out before chuckling. -^-Both of ya are gonna be in trouble with the Engineers. You know how they hate to build new fighters for us.-^- Leo watched two ships plummet into the atmosphere, one breaking up along the way. Most likely his.
-^-Get word to Vance we found the planet. I want a regroup and see if were needed for a bombing run.-^-
From the planet, a beam of energy shot towards the Calypso, hitting the nacelles.
A second later, from another planet in the system, rockets shot towards the Calypso.
[Engineering]
O'Brian came out of the turbolift that had been taking her to the Bridge, and returned to Engineering, she would be best needed there.
After nearly bowling over Doctor Frost, O'Brian made it back to Engineering, and back to her post.
[[Bridge]]
"Damage report" Vance shouted as the Calypso shook violently jostling the crew about.
"Minor damage port Nacelle!" Munich said as he kept the reports coming. "No structural damage reported but the shields weakened after that 'punching through. I am changing harmonics and diverting power to the port shields." Munich said as his fingers danced on the controls. "Scrambling of Communications, going to laser direct line comm systems to strengthen signals."
"Were you able to ascertain the source of the energy beam?" Vance asked hungrily looking to Munich. She was ready to deploy the marines and fighters on the location the moment he confirmed it.
Andrews shook her head. "These people are *smart,* they have some type of 'cloaking device' working with their energy beam, I can't get a 'hold' of it to pinpoint it origin."
"Keep trying." Vance stated.
"I *am* trying!" Andrews semi shouted. "Mam." She said to Vance in a quieter voice.
"More incoming, Commander. Missiles of some sort. Coming from the second planet."
"Evasive Manuevers. Ensign, lock on photon torpedoes and fire on the missiles."
"Helm. Give me Escape Pattern Beta." Kela called out from the console as she tapped on it, locking phasers on the missiles. "Locking on." The ship moved tilted slightly, decreasing its speed slightly and firing starboard thrusters to move it just enough to the side as she fired the phasers. The phasers hit the missiles, exploding them as they passed. "Saugen Sie auf das! (Suck on that!)" She paused for a moment and looked at Vance, then back to her console. "Umm.. Sorry. Reflex, Commander."
Andrews slightly grinned at the German comment, then got back to her board. "Commander," she shouted, "I'm beginning to detect a pattern in their missle offense."
"Then by all means do share it with the rest of us Lieutenant." Vance replied.
Andrews flashed her findings on the screen, showing an overlay of the two planets in question, and superimposing the Calypso on the screen as well. "The first planet, the one closer to us, they're firing first, followed by the second planet, then back to the first. They're trying to lay in a line of fire so that it would be impossible for us to counter their fire. But, the second planet, *their* missels are a bit more powerfull. It's like the first planet hits us, then the 2nd one hits us harder, then back to the 1st planet. Their fire is timed as well , with about a 30-45 second delay between both planets launching their attacks."
"Helm, take us out of range of the two planets. Mister Munich, keep us at red alert. I will be in the ready room, further instructions will follow after I meet with Master Sergeant Mangalia. You have the bridge."
[Sickbay]
Frost had a team ready to go when they needed to go. She knew that they would contact her when they were ready to depart.
[Fighters]
Phoenix took several moments to catch her breath. That was far too close for comfort. "Thanks," she said to the pilot in front of her. "Where's Mangalia?"
"I'm over here," Leroy said hearing the question. "All fighters, return to base. If they need us for a bombing run we need to be at full strength. Commander, we're coming back home."
"Very well Master Sergeant report to the ready room upon your return. Calypso out."
OFF:
____
Master Sergeant Leroy Mangalia
Squadron Leader
Commander Alexandra Vance
Executive Officer
Lieutenant Hans Munich
Chief Operations Officer
Ensign Talia "Phoenix" Richards
Flight Leader
Lieutenant JG Roberta Andrews
Assistant Chief Science Officer
2nd Lieutenant Cameron Bourne
Marine CO
Lieutenant JG Shannon O'Brian
Engineering Officer
Lt. Ilse Frost, ACMO
Ensign Kela SIrel
Security Officer
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