USS Dark Fire (IC)

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0750​

“The mouse is in your office. The door is locked. If an intruder did breach the door they would have no interest in a small rodent lifeform. However I’d rather not have you traversing the corridors while we have intruders. Marines and security will be on high alert and jumpy. You would have a high probability of being shot.”

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Xiana weigh her options. On one hand, opening the door could expose the crew to danger, compromise their well-being, and possibly cost her her job. She knew she didn’t have a reason to distrust the commander’s reassurance. She knew the only viable option was to stay put.

It was difficult regardless. She stayed in place, quiet and staring ahead blankly. Out of the crew’s way, she lost herself in thought. She valued the mouse as much as she likely would another person. That was something she would dissect when the attack ceased—if she was given the chance to do so. For now, she remained still, her heaving chest being the exception. Just the idea of losing her pet had her anxious.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“Fire Isolytic Burst Torpedos” Hora ordered. “Helmsman… keep us level with the ship’s horizonal plane” as she saw the enemy ship pitching up slightly. “Dark Fire… prepare for one microsecond of warp drive” Hora warned the ship’s AI. Commander Reeves looked over to her. Wondering what she was up to.

“A little space distortion… we are not running” she told him.

She walked over to Dr Marlowe and pressed a button on a display near her. An internal view of her stateroom came up on the screen. “See… your little friend is ok” Hora commented. “Now let’s focus on killing the bad guys”

Lt Sol

Zosh screamed “NOOOO” as he was beamed out of Section 42, Deck 14 and into sickbay.

He found himself being grabbed by two medical staff.

“Let go of me, before I bite your arms off.” He yelled.

“But you’ve been shot in the chest!” One of them said.

“I have extra major organs, like 2 hearts and 4 lungs. And when I go into a furious blood rage, I can ignore all pain” Zosh yelled as he shook-off the two humans. “Beam me back to Section 42, Deck 14.” He told the computer and he re-materialized back in the action.

Lt Sol pulled out two phaser grenades and threw both of them at the robot. “Necron, this you loggerheaded, beef-witted pantaloon!”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0755

Positioned the Dark Fire launched a volley of torpedoes followed by the Isolytic Burst Torpedos. Blowing through armour plating the torpedoes detonated inside, starting a chain reaction that blew the ships core beneath the pyramid.

Energy ripped through the alien ship tearing it apart.

****

The alien intruder turned to look away from Lt. Sol just as he threw the grenades blasted backwards, the Dark Fire dropped the force-field for a second, sucking the ‘Necron’ out the hole before re-engaging the field.

****

The fighter squadrons continued their assault on the enemy boarding pods and fighters, many Fleet fighters were destroyed on the holo display as the Fleet whittled away at the aliens.​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Ltjg Shino “Tiger” McLeo

In the space around USS Dark Fire and Deep Star 9 Ltjg Shino “Tiger” McLeo was wagging a fierce battle against The Parasite attack pods. His improved engines, thanks to ensign Cook, had increase his speed and fire power. He fired repeated bursts of photon phaser fire against the pods, while trying to avoid their deadly return fire. His ship was nimble and twisted and spun around the blasts directed at him. His skill, reflexes, and tactical thoughts were being stressed, but so far, he had outmaneuvered and out thought the pods. The space behind him was littered with damaged pods, and debris. He had directly saved 4 other fighters in all the chaos.

He was flying better than he had ever known. This was not only due to the engines, but also his giving up the nip, the catnip. He was thinking clearer, and with more strategy. He flew right past the bridge windows of USS Dark Fire as he engaged another pod. Laying down a solid stream of fire until the thing exploded into pieces.

Hora

Captain Hora was watching as a pod was headed towards the bow of USS Dark Fire. Suddenly a fighter spiraled past the bridge windows and engaged the pod. The pod blowing up a few seconds later.

“Hey, that was Tiger. I mean Ltjg McLeo.” She pointed out to Commander Reeves. Then she walked over to the commander. And said more quietly, “See… my physical “training” with him has improved his skills!” By “physical training” she was referring to her having sex with him.

Lt Sol

“QI'yaH!” Lt Sol yelled in joy as the Parasite robot thing was ejected into space.

“What does that mean?” A marine asked

“No idea… but Klingons call me that all the time” Lt Sol explained. “It must be pretty bad”

“Dark Fire, what does Necron mean?” Lt Sol asked, hoping the universal translator could figure it out.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0800​

Reeves:
“Or he’s finally given up catnip,” Reeves commented just as softly. “Though your ‘training’ may be inspiration, or directly responsible, for his actions.” he conceded.

Dark Fire:​

“I’m sorry, I cannot translate with only a single word. More of the language is needed before a translation can be formulated.” Dark Fire replied.

Aegeri:​

Taking a hit, Aegeri watched as his men were blown apart by the invaders. Marines rushed forward as Aegeri was dragged out of the way, their armour and force shields slightly more effective against the enemy plasma weapons.

Reeves:​

“Still alright doctor?” Commander Reeves asked looking over atteh counselor.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“Now you are seeing the value of the Orion cultural traditions. I have instilling loyalty in Ltjg McLeo and he just risked his life to save me! I agree it may not work in the federation as a whole, but in certain cases and situations it is effective.” Hora said pleading her case.

Lt Harris had overheard the conversation and offer his opinion. “But all those other pilots are also risking their lives too” He pointed out

“Ahh” Hora paused trying to think of a reply. She could not think of anything. “You know, Lt Harris… Once you were one of my favorites. You are no longer on my list!” Hora commented.

Commander Reeves gave her a disappointing look.

“Just joking. Good point” Hora said to Lt Harris.

"Doctor, do you have an opinion?" Hora asked Dr Marlowe

Lt Sol

“Come on… let’s help the other team.” He yelled to the marines near him. They ran over to the area where Aegeri was. Lt Sol saw the horned, red skinned security chief propped up against a wall.

He sprang around the corner and firing both phaser cannons at the parasite creatures. Then he ducked back.

"Dark Fire... try using remodulating frequencies on the sonic weapon, it does not seem to be affecting the Parasite right now"

“Sir… are you ok” He asked as he leaned down and checked on Aegeri

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0800

“The ‘Necron’ seems to be resistant to the sonic weapon. I have been re-modulating the weapon on multiple bands.”

Aegeri looked down at his side, the burn, torn and missing meat wound obvious where he’d been hit. “No, but I’m not dead yet.” He said looking around the corner and shooting at the alien.

“Necron,” The creature said as it fire the weapon again, taking out a couple more Marines, holes burned through their chest as a second creature stepped out.

“Dark Fire, Dropped the force field, suck them into space.” A second later the field dropped, but the alien’s clamped their feet into the deck plating. Resisting the pull of the vacuum.

“Shield!” Aegeri called. Bringing the forcefield back into place Dark Fire said. “I would recommend an alternative weapon.”​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Dr Marlowe

She kept her eyes were glued to the view of her room. She just needed to keep her eyes on her mouse. She did not want to get dragged into whatever debate the Captain and Commander were having. A debate in the middle of a battle? What leadership does that? Commander Reeves did not start this debate. He was too professional and rigid. This was Captain Hora. First, she is yelling at the bridge team, now she is joking around with them during a battle.

"Doctor, do you have an opinion?" Captain Hora asked again. She could not keep ignoring her. She turned to the beautiful green skinned captain.

“Close relationships with teammates can build cohesion and optimize performance.” She said.

“See… I was right” Hora interrupted with a big smile on her face looking at Commander Reeves.

“But for humans, relationships that are “too close” could be a problem. This might be difficult for Orions to understand. It is a very thin line. Relationships with your teammates are a key measure of performance. Close relationships defined by loyalty and shared values, “cohesion” help teams communicate, stay motivated, and perform well.

But relationships that are “too close” including any that are prioritized over the mission, can hurt morale and overall performance. Humans are more monogamous than Orions. This is why close relationship can be a problem.” She explained. “Now, respectfully, is there anything more you can do to assist the fighters?”

Hora looked back at her. “We can’t hit the pods with our weapons… but we could make it hard for them to hit us.” She quickly looked at the location of the pods. “Helmsman, new course 288 mk 13. Match the pods speed. That should get a majority of the pods in a tail chase with us. It will buy the fighters as much time as possible. If the pods shift to the space station. Let me know” Hora ordered.

Lt Sol

“Alternative weapons?” Lt Sol repeated “We have tried phaser cannons, phaser grenades, phasers, I even shoved one off the ship.” He growled. “Except for biting one, I’ve tried every weapon I have”

That was when he remembered that the whole ship was holodeck equipped. A image of Dark Fire could appear also most anywhere on the ship. “Commander Aegeri, can you shut down the holodeck safeties on this deck and order up a bazooka for me, and a flame thrower for you?” Lt Sol asked his boss.

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

The reassurance of Scuti being safe and sound made Xiana’s breathing go back to normal. She wasn’t entirely soothed—only her presence in the room could fully remove her concern—but she was visibly more relaxed… as much as the current situation allowed her anyway. She’d thank the captain when she didn’t have her ship’s well-being as a priority. She gave a look of reassurance to the commander before aiding Hora.

Once done, she took a step back, listening as the captain continued to dictate to her crew. She did have admiration for her superior, particularly in how she seemed to find humor in even such a difficult time. It could be helpful as well—everyone coped with stress differently. She didn’t quite understand Hora’s approach (much less the Orion way of sleeping with your colleagues), but it seemed to do the trick. Her lack of comprehension didn’t make the method less effective. Maybe she was overdue an attempt of her own.

In the meantime, however, she stood in place, her arms crossed before her torso. Her spine was straight, and her eyes were shifting from figure to figure.

“Captain? Commander? Anything I can get or do for you?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0805​

Aegeri:
“No, explosives. We already have to many holes in the ship.” Aegeri replied wincing in pain when he moved. “Dark Fire, remove holo safeties level 9. Generate a minigun and flamethrower.”

Already regretting that decision, he grabbed the flamethrower when it appeared and flooded the passage with liquid promethium.

Reeves:​

Focusing on the fighter combat, he directed them to their targets with a practiced ease, the three dimension physics ingrained in him from hours in the cockpit.

He felt the engines and gravity shift in micrometers as the Dark Fire continued to bombard the pieces of the alien vessel until nothing larger than a meter was intact.

“Lt. Commander Aegeri just lost eight men in a corridor. I would recommend speaking with him when this is over, if he survives.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

The words “if he survives” echoed in the counselor’s head. She knew her current employment would include morbid realities, but it didn’t make the occurrences any easier. If she was feeling down at the thought, she could imagine how any comrades or relatives would take any news of fatalities.

Still, eight men in such a brief amount of time? Her superiors had been right in telling her not to head out. That was a risk she was just barely understanding.

“I will,” Xiana replied. She continued her visual sweep of the crew. She wondered if she could ever reach their levels of composure. Then again, what they had gone through to reach that levelheadedness was likely something she wasn’t sure she wished to experience firsthand. “At this moment, would there be anything else? Hands-on? Or I could grab anything for your crew?”

Yes, she didn’t want to be at the forefront of any collisions, but she couldn’t shrug off the feeling that she could do more. On the other hand, routinely bothering the crew with offers of assistance could only be distracting them.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Lt Sol

“A tommy gun?” The dinosaur gasped. Then he peeked around the corner and joined Aegeri flame thrower. He unloaded the entire clip at the alien.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pic...ate=ive&vld=cid:aa8657c5,vid:oiX3gq3RfvQ,st:0

Hora

“Dr Marlowe, if you are looking for ways to help… here are a few ideas

• Use your skills as a Counselor to figure out more about this Parasite.
  • It thinks “Fleshlings lie”
  • Also we attacked its world.
  • The Vulcans think there is also two branches of The parasite. So why is it calling itself “one?”
  • This conflict might have been started by the IKS Vor’Cha Class Toh’Kaht, Command of Captain Tel-Pah, First Officer Han-Tihl, Medical Officer Kee-Bhor, Gamma Quadrant. The Toh’Kaht had been reported destroyed in 2369, but it showed up a month ago. So where has it been for 618 years? And no Klingon on record had ever lived that long. So how were they still alive? According to the official Report, Approximately three weeks after departure from Deep Space 9, the Toh'Kaht returned through the wormhole a month ahead of schedule. Immediately after clearing the mouth of the wormhole, the vessel exploded. Further investigations found that the ship had been sabotaged and was destroyed from the detonation of a thalmerite device on a beam near the ship's reactor core. Hon'Tihl was the only survivor of the explosion, but died shortly after beaming to the station. The Official report had been signed off by then Captain Daniel MacPherson, Commanding Officer of Deep Space 9, the only person to speak with Hon’Tihl before his death.
  • The Parasite has stated “And we will continue until the biological form is eradicated. From this Universe and our own.” “The Biological form is a parasite, a contagion, that must be eradicated. All that is the Parasite will be removed.”
  • The Parasite is from the Andromeda Galaxy. It claims “we have watched bioforms killing and subjugating everything they encounter. We will stop this.” “You will be eradicated.”
• Assist the communications officer with telling all federation and allied partners about what we have discovered so far about their ships, weaknesses, tactics, etc.
• Think up a new limerick, Commander Reeves loves them
  • Start with “there was a young woman in love with a mouse” or "there was a young woman on the bridge"

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0810

The Corridor Conflict:​

Turning to face the burning promethium the Alien intruder jerked as tommy gun bullets ripped chunks from it’s body, ignoring the defensive shielding the .45 caliber rounds did more damage to the alien intruders than any of the energy weapons had.

Reeves:​

“No limericks, or rhymes, please. But I’m sure everyone could use coffee, raktajino, if possible. I know I need the liquid stimulant to continue without sleep or meditation.” Reeves commented his gaze leaving the holo-display for a moment. Noticing an anomalous movement he ordered "McLeo, Quadrant Four, section Three. Enemy fighter craft."

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Problem solving, rather than dissecting the problems, wasn’t exactly Xiana’s forte. “I could aid with communication.” With some guidance, naturally.

The poetry portion was something she wouldn’t entertain—she wasn’t a creative, much less with the routine sexual nature of the ones told to her. But coffee? She could do coffee. Xiana didn’t hesitate to get to work. Even something as mundane as getting a decent amount to avoid spilling was something she was grateful for at the moment. It was helpful but distracting enough for the actual circumstances.

Although the ship’s technology eased preparing beverages, Xiana found herself nostalgic for Earth. Of course, she knew she’d grow homesick at some point or another, but the smell of the drink brought her back to her home’s simplicities, where even a sprinkle of cinnamon could make an everyday flavor all that better. She wouldn’t trade her position for the world, but she missed that feeling.

Following the instructions for the raktajino, she snuck a cup for herself, pouring an inch of the unfamiliar liquid once it was done brewing. Once it hit her tongue, she spit it right back out into the cup. “Goodness…” Xiana coughed. It was much stronger than the coffee she was accustomed to; frankly, she didn’t know if she wanted to get used to this acquired taste.

“Any additions? Cream?” she asked the crew over her shoulder, pouring a spoonful of cane sugar into her mouth. The sweetness was overwhelming, but she preferred it to the flavor she had just experienced.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Ltjg McLeo

“Quadrant Four, section Three.” He replied back to the bridge. He banks his fighter, looping up and over USS Dark Fire. He accelerated to maximum velocity as he closed to engage.

But the enemy fighter was not content to fly straight and level. Before Tiger could open fire, enemy fighter slewed to the right.

“Bogus” McLeo growled. He had hoped for an easy kill.

The enemy fighter jerked back over and Ltjg flew right past him.

“GNARLY” he yelled as the only defensive maneuver he could make was bank hard right. It was so hard right that the violent maneuver could not be compensated by the inertial damping system. He felt the G's forces on his body. He started to black out as the blood rushed from his head. But he was a cat, and they always land on their feet. He inverted his fighter and then the damping system caught up. He watched the laser fire went past his view screen.

His wild flight path had not only saved him, but now he was behind the enemy fighter. He fired a burst of phasers at the enemy ship. He saw it hit the wing and two-foot-long section broke off. The enemy fighter ducked behind some debris.

“I wiped out the bro… but totally lost him in the wreckage, dude.” McLeo reported

Lt Sol

“Dark Fire, endless ammo” Lt Sol ordered. Suddenly, he had more ammo. He blasted the thing with his tommy gun

“Now run in there a cut its legs off with a long sword. Then we can suck him into space” Zosh suggested to Aegeri

Hora

“A splash of cream in my coffee” Hora ordered. “Then work with the commo… the weak spot on the big ship and the use of Isolytic Burst Torpedos”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0815​

Dog-Fight
Ripping out of the wreckage the alien fighter began an attack run on the Dark Fire, moving faster, and making turns that no humanoid could make. It wobble slightly from the damage but it seemed more interested in a collision course than a dog-fight.

Aegeri:​

Holding his side Aegeri stood, calling on a bastard sword from the computer. Running forward, the best he could as it was more of a limping stagger. Swinging the sword he managed to slice through one leg before he pile drive-ed into the alien, ripping the remaining leg loose from the deck and through the force-field into space.

Reeves:​

“Black, double strength.” Reeves said as he gave direction’s for the fighters. “McLeo, your target is still out there. Should I assign another pilot in your stead?”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Ltjg McLeo

“120% power to thrusters” He ordered the computer on his ship.

“Danger, that is over design specification” The computer warned.

“DO IT, BRO” Tiger ordered

His ship screamed after the enemy fighter “No prob, I got this wave” he reported to commander Reeves. He was closing so fast on the enemy fighter, there was no time for it to react. He fired all his phasers and watched the enemy fighter explode.

“Take engines off line” he told the computers before they exploded.

He still had maneuvering thrusters, but no engines. He continued to engage pods, but his ship was slowing down. Soon they would be able to target him with easy.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0820

Dog-Fight:​

Flying out of the wreckage a pair of enemy fighters ripped through Blue Squadron, blowing the fighters apart in quick succession before turning on Orange Squadron.

“All fighters converge Quadrant Three, Section Five. Two Enemy fighters. Ace Pilots.” Reeves ordered over the comm as he directed Dire Fire to take on the boarding pods.

Mothership:​

The various pieces of the alien mothership, drifting in space, started to move towards each other. Bonding together slowly.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Ltjg McLeo

Tiger blew up another pod and then swung his fighter around and brought along side USS Dark Fire. The massive ship provided shade from the nearby N type star. He re-routed cooling to his engines and fired them back up.

“Computer run type 1 diagnosis’s on the engines.”

“Engines are fully functional and have returned within design limits. Engine temperature is running 36% high, but within limits”

“Gnarly” Tiger he exclaimed and returned to the battle. He headed right at the enemy fighters.

Hora

“Dark Fire, the debris from the main ship looks like it is re-assembling itself… or producing those fighters. Use our tractor beams to scatter the debris field.” Hora ordered.

“Commander… recommendations? Can we use the anti-mater bombs on the debris?” Hora asked.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0825
Dark Fire:​

“Compliance,” Dark Fire replied as dozens of tractor beams started moving debris from each other.

Commander Reeves:​

“A spread of Antimatter Torpedoes should be sufficient to eradicate the debris. I thought of possibly bringing a piece aboard for study, but now I am hesitant to do so. They seem to be of a nanite technology not encountered before.”

Being handed the Klingon Coffee by the Doctor he thanked her before taking a sip of the hot beverage and nodding to her. “Very good.”

“Any idea’s on the intruders?” He asked her. “Anything at all? Even a guess.”​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“Fire the anti-mater torpedoes” Hora ordered

Ltjg McLeo

His fighter rapidly closed on the two enemy fighters. He knew this was a risky maneuver, but he needed to get rid of these two problems right away. Two enemy fighters, in a menacing move, accelerated toward him.

“Purrrr-fect” he said in a cat like purr. A good fighter pilot is cocky, had nerves of steel. Tiger was a great fighter pilot. He started to spin his ship around in a barrel roll. At the last second he broke from his straight line approach to the enemy fighters. Because the spin, it was impossible to figure out what vector he was taking until he started the break.

This is why the attacker has the advantage to the defender. By the time they figure what he was doing. He fired a burst of phasers at one of the fighters. The chaotic dance of his flight path had made that fighter pitch up to try and chase him, the phaser blasts destroyed the underside of that ship. Knocking out its sensors and weapons.

The other fighter was turning on him, but Tiger was ready for it and executed a daring loop. In seconds, that loop put him behind the undamaged fighter. He fired another series of blasts and the enemy fighter spiraling downwards and smashed into some debris.

“Totally gnarly!” He said in triumph. Then the damaged fighter with no sensors or weapons tried to collide with him. In the last split second, he was able to bank away some, but there was a awful crushing sound… as McLeo’s fighter spun around wildly.

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

With the drinks handed off, Xiana bit her tongue with her molars, looking for any possible approach. “I’m aware this isn’t the ideal time for theorizing, but despite the creature’s hatred of other beings, being a—and I’ll use a term previously coined—parasite indicates dependence. I don’t know if its pursuits are compulsive, say out of some sudden streak of vengeance, but regardless of motive, it's still alive.”

“It continues to exist because of something, or someone, and its intentions make me assume we’re a direct threat to one of their resources,” she hypothesized.

Recalling her previous instructions, she gave off a command to the ship’s AI on the side. “Dark Fire, connect me with a communications officer.” Once done, she turned back to her superiors. “I understand the urgency to terminate these creatures on board, but this confrontation is just a delay to future altercations. Is it possible to keep one alive? Perhaps leave it unresponsive long enough to find a more effective way to restrain it. If possible, I want to interrogate them.”

“I’m aware diplomacy is difficult,” Xiana said, quickly fixing the tallest button in her high collar, “but an attempt at it is, at the very least, a source for explanations.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870526.0830​

A spread of torpedoes launched, their trails like fire in the darkness as they sped through space to impact the enemy ship, detonating they imploded. Antimatter mixing with matter in a fusion of destruction.

The alien ship was consumed in the destruction, not even leaving a debris field.

Reeves:​

“Recovery crews, launch. Rescue everyone you can.” Reeves commanded to the launch pads. In short order Recovery shuttles launched.

“Dark Fire, tractor beam in the ships you can.” He ordered. “Captain, are we going to capture an attacker?”​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Ltjg McLeo

The rescue craft found Tiger’s damaged fighter and only the emergency power still operating. They placed the docking clamps on the damaged fighter and established communication with the pilot.

“Lt McLeo… are you ok?”

“Dude, what took you so long?” He said “I was about to wipe out!”

“Your fighter must have been carried by some of the blast waves. You are one of the furthers away we have found.”

“Thanks for savin' me, Bro” He said as power systems started to come back alive.

Hora

“Ok, let’s capture one attacker. But it’s not coming onboard. Let’s modified a shuttlecraft to put our most powerful containment field inside the cargo bay. The field is around the parasite. Then talk to it via comms network. I also want it rigged to blow up, in case of trouble. We can keep it in place with our tractor beam.” Hora ordered