Cast of Characters:

CO    Captain Torel Kal                      played by     Beth Kelley-Wharton
OPS  LtCmdr. Twelk                         played by     Rich Robbins
CTO  Lt. Tiberius Cassious McQueen         played by     John Flory

NPCs:
Various                                     played by     Ted Wharton

 
Summary: It took the better part of an hour to attach the runabouts to the Delphyne and stop the big Excelsior from tumbling uncontrollably
 
Over the last 12 hours engineering and operations teams have worked at a back breaking pace to get systems restored and the ship ready to get underway.
 
Using protected archives the main core was purged of the programming put in the system by Palmer's satellite.  So far the computer system seems fully ready to go.
 
Star Trek, A Call to Duty is proud to present the USS Delphyne, Chapter Five- “What lies ahead...”   How much farther is Palmer willing to go?   Star date 10810.08
 
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CO_Capt_Kal says:
::on the bridge with a BIG cup of coffee and a large pile of PADDs going over all the damage and repair reports:: OPS/CTO: How are things looking?

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: at helm going over the last of the checks:: CO: Captain course layed in for Cait. ready when ever you are.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::checks sensors::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: Things are look better than they did a couple of hours ago.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
OPS: Then let's go and take these little kittens back to where they belong.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Weapons ready, shields at 95%

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: Aye Captain :: engages the ship at warp 5 to see how it handles before going any faster::
 
CO_Capt_Kal says:
CTO: Well that should hold us…hopefully.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Sensors indicate only standard traffic only Skipper

Action: The Del accelerates, not as smoothly as usually but nothing that seems too far out of the ordinary

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: Captain Shields are at 95% and rising the rest of the systems are functional

CO_Capt_Kal says:
OPS/CTO: Well done everyone, considering the amount of damage and the time it took to repair.  Very, very impressive.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: Have taken the ship to warp 5 and holding for the moment Captain.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
OPS: When you feel ready, take us up to warp 8 once we clear the shipping lanes.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::smiles:: CO: All part of the service Ma’am

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: Aye Captain.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::chuckles:: CTO: it makes my job easier.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: Isn't that what we are supposed to do make the Captain's job easier?

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::smiles at the Captains comment as he runs another series of sensor sweeps::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::looks at Twelk :: OPS: I thought we were here to keep her on her toes

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
::Smiles:: CTO: I knew it was one of those things just wasn't sure which.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::growls::CTO: I like his answer better. ::indicates OPS::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::smiles evilly at the CO:: CO: You know you`d be lost if we didn’t keep you on your toes

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: clears the shipping lanes and moves the ship to warp 8 keeping his fingers crossed:: CO: Clear of the shipping lanes Captain taking us to warp 8.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::wryly:: CTO: I'm willing to take that risk.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
OPS: Keep your fingers crossed she'll hold together.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::smiles as he watches the sensor readouts::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: Already do so Captain.
 
Action: The Delphyne’s acceleration is smooth but a little slow. Likely the engines having hiccupped

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: The engines ok?
 
Action: A phaser blast, a really big one goes past the Del.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::swears loudly::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: sees that the ship is accelerating slowly and send ME a message that the engines need a little more work on them:: CTO: More than likely they still need some adjustments yet. ME should have the problem fixed soon.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Incoming

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::runs a sweep to determine the blasts origin::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
CTO: Take us to red alert.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: sets up for evasive actions::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
OPS: Contact whoever that idiot is that just about took our nose off and open a channel.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Ship wide: Red alert ::initiates the red alert::
 
Action: The crew scrambles to go to red alert.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Incoming came from starboard aft, nothing on sensors

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: Roger Captain opening a channel now:: Opens the COMs and tries to hail whoever is shooting at them::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
OPS: Just open a channel, all frequencies...

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: Is it cloaked?

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: All frequencies opened Captain.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: This is Captain Kal of the USS Delphyne.  Whoever is out there that wanted our attention...you have it.  So what do you want?

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Skipper the power levels were 2-3 times higher than our best shot
 
OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: If this ship responds maybe we can target it through the COM system.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: I`m scanning for neutrenos

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::begins looking for signs of a cloaked ship::

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: Ah captain I see you are a brilliant conversationalist, a trifle limited as was your predecessor...but you try

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: We could attempt to triangulate their position

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: Oh great the man on the hour

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: Sends the COM information to the CTO:: CTO: Here

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::begins to feed the data into the firing computer::
 
CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: Palmer: Yeah, I speak real good.  is there something you wanted, Palmer?  Or are you just excited to meet me? ::indicates for OPS to trace the call::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: Let’s shove a torpedo down his throat

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::sends a message to the captains console that they are attempting to triangulate there position through the com::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: leans closer to the CTO and lowers his voice so that it can't be heard by Palmer:: CTO: If memory serves me right the Romulans had a cloak that they could fire through  and like it the earlier version the shield wouldn't work when the cloak was up.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::mutes the comm.:: OPS/CTO: gentlemen...remember...if you speak any louder he can hear you.  So let's not antagonize the, man with the big gun...understood?

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
::nods back to the captain that he is doing so as she speaks::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::drops his voice low:: OPS: If we can find it we can kill it

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: CO: Actually captain :: the sound of disgust in his voice at the thought:: I grow tired of chasing you around.  I want to meet so that perhaps an arrangement can be made

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: smiles:: CO: Captain Can I transport him.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::continues to run the triangulation::
 
Action: Another phaser blast comes past this one from the port side and not from the aft

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::gives OPS a long suffering look and un-mutes the comm.:: COM: Palmer: So you can put my head on your wall as a trophy?  Nah...I haven't even gotten the shiny off of my new chair in my ready room.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: keeps feeding the CTO the COM Info::
 
CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::swears:: CO: Shot from the Port Side

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: CO : Captain your head is no trophy, a scarecrow perhaps but those spots do nothing for me

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: thinks to himself Just keep talking guy and sooner or later we will get a fix on you::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::drops his voice low and turns to Twelk:: OPS: I`m getting nothing

CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: Palmer: Gee...and all the guys tell me those are some of my best features.  ::tilts her head and looks at Palmer closely and gets a more serious tone to her voice:: So why would I even want to meet with you?

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: Well it was a long shot at the best.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::stops and thinks:: OPS: This has an engine thus it has to produce exhaust gases

CO_Capt_Kal says:
:;sends a message to the CTO to slowly vent exhaust and check for any disturbance in the exhaust field::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: True and if memory serves me right the faster we go the more likely it is to show its self

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: CO : You know what my society stands for.  But chasing you to achieve it stands to reveal our presence before we are ready.  How does the private sector or privateer for that matter sound to you?

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::nods and does as instructed::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::begins releasing exhaust and watches the sensors::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::sends a message to OPS to feedback a small audio loop and time the turnaround trip to estimate how far away the message is originating from::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: nods to the captain and does what is asked::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::looks a little interested::  COM: Palmer: I'm listening...I'm always open to new opportunities.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: Think we can requisition one of those Super Vulcan Science officers?
 
Action: The audio loop shows that the target is changing position continually almost convoys zigzagging from submarines many centuries ago in earth’s past

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: We can requisition one how long before we get one is hard to say.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::lowers his voice:: OPS: He`s acting like a U-Boat commander

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::has an idea and drops his voice even lower:: OPS: What about a sonar ping

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: I have noticed that. :: send the information to the Captain::

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: CO : I suggest that any alien on your crew disembark and they will be paid generously.  We will replace them with Terrans and the ship can return to its base with a well developed cover story

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: nods to the captain that they have an ideal::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::leans back in her chair and sips her coffee, visibly relaxing.  Looks at the message from OPS and gives a slight tip of her coffee cup towards him to acknowledge she got the information::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: Let’s try it :: sets up the sonar Ping::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::keeps his voice low:: OPS: What if we modified a few torpedoes to act like depth charges we might get lucky

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::readies the weapons:: OPS: Ready

CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: Palmer: What cover story?  It's going to look a little strange...especially after what your people did to that Admiral...what's his name...K'Bas....

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: CO: I am in no hurry to destroy such a valiant old ship.  But I cannot allow aliens to control such a powerful vessel

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: sends the Captain a message that they are ready::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::nods to Twelk to indicate he is ready and places phasers in standby::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::casually enters a message to OPS to prepare to go to maximum warp and evasive maneuvers and for him and the CTO to hold until her command::

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: CO: I am told that the admiral's health is not what is should be.  And if he causes any waves in our plan, I will see his health gets to a fatal decline

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
::nods his acknowledgement::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: Palmer:  And just how much money are we talking about?  After my record, I'd have to go into pretty deep hiding which can be very costly.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: set everything up:: CTO: Hang on.

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne : CO : If we can fund the Cardassians in a war, we can afford you

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: wonder where he got all his Latium at ::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::nods::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::trying to pick up as much information as possible so as not to waste such a golden opportunity:: COM: Palmer: Impressive.  I had no idea your organization was so powerful.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: sends a message  to prepare to go to maximum warp::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::begins to control his breathing and makes ready for the coming battle::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::sends a message to both the CTO and OPS to find a nebula or something they can hide in::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::begins running a sensor sweep::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
::nods and starts scanning for a nebula or asteroid belt::

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne : CO: Captain this cat and mouse game you think you are brilliantly executing is wasting my time.  Now you have 2 days to make orbit at Cirrus 3, or I will have to destroy your ship as much as it pains me to do so
 
CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: Palmer: And then what happens?  You leave us there and take the ship?  Come on Palmer...your track record isn't the greatest...trust and you are not synonymous.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: swears under his breath as he can’t find anywhere close to hide for the moment::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::sends a message to OPS and the CTO to hold their plan...there might be a better opportunity later::

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne : CO : Cirrus 3 is the last Federation planet before leaving our space.  It is up to you, be rich and get transport of that planet or be buried on it

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: starts looking in the computer records on a meta-phasic shielding that the Enterprise once used to enter a stars corona::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: Palmer: And what guarantees do I have that my people will be safe and the money will be there?  Cirrus 3 is not the garden spot of the sector and no place I want to stay the rest of my life on.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
::nods back:: CO: Captain I have the coordinates to Cirrus 3 ready to input.
 
OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
::Sends a message to the Captain that the nearest nebula is Arachnid and it is a day run at high warp::

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: CO: Being dead in space is even less of a garden spot as you say

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::sits ready::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: Palmer: Dead is dead, Palmer....no matter where it happens.  At least in space in this ship we have a fighting chance.  You are asking me to place my trust in someone who just a short while ago tried to use me and my ship as a flying torpedo to destroy a large part of the planet Vulcan.  I'm not saying I don't like your idea.  I do...

CO_Capt_Kal says:
COM: Palmer: After how Starfleet treated me and my old crew...there is no love lost there, but I need a few assurances.  A goodwill gesture of some sort that you are sincere.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: sends the captain the course that show that it is in the general direction that they are currently traveling but would be a noticeable course change::

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne : CO : Good will gesture you have it, you are breathing.  Watch your rear sensors, you will see what I mean

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::begins scanning again for anomalies::

CO_Capt_Kal says:
OPS: Pull up the aft cameras onto the view screen

CO_Capt_Kal says:
CTO: Watch our rear sensors.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: pulls up the Aft cameras on the view screen::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Aye skipper

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::brings the aft sensors online and monitors them::
 
Action: The warp exhaust reveals a form and the sensors match it records, then the image is gone

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Skipper, got some dead aft, federation Dreadnought.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::swears:: CO: Lost it

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CO: Looks like he can take us out at his leisure.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: Like a cat toying with a mouse

CO_Capt_Kal says:
::mutes the comm.:: CTO/OPS:  Maybe....we will have two days to figure it out.  Okay...smile boys and let's be friendly.  I'd rather play with him at our place and time.

Palmer says:
COM: Delphyne: CO : I will expect you in two days at Cirrus 3 captain :: the comm. closes at the other end ::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: Sounds like a pretty good description.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Aye skipper. Smile and make nice

CO_Capt_Kal says:
OPS: Kill the channel.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: closes the COM:: CO: Done Captain.

CO_Capt_Kal says:
CTO/OPS: I want all information on that dreadnought...I don't care how small that information is...and how we can beat it and two others.  Because if Palmer has one...he probably has the rest and three of them went missing. And Commander Twelk...take us to Cirrus 3...warp 5.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Aye skipper
 
OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: sets in the course for Cirrus 3 and slows the ship to warp 5:: CO: Course and speed set in Captain
 
Action: The Delphyne continues on at warp 5.  The computer analysis verifies that the ship was a Federation Dreadnaught, one of only 6 built.  Made for extreme deep space exploration, designed to combat Klingon battle groups, and it was made before the Treaty of Allgeron....it has a cloak.

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