Major Larn seemed to be enjoying his post at the helm. He was working hard at his station, Captain Sharpe was busy watching him and Ensign Okul. Sharpe was confident in the Major but a little skeptical in the young ensign. Sharpe was also deep in thought as he tried to put together what he was going to say to the Niprons once they entered their space. It then came to him as the Hornet entered the Nipron star system.
"Captain, we are entering Nipron Space," Larn said as he ran his fingers over the controls.
"Very well. Major, slow to full impulse. Commander Chee, raise shields, load the forward torpedo bays and power up all phaser banks," Sharpe said standing up out of the Captain's chair, tugging his tunic. Nathan could see some ugly looks from Captain Lataro, acting as XO until Commander Wolf was able to return to duty.
"Commander Chee, open a comm signal." Sharpe heard the beep the open channel made.
"Attention Niprons. You have 36 minutes to surrender any vital information on the whereabouts of Commodore Wallace, or I will destroy every single ship in your fleet and the Mulluran shipyard!" Sharpe said in calm and firm tone of voice.
Ensign Okul scanned the area and saw two ships plotting an intercept course. " Captain Two sub light Nipron ships approaching."Okul said looking at the view screen.
"Lock phasers on the ships. Chee open the damn Comm channel." Sharpe had a serious look on his face and cracked his neck.
"You don't have nothing that can match this ship's fire power. I promise to destroy every ship in this system if you even begin to power up those weapons. "
Chee interrupted and replied." Sir they have phasers powered up."
"That's it I'm tired of jerking around. Commander fire and destroy one ship and cripple the second. " Sharpe said turning his head seeing Lataro's disapproval.
"You have a problem Captain?"
"No sir. I request an alternative solution."
"Request denied. "Sharpe replied giving the nod to Chee to fire. The phasers tore through the small Nipron craft cutting it into two. The little ship exploded in a tremendous fire ball.
Mister Chee lock phasers on the second craft's engines." Nathan said cracking his neck. Commander Chee locked the phasers on the second craft's engineers but didn't fire. The scanners showed that the small ship powered down it's phasers. "Captain they appear to be backing down and leaving phaser range.
"See Captain Lataro, they needed forceful action, not forceful words. Now they know we mean business. Major Larn take us to orbit of Nipron II full impulse power." Sharpe walked over to the Engineer station where Chief Matthews was standing.
"Commander how many people died on that little ship?" Lataro asked walking around to the tactical station. "21 Niprons." Chee replied giving no emotion. Sharpe caught a glance of a scowl from Lataro who thought that Captain Sharpe wasn't looking.
"Sir I'm reading massive phaser fire on the surface." Ensign Okul said running his hands over the controls.
This was most interesting. Perhaps some Mulluran fighters were on the surface. " Chee tell me are they Mulluran or human?"
"No, Nipron it appears they are fighting among themselves." Johnny said with a perplex look on his face.
For the next 18 minutes it was quiet on the bridge, both Chee and Okul monitored the planet's situation and finally 20 minutes into the Hornet's arrival the Comm channel beeped very loud.
"Sir we are being hailed." Chee said breaking the silence.
"Very well. Put it on screen." Sharpe replied crossing his arms and seeing the image come alive on the view screen of a older Nipron in his mid 50's. [Please Captain allow me to send my most humble apologies to you and the Federation.]
"Enough with the bull shit. I want to know where Commodore Wallace is and how many Mullurans will be there."
[Very well. He's being held on Okuma IV in the DMZ an old Mulluran staging point. There are about 900 Mullurans there. I'm sending you all the information you require. ] Sharpe noticed the man was wearing a military uniform and some fires were burning in the back ground this peaked his interest.
"What has been going on down there? We've detected massive phaser fire."
[I'm General Rokal me and 13,000 others have over thrown a Government that has done nothing but brought shame and destruction to our people. Please don't interfere with our affairs. We have sent you the information. Please be on your way. ]
"Very Well. Major Larne set a course to the DMZ warp 12. Ensign Okul your with me in the conference lounge. Commander Chee route all that information to me in the lounge." Sharpe said walking into the conference lounge. Upon entering he started to look at the information.
After 2 hours of studying the information he had formed a plan. He called Captain Lataro and Commander Chee into the Conference room and Commander Carter along with Mister Matthews. He stood while he delivered the plan to the select officers.
"Ok, listen up we have two objectives,save Wallace and terminate this threat these guerrilla fighters.
How long to we reach the DMZ Commander Chee?"
"12 hours."
"Once we reach the DMZ we will use the Cloak. Down side is that we can't go above warp 9 while cloaked. The Okuma system is 6 hours in the DMZ.
Now this fort that he's being held in is guarded rather heavily. So were going to have to split up our forces. Commander Carter once we arrive in orbit launch your squadron you'll be greeted by 12 Mulluran fighters. I want to then drop the cloak and engage the three Mulluran cruisers.
The second phase of the Assault will be a ground assault. I know Commander Chee wants to lead it but I believe I've found someone more capable. Chief Matthews will lead the main assault force with a team of 45 people. Ensign Okul will lead the second element of 40 people.
Matthews will attack the outer defenses of the fort. Ensign Okul will come in from the rear of the Fort it's not quiet as well guarded. I then want Captain Lataro to lead a force of 20 to come in on the left flank. Your job is to confuse and make reinforcements not commit in the rear or forward. Replace ments will be beamed down after we secure the skies. Here is the information you will all need." Sharpe handed out a PADD to the individuals and saw Chee was not quite clear yet.
"Commander Chee. I estimate there ground forces number perhaps any where from 300-500. Their space force is the bulk of the personnel. I also will need you at Tactical when the shit gets thick up here. It will trust me. " Sharpe said with a grin.
"Yes sir. I trust your judgment just I feel odd sitting out a ground assault." Chee said crossing his arms.
"Well when those forces land they will meet heavy resistance. Your job is to be able to prevent the enemy from escaping from the planet and star system. Come on we have 21 hours before the rescue can commence. Let's get some rest." The two officers left the lounge and headed to their respective quarters.