First Wave

Captain's Log

As Klingon's we have struck a decisive blow to the Barien menace. They were no match for my ship. I actually can't believe the honour that has been bestowed on the Cardassians to fight side-by-side with us, not to mention the Romulans. They in themselves have no honour. However they did fight with distinction. The odds were massively against us, but we were victorious.

The Bariens are now on retreat back to the Beta Quadrant with both the V'Krta and the Cardassians in pursuit. The Cardassians. They have been recognised by some of my crew as formidable adversaries. It is hard to believe that we re fighting along side each other. It does, however, give us a chance to look at this new Keldon-Class vessels. I know that the USS Defiant had a small entanglement with them when they approached the Orias system, but little information was obtained by them.

I have noticed that the Keldon-class are very similar to the Galor-class cruisers. However they have added numerous areas around the top of the main body and the tail. Their function I don't know, but I have seen that their offensive capabilities and overall speed have been tremendously upgraded. They can hold speed with our Vortcha battle cruiser with little to no difficulty and at times even surpass it. Unlike the Galors, the Keldons have three phaser emitters under their Bridge.

Ha... I wonder if the Cardassian shadow warrior, Galor, could hold a bat'leth to Kahless. It would be a glorious battle. I would like to see that.

The Romulans though have done much in this little skermish A few Barien battlecruisers seemed to have broken the offensive line, but as they did the cloaked Romulans took them by surprise and destroyed them within a thousand kilometres from the "line of scrimmage", to use a phrase from Sisko. They have proven honourable and worthy allies. However, I wonder just how long that would last.

I remember in 2268, my great, great grandfather was in the diplomatic party that worked hand in hand with the Romulans. Before long, the Romulans had adapted the D-7 Battlecruisers to their cloaking device and warp speed. Little did we know that they would use this exchange of information against us. However, the measly attack force didn't quite master all of the battlecruisers and at Klack D'Kel Brakt, Kor, my great, great grandfather crushed the insurgent force with little to no lose of Klingon. My children even today continue to sing the songs of Kor.

We now all fight and die at each others' side. It is a time undreamed of, but for the safety of Qo'nos we fight... and win.

End Captain's Log

"Captain." Lieutenant Kisk, the V'Ktra's tactical officer said. "The Barien ship is slowing to impulse."

"Aw. It looks like it is a good day to die... for those cowards." Commander Kor said with a glee. "Send a message to the Cardassians to converge on these co-ordinates."

"Yes Captain."

The Barien ship that the V'Ktra had been following for the past few hours had indeed slowed down. They were just on the outside of a small planetoid, a few parsecs from Zebra Sector. Their previous days had been victorious and Kor had changed his standing orders to totally annihilate this menace. Then he will have songs sung of him and a debt of gratitude paid to his house by the Alpha quadrant. He smiled thinking of the days of glory that were to come afterwards.

"Captain. There is a message coming in from you from Gul Balir." Kor's comm officer said.

"Very well. On screen."

[Ah. Commander Kor. I see that you have chased down the rabbit.] Balir said with a smile.

"Yes I have. I want to insure complete victory."

[As do I. ETA, four minutes.]

"We shall wait. And of our Romulan allies ?"

[They are behind us, cloaked.]

"Good. Then victory will be ours this day."

[Yes it will, Balir out.]

The com screen went blank.

"Captain." Lieutenant Kisk interjected during this moment of euphoria. "We are receiving tachyon pulses from the planetoid."

"What ?" Tachyon pulses spread out over a highly concentrated area could disrupt most shield emitters rendering them useless. "Identify the source."

"Sir. Planet's surface, a series of pulse emitters."

"From who ?"

On the screen, a massive dispersion wave appeared. It was large similar to what usually a Bird of Prey would generate but it was big enough cover.

"Fire photon torpedoes bearing 001, maximum spread." Kor yelled out. "Shields up, Prepare for battle."

[Too late Captain.] Said a voice.

On the screen a large ship appeared. It was the same configuration of a Barien battlecruiser. Momentarily, dozens upon dozens of smaller ships appeared once shrouded by the cloaking field . Suddenly a barrage of phaser fire and torpedoes rattled the Vor'cha Battle Cruiser. She exploded in a blaze of orange. A loud scream was heard over the explosions as Kor yelled.

"NO !"

The 6th Order Keldon ships arrived as the debris of the Klingon ship burned. Birds of Prey were engaging the Battlecruisers and small attack ships. Balir stood up. "All ships red alert. Raise ships and engage the Bariens now."

The Keldon attack wings separated created a prong. They engaged each ship even though being outnumbered two to one.

"Open channel to the Captain Devore." Balir ordered as his ship rocked from small explosions.

"Channel can't be open."

"Fine. Then send this message, all channel, all bands." Balir said. "Captain Devore and Starfleet ships. We are engaged with what looks to be the mass of the Barien fleet. They are no longer concentrated in the Alpha Quadrant, but rather in the Beta Quadrant ten parsecs from the Nuan homeworld. In a matter of minutes we have sustained huge losses. I recommend that you revise your at................."

The Keldon flagship exploded.

Other Keldons attacked. The massive phaser emitters engaged the smaller ships destroying each of them with a single blast. However as one exploded two took their place.

[This is the Barien Premiere Cholarn. Lower your shields and prepare to be boarded.]

"Never. We will not surrender."

Location: Alpha Quadrant en route Zebra Sector

Five thousand light years away, the Federation fleet was at warp six on their way to rendezvous with the expeditionary force. The original word had come back to the Leviathan and the Enterprise of the first victory. On the Bridge, Captain Devore was on split screen with Admiral Ross, Captain Ryan of the USS Ronin, Captain Osagawa of the USS Knight and the Jeorri ambassador. The Romulan subcommander, Tampec, filled the bottom half of the view monitors.

[Our first part worked out as planned ?] Asked Tampec.

"Yes Commander. Looks like all is going according to plan." Devore said with a smile. "On top of that according to Commander Kor's last message the Bariens are on the retreat."

[Good. Then I imagine that we can take and split the fleet now.] Admiral Ross said excitedly.

"Yes sir. You can take the first prong and engage them at the designated co-ordinates."

[Captain Devore. Is it truly a wise move to separated our forces ?] Asked the Jeorri ambassador.

"Yes sir. Beard would normally expect a full frontal attack. The Federation usually uses a full frontal assault when the odds are even. Shear force sometimes work out very well, but with the separation of the fleet, we would take him and the Bariens by surprise and attack their flank." Devore said

[There is enough ships to provide adequate defensive support.] Ross said.

[Captain Devore. I am preparing to take my ships and engage the Bariens at 093 mark 4.] Captain Osagawa said.

"Fine captain. Good hunting." Devore said, smiling.

[Attack ships Knight One, disengage from main fleet and follow my lead. All ships acknowledge.] Osagawa said at the sight of the rest of the Captains. In the background they heard the ships beginning to acknowledge. The com officer said something and Osagawa smiled. [That was our signal. Good luck Captain, Admiral.]

"Good luck Captain. Devore out."

[Captain. The USS Ronin is ready as best we can be considering I don't have a full crew compliment.] Ryan said.

"I acknowledge that Captain. You and your crew has shown the greatest amount courage and I respect that. However remember your primary mission is to protect the larger ships from those infernal decrum torpedoes. If you can even capture a torpedo then that would be great, however your mission still stands. It is to protect the larger battlecruisers. You will have the Hellcat and the Nile from here to help." Devore said trying to ease the Captain's mind.

[Acknowledged. Ryan out.]

"Admiral. What do you think our chances are ?" Devore asked as the Jeorri ambassador also excused himself.

[Marc. Like I said earlier. You have a good plan. Stick to it as much as possible. It will come together or we will die trying.]

"Thank you sir. How does Captain Riker feel about relinquishing the Enterprise to you ?"

[I don't have a problem at all with it, Captain.] Riker said from the background.

*Whoops*

"I didn't mean no disrespect."

There was a smile from a now visible Captain Riker. [None taken.]

[Captain Devore. Proceed to engage zone and good luck to you and your fleet.]

"Thank you sir and good luck to you."

Ross solemnly bowed his head and smiled. [Ross out.]

The screen now was blank except for the familiar Starfleet logo.

Devore sat back down in the command chair. It was not as comfortable as his first chair, but he figured that nothing will ever be. He could be in the best chair in the galaxy, but his first ship's command chair will remain to be the most comfortable. He looked around and sized up the crew. Immediately noted that it was a fine crew including his senior operations officer, a Jem'Hadar. That in itself was very surprising, but he noticed right away that Mac, as the Lieutenant wanted to be called, was different. Much like any human, but with the hideous horns and reptilian skin.

From the old crew, Lieutenant Commander Chu Barker worked away alongside of Lieutenant Shaka trying to see where the 'enhancements' have been made on the Slipstream drive. So far no cookie. They found nothing. Shaka like her regular self enjoyed working alone and rather preferred it that way. However, for some reason as of now oblivious to Captain Devore she worked with Barker with little to say except for the normal problems.

At tactical, Lieutenant Savage and Ensign Grafton were studying the dynamics of the decrum torpedoes looking for another weakness in it. So far they too found nothing that can be of any use to the fleet.

At the helm, Devore's son, Brayden was piloting the majestic Akira class vessel. He was trained well and compensated for any minor deviation. To top it all off, he was ready for war. Looking at the back of Brayden's head, he realised that he was ready for anything.

"Chief Shale. Ensign Gordon. Please report to the Bridge," Devore said tapping his combadge.

[Acknowledged.] Said the two of them simultaneously.

"Captain..." Savage said as her station beeped. "....there is a message coming in. Audio only. It is from the first wave."

"Let's hear it."

[Captain Devore and Starfleet ships.] It began. The message was distorted and statically, but he words were identifiable. [We are engaged with what looks to be the mass of the Barien fleet.]

*I thought they had taken care of them ?* Devore thought.

[They are no longer concentrated in the Alpha Quadrant but rather in the Beta Quadrant, ten parsecs from the Nuan homeworld......]

The message ended. Devore was shocked and majority concerned.

"Lieutenant Savage open a channel to the lead ships."

"Channel open." She said.

"Admiral Ross. We have received a message from the first prong." Devore said into the air.

[I know. We received it too. It looks like the plan is not going so well as we had hoped.]

Discouraged Devore dropped his head in shame. "Yes sir."

[Marc. Lift up your head. That is part of being in command. You make decisions that may be good ones or not, but whatever the outcome... it was your decision.]

"Aye sir."

[Okay so what is the plan now.]

"Captain Osagawa should continue with his orders. By taking the offensive to their flanks may still be the best bet."

[Fine. What about our wing ?]

"We will go onward. When we engage them we will use a frontal attack and keep the ships occupied so that Osagawa can engage their flank."

[Very well.]

"Admiral what about my crew on Limerus ?"

[Get them out !]

"Aye sir. But I think that we will still fight the line."

[What do you mean ?]

Devore inputted a few co-ordinates and displayed a series of X's and O's. It looked like an old fashion football tactic. "We will use the Ronin and Hellcat to punch a hole in the centre of the Barien force. This hole will give my ship the opportunity to go through. We will use the refractive shielding and speed past them dropping off a series of delayed fuse torpedoes so that if anyone turns to engage us they will have a nasty surprise waiting for them."

[Interesting plan. But do you think that the Ronin and the Hellcat have enough firepower.]

"I don't know."

[Let's use the Jeorri.]

"Fine. When we have cleared the 'line of scrimmage' we will accelerate out of there and rescue my crew. We will then re-engage the Bariens from the rear. "

[Ambitious. I like that. Very well. Then let us go on to victory.]

"Yes sir. Devore out." Devore looked down to Brayden. "Brayden. Set a course and signal the fleet. We are going in."

"Aye Captain," Brayden said.

Just before Captain Devore was able to give the word, Chief Shale and Ensign Gordon walked on to the Bridge from opposite turbolifts.

"Captain. You wanted to see me." Shale said stopping just short of the Captain's chair.

"And me ?" Ensign Gordon included.

"Yes. The two of you join me in my ready room." Devore got up and walked towards his ready room, his two officers in tow. "Cadet Brayden. Signal the fleet to fall in and engage warp six."

"Warp six. Aye," Brayden acknowledged.

Inside Devore's ready room, the Captain headed directly for his chair. Without even looking towards them or taking his seat he began." Chief Shale. I need you."

"Excuse me sir." Shale said shocked by the outburst.

"Chief, you have flown numerous combat mission in single seated fighters correct ?"

"Aye sir."

"Well I need you to take the helm of the Hellcat. We are going to minimise the crew whereby it will be you, Ensign Gordon and a small contingent for Engineering and Tactical."

"Isn't the ship supposed to manned by a minimal crew of ten ?"

"Computerised, Chief. However the computer will never be able to compare to the human factor. I want you to fly the Hellcat and show me that fighter garbage you can do."

"Okay sir. What is it that you want me to do ?" Gordon asked.

"You Ensign are going to command."

"Sir ?"

"Chief. I want you to prepare the Hellcat."

"Aye sir." Chief Shale responded clicking too.

"Carry on, chief."

He disappeared through the doors.

"Captain ?" Gordon said, still in shock.

"Ensign. You are an officer and on top of that you are a command officer. You need the experience to command and I think that this is as good as time as any."

"Maybe sir. But we are going into war."

"... and what better time to command. I got my first chance during the Dominion War and I think that you should get yours now."

"But sir..."

"No but's Ensign." Devore said with a smile. "Look. Chief Shale is a capable man. He will help you if you need it, but YOU are in command."

There was a silence.

"Captain. I won't let you down." Gordan said.

"Ensign. I know you won't. Just don't get yourself killed."

[Captain. We are approaching Sector Zebra.] Lieutenant MacLeod said.

"On my way."

Captain Devore smiled at Ensign Gordon. "Ensign, you better prepare your mission."

She smiled and left.

As the Captain came on the Bridge, MacLeod relinquished the Captain's chair and took his own at Ops. Lieutenant Savage was at Tactical frantically going over sensor readings. "Captain. I am picking up numerous sensor readings all around."

"OK, on screen," Devore said turning to the screen. He looked at it and his face dropped. The high spirit and morale of the crew especially the Captain himself left in the instant as the image appeared. The darkness of space was littered with debris and static discharge. A lifeless hulk of a Klingon ship drifted across the screen. Closer examination revealed the V'Ktra. Amongst the ruins were hundreds of other ships, a Keldon class and Romulan Warbirds. The entire first prong wave laid in waste.

Sadly, Devore sat down and looked at the wreckage. "Get me a bearing on the Barien fleet and engage."