Snip

The Science Department worked diligently at their tasks, even as the Sentinel weathered another series of shield strikes that shook the vessel violently.

A few moments later, the sensor picture suddenly cleared up. The ghosts disappeared, and the sensors clearly showed the four surviving Federation ships—five including the Sentinel. The Pontiac was nearly destroyed and in the process of being evacuated. The number of life signs correlating to Federation escape pod beacons resolved to 174, though that number slowly increased as more of the Pontiac’s crew abandoned ship.

There were no Klingon life signs. Whether by design or some cruel twist of fate, all their escape pods exploded as the Birds-of-Prey jumped to warp.

That number was appallingly low considering the size of the debris field and the number of ships likely destroyed in the battle.

“Sir!” One of the scientists called out to Stovik. “We have solid sensor locks now… the transporters can start beaming survivors aboard!”

Gamemaster Mal Fet

Stovik turned immediately toward the scientist’s station as the sensor display stabilized. The multitude of duplicate contacts had vanished, leaving a considerably clearer—and more troubling—picture of the battlefield.

He reviewed the results once before opening a channel to the bridge.

=^= Stovik to Lieutenant Kross. The sensor anomalies have resolved. Science now confirms four surviving Federation vessels in addition to the Sentinel. The Pontiac has sustained critical damage and is presently being evacuated. =^=

His attention shifted to the steadily increasing casualty data.

=^= We have confirmed 174 Federation life signs associated with active escape pod beacons. That number is increasing as additional personnel evacuate the Pontiac. We now have sufficiently stable sensor locks to support transporter operations and I am transmitting survivor coordinates to the bridge and transporter rooms. =^=

Stovik studied the surrounding debris field before continuing.

=^= There are no detectable Klingon life signs. Their escape pods appear to have been destroyed as the remaining Birds-of-Prey withdrew at warp. Given the extent of the debris field and estimated vessel losses, the number of surviving Federation personnel remains significantly below statistical expectations. I recommend continued wide-spectrum casualty scanning for survivors not associated with functioning beacons. Stovik out. =^=

Without hesitation, he turned back toward the science staff. “Maintain continuous life-sign sweeps. Prioritize survivors without functioning escape pod transponders and transmit every confirmed coordinate directly to transporter control.”

Stovik
Science Specialist