Hiding in Plain Sight
Posted on Thu Oct 12th, 2023 @ 2:50am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronson Mitchell & Commander Jenna Ramthorne & Commander Dean House & Ensign Kitiuas Thenis & Lieutenant Thomas Haldeman & Lieutenant Alison Haldeman
Mission:
Repairs and Retribution
Location: USS Sunfire
Timeline: Current
{ON}
CPO Ronson Mitchell watched on as the Sunfire slid next to the asteroid aka The Turd. They would follow the rock as long as necessary to conceal their location and their identity.
"Still no reaction from Kunar" he called, monitoring the weapons systems on the planet below them.
Alison let out a calming breath, she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding it until now. “Readouts looking good so far Commander.”
Dean stood up, "Okay, it's working so far. Let's get a visual overlay of the compound on the main viewscreen. See where our people are, and any other life forms we can pick up."
“Coming onscreen...now.” Alison brought up an overlay on the main viewscreen, pinpointing the details Dean had asked for.
The Thimmerand remained cloaked as her captain, Tayshi, watched the asteroid begin to move toward the Cardassian ships. At the same time, the tactical display showed the Tokol begin to enter the atmosphere above the compound on Kunar.
"Alright, helm bring us in close to that Cardassian Hideki class ship. Tight beam the other two to be ready to attack when we do. I believe it is time we introduced ourselves to the Cardassian navy cousin. Stay sharp everyone, I bet there will be more Cardassian's inbound."
"We are in position my Lady." replied the First Officer. “Very well Helm bring us about and engage that Cardassian Hideki class patrol ship. I want it destroyed. As soon as it is destroyed go back to cloak and we will go hunting against the other Cardassian ships.” She said with a wicked smile.
“As you command. my Lady.” replied the helm. Shortly the Thimmerand appeared off the port side of the Hideki vessel; the Thimmerand fired all four of her OD-4 disruptors and two FP-1 photon torpedoes; the Cardassian ship stood no chance as it was caught unaware.
The Tactical display showed that the other two Orion ships had eliminated the Keldon class ship. She sat back and smiled “Okay time to engage the rest of the Cardassian ships.”
"Captain, I ahh....don't know what's happening..."Ronson remarked as Cardassian ships were blown out of the sky by another previously cloaked ship. The CPO had tried to work out who was attacking who. The Sunfire was still invisible to everyone and was at present a mere bystander.
"Well...Would you like to elaborate," Dean asked.
Unfortunately for Kit and the Orions, the Sunfire was in fact still hiding and invisible to sensors for now. There was the asteroid flung out, to confuse everyone as well. It was just an asteroid. The Orions may have just started a war for no reason. With the ships destroyed a new wave of Cardassian ships soon warped in. Three Hideki and one Hutet-class ship.
“Whatever just happened we have more company now” Alison looked at her readings. “They’ll be more suspicious too.”
"We flung this dung away from the planet, and we are approaching the system's inner asteroid belt. I don't recommend getting too far away from our people on the planet, sir." The comm officer suggested. "There is a larger rock
at zero mark 65 zed 3 to port Captain. We'll be exposed for a minute, but I think we can make it."
"Sir, I'm detecting weapons fire from the planet, it appears to be focusing on...whatever ships were there, I'm still unable to ascertain who or what they are" Ronson declared as red energy beams lanced towards space.
Dean nodded a little to both of them, "I hadn't planned on getting to far away. Chance it with the second rock and like I mentioned before, then put us right above the opening in that shield. Whomever is doing what over there are occupying each other, so we're good for now."
"My lady, three Hideki and one Hutet- class starships dropping out of warp." stated the tactical officer.
Tayshi took the information in stride "Very well notify that old codger Siguyt it is time for him to earn his pay. We and his old D7-class will uncloak and engage the Hutet-class ship, by uncloaking and recloaking passes. Have the Vasrak begin fast attacks against the Hideki-class ships and the Vaillun support attacks for the Vasrak." ordered Yayshi.
"Cousin, I need data on weakness for that Hutet and what is the status of the Tokol?"
The Tokol began its descent coming under fire but at the same time depositing her troops via transporter to the surface. Split between entrances to the mines and the central command building.
"Ahh Sir, whoever these people are they're drawing more fire from the Cardassians." Ronson called from the rear of the bridge as the space around them erupted into energy fire again " also reading increased weapons fire from the surface. Still no clue as to who these people are"
Someone on the Bridge happened to check something on a hunch. One of the junior science officers, "The entire shield grid just went down, sirs. Also, there are a lot of life signs down there. Lieutenant Durnell is sending a signal."
"Bonnie? Well what is it," Dean looked at the officer.
"She reports the shield is down permanently and requests a beam out." The young officer reported. "Also her partner left her unarmed and on her own."
Ronson's head looked up at the words and knew they had to act.
"Permission to beam Bonnie back Sir?"
"There is no permission needed." Dean gave a glance to Ronson, "Not everything requires permission, Chief. This is one of those."
Seconds later Bonnie appeared on the transporter pad, grateful she had been returned safe and sound. She stepped off the platform and was immediately scanned by a pair of nurses, just in case. It seemed like only minutes later the transporter was activated once more.
Kit quickly scanned the Hutett-class, smiling at the efficiency of the Orion raider ship's ability to discern weak points on a starship; something that Star fleet and other space-faring governments did not appreciate. She smoothly sent the information to tactical and Siguuyt's ship. She then quickly received the telemetry data on the Tokol, she had landed, and the ground forces had secured the area around the ship and were engaging the local Cardassian forces.
"Ground forces are engaging and report the Cardassians are in disarray," replied Kit as the Thimmerand shook from an impact. Kitiuas sighed as she began to scan for the Sunfire, which she knew had to be in the area.
An idea came to mind why not scan for human life signs in and around the asteroid that had altered its course mysteriously? She was glad that the Eau de Nil and her cousin had placed such highly advanced intelligence pods in the Thimmered; she began her scans.
"Captain I'm reading an increase in troop movements on the surface from what looks like a landed ship. I can't tell it's allegiance" Ronson reported from the rear of the bridge. It must be chaos on the planet and he hoped their people would survive it.
The conn officer took that moment to abandon the large slung rock and turn the ship. She angled port side, then punched the throttle as she aimed for the next nearest rock to hide behind. It was a damn shame they couldn't just jam the various communication systems in the area and then come out fighting, but this was a stealth mission. In and out with their people. As soon as she felt they were well hidden she spoke, "We are as hidden as I can get us while still keeping the planet in transporter range, sir."
"No signal from the away team yet Sir" Ronson replied, keeping his eyes peeled on his console for transport requests.
Kit began her scan for the Sunfire; knowing the crew would be in the general area. She had observed the asteroid's movement and had deduced it was not a natural occurrence, therefore she had set the sensors on a sweep of the general area where the asteroid had moved. It was fairly close in and she tried a combination of searching for human life signs and standard plasma exhaust of Federation starships using impulse drives.
The Thimmerand shuddered again from a blast and yet a more violent shake as it received a blast from the planet's surface. “My Lady the Hutet-class ship has been rendered immobile and weaponless per your command, she is a floating hulk, survivors detected.” replied the tactical officer.
“Very well tell Siguyt to turn his attention toward the Hideki-class ships, he may destroy as many of them as he wishes in honorable revenge for his sons and daughter. He is to leave the Hutet-class adrift; I want the Cardassians to fully believe this was an Orion raiding party. Have the Vasrak prepare her charges and inform the Vaillun to prepare to recover the crew of the Vasrak; need to leave some Orion starship debris behind."
"Coms how is it going with the ground forces? Cousin have you found your ship?” commanded and inquired Tayshi.
“Ground forces have secured a bunch of the ‘prisoners or slaves’ and are moving them to the Tokol. They are also moving enough minerals to make it appear as a raid.” replied the comms officer.
Kit was studiously studying the sensors when a small flicker of plasma was detected with very faint human life signs. She smiled. “I think I have a fix on the Sunfire. Sending data to the helm and will attempt to contact,” she stated. “USS Sunfire this is Ensign Kitiuas Thenis do you copy?” she sent via a tight beam communication, directed in the general area where she had detected the plasma burst.
Transporter Room
The transporter activated with a high pitched whine, depositing five bodies upon the platform. Sarah was supporting the bulk of Remal, his gentle smile greeting Bonnie who fought the urge to rush forward and hug the man. Patin was supporting Captain Kaylen who looked the worse for wear. Bonnie couldn't even begin to imagine what the poor woman had gone through.
Patin stepped down and eased Rhenora onto a hover-sled for ease of travel to the medical bay, then promptly turned to Bonnie, "I see you're alive. Any word on the rest of the team?" She asked, not wanting to leave anyone behind.
"Not yet, um, Ghemora, uh, well... we got separated." Bonnie concealed. "Best guess is they went for the Commander and Counselor. You know how Intel types are."
Patin's cheeks clenched, "Yes, I do." The woman turned and observed the transport pad. "Go Bonnie, see if you can get me a report from the ground team. I need to know we are not leaving anyone, dead, or alive."
Bonnie nodded, then stumbled over the second sled they were lowering Remal onto, as she made haste to get Patin the information she needed.
Meanwhile on the bridge Ronson detected an incoming communication. "Captain, I have...Ensign Thenis for you. It appears she is on one of the unidentified ships"
Dean sighed, "Of course it would be. Not yet, not until we're sure we've got everything and get moving. We've still managed to stay hidden so far."
TBC
