"Mister Kelly please tell us the targets that available to Commodore Walker," Wallace said as he stepped onto the bridge.
"Sir the Ship yards and a colony at Porkia IV," Kelly said standing up from the command chair. "Porkia is a civilian Target. Only a handful of military personnel," Korik said turning towards Wallace.
"Sir excuse me but a Cardassian sensor array has picked up a Federation Warp signature 12 light years from our current position," Ensign Kelvin said alerting the Commander.
"Very well Ensign lay in a course Warp 8.2," Wallace said taking a seat as did the other Federation officers.
"What makes you think he'll attack there?" Korik asked.
"I have a feeling sir, your not informing me of the true identity of Porika." Wallace said as he sat back.
"It's a research Colony," Korik said, seeming very uneasy.
"Leggit Korik listen to me and listen carefully. If we work together we can get alot accomplished. My ship is here to bring back the Wellington and Walker. Not gather intel on your people."
"Sorry," Korik said look at his aide.
"Cadet Razek show the Leggit's aides how to work the fire control switch. We may need their help."
"Aye Aye Captain."
The Arizona entered the DMZ and went toWarp, speeding towards Walker and the Wellington. "Garek how is that sensor masking system coming along?" Wallace asked taping his comm badge.
[Can't say for sure. We need to take power from another source. This ship wasn't made to handle Warp 8.2 more then an hour, so all the other power is heading into the integrity fields.]
"Very well shut the replicators off and the sonic shower bay off."
[Aye Aye sir.]
Kelvin was hard at work at OPS. and tried to hide his exhaustion by keeping focused, on his work.
"Sir, Porika is sending out a distress call. They are under attack. They have quit transmitting," Nugent said looking at Wallace.
"Kelvin time to intercept?" Wallace asked.
"30 minutes sir."
"All decks red alert," Wallace said walking back towards the ships dedication plaque which read:
"The First Casualty of war is innocence."
How true it rang to Richard he took a deep breath and turned back to his chair.
"Sir the Wellington is dropping out of Warp," Nevar said.
"Halt Ensign. Lieutenant open hailing channel."
"Open sir."
"Commodore Walker this is Commander Wallace of the USS Arizona. Please halt your unauthorized attacks against the Cardassian People. If you do not I will fire upon you."
The bridge of the Arizona was quite as they waited for a response.
Bridge of the Wellington
"Sir how do we respond?" The Bolian Tactical officer asked.
Walker had not heard Wallace's voice for a long time and was happy to here him, but the Commander was on the wrong side.
Back on the Arizona Wallace waited and then told Nevar to scan the Wellington.
"Sir they are powering up shields. Torpedos are locked onto us."
Wallace shut his eyes and then said, the word no one thought he would say.
"Cadet lock onto the Wellington's left nacclle. Don't fire until I give the word."
Razek shook his head and wondered if Walker would respond.
"Sir Quantuim Torpedo away!" Nevar yelled out as weapon was fired from the Wellington.
"Evasive action. Fire phasers Cadet," Wallace said as a torpedo hit the Arizona's impulse engine causing very little damage.
The Arizona's pulse phasers hit the Wellington right above the nacelle having no affect.
"Sir they are firing phasers and another torpedo." Kelvin said as the ship shook.
"Fire Nevar. Target their engines so they can't run."
"Aye Aye sir. Can't get a lock. Damn they took off heading 120 mark 2," Nevar said hitting his fist down on the panel.
Wallace was just as mad until he asked Garek for a Damage report.
[Sir the funny thing is that only impulse and targeting sensors are down.]
"Very well get your teams ready. Commander Kelly and Glinn Eorkia find out where they are heading," Wallace said, walking around to the Cadet who fired second in the battle.He patted the cadet on the shoulder.
"Sir Porika is in need of assistance 120 people are in need of medical attention," Nugent said giving a concerned look to Commander Wallace.
"Korik any ships that can help?"
"No, not for about 5-6 days."
"Damn it. I hate to lose to the chase, but we can't leave those people to die. Ensign Kelvin plot a course to that colony."