The Sentinel had spent fourteen hours searching the Briar Patch and found no trace of the USS Arizona or the Raider class ships. It appeared they had given either the slip or the whole thing was meant to fool them. One thing Wallace despised was being fooled - it boiled his blood.
The Sentinel was still in needs of repairs. Their navigation systems were still jumpy, their emergency power was about all used up. The warp drive was able not to pass warp 5.6. This frustrated Commodore Wallace even more. Captain Reynolds felt pretty much as Wallace did. The bridge was rather quiet - no talking, just the hum of the control stations.
"Commodore. May I suggest we abandon the Briar Patch search and return to SB901 for some repairs? Maybe then we can gather a foothold and come up with some ideas." Reynolds was standing near Tactical and looked down at the guest seat of the bridge where Wallace was.
"Yes Captain, we need to repair and regroup," Wallace said standing up and tucking his tunic.
As the Sentinel left the Patch it received a message from Star Fleet Command. Reynolds and Wallace looked at the viewscreen to see Admiral Ross.
[Captain Reynolds, Commodore Wallace, I see you're all right. That is good news for a change.]
"I take it we can send messages now?" Wallace said looking at the viewscreen.
[Ten hours ago Vince Kelly attacked the USS Cairo and the USS Lakota. He ordered his raider class ships to make suicide runs into the Cairo. The Cairo suffered and was destroyed with all hands. Kelly attacked the Lakota crippling her and suffering damage himself.
[Commodore, I am placing you in charge of capturing Vincent Kelly and destroying his organization. I hope you're returning to SB901 'cause I'm sending you some information, including some from the Romulans. Anything else Commodore?] Ross appeared to be showing some strain on his face, understandable giving the current crisis.
"Yes sir. I would like the Lakota's sensor and Tactical logs as well," Wallace said scratching his head and seeing the screen going blank.
"Lieutenant. Open comm channel to SB901. Tell Colonel Tarik to study the information from the Romulans. Major Jackson is to study the sensor logs." Wallace sat down feeling more angry now then ever. He brooded over how he wanted to kill Kelly more than anyone ever in his lifetime.
The trip to SB901 took eight hours. After arrival, Garek went to work right away. Wallace assembled his officers for a briefing, including Captain Reynolds. The tension was high in the Staff Lounge. Wallace had been up for 49 hours straight; he was ready to take out this Terrorist group as soon as possible. Sleep could wait 'til Kelly was sitting in a brig. Richard looked over at Tarik and shook his head ok.
Tarik began to speak. "The information was very informative. In the Romulan Empire there is a group of extremist that want to return to the old ways with the Federation. They are called the Al-Polrin group. According to the Tal-Shiar they have informants in every branch of government.
"According to the Tal-Shiar, Kelly attacked and stole two cloaking devices from shuttles. They believe that Al-Polrin set that up."
Tarik was interrupted by K'Tag. "Sir, are you saying that this group is helping Kelly?"
"No. The Romulans can't confirm it. They want us to confirm it so they can bring this organization down." Tarik finished his report.
Major Jackson then began. "The Arizona suffered massive damage to it's cloaking device and it's phaser cannon. It wasn't that hard to track the plasma emissions to a planet in what was once the Neutral Zone. Nimbus III." It was quiet after that statement Wallace was thinking hard and Mallory saw it a perfect time to speak.
"Sir, Nimbus III was thrown into anarchy in 2291. It's never been a safe place. Even Romulans and Klingons wouldn't go there."
"Vince Kelly would use that place as a perfect staging area," Tarik added. "Sir, Major Jackson asked the Romulans to send information on Nimbus III and they informed the Major that a Federation Starship was in orbit above the planet, along with 1032 life signs. They are spread through the planet, though the city called Paradise City contains 145 life signs." Tarik slid a padd to Wallace who stood up and announced his intentions.
"Major, ready a Company of Marines, between that and the Sentinel's, it should be enough. Plus 24 Security personnel. I want the Sentinel to be ready in 5 hours. Commander Mallory inform the Romulans we will be entering their space in about 18 hours." Wallace looked over the senior staff and saw the amazement in their face.
"Sir, am I to help Major Jackson? Tarik asked.
"No Colonel, giving your families fate I wouldn't put in the situation where they would try to complete it. Everyone get some rest we will need. Deveraux your with me."