Springing the Trap (Part 1)

Posted on Fri Nov 1st, 2024 @ 7:55pm by Commander Eila Juutilainen 'Illu' & Breeze & Lieutenant Commander Lurath, Son of Grogori & Captain Mikoto Misaka & Lieutenant Felicie Giehl & Lieutenant JG Kromal Ezazzan & Lieutenant JG Feeva Drylo & Lieutenant Touma Kamijou
Edited on on Fri Nov 1st, 2024 @ 7:57pm

1,179 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Search

The Ermiana hovered above the Maquis base on the asteroid. The shields were raised and it's weapons were charged. The ship was ready to fight. It was waiting patiently for its Prey as a constant transmission repeated out across the vastness of space.

"To any Maquis ships. We are under attack by a Cardassian Cruiser. We are require assistance. Please respond!".

Of course the Cardassian cruisers was only a ploy, as was the entire message. The transponder on the Ermiana had been changed to edit a false Cardassian signal. On sensors the Galaxy Class Starship looked like a Galor Class warship until anyone made visual contact.

[Bridge]

Captain Misaka sat in the center chair drumming her fingers on the arm. They had been waiting for just over an hour and there was still no sign of the Bismarck. She knew that there was a possibility that the Bismarck wouldn't respond at all, however it was more likely that they would.

"Anything on sensors?" She asked simply. She had asked only a few minutes ago, but the prolonged silence and tension on the bridge was killing her. She hated nothing more than having to sit there and wait, she was always itching to keep moving. Sitting still was not something Misaka did or liked.

Lieutenant JG Kromal Ezazzan's eyes were glued to the operations console, his fingers deftly dancing across the controls as he monitored the ship's systems and sensor readings. The tension on the bridge was palpable, and he could feel the anticipation mounting with each passing second.

"Captain," Kromal reported, his voice calm and measured despite the underlying excitement. "I'm picking up a faint energy signature at the edge of our sensor range. It's consistent with the Bismarck's warp signature, but it's too faint to confirm with absolute certainty. They might be using low-emission protocols to avoid detection."

He glanced up from the console, meeting Captain Misaka's gaze. "Should I enhance the sensor resolution and attempt to get a clearer reading, or maintain our current passive scans to avoid alerting them to our presence?"

"Enhance the resolution, Mr. Ezazzan." Eila responded from the chair beside Mikoto. "Let's see if this reading is our needle..."

Lurath walked back onto the bridge, after helping Sonak and Henderson adjust the transponder, as well as the Ermiana's warp signature. He was briefly taken aback to see Kromal at his post. The Klingon part of him admired him as a warrior for not allowing an injury to keep him from his duties, but there was also the Officer part of him that felt it might be too soon. Regardless, he walked over to his station and got to his post. He wanted to do what any Klingon would do and praise the Gorn for his fast recovery and offer him a drink so they could toast while hearing the story of how Lurath avenged Kromal's honor, but it didn't feel right. Nor did Lurath thought the Lieutenant would take it as the gesture of friendship and respect the half Klingon would mean by it.

Tifang stood to the right and off to the shoulder of the Captain near the Tactical station. She had experiance with the console and systems bit she remained here as Yeoman to the Captain in her Official duty.

"Is it the Bismarck?" Misaka asked simply. She was beginning to wonder if they would take the bait and come rushing to the aid of their supply depot. Of course there was always the risk that another Cardassian warship could pop up too to take the 'kill'.

Kromal's fingers flew over the controls as he enhanced the sensor resolution, his focus intense. The tension in the room seemed to heighten with each second of silence. As the sensor data cleared up, a more definitive reading began to take shape on the display.

"Captain," Kromal said, his voice steady despite the pressure. "I’ve managed to enhance the sensor resolution. The energy signature has strengthened, and it's highly likely that it matches the Bismarck's. It’s still outside of our immediate sensor range, but the trajectory suggests it's approaching the asteroid base."

He turned to face the Captain, a look of cautious optimism in his eyes. "We should be prepared for their arrival. If they come in range, I’ll continue to monitor their approach and any potential changes in their emission patterns. Should I keep the enhanced sensors active or switch back to passive scanning to avoid detection?"

"Keep at passive for now. We don't want to give away our presence just yet." Misaka said.

"Aye, Captain," Kromal said, complying. "Passive sensors only."

"While we wait, compare the energy signature we're detecting to that of the Bismarck." Eila instructed. "Let's make absolute sure that it is."

Kromal acknowledged Commander Juutilainen’s orders with a nod, his scaly fingers deftly adjusting the settings back to passive scanning. His expression remained focused, a flicker of determination in his eyes as he worked to ensure their presence remained undetected.

"Switching to passive sensors," he confirmed crisply. "I'll now compare the detected energy signature with our records of the Bismarck to confirm the match."

As the seconds ticked by, Kromal analyzed the incoming data, his gaze fixed on the console screen. The tension on the bridge was a palpable entity, almost as if every crew member was holding their breath in anticipation of what might come next.

After a moment, the Gorn officer looked up, a hint of cautious relief in his tone. "Captain, the comparison is complete. The energy signature we've detected aligns closely with the Bismarck's known parameters. It's almost certain that it's them. Their approach vector suggests they are indeed heading towards the asteroid base, likely responding to the distress we simulated."

Kromal paused, considering their next steps carefully. "Maintaining passive scanning will keep us off their sensors for now, if you choose Captain. If we continue on this course, we should be able to monitor their movements without revealing our position."

Eila turned towards Mikoto:

"Seems we've found what we're looking for:" She stated. "Shall we draw them out while we still have the element of surprise?"

Suddenly without warning another ship dropped out of warp. However this ship was a Cardassian Warship, Galor Class.

"I presumed there would be more than just one in here with us..." Mikoto said as the warship turned to face them. "We've probably confused them. They can see what we are, but their sensors show us as Cardassians..." she said. It didn't take long for the Cardassian ship to take up a defensive position, and their weapons began powering up.

The viewscreen changed to the image of a rather displeased Cardassian man. "What are you doing here Starfleet? Why do our sensors show you as Cardassian?!" he demanded straight away leaving out any form of pleasantries.

Mikoto stood up from her chair and took a couple of steps forward. "I am Captain Mikoto Misaka of the Federation Starship Ermiana. And you are?"

"Gul Lakot. Now answer my question!"

To be continued...

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