The enemy fleet had not yet showed up outside the nebula that was named the Briar Patch. A Federation task force of 7 ships and Captain Wallace's Arizona brought the task force to 8. Captain Roberts was the one who had brought this task force together.
The task force was there to stop any further advancement of the Mullura or Dominion Faction fleet. According to Captain Wallace's plan of delaying by the Space station, and the need to move on the Enemy fleet would be exhausted by the time it had reached the far side of the patch, with an estimated force of 20 ships.
Captain Wallace had arrived with his ship, about 6 hours ago. Majority of the crew were reboarded the ship. Commander Loran and Ensign Razek were the senior officers. New to the senior staff was Lt. Kassia. Though her role was basically limited and not a combat role. Wallace did consider her a valuable crewmember.
"Sir, Captain Roberts wants you on the Lexington in 10 minutes." Razek said turning to Wallace who was standing over by tactical. He couldn't help it his post that was his for almost 10 years was still calling out to him.
"Very well Ensign I'll be there ASAP. Tell Garek he has the bridge." Wallace said walking towards the turbo lift.
In a matter of seconds he was on the USS Lexington a Nebula class ship, and was escorted to the Conference lounge. Where he was greeted by Captain Roberts. The room was filled with 7 Captains including Wallace, and Roberts. Three Full commanders made up the rest.
"Welcome aboard my Flagship. Allow me to introduce the Lexington's Captain. Captain Wilson." Roberts said moving his arm over towards where Wilson was sitting. He was an older man in his mid fifties. He seemed to be respectful, but didn't seem to care for Wallace.
"Captain Benteen of the Lakota." Roberts finished, moving out of the way and allowing a female captain in her late 40's stepping forward.
Richard had heard of Captain Benteen she had been Admiral Layton's aide and been Captain of the Lakota for 13 years. She was a well-respected Captain and enjoyed her assignment. Wallace respected her, and shook her head. Roberts went on to finish pointing out the other officers at the Table.
"Next to Captain Wilson, is Captain Henix of Budapest, Captain Sampers of the Kearsarge. To his left are Commanders Thorson, Polka, and Lewis. " Roberts took a seat at the head of the table, and started the briefing.
"Thanks to Captain Wallace's delaying action the Mullura and Jem'Hadar are still approaching with out stopping to rest, or repair damage to their ships. We estimate a fleet of 20 and according to sensors they should reach the edge of that patch in 3 hours. Now you may be wondering what 8 ships have against a fleet that out numbers three to one. Well All 8 ships have more advance technology then the Dominion Faction does. Of course the Mullura we know very little about.
And to aid us allow me to introduce our fighter Squadrons. One that was already assign to Supply Base 901 Banshee Squadron." Roberts paused and allowed Commander Carter to enter. "And Major Boyle of the elite Marine Squadron the 58th." Roberts added as an older man walked in. The man was going bald and had gray hair on what was left of his head; his mustache he wore had gray too.
"All right these Squadrons will hound the enemy ships as they clear the patch. The two Saber class chips the Nautilus and the Crazy Horse will then attack with their phasers crippling the enemies chance of escape. The two Norways will then join in the attack, as will the Valiant our Defiant class ship. After they all are heavily engaged. The Lakota and Arizona will come in from behind. And hopefully destroy them. All right that is it for now return to your commands." All the Commanding officers left the briefing room and beamed back to their ships.
On the USS Arizona Captain Wallace sat in the mess drinking a cup of coffee. He was deep in thought about the coming battle, and the many that would follow for sure he was uncertain of himself almost. He knew he could fight a War, and combat. However he fought three battles where he was a officer. The first time he took leader ship it cost the lives of 9 of his department crew. The second time it cost 13 crew members, and the second time was well over 30. To him the cost was growing with every battle.
"Hey Captain mind if I sit." A voice from Wallace's right called out.
"Sure....." Wallace said turning to see Ensign Razek, the young Ensign and Chief Of Operations. Wallace saw himself in the ensign.
"So Mister Razek, how are you doing?"
"Fine sir. A little excited and very scared." Razek was an honest person and wasn't afraid to show his honesty. A trait which Captain Wallace respected.
"Well, just focus on the job at hand. And keep your mind off the events going on around you. Such as a ruptured plasma conduit. You'll get out this no problems Ensign."
Meanwhile the Lexington picked up the enemy ships on its scanners. It appeared they were reaching the edge of the nebula. Captain Robert's hailed all the commanding officers. Garek was on the bridge when the hail went through.
Sovick was at Tactical, and alerted Commander Loran. "Sir Captain Robert's is hailing and demanding all ships keep an open comm channel."
Garek stood up out of the command chair, and tapped his comm badge." Captain Wallace to the bridge. Looks like it's about to begin." Garek was a little uneasy too but kept it to himself. Captain Wallace with Ensign Razek appeared on the bridge from the turbolift in a matter of seconds, it seemed like.
"Go on Commander, what is happing?" Wallace asked walking over to his command chair.
"Captain Roberts has ordered that all ships open and keep a comm channel open." Garek said taking a seat.
"Very well. Mister Razek open the comm channel."
"Very well Comm channel open."
"Captain Roberts. Wallace here. What's the situation?"
[Banshee Squadron and the 58th have deployed to meet the Enemy fleet 2000 meters from the edge of the nebula. The Enemy is currently exiting the nebula now.]
"Lieutenant Sovick, status report."
"I am picking up 7 Jem'Hadar Attack ships, two with minor damage to their intake manifolds and plasma inter coolers. Two Mullura cruisers with minor hull buckling on their outer hull."
Wallace took a sigh of relief as he knew the enemy was at a major disadvantage point. He caught himself trying to smile.
[Commander Carter. Come in.] Roberts was herd over the comm channel.
[Carter here.]
[Commander target the Jem'Hadar propulsion systems. Were picking up major plasma leaks.]
[Roger, we are picking that up to]
[58th attack the Mullura before the Crazy Horse and the Nautilus do.]
[Captain this is Boyle. Why change the plan?]
[Cause Banshee has the Jem'Hadar.]
Sovick as did the other ship's tactical officers picked up the Jem'Hadar breaking off to attack. "Sir they breaking off to attack pattern theta." Sovick called out for all to hear.
Banshee opened fire, and Carter and Tycho made their shots count as the two focused fire on one attack ship. The fire brought major damage to their warp core, and with in a few seconds a warp core breach caused the Attack ship to explode, in a Giant fireball.
Vasser, and Schmidt fired on the second and caused major damage but not like the first. They had to fire three times before the ship exploded into a fireball. The other five Attack ships made a run at the Arizona and the Valiant.
Wallace stood up and, ordered the Helmsman to evasive maneuvers, and for Sovick to lock phasers and fire. The Phaser banks had fired onto the Attack ship's port Nacelle and caused it to explode in a huge fireball.
A third Jem'Hadar attack ship fired three phased polron beams at the Valiant causing minor damage. Lieutenant Sovick pointed that out to Wallace.
"Sir another Jem'Hadar ships is approaching at 045 degrees it seems to be making another run at the Valiant."
"Ensign attack pattern delta, lock quanta torpedoes, and fire at your digression Lieutenant." Wallace said as he looked at his Vulcan tactical officer. He waited until the Arizona was breathing down the Jem'hadar ships neck about 200 meters away. He then fired two torpedoes, at the underneath of the Attack ship.
The attack ship took both shots and rolled to the starboard side and exploded in another fireball.
Banshee came in and fired at the remaining attack ships, that fight lasted less then five minutes.
The Mullura battle cruisers were putting up more of a fight, the Crazy Horse was down to 32% Shields, and the Nautilus was at 87%. The Lexington came in to support, and was taking a pounding as well.
"Ensign plot a course to the Lexington and Sovick fire at an opportunity that makes it self-known. "Wallace said standing up by the master display console. Wallace was too happy he wanted to do more.
[Lakota come in and attack the second cruiser pattern Omega. Kearsarge follow through. Budapest will close it up. ]The comm channel cracked as the firefight escalated.
The Arizona approached the first Mullura Battle cruiser at impulse power of 1/4. From the bow. The Mullura open fire with torpedoes and compression phasers. Sparks began to fly on the bridge, and the ship began to rock and shake.
Sovick locked on to the compression phaser cannon with a pulse phaser blast, which made its mark. The Mullura ship rocked hard to port, and shock hard. The blast had over loaded and detonated the phaser cannon, and caused hull buckling. The Mullura shields went down to 12%.
[Outstand Arizona. 58th expend all remaining ordnance on the Mullura ship.] Banshee and Arizona and the Lexington joined the 58th. The First Mullura ship was being hit hard, and it started to show hull breaches.
[Mullura vessel 1 your ship is showing major structural and systems damage. Any further resistance is useless.]
The first Mullura ship and the second one exploded at the same time. The light was bright and some of the gases from the nebula were ignited. The whole battle was over in a matter of minutes. Everyone was stunned, and was unsure, but Roberts came back to reality real soon.
[Captain Wallace, move on ahead and secure Supply Base 901, the Lakota will follow, and the other members of the task force will there as soon as they repair damage.]
"Understood, Ensign plots a course to SB901. Sovick damage report."
"Decks 4-5 have minor damage, no injuries or death reported."
Wallace was amazed, and was speechless for a second or two. "Sovick how many deaths in task force?"
"None sure, three injuries."
"How long did the battle last?"
"Three minutes and twelve seconds. 1600 Mullura and 106 Jem'Hadar all killed." Sovick made it sound colder when he added his own commentary. "In all respects sir a flawless victory."
"Garek, you have the bridge, I'll be in my ready room."
Richard walked into his ready room and took a seat at his couch. He sat for a few seconds and was uncertain how to take it. They had suffered no deaths, but he felt nothing but uncertainty for what happen. Could this be a taste of what it is to come? Or was this a rouse to draw them back to Supply Base 901.
No they under estimated their enemy and I wouldn't make the same Mistake. "Garek, activate the sensor masking system, and send over the blue prints to one to Captain Benteen on the Lakota."
[Aye sir. Any reason why?]
"Cause this could be a trap."