"Sir, we are entering Nimbus solar system," The conn officer reported and the Tactical officer confirmed. Reynolds quickly reacted. He stood up from his command chair and began to bark orders. "Helm, slow to full impulse. I want shields up and two torpedoes ready on my command." Reynolds looked down at Commodore Wallace who was looking at a control panel near his chair.
Tactical made a quick response as Nimbus III came within sensor range as did the damaged Arizona. "Sirs, I'm picking up the Arizona she's leaking plasma from port nacelle, shields are down. It appears they have powered up the engines and are preparing to engage us."
Wallace stood up and made his feelings clear. "Red Alert! Captain, scan the ship for life signs. Perhaps Kelly is there."
"How do we know Kelly's bio signs?" Reynolds asked knowing he had no record of Vince Kelly's bio signs in his computer.
"Commander Loran has entered Kelly's bio-rhythm into the computer. It's there!"
The scans showed no Kelly aboard the USS Arizona. The Arizona was only at 1/4 impulse power and was trying desperately to power it's phaser cannon up. It did however fire three quantum torpedoes. Reynolds didn't give the order to fire -- it had to come from Wallace.
"Sir, we need to return fire," Reynolds yelled as conduits exploded.
"Go ahead!"
The torpedo hit its mark causing heavy damage to the ship's already damaged warp core. It then began to loose orbit around Nimbus III and started to fall into the planet's atmosphere. Wallace watched in horror as his ship fell and burned up in the planet's atmosphere. The USS Arizona-A died a grand death like her predecessor.
"Sir, the Arizona is laying in pieces in the eastern part of the planet," The OPS officer responded.
"Very well. Tell Major Jackson to ready his men. I'll help plan the landing. If you'd excuse me Captain," Wallace said as he left the bridge for the conference room.
Major Jackson had already begun scanning the area around Paradise City and the city's defenses. He made good notes of several key defenses outside the city; there were also some defensive positions just before the entrance of the city. Paradise City was basically a fort the way it was built over a 100 years ago. Jackson knew it would have to be stormed and blasted in some spots.
"Major, have you found anything of value?" Wallace asked walking into the conference lounge.
"Yes sir. About 3 kilometers outside the city is a trench of sorts. It looks as if it has around 32 defenders. Also a sort of early warning installation about 12 Kilometers from the city. If we beam down they will know it." Major Jackson showed his findings on the small computer screen. Wallace looked at it and tapped his comm badge. "R.J., this Wallace, come in."
[Yes Commodore?]
"I want two torpedoes at coordinates 03 degrees, north 35 degrees northeast. After that 03 degrees and 18 degrees northeast. After you fire at those coordinates let me know of the effect. Wallace out."
Major Jackson looked at Wallace a little surprised. He believed that the Commodore wanted to take them by surprise. "Sir I thought you wanted...." Jackson was unable to finish his sentence -- the comm channel crackled open.
[Sir, we've made direct hit on the defensive line inflicting 32 deaths. The installation was destroyed killing four.]
"Outstanding Captain. Ready transporters for transport. I'll be joining Major Jackson."
[Sir I protest! You're a flag officer. Your place is up here directing the Major's actions.]
Wallace didn't like hearing this, he glanced over at Jackson who appeared to agree with Captain Reynolds' opinion. It was quiet for a few minutes. If this promotion means I can't even see my own mission through forget it. Command can keep their damn promotions then.
"Very well then. Major, ready your team. I'll be in constant contact on the bridge. Good luck!" Wallace said in a firm tone of voice with a hint of anger at not being allowed to lead this mission.
23 Minutes later on the Surface of Nimbus III....
It was dark and cold, much like a desert at night. That's what Nimbus III was -- a Class M planet that was a giant lump of desert. Major Jackson had read up on Captains Spock and Kirk's rescue mission here in 2389. He had read the opinion of Kirk's impression on the planet and began to agree with it.
The Marines numbered 46 -- most of the Supply Base 901 detachment, plus the 15 from the Sentinel. They were spread out in a standard patrol formation. Major Jackson was in the rear like most senior officers would do on a patrol and mission like this one. Jackson sort of found himself at odds with himself. He knew and understood why Commodore Wallace wanted to beam down, but James also knew that Richard Wallace was far too important to beam down to the planet's surface.
"Sir." A loud whisper broke the silence. Jackson looked up to see Lieutenant Adams from the Sentinel detachment walk up to him. "Yes Lieutenant?"
"We are about 6 kilometers from the city. I suggest we spread out more."
Major Jackson looked ahead and saw the city lights. He pulled out his binoculars and scanned the area. He saw only men on the city walls waiting for the detachment to arrive. The Major knew he had to find a way to distract the shooters on the wall to get his men into the ditch that was attacked in the first wave. He tapped his comm badge.
"Jackson to the Sentinel."
[Sentinel here. Go ahead Major.]
'I need a volley of three torpedoes on the city walls. North walls preferably."
[Very well, they will be launched in 15 seconds. Sentinel out.]
"All right. When those torpedoes start landing, run like the wind to that ditch over there," Jackson said as the first torpedo fired and hit the northeast wall causing a huge explosion. "Run!!!" Jackson said running towards the ditch as another torpedo hit the northwest wall and took part of the center north wall down.
Jackson dropped into the ditch covered with debris. He looked down and saw a dead Klingon. He rolled over to his left to see the rest of his detachment making it into the hole. James unslung his rifle and turned to face what was once the walls of Paradise City. He saw a few dozen men run to the wall's remains. "This is the United Federation Marine Corps. We have a warrant for your arrest and Vince Kelly's. If you surrender now no one else will get hurt. I promise fair treatment and a fair trail." The Major tried one last peaceful attempt." It was quiet then the rebels and pirates began to fire their weapons.
"Return fire. Shoot to wound not to kill." James yelled as he fired a shot at a pirate hitting him in his shoulder. The shooting lasted a few minutes but was quickly surprised when a Marine fired a photon grenade launcher landing 10 yards behind them.
Jackson then had to clear the city which was now deserted. And dark. He turned his simms beacon on and pulled out a tricorder and began to scan the buildings. He found a tailor shop which had three lifesigns. Jackson threw a stun grenade into the window. Jackson made his way to the bar which was now an office and bar. He made his way with six Marines.
As the Marines entered the place they came under heavy fire. James dove and took cover behind a game table and rolled to the ground to see where the fire was coming from he saw three Bajorans firing away. He quickly fired a blast stunning all three in rapid succession.
James then threw a stun grenade down the hallway of the bar. He and his Marines got up and walked to the entrance and shouted, "Come out with your hands up!"
A phaser blast was shot at the Lance Corporal next to Jackson. It was a type-II disruptor -- it vaporized the corporal. This angered Jackson. He raced into the room and fired wildly at the room. His rifle was then kicked out of his hand. Taken aback, Jackson looked to see the most wanted man pointing a Romulan disruptor pistol at his head. James quickly grabbed the man's left arm and bent it back causing Kelly to drop the pistol. Kelly got off a backhand blow to Jackson's lip.
James fell back and saw that Kelly was going for the pistol. He quickly grabbed Kelly by the back of his shirt and slammed him face first into the wall. Vince turned around and dazed, trying to get his bearings, met a knee to the stomach from Jackson followed by a fist to the face. Kelly fell to his knees and head butted Jackson in the stomach as he fell down.
The Major fell back and saw that Kelly got to his feet again and tried to make another run for the pistol. He kicked Kelly's left leg at the knee making a popping noise. Kelly screamed in pain but contained to crawl towards the pistol. Knowing he couldn't kill Kelly because: one, he wasn't armed; and two, orders, James pulled out his type-II phaser. "Stop!" Jackson yelled as the power cell powered up. Almost reaching the pistol Jackson fired. "Ahh, ahh." Kelly yelled as he rolled onto his back and held up his right hand which was now a black charcoal nub.
"Commodore Wallace, I have Kelly and 19 of his pirates," James said tapping his comm badge.
[Great. We will begin beaming them up in a few minutes.]
Jackson turned to see Kelly with his left hand tied to his right forearm. "Well, you traitor. Looks like you're going to jail for a long, long time."
"Not really. You think they'd allow me to tell the enemy about their organization? You're wrong." Kelly then began to act very strange and started to convulse. Jackson called for his medic. The medic began to scan Kelly and found some sort of device implanted in Kelly's body. Then blood came out his mouth, ears and nose.
"He's gone. Some sort of implant that was activated and destroyed his heart and brain."
"Damn!!!" Jackson yelled out.