Snake in the grass

Posted on Sun Oct 4th, 2020 @ 6:30am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Chief Petty Officer Remal Kajun

Mission: Diplomatic Masquerade
Location: DMZ
Timeline: 7 years ago

History

7 years ago


Glin Maccet sat on the bridge of his run down warbird. His first command was a mundane one, patrol the DMZ, do nothing without prior authorization. It was the standard method orperatus for most new commanders on their first command. A test to see how well they obeyed orders whilst getting the routine patrols done. Maccet however had bigger plans. The Tarsus cluster lay just outside the DMZ and was currently aligned to the Federation. There was only a small settlement on one of the planets, however the ore deposits on the planet were of particular interest. If he could conquer the system and claim it in the name of the Union he would be rewarded with riches and glory beyond his wildest dreams. His eyes clouded over a little as he considered his plan once more. It was fairly simple, destroy the settlement, claim the system, mine the ore, retire in glory. It was also a bold move for such a newly commissioned commander still earning his stripes. He was confident though that Central Command would see this in a favourable light and reward his cunning accordingly.

The USS Sunfire was also patrolling the DMZ, as were part of their duties for the Defiant class starship in this sector. Flying the flag of the fleet was a freshly promoted Rear Admiral, and an experienced crew dedicated to their task.

"Admiral, I'm detecting a distress call from the Tarsus cluster, and weapons fire, I'm also reading a Cardassian cruiser" the Sunfire's tactical officer replied. On the bridge Admiral Kaylen regarded her fiance's expression. Remal served as the ship's counsellor and often spent time on the bridge during routine missions to keep an eye on crew morale.

Cardassians. It seemed no matter how far out into space he traveled there was no getting beyond their reach. The recent activity in the area around the DMZ had given cause to worry, and stirred up a hornets nest in the form of the Maquis. Either way any interaction with the Carddys was sure to be a bad one.

"Hail the Cardassian warbird" she ordered, standing from her command chair and striding to the centre of the small bridge. It was a whole two steps yet old habits die hard.

"Cease your attack, this planet is under Federation protection." She spoke firmly.

The voice of the Federation woman crossed his speakers already grating on his nerves. How dare she tell him what to do in his own backyard playground. The DMZ, negotiated by politicians and bureaucrats in order to maintain order was nothing more than a blanket covering a timebomb, in his opinion. “Let them eat static.” He proclaimed. “Continue the bombardment.”

Admiral Kaylen fumed at the burst of static that crossed her viewscreen. She knew he was listening. Bar a catastrophic communications failure he had to be.

"Hail him again, all channels. Warn him he will be forced to fire if he refuses to talk" she ordered.

The incessant beeping of the communications continued like a mosquito continuing to buzz one's ear, indicating his small problem wasn’t going away any time soon.. “Fine, put her on screen. Let us put this annoying little insect in her place.”

The viewscreen changed from the planet to the bridge of the warbird, a young Cardassian rising from the centre chair. "On whose authority?" He sneered, not halting his attack at all. A few minutes more and the settlement would be all but obliterated. This insect on the bridge of a Federation ship was Bajoran, a filthy slave. He knew they should have been wiped away when the chance had risen. Instead the Prophet worshipers were allowed to live and rebel. And now they commanded starships.

"On the authority of Starfleet and the Federation. I am Rear Admiral Kaylen Rhenora. Cease and desist or I will fire upon you"

The Cardassian laughed, he knew he was close to his prize. "And if I don't and continue to claim this system for the Cardassian Union and choose to blow you and your precious Starfleet out of the sky? What then?" Maccet’s laughter turned deadly serious. "Prepare to die."

Rhenora didn't pause, heading for her command chair and gripping the armrests. "Red alert, ready all weapons, get him.off my viewscreen. Helm, ready attack pattern gamma on my mark" she glanced towards Remal again, drawing strength from his composure. She reached for his hand briefly, squeezing it before turning her attention back to the problem at hand.

“Cease bombardment and turn weapons on that garbage scow. Do not fire unless she blinks. Target her engines in case she runs.” He has seen other Defiant class ships before, mostly in run-ins with THE Defiant. She was fast, nimble and she packed a wallop.

The Cardassian warbird did cease it's attack on the planet, turning it's attention to the Defiant class Sunfire. She was a small but mighty ship and could punch well above her weight in a fight. It seemed like he was wanting to bring that fight.

There was a prolonged pause as the two ships squared off against each other, each daring the other to fire first.

Rhenora wouldn't fire first, it would create an interstellar incident if Maccet lied and said he wasn't trying to destroy the planet. So she waited him out. If he fired on the planet, she would fire on him. If he fired on her, he would die. Simple really.

What was she waiting for? “The Federation and their dogs think that they are so noble and so powerful. High and mighty war mongers can be brought down with small stones.” He said more to himself than his bridge crew who were now looking up at him and waiting for orders to be given. “Squash these bugs so we may carry on. Bombs away.” He commanded with a devious smile on his face.

He chose the former, letting loose one last volley and forcing her hand. " Tactical, fire to disable only, I want him to answer for his actions" Kaylen ordered, knowing the Sunfire would easily take on the old warbird.

Several volleys struck the engines and weapons systems of the warbird causing the ship to rock. She was old but she was also built during a time of war, and she could maneuver. “So, just like the old days, Bajoran? Return fire. I want that ship blown from the stars.” The warbird sped up and began firing a particle phaser from her main array, which the Sunfire easily dodged.

The Sunfire's inertial dampers whined as the helmsman pushed the small ship through a series of maneuvers most wouldn't attempt, missing the phaser burst and bringing the flagship under the Cardassian warbirds vulnerable underbelly.

"Fire forward phasers, 75% charge on their weapons array. " Rhenora ordered evenly, keeping her cool despite the rising stakes. If she rose to his bait she would be no better than him. Truth be told she wanted to wipe him from the skies but then he wouldn't be able to answer for his actions.

Weapons fire lanced between the two ships, each trading shots and attempting to hold their ground. The warbird would tire first, the ship's older weaponry and weaker shields would buckle if the Sunfire unleashed her full fury. But that wasn't the aim of the game here. Protect the settlement, disable the ship.

"Position us between the planet and the warbird in case he turns his attention back to the settlement" Kaylen ordered, knowing she would be compromising her own ships maneuverability by holding a defensive position. The Sunfire's weapons could do the job and their shields would hold - she was sure of it.

"Warbird, stand down, this is your last warning" she slapped the communications panel on her armrest then waited for his reaction.

They had maneuvered themselves between him and his prize. “This one is like a tick under my skin. Target her bridge and fire! I want that ship destroyed yesterday, do you understand me?” His voice was raised in utter frustration. This was supposed to be his defining moment, now it was going to end in his withering defeat. Well, not if he could help it.

The phaser blast hit the Sunfire's shields as the mighty ship attempted to evade them, her movement limited by her defensive strategy. The impact jarred the Admirals teeth but the shields held solidly.

"Fire at will" Rhenora ordered, knuckling down for a dog fight. The warbird was old but they still packed a punch.

Weapons fire lanced between the two vessels, trading blows as though old fashioned boxers. Each ended up a little bloodier and bruised as time wore on.

" Wear them down, don't destroy him" Kaylen instructed as a particularly bad barrage caught her ship awkwardly and deposited her in the floor of her bridge. Maybe seatbelts weren't such a bad idea.

“It’s about damn time!” He proclaimed after watching shot after shot miss their target, one shot struck the little ship full force causing her to rock from the strike. Sparks flew from behind him as his own ship wasn’t faring too well from the barrage. System reports had already poured in, everything was failing. More importantly he had chosen to ignore most of them in his pursuit of what he now saw as a Bajoran slug wielding a tiny stick.

The Sunfire's weapons focused on the warbirds weapons systems and engines, methodically hammering those areas until they broke through. A plume of smoke began to belch from the rear of the old ship. "Cease fire, scan for damage"

"Their shields are down Admiral, weapons at 40% and they're venting drive plasma." Tactical announced, her voice as calm as though she were taking a walk on a Sunday morning. Rhenora smiled, time to pay a little house call and teach this young upstart a lesson in humility.

"Lt. Chalmers, have a security detail meet me in the transporter room." Kaylen said as she rose from her Command chair "let's teach this upstart about how the Federation feels about its outposts being attacked."

He watched her march away from him once more. Off to defeat a snake in his own hole. He had made it no surprise that it hurt him more and more each time she left him to visit some planet, or to fight some unnamed Cardassian terrorist. One day he knew she may never make it back.

5 minutes later Admiral Kaylen beamed onto the smoke filled bridge of the warbird, a full security detail behind her. It was a bold move to board an enemy vessel but she was confident in her abilities. This warship commander was a young schoolboy about to be taught a harsh lesson.

"Secure the bridge" her plan was simple, remove the problem to the Sunfire's small brig under guard, secure his ship and tow the bastard to the nearest starbase. Simple right?

“Not so fast, Rear Admiral.” He said through pained and heavy breathing as he rose from the floor on the deck of his bridge, a disruptor in hand. “This is MY ship and I will not have the likes of Bajoran trash such as yourself taking it from… me.”

He bowed slightly, a warrior's respect, “Glinn Maccet, at your service.” His eyes narrowed to slits a dagger could barely fit through. “Now get off of my ship!”

"Glinn Maccet I hereby arrest you for attempting to destroy a federation outpost. Your ship will be seized and your crew incarcerated" Rhenora replied strongly, hands on hips and fire in her eyes.

“Federation. Outpost. This planet and her resources are the property of the Cardassian Union, now and forever more.” He seethed. “You have no power here, despite what the bureaucrats may say. This is ours to do with as I please!”

" I beg to differ. This planet is well documented as a Federation outpost, now you will come with us peacefully to attest for your crimes or you will be taken by force on your own bridge" Kaylen was done with this young upstart. The weapon on her hip rose to her hand though she did not take aim yet.

He grew cocky, confident in his command and his crew, despite their youth and inexperience. Despite the fact they were outnumbered and outgunned. He shrugged his shoulders with his arms outstretched, “You can try.”

The Bajoran blood boiled, the colour in her cheeks rising a shade as she struggled to control her temper.

"Last chance Maccet, don't make a fool of yourself in front of your crew" she offered him one last chance to maintain his dignity.

Stalling again, he was tired of Federation diplomacy. He took aim at the Bajoran gnat and fired, dropping one Lt. Chalmers to the deck.

She saw him move and knew she didn't have time to do much. She ducked, Chalmers who was standing behind her copped the brunt of the blast that had Rhenora's name on it. She brought her own weapon to bear and took aim, knowing a stun setting would drop his ass to the ground without a second hit necessary. She fired, the red beam lancing from her weapon towards his chest. Her security team tended to Chalmers so for a few moments, she was on her own.

He stood defiantly in the center of his bridge, his command, anchored at the waist. Using his torso to dodge blast after blast it was only a matter of time before one struck him. He didn’t care he simply wanted to see this particular bug die under his boot hill and then feel the guts as he scraped them off on the deck plating below. For each blast that came his way, he returned the favor in kind, watching as she flipped and dodged irritating him further. “Hold still you weed hopper!”

"Give UP Maccet" she threw back at him, having taken cover behind his helm console. He had more cunning and guile than she had given him credit for. Thankfully the rest of his crew were secured and unable to assist him.
"I don't want to kill you, but don't force my hand".

He laughed a hearty belly laugh at the idea she could or would kill him. His overconfidence was his ultimate undoing. A sound behind him caught his attention ever so briefly. His crew were being detained. He was losing ground to his enemy. They were surrounding him, closing in. In frustration he yelled, “Fight back you mutts!” His poor leadership skills shining through.

"It's over Maccet" Rhenora said firmly as she rose from behind the console, her weapon raised and ready to fire. His crew secured there was no help to be had for him.

She stepped forward, frustration at him persistently choosing the difficult path instead of a much less bloodier one. She strode towards him, pausing just in front of him.

His eyes turned back and refocused on the defiant slave girl who stood before him. A sneer filling his mouth, a defiance rising in his brain. “No.”

"Fine" she grabbed his wrist and rotated it, using it to throw him off balance then kicking the weapon from his hand. She moved in and grabbed the back of his neck, attempting to force him down on the deck.

She was fast, too fast. His eyes were wide as he lay upon his back looking up from the deck. She had taken him down in one move. How? He gathered his strength with a grunt and attempted to roll over and up, only to have a shiny Federation boot plunge into his chest and three phasers pointed at his head. He clenched his jaw and released the breath of defeat.

"Next time, take the option, it'll save you the humiliation" Kaylen boot still planted firmly on his chest. She removed it and stepped back allowing her security detail to restrain him and haul his miserable ass to his feet.

Next time. Oh there would be a next time. He would make sure of it. He thought as he was ushered rudely from the deck of his own bridge. He refused to say anything further as it would give her the satisfaction of the win. But then there was a pause as a call came in of her comm system.

“Admiral, we’ve just scanned the surface. The settlement. It’s gone.”

He laughed a wild hearty laugh. He had won his prize after all. Now it would only be a matter of time before he could claim it. This mild set back, this fly in his ointment, was just a small pain in his ass after all.

Anger rose at his behaviour and she slapped his cheek, hard enough to snap his head sideways. "There were 350 men, women and children on that settlement. You will pay for their deaths with your own" she said to him darkly. "You will rot in a jail cell for the rest of your miserable days."

TBC