USS Cherokee 
The Dating Game, Part 20
11704.24

Starring_
Steve Weller as CO_Ayidee and Producer
Zach Farland as CNS_Ens_Daniels
Dawn Freeman as OPS_Cmdr_Nash
Topper Loghry as CTO_LT_Q`ten
James Young as FCO_Ens_Oldman
Pablo Delsoglio as CIV_Capt_Marek

Leave of Absence
Trish Yarborough as CMO-McIntyre
Absent
None
Ship's Log, Stardate 11704.23.  The Cherokee is returning to Research Station 82 with the survivors from the Dirk.  Kreak has claimed to have taken down not just the Dirk but the Cherokee and the Michigan as well.  What does he hope to gain with this claim?

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FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
:: at the helm ::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
::at OPS::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
::On Bridge.::  All: Why would Kreak claim to have destroyed the Michigan and  Cherokee?  We're obviously still both here, headed back to the station.  What does he hope to gain?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::keeping his mind busy with some theories on this situation::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: Either he is terribly misinformed, or he's over selling his position.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: I think he is so far trying to cause confusion on our side with misleading information.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CTO: Overselling his position would backfire once our survival was confirmed.  I can't believe he is that insane although it is possible.  Misinformed is quite possible though.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Perhaps he has sensor visibility issues for the area like we did? Assumed the trap was successful?

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
ALL:  Maybe he has lost all facets on reality.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
::On the bridge, in his place, trying to psychoanalyze a Klingon he never met and knows little about::  CO: He could just be counting his chickens before they're hatched, like wishful thinking.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
FCO: Hard to monitor in that area but possible.  But there are easier places to watch.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
:: eyes back to the navigational sensors ::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: What if he was watching the Station?  If he saw the Metternich and Kissinger, coming back alone, is it much of a leap to think we weren't following?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: What did you say the Metternich and the Kissinger have in common?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: So far it's been a grim hide and seek game.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Sir, we'll be clearing the graveyard in under thirty minutes.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::adjusts course slightly to veer around a gravitational eddy::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
FCO: Understood.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS: They both Saber class vessels, and the smallest ships in our fleet.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: Perhaps Kreak doesn't expect us to leave the abyss, like there's something else he has in store for us within the next thirty minutes.  We should proceed with extreme caution.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
ALL: Kreak says that he wants to go back to the old ways before the Empire and the Federation were at peace, and yet he is not behaving like a Klingon at all.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Maybe Kreak didn't think they were worth destroying.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: Agreed, we won't drop from Red Alert until we are clear.  As for the ships, if he has eyes on the station, or even in the station, he'd know they survived.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CNS/CTO: Or want us to perform a different roll in his plan.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
ALL: A Klingon warrior faces his enemy in battle, he does not hide behind ambushes and deceitfulness.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
:: makes an extensive scan of the area using navigational sensors ::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CTO: Cleverness in catching your enemies in such a trap would be a victory still, yes?  If you are the victor the details of the battle are...controllable.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CTO: An honorable Klingon, Lieutenant.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CTO: Kreak does not seem like a very good Klingon or he doesn't like being a conformist.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::continues along their heading, making a course correction here and there for gravitational anomalies::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CTO: Regardless of the conditions of how he "took us out", if he thought we were gone, what kind of threat would half a dozen birds of prey pose to the station and the Sabers?  Or to other targets in the area?

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
:: makes another course correction ::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: Any input on that is welcome.  Can we use his misinformation as a weapon?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
All: Six prime condition birds of prey would be more than a match for the two saber class vessels, however, Kreak’s vessels are far from prime condition.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Sir, we'll be making two or three more course corrections, should be about ten more minutes until the edge of the graveyard.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: Well, it would certainly give us the element of surprise when we return but, are we sure he's misinformed?  He could be, like Commander Nash suggested, not dealing in reality or he's up to something more.  I'm sure he isn't done here.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
ALL: I do not believe that Kreak’s fleet could take on both the two Saber class ships and the station without suffering extreme losses, however they could pose a significant risk to other ships in the area.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
All: If he attacks the station again, more innocent lives will be at risk.  We can't let Kreak near it.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
ALL: Local trade routes could be in jeopardy, and I believe there is a small colony not far from here.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
OPS: Can we get word to the Station from in the Abyss without it being easily intercepted?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: What if we kept ourselves and the Michigan lying in wait?  If he picks one of these targets, we move to intercept and perhaps get a shot at Kreak's fleet?

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  Not sure if anything can be transmitted from the Abyss.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Sir, we are approaching the edge of the Abyss.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
FCO: Stop us here, don't bring us out yet.  We are close enough to respond here if needed.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Aye, sir!

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
FCO: That's good news.  Get us out of here.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
OPS: Have the Michigan do the same.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: But, I thought we were going back to the station.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::slows the Cherokee down, disengages the engines and brings us to a full stop:: 

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: What we need is a ship capable of cloaking.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CO: That's would be a nice plan.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: We will be, but if we do, Kreak will likely know we are still in the area.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Sir, reading a full-stop.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  Yes, Captain.  ::notifies the Michigan of the change of plans::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: Any ideas on how to get word to the station without revealing our full strength?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: A communication probe.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Launch a probe?

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::looks at the CTO and smiles knowingly::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: Program the probe not to transmit anything until it reaches the station.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: What about the Dirk survivors?  Use a few of the Kanedas to appear to be escape ships?

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
All: Communication probe.  In the old days they would have used a messenger pigeon.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: Any objections to laying a trap here?  Open to suggestions but there are a few risks involved.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  The risks are minimal if we get the bad guy in the process.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: Anything that has the potential to end this p'taH, I'm all for it. The sooner the better.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
All: I agree with Lieutenant Q'ten.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
All: I didn't want to leave in the first place.  I felt like we were running.  Staying is a good idea.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: All right then, We wait for Kreak to show his next step and then pounce.  Get the ship ready to react to threats as quickly as possible, and then it becomes his move.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: Aye sir, tactical is ready to go.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
All: Did we ever figure out why Kreak would want to use a stellar graveyard as the backdrop for his come back to glory tour?

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
:: wonders :: CTO: Do sensors show anything unusual between our location and the station? No sign of Kreak?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: Finding a ship in the area is very difficult.  Not a new tactic, hiding in an unstable region.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Sir, I'm a little worried if he's cloaked ten minutes may not be enough time to jump to the Station's rescue.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
FCO: Not detecting any sort of interference or distortions at all.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::nods to the CTO::

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::frowning, thinking to himself::

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
CO: Yeah but, isn't it just as difficult for him and his fleet?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
FCO: He is unable to cloak while in the abyss. We should have a couple of seconds as he emerges before he can fully cloak.

Host CO_Ayidee says:
CNS: Very few advantages come without a cost.  Tactics and Strategy is about picking what costs are least harmful.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CTO: He might have had a head-start? Left the Abyss while we were busy not dying... he could already be cloaked.  Something doesn't feel right here.

CNS_Ens_Daniels says:
All: We should find a way to flush him out of the stellar graveyard, like a bug bomb.  Give him no place to hide.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: I'm setting tactical sensors to emit random tachyon bursts, cloaked or not, if he's out here we'll find him.

INFO: After 3 hours of waiting, OPS detects a distress signal from a freighter about 20 minutes away, saying it is being pursued by a small fleet of ships.

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO:  Captain, we finally got a blip.  A distress signal from a freighter about 20 minutes from our location.  The message says that they are being pursued by a small fleet of ships.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::perks up:: Anyone: Coordinates?

Host CO_Ayidee says:
OPS: Give the helm the coordinates, let's make for their position best possible speed.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
OPS: Can they give a description of the ships?

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
CO/FCO:  Already sent.  ::smiles::

OPS_Cmdr_Nash says:
FCO:  The message was on auto.

ACTION: The Metternich and Kissinger depart station to assist.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::receives the coordinates and lays them in::

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::lays in the course and engages at maximum warp::

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Sir, course engaged, maximum warp.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CO: All weapons ready, and standing by.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
::mutters:: Although this is probably just another ruse... divert us away from the station.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::prepares for the upcoming action::

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
CO: Sir, we're right up on top of them, dropping us out of warp.

ACTION: The Cherokee and Michigan arrive at the fleeing ship to see it under heavy fire from Kreak's ship at the edge of the Abyss.  The attackers break off with the arrival of the Starfleet ships.

FCO_Ens_Oldman says:
:: drops the Cherokee out of warp as they arrive at the ship ::

Host CO_Ayidee says:
All: Lock on to targets, drive them back.  Fire at will.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Immediately locks Phasers on the nearest of the pursuing vessels and fires::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
::Fires a spread of torpedoes to break up the pursuers formation::

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