Never Turn Your Back on the Breen

Posted on Sun Aug 22nd, 2021 @ 9:24pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar

Mission: Breen in Paradise
Location: USS Washington

Shran sat on the bridge of the Washington. It was somewhat lonely for him up there, so many things out of place. Jon and Samantha were both still aboard, but both were not fully reinstated for duty, as they were pending approval by the new counselor. Then he had the new counselor. Estella had been with him on the Washington for a very long time, and the loss of her, as both an officer and friend was a big blow to him. Unlike the rest of the crew, especially Jon and Samantha, he couldn't show his emotions regarding her having to return to Earth and being replaced. The only person that knew how he felt was Celes, and that was only because she was a Betazoid.

He didn't hold it against the new counselor that she was replacing such a close friend and colleague, but he was upset. He also was concerned about his officers. Jon and Samantha had taken serious hits while in the Mirror Universe, both physically and emotionally, and he hadn't been able to really talk with either of them much. They had been cleared to return to the ship by Dr. Bashir and then, less than a day later, after new personnel arrived, the Washington disembarked the station and headed to their next destination, Casperia Prime.

He could only hope that the trip to Casperia Prime would be something of a respite from all the insanity they had dealt with over the past weeks. The main reason for the trip to allow the medical staff to attend a conference, as well as allowing the Washington to drop off supplies. He knew Samantha and her staff would make use of this trip, and he believed Samantha certainly needed the time away from action. He hoped that he might be able to give some of the crew some shore leave. Jon was his top candidate, along with Ensign Phoenix. Perhaps Celes and Ayana might enjoy a day or two on the planet. It was considered one of the best planets for recreation in the entire Federation.

Celes broke him from his mental wanderings. "Captain, we are getting a distress signal from Casperia Prime."

"On screen."

The view screen came to life. "This is a priority alert. The planet is under attack. Planetary defenses have been destroyed. Shields in civilian areas are nearing failure. We require immediate assistance." The message repeated.

Shran looked agitated. "Red alert. Increase speed to maximum. Drop us out of warp as close to the planet as possible. What is on sensors?"

"I am detecting several vessels in high orbit of the planet" said Celes. "Ships are identified as Breen frigates."

Shran had a momentary flashback to the war. The Breen were formable. He considered the situation. "Are any other ships responding to the distress call?"

"The Akira and the Xerces are currently at Xindi Starbase Nine and are getting under way, but they won't arrive before we will. Our ETA is 8 minutes. No other Federation ships are in the area."

"Load quantum torpedoes and all phasers. Target nearest hostile as soon as we drop out of warp."

"Aye sir" said Ayana from tactical.

Shran watched the viewscreen as they dropped out of warp into normal space near the ringed planet. "Fire torpedoes."

The torpedoes streaked from the Washington toward the target, the blue hue against the black of space making them visible, but only for a moment. The torpedoes hit their target and destroyed the vessel. "Hailing frequencies" said Shran.

Celes nodded.

"Breen vessels, you are engaged in hostile actions against a Federation world. This is a violation of the Treaty of Bajor and and act of war. Disengage and surrender now or you will be destroyed." He didn't have an opportunity to ask for a response as the ship rocked from a torpedo hit.

"Target that ship and fire." The phasers fired and hit the ship multiple times, sending it adrift. He looked at his tactical display. "Come to 139.55 half impulse. Ayana, fire torpedoes when ready."

Once more the Washington fired and destroyed another Breen vessel. The 2 remaining vessels continued to fire on the planet.
The Washington moved to intercept, and destroyed the next. The last Breen vessel disengaged and jumped to warp.

"Track them as long as you can" he said to Celes. "End red alert. Contact the planetary government. Ready to beam down relief supplies and personnel."