[USS Charon, Bridge]
Lamont had carefully planned to avoid this very end game scenario. The Charon had no hope of defending itself against the force assembled against it. If they ran they would be chased and would only delay the inevitable. They could not run, they could not fight, yet they could not surrender.
The only option left was to abandon ship while the Vulcans and a handful of senior officers remained behind to scuttle the Charon and see to it the Vulcan's and their secrets were forever erased. A noble end perhaps, but the cost would be high. Too high.
Stalemate was out of the question since the Romulans would waste no time in laying waste to the Charon's defenses in order to take what they wanted, but there had to be another option to surrender and the destruction of a starship and several lives.
"Think Lamont! Think!"
Suddenly an idea hit him. It wasn't perfect and he had no idea if it would be of any consequence, but he had to try. It might just make the difference.
"Commander Eithne, please assume command. With the Romulan's refusal to communicate I believe this ship requires its commanders now more than it does its ambassador."
Eithne looked up when she heard her name being called by Lamont. It did not take her long to stand and move back into the seat that she would more than likely stay in during the rest of the mission. At least until the Captain returned with the away team.
Leaving the seat he had grown somewhat accustomed to in the brief time he had occupied it, Lamont dashed to the holographic crewman known as Savant. "Savant, I need you to compile a complete record of our sensor readings up to the present, all pertinent data on recent events, and the ship's logs beginning when we set out to find the Temep`Shar. Once complete feed that info into a dozen probes and standby to launch them toward the Sol sector. Set the probes to transmit their data coded priority one to Fleet Command."
Lamont turned to face Commander Eithne. "Sir, I've analyzed the situation and I can see no favorable outcome for the Charon and her crew. However, if we can launch a dozen probes transmitting our information to Starfleet it is likely that at least one will escape the Romulans. It may take some time for fleet command to receive our transmission but they will eventually learn of what has transpired here. We can use this to our advantage.
It's leverage." Lamont's eyes sparkled despite the weight upon him and the gravity of the situation. "If the Romulans attempt to harm us or take any aggressive actions they will have to contend with the knowledge that Starfleet will eventually be in possession of the facts assuming one of our probes and its transmissions makes it through the armada assembled around us. Should they take hostile action to claim the Vulcan technology or members of its crew it could very well spark a diplomatic incident or worse trigger a conflict. I have no intentions of starting a war commander, however it will be up to the Romulans to decide if such a risk is worth the reward.
It's the last ace I have to play sir and the only one I can think of which might persuade the Romulans to at least stop and think for a moment. With your permission we should launch the probes as soon as operations can prepare the required data."
Lamont stood waiting for a response to his final gambit. Time was in short supply and the next few moments would no doubt be decisive one way or another.
Taking a moment to weigh their options she found no reason for them not to try what he was asking. It was not like they had many other options but to stay alive and hope to come out of this in one piece, and if not, will as many crew members still alive as possible.
Deep down she knew that there would be casualties, but that number is completely reliable on how they deal and manage the threat before them. A number that she would do anything in her power to keep to a bare minimum.
Finally, she looked to Lamont and spoke, " Get to it Lamont..." She turned to Sakarra, " Commander, I want all available Marines and Security personnel working to subdue the current threats."
When the Vulcan nodded, her face could have been called the perfect image of serenity were it not for dark currents stirring in jet black eyes.
"Security reports three intruders in engineering subdued before notable damage occurred. Two in deflector control, contained but not yet in custody. Three more unaccounted for. Teams have been dispatched."
Not an attempt to take over the ship, but small strike teams bent on … what? Sabotage? Acquiring information? Both? It was too well orchestrated to be a mere attempt at distraction.
[Deflector Control]
The sharp blast of a plasma cutter screamed through the blasted-open doorway. Occasional disruptor bolts stabbed out through the open portal around which Charon's security team huddled.
"Lieutenant, we're going to have to move in there! Who knows what those bastards are up to!"
"Stack up! Harris, take breach. Montesque, first slice, Johannes, second!"
"They've stopped firing, sir, they're through the - TRANSPORTER!"
The team took cover, but there was no sudden invasion of green-skinned Romulans surrounding them. No, just the now-quietened hiss of a dropped plasma cutter and the thump of a disruptor pistol hitting the floor. They peered inside. The two saboteurs were gone.
[The Brig]
The cells filled up, one by one, as naked and unconscious bodies dropped unceremoniously onto the floor. A good dose of Pyroandresine would keep these saboteurs down and out for a good few hours, at the minimum.
[Bridge]
The hologram smiled pleasantly at Sakarra, "Leave it to me, Commander. Also, as a note? It would be nice if we could install a few more annular confinement beam emitters on board. Just thought I'd mention that."
"Noted and logged." Even so, Savant was doing a marvelous job of it which was acknowledged with an appreciative nod by the Vulcan. Amidst the all permeating tension on the bridge the two officers appeared about as unsettled as Wellington when delivery of tea had been delayed by French forces - rather vexed by the inconvenience but determined not to show it.
The transporter system was, indeed, working overtime - anyone watching Savants' holograms on the Bridge could see power consumption crawl up to a dizzying, red-flashing height. Processing time was likewise filling up dramatically. However, the transporter rooms began to fill with the
retrieved away team, brought back in groups. Savant generated small holograms at each transporter room to welcome the teams back with a smiling and friendly face, and directions to the nearest debriefing room.
Aerv's console was a flashing mess of conflicting data. What was clear was almost all bad news.
"Rekkhai!, shield indicator shows 'up', but shield power shows zero. With intruders aboard...."
Another alarm wailed.
"Rekkhai!, torpedo arrays off-line, cause unknown. Sensor pod probe launchers show green. I am launching data probes now."
Yet another alarm.
"Phaser power reading falling, cause unknown.
"Rekkhai!, we have neither weapons nor shields. We can ram or run.
Nothing else!
"CTAC to Engineering I have no power, report!"
The tension in Lamont's breast subsided slightly as he heard that the probes had been launched. With so many probes fired in a shotgun pattern it was unlikely the Romulans would be able to stop them all if indeed they even cared. Even if events had already moved past the point of no return and indeed their fates were sealed Starfleet would know what transpired this day. For a fleeting instant he hoped that the diplomats didn't muck things up as fleet command prepared what would hopefully be a forceful response to Romulan aggression.
Moving to the tactical station, Lamont activated an auxiliary panel and verified the weapons status. Indeed they were dead. He swore profusely in Vulcan to disguise his immense displeasure from the crew.
Then he realized he was allowing his own arrogance to get the better of him and with much difficulty dismissed the primal human need for some measure of revenge. He was a diplomat and not a sword. He would have to find another way to help in a situation that had spun beyond his control or expertise.
Despite his meticulous planning the Romulans in their supreme arrogance had ruined his attempts to prevent exactly the events which were currently unfolding. With the onset of combat the likelihood of escaping this calamity alive was not promising. The Charon had nothing at present to defend herself against the might of a Romulan armada and little in political capital to force a ceasefire.
Despite the towering odds there was still hope. There was always hope however faint or improbable. With a sense of déjà vu, Lamont quickly made his way to the bridge's weapon's locker and quickly began tossing out phasers to personnel taking one for himself. It was probable the Romulans would show their faces on the bridge yet again.
"You and you", he said pointing to two crewmen. "Set up a perimeter in the event we're overrun. Use the captain's ready room and the turbolift as defensive positions to setup a field of fire. If the Romulans appear you're authorized to use deadly force to stop any and all intruders."
[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
USS Charon
