Chapter 8: Once More Unto the Breach (part 2)

As the Federation fighter ships returned and docked back into the shuttle bays of the Icarus, one of the ship pilots exiting a craft discussed with the shuttlebay manager the scanning data and readings procured while engaging the enemy fighter shuttle. After their debriefing, the manager contacted the captain.

“Sir, our data indicates that the sole occupant in the enemy fighter ship beamed down somewhere in the capital city of Khii just as we were approaching it… before it turned, fired and implemented a kamikaze attack on the Caucasus fighter ship.”

With a somewhat curious expression to this unexpected revelation the captain replied.

“So this also was another means of distraction for the occupant to escape and then throw us off course once again. This seems to be their modus operendi.” Sterling responded, as if partially thinking out loud.

Lieutenant Rondeck then continued.

“The three enemy scorpion fighters encountered were also pilotless Captain, and our pilots scanned other such vacant vessels throughout this vicinity. They seemed to be programmed somewhat like the mines we detected.”

Sterling acknowledged the shuttlebay manager’s report.

“Thank you for the information Mister Rondeck… carry on” he concluded as he closed the intership communication switch.

Sterling then turned back toward his tactical chief.

“It would appear Mister Archer that we have a bit more… cleaning up to do after we finish with the Dominion ship and proceed onward toward the planet Khii.”

"Sir if our enemy is already down on the planet then the people down there are in danger," Archer replied "we need to pick up the pace...Sir. Let me take an assault team and a shuttle Captain, head down to the planet and intercept them."

Archer already knew that their enemy was devious, they were Romulans after all, but now the full reality of just how devious became clear. All of it, the warship, the mines, the sneak attacks had all been feints; distractions to keep the Icarus away from Khii and away from whatever the Romulans were really planning. They needed to end this decisively and swiftly, let the Klingons have their glory boarding the Dominion warship, Brian knew where the real threat was.

Listening carefully to the security and tactical chief’s proposal, Sterling understood the levels of frustration and impatience conveyed within Archer’s voice. The crew of the Icarus have had obstacles thrown in their path since before their mission had even begun; just as they have dealt with a series of obstructions since entering this system. Nevertheless though, they must recognize that through impatience or haste, grave and irreversible mistakes could potentially occur. They are obliged to continue to apply rational thought and strategies into their actions; even if it delayed their next moves by slight margins. It is what has allowed them to reach this far in their challenging mission already.

Sterling stood up as he responded to his security and tactical chief.

“Agreed Mister Archer, but let us first be certain that we have a path cleared for you and your team to safely arrive on the planet’s surface. It should be quite evident that I do not want to have this opportunity nor your lives taken or lost in haste. Since we are still hosting the Federation complement of this diplomatic summit aboard our ship, we will allow a few additional moments to ensure that the Dominion ship has been effectively disabled and that the unmanned scorpion fighters orbiting the outer atmosphere of the planet have been nullified. Then I can present you with some background information that I recently received from Admiral Kelek before you head off on this away mission. The Admiral noted in his message that he attached files regarding the planet itself, in addition to maps, blueprints and security protocols of its capital city, Kalabam. I have not even had a moment myself to peruse these documents with all of the threatening activity transpiring around us since our arrival into this system. This information could however prove quite worthwhile for our enlightenment and for your mission as well. Then perhaps you’ll be in a better position to assemble your team and make your move to the surface of Khii.”

Archer found it interesting that the captain had information that he hadn't yet imparted on his senior staff though he knew that ship captains didn't always share everything. He acknowledged Sterling's order with a simple "Aye Sir." and went back to monitoring the firefight aboard the Dominion ship which had long since ceased firing on her opposition.

"The Klingons do seem to be making progress Sir. I'm detecting Klingon life signs on almost a quarter of the warship's decks Sir."

Sterling acknowledged “Excellent Lieutenant Commander… let’s also see what each of these commanders have to say about their progress on the Dominion ship.”

Moments after speaking briefly with Duron and Terrah, it seemed that they had together successfully nullified the overall threat of the Dominion battleship, which they now identified as the IRW Sienae; apparently named for a system in the Sierra Sector of the Alpha Centauri sector block.

They along with the USS Caucasus, who now also surrounded the vessel, would together be the harbingers of the Sienae’s fate.

With the overall threat of the Dominion ship now minimized, Sterling seized the moment began to initiate a quick meeting. The captain called Pasqual and Archer in for a swift briefing in the Ready Room. He provided each with a beverage of choice; his being a tall, cold glass of cran-grape juice on ice. He then walked over and engaged his computer terminal as he placed his glass down and sat in the large custom leather seat.

Counselor Pasqual however did not take anything. Silently, after his initial shock at seeing the captain leaving command when a major crisis had yet to be concluded, he went with the two men but also eschewed to sit down, choosing instead to stand between them, arms crossed over his chest and his face as closed as that of the legendary Egyptian Sphynx of ancient Earth.

When Captain Sterling disregarded, again, one of his senior officer's counsel and then took a pause in the middle of a crisis to reveal vital information up until now witheld from them all by Command itself, things started falling into place in his mind.

He might be wrong; he hoped to be wrong... But what he just realized did not give him any inclination to sit back and enjoy a planning session over a drink.

And by now, he knew better than to voice objections to the commanding officer of the Icarus... and it didn't matter much anyway now.

And that was the whole point of it all.

So, the Orion hybrid just stood there, silent, listening, thinking... and dreading what was yet to come, knowing he could not do much about it all; not even sure if or what he could do about it all.

After completing a series of security protocols, Captain Sterling opened up the latest message from Admiral Kelek. He started with a file on the planet itself. After reading through the detailed information, he presented a synopsis of the relevant information to his officers. He started with basic information from the science report as he presented corresponding 3-D imaging on the display.

“The planet Khii is a class-M planet orbited by three small moons and similar in size to that of Mars, but with a more hospitable environment than the red planet. Its environment provides the necessary materials for carbon-based life forms to exist, with extensive plant and animal life flourishing in a variety of climatic areas. Its atmosphere is composed mostly of nitrogen and oxygen; although in different proportions than found in Earth’s atmosphere.”

Sterling embellished “Therefore, no environmental gear will be required on this mission, only tactical protection gear.”

He then continued with the report information.

“Khii also possesses an abundance of liquid water scattered throughout regions on its varied surface. Those regions containing water are naturally the areas in which villages have sprung from and expanded over many millennia.”

Scanning through other information, Sterling then proceeded with a cultural assessment synopsis.

“Although the majority of the planet is rather primitive in terms of technology and culture, the area encompassing the capital city Kalabam, named in advertence to the upheaval that destroyed their home-world, stood in stark contrast. It had quickly evolved into a modern mecca of the Romulan Empire and was now ironically living up to its namesake: as tempest of an intergalactic disturbance… in regards to this impending peace summit.”

After reading through other sections of this file, the captain proceeded further with other portions of the report.

“The indigenous inhabitants of Khii for the most part have remained separated and isolated from the relative new arrivals from systems throughout the empire; although some indigenes were captured and placed in subservient roles as laborers and servants. The remaining aboriginal population has continued their inherent traditions and rituals; far removed from the flurry and pace of this newly established Romulan municipality.

Sterling then looked at Archer and stated emphatically “So our other goal will be to maintain the integrity of the non-interference aspect of the Prime Directive; in terms of not involving the indigenous population in this mission in any capacity.”

After providing a bit of historical information regarding Khii system, the captain added “With its close proximity to the neutral zone and therefore Federation space, this planet was established centuries ago as a moderate listening post and base for the Romulan Empire. However, since the Hobus supernova catastrophe, its role quickly expanded as it went from a mere numeric designation to a carefully designed, expanded, constructed and titled capital city. Although the entire complex is not complete, they have made remarkable progress in a relatively short period of time.”

As they continued their further study of the planet, they pulled up and scanned several maps of the entire city; including security maps and blueprints to all of the governmental buildings within the city limits. Then after taking a long, slow drink of his chilled beverage, Sterling looked back through other pertinent information. He brought up specific graphs and maps on the display and then continued.

“In addition, as you can see on this map, the capital city is now surrounded and fortified throughout its perimeter by large physical structures… much like that of medieval Earth castles; except with the addition of technological security measures supplementing these physical barriers.

Switching to other files, he stated “According to these graphs and maps, they also have an elaborately designed security detail and checkpoints scattered throughout the developing city. Under these circumstances, you and your security forces Mister Archer would unfortunately standout like polar bears on black asphalt as it is currently situated, so you will need to determine an effective manner to camouflage yourselves and your identity in this environment as you move through its areas on your quest.”

Their discussion continued in regards to issues related to Archer’s planned entrance into the capital city; in addition to how they were going to locate and free the Romulan delegates that had now become hostages to the Romulan insurgents.

After studying the files, maps, and blueprints, and talking about a variety of precautions and possibilities, Sterling turned to Archer and inquired “With all of this in mind Lieutenant Commander, what are your specific thoughts and plans in regards to proceeding throughout the city undetected while striving to locate the delegates … that is, once you penetrate any additional atmospheric or surface obstacles?”

Archer paused a moment before responding, he had conducted numerous covert operations in the last decade for Section 31, and all but his last one had been successful. Then again, on the majority of those operations it had been just him and Cassie relying on merely their wits and each other. Still, Archer had ideas, he just wasn't sure if they had the resources.

"We go in quietly, a small team, four, maybe five people. Myself, Lieutenant Strider, two of Commander Terah's people, and possibly Mister Falcar. If not him then another of my people. Strider and I will have to be altered to appear either as Romulans or as the native people. We use a cloaked shuttle to insert, if Commander Terrah doesn't have one, then perhaps we can rig something up with one of our shuttles. I had heard the Titan had such a cloaked shuttle aboard. We exclude the Klingons because they are too impulsive, and more like a blunt object rather than a surgical instrument. Either way we cannot let whoever is holding the diplomats know we are on the surface until we hit them otherwise they will either kill the hostages or us or both. We can't beam down because I have no doubt they will detect us and I'm willing to bet they have transport inhibitors operating only because they would be foolish not to."

Sterling nodded slowly and listened attentively as Archer laid out his proposal.

“Small, covert, and blending-in definitely sounds like the way to conduct this mission.” Sterling responded.

He then thought for a moment before he added “I’ll speak to Terrah and request that he select two of his most experienced and skillful officers to participate. Meanwhile, you and Lieutenant Strider can pay a visit to Doctor Cyl and see how quickly he could set you both up for some expert cosmetic alterations, Romulan of course. Afterward, speak to Sublieutenant Falcar and explore his interest in participating in this venture as well. If he is up for it, prep him as best you can before you meet up with Terrah’s two officers.”

Sterling then contacted Terrah directly through their laser-point communication system to discuss the away mission and inquire about available Romulan candidates.

After a series of questions, answers and recommendations, Terrah informed Sterling that he would send Subcommander Zorak, a highly skilled tactical officer and Sublieutenant Volskiar, a combat and engineering specialist to engage in this mission with Archer. Sterling then made it clear to the Blackwing commander that Lieutenant Commander Archer was in charge of this operation. Terrah surprisingly acknowledged this pact without even an argument and then informed the Icarus captain that he had a five-man shuttle with cloaking technology available for the trip to the planet surface. Sterling agreed and informed him that his team would beam over to the Blackwing; that is once they were properly prepared.

While Captains Duron and Doyle were eagerly and methodically nullifying the Sienae’s offensive and defensive capabilities literally from the inside-out respectively, Terrah sitting in the center seat of the Blackwing contacted Captain Sterling approximately twenty-three minutes later to notify him that the shuttle and Romulan officers were ready and awaiting the arrival of Lieutenant Commander Archer and his team in their shuttlebay. Sterling closed the communication link with Terrah after the transporter coordinates were provided, and then opened up a channel to sickbay.

As Doctor Cyl and his surgical staff were just finishing the cosmetic alterations to the two security officers, a call came in from the bridge.

“Doctor Cyl… Sterling here. I’m just checking in on the progress of the… modifications being conducted on Mister Archer and Lieutenant Strider. What is their current status?”

The doctor signaled for a nurse to open the communications channel as Cyl pulled down his mask and responded with a slight smirk.

“Well Captain, their mothers certainly would not recognize them.”

Then studying their surgical handiwork with greater scrutinity, the doctor added with a more serious tone “As for the Romulans down there on the planet are concerned… well… that will be up to Archer and Strider to effectively sell their authenticity.”

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IRW Sienae:

Sub Commander Trelar looked over the tactical and systems status boards with trepidation, then decided his orders had been accomplished. With boarding parties infiltrating his command and the delaying tactics accomplished, he saw no further need for direct contact with his foes.

"Helm! Hard about. Full impulse on all engines" Tactical! Open fire on the Romulan ship, full spread and all banks as they come to bear!"

Suddenly, the nearly fifteen hundred meters of battleship surged forward and up, twisting away from the Federation and Klingon ships. Climbing above the Romulan star ship, her phased polaron beams swept power robbing gashes through her shields as multiple mounts targeted the same area's. As the Sienae swept forward under thrust of her multiple impulse drives, the torpedo spreads fired and twenty Karellian torpedo's sped around and down toward the Romulan ship, detonating with hard concussions against the exposed hull and knocking her engine's off line. The massive battleship sped swiftly away from Khii, carrying the Klingon boarding parties away with her.

Now free of the constraints of the intricate plan of his commanding officer, Trelar was able to deal with the klingon boarding with typical Romulan efficiency and ruthlessness.

"Location of intruders," he asked almost casually.

"Lower engineering decks, Sub-Commander," promptly answered the security offcier, pointing to the tactical display of the ship where internal sensors pinpointed each and every lifesign aboard, marking in white their own crews and in green every enemy present.

Stupid barbarians... now thought the Sub-Commander left in charge of the batleship.

"Crew status," then asked Trelar.

"Antiboarding protocol intiated instantly when unauthorized transporter signals were detected," confirmed the security officer on the watch. "Those who did not move to designated fall back areas are either dead or willing to die at the hands of the enemy."

Trelar nodded with a small smile.

"Afterwards, you will identify those lost so that proper honor can be paid to them and their families. For now... close emergency bulkheads in those sections."

On the monitor, the groups of green dots suddenly coalesced in several parts of the diagram, as if the individuals they represented had suddenly met some unexpected obstacle.

"All invaded sections closed off," confirmed the security officer.

Again, Trelar simply nodded.

"Increase gravity tenfold and cut life support."

On the monitor, there was a series of notices flashing accross the screen as the officer complied with his fingers and all the green dots suddenly flared out in barely a few seconds. The computer reported what they all knew already; all those left in these isolated sections had been suddenly deprived of air, heat and pressure, as if exposed naked to outer space. And those that might just have happened to wear spacesuits would have been utterly crushed by their very protective gear as it became instantly ten times heavier and their own internal organs squashed by their own bodies' increased mass.

"No lifesign within isolated sections remaining, Sub-Commander," then coldly reported the security chief.

Contrary to popular belief, it was not Klingons who never took prisoners; it was, and always had been, the Romulan way.

"Reopen and send cleaning teams in," now directed Trelar, his attention shifting without any further thought about the massacre towards the conflict outside the hull of his ship. Security men would collect any crewmember body for proper rites and disintegrate any enemy remains, allowing the technicians to return to their dutiesas the huge battleship still had to contend with a few pursuers.

They would be dealt no more mercy than all those now dead klingons had earned; or any more than what they wished for themselves...

Which was; none at all.

Khii:

Upon beaming down to the capital of Khii, Sa'arvik quickly contacted his pilots and ordered teh placement of transport inhibitors throughout the citie's main concorse's and many important buildings. Then, after assuring himself that the few dozen pilots had their weapons in order, and with four of these men in tow, he entered the Federation ambassador's building and took all within hostage. They had had no idea of the battle occuring off-planet, and the token resistance of the marine guard was no match for Sa'arvik's well trained warrior's.

Among the catch along with the Federation ambassador was a retired Romulan Admiral who refused to identify himself, and two visiting dignitaries; a Ferengi and Tellarite respectively. Once the prisoner's had been sequestered into the ambassador's office on the tenth floor two of the commander's warrior's searched the entire building thoroughly and all the rest of the occupants were simply tossed out into the streets. Meanwhile, Sa'arvik subverted the embassy security protocols and placed the building under a complete lock down once his men had closed the doors behind the staff on the street.

With two men guarding outside the office door and two within beside him, his personal side arm in hand, Sa'arvik then began questioning his 'guests'.

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The Prometheus-class USS Caucasus continued their tactical assault in MVAM against the damaged Romulan warship the IRW Sienae as they continued fleeing from their prior position.

The science officer of the Federation battle section then turned toward the captain of the ship.

“Captain, the Sienae just ejected a collection of bodies out into space.”

Upon further scanning the science officer looked up despondently as he added “Sir, they are mostly all Klingon.”

Captain Doyle leaned back in his seat with a silent acknowledgement that it would in effect be up to them to disable this menacing ship; a task he and his crew enthusiastically accepted.

Meanwhile, Commander Terrah was furiously barking out orders to get the Blackwing’s impulse engines back on line. He had a score to settle with these ryak'na who would not escape his grasp this easily.

Moments later from the bows of the engineering department of the heavy carrier, a call came in from the ship’s chief engineer.

“Commander, impulse is now fully restored.”

Terrah stood up and initiated an intense gaze at his helm officer.

“Full Impulse helmsman… directly toward that spineless vang'radam!”

Then turning towards his weapons officer, he bore a look of ferocity as he added “I want an effectively overwhelming barrage of strategically designed and executed strikes at that ship. Coordinate this with our scorpion fighers as well.”

Terrah then looked ahead at the main viewscreen and stated to everyone on their bridge “We will end the treachery and dishonor of these traitorous bastards once and for all!”

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Icarus Sickbay:

Brian Archer took stock of himself as he listened to Doctor Cyl's remark to the captain. The doctor was correct in that he would hardly be recognizable to any of his family, friends or even his fellow officers except the one who placed her hand on his broad shoulders, Cassandra Strider. Appraising her in the mirror Brian nodded in satisfaction noting that she looked every bit a Romulan military officer.

"The good doctor does good work don't you think sub-commander?" Archer asked her

"Indeed," she replied with a smile and then lowering her voice "just like old times eh?"

Brian nodded "Just like old times, let's just hope we can be as successful."

"So," Doctor Cyl said coming up behind the pair "How do you like your transformation?"

"Very good work doctor," Archer replied

"And to think you wanted to throw me in the brig before we'd even left the starbase. At any rate, the subdermal communication implants in your necks will allow you to stay in contact with each other and with the ship. They are encrypted burst transmitters and low enough in frequency that they shouldn't be detected. We can remove them once you return from the mission."

Brian nodded at the doctor and said nothing about the man's tone when he said 'when you return.' Archer could tell that Cyl was skeptical that they would be coming back at all. Brian was however, not concerned. He and Cassie had performed numerous operations together and even if everything else fell apart he knew the two of them could accomplish this mission on their own if they had to.

Now that their surgical modifications were complete it was time to pull the rest of the pieces of this mission together. He needed to meet with the Icarus helmsman.

"Archer to Falcar, I'd like to speak to you at your earliest convenience."

A voice spoke over the comms, "Understood."

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Duron angrily slammed his closed fist onto the armrest of the center seat of the Negh'var as he was notified of the bodies of Klingon warriors that were expelled from the Romulan ship.

He stood and loudly proclaimed “Those petaQ’s will pay for their cowardly treachery.”

Duron turned to his helm officer and stated “Take us back within firing range… Now!”

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Icarus bridge

Falcar tapped at his console and a moment later Herek, the Caitian officer came onto the bridge. He walked up behind Falcar. "Herek, were still in a battle. Stay sharp."

"Yes sir," Herek spoke.

Falcar rose up from his seat, and turned to the Captain. "Captain, Cmdr, Archer wishes to speak with me. Permission to leave."

With Sterling's nod of approval, Falcar left the bridge.

Lieutenant Callen, now manning the tactical console watched in revulsionas the giant dominion battleship ejected the bodies of the Klingon boarding parties into space.
Then the giant ship maneuvered quickly and resumed firing on the Blackwing.

"Captain, the enemy ship just dumped what must have been the bodies of all of the Klingon boarders. She seems to have gotten her second wind, I'm opening fire!"

Callen while young was a skilled tactical officer in his own right and he quickly targeted the giant ship and let loose a barrage of phaser fire and quantum torpedoes toward their enemy without waiting for orders from his captain.

Even as the Icarus fired Callen watched now in horror as the Blackwing accelerated directly toward the Dominion warship.

"Sir, the Blackwing...she's going to ram them!!"

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As the Klingon battlecruiser Negh'var was swiftly approaching the Sienae’s coordinates, the tactical officer blared “The Blackwing… it’s firing while on a direct collision course with the Sienae!”

Duron furiously slammed his fist again on the armrest and then fleetly engaged his communication with the Blackwing

“Terrah!” he bellowed, enraged at his temporary Romulan ally.

“Don’t you dare attempt to usurp the glory of my kill once again! These petaQ’s have now desecrated my warriors and I will be the one to slaughter every last one of them!” he yelled with furious conviction from the bridge of the Negh'var.

As the Blackwing streamed toward the large Dominion Battleship, Terrah open his communication channel. With a slight grin germinating across his face, he addressed the Klingon Captain’s tirade.

“There is no need to be greedy now Duron… these dishonorable traitors have attacked my ship, killed seven of my crew and injured thirty-one others. The Icarus moments ago bombarded them with phaser fire and quantum torpedoes. Our crew shall now present them with... some additional damage. Afterward, you are free to satisfy your honor and revenge by striking all of the final blows to this ship and its crew.”

Without waiting for a reply, Terrah closed the communication link, looked ahead and braced himself as his ship turned its position precisely.

Seconds later the Blackwing rammed full-force into the bridge and middle sections of the Dominion ship.

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Falcar rode the turbo lift all the way to sickbay. Once it stopped and the doors opened, he stepped out and proceeded to sickbay. Upon arrival, he walked straight in, he noticed 2 romulans, and then spotted the doctor. There was no sign of Archer so he would need to ask the doctor where he was. Falcar walked right by the 2 romulans, briefly looking at them. He assumed they must have been from the allied romulan ship. As he walked up to Cyl, Falcar spoke.

"Doctor, commander Archer wanted to speak with me, where is he?"

Cyl grinned at his handiwork like a cheshire cat and Archer spoke up before the doctor had a chance.

"I'm right here, Mister Falcar. How do you like my new look?"

Falcar turned to the romulan he had only passed a few seconds ago. He leaned forward slightly, and stared at him for a moment. He noticed a few features that were Archers.

"Ah, I wasn't expecting this. You look like a nice romulan." Falcar spoke, not sure what to say. He was a little startled. "What did you want to speak to me about?"

"Thanks for the compliment...I think. At any rate, Lieutenant Strider," Brian gestured to the Romulan female standing next to him "and I are going down to the surface along with two members of Commander Terrah's crew. Our mission will be to locate, and rescue the diplomats that had arrived at Khii before all of this began. We can safely assume that they are now hostages of our enemy. I would like you to join my away team, but given the circumstances I won't force you to either. We will be using a cloak capable shuttle from the Blackwing to covertly insert, and we will then have to recon the area and locate our target without alerting the enemy to our presence."

Falcar took a moment to think, then spoke, "Commander, I can fly the shuttle, but I'm not a soldier." Falcar took a moment to think. "But if you'd really like me to come with you, I'll do what I can."

"I'm sure that one of Commander Terrah's people could fly the shuttle, however, my review of your record tells me you're one of the finest pilots in the Romulan military. Have you made combat flights before? You won't have to participate in any assault, just get us in and be ready to make a hot pick up if necessary."

"Understood Commander," Falcar responded. "I've done numerous flights both in combat and non combat, is ships to shuttles. And I'll do what I can, where I can. I'll get my disruptor and I'll meet you in the Shuttlebay?

"Good enough, Lieutenant Strider and I will meet you there shortly."

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Amid sparking consoles, venting gasses, debris and various system malfunctions, the crew of the Blackwing began to regain their composure and start assessment procedures to determine the damage inflicted on their ship and that of the IRW Sienae they were now temporarily infused into.

From what the crew of their Romulan allies could ascertain from department reports, the decks below the bridge of the Blackwing including their main deflector system were now mangled into and beyond the main bridge of the Dominion ship. Meanwhile, the Klingon Negh'var and the three MVAM sections of the Prometheus class USS Caucasus continued to relentlessly bombard the remaining exposed portions of the Sienae. Fortunately, their attacks we’re not directly impacting the Blackwing… yet.

As details of the overall readings became clearer to the tactical officer monitoring the data arriving to his station on the Blackwing, he turned to address the captain of the vessel.

“Commander Terrah, the Sienae is now beginning to show signs of major structural instability. I would recommend that we immediately begin an attempt to back away to pull our ships apart. If she explodes or self-destructs, the damage to our ship and crew would be severe at best.”

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On the bridge of the Icarus Lieutenant Callen looked at the ship's sensor readouts on the tactical console and then at Captain Sterling.

"Sir, the Blackwing's suicide run has crippled the Dominion ship. I could keep firing, but if it explodes the Blackwing is finished Sir."

"It's a true miracle that both ships did not simply explode on impact," commented Pasqual with eyes wide with astonishment at the unbeleivable scene displayed on the main screen. "Obviously Romulans now provide extreme structural reinforcements to their hulls and integrity fields of their vessels, even borrowed ones like this Dominion battleship. Something Starfleet should assess very serioulsy in case conflict erupt again with the Empire."

Putting a finger to his earpiece, the Orion hybrid listened for a moment before informing his captain:

"I'm getting frantic chater over there; the Sienae's structure is about to collapse. The Blackwing is attempting to disentangle itself from the wreckage but, in the shape it is in now,especially with their deflector array destroyed, there is no way for it to engage warp or even impulse; no way she will clear the upcoming radius of explosion."

His green eyes blinked at Sterling.

"Those thousands of Romulans are as good as dead, Captain."

Callen nodded in confirmation "Sensors confirm the Counselor's information Sir. We could try to tractor them free, but it would put the Icarus in danger as well. The other option would be to close on their position and try to beam out as many of the Romulans as we can."

Sterling stood up from the center seat as his gaze was fixed at the magnified view of the Blackwing and Sienae's amalgamated and contorted hulls.

There was not going to be an easy remedy here.

As the fateful words of counselor Pasqual echoed in his mind, Sterling turned to address Lieutenant Callen at the tactical station.

“This will obviously be a very calculated risk, but let us carefully attempt both solutions… at least at first. Continue monitoring all readings from both ships and prepare to precisely engage the tractor beam immediately when we are within range!”

Sterling turned to address Falcar’s replacement, the new Caitian officer manning the helm.

“Mister Herek, swiftly yet carefully bring us within range for both the tractor beam and transporters… but be ready to engage full impulse away from both vessels at a moment’s notice if necessary!”

“Aye Sir” the Catian helmsman responded.

Sterling engaged his communication switch to Transporter One on deck 10.

The transporter specialist, Lieutenant JG Samuel Taggart responded.

“Taggart here.”

“Lieutenant,” the Captain began “Prepare for emergency transportation of personnel from the Blackwing. Coordinate this procedure with Transporter Two and Emergency Transporter Rooms 1 and 2 on deck 13 and ETR’s 3 and 4 on deck 16. We need to transport the maximum number of personnel in the briefest amount of time.”

The Lieutenant responded assuredly.

“We’ll get this initiated immediately Sir!” as Taggart swiftly swung into action with the part of his team already present by his side.

The Captain then turned to face Pasqual manning the communications station.

“Counselor, notify both the Negh'var and Caucasus to immediately cease all attacks on the Sienae. Tell them instead, we need them to help us pull these ships apart. If the Negh'var could engage a tractor beam on the opposite side of the Sienae as we and the Caucasus engage our tractor beams on the Blackwing, then together we may be able to collectively apply enough force to pull these ships apart. This will only occur for a few seconds if there are no results. Then we are all to clear away from the remains of the Sienae. Meanwhile, continue to maintain communication with the Blackwing as long as you can… and inform Terrah of each of these plans… and request to have his crew ready for emergency transport.”

Seconds later, the Catian helmsman turned to the Captain and informed him.

“We are now within tractor and transporter range Sir.”

Without even the slightest hesitation, the Captain of the Icarus simply stated “Begin.”

Callen acknowledged the captain's orders with a curt nod and tapped his combadge.

"Callen to Security, security teams to all transporter rooms and cargo bays. Prepare to receive guests from the warbird."

"Aye Sir," came a disembodied voice on the other end.

Callen then focused on the tractor beam controls, locking the emitters onto the Romulan ship.

"Tractor beam ready on your order Sir." Callen reported.

"Caucasus and Negh'Var aknowledging, Sir," then announced Ray. "Both will add their own transporters to the evacuation of the Blackwing."

He stopped for a moment, listening to something coming up his earpiece then added:

"Commander Terrah has already sent some of his crew to evacuate on their remaining shuttles... and their own transporters are ready as well to send to us as many as they can, once we provide coordinates and shield frequency."

Sterling acknowledged the counselor’s timely update.

“These efforts from the teams on the Blackwing will indeed expedite this process.”

Contemplating the request made by their allied Commander, Sterling added reflectively to the counselor “Send them the transporter coordinates and have tactical remodulate our shields to a temporary frequency that they can use during transportation. Once we have confirmed that they have completed transporting their crew, our shields can be reset.”

Seeing a slight smirk appear on Pasqual’s face, Sterling added privately “This is just a precautionary measure… not really a gesture of mistrust.”

Down in Sickbay Archer heard Callen's call for security teams and tapped his own combadge which he still had on.

"Archer to Callen, what's happening up there Lieutenant?"

"Sir, the warbird has rammed the Dominion ship..we're going to attempt to pull them apart."

The expression on Archer's face went from a frown to a scowl as he started out of Sickbay. He muttered a Klingon curse under his breath and stalked toward the turbolift.

The captain of the Icarus leaned forward in the center seat as he continued to stare intently at the major contact points between these two interlocked vessels stated “The ‘word’ is given Mister Callen… engage the tractor beam.”

After 25 seconds of continuous tugging on the Blackwing from the tractor beam, nothing happened; other than the two vessels began to move slightly in unison toward them.

This was going to be impossible unless they located and coordinated the precise tractor beam spot on each ship and pulled on these locations with enough force to yank these vessels apart. Even then the outcome was questionable. So far they hadn’t accomplished anything; other than evacuating some of the crew off of the Blackwing.

As they repositioned to start again, Sterling called down to the transporter specialist again.

“Mister Taggart, how is the transportation process coming along?”

After an extended pause the junior grade lieutenant responded.

“Well Sir, we’ve manage to transport about 30% of them over, starting with the Romulans in the regions closest to the impact points. But to be quite blunt Captain, they are not very… pleased to be taken off of their ship in the middle of the battle. In fact, some of them are quite furious.”

Nodding his head in acknowledgement, Sterling responded.

“Ensure them Lieutenant that this may merely be a temporary inconvenience. If we are successful in separating their ships, we will promptly transport them back aboard the Blackwing.”

"Caucasus reporting nearly ten percent evacuated," reported Pasqual right behind the transporter chief; they have much less beaming capability than us... But the Klingon ship got as much as us, thanks to their boarding assault transporters; but they have stopped as a few fights are breaking up between the snatched, angry Romulans and the ever-friendly Klingons..."

Sterling just breathed in deeply and as mind wandered.

Seriously… even as allies… and while one team is helping to rescue the other?

Just then a call came in from the shuttle bay on deck 10.

Looking down at the signal, Sterling stated “I’ve got another call to take care of Lieutenant Taggart. Just keep the process going and make a call to security for additional back-up personal if needed.”

He switched calls and the voice of the shuttle bay manager came through loud and clear.

“Captain Sterling, this is Rondeck here. The Blackwing’s shuttle just arrived and I have Subcommander Zorak and Sublieutenant Volskiar standing here awaiting Lieutenant Commander Archer and his team to arrive.”

Attempting to be as diplomatic as possible he added “They seem rather… affronted in response to having to land here instead of our team meeting them on the Blackwing. Even after they arrived here, they are now left waiting still.”

Sterling managed a slight smirk; even among all of these heightened circumstances, the absurdity of this was not lost on him.

“Mister Rondeck, please assure our guests that Lieutenant Commander Archer and his team are on their way as we speak. Sterling out.”

Engaging the sub-dermal communication device implanted into Archer’s neck, Sterling quietly announced to his chief tactical and security officer “Your carriage has arrived Mister Archer, and according to Mister Rondeck, the Romulans are rather impatiently anticipating your arrival in the shuttle bay hanger on deck 10.”

On the Icarus turbolift Brian was surprised by the activation of the sub-dermal transmitter/receiver. "Well," he thought "at least it works" .

The turbolift doors then opened and the very Romulan looking Archer stepped onto the bridge of the Icarus. He noted that Callen made a move at tactical and Brian held up a hand.