Brett
	Summary: The Delphyne creeps closer to the Breen science vessel. Its escort, a Dominion Battlecruiser, seems unaware of the Excelsior's approach. But for how much longer? The Delphyne closes to within two million kilometers...

Brett
	<<<<Resume Mission "The Last Dragon - Part 11">>>>

CMO_T`Rel
	::In sickbay, outwardly bland, inwardly anticipatory of the action she knows is coming.::

CO_Mash`ev
	:: Sitting in the Big Chair, watching the main viewer as the Delphyne closes the distance. ::

ACTO_Tek
	::Arrives on the bridge and heads for the acting captain, who made him self rather comfortable in the captain chair.::

SO_So`Quon
	::Is at his bridge station, wondering just how much longer the ship can stay unobserved with the modified shields still active.::

FCO_Dent
	::Analyzing the patrol route of the battlecruiser as they near their destination.::

CNS_Nayla
	::Watches the screen as well, sittin' in one of the chairs on the bridge.::

ACTO_Tek
	CO: Sir, something was brought to my attention that we need an answer on ASAP.

CMO_T`Rel
	::Sends some medics up to the bridge.... there are always injuries up there.::

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: Yes, what is it Mr Tek?

ACTO_Tek
	CO: what happens if the Assault teams lose contact with the Delphyne and each other or say the del gets destroyed.

FCO_Dent
	CO: Sir the battlecruiser hasn't moved in over an hour, they're holding position 50 km from the science ship. I don't think we're going to get that opening we were hoping for.

SO_So`Quon
	::Glares at Tek for even thinking about the possibility the Del will be lost.::

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: The mission is to get back to our own time. If the Delphyne is destroyed, we still need to get word back to StarFleet in our own time. The away teams may have to get creative if the Delphyne is destroyed.

ACTO_Tek
	CO: Creative sir?

CO_Mash`ev
	FCO: Understood, Mr Dent. Please continue to monitor.

SO_So`Quon
	::Performs some calculations based on area scans from the enemy:: CO: Captain, if we're to maintain our stealth as we draw closer to the battlecruiser, we may need to lower the shields, lest we be detected.

SO_So`Quon
	CO: I would say that at 1 million kilometers with the shields active, they will find us for certain.

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: Creative, Mr Tek. Getting word back to StarFleet is of utmost importance.

FCO_Dent
	CO/SO: At some point we ARE going to be spotted, and I don't think we can stand even one good shot with shields down.

ACTO_Tek
	CO: I Would think depriving the Dominion of this weapon would be far more important then warning Starfleet, for all we know, warning Starfleet may well trigger these events.

CNS_Nayla
	::Listens to the CO and others talk, as she watches the screen.::

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: Understood. Please work with the CTO and FCO to plot a best course of approach.

SO_So`Quon
	::Hears the FCO and agrees:: CO: Aye, sir. But I would suggest that we move in fast and hit them hard if possible.

CMO_T`Rel
	<Medical Techs> ::arrive on bridge, med kits in hand::

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: We also have to have the wormhole open.

FCO_Dent
	CO: We're nearing sensor threshold Captain. We won't stay hidden for much longer.

OPS_Kevlar
	::uploading all of the information into the probes and setting their flight paths appropriately::

ACTO_Tek
	::waits for the captain answer hoping that it will come before they go toe to toe with the big ugly Jem'Hadar battle cruiser that could have them for lunch, or maybe a mid-day snack, even::

CO_Mash`ev
	FCO: How much closer can we get if we drop shields.

SO_So`Quon
	CO: We may need to risk lowering the shields then. The more we can close the gap to the timeship, the greater our chances of seizing it and escaping with the least amount of enemy notice.

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: Star Fleet didn't know what hit them, Mr Tek. I intend to get word to them if at all possible.

FCO_Dent
	::looks to the SO:: SO: How much will the lack of shields get us?

ACTO_Tek
	CO: Understood sir, I just hope that not what cause this time jump in the first place, what about if the teams feel they can not capture the device? do they destroy it or die trying?

CNS_Nayla
	::thinks to herself, lack of shields... I sense danger. She looks over at the OPS officer for a moment, before returnin' her attention to the screen::

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: Understood, Mr So'Quon. Lower shields but be ready to raise again at a moment's notice.

SO_So`Quon
	::sees the increased pings on the shields, seeing the clock running out:: CO: Yes, sir. ::drops the shields through tactical control::

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: ::sighs heavily:: We have to get back, Mr Tek. I do not make such a statement lightly.

ACTO_Tek
	CO: I understand that sir, but my question is in the event that failure appears likely then what? Do we let them continue to use the wormhole device or do we attempt to stop?

Brett
	Action: The Delphyne drops her shields, the three probes are tucked in tight to the hull to reduce their signatures but with the shields down regular sensors are again useable.

SO_So`Quon
	FCO/CO: In theory, we could get nearly right up to them without being noticed. But I worry for the time distortions. I suggest we sound a general alert for all departments to be ready for further crew losses.

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: We attempt to use the wormhole device until the last possible moment.

ACTO_Tek
	CO: Understood sir, we will attempt to capture and use the device, but in the unlikely event we fail, we destroy it, correct?

CMO_T`Rel
	<med tech 1> ::glances at med tech 2 nervously::

Brett
	Action: The Delphyne passes 1 million kilometers and continues to close on the two ships. They seem unaware of her approach.

FCO_Dent
	CO: 1 million km's sir.

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: Only as a very last course of action, yes.

SO_So`Quon
	::breathes a little easier:: CO: No increased enemy activity, sir.

ACTO_Tek
	::nods and takes over the tactical station form the clearly nervous ensign who was manning it::

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: Thank you, ensign. Let us know if there's any change in their actions.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: Captain, I'm getting reports that several members of the crew are vanishing, all over the ship.

CNS_Nayla
	::hands tense as she holds onto the chair arms. She tries to be calm about the ship closin' in on the other two::

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: How many? How quickly? :: Jumps to his feet, crosses to OPS. ::

SO_So`Quon
	::nods, not taking his eyes away from his sensors:: CO: Understood.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: 3 Confirmed sir, very short period of time

FCO_Dent
	CO: 750,000 km's sir. Suggest increasing to maximum impulse once we are spotted, it might give us a slight advantage.

CMO_T`Rel
	::gets a copy of the crew disappearing on her console too::

CNS_Nayla
	::turns to the OPS as she hears of crew disappearing::

FCO_Dent
	CO: 500,000 km's.

SO_So`Quon
	CO: If anything, now is the time to ready boarding parties, sir.

CO_Mash`ev
	FCO: Agreed, Mr Dent. Coordinate with So'Quon for that.

ACTO_Tek
	::Begins to think::

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: Keep an eye on personnel.

FCO_Dent
	::begins to feel like he's the suspense narrator for a horror movie:: Transporter range in 10 minutes.

CMO_T`Rel
	::almost frowns::

FCO_Dent
	SO: Notify me as soon as we're actively scanned.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: Acknowledged

FCO_Dent
	250,000 km's.

ACTO_Tek
	CO: Sir perhaps our best course of action is a good offense, We know it's just a matter of time before that battlecruiser detects us, our best hope is choosing when.

CNS_Nayla
	::tries to see the OPS officer's mood, in reporting of crew disappearing::

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: The away teams should be ready, correct?

SO_So`Quon
	FCO: You'll know the instant it happens, I assure you.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: 5 Minutes till transporter range

ACTO_Tek
	CO: as soon as i head for a transport sir.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: We've lost another crewmember, she was in Deflector Control.

FCO_Dent
	CO: 200,000 km

CO_Mash`ev
	CTO: We're ready to go on the offensive but we need to get the away teams in place before we can raise shields.

ACTO_Tek
	CO: Understood sir, I head for the transporter room

FCO_Dent
	CO: 150,000 km's.

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: Continue to log crew disappearances... we'll have to get crew to take their place as quickly as possible. :: sighing heavily ::

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: Captain, I'm detecting a communication from the science vessel to the battlecruiser.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: Translation "Unknown vessel approaching"

CNS_Nayla
	::shakes her head as she notes of the captain's mood::

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: It looks like they've noticed us.

SO_So`Quon
	Self: That's it... CO/FCO: The science ship has detected us, sir. Sensors confirm it.

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: How close to transporter range?

ACTO_Tek
	::heads for the TL and orders it to the transport room holding his team::

FCO_Dent
	CO: Increasing speed to full impulse.

ACTO_Tek
	<Lt_BlindasBat>::Mans the tactical station::

ACTO_Tek
	::feels the TL move, and waits for it to stop::

SO_So`Quon
	CO: 2 minutes to reach transporter range, sir.

CO_Mash`ev
	TO_BlindasBat: Be ready to disable the impulse drive of the wormhole ship.

Brett
	Action: The Delphyne leaps forward, charging toward the two vessels; one much, much larger than she.

Brett
	Action: The Battlecruiser turns her own sensors on the approaching Excelsior.

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: Keep a lock on the away team, as much as possible. We may have to beam them out of there.

ACTO_Tek
	::fills the TL stop exit it, and runs to the transport room, grabbing his gear, putting it on as he steps onto the pad::

SO_So`Quon
	CO: The science vessel is showing increased power activity. They are most likely powering shields and propulsion.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: We are in transporter range

Brett
	Action: The Delphyne rushes between the two Dominion vessels.

ACTO_Tek
	*CO*: Away teams ready.

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: Beam them over.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: Transporting....

CO_Mash`ev
	Self: Good luck.

OPS_Kevlar
	::sends command to the transporter room to beam the team over::

FCO_Dent
	CO: Suggest we get clear of here until we get word from the assault team sir. We won't last long sticking close.

Brett
	Action: The Delphyne strike teams are transported to the Breen science vessel, moments before her shields flicker to life.

ACTO_Tek
	@::feels his molecules being ripped apart, beam thru space and hopefully put back together on the Breen ship::  *CO*: Sir

SO_So`Quon
	CO: The science vessel's shields are up. I record successful transport of our teams, sir.

CO_Mash`ev
	FCO: Move us away but be ready to head back in an instant.

CNS_Nayla
	::watches the screen::

CMO_T`Rel
	::gets word from her med techs on the bridge that the enemy has been engaged::

FCO_Dent
	CO: Aye sir. ::continues at full impulse away from the two vessels, making sure not to get too far away::

ACTO_Tek
	@::looks around and deploys his men::

CO_Mash`ev
	TO_BlindasBat: Target the Battlecruiser. Fire at will.

Brett
	@Action: Aboard the Breen wormhole ship, klaxons are blaring and shadowy figures rush about. No one seems to have seen the away teams yet.

ACTO_Tek
	<Lt_BlindasBat>CO: Aye aye Sir

Brett
	Action: The Dominion cruiser powers up its formidable weapons systems and its mighty engines glow to life.

SO_So`Quon
	CO: I'm powering up the shields now, sir. ::watches the grid go active and the distortions on board cease:: The battlecruiser is powering its weapons and engine systems now.

ACTO_Tek
	<Lt_BlindasBat>::Fires on the Battle Cruiser, figure that what the captain meant, and that he should not fire on Will the Senior Phaser men::

Brett
	@Action: Several Breen run headlong into the strike teams and are stunned by the surprised Starfleet security team.

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: Understood. FCO: Keep us moving!

FCO_Dent
	CO: I had no plans to stop for coffee sir.

ACTO_Tek
	@::in the battle for his life as he runs into a Breen personal, he and his men open fire::

CO_Mash`ev
	FCO: Noted, Mr Dent.

Brett
	Action: The Delphyne's phasers and aft torpedoes streak toward the turning cruiser. They impact along her ventral surface, causing several large explosions and starting a raging fire.

CO_Mash`ev
	TO_BlindasBat: Excellent, lieutenant! Keep it up!

SO_So`Quon
	::delivers a tactical analysis to the TO:: TO: Focus on their ventral side and away from their forward arc. That should reduce the number of weapons they can bring to bear on us.

Brett
	@Action: The Breen aboard the science vessel are completely confused. The Breen scientists and crew fall easily before the attacking Starfleet strikers.

ACTO_Tek
	<LT_Blindasbat>CO: Aye aye sir

FCO_Dent
	::alters course to keep the Delphyne below the cruiser, allowing for better targeting on its ventral side.::

ACTO_Tek
	@::Begins getting reports of decks falling to his men, it appears that their training was paying off, but where was Mr Murphey? Was he on board?::

Brett
	Action: The Battlecruiser returns fire, a polaron beam slams into the starboard aft shields of the Delphyne, reducing them to 65%.

ACTO_Tek
	<LT_Blindasbat>SO: Aye aye, ::targets the Ventral side of the BC and fires once it becomes in range::

CMO_T`Rel
	::feels the ship take a hit, stays calm::

Brett
	Action: The huge vessel tries to raise its shields, but they seem to have been damaged in the initial attack and flicker on and off erratically.

CO_Mash`ev
	*Main_Engineering*: Keep those shields up!

SO_So`Quon
	::feels the ship rock with the hit, searching for a weakness on the Battlecruiser:: Self: Such brutally efficient design. The hull is so tough...

FCO_Dent
	::corrects course for the direct hit::

CMO_T`Rel
	::gets some reports of minor bumps and bruises, nothing significant yet, silently hopes that random chance is still operating in their favor::

Brett
	@Suddenly, a strike team comes face to face with the real security force aboard the wormhole ship: Four Jem'Hadar guards appear out of nowhere and cut down three Starfleet men with their pulse rifles.

Brett
	Action: The Delphyne's weapons strike the Battlecruiser, her flickering shields providing minimal protection against the attack. Fully a third of the ship's port side shears off and tumbles away. The remaining hulk begins turning out of control.

ACTO_Tek
	@::watchs as Petty Officer Gilles and his two men fall to Jem'Hadar soldiers fire as he takes up a defensive position, releasing that Mr Murphey has disappeared::

SO_So`Quon
	CO: I detect mass fluctuations on the Battlecruiser's shield generator systems. They are attempting to compensate. I suggest a concentrated spread of torpedoes directly at their main generator, that should give us an edge.

CO_Mash`ev
	FCO: Good work, Mr Dent.

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: Excellent suggestion. TO_BlindasBat: Get the readings from So'Quon and target that area.

Brett
	@Action: Two Jem'Hadar are struck down by Starfleet return fire, but the other two rush the strike team, entering into hand to hand combat. One Starfleet man is killed outright as a Jem'Hadar snaps his neck.

ACTO_Tek
	<LT_BlindasBat>CO: Adjust targeting per the SO suggestion sir ::those as he states::

ACTO_Tek
	@::fires on, confirms that he did the right thing::

FCO_Dent
	::brings the ship around for an attack run::

ACTO_Tek
	@::Watchs in horror as Crewmen Lynam dies::

Brett
	Action: The Battlecruiser, defiant to the last, fires her remaining phasers. They strike the Delphyne's portside aft shield, overloading the damaged generator and collapsing the shield. A hull breach is reported on Deck 14.

CNS_Nayla
	::looks to the FCO, then to the screen::

ACTO_Tek
	@::watchs as Lynam body twitch because his neck was broken::

CO_Mash`ev
	:: Feels the ship rock from the last volley. ::

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: Hull breach!

CNS_Nayla
	::looks over to the OPS Officer as he says Hull breach::

SO_So`Quon
	CO: Hull breach, deck 14 section 13. We've just lost shields!

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: Are the force fields holding?

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: Blast! BLAST!  :: pounds armrest::

CMO_T`Rel
	::gets reports from deck 14 and dispatches personnel::

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: What about the BattleCruiser?

ACTO_Tek
	<LT_BlindasBat>::fires on the Battlecruiser::

OPS_Kevlar
	CO:  Yes sir, also, that damaged shield generator is kaput, no portside aft shields at all

Brett
	Action: Suddenly, Nayla vanishes.

CMO_T`Rel
	::gets the report: 1 dead, 2 missing, 3 injured and on their way::

ACTO_Tek
	@::is locked in mortal combat with the Jem'Hadar trooper that had killed Crewmen Lynam neck like he was a rag doll::

SO_So`Quon
	CO: They've lost primary power to their polaron weapon emitters and their shields are barely existent. I'd say we've evened the odds now.

OPS_Kevlar
	Self: Nayla!

CMO_T`Rel
	::quickly receives the wounded:: Nurse: Durmaline.

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: Keep an eye on them, ensign.

Brett
	Action: The Delphyne's concentrated fire slams into the burning Dominion Battlecruiser. She explodes and breaks in half, as two Jem'Hadar fighters emerge from her hold and are caught in the explosion. They too erupt in fireballs.

CMO_T`Rel
	<nurse>::hands the durmaline to her::

ACTO_Tek
	<LT_BlindasBat>::Watchs as they somehow manage to destroy a Battle Cruiser, and gives thanks to Saint of Lost Causes::

FCO_Dent
	CO: Altering course to rendezvous with the wormhole ship sir. ::alters course::

Brett
	@Action: Aboard the Science vessel, the last two Jem'Hadar are neutralized. The cost has been high among the strike team however; four dead and three injured to some degree.

SO_So`Quon
	CO: Okay...there are no more odds. ::grumbles, glad he was wrong:: ....we've elminated the Battlecruiser.

CMO_T`Rel
	::applies hypospray and then the durmaline to the first patient::

CO_Mash`ev
	FCO: Make it so.

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: Keep an eye out for any approaching vessels.

Brett
	@Action: The remaining Breen aboard the ship are easily rounded up, offering little resistance. Most are scientists or crewmen. In short order, the wormhole vessel is under Starfleet control.

ACTO_Tek
	@::use his knife to cut/rip his ketcel white tube and follows it up with a kill::

ACTO_Tek
	@::Gets word from his men that the ship is secure::

SO_So`Quon
	CO: Aye, captain. Shall I power up LRS now?

ACTO_Tek
	@*CO*Mission accomplish, repeat Mission Accomplish

CO_Mash`ev
	*CTO* Excellent. How long before the wormhole is open?

CMO_T`Rel
	::goes to work on the second patient::

FCO_Dent
	::brings the Delphyne into station-keeping formation with the science vessel::

ACTO_Tek
	@*CO*:As soon as possible sir, we working on it, we just secured the vessel

CO_Mash`ev
	SO: First, is there any way we can bring the wormhole ship with us?

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: Engineering Officer Knight is missing now.

CO_Mash`ev
	*CTO* Understood. Keep me informed.

ACTO_Tek
	@::checks on the status of opening the wormhole::

ACTO_Tek
	@::gets word back::

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: Knight? Thank you, Kevlar. :: Tries to keep the sorrow out of his voice. ::

ACTO_Tek
	@*CO*: 30 minutes sir, that time may be short if So'Quon over sees the operation

CMO_T`Rel
	::finishes up with the second patient and starts on the third::

SO_So`Quon
	::refers to his data on the Breen ship:: CO:I believe the science ship can form the wormhole, but will have to stay behind in order to maintain it long enough for us to pass through, then it could follow us.

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: The probes are ready to be dispatched, they have all available information in them and their flight plans have been laid in.

Crewman_Cindy
	::Stumbles into sickbay, screaming her head off:: CMO: Oooooooow! Arrrgh!! ::Trips over someone's foot and tumbles to the floor:: Ouch! ::Still holding her right arm::

CO_Mash`ev
	OPS: Excellent. Be ready to launch them as soon as we're through. We may not have to, if we can reach a relay beacon. In that case, just transmit on a secure channel.

CMO_T`Rel
	Cindy: What is the trouble? ::gets out the tricorder does a quick scan::

CO_Mash`ev
	:: Watches the Main Viewscreen for any sign of a wormhole from the science vessel. ::

Crewman_Cindy
	::Half-whining, half-screaming:: CMO: Doctor!!! Help! ::Tries to pull herself up off the floor, gets half way up, and loses her balance, hitting the deck again:: Ack!

CMO_T`Rel
	::squats down to assist her up::

SO_So`Quon
	::feels the thumping in his chest, wondering if this is what tactical people refer to as "combat high," not liking the feeling or the rush at all::

Brett
	Action: Long Range sensors detect three Dominion vessels on an intercept course. Looks like a Breen cruiser and two Jem'Hadar fighters. ETA is 25 minutes.

CO_Mash`ev
	:: Turns to say something to CNS_Nayla, only to realize she's gone. :: OPS: Where is counselor Nayla?

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: She vanished sir... ::notices the long range sensors::

Crewman_Cindy
	CMO: My arm! It's...it's.... Will it have to be removed...?! ::Carefully holds out her arm::

OPS_Kevlar
	CO: Sir, long range sensors showing 3 dominion vessels on an intercept course...

Brett
	<<<<Pause Mission>>>>