Chapter 3.1

Posted on Tue Dec 20th, 2022 @ 12:23am by Lieutenant Commander Broka & Lieutenant Percival Godfry & Commander Nathan Hawkins & Lieutenant Commander Cyrus Marner & Captain Nathan Bishop & Lieutenant Commander T'Lisha "Hawkeye" Bishara

1,987 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Hope
Location: USS Uhura
Timeline: 2431-03-09, 10:00

Chief Engineer's Log, Lieutenant Commander Broka Recording:

My temporary assignment to the Starship Uhura has been a fascinating adventure so far. A Reliant Class starship, Uhura was assigned to the Maelstrom in the early 25th Century as a logistical support vessel; nonetheless, because of the inherent issues in the region, Starfleet refit the ship not long after to serve as an auxiliary command ship for deep space vessels assigned to action in the Sector. It's due to that upgrade that the Uhura was perfect to operate on this mission. Even with all of her advancements though she's not the Valhalla and I can't wait to go home.

Nonetheless, I've joined my fellow crewmates on the Bridge for the remainder of our journey, leaving Engineering in the capable hands of Lieutenant Nguyen. It hasn't been a secret that some of the crew seem on edge as we're on final approach to the Cardassian outpost Vlulyr Tuok. An older Cardassian outpost, Vlulyr Tuok has had some history with the crew of Deep Space Twelve back when they were serving full-time on the Enterprise. During a mission the Enterprise visit Vlulyr Tuok investigating the theft of the Pathfinder Class Starship Galileo. They quickly learned that the Galileo was at Vlulyr Tuok and a battle erupted. Despite Enterprise being a lot more advanced than both the ship and the station, they were able to overwhelm the Enterprise and caused significant damage in the process. If it hadn't been for the last minute intervention of the USS Bismarck the Enterprise would have been destroyed.

I can't blame them for being on edge. I would be too. End log.

Ferengi Lieutenant Commander Broka sat reviewing the specifications of Vlulyr Tuok in the Uhura's LCARS database. Vlulyr Tuok was a Tuok series outpost and was a smaller, orbital facilities used by the Cardassian as border, research, or supply stations during the height of the Cardassian's power in the mid-24th Century. They were smaller versions of the Nor series starbase, featuring the same core structure and inner docking ring while lacking the outer docking ring and towers. Despite this they were heavily armed for their size, featuring disruptors based on Dominion technology, phasers, and torpedoes. Their standard crew was only around 175 people, but they could support upwards of 1,000 individuals at any given time.

While he knew that the Uhura was a highly capable vessel, the fact that the Enterprise nearly fell to the station gave him pause. Typing on his panel he brought up the propulsion systems of the Uhura and reviewed their options should they need to flee. The Uhura's primary propulsion was a standard Warp Drive, but she had been outfitted with what was known as a Quantum Burst Drive. When the Uhura was first launched the Quantum Slipstream Drive had not been fully replicated except for on the Dauntless and Vesta Classes. Several vessels were outfitted with a scaled down version of the drive, but it was only capable of maintaining slipstream speeds for around half an hour before the drive shutdown. Uhura was outfitted with such a drive. Proactively he brought the drive to standby.

Looking over his shoulder at the forward consoles he wondered what the others were thinking and doing to prepare.

Bishop sat quietly in the command chair, he was reviewing what he knew of Vlulyr Tuok and what he knew didn't please him. He turned in his chair. "Nathan." Bring all our weapons on standby, I don't want to be caught off guard." Then in almost an afterthought he asked his friend. "What do you think?"

Hawkins confirmed the request and noted Broka's action to bring the Burst Drive into standby should they require it unexpectantly. A wise precaution the Commander agreed mutely recalling with clarity his own experiences of being the victim of an ambush by enemy superior firepower. "That we should have bought more firepower," he tried to joke. "In all seriousness, we shouldn't let the history of this place stand in the way of our mission otherwise we'd be frightened of our own shadow and loss sight our objective."

Bishop nodded at his friend's advice. "More firepower wouldn't hurt but I think we'll be okay. We all know the history Nathan and I think we have learned from it at least in the regard of not underestimating the defensive capabilities of the station. We know what it did to the Enterprise. But we're smaller, harder to hit...hopefully." He joked lightly.

"In order to better protect ourselves I have brought the Quantum Burst Drive to standby," the Ferengi explained not taking his gaze off of the propulsion monitors built into the Bridge wall.

"Good work Mr. Broka. No sense in waiting until the last minute. Better to be safe than sorry." Bishop replied.

Lieutenant Godfry snickered, "If it makes you all feel better my preliminary scans aren't showing any weapon activations on the Cardassian station."

"That is a surprise, let's hope it continues." Bishop mused.

"Agreed. Lieutenant Reeves may be a better source of support for monitoring the tactical situation though," the Science Officer proposed as he typed on his workstation.

The door swished open from the turbo lift, and Cyrus stepped onto the bridge. He surveyed what was going there, then he made a quip. "Are we there yet?" saying this in his southern drawl.

Broka looked over his shoulder at the recently arrived doctor, "Only a few more seconds, Doc."

"You sound like a child." Bishop added with a smile. "Stand there and just wait patiently. We'll be there shortly."

Cyrus cracked a smile at Bishop's answering remark and then said dryly, "Okay dad." to Bishop, then said to Broka, "Thank you, Commander Broka." and then he went quiet to watch what was going on.

A series of alarms beeped on the Science Station. Lieutenant Godfry sighed as he checked the readout on the wall, "Dragon's Blood! They've spotted us."
With that, T'Lisha started formulating escape patterns. Waiting carefully for the next order from the captain, she was ready for anything.

Bishop nodded at Godfrey's statement. "Great." He replied in a tone that it was anything but.

A series of beeps erupted from a nearby console.

"They'll hailing," Hawkins announced from his station.

"On screen." Bishop ordered.

On the viewscreen the expansively colossal operations center of Vlulyr Tuok appeared before them. While the station was only a fraction of the size of the more infamous Nor Class station, Vlulyr Tuok's command center was a near perfect replica of its more famous sibling. Standing at the top of the small staircase that led to the Station Commander's Office was a powerful looking Cardassian woman dressed in the traditional obsidian leather uniform for which the Cardassian military was so well known. Her Cardassian features were accentuated with turquoise colored makeup, her hair in a tight braid that went to her shoulders.

"Federation Starship you are operating within Cardassian territory and on approach to a confidential research laboratory. State your business for approaching my station."

Cyrus stepped slightly forward to get a better view of the lady on the screen. She was definitely showing her power, and her confidence by being on the stairs. And she didn't look too bad for a Cardassian woman.

Bishop didn't reply immediately to the woman's demand, he looked at the others on the bridge as he muted the channel. "Opinions?"

"Talk to her before she blows us out of the sky?" The Ferengi Engineer recommended as he watched his workstation closely.

Godfry interjected, "Her weapons still aren't online so don't worry about that quite yet."

"Let's not test that theory," Hawkins added lowly. "We have nothing to hide, I suggest you tell the truth Captain, it may also gain her trust."

Opening the channel, he spoke to the Cardassian women, "Captain Nathan Bishop of the starship Uhura, didn't mean to alarm you, we're investigating True Way activities."

"Then you are investigating in the wrong place, Captain. The True Way are not on my station, I would know about them," she answered directly. "What reason do you have to believe they would be here?"

"You may well be right, but I'd wager you don't know everything." Bishop replied without accusing. Have reason to believe the True Way want your station and overthrow the Cardassian government."

The Cardassian laughed, "Complete and utter nonsensical insanity. The True Way have been dealt with in this Sector for years - ever since the Bismarck foiled their plans. Now, you are in Cardassian territory, Captain, I am ordering you to leave immediately, or I will open fire. You will receive no further warning."

As the screen went dark the Science Station began to rapidly beep. Lieutenant Godfry reached up and typed on the bulkhead-based display and sighed, "They're powering weapons and raising their shields, Captain."

Bishop nodded, "Tactical raise our shields and bring the weapons on line. Helm back us away, let's see what they do. "Send this message, "Have reason to believe True Way are targeting your station in attempt to overthrown Cardassian government." Bishop paused, "Continue to back us away."

",Aye captain. Continuing to back us away slowly. Escape vectors laid in and ready to activate on your order," T'Lisha said.

"Message transmitted," Hawkins confirmed while Uhura hummed into life preparing itself for a potential barrage of incoming weapons fire.

"Good heavens!" Cyrus exclaimed at the unfolding events. "Are they really going to fire at us? Why won't they believe about the True Way."

Godfry typed on his workstation, "They're establishing target lock."

"I've transferred power to our shields," the Ferengi Engineer informed from the opposite station. "I have the Quantum Drive ready, Sir, if we want to leave."

Bishop nodded, "Very good Mr. Broka. Stand ready to engage the Quantum Drive on my word but not before. Everyone just stay calm. Let's see if they come to their senses and at least listen."

On the viewscreen the Tuok Series Outpost hung aggressively in space before them, their weapon towers alive with inner plasma energy ready to be deployed against their target. Lieutenant Godfry was closely monitoring their actions, their active painting of the Uhura for target lock was displayed on the center of the Science console. Another alarm beeped, "They're charging their shield emitters with anti-lepton radiation. If they emit the radiation we'll lose all long-range communications. Could the Gul herself be part of the True Way?"

"My suggestion, to use an old archaic phrase." Cyrus drawled out. "Get us out of here and put the pedal to the metal. I don't want to sit here and be cooked."

Bishop didn't reply to Cyrus, his eyes were on the station as it powered up its defenses and weapons. "A distinct possibility Mr. Godfry. One that I am not going to risk this crew or ship." He addressed T'Lisha, "T'Lisha, plot us a course away from this station, we'll leave them to their own devices. Warp five."

"Already on it ," T'Lisha said as she brought the Uhura around and took off at warp five leaving the station behind

Commander Broka turned from his seat at the Engineering console, "The Admiral still wanted us to travel to Tezle to check them. Do we want to proceed there still or do we feel that Vlulyr Tuok is our culprit?"

"Very true Mr. Broka." Bishop replied, "Not convinced Vlulyr Tuok is our culprit. So, saying that we will proceed to Tezle. He looked to T'Lisha, "T'Lisha change our course to head to Tezle, maintain warp five if you please."

"Understood sir. Laying in heading for Tezle at warp five," she said. T'Lisha brought the Uhura around and headed for it's new destination.

Cyrus visibly relaxed when the ship was brought around. In truth he didn't want to gt into patching anyone up just yet, it maybe his profession but not having to worry about the ship being attacked, that was a bonus.

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