April 28, 1999 – Kootenai Station

Kris:
The senior officers of Kootenai Station are on an away mission to test cruise their new ship that has been assigned to the Station.  The U.S.S. Cutlass is a Saber class ship fresh from the fleetyard and in need of a shakedown cruise.

Kris:
The crew has been ordered to lay a minefield along the Romulan Neutral Zone, but has experienced a warp core failure en route.  Now seemingly repaired, the Cutlass and her crew are traveling toward their destination at warp factor one.

Kris:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<RESUME MISSION>>>>>>>>>>>>

COO_Cain:
::At OPS main control station on the Cutlass::

CTO_Alex:
::looks over his console after reconfiguring the targeting computer for the phaser banks::

CO_Louis:
*Engineering* Status.

ENG_Klutz:
::trying to find the tools I lost::

CSECHicks:
EO_Hicks

CO_Louis:
<Engineering> *Captain* Warp core is on-line. I estimate 92% efficiency.

CTO_Alex:
::makes sure that the mines are configured and in place for deployment::

CO_Louis:
<Engineering> *Captain* We are capable of warp 8, I will keep you informed .

COO_Cain:
CO: We are five minutes from our target zone sir.

CO_Louis:
Cain: Status on sensors.

EO_Hicks:
::Enters bridge:  Computer:  Transfer engineering control to the bridge.

COO_Cain:
CO: Sensors don't show any other ships in the area.

CTO_Alex:
CO: The mines are prepared for deployment......I would like to test the new configuration of the targeting computer though

EO_Hicks:
::Looks over the power grid and warp core::

CO_Louis:
Alex: Very well.

COO_Cain:
CO:  I will calibrate the sensors to detect tachyon emissions.

COO_Cain:
::configures main sensor array to detect tachyon emissions::

COO_Cain:
CO:  We have arrived at our destination.

CO_Louis:
Hicks: Can we reconfigure the deflector to emit a tachyon burst?

EO_Hicks:
CO:  Aye sir.

CO_Louis:
Cain: 1/2 impulse.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Aye.  ::drops ship out of warp and initiates 1/2 impulse::

EO_Hicks:
CO: Initiating reconfiguration.

CTO_Alex:
::stands by for deployment::

EO_Hicks:
::Taps eng. console and reconfigures main deflector::

COO_Cain:
CO:  One half impulse sir.

EO_Hicks:
CO:  Main deflector is ready, sir.

CO_Louis:
:: Taps console and send data to Alex:: Alex: Here is the deployment strategy, please initiate.

CTO_Alex:
CO: Aye Sir

CTO_Alex:
::receives the data and initiates the deployment::

CO_Louis:
Hicks: Are we prepared? I would like to be proactive here... Let's send out a burst to see what's out there.

Kris:
ACTION: THE MINES BEGIN TRAILING OUT OF THE SMALL SHIP'S HOLD IN AN ORDERLY PATTERN.

EO_Hicks:
CO: Aye sir.  Initiating tachyon burst. ::Taps console and let's it fly::

CO_Louis:
Cain: Report sensor data.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Nothing on sensors sir.

CTO_Alex:
CO: The mines are deploying as per the strategy

CO_Louis:
Hicks: I want a low-intensity burst every 45 seconds to see if we have company.

Kris:
ACTION: A COMM LIGHT IS BLINKING ON THE OPERATIONS CONSOLE.

EO_Hicks:
CO:  Right on it, sir.  ::Sets deflector for 45 second intervals::

CO_Louis:
:: Reviewing deployment ::

COO_Cain:
CO:  Sir, Someone is trying to hail us but I don’t show any ships in the area.

CO_Louis:
Cain: On screen.

EO_Hicks:
::Hmmmmmmmm::

Kris:
@...............distress.......unknown.........engines.......ailure.......do......deploy..........peat do not deploy........

COO_Cain:
CO:  Aye.  ::opens hailing frequencies::  On screen sir.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Its too distorted to put on the screen sir.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Audio only.

CO_Louis:
Alex: Can you get a lock on the source of that?

CTO_Alex:
CO: I am trying, Sir, but it is too difficult to get a lock

CO_Louis:
*This is the Captain of the Federation Starship Cutlass. Are you in need of help?*

EO_Hicks:
CO:  I could be wrong, but it seems that communiqué is telling us not to deploy mines.

CO_Louis:
Hicks: Command override and disable those mines.

CTO_Alex:
CO: Its a small Federation ship in the Neutral Zone

Kris:
@..........are you.......must not deploy.......peat we are .......

CO_Louis:
To anyone: Why are they in the zone? :: Mumbled ::

Kris:
ACTION: THE SMALL SHIP EXPLODES, COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

CTO_Alex:
::initiates the command override for the mines::

CO_Louis:
Alex: Was that caused by our mines?

CTO_Alex:
CO: Negative sir

EO_Hicks:
CO:  Aye sir.  Computer:  Disable all deployed mines, Authorization Hicks, Beta 32.

CTO_Alex:
CO: All mines were disarmed and accounted for

COO_Cain:
CO:  What could they have been doing so deep in the Neutral Zone.

CO_Louis:
Alex: Do we have a lock on the location?

CTO_Alex:
CO: Yes, Sir

CO_Louis:
Alex: How far in?

CTO_Alex:
::transfers the coordinates to the FCO console::

COO_Cain:
CO:  Sir, sensors show no other ships in the area.  They are inconclusive on survivors though.

CTO_Alex:
CO: It is about ten minutes from our present position

CO_Louis:
:: Shakes head and releases a deep sigh :: Cain: Take us in. Maximum warp.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Aye.

COO_Cain:
::initiates warp 9.7::

Kris:
ACTION: A SMALL RIFT OPENS AT THE PORT NACELLE AS THE SHIP GOES TO WARP.  THE CUTLASS IS THROWN INTO THE RIFT.

CTO_Alex:
::thinks he might have to live test the targeting computer::

COO_Cain:
CO:  Sir, we are caught in a spatial rift.

Kris:
ACTION: THE CUTLASS IS THROWN BACK INTO NORMAL SPACE AT A DEAD STOP.

CO_Louis:
:: Thrown to the floor and hits head on railing ::

CTO_Alex:
::checks his console to be sure it is operating properly::

EO_Hicks:
::Checks engines and all power nodes::

CO_Louis:
:: Gets up rubbing head ::

CO_Louis:
Cain: Explanation.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Checking sensors sir.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Sensors indicate we are deep in the Neutral zone, almost at the Romulan border.

CTO_Alex:
CO: We are at the same coordinates that ship was

COO_Cain:
CO:  We are in the exact spot the distressed ship was.

EO_Hicks:
::Reroutes all available power to the shields::

CO_Louis:
Hicks: Are engines on-line?

EO_Hicks:
CO:Negative sir, we're dead in space.

COO_Cain:
::scans area for other ships::

CO_Louis:
:: Mumbled :: Wonderful.

CTO_Alex:
CO: I show two mines aft of us sir....they are not armed

COO_Cain:
CO:  No other ships in the area sir.

EO_Hicks:
::Checks for the status of the decouplers::

CO_Louis:
Alex: Please try to identify that rift.

Kris:
ACTION: A FEW PIECES OF WRECKAGE FROM THE FORMER SHIP ARE IN EVIDENCE ON THE VIEWSCREEN.

CTO_Alex:
CO: Aye sir

CO_Louis:
Hicks: Are maneuvering thrusters available?

EO_Hicks:
CO:  Yes, sir.

CTO_Alex:
::checks sensors but can not find any rift::

CTO_Alex:
CO: The rift has disappeared

EO_Hicks:
CO:  I have diverted all available power to the shields.

CO_Louis:
:: See's debris on the screen:: Let's take a look at that debris.

CTO_Alex:
CO: I have searched for a source of the rift but found none.

CO_Louis:
Cain: Is anything showing up on the sensors?

CO_Louis:
Alex: Thanks....

COO_Cain:
CO:  No sir.  Nothing is showing here.

CO_Louis:
Hicks: Status on the engines... when will they be back on-line?

EO_Hicks:
CO:  Checking.  ::Looks at eng. console::

CO_Louis:
Cain: Is there any reason or clues about this explosion?

EO_Hicks:
CO:  Not sure, sir.  I have checked the scram decouplers and they are not engaged.  COO:  Do you detect any kind of dampening field?

COO_Cain:
CO:  Nothing evident other than the ship that exploded was a Federation ship about the same size as the Cutlass.

EO_Hicks:
CO:  I suggest we beam the wreckage aboard for more intense analysis.

CTO_Alex:
All: I suggest we get fixed up and out of here, before we do have company

EO_Hicks:
CTO:  Agreed.

CO_Louis:
To all: Well, I don't just want to sit here waiting for the Romulans to show up... And I don't want to spend my last days evaluating wreckage. Do we have weapons?

CTO_Alex:
CO: Yes sir, phasers and torpedo launchers are online

EO_Hicks:
CO:  It may give us some idea what is killing our engines, sir.  All system show operational, we just can't establish a warp field.

CO_Louis:
:: Perplexed ::

CTO_Alex:
::checks shield status::

COO_Cain:
CO:  Perhaps we can move away from this area and see if that helps.

CO_Louis:
Cain: Bring thrusters on-line and move us out of the debris field... let's just see if anything happens.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Aye.

EO_Hicks:
CO:  What about the debris?

CO_Louis:
Alex: Bring some of that wreckage aboard for further analysis.

COO_Cain:
::initiates thrusters and moves away from the debris::

CTO_Alex:
CO: Aye sir

Kris:
ACTION: THE CUTLASS MOVES OUT OF THE DEBRIS FIELD.

CTO_Alex:
::scans the debris and tractors it into the small cargo bay::

CO_Louis:
Hicks: I want operational engines ASAP.

EO_Hicks:
CO:  Aye sir.  ::Leaves for main engineering::

CTO_Alex:
CO: I have tractored in a piece of the hull and another piece of there nacelle

CO_Louis:
Alex: Get me your analysis right away.

CTO_Alex:
Co: Aye sir

CTO_Alex:
::puts weapons to stand by....goes to the cargo bay::

EO_Hicks:
Computer:  Might we establish a low level warp field with a different phase variance?

CO_Louis:
:: Sits back and considers the situation. Kobayashi Maru comes to mind ::

CTO_Alex:
::reaches the cargo bay and inspects the wreckage::

CTO_Alex:
::cross indexes the few numbers found on the piece of the hull::

EO_Hicks:
<Computer> Affirmative.  Low level warp field is possible with a phase variance of 1273.

CTO_Alex:
CO: I have news about the wreckage

EO_Hicks:
*CO* Sir I believe I can reestablish engines.

CO_Louis:
*Alex* What do you have.

CTO_Alex:
::analyzes the wreckage to find it has residue similar to that found in the explosives of the mines::

CO_Louis:
*Hicks* One moment.

EO_Hicks:
*CTO*  What can you find in the wreckage?

CTO_Alex:
*CO*: The numbers on the hull cross reference to the Cutlass.....also there was some residue on the hull ....the same chemical breakdown as what the explosives in the mines are

CO_Louis:
*Alex* Are you sure about that?

CTO_Alex:
*CO*: Sir, I have just run everything through for the third time....it comes up the same each time.

CO_Louis:
*Alex* Report back to the bridge.

CO_Louis:
*Hicks* Engine status?

CTO_Alex:
*CO*: on my way sir

CTO_Alex:
::runs back to the bridge::

CTO_Alex:
::gets back to his console and brings weapons to ready again::

CTO_Alex:
::hands his data padd to the CO::

EO_Hicks:
CO:  In theory, we will have engines momentarily.  I suggest a low speed warp test.

CO_Louis:
Alex: Move all debris off the ship.

CTO_Alex:
CO: Aye sir

CO_Louis:
Hicks: Prepare for impulse.

CTO_Alex:
::Ejects the debris back to space::

EO_Hicks:
*CO* Aye sir, impulse drive is ready.

CO_Louis:
Cain: 1/4 impulse on a direct route back to federation space... engage.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Aye sir.

COO_Cain:
::initiates 1/4 impulse::

CO_Louis:
Alex: Make sure those mines remain inactive.

Kris:
ACTION: THE CUTLASS REACHES IMPULSE SPEED AND PROCEEDS BACK TO FEDERATION SPACE.

CTO_Alex:
CO: permission to destroy the mines once at a safe distance

CO_Louis:
Alex: Once we arrive in Federation space, activate the mines.

CTO_Alex:
CO: Aye, sir, but I was referring to the two we brought through the rift

CO_Louis:
Cain: Maximum warp after all mines are active.

COO_Cain:
CO:  Aye, sir.

EO_Hicks:
::Double checks engines and warp core::

CO_Louis:
:: Dreads writing a log for Starfleet. The time-police are going to be all over the ship. ::

CTO_Alex:
::readies the command to activate the mines::

CTO_Alex:
::checks his sensors to be sure that there is no Romulans out there::

CTO_Alex:
::relieved to see no other ships on sensors::

CO_Louis:
:: Stands and heads off the bridge:: Alex, you have the bridge.

CTO_Alex:
CO: Aye sir ::confused::

EO_Hicks:
::Still initiating tachyon bursts::

CO_Louis:
:: Exits and enters the TL disappearing ::

CTO_Alex:
::takes the Big Chair::

Kris:
ACTION: THE MINES ARE ACTIVATED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

COO_Cain:
::initiates warp 9.7 back to Federation space::

CTO_Alex:
::transfers TAC control to the chair console::

Kris:
ACTION: THE USS CUTLASS HEADS BACK TO KOOTENAI STATION.

EO_Hicks:
::Goes back to the bridge::

CTO_Alex:
::seems to like the chair...first time he had ever been in one::

COO_Cain:
::Dreaming of command some day::

Kris:
<<<<<<<<<<<<END MISSION>>>>>>>>>>>>>