UNCLASSIFIED EXTRACT - NCC-3347 MISSION LOGS - STARDATE 9977.14 - .16 INCLUSIVE
Captain’s Log, stardate 9977.14, Captain Danislav in command of USS Dakota on routine patrol of the Neutral Zone. We have received an emergency call from Federation Deep Space Outpost A-97, which may be under attack by Romulan forces. Luckily we are nearby and will be able to rendezvous with the USS Lexington in Quadrant 411 in a matter of minutes.

Captain’s Log, stardate 9977.15. Have arrived in system with Lexington. Initial sensor sweeps indicate a Romulan D’Daridex-class Battlecruiser in system approaching the planet our outpost orbits. As per previous arrangement with the captain of the Lexington we will move immediately to support the outpost.

USS Dakota NCC-3347 initiating Red Alert, repeat Red Alert. The D’Daridex-class Battlecruiser, now positively identified as the Romulus RL-D13, has just opened fire at long range with plasma weapons.

<<BEGIN EXCERPT – BRIDGE AUTOMATED RECORDING>>

"Something is wrong here…why is the Romulus keeping its distance? I want a full sensor sweep of our forward quadrant now!"

"Aye Captain, scanning now...Captain! Forward sensors show a second ship under cloak. A Firewing class cruiser."

"Transmit those co-ordinates to the Lexington and open fire! Photon torpedo tubes 1 and 2 and forward phaser bank."

"Direct hits Captain! The Firewing’s shields are down and her weapons offline. She appears to be helpless, sir."

"Leave her to the Lexington then, and bring us about to face the Romulus. Nice and easy helmsman…she’s a much tougher target then a Firewing cruiser. We don't want this to escalate into full scale war just yet."

"Captain, she’s maneuvering to pass."

"Steady helmsman, let's make a nice and easy turn and bring us in behind her."

"Captain! I show the Firewing is overloading her engines! The Lexington is in full reverse!"

"All hands brace for explosion!"

"There she goes Captain. Reading minor damage to Lexington’s forward shields. The outpost took a major hit, but she seems to have come through intact."

"The fools…all they had to do was surrender, all that needless loss of..."

"Captain, plasma from that explosion is showing something odd on the rear sensors."

"Well what is it?"

"It seems to be... Captain! It’s another cruiser directly below and behind us with weapons hot! We’re taking point blank fire in our aft shield, sir."

"Damage report?"

"Minimal damage, Captain. Apparently we surprised him as much as he surprised us! He’s moving away at maximum impulse."

"Inform the Lexington and warn the outpost that there is a third ship. Where’s that battlecruiser now?"

"Directly ahead, sir.

"Communications, hail him."

"Sir! He is turning to face us."

"Steady helm. Communications, any response to our hail yet?"

"Captain! Sensors report he’s overloading his engines! Forward close aboard, range less than 1,200 meters!"

"Damn it, what is wrong with these Romulans! Close all bulkheads! Reinforce the ships fields!"

"Captain forward shields are gone, forward phaser banks 1, 2, 3 and 4 destroyed. Photon torpedo tubes 1, 2 and 4 damaged. Sensor array and primary sensor control runs severely damaged. Starboard nacelle at 60%, port at 70%, impulse engines at 75%. Ships superstructure at only 20%. Casualties…casualties estimated at over four hundred, sir."

"Damn them! Use the secondary sensors and get a position on that last cruiser from the Lexington."

"Sir, the Praetor’s Swordarm has fired at the outpost. No apparent damage to A-97. Swordarm is circling behind the planet, Lexington reports that he is powering up his cloak."

"No way is he getting away. Bring us around the other side of the planet, helm. Captain to engineering, I need those forward torpedoes back online now!"

"You’ve got two ready to go, Captain."

"Sir, Lexington is feeding us her sensor scans and the cruiser is entering cloak now."

"Fire all weapons at last known coordinates."

"Phasers missed sir …torpedoes hit!"

"Two direct hits Captain, Lexington reports Romulan ship destroyed!"

"God damn. That's one for our side, but I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last of the Romulans. Helmsman, return us to the outpost, let's see what’s left. Communications, send off an immediate report to Starfleet and request assistance. We’re going to be here awhile."

(Submitted by Bill Howard, © 2004)