[snip]

”..Of course Counselor..” Drudoc said with a nod, “..I will see you once the current crisis has passed..” She stated firmly.

It was at this point their call to Starbase 243 came through. Commodore Hansley on the line. =/\= This is Commodore Hansley speaking Captain Andone, we’ve received your report. I admit we didn’t expect your return for another year at least until we got your past report about the Browns Town crew. What’s your status?” He asked.

=/\= We’re currently at a dead stop due to replacement of stolen plasma regulators, though should be operational within the hour. What we need now is further intel on current Orion pirate activity in this area since we left..=/\= Drudoc said.

=/\= Odd to say the least! They’ve been running almost brazen raids through this sector like its the early 2150s before the Federation started cracking down on them in the 2160s. In the past month alone we’ve lost four ships frigates, a cruiser and eight freighters. Starfleet Intel has had a field day trying to break into the Syndicate but someone seems to be knowing our moves before we make them and captures or sniffs out our moles no sooner then they can be placed. We got suspicions of a system they’re operating out of but its a hairs breath near to space currently contested by the Federation and Bolay Military District outside our respective sectors from our neutral zones. If true it could mean they’re risking the wrath of the Bolay to keep us away, up till now its been working. HQ has been tying my hands in sending in a squadron to check out the UEP-242 Gamma system. Given resources being stretched thin I admit I cant do much and given your recent events I’m afraid it also confirms that your Lt Sueder’s, Mother and her ‘cult’ for lack of a better term of followers may be the power brokerage behind the Pirate activity. If so this makes things even more complicated with problems on Betazed right now..=/\= The Commodore said.

=/\= Complicated how? =/\= Drudoc asked standing to cross her arms about her chest.

=/\= There is a .....power vacuum right now among the houses since Sueder’s last visit. And a almost fervent like return to some ancient religious order that Mr Sueder’s Mother is behind which has taken root among the younger generation. Something about freedom of bodies and open minds. I’m not sure on the details..=/\= He said.

Drudoc frowned a bit listening to this. =/\= Commodore if HQ is tying your hands due to the Bolay how is it we’re planning on getting my officer back? Not to mention answering for the crimes of attacking the Federation and civilian concerns..=/\= She asked.

Sighing the Commodore looked uneasy =/\= I’m afraid for now we need to recall the Ark Angel fully to 243 once you get your core online. With the crew of the Browns Town aboard they’re only a liability for you at this point. From there maybe you can talk some sense into the brass back at HQ in balancing this problem with the Orions and keeping further problems with the Bolay at bay. The last thing we need is another war with them like we had back in 2305 or like the Dominion War..=/\= He said.

Drudoc seemed frustrated but for now had to admit the Commodore was right offloading the Browns Town crew was a needed fact, and she was also getting what he was saying in she had a way with words working the brass at HQ over things like this. =/\= As much as I dislike this fact, you’re right sir. Soon as our core is back online we’ll return to 243, should only be another hour till our arrival. =/\= She said then ended the call.

Turning Drudoc looked to her remaining officers. “Commander Trainor. Launch 10 class-5 recon probes, 5 to the first system we suspected the Orions went too, then another 5 to UEP-242 Gamma which from what I’m seeing on record here..” She said pausing to look up from her CO’s chair display. “..Is probably the second we picked up as a likely candidate. But program them to self destruct the moment they pick up any signs of Bolay ships or probes in the area. Less chance of inciting the Bolay Military District the better. Launch when ready..” She said.

“Probes are being programmed and will send out once ready.” Trainor announced after he was given the order. A few moments later the Lieutenant Commander looked up from his post. “They’re ready, I’m launching the probes now, Captain.”

Ops

An hour later there was a com call =^=”Engineering to Bridge…we are back in business Warpcore is back online and we can go to warp whenever you want!”=^= Miz’uki called out she was starting to sound more like her usual cheerful self at this point

Miz’uki

=/\= Good work Lieutenant, I’m going to need to push the engines to warp 9 straight away to reach 243 in an hour, alert me if there’s any problems. Andone out =/\= She said.

Turning to the helm station she said. “..NE Useful set a course for Starbase 243, Warp 9 and engage..” She said.

”..Aye ma’am..” Useful said as the ship launched to high warp. ETA to 243 one more hour.

GM CockRoach / Drudoc Andone CO

=^=”should not be a problem captain we will be watching everything closely down here to make sure…I am still getting to know this Engine and what our Angel likes…But If I have to get out and push I will!”=^= came the return purr as well as what almost sounded like a couple of chuckles and cheers in the background if there was one thing about Miz’uki she knew how to rally an engineering team

Miz’uki

An hour later the Ark Angel docked at Starbase 243, immediately Drudoc ordered security to urgently but politely round up the Browns Town crew and have them debark to the Starbase as quickly as they could for the sake of moving things along. In the meantime Drudoc left Trainor in charge of the bridge while she went to discuss orders with those at HQ about the situation.

GM CockRoach

While the Captain was away, Trainor began looking at the data the probes were sending back. Hopefully, they would find some useful information.

Trainor

Trainor’s scan results came back. They had found that not one but BOTH systems they had targeted contained presence of the Orion pirates, the first still unnamed and unsurveyed system had a small orbital outpost and three ship docking facility setup around a class M moon of the forth gas planet in the system. Three Orion Wanderer blockade runner frigates and a single Lightening class fast cruiser were present. In addition the orbital platform had armaments of disruptors and photon based weaponry of assorted types. All in all an impressive setup to say the least and no small feat of engineering and support for a Pirate organization like the Syndicate. The second system had only one planet with no atmosphere, but like the first system an orbital facility this one a bit larger and holding six Orion Wanderer blockade runner frigates and two Lightening class fast cruisers were in the docking ring, this orbital facility though wasn’t armed though did show signs of heavy armor plating and shielding systems above and beyond its expected system size. Again no small feat of engineering to setup and maintain for the Syndicate.

The first system was about half a light year out of unclaimed space between the region of the Bolay Military District and Federation Neutral Zone between both major powers, the second system was a quarter of a light year out in the same area of space. Which if either of these held Starr and/or Trax was a mystery though.

GM CockRoach