Ready and Willing

Posted on Mon Oct 21st, 2024 @ 9:47pm by Lieutenant Ayana Hillis & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson

Mission: The Gambit
Location: Bridge
Timeline: Current

OOC: Washington Bridge

IC:

Jon sat in the center seat; Callie was seated to his right. She looked calm and prepared. He looked around the bridge. Ayana was tactical looking grim and determined. Ibarra was at Ops, poised at ready. L'Rissa was at the helm her face full of anticipation. Wyatt and Vienna had arrived on the bridge and were at Strategic ops plotting and devising various strategies. Down in Sickbay, Shon and her staff were ready for anything that came their way.

Jon swiveled in the chair and addressed the bridge crew. Without a preamble he began. "Events are probably going to go from zero to warp in a very short time. You all know your jobs, just concentrate on doing them and trust in your fellow officers and crew to do theirs along with the away team and we'll get the captain back and get through this in one piece." He finished, Now the terrible waiting began.

"Away team has transported to the planet" Ayana informed. "Raising shields, weapons at the ready."

"Very good Ayana." Jon replied and then whispered, "So it begins."

"Spatial distortions intensifying. Three vessels decloaking, Cardassian. Readding two Galor class cruisers and one Keldon class heavy cruiser. They have weapons charged" Lt Ibarra said from Ops.

"Awaiting orders" Ayana said eagerly.

"Easy Ayana easy. Let them fire the first shot and then return fire with a full spread of torpedoes and phasers and go to attack pattern Grayson Delta four." Jon replied his eyes on the viewscreen and the Cardassian warships.

“Not going to try and talk them down first?” Callie gave Jon a curious look. “Knowing the Cardassians they probably won’t listen, but it might be worth a try.”

The Cardassians all fired, their gold disruptors streaking through space and impacting on the Washington's shields. Ayana smiled knowing she was now allowed to return fire. She was following orders and the Cardassians had fired the first shot. "Firing torpedoes and phasers" she said as they blue of the quantum torpedoes streaked through space, followed by the long red beams of phaser fire.

The quantum torpedoes slammed into their targets, two each into the Galor class vessels, crippling them and the fifth into the Keldon class ship. The phasers followed, all directed at the more powerful Keldon class vessel. The phaser impacts causing significant damage in its own right to the most advanced warship the Cardassians had to offer.

"Galor vessels disabled. Keldon shields down 45%, damage to their primary systems" Lt Ibarra reported. "Detecting two additional vessels decloaking, at 134.09, Romulan D'Deridex warbirds."

"I think you got your answer Callie." Jon answered as he barked out his next command. "Grayson attack pattern, Gamma three." Jon ordered as the Washington wheeled and came around the warbirds for an optimum firing solution.

The Washington was moving to quickly to allow the Romulans to fire torpedoes. But they were able to get several disruptor blasts all along the port side.

Ayana was precise and methodical with her phaser fire, not wasting a single shot. Her phaser blasts all made positive contact with the Romulans, and thanks to her aim one of the warbirds was crippled. As the pass and phaser volley ended, the Washington launched a pair of photons from the rear launchers at the Cardassian Keldon class vessel. It managed to avoid one, but the second photon hit it on the blade, blowing a hole in the ship, damaging it severely.

"Damage control areas to affected areas and begin repairs." Jon ordered as the Washington continued to pound Romulan and Cardassian ships. "What's our status Ayana?" Jon asked over his shoulder as L'Rissa deftly moved the Washington out of harms way.

"Both Galor class vessels are crippled and adrift, caught in the planet's gravity. The Keldon forward phaser banks are down, and they have serious damage. They are not a threat at this time" Ayana began to reply as the Washington shook violently. "The Romulans on the other hand are still a threat. One crippled, one still in the fight."

"That last disruptor impact created a hull breach, decks 2 and 3, sections 14 and 15. Emergency force fields in place, damage control on the way, medical has been notified" Lt Ibarra said from Ops. "Injuries reported, but no casualties."

Jon absorbed the news from both Ayana and Ibarra. "Alright, let's end this fight." He said firmly. "Ayana, implement Grayson Tango Bravo 2. Arm all phasers and torpedo banks. Wait until we are in optimal firing solution and then let them have it. Everyone hang on. It's going to get rough and we're going to get bounced around but hopefully we can end this fight." he glanced at Callie seated next to him. " Hang on Callie." As the Washington pivoted on its axis. Working to get the best firing solution.

The Washington made a tight turn and came at the Romulan from its port quarter. Ayana watched for the shot she wanted and then finally, 4 quantum torpedoes launched and streaked towards their target. The Romulans attempted to evade, but Ayana's aim was deadly accurate, and as all four slammed into the Romulan ship, it exploded in a brilliant light, sending debris in all directions, including towards the crippled Romulan vessel that could do nothing but await the collision, which happened a few moments later and two large pieces of debris crashed into them, further damaging them.

"The remaining Romulan vessel is severely damaged. Reading no weapons, no shields, engines down, minimal life support" Ibarra reported.

"We should go after the Cardassian" Ayana insisted.

"No Ayana," Jon shook his head. "We aren't murders. To kill in combat is one thing, to murder helpless individuals is another. Now," He added, "If they decide to press the attack, take them out."

Shon and her team had their hands full down in sickbay, no major injuries but fractures, head injuries and a couple of internal traumas. Pausing wiping her forehead she called the Bridge =/\= Bridge this is sickbay, what in Surak’s name is going on up there? =/\=

On the bridge, Jon answered Shon. "Bridge to Sickbay. Hi Shon, oh nothing much, we're just playing tag with the Cardassians and Romulans. You okay down there?"

Shon smiled inwardly, “yes, we are fine down here, mostly minor injuries. We hope the situation will abate somewhat. Any news from the planet?”

"Good to hear it, Shon. You and your team take care of yourselves and the injured. We'll take care of business up here and in answer to your question, no word from the planet as of yet." Jon replied.

Callie was worrying about their children, though she knew the people looking after them would be doing it to the best of their ability. “Are they done do you think? They didn’t get out any distress calls, did they?”

Sickbay was crowded but Shon took a minute to think about Seth, Sage and Shasta hopefully safe in their quarters. She wondered what Callie was thinking also. As she mended Ensign Shavez fractured shoulder, reassured her and moved on she found one of the new nurses huddled in a corner crying. kneeling down she took her by the shoulders. The Bolian looked at her. "Are we going to die Doctor?"

Shon smiled, "Of course not. This is a good ship, and I have every faith in the crew on the bridge. Now, I find the best way to clear my mind is by helping others. there are a lot of people here that need treating and reassurance." Shon stood her up and hugged her. "Now I want you to go round our patients, each one of them and reassure them." Shon moved on to the next patient.

On the bridge, Jon spoke to Ayana. "Monitor the Cardassian ship. Block any calls to and from that ship if any." He looked over to Callie, "You want to go and check on Harry and the twins while you have a chance?"

Callie didn’t need to hear the offer twice, she nodded offering a smile and got up to head off the bridge.

"Already on it" Ayana replied.

Jon nodded at Ayana's words hearing her determination and knowing she would whatever was needed to the Washington and its crew.

With things quieting down in sickbay Shon’s thoughts turned to her family. Walking into the office she ordered herself a glass of cold water and spoke to Seth and Shasta, reassuring herself they were all okay. She sat down snd worked her fingers through her wet hair looking forward to a shower and reuniting with those she loved.

Seth reassured Shon that Shasta, Sage and he were all fine and anxiously awaiting her return from Sickbay but knew she may be there for an extended time dur to Samantha being off ship. Nonetheless they promised her a special meal and some quiet time for her to unwind.

Heading off the bridge it didn’t take Callie long to reach her destination. Entering the school & nursery she wasn't alone in being there to check on her children, other parents were doing the same. She gave Harry a loving hug and a kiss, he had been protecting his siblings just as he did at home.

On the bridge, Jon waited anxiously for Callie to return after checking on their children. Like her, he was worried about them but unlike her his first duty was to the ship and crew. While he waited, he monitored the situation and took reports from the bridge crew and the damage control parties.

"We are being hailed by a Romulan, undetermined position" Ibarra reported.

"On screen please Ibarra." Jon replied.

The screen came to life, a Romulan with a suspicious pondering look about. "You are hopefully outnumbered commander. I urge you to leave now before we are forced to destroy you."

Jon leaned back in the seat and met the Romulan's gaze. "I urge you to consider your own words. You are in Federation space, in orbit above a Federation world or has that fact escaped you? So, I suggest you leave the area while you can and avoid any further incidents."

"Stolen space" a Cardassian yelled as he appeared near the Romulan who gave a glance which seemed to silence him. "Excuse my colleagues' outburst. He doesn't take the situation the same way I do. I am Admiral Lovok commander, and we are here at the request of the Cardassian people in a joint operation. This was a Cardassian colony until recently."

Jon gave no inclination of knowing the name. "Admiral." He answered civilly. "Recently or not, the area is Federation space and to be frank, the Cardassians may have called you. If they did, more the pity for this world is deadly to them or did that fact escape your sensors? I repeat my advice, Admiral. Leave this area now."

Lovok considered Jon's words. "You have a point. Perhaps we should leave this place."

Suddenly a familiar face came into view whispering something to Lovok. There could be no doubt, it was Shran. It was made even clearer when he turned and looked at the viewer briefly before leaving the picture once more.

Lovok offered a slight smile, the most cordial one might expect from a Romulan. "We are leaving now. Until we meet again." The viewscreen went black.

"Sir, the Romulan and Cardassian ships are getting underway. Tachyon surge...they are cloaking sir" Ibarra said.

Jon stared at the now dark viewscreen for a moment stunned by what he had just seen. before replying to Ibarra. "Thank you, Ibarra." his voice hiding his shock. He then turned to look at Ayana, "Did you see what I saw Ayana?"

"I did, but I have no explanation" Ayana replied.

"Good. I wanted to make sure I wasn't seeing things." Jon replied and made a note to tell Deanna what he had seen.

"Commander, based on the course they were on when they jumped to warp as they were cloaking, they weren't headed back to Romulan space" Ibarra volunteered. "The course would take them to Salva II, which was a Federation world we gave to the Cardassians and was in the DMZ before the war and is now once again a Federation world. It has a colony of less than friendly colonists that were allied with the Maquis, but much of the planet is uninhabited and unexplored. The Cardassians didn't do much with it while they had it, and as you know, all worlds in the DMZ became Federation worlds at the end of the Dominion War."

"Thank you, Ibarra." Jon answered as spoke next to L'Rissa, "Once the away team is back aboard set course for Salva II warp 6."

"Understood" L'Rissa replied.

"We should attempt to contact the away team" Ayana suggested.

"They can hear us from what sensors say, though I am reading what appears to be some sort of dampening field around the ruins" Ibarra said from Ops.

"Let's see if they can." Jon said before contacting Deanna. "Deanna how long before you are able to return to the ship?" Jon voice contained a sense of urgency. Though it was calm and level.

No answer came. "We are transmitting commander, and all indications are they are getting the message, but no reply" Ibarra replied.

Jon repeated his message to Deanna and waited for a reply.

Having returned to the bridge quietly whilst Jon was in communication with the Romulans, Callie had taken her seat. Now she looked at Jon concernedly. “That’s not a good sign but haven’t picked up on anything.”

Jon turned to Callie. "Harry and the twins okay?" He asked before adding "Keep me posted please."

Callie nodded. “They’re fine, Harry is helping to watch over his siblings like a good boy.”

Jon nodded, "Good, very good. Harry is a good boy. Very proud of him. I worry about them too." He added softly.

“I know you do Imzadi” Callie smiled warmly.

Jon returned Callie's smile. "Oh, I'm sure you do Callie. I worry about you as well."


**Sickbay**

Seth suddenly appeared in Sickbay and saw the number of injured in the treatment rooms as well as the waiting area. Making his way to Shon, he spoke. "Hi Sweetie, what can i do to help?"

Shon smiled, it was good to see him. “Where are the girls?” She asked concerned.

Seth smiled at her, "Shasta and Sage are both out in the waiting area. Shasta is using Sage to get some of the injured to relax."

Shon smiled imagining Shasta showing off Sage. " Seth take some emergency packs and replenish the used ones. Please", Shon indicated a wounded Ensign. "Please clean her wound and bandage the arm." she smiled, "It' good to see you husband." she said then turned back to her patient.

Seth nodded and smiled. "I hear and obey. It is always good to see and be with you my wife." With that he got busy cleaning the Ensign's arm and dressing it. then he would replenish the emergency packs.

Shon smiled somewhat grimly as one of the more wounded crew members went into cardiac failure. Shon and the team immediately put the crew member on life support. “Seth please check the dressings on the walking wounded, change any that have bled through. Thank you."

Seth moved quickly into action, "Yes Doctor." He replied as he moved to the nearest walking wounded crewmember and checked their dressing. "Your good." He said with a smile as he moved to the next crewmember.

After setting a fractured tibia with some comforting words Shon walked over to Seth. Touching him on the arm she said “would you mind sitting and talking to Lieutenant B’in al over there. Her husband died six months ago, she was pregnant and now has just lost that child. She has no one and I don’t have time currently?”

Seth gave a look over his shoulder at a pretty brunette sitting by herself and looking totally lost and crushed. "Sure. Be glad to." He said to Shon and moved to where B'in sat. "Hi." He greeted her, "I'm Seth, do you mind if I sit here?" he asked gesturing to the empty space beside her,

Shon glanced towards them, she was very worried about the young woman, B'in thought that the child she carried was the only connection to her husband.

B'in nodded, "I cannot stop you." she said rubbing her stomach protectively as though the child was still there.

Seth ignored the reply and sat down. "Thank you." He replied softly, "What your name?" He asked "And which department do you work in?" He inquired trying to start a conversation with the depressed woman.


* Bridge *

"Detecting a large explosion near the area the away team transported to" Ibarra said from Ops.

Before Jon could respond a familiar voice came across the comm, =T^= Celes to Grayson, are you receiving? =^=

"I can hear you Deanna, what is your status?" Jon asked relieved to have made contact with the away team.

=^=Apologies for not being in contact, but the Iconian technology didn't agree with our technology. We fixed the problem. Unfortunately, we had to destroy the Iconian technology rather than study it, and we didn't encounter the captain or anyone else for that matter. =^=

=^= A shame to be sure." Jon replied and continued. "As to not encountering the captain, I have news on that which I will share with you once you are back aboard the ship. =^=

=^= We are doing some quick scans now that our equipment works. It won't give us a lot of information, but I'll take whatever we can get. I'll signal for beam up shortly =^= Deanna replied.

=^= Very good Deanna. We'll await your signal. =^= Jon replied crisply.


TBC