"Storming The Castle" - Part 2 - Cpt Sebastian Ascari, Cpt Ramius, Cpt Akina, Adm Valtren

Posted on 241409.13 @ 4:25am by Commodore Sebastian Ascari

Mission: Insurrection [Fleet Plot]
Location: Deep Space - MSV Echo
Timeline: Backlog

== Transporter Room, USS Corsair ==

Captain Zane Akina stepped into the transporter room pulling on dark gloves that complimented his artificially worn tactical suit. His attire was devoid of rank, name, or Starfleet insignia. The uniform was torn, frazzled, and scorched in several places to indicate long term wear and abuse. A few pieces of cracked ablative armor on his chest and shoulders rounded out the ensemble along with a belt and holster for a non-Starfleet issue weapon. He looked like a common pirate and was pleased with the menacing aura the costume exuded.

As he entered his team jumped to attention. “At ease”, he stated fastening his gloves tightly on his hands. He took a moment to survey his team members who stood in a line with their equipment neatly in order at their feet.

“I know we have covered the plan several times now”, he stated pulling a large knife strapped to his back from its sheath and examining the blade. “Does anyone have any questions before this party starts? More importantly, what do you think of this knife?”

His team relaxed with a few chuckles. “If Starfleet had an annual badass medal, I’d vote for you.”

Akina smiled and sheathed the weapon. “Well if we’re supposed to be pirates then we might as well look and act like them. That’s not a bad getup you have yourself McKinsey. Are those blood spatters on your uniform?”

“Could be”, the officer answered with a wry grin.

“Well if Starfleet doesn’t work out maybe we might have a career in acting. I rather fancy this intimidating, antagonistic look.” Akina reached into a pocket and produced a tube, uncapped it, and squeezed a bit of red pigment onto a finger. He pulled the paint laden finger diagonally across his face creating a red line something akin to warrior traditions. The makeup was designed to intimidate. If they could create enough fear where they were headed the hope was it would distract their quarry from important matters such as sensor readings, navigation, and defenses.

“We are approaching the coordinates”, the transporter chief stated from behind his station. “Bridge is informing all stations to standby.”

Akina nodded. “Everyone remember the simulations. This freighter is 70 years old so keep a sharp eye out when moving. It could be poorly maintained and there may be design modifications or other unanticipated hazards. I want a weapons check. Everyone set for heavy stun.”

“Set here sir. Set. Set sir. I’m set.”

Akina moved to the transporter pad with the rest of his boarding party. “Let’s be professional, efficient, and most of all quick. If we screw this up this entire party will be for nothing. But try to act somewhat piratical as well. We don’t want these people to doubt who we appear to be.”

“Aye sir.”

“Chief, we’re ready. Inform the bridge we are standing by.”


== Bridge, USS Corsair ==


“Target dead ahead sir. Speed is Warp 4.”

Captain Taverain Ramius sat quietly in his command chair flanked by his first officer, Admiral Valtren, and Director Ascari. Several weeks of planning, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and signals interception had culminated to bring them to this time and place. They were moments away from initiating the first step of a bold plan to disrupt Starfleet and Federation communications capabilities. There were many variables, substantial risks, and high stakes, however Ramius wouldn’t have it any other way. His ship and crew were accustomed to such things and regularly trained to meet and deal with the unexpected and impossible. He was confident in their abilities. The only thing that remained was to execute their carefully crafted plan.

“Bring us up slowly and match their speed. What’s the status of the cloaking device?”

“It’s stable at the moment”, Chief Engineer Kusinagi answered from engineering over the communications channel. “Although that could change at any moment.”

“Keep your eye on it Sai. I need that infernal contraption to hold out for a few more minutes.”

“Transporter range in thirty seconds.”

Ramius remained cool as the tension on the bridge inched ever higher as the freighter grew larger on the viewscreen.

“Have we confirmed the shield configuration”, Ramius asked. “I don’t want any surprises.”

“Shield emissions from the freighter match the signatures of a Brighton Industries Type-25 Model IX shielding system. I am reading no abnormal readings suggesting different systems or modifications.”

“Bridge to transporter room one. Chief, can we get the away team through?”

“The shielding system is 40 years old sir. It’s rugged, but its field coils operate on a rotating frequency which creates a periodic gap. The interval is faster than you can blink, but it’s practically an eternity compared to modern shield systems. I’ll get them through sir and it’ll be a smooth ride.”

“Excellent chief. Standby.”

“ETA to intercept?”

“Fifteen seconds.”

“Initiate jamming protocol. Bring it on slow and gradual. We need them to believe they’ve run into some sort of naturally occurring interference. The jamming has to be iron clad. If they manage to get a message out our mission is over.”

“Aye sir. Initiating communications and signal jamming now sir.

“Engineering to bridge”, the chief engineer called out. “The jamming is causing some interference with the cloak. We expected this, but its proving to be a problem given this unit’s age and history. I’m reading additional signs of instability. I can’t guarantee we can keep this novelty antique operational for much longer.”

“Hold it together as long as you can Sai”, Ramius replied. “I need a few more minutes.”

Ramius glanced the communications officer. “Continue jamming, maximum intensity.”

“We’re in transporter range sir. Now matching target speed, course, and attitude”, the helm called out. “We are speed and course locked with target.”

Ramius glanced at Director Ascari. “It’s your call sir. We can proceed or abort. Once we start we cannot easily turn back.”

Ascari nodded. “Proceed with the mission captain.”

Ramius nodded tapping the controls on his armrest. “Bridge to transporter room. Energize!”


=== Meanwhile ====

Location: MSV Echo, Starfleet Supply Ship

The pale blue light of the transporter beam faded as Akina and his team materialized just outside the Echo’s bridge. He looked at his team members who indicated their readiness with silent nods. With weapons ready, Akina moved toward the bridge door which opened before him. Quickly moving inside his team fanned out as a single phaser beam lashed out striking the communications officer who fell unconscious at his station.

“Don’t move unless you want to end up like he did”, Akina growled.

“What the HELL is this”, the person in command shouted having faced his attackers. “WHO ARE YOU?”

Akina fired his weapon which impacted the deck near the commander’s boot. “Don’t get any ideas”, he shouted having noticed the commander’s hand falling a bit too close to the weapon at his side. “Who we are is unimportant. The fact that we are here..is.”

An alarm suddenly sounded from the communications console.

“What are you doing”, the commander shouted glancing back at his unconscious crewman. “How the hell did you get here and where did you come from?”

“We’re taking control of your vessel. You see Starfleet owes us for a little job we did for them some time ago. They never paid the bill so we’re going to take what they owe us.”
“Pirates”, the commander spat. “I should have guessed.”

“Mercenaries for hire”, Akina countered with a mock expression of insult. “If it wasn’t for Starfleet we wouldn’t have to board scows like this for measly scraps to survive. If they had paid us…”

Akina’s communicator on his arm chirped. “We’ve taken engineering cap’n, but two worms are twitching up in maintenance crawlspaces. What do you want us to do?”

Akina looked at the commander. “That depends on if their captain here decides to cooperate. Because if he doesn’t you can hunt them down and toss what’s left into the engine plasma stream!”

“Bastards”, the captain muttered. “I don’t know what you want. We’re only carrying basic supplies. There’s nothing valuable aboard this ship! Certainly nothing worth killing over!”

“I’ll be the judge of that”, Akina stated. “Get on the intercom and order your people to stand down! If they don’t comply I’ll kill every last one of you before we take what we want and set this hulk adrift toward the nearest star!”

The captain glared at the pirate raiders for several seconds. “Fine, whatever, just don’t hurt any more of my crew!”

The captain of the freighter opened a channel and ordered his crew to stand down.

“There does that satisfy you?”

“More or less”, Akina answered. “Take them to the galley and have the rest of the crew detained there”, Akina ordered. “And captain…no heroics. Do as you are told and remain silent and you and your crew will survive this encounter. However, cross me, and I won’t just take one or two heads. All have everyone’s. Think about it.” Akina waved his hand as his team rounded up the bridge crew and pushed them off the bridge.

As the doors to the bridge clanged closed with a harsh metallic thud, Akina made his way to the ship’s helm and quickly dropped the ship from warp slowing it to one quarter impulse. “Akina to Corsair?”

“Ramius here. Status captain?”

“We’ve taken the ship without incident. Rounding up the last of the crew now. There were one or two heroes. No injuries to report. Just a few stunned crewmen. They’ll be back on their feet within the hour.”

“Ship status?”

Akina moved to another console. “Ship appears to be in working order. No apparent problems to report. All systems appear nominal on this old lady.”

“We’re sending over additional personnel to assist with operations. Standby. Ramius out.”

Akina checked navigation before dropping into the captain’s seat which was still warm from its previous occupant. “So far so good”, he muttered under his breath. He hoped their luck would hold.

~ To Be Continued ~

===========================
Captain Zane Akina
Starfleet Intelligence Operative

Captain Taverain Ramius
CO, USS Corsair

Captain Sebastian Ascari
Director, Starfleet Intelligence (Deposed)