Eithne narrowed her eyes towards the Commander who walked into the bridge and suddenly thinks that she will simply hand over Command of the ship to someone she recognizes as Ambassador Lamont, one whom she first met in the brig. Clearly he was expecting her reaction to such a request.
"Commander, I understand your tactics and reasons behind such a request. But, our first and only meeting happened in the Brig, I understand a threat against your life was made, but how can I trust you will make the proper decisions while seated in this chair... A decision such as this is a trying one to make at a time like this."
Lamont handed the commander a padd. "Signed orders from the captain authorizing this action. My orders are to stall the Romulans for as long as possible while the captain conducts the mission aboard the Vulcan ship. She needs all the time she can get as does our away team and any survivors that may still be alive over there. I intend to buy them as much time as I can. I will not be in command, that I leave to you and Commander Tyrax, however I must play the part of this ship's commanding officer as an actor and be allowed to issue several commands to enact a carefully crafted ruse to keep the Romulans talking.
If things get out of hand, the bridge is and will be yours. As soon as my deception runs its course the Charon will need its commanders not an ambassador to save our skins. Once the Romulans decide to show themselves they will act unless I am allowed to slow them, confuse them, and perhaps even annoy them long enough for the captain and our away teams to complete their mission.
I mean no disrespect Commander Eithne, but unless you are prepared to speak with the Romulans and have a plan and the experience to keep them from seizing the Vulcan ship and indeed the Charon herself I implore you to allow me to perform my duty. There is too much at stake to argue about protocol. All I need to do is play the part and nothing more."
He anxiously waited for her reply. Time, not the Romulans was his enemy to fight and he would have to do so for each precious second.
Having watched the exchange with a marginally raised brow, the dark haired Vulcan finally glanced at the PADD and nodded. "It would appear this is indeed the course of action the Captain wishes us to take, Commander." Not that she could blame the XO for her misgivings, it was a gamble at best. And like the Betazoid who subjected Lamont to a critical gaze out of exotic eyes, Sakarra would have much preferred a more … straightforward approach. Silently, she was still chafing at the fact she was not among the pilots who right now sat in their Valkyries, engines humming and eyes locked onto the nebula swirls outside the hangar bay doors.
"Fighters report ready to launch."
Looking down to the PADD that Sakarra held out before her. "It would seem as though it is... Very well... I will however stay present on the bridge, seated in the Counselor's seat. "Finally she moved so that Lamont could take her place in the seat, he was right after all, the Captain did need all the time she could get
Sitting in the counselor's seat to the left of Lamont, she did not take her eyes off the man who was now in the Command Chair. "Thank you Commander." Her eyes moved from Lamont to Sakarra. "They are to stand by until ordered to launch."
A nod was given to Lamont, the bridge, was now his. Though she offered him her friendship, she did not simply hand out trust; it was something that was gained. However, she did not sense anything mischievous about him, perhaps she could trust him a little.
Ian nodded in return and quickly sat in the chair. He felt a crushing weight upon his chest and for a split second wondered if this burden was the same the captain felt each and every day. Could one actually become used to such a sensation and tame its ill effects? He would soon find out for himself.
"Tactical", he stated with a cool, commanding voice. "Prepare a full spread of photon torpedoes and lock them onto the Temep'Shar. Set the yield to 12percent and be absolutely sure of this. It is imperative that when we fire and detonate the torpedoes that they create a large explosion field, but do only negligible damage. Our aim is to make it look as if we have destroyed the Vulcan ship. Additionally, lock phasers and set their power to minimum levels. We will be putting on a show and I require some high-quality special effects."
Aerv tore out of the door of her quarters, fumbling with her uniform cross belts. Of course the very first emergency of her new position would occur during her normal sleeping hours and from what she'd been able to gather from a brief glimpse at her terminal while dressing it had all the elements of a true disaster. She stopped. Dressing! Caelis-a u' Kholairlh-a! [Powers and Elements] She was a Rihannsu in Galae uniform on a Federation ship under Galae attack. If she burst onto the bridge dressed this way, there was every chance that she'd be shot on sight. Quickly she stripped off her belts and tunic wrapping her disruptor pistol and dagger in the garment. At least the light shirt she wore beneath it was clean and - perhaps luckily - it was not regulation being a rich maroon. So, she would now arrive improperly dressed and still looking Rihannsu enough to get shot. There was no time to worry about this any longer. Clutching her bundle, she ran on to the turbolift. Taking a deep breath she requested: "Bridge," as calmly as she could manage.
Gazing quickly at the armrest, Ian from his prior bridge experience, quickly located the intercom. "Bridge to Engineering. Stand by to extend our shields around the Temep'Shar. Once the torpedoes and phasers are fired you must synchronize the deployment of the dampening field and the holograms with the resulting detonations. This must be perfect or else our gambit will fail. Coordinate your efforts with tactical and stand by."
Digging her commbadge from the bundle in her arms, she said: "CTAC t'Jaihen to Engineering, weapons status please." Just then, the turbolift doors began to open. Aerv quickly dropped her bundle to the floor and announced: "t'Jaihen reporting!" Good and loud!
Once more, the Vulcan's head turned slowly, but this time the new arrival elicited a brow raised in outright surprise. "Indeed."
Jet black eyes took in the bundle on the floor and the mildly harried demeanor of the young Rihanha, but it would have been rather rude to show any expression, let alone offer a comment.
"If you would take your station Farein," a brief glance at the clothing conveyed the unspoken 'and adjust your uniform' before Sakarra shifted her focus back towards the viewscreen and the Temep`Shar, floating before them like a wounded Tsh'in while the scent of blood drew in the predators "it appears we will require your expertise presently."
"Standing by and ready for the order, t'Jaihen, weapons are ready when you need them." Lizzy said from her station in engineering. Though she kind of wished she was on the bridge with them there were too many bodies running around like chickens with their head cut off. She smirked at the though. "The lead ship is leaving a wake big enough for a D'Dherex" Lizzy added after all she was watching from her own screen so she could have an idea of what was going on. Not to mention the reading she was getting...
Lamont took a deep breath as he closed the channel and slowly released it attempting to expel some of the tension building within. Despite his apprehension there was a rigid frame of confidence and hope helping to glue the various disjointed emotions within together.
"Commander Eithne, Commander Tyrax. If the captain is unable to return to the ship it may be necessary to activate the ship's auto-destruct systems as a deterrent to Romulan action against us. It is our last ace however I will not play it unless absolutely necessary. It is highly likely the Romulans will attempt to retaliate against the Charon after our ruse runs its course.
While I have attempted to anticipate their actions I cannot foresee the future. I suggest that the marines and security arm themselves heavily and be deployed immediately to guard key areas of the ship from the threat of enemy boarding parties."
The look Lamont received from the Vulcan might well have been that of a matriarch indulging an enthusiastic captain of her guard. If there had been time, Sakarra might have requested quiet word with the good ambassador regarding the art of delegating and while she was at it, remind him to take deep, steady breaths.
Unfortunately, time was the one commodity they did not have in abundance at this juncture.
"Security has been briefed, and teams are standing by as per Commander Marcus' orders. Marines are deployed to reinforce security in critical areas." Her voice was no different from the one she would have used to inform Ian of tonight's dinner special, had it not been for a fleeting moment of mildly amused exasperation in her even, melodious tone.
Then again, his exuberance and obvious tension might just be what would throw the Sundered off track for a precious second.
[To be continued …]
Cmdr Eithne Kathris
Executive Officer
Capt Savant
Chief Operations Officer
Ambassador Ian Lamont
Diplomatic Advisor
LtCmdr Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm Officer
Farein Aerv ir-Rhynne t'Jaihen
Chief Tactical Officer
Lt(Jg) Elizabeth Johnson
Assistant Engineer
USS Charon
