Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim: Bridge

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Amelia Manning (Executive Officer) in Side Sim: Bridge

Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim: Bridge
Posted by… suppressed (20) by the Post Ghost! 👻
OOC: Going to crosspost this to a new Bridge thread since I think the meeting would be over by now – Joana

IC:
Back in the center chair, Amelia tried her best to deal with the damage and the wounded as well as with the disappearance of their away team.

Suddenly the comm on the bridge chimed. =^=Dresden, This is Lt Ashur, anyone there?=^=
-COS

Signaling the communications officer, Amelia replied. The Security Chief’s voice came as a relief.

=/\= Lt. Ashur, Nolan here. What happened? Where are you? Is everyone okay? We saw your shuttle go down. We were attacked by a Romulan vessel and we suffered extensive damage and are still trying to repair our systems. =/\= and then, it dawned on her. Something was not right. It was their Chief of Security that was contacting them. Not their Commanding Officer. Amelia’s heart sank. In a more solemn tone, she spoke again. =/\= Lieutenant… where is Colonel Harris? =/\=

Lt. Cmdr. Nolan, XO

=^=Master Chief Brown, are you there?=^= Hannibal asked

Amelia looked at Brown in surprise. Wait… Had Ashur not heard her questions? Maybe he would reply to them afterwards…

=^=I’m here Lieutenant. =^= Brown, who was at the security station replied, looking down at the XO, a concerned look on his face.

=^=Master Chief, Remember the wooden shoe incident?=^=

=^=Yeeahh....” Brown replied, thinking back, a sudden look of concern appeared on his brown face. “NO, absolutely not.=^=He protested.

=^=We have too.=^=

=^=It barely worked the first time.=^= Brown argued back, looking at the view screen concerned.

=^=It worked didn’t it.=^=

=^=Let me come down and help you.=^= He offered,

=^=No, the XO needs you more than I. =^=

=^=She won’t go for it.=^= He replied still looking at the view screen,

=^=Just do it.=^=

=^=Dammit it=^= Brown swore, he turned to look at the XO.

=^=Ashur out=^=

“Lieutenant…” Amelia tried to interrupt, but it was already too late.

Brown looked at the XO, an expression of concern and exasperation on his face.

-COS/COB

The back and forth had been quick enough that Amelia hardly had had any time to process what had happened. Once thing was certain. Ashur had ignored her own questions and had then proceeded to issue orders without her knowledge or her consent. Manning looked at Brown. She was visibly not happy.

“Will you care to exp–” Amelia’s voice was cut off by the familiar incoming message beep coming from the panel in the center chair. Relief washed over her as she realized the message came from the Dresden’s Intelligence Chief. Manning might not like the red head but she was part of the crew, and therefore her concern.

Captured by rogue Intel agent. Jem’Hadar in control of Warbird. Escaping. Look for inbound shuttle. M. Wright

Turning to COB again, Manning’s face was paler than before. “We received a transmission from Captain Wright. The Romulan warbird was not manned by Romulans, but by Jem’Hadar… Sweep for an incoming shuttle.” She paused. “Now, care to tell me what Lieutenant Ashur’s plan is?” Her British accent seemed thicker than usual, and one thing was certain… she was not amused.

Lt. Cmdr. Manning

COB sighed, he didn’t want to get involved in this, again.

“My guess is that he told me of his plan because he knew I would understand. I think he didn’t want to waste time trying to explain it over an open channel.” He took a deep breath. “He wants us to create a distraction, a big one, so that it would provide him cover to rescue the rest of the away team.”

“And what distraction exactly are we going to create?” Amelia burst out. “We have an incapacitated ship on our hands, casualties to deal with, a Jem’Hadar controlled Romulan Warbird! And now I am supposed to authorize a ‘distraction’” she added air quotes with her fingers “for a one man’s plan that I don’t even know what it consists of?”
Every day that went by, Manning felt more and more detached from the crew. Especially with the Colonel’s behavior around her. And now, she was not even being let on what was happening around her. No. That was not happening anymore.

While there were no initial signs of a craft coming up from the surface, about 15 minutes after the transmission from Captain Wright came through, the COB would in fact pick up a small, Federation identifying craft coming from the surface and heading straight for the Dresden.

Condor

“There is no sign of the shuttle Commander.” COB reported after an initial scan.

Manning sighed and looked back to the viewscreen. “Check it again. If there’s something I learnt about Captain Wright is that she’s a woman of her word. She said she was coming, she will come.”

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

OCC: I’m going to wait for replies before I report on the shuttle heading for the Dresden.

-COB

Moments later, the Bridge crew would see onscreen a small, sub-light Federation shuttle clear of the planet’s atmosphere, moving directly after the Dresden.

Amelia shot Brown a matter-of-factly look as the small shuttle appeared on the viewscreen.

“Tactical, scan the shuttle for life signs. I want to know who is in it. Comm, open a chann–“

As the shuttle accelerated to full power, the Warbird that had sent the previous mission crashing to the planet’s surface decloaked and bore down on the little shuttle from a little over 10,000 meters away. On the all channels comm, the Bridge would echo with a familiar, angry, booming voice.

=//= You are to stop immediately! We will destroy you! Stop now!=//=

Condor

Manning’s words were cut off by the large Romulan Warbird decloaking behind the shuttle. Was it the same as before? Amelia couldn’t be sure. All she knew was that the small shuttle didn’t stand a chance if they didn’t take the Warbird down.

Turning to the Dresden’s navigator, Manning spoke again. “Mr. Cooper, set an intercept course to the Romulan vessel. Full impulse. Tactical, load torpedoes, lock on to the Warbird. Also, I want a transporter lock on the passengers of that shuttle as soon as we are within range. Comm, open a channel. They will regret the day they crossed paths with us.”

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

The Dresden’s Senior Astrogation Officer, Lt. Gavin Cooper, brought the Dresden about sharply and bringing the ship to the fastest speed she could maintain… closed rapidly on the chased shuttle. “We’ll be in Transporter range in 15 seconds Commander!” Cooper barked, knowing damn well they wouldn’t make it within range to defend in time.

Cooper

They could see the little shuttle screaming towards them, rocking from the shots it was taking but now in an undeniable beeline for the Dresden. As the shuttle neared the line where they could beam out the occupants, the Dresden’s sensors lit up in alarm. The shuttle’s Structural Integrity was failing and Internal atmosphere was starting to crash… she was venting and had only seconds left. The shuttle would never make it to the the Dresden’s Hanger Bay.

Condor

Brown worked quickly, “Torpedoes locked on target.” He stated from tactical, he brought the shields as close to full power as he could while he waited for further orders.

-COB

“Wait to fire on my order.” Amelia barked back. It looked as if something had changed in her demeanor.

Manning watched in horror as the shuttle started to disintegrate before their eyes. At this point, she wasn’t sitting anymore, but rather standing in the middle of the Bridge. In her head, she counted down the seconds left for the shuttle to be in transporter range. Come on, come on, come on…!

“Approaching transporter range.” Cooper’s voice informed her from the navigation console.

“Shields down, prepare for transport.” Amelia ordered. She didn’t like to drop shields when there was a hostile ship across from them. But there was no way she would let the occupants of the shuttle die. Especially if there was a remote possibility that one of them was the Dresden’s Commanding Officer. “Energize.”

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

On the viewer, the Bridge Crew watched helplessly as the little shuttle finally succumb to damage of her valiant flight to freedom and exploded in a small flash of light.

A moment later, the joyfully voice of the young Lieutenant running the ship’s Main Transporter Room echoed through the Bridge. =A= Transporter Room One to Bridge… we got’em! It’s the Skipper & Captain Wright. Please inform Medical we need a team down here pronto! Transporter Room out.=A=

A soft squeak could be heard from the back of the Bridge where Jersey sat at the Secondary Comm station. Tears streaming down her youthful face, the Marine Corporal darted from the Bridge without a word.

Condor

Looking in the direction of the sudden movement, Amelia looked at who she thought was the CO’s yeoman leave the Bridge. She was relieved to have them back, but she didn’t have the time to be happy. There were still two members of the away team on the planet and they had an enemy ship attacking them. At least Harris and Wright would be one less worry on her mind.

Tapping her commbage, Manning contacted Transporter Room One. =/\= Thank you, Lieutenant. Great job. Manning out. =/\= She then proceeded to contact medical. =/\= Manning to Vock, I need you in Transporter Room One. Colonel Harris and Captain Wright need medical assistance asap. Keep me posted. =/\=

Turning to the viewscreen, the Romulan ship was still in plain view. Turning to the tactical station, she finally ordered. “Raise shields and open fire.”

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

Just a split second after the indicator light glowed green notifying the Bridge Crew that the shields were back up, the Warbird’s first torpedo rocked the Dresden. They were being hailed once more.... with video.

Condor

“We’re being hailed.” The communications officer’s voice sounded on the Bridge. Amelia wondered if the Romulan ship had come around and wanted to find a more diplomatic solution to their problem.

“On screen.” Manning said, sitting back down on the center chair.

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

On the screen appeared an angry and disheveled Jem’Hadar Trooper who sneered at the sight of Manning. =A=Where is your Commander?! I have no time to deal with you, child.=A= The last word he nearly spit from his mouth. =A= I… suggest… you find him… NOW!=A=

On second thought, Amelia shouldn’t have been surprised by the rudeness of the message. But as the Jem’Hadar on the screen caught her off guard with his words, Manning didn’t have time to even process the message completely, let alone articulate something in return.

The automated tactical klaxon suddenly began to sound and Cooper wheeled around to face Amelia. “They’ve locked on weapons Commander… right here… on the Bridge.” His tone was sharp and to the point before he spun and began plotting an escape vector.

What!? The nerve! Amelia stood up from the center chair to address the situation on hand. But once again, she barely had the time to open her mouth before events turned on themselves one more time.

Then, directly behind the Warbird (but visable from the Dresden) decloaked… a Prometheus Class Federation ship! The comms on board the Dresden snapped back on without a hand touching the controls. The screen flashed to life and on screen appeared a stern, formidable looking man in the unmistakable ‘Space Blacks’ of Starfleet Intelligence.

Manning’s mind went blank for a moment as she witnessed the warship decloaking through the viewscreen. Not to mention… Wow… that is a good looking man! The thought made its way to her mind before she even had the time to realize how inappropriate and out of place it really was. And still, she looked mesmerized at him as he spoke.

=A= This is Captain Ryan York of Federation warship U.S.S. Thresher speaking to the personnel aboard the Romulan Warbird…=A= As he spoke, the Thresher separated into three different ships and within seconds, ringed the Warbird at a range of /exactly/ 10,000 meters. =A=… you are in direct violation of more than dozen Federation treaties and statues. As such and in accordance with the unilaterally respected laws of this sector and under the authority of Constitution of the United Federation of Planets… whose space you /have/ trespassed… I am ordering you to stand down at once or we /will/ take your ship by force.=A=

“My God!” Cooper gasped. “Commander, all three… components… of the Thresher are charging Tetryon canons.”

He blinked in shock and surprise, turning to Manning with a flabbergasted expression. “They’re gonna knock out her shields and board her. I didn’t know there were even Tetryon canons on Federation ships after the war.

Amelia didn’t need Cooper’s narrative to watch in awe the spectacle in front of them. The Thresher was… something else. She wondered for a moment what would it be like to be an Engineer on board.

And as he spoke, the three ships… in a perfect diamond… fired on the Warbird and in seconds it’s shield emitters burned out. Sensors indicated the simultaneous transport of over 100 Federation troops onto the Warbird… hundreds of phaser blasts and then… silence. All Jem’Hadar life signs on the Warbird were either dead, dying or completely unconscious. Moments later, the chime sounded at the Comm panel. “Commander… we’re being hailed.”

Condor

Amelia turned to the communications officer with the shock of what just happened still on her face. For a moment, she didn’t understand what was going on. Until it hit her. “Oh, yes. On screen.”

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

The screen clicked on the transmission and before Amelia stood the Thresher’s Captain along with a rather stern looking brunette in a jet black pantsuit holding what looked like a souped up PaDD, a small Starfleet delta bisected by an old-style spyglass pin adorned her left lapel. With his hands clasped behind his back, York smiled ever so slightly.

As Amelia took in every detail of the video transmission she could already see that the crew of the Thresher was very different than your regular Starfleet crew. It was quite intimidating.

=A= Commander Manning, I presume.=A= The man spoke in a much warmer and charming tone than she had just heard… adding to the effect of his presence.

He smiled a bit more. =A= Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lieutenant Colonel Ryan York, Commanding Officer of the fast response ship Thresher and this is Senior Field Agent Ashley Newton with the Starfleet Criminal Investigative Service. Requesting permission to come aboard.=A=

Condor

As the man spoke, Manning tried to control her own thoughts. He was charming in a way she was not used Marines to be. Well… at least the one she knew…

Smiling at York, Amelia’s English accent was slightly thicker when she replied. Almost as if she was trying to sound a little more charming herself. “Colonel York. Thank you for your help. We wouldn’t have made it out without it. I will arrange with our Transporter Chief to bring you on board the Dresden. Standby for transport.”

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

York smiled (or was it a smirk?) and with a half raised hand, shook his head slightly. =A= That won’t be necessary Commander.=A= As the Bridge watched, the black-tunic’ed ship CO tapped a button on his chair, resulting in he & the woman beside him beaming out. The next moment, the Marine and his partner materialized on the Bridge of the Dresden exactly two meters in front of Amelia.

He was even more impressive and (way) more intimidating in person. With a slight eyebrow raise, his eyes met those of the Bridge Crew and then fell to the Executive Officer. “Commander Manning…” York began, voice & tone like polished fine silver. “… pardon the intrusion but in the Intelligence community, we prefer to break down our own people and move them at our leisure.” Stepping forward and offering his hand with a powerful but measured shake, York asked coolly. “Might you direct me to Captain Molly Wright?”

York

Amelia smiled politely but the warmth didn’t quite reach her eyes. York was handsome, but he was also far more intimidating in person than Manning had expected.

Nodding as he addressed her, Amelia shook the Marine’s hand. “Certainly.” She was not surprised by his request. After all, York was Intelligence, and Wright was the Dresden’s Intelligence Chief. Better to let them do their thing.

“Computer, locate Captain Wright.” Manning said out loud.

“Captain Wright is in Transporter Room One.” Still? Amelia thought. She figured that by now both Harris and Wright would be in sickbay… She shrugged.

Turning to York and to his companion, Amelia said “Follow me.” Turning to COB, she said “Mr. Brown, you have the con.” And with that, she left for Transporter Room One.

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

COB nodded, “Aye Commander.” He replied, but remained at his station.

The pair followed the young XO to the lift down to the deck where they would find Transporter Room 1. The ride down was quiet, the woman reviewing her PaDD and York.. well, York reviewing Manning.

As they stepped off the lift, York walked alongside Manning as they moved through the ship, as if he knew exactly where he was going. As they approached the door to the Transporter Room, Ryan stopped and asked. “Is it possible I can have a room where Captain Wright & I can have a secure conversation Commander?”

York

-COB