Prologue:  The Triton is in hot pursuit and just entered the Sigma Varangii system where the enemy ship seems to be hiding inside the system's red giant. Tension and drama are high on the bridge of the USS Triton, everybody is still shocked and enraged by the infamy they assisted to just a few minutes ago, but every member of the crew is determined to bring the culprits to justice. 

In the meanwhile the mystery grows thicker. What is the USS Phantom? Who is commanding it? Why are they destroying so many ships and leaving no survivors? Will Captain K'Vas and his crew find the answers they need? And, more important, will they be able to survive the next, crucial encounter?

The lines of battle are drawn and the red giant gets closer and closer.

Star Trek, A Call To Duty, is proud to present the USS Triton in...."Planet of No Return"....Chapter three....."The Battle"...Stardate 10602.23

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Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::At an empty science console running an analysis on the Phantom's warp signature and power emissions.::

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::at OPS, still trying to make sense of all that just happen::

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::shut downs the warp drive and switches to impulse as they enter the system::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Captain, we are entering the Sigma Varangii system.

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::hunkered down in the sealed room counting the rivets in the walls for want of something better to do::

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
:: in his commander chair , growls at the absence of the TO :: XO: Commander take tactical and give me a status report.

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Sir I recommend that we launch Class 2 and Class 1 probe to help locate the Phantom

ACTION: The Triton flies to the system's sun at full impulse, the star seems to fill the whole main viewer.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: Agreed, launch probes full spectrum scans

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Aye sir starts to launch 3 Class 2 and 3 Class 1 probes

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Nods to the Captain. Gets up and takes tactical, pulling reports.:: CO: Analysis of the Phantom's warp signature and emissions match what's in the computer, although there is something that does stand out .. something.. different ::Continues to look.::  The readings are slightly off, Sir. It's as if someone was trying to mask the signature maybe?

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
OPS: Any contacts on subspace?  Prepare for telemetry from the probes once launched.

ACTION: The probes depart the launch tubes and scream toward the star where they start to send data back to the ship.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Notices the data being pulled up at her tactical station.::  CO:  Data coming in, Captain.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: Does the masking resemble any variations noted in the database used by enemy vessels? :: looks at the main viewer :: Put the probe feed on main viewer

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::looks at the hull temp as it starts to rise::

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: Report?

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
XO: You may want to bring the metaphasic shields online ma'am

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  I'm getting no visible emissions from the phantom, Captain.  They must have went deep inside the star where the radiations are making them invisible.

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::as she continues to monitor the comm. channels, she discovers that she is receiving a transponder code. Its a Starfleet Intelligence distress call::  CO:  Captain, I am receiving a distress call from that Star's corona,.  The distress is the type used when a Starfleet Intelligence operative uses when their covert mission has been compromised.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Runs comparative analysis of the data through the computer records.::  CO:  And no, Sir.  No similarities.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Places the data on the main view for the Captain.::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Onscreen, Sir.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Sir, ::growling :: I have the metaphasic shielding program in place but sir I have to find a way around the metaphasic shielding for our torpedoes and phasers to fire.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
OPS: Verify that transponder

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Sir this may be a long shot but class 2 probe having imaging device we could view what they are seeing just to double check the data

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: Do it, I have no problems sacrificing a probe

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Theoretically we can not fire our torpedoes or phasers cause they will be out of phase with the rest of the ship.  I am working on a way to allow us to use our weapons in the suns corona.

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::splits the main screen and display the probes images::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Wonders if the distress call coming from the star's corona is a trap to draw them in.::

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
CO:  I have Captain.  I have even tripled checked, its genuine, ::she pauses::   CO:  Captain, the name on the code is Commander Mrlr.

ACTION: The images from the probe start appearing into the mean viewer, they are highly disturbed by the radiations, and nothing seems different.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::The name gets her attention, and she looks up at Cmdr. Ashworth.::  OPS:  Commander Mrlr?

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
OPS: Open scrambled channel to the commander...authorization K`Vas 7124gamma

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
CO:  And the location of the signal is coming from the corona.

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
XO:  Yes, Commander.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: I don't care if you have to throw the torpedoes by hand, I need weapons now

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::works harder this time growling angrily::

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Sir just in case I suggest that we launch class 9 probes to scan for the Phantom just in case the try to escape the system and to track and follow if they do

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::figuring that there are the usual interferences with any signals this close to any star's corona's, she boosts the signal as far as she can::

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
CO:  Captain, I boosted the comm. as far as I dare to, let's hope its enough.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: Ready the probe but belay the launch.  Remember Mr. Meadows probes work both ways they also advertise our presence to anyone that might not know we are here

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
OPS: Put it through

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::puts the message through::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::growls:: *CO*: Sir I have found a way but the phasers  will only work at short range.  Nothing more that 100 KM and at a little less power than normal.  Sir if we are to use the weapons we won't have the metaphasic shielding and with no shielding any battle will be very bloody.  Today is a good day to die. Q’apla

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Aye sir ::starts to programming the probes and have them on standby::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  We're bigger than the Phantom.  If they don't come out of the Star's corona, we can always push them out ::grins.::

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Probes are ready to launch on your order sir

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Hears the CEO's comment.::  Self:  No, today is not a good day to die, Lieutenant.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: My thoughts exactly, pound on them enough to bring them out of the stars corona then bring weapons to full power.

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@:: sits up straight as her transponder indicates her message has been received. Pulls out her communicator and scrambles the channel:: COM: This is Commander Mrlr....please respond and identify yourself.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Exactly, Captain!

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: Engage metaphasic shielding and ready the phasers we are going in on my order

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::grumbles in Klingon as her simulations fail again::

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
COM: Mrlr: This is Captain K`Vas of the Triton

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::prepares the ship to enter the sun::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: ::growls:: Yes sir engaging metaphasic shielding now.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: Once the shields are engaged follow that transponder to its source, we have a crewmember that needs a ride

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
SELF:  All we have to do is find you, Phantom!  ::Continues to run scans.::  CO:  We will need to go into the corona to find them.  Something tells me they are not going to come out on their own.

ACTION: Metaphasic shielding activates on displays shield change color to red.

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::looks at her communicator in disbelief.  Shakes her head as she must have misheard through the static:: COM: CO:  Repeat that last message...did you say Captain K'Vas of the Triton?

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::stars to move the ship to the source::

ACTION: The USS Triton enters the furious plasma storm of the sun's corona. All sensors indicate that radiation levels outside the shields are lethal and the ship is shaken a bit by the currents of fire hitting her in any direction.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Notices the metaphasic shielding coming online at the tactical console.::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Holds onto her console as the ship enters the corona.::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Shields up and steady sir bringing phasers online now sir but sir I can get you a torpedo and it will take me 30 minutes to install a small shield in it.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: I plan to get their attention commander

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
<small>

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: I don’t plan to be in here that long lieutenant

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Sensors are searching for targets, Sir.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Understood sir but should it be necessary to go back I will have it ready for you.

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::tries to hold the ship steady::

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
COM: Mrlr: Captain K`Vas of the Triton, you know any other Klingons in the area commander?

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: Steady as she goes Mister, this just became a rescue mission.

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::chuckles:: COM: CO: None that would admit it.  I'm confused, sir...how did you get this far out?  Did you see a small freighter in the area?

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::brings online reactor 19 and pushes it into the IDF to steady the ship more::

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Aye sir trying to hold her still but she bouncing all over the place sir

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Pulls up data on the tactical console.::  CO:  I am comparing the scientific model data to the actual readings, Captain.  I am tracking a disturbance in the plasma flow.  Trying to determine the source.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*FCO*: She should steady now I have engaged another reactor for  IDF only.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: See if we can use that disturbance to smooth out the ride commander.

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::some of the relays are overheating, she makes the proper adjustments, and she also switches to the back-ups so the main relays can cool down::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::watching her main board and sees some of her lights go yellow indicating over heating::

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
COM: Mrlr: I have some good news and some bad as the Terrans say.  Your signal is coming from inside the corona of a star we are following it

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
*CEO*: Its helping but I still having dragging issue and the helm is sluggish

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
OPS: Have your people move all off duty personnel and their families to the emergency areas of the ship and prepare to power down unoccupied areas of the ship

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
Self: Damn it.  *Alpha Team 1*: Report to Jefferies tube j-97.  I show relays and ODN lines over heating.  Get in there and fix it.

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::blinks and wonders how that happened and then puts two and two together:: COM: CO: ::swears in Caitian:: I was inspecting some illegal cargo when I was caught in the transporter beam when it was removed from the freighter.  I'm in a sealed room with no way out.  I take it that you are in pursuit of whomever took this cargo?

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*FCO*: It is normal, just routine adjustments and different loads of power in this configuration.

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
CO:  Aye Captain.  ::she tells her staff to move all off duty personnel and their families to the emergency areas, she also included her own in that order,  she then prepares to power down the unoccupied areas of the ship.::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Nods to him, and continues to track the disturbance in the plasma flow.::  CO:  Sir, I am tracking the disturbance.  The reading is much stronger farther away from where the ship is now.  Sensor range is decreasing.  There is too much disturbance at long range.

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
Self: I feel like I'm walking underwater

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Permission to flood the Jefferies tubes with cooling nitrogen??  It would help cool down the relays and ODN lines.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: Granted

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*Alpha Team1*: Evacuate Jefferies tubes immediately 10 seconds to flooding them with cooling nitrogen.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
COM: Mrlr : Find a place to hold on, we are going to convince the ship to follow us out of the corona

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Overhears the word cargo.::  CO:  Captain, tell her to open up the crates and see what's inside.  We need to know what it is they are taking.  Maybe then we can set a trap for them.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
COM: Mrlr: What’s in the cargo crates with you, anything you can use?

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
<Alpha Team 1> *CEO*: Jefferies tube evacuated sir.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Brings up the analysis she has on sensors.::  CO:  Looks like the other ship is in orbit around the core of the sun, Captain.  Suggest heading in the opposite direction to intercept.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO: Unless of course if you want to try and catch her.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: Commander since heat seems to be everyone’s problem once we close on the ship target their engines cooling coils,

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::nods grimly knowing what that could mean and glad she can get her info out just in case something goes wrong:: COM: CO:  Sir...the crates carry a very highly illegal and valuable substance.  Tri nucleic fungi.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Injecting the Jefferies tubes now sir.  ::keys in the commands and the Jefferies tubes begin to fill with the cooling nitrogen::

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: You heard the commander bring us around the sun in opposite direction, close distance on them from their bow

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::she gets reports that everyone has been moved, she powers down all the unoccupied sections of the ship::   CO:  Sir, all off duty personnel and their families have been moved and power has been shut down in the unoccupied areas.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::watches the power levels on the metaphasic shielding::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Aye, Captain.  Phasers will be operational?

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Aye sir altering course ::works on the controls and moves the Triton as best he can::

ACTION: The Triton turns around 180 degrees and starts moving in the other direction maintaining the same latitude.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: They will be reduced power to pinpoint fire.  Take a lesson from the Borg...don’t blow a hole in them, slice them open

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Captain, one final note.  If I am to target their engine cooling coils, and if Commander Mrlr is on that ship, we may not be able to beam her off.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::heads for the torpedo room and grabs a small generator for  operating a small metaphasic shield for Phasing the torpedo if it is needed::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  You may be sentencing her to die.  Suggest instead pushing the ship out of the corona.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: Can you augment forward shields into a battering ram?

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::sits back against one of the crates and waits for the fireworks::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Yes sir I can do that quickly sir.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: You have 30 seconds

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: We will try it your way commander, but if it fails then we need to overheat their engines and make them leave the suns corona

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Aye, Captain.  ::Readies phasers just in case, hoping she will not have to use them.::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Phasers on standby, Captain.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: Very good stand ready.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: Report?

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Sir these are not regular shields sir.  Metaphasic shields won't make a battering ram.  They are only shield emitters.  Not the normal shield.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Her console starts to pick something up.::  CO:  Captain, sensors are picking something up 45 seconds dead ahead.  I'm trying to get a better sensor reading, but I'm getting a lot of interference.

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Also sir I'm not sure how well they work again weapons fire

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Captain!  Phantom dead ahead!  They are powering phasers.  FCO:  Evasive maneuvers.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*All hands*: Brace for impact

ACTION: Finally what once was USS Phantom is on visual. What you see is completely different from the images on your database. The ship is completely black; no lights illuminate her hull making her hard to distinguish from the space around her. There is no name, no registry number on her and some of the lines of the hull don't match exactly what should be a Saber Class vessel. Even the glow of the Bussard Collectors on the warp nacelle

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::enters evasive maneuvers and tries to avoid the phantom::

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::braces for impact and prays for her family's safety::::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Places the ship on visual.::  CO:  Captain, visual of ship on view screen.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  And that .. does not look like the Phantom from SF records.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Targeting Phantom's engine cooling coils.  ::Brings phasers to ready and fires.::

ACTION: All the alarms on the TO Station ring when a streak of phaser's fire seems coming from right ahead streaking fast toward the Triton.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
::growls :: XO: Fire

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::tries to dodge to phaser beam::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::keeps a sharp eye on the power grids::

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
Self: Son of a ...

ACTION: The FCO's able maneuvers manage to evade most of the phasers. 

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: Stand ready for warp

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: Fire again

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
ALL:  Incoming fire.  ::Continues to try to lock onto the other ship with difficulty.::  CO:  Targeting systems are having difficulties locking onto the other ship, but I did manage to score a hit.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::growling:: *CO*: We sustained marginal damage on deck 28.  Emergency force fields holding.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Continues to aim phasers at the other ship, doing her best to lock onto the engine's cooling coils and to force them out of the corona.::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Warp is ready for you sir.

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::slides along the floor a bit as the ship she's in is hit::

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: Can you take us across their dorsal and out of the corona at warp one mister Meadows?

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::starts to bring the ship around for another pass::

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Pulling up life signs on board the Phantom, Sir.  30 Jem’Hadar .. ::looks again.:: ..... and one Caitian!

Host Enrico says:
ACTION: The Phantom is shaken by the phasers fire and they change direction to go out of the corona.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
FCO:  They are fleeing.  Follow them, and try to intercept.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: Kill the 30 keep the Caitian

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: Pursue

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Frowns.::  CO:  I wish it were that easy, Sir.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  But we may be able to lock onto Commander Mrlr's signature once we are outside the corona and beam her aboard.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*FCO*: You have warp now lets get going.

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::pulls up on the tail and tries to match course and speed::

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::slides again across the floor, claws scrambling for a hold on the floor when she hears a small click from the door.  Scrambles up and sees that the door lock had short circuited and the force field was down::

ACTION: The sleeker Phantom seems to gain some on the slower Triton

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
XO: Once we clear the corona, full standard shields

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
OPS: Prepare to try an emergency transport once out of the sun

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  Aye, Captain.  Should I target their engines then?

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: 30 seconds till we are out of the corona

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
FCO: Don’t let them get away, I don't care what you have to do

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
CO:  They are moving away from us, Captain.  We need more power.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
*CEO*:  More power to engines, Lt. Randolph, or they're going to get away.

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::listens to her engines::

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
CO:  Aye.  ::prepares to try an emergency transport once they are clear of the sun::

ACTION: The Phantom exits the corona a few seconds ahead of the Tritons and turns around firing torpedoes.

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
OPS/*CEO*: More power to the engines

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@:: moves swiftly to the door and opens it, looking in the corridor for anyone.  Hears shouts coming from a somewhere in the ship::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
*CO*: Permission to take the ship to grey mode.

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
ALL:  Incoming torpedoes.  FCO:  Evasive maneuvers!

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
CO: Aye sir hang on ::prepares to do a Picard maneuver just above the Phantom::

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::applies more power to the engines::

FCO_Lt_Meadows says:
::engages warp engines::

Host CO_Captain_K`Vas says:
*CEO*: Negative warriors don’t hide in battle

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Holds onto her console, getting ready to raise standard shields when they exit and readying weapons for fire on the vessel.::

ACTION: The Triton normal shields and the evasive maneuver save the day. But the ship shakes badly Sparks and energy fly from the mission Ops console injuring the ensign stationed there. Reports indicating casualties and malfunctions start arriving on the bridge. 

ACTION: The Triton for a second seems two appear in two different places at the same time. A perfectly executed Picard's maneuver.

OPS_Cmdr_Ashworth says:
::she gets ready to activate the emergency transport on the next order::

CIV_Cmdr_Mrlr says:
@::slips out of the cargo bay and heads down the corridor.::

CEO_Lt_Randolph says:
::curses:: Hu'tegh!!!

Host XO_LtCmdr_Sommers says:
::Tries to get a lock on Commander Mrlr.::

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