Extremum Proelium - The Battle for Deep Space 5 - Part I

Posted on Sat Jun 7, 2025 @ 3:01am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Alanna Wells & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines & Lieutenant Annora Tessaro & Lieutenant JG Anson Lee & Gunnery Sergeant Terry Henderson & Charghwl'IH of the House of Soval

1,937 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Tergum In Tempus
Location: DS5 & Pangaea
Timeline: MD01

[Continued from Extremum Proelium - Part III - The Storm Breaks

[PREVIOUSLY]

[Near DS5]

One of the Xi'Cadian Destroyers broke formation and moved in at high impulse and fired a photon torpedo and two disruptors which had little impact upon the station as a whole, but the message was clear.

[CONTINUED]

[Deep Space 5 Command Center]

Commander Caleb Ryan, who had been notified of the impending attack, did not get the message from Hydel Turvan because he wasn't getting any communications from the planet at all.

"No shields or weapons just yet. Let them think they caught us off guard. I want them to get closer before we send them back to the devil that spawned them."

Matilda looked towards Commander Ryan, feeling an icy chill go through her veins, that first hit upon the station gave her pause and concern. They had to hold fast and be ready for another attack.

Caleb sent out a message for all non-essential personnel to go to their quarters, unless they were on the outer rim, then go to a safe place on the promenade or to one of the lounges that would be less likely to receive collateral damage. He didn't need to worry about civilians and non-essential personnel getting hurt while they fought the Cardassians and Xi'Cadians.

He had confidence in the measures security had taken. Still, they were a lot of ships...

"Prepare to launch torpedoes on my mark. Let them get one more hit, then raise shields and fire weapons."

"Aye sir. Standing by." Came the response from the young Bolian manning the tactical console.

Those in Ops watched on the displays as the icons denoting the oncoming fleet moved closer to DS5. It didn't take long for another disrupter blast to hit the station.

"Raising shields. Weapons hot!"

He didn't understand the origin of that phrase, but knew it was popular among humans when preparing to fire.

[Deck 880]

While Annora would have loved to utilize at least one more person, circumstances dictated otherwise. Thankfully they weren't on their own, and only had to hold out long for friendly ships to push back the Cardassians. Having tapped into the command channel, she listened as the lead ship tried to warn off Starfleet's allies.
"The Cardassians are saying their fight is only with the Federation, and promising not to harm anyone else if they stay out of the fray. Doubt the Klingons will stay neutral, the Romulans and others might."

She paused as the station rocked from the opening salvo.
"Guess that means they're done talking. I'm curious Lieutenant, you have any combat experience?"

"Ummm..." Anson considered. "Does the shoot out on the planet before we jumped back count?"

Despite the situation, a slight chuckle came from the security chief.
"Guess I'll have to take it. Just remember to keep that rifle pointed at the bad guys."

Her expression then turned a bit more serious.
"You're not alone. A large portion of my staff have no major combat experience under their belt. There's been a few incidents on the station, but nothing of this magnitude. Guess that's the price one pays for prolonged peace. When everything hits the fan, you have less experienced troops to lead the charge. The Chief and I both survived major conflicts with little experience, so you're in good hands."

A grunt of agreement came from Peterson.
"She's right. My advice is to remember your training, don't forget to breathe, and focus on the task at hand. When this is over, the first drink is on me. Either Warnog or Bloodwine. Your choice."

Anson's palms were sweaty, and he adjusted his grip on his phaser. "First thing I'm going to do when we get back? Get the hell out of this uniform and take a shower. Then I'll have that drink."

The Chief placed a hand on Anson's shoulder.
"Far be it from me to stand between a man and his shower. Now we just wait for the Cardassians to try and board the station before rolling out the welcome wagon."

Anson took a deep breath and gave the Chief a weak smile. "Right. Shoot the other guy and don't get shot. That's only two things, right? Easy."

"That's the spirit. You managed to sum up the life of a soldier in 2 sentences." He then turned his attention back to Annora.

"Any change in status?"

Annora held up a finger as she listened in on comms. Wasn't long before she had an answer.
"Sounds like our surprise is up. Ops has raised shields and started firing on the lead ships, while our fleet is concentrating on the rear. As for us. At the moment we're to stay put. Sounds like we're soon to rendezvous with other teams, but the details are still being worked out."

[Far side of the Sun]

T'mpest opened a channel to the other ships, using an encrypted channel so they wouldn't be picked up by the Cardassian and Xi'Cadian fleet. "Michaels here. For now, take out as many of their rear and flank as you can. Be careful and happy hunting."

Then she ordered her ship to keep close to the sun as they prepared to target the nearest enemy ship. "All weapons, target their shields. Once down, take weapons offline."

"Aye, ma'am," came the reply from security.

[Pangaea]

For the moment, Alanna was ensconced in Bag End. Her shuttle was little match against larger ships, and she wasn't going to get involved in a ground battle, but she would continue monitoring the encrypted communication channel with the defense force and monitoring the Cardassians on the planet.

She sent a short message to Colonel Means. "First shots fired. Ground attack expected."

Means was deeper in the portal cave, checking on their 'refugees' from the research compound when a SSgt came running up. "Sir we have comms from Wells."

The pair ran back to the command post that had been set up and he looked over the message. "This is it people! We have shots fire on the station. Notify all positions, action imminent."

As the word went out Marines, and their Romulan and Klingon augmentees readied themselves for action.

Terry looked at his small squad of medics. He wished he had more, but he would have to make due.

"Alright team", he said. "Remember, tend to those who will be able to get back into battle before anyone else. We need every phaser on the line."

"Aye sergeant", they replied.

With that, Terry went to the command post and said to Colonel Means, "Medic team ready and assembled sir."

"Good we're going t..."

"Colonel! the compound has incoming!"

[Research Compound]

Several building in the now-unoccupied Federation section of the compound took hits from heavy weapons as Cardassian troops rushed from the tree line.

[Portal Complex]

Sending out encrypted comms to all units. "Here they come! remember they are expecting scientists, not us!"

As acknowledgements came in the forward positions outside the cave began to take hit and his Marines returned fire. Two-thirds of his forces remained unengaged waiting on the orders to flank and over run the Cardassians. His orders were to hold for as long as possible; their retreat was the signal to the others. No willing to let his Marines carry such a burden alone he grabbed his weapon. "WITH ME!"

Lowering his scope. Glinn Lagek grinned. "Their senior officer just ran out of the cave with a squad! If their CO joined the line they must not have any other reserves in the areas. Full Attack! Send in everything and crush them!" Turning to a trooper, "Send word to Turvan. The Portals will soon be ours!"

[Pangea - Bag End]

Jason stepped inside bag end. His hands were shaking some. He could feel the planet react to the shots fired. Even though it was a very small part of his genetics, his fae heritage gave him a connection to the planet. The emotional energy of the attackers, defenders, civilians, and wildlife all reverberated through the planet and Jason could sense. most of it.

"This is going to be interesting, to say the least", Jason remarked.

Alanna looked up and nodded. "It is. I hope this goes better than what they said happened the first time. At least we're prepared." She couldn't help smiling as she added. "Between the interference I've set up and the Marines scrambling the Cardassian signals, Turvan and his people can't communicate with anyone off the planet. That should give us another level of surprise." She watched him for a moment, picking up on his response to the attack. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Not unless you can make this all come to an end quickly", Jason replied rubbing his hands together. "The planet is vibrating like a tuning fork. Not temporal energy, but close. It knows something is happening somehow. How it will react in the end, I am not sure I want to find out."

"I don't think we have a choice. Ambassador Turvan has been plotting this for a while. He wants the portals. I've done what I can." She sighed. "I just hope it will be enough. It has to be, this time."

"We definitely need to win this time", Jason replied. "With Soran on leave and away from here, I worry the fae will consider that her abdicating things and they will give control of the portal to whoever wins. All I have to say is that this Captain Michaels better be good. Turvan is a sly snake."

"I've heard rumors that Captain Soran isn't coming back and Commander Ryan is in charge, but I can't confirm them right now. Captain Michaels is an exceptional scientist," Alanna replied. "I’ve heard her at conferences. She's a scientist, mostly. I think the Tiahuanaco is her second command. I asked her to come, and she brought the Cuzco and another ship." She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "At least this time we have support. Last time, no one believed us."

She hugged Jason. "I'm glad you're here. I have to believe we can do this together."

[Klingon Fleet]

Ambassador Charghwl’IH sat in command of the flagship when the signal from the Federation Commodore arrived. "Milord, a message from the Federation. They have engaged the Cardassians."

"Good. Signal the fleet. Prepare to warp." They were still several minutes at warp from the station but they couldn't arrive too early. Glancing to tactical he could see that the fleet was in position. He took several slow breaths as he held them at bay.

"The fleet signals ready Milord."

"Acknowledged." Again, Charg took several breaths in his mind he visualized the battle. The Federation ships coming in against overwhelming odds as the station waited. If everything went to plan the station would be armed and operational and an utter shock to the Cardassian forces. They needed to arrive after the station opened fire, but before the surprise had faded.

"DaH!" [Now!]

His battleship and the squadrons under his command jumped into warp.

(To Be Continued...)

Commander Caleb Ryan
Commander
Deep Space 5

Ensign Matilda Cromwell
Engineering Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant Annora Tessaro
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Anson Lee
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant Alanna Wells
Chief Science Officer
Deep Space 5

Colonel Nicholas Means III
Marine CO
Deep Space 5

Gunnery Sergeant Terry Henderson
Combat Medic
Deep Space 5

Glinn Lagek
Cardassian, working with Hydel Turvan

Jason Haines
Troublemaker
Pangaea

Major K'doc Valadorn
Marine XO
(NPCing Xi'Cadians)

Ambassador Charghwl’IH of the House of Soval
Klingon Ambassador
Deep Space 5

Captain T'mpest Michaels
Commander
USS Tiahuanaco

 

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