Extremum Proelium - Part II - The Storm Breaks

Posted on Wed May 14, 2025 @ 6:06am by Ensign Matilda Cromwell & Civilian Khylara Jorrath/ Valadorn & Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Lieutenant Annora Tessaro & Lieutenant JG Anson Lee & Lieutenant Alanna Wells & Civilian Hydel Turvan & Civilian Geral Lasuma
Edited on on Wed Jun 11, 2025 @ 6:41pm

1,764 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Tergum In Tempus

[USS Tiahuanaco]

Aboard the Tiahuanaco, T'mpest Michaels kept a close watch on the station while her officers monitored the system, looking for any sign of the Cardassian invasion. This was the day, but they didn't know the exact hour.

Chatter from the other ships played over the encrypted channel for everyone on the bridge to hear. They were small in number, but they had the advantage. The Cardassian forces didn't know the station's defensive systems were operational.

[Pangaea]

"I'm picking up chatter from Cardassian communications," Alanna Wells said over the channel. "But I don't see any...wait. Sensors are picking up something just out of range.."

[USS Tiahuanaco]

"All ships, we may have hostiles entering the system." T'mpest checked the sensor readings and looked at her chief of security, who nodded. "If this is who we expect, we must wait for them to attack first. We are here to defend only." They could not be the instigators here.

[Pangaea]

Means and his Marines were all in position. Back at the training area their unplanned maneuvers continued, just in case the Cardassians were aware of the deployment but everyone there was waiting, the Marines posing as researchers were waiting, and those in their hidden positions were waiting. If the information he had been given was correct this would be an epic ambush or a complete waste of time. Looking to the display from the mobile command center they had set up just inside the portal cave...still nothing.

In the Romulan colony, Tannis and R'gelis received a message from Alanna about the possible Cardassian ships. As soon as they had the evidence in hand, they would spread the word among the humans, Romulans, and Klingons who refused to evacuate the colony.

Alanna continued to monitor the situation. With a two day warning, she had deployed a program to scramble Cardassian communications on the planet and between the planet and DS5. She had no idea if it would make a difference, but it would seriously impair their ability to coordinate an attack on the planet.

As word reach the field command center Means passed the signal to stand-by. Marine that had replaced the researchers removed their lab coat camouflage dawning their helmet and HUDs as they took up their positions. Klingons being Klingons, refused to be evacuated and had unpacked their own weapons. Seeing the Romulans moving amongst them there were nods of acknowledgement.

Around the perimeter of both the colony and the mountain entrance, Marines manning the vehicle with their mounted anti-air and artillery weapons spooled up their gear. "Guess we'll see if that new jamming tech works, huh?" "Yeah...so much for the training op..."

"Means broke in. "Cut the chatter and watch for incoming. Colony forces, prepare for retreat to the tree line before engaging...remember you are supposed to be civilian researchers. Colony and Portal perimeter teams. Once they commit, light'em up. Training Camp; once the fun begins deploy as planned."

[Bag End]

Alanna listened to the chatter on the comms. So far, it sounded like the Marines were ready and the ships in place. She hated waiting. At the same time, she wondered where Jason was. She wasn't even sure he was still on the planet. Correction: she was pretty sure he wasn't on the planet because she couldn't sense him. She had to trust that he was okay. She pulled her thoughts back to the task at hand and continued monitoring communications.


[N'AQ]

Khylara catching the message from Captain Michaels and seeing the information herself. "Major Vishti, there may be Cardassian ships approaching the system. We have received the command of not attacking first, we are to wait. By command of the captain."


[DS5]

Matilda watched as things unfolded, hearing the red alert Klaxons piercing the air, she looked to who was the one in charge of the operations deck. "Give the word to when we need to play our hand." Since at the moment it was unknown to the Cardassians that they were able to stop the sabotage.

Lasuma stood in front of his storefront as the alarms sounded; and per T'Lul's warning he had sent Dorian to help protect against some sort of Xi'Cadian threat. The Promenade wasn't going to be a primary target but that in itself made them vulnerable. Critical areas were always give the strongest protection but they were ready just in case.

Glancing up to the upper levels there were nods and waves from other merchants signaling they were ready. Moving back into his shop he glanced to the box of 'cocktails' ready to surprise any Cardassians. Sometimes old school could sew more confusion than high tech.

---
As expected auxiliary locker Delta-7 contained the required gear to outfit the 3 person security team that had traveled from the future timeline. Once everything was secured to the equipment belt, Annora pulled on the vest and helmet. She addressed Lt Lee.
"I don't always use the helmet, but in this case it will help hide our identities. Hopefully the Marines think we're another security team and vice versa. There will be coordination from Security Control to try and cut through the fog of war. While more or less independent, we'll use their information as a guide"

As if on cue, the red alert klaxon sounded alerting all inhabitants of the pending emergency. Commander Ryan's voice then came over the security channel on comms.
"As you know, the Cardassians and Xi'Cadians are inbound and I don't think they're here for a BBQ. The cavalry should be on their way. In the meantime, let's give our visitors a warm DS5 welcome and remind them who's turf they're playing on. Trust your training and instincts, and stay safe out there. Ryan out."

That was soon followed by Tessaro's voice over the same channel, which was a bit odd for Annora.
"There's not much to add. Petty Officer Lecesse will be on dispatch as I'm joining the security teams. The initial deployment will be epsilon 9, and we'll adjust as needed. See you all at the victory party. Tessaro out."

Pulling up a station schematic, Annora looked for the best location near them.
"We'll stage in Deck 880, near the Worker-bee bays. Any questions?"

Anson checked the strap on his helmet, making sure it's secure. Unlike Lt. Tessaro, he didn't have to worry about anyone recognizing him here, because he was (supposed to be? Temporal grammar is not his strong point) on Utopia Planitia. But it also had the advantage of reducing his chances of being shot in the head. He ran through his mental map. Deck 880 put them near the life support systems. Given the station had blown up, the power grid was probably a bigger target, but they weren't near that level, and life support, like the power grid, provided a connection to the majority of the station. "I've got your six."

[Cardassian Research Facility - Pangea]

"All of the Guls are either in the conference room, or we have a connection. It’s time." Brovek said as he stepped into Turvan's office. Despite the fact the sun had not yet risen, the inside of the Cardassian research facility on Pangaea was a quiet hive of activity, the occupants contemplating the great step they were about to take, at minimum to secure Cardassia, at best restore the glory it had been denied for too long. "Everyone is waiting for you, sir."

Hydel took one last sip from his glass of kanar. He let the viscous liquid pour down his throat slowly. He wanted to enjoy the moment. He wanted to enjoy the moment before he reached out and grasped his destiny in the palm of his hand and held it up for the entire Federation...no, the entire quadrant to see and realize.

Hydel nodded to Brovek and followed him down the hall towards the conference room. As he entered he saw the various personnel hunched over their respective consoles, getting or sending information. Weather reports, tactical displays, satellite telemetry, and other vital pieces of information that would come together to create the mosaic of victory they would need.

"There is a slight problem with planet-bound communications," Glinn Brovek said as Turvan made his way towards the doors.

"What do you mean a . . .slight problem?" Hydel asked as he gave a look of concern and slight annoyance to the younger officer.

"Our communications technicians are working on the problem, but for the time being there appears to be something jamming our signals." Glinn Brovek reported as he read the most recent update on his padd. "It's forcing us to constantly change the transmissions frequency to get around the block. We believe it’s coming from the Federation portion of the colony." He said.

"It shouldn't interfere with our plans." He said measuredly.

Turvan bit down on his teeth as he looked down slightly before looking back up. He knew it was important to maintain a look of confidence. This was merely a small issue that would be resolved in due course he thought to himself as he turned and continued to walk out of his office.

"Status on the fleet within the Typhon Expanse?" Hydel called out to the staff he entered the Tactical Operations Center.

"Wide-spread beta-tachyon particle dispersion field detected at the staging area within the Typhon Expanse," Glinn Syar reported. "That was over forty-eight hours ago, and they have maintained subspace silence since."

Hydel nodded. He had complete faith that Gul Kyreen and Gul Vashur were traveling to the planet with all deliberate speed. However, he also understood the lack of communication. The implementation of Project Oasis throughout the 127th Tactical Wing as well as the Xi'Cadian Expeditionary Fleet represented the epicenter of Cardassian scientific and tactical innovation. Once the transphasic drive begins the acceleration process beyond the standard subspace field, the respective vessels would activate their Dominion technology-inspired metaphasic drive to create a superluminal overlapping subspace field. The overlapping fields provided the protection necessary to survive the intense stress that would have otherwise torn the vessels to pieces.

(To be continued...)


Ensign Matilda Cromwell
Engineering Officer
Deep Space 5

Captain T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer
USS Tiahuanaco

Lieutenant Alanna Wells
Chief Science Officer
Deep Space 5 & Pangaea

Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Means III
Marine CO
Deep Space 5

Khylara Jorrath/ Valadorn
N'AQ

Major Vishti
N'AQ

Geral Lasuma
Owner, Lasuma Enterprises
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Annora Tessaro
Chief Security Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Anson Lee
Assistant Chief Security Officer
Deep Space 5

Caleb Ryan
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

Glinn Brovek
Cardassian

Ambassador Hydel Turvan
Cardassian Ambassador
Deep Space 5

 

RSS Feed