Sizing up the Enemy

Previously….

Suddenly, the holodeck was filled with the sound of a yellow alert, breaking the awkwardness.

"McQueen to Bridge" Logan announced. "What's the problems ?. Why are we at Yellow alert ?"

[Mister McQueen, long-range sensors have detected a Dominion vessel in orbit above Bopak III.] The voice of J'ross replied.

"Could it be rogue vessel ?" Logan enquired.

[We're not sure. We'd have to drop out of transwarp to be sure and that could give our approach away.]

"It sounds like duty calls," Rahel smiled, having sensed Logan's mixed reaction. "Just in the nick the time too," she laughed softly. "I'll do a once-over in sickbay in case it's needed."

"I'll be on the Bridge in five minutes." Logan announced. "Logan out."

Logan rose from the blanket and started to pack the box once more. The last thing to go in was the blanket, which they both helped to fold. Logan looked at Rahel and said. "We'll talk some more and maybe get that search underway next time we're both free."

He then picked up the box and announced. "Computer, arch." The arch appeared and he walked out into the corridor, looking back once before disappearing back to the Bridge.

Now….

Five minutes after leaving the holodeck, Logan emerged from the turbolift and took up the XO seat beside Lieutenant J'ross. He activated the console in the chair arm and quickly checked over the situation with J'ross.

"Lieutenant, they are running a scan of us." Lieutenant Rhee said to J'ross. "They are concentrating on weapon arrays."

"Mister Cutal, cut ALL power to weapons and get a dampening field around the armoury !" J'ross said quickly and rather anxiously.

"Power cut. They shouldn't have the equipment to thoroughly scan the arrays when they are completely powered down." He replied with confidence.

"Good. The only problem is getting the weapons back up fast. I'd rather hide our strength though." J'ross said as she glanced at Lieutenant McQueen.

"Any recommendations ? I'll bet you have plenty for me." She asked him with a small smile.

"Mister Lune, do we have a positive identification on the vessel ?" Logan enquired.

"It would appear to be a battleship." Fai replied. "Wait, I'm picking up a second vessel, another battleship. It was hidden behind the far side of the systems sun, but its now coming around and heading for Bopak III."

"Two battleships." Logan stated. "Well I think we can safely assume that these vessels are from the Dominion and not the rogues."

"Unless they've managed to acquire more vessels." Lieutenant Cutal announced.

"Helm, what's our ETA ?" J'ross enquired.

"At current speed, about ten minutes before we'll be in weapons range." The helm officer replied. "That's assuming they don't move to intercept."

"Mister Cutal, what's your assessment of fighting off two battleships ?" J'ross enquired.

"Not bad." Chris replied. "The enhancements that have been applied to the Taurus should give us the edge from a manoeuvrability standpoint. They have more firepower than we do, but our systems should pack a heavier punch and we always have the speed to make a retreat if we need to."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." J'ross suggested.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking Lieutenenat ?" Logan enquired.

"That these are a present from our Vorta friend." J'ross replied. "It would make sense, she's had access to the ships systems, it's entirely possible that she sent a message to the Dominion."

"Well there's one way to find out. "Logan stated. "Bridge to Vorta Sabá."

[Sabá here.] The voice of the female Vorta replied. [What can I do for you Lieutenant McQueen ?]

"We are currently approaching Bopak III and we have a couple of visitors in orbit." Logan said. "Would you know anything about that ?"

There was silence for a moment as Sabá thought about her answer.

[Lieutenant. These rogue Jem'Hadar are a menace to the Dominion and now the Federation in the Gamma quadrant. They must be sought out and destroyed, it is in both our interests to do so. The two vessels were dispatched two days ago, they should have reached here six hours ago and started their search.] Sabá replied.

"It would have been nice if you had informed us of your plans." Lieutenant J'ross stated.

[I am sorry for the deception, but the Founders though that you would not accept our assistance if we offered it.] Sabá apologised.

"Not to mention the fact that Bopak III is part of the Dominion territory handed over to the Federation after the war." Logan continued. "The arrival of two Dominion vessel into Federation space could be construed as an act of war."

[May I come to the Bridge and converse with the vessel ?] Sabá asked.

"Please do." Logan replied angrily. "Bridge out."

"Helm, time to reach Bopak III." J'ross announced.

"Five minutes." Came the reply.

"Captain, I'm picking up another vessel approaching Bopak III." Cutal suddenly announced.

"Can you identify it ?" J'ross asked.

"Our sensors are being jammed." Cutal stated. "I'm only getting a vague image, but it doesn't match any known design. The unknown vessel is approaching the vessel in orbit. It looks like they're attacking, the second battleship vessel is altering course to intercept."

"Red Alert." J'ross announced. "Helm, set a course to intercept. Mister Cutal, prepare to bring the weapons online, but keep that dampening field active until the last moment."

"The first battleship is coming under sustained fire." Lune announced. "Whatever that vessel is, its running rings around the Dominion vessels."

"Weapons are coming back online." Cutal announced. "We should be in weapons range in thirty seconds."

"The first vessel is losing power, the attacker is moving onto the second vessel." Lune reported.

"What's the status of the first vessel ?" J'ross asked.

"It appears to be losing power, but it's not in any immediate danger." Lune announced. "I'm reading major damage to their propulsion and weapons, their shields are also down."

"Helm, set an intercept course." J'ross announced. "Mister Cutal bring all weapons to bear on the attacking vessel."

The Taurus accelerated towards the second Dominion vessel and it's attacker. A barrage of phaser fire and quantum torpedoes left the New Orleans class vessel at the attacking ship. Most of it hit its mark, causing the vessels shields to flare. But the attacker continued to attack the Dominion vessel, until it's shields finally buckled. With no shields to protect it, the Dominion vessel was open to destruction. Then suddenly the attacker changed direction and headed back to the first vessel. The only problem was that now the Taurus was in the firing line, caught between the attacker and its prey.

"Captain, they've changed direction and are heading back towards us." Cutal announced. "Firing another wave."

Again the Taurus fired at the vessel and again the ships shields again flared.

"They're firing back." Cutal warned.

Suddenly the Taurus was rocked as the vessels attack hit home. The Bridge fell into darkness for a few moments, until the emergency lighting came online.

"Damage report." J'ross ordered.

"Main power is offline." Lieutenant Lune announced. "Shields, weapon, propulsion too. We're dead in the water."

Suddenly the Taurus was rocked again by a massive explosion.

"What was that ?" J'ross asked. "Did they attack us again ?"

"Negative." Cutal stated. "They've just destroyed the first Dominion vessel."

"Where are they now ?" J'ross asked.

"Gone." Cutal said. "They've just jumped to warp."

"Bridge to Engineering." J'ross ordered.

[Bridge here.] Ensign Luwall here. [We've taken major damage to all systems. The Chief is dead and we've got injured.]

"We'll get medical to you soon." J'ross announced. "What's our status ?"

[The warp core's off-line and we're losing life-support.] Rachel reported. [What attacked us ?]

"We're not entirely sure." J'ross admitted. "Work on keeping life-support online and then start working on the warp core. I'd like a damage report ASAP. Bridge out."

[Sickbay to Bridge.] Rahel's voice announced. [What's our status ? Do you have any injured ?]

J'ross looked around the Bridge. Several members of the Bridge crew were still picking themselves up after the attack. Some had bumps and grazes, but it looked as if everyone was OK.

"We've got a few minor injuries, but nothing life threatening. Engineering seems to have taken the brunt of the attack. The chief engineer is dead and they've reported several injuries." J'ross announced.

[I'll get a medical team to Engineering as soon as I can.] Rahel replied. [They may have to use the Jefferies tubes, the corridor outside sickbay is blocked by debris.]

"Understood." J'ross replied. "I'd like a casualty report as soon as it's ready. Bridge out."

"What's the status of the other Dominion vessel ?" J'ross asked.

"Unknown, sensors are all off-line or destroyed." Lune announced. "All I can do is put it on the main viewscreen."

"Do it." J'ross ordered.

The image of the Dominion vessel appeared on the screen and then magnified.

"It looks like they're in as bad a shape as we are." Cutal announced. "Take a look at this."

The image changed to show the rear of the vessel.

"They knew exactly where to hit the battleship." Cutal commented. "That's where the engineering section was."

The viewscreen moved in and showed the devastation that the very quick attack had caused. The hull plating was all but destroyed and everyone could see the dead bodies floating in the vacuum of space, mixing with debris. Occasionally a small explosion or the sparking of a damaged EPS conduit light up the carnage.

"Turn it off." J'ross ordered. "Let's get this ship back into working order, once that's done we'll see what help we can offer them."