Tales of Starfleet
Angels and Lionesses
Part 12
by Phillip Barlow
(p.barlow@ic.ac.uk)

Angels and Lionesses Part 12

The starship Leyte Gulf was leading a convoy of troop ships at warp 4 en route back to Sector 001. The massive Midway class vessel was carrying 10,000 men of the 112th Division of the Federation Seventh Army back from desert exercises on Veridian III; the other ships contained 8,000 men of the 501st Division of the Second Army, returning from their occupation of the outer Breen colonies. As Captain Wraughton sat in his command chair on the bridge of the Leyte Gulf, he contemplated where his career had brought him - his service thus far had been, in his own view, solid yet unspectacular. His last command had been a Freedom class scout patrolling the shipping lanes in the interior of the Federation. Now, he occupied the centre seat of the largest starship in the fleet.

"Captain, there's a vessel coming alongside," said Commander Farrell, Wraughton's first officer. "It's the Enterprise."

* * *

In deference to the fact that the Enterprise was dwarfed by the Leyte Gulf, Picard now sat in Wraughton's ready room, watching his own ship cruising alongside. Picard had to admit to being impressed; there weren't many ships, at least in Starfleet, which could make a Sovereign class starship appear small.

"Captain Picard," said a voice behind him. Picard turned to see his opposite number enter the room with hand extended. "Nathan Wraughton, captain of the Leyte Gulf." The two shook hands warmly as Wraughton sat at his desk. "What can I do for you?"

"You may think I'm taking a liberty given that we've only just met," said Picard, "but I was wondering if I could borrow your ship."

* * *

The Independence had slowed to impulse and was approaching the edge of the Craitol asteroid field. They had crossed the Chefrn frontier eight minutes ago, causing the border monitors they had detected to light up like a Christmas tree. They had detected three ships approaching at warp, and undoubtedly more were on the way.

"Approaching the asteroid field," said Lisa. "Sensors indicate a path through the asteroids large enough for vessels up to and including the size of the Independence."

"Captain," said Faye. "There's a vessel coming out of the asteroids directly ahead!"

"Battle stations!" Alert klaxons started wailing, and the bridge was bathed in red light. All eyes were fixed on the main viewer as the ship emerged.

"I'll be damned," said Claire as the Cardassian missile appeared. Before anyone could react, the weapon had turned away from the Independence and gone to warp. But, almost immediately, another vessel emerged from among the asteroids, this time a B'rel class Bird-of-Prey. Instead of turning away, this one turned towards the starship.

"Lock phasers!" Brook's fingers flew over the tactical console as all the time the Bird-of-Prey closed to point blank range. Before it could fire though, someone else's weapons struck it. The ship banked away from the Independence and jumped to warp.

"We're being hailed," said Deeley.

"On screen." The screen changed to show the image of a Klingon officer.

This is Commander Jak'na of the Imperial Klingon Ship Nektu. I have a message for Captain Richards."

"This is Captain Richards. What can I do for you?"

"Captain Picard of the Enterprise will be here soon. He has said he will stand by you and your crew in whatever trials you may face. Do not consider yourselves alone."

"Thank you Commander," said Claire, her voice catching. All around the bridge, the crew looked at each other, some shaking hands, others exhaling in relief. "I think however that something should be done about the two vessels that have just left. I believe that both of them are going to attack Federation colonies, with the blame to be placed on the Klingons and Cardassians."

"I see. I will inform my superiors, then try to track the Bird-of-Prey."

"Commander, there are Federation citizens somewhere in the asteroid field. It's our duty..."

"Do not say any more Captain. You have your duty, I have mine. I will communicate the need to intercept the missile as well. Qapla!"

* * *

The Independence sat next to an asteroid, its sensors trained ahead. There, in the clear centre of the asteroid field, sat several starships. Among them were four NX class vessels, in the black and red markings of the Chefrn, and the Orion.

'We have to find Kamala, and secure the Orion. If the Chefrn get their hands on modern Federation technology...' Claire left the rest of her thought alone.

"The majority of detectable lifeforms are in the smaller asteroid," said Churchill. "It is just within transporter range."

"What about the ships? What poses the most threat to the Independence?"

"The four Chefrn vessels - they all appear to have been significantly improved over the NX class. Their power output is each equivalent to that of a Miranda class starship."

"Impressive," said Lisa.

"More than that, they could do significant damage to this ship," said Claire. "We need a plan."

* * *

Captain Gee was walking the corridors of the main residential area of Station One. Since the Chefrn had taken control of the facility, he had been one of the few individuals permitted to move about without escort, and even that was restricted. He passed from one corridor to another, simply exploring - he had little else to do, thanks to the Chefrn. They had ordered all work on the Santa Maria stopped, which left he and his crew stuck. But...a low moan from behind a door attracted his attention. He pushed the door open.

"Aaron!" Captain Gee ran to the man chained to the wall. He had been badly beaten, with severe burn marks across his chest. "Aaron, can you hear me?" Aaron raised his head slightly.

"Javier, is that you?"

"Yes, it's me. What happened?" Captain Gee had pulled out his d'k tagh and was forcing open the manacles holding Aaron's wrists.

"It's kind of a long story."

* * *

Claire peered around the corner, checking the next section of corridor. Behind her, pressed against the wall, were Lisa, Brook and Dr Stevens, who were searching for Kamala. Meanwhile, Faye, Gallagher, Burke and Deeley had been tasked with securing the Orion, leaving Churchill in command of the Independence.

"Anything?" said Claire, as Lisa swept the area ahead of them with her tricorder.

"Several life form readings, very faint. Andorian, Klingon, Trill, human." They stopped as a door ahead of them opened. There was nowhere to hide, so the four of them dropped to a crouch with their phasers drawn. They saw a human male dragging another figure through the door. As he noticed the four figures, he dropped his hand to his side, pulling his own phaser out and pointing it at them.

"Take it easy," said Stevens. "I'm a doctor. Your friend is obviously hurt. Let me help."

"She's telling the truth," said Claire.

"You are Starfleet. How did you get here?"

"I think the most important thing to worry about is him," said Claire. He looked suspiciously at all of them, but finally beckoned Stevens over.

"What's his name?" she asked.

"Aaron," said the man. Stevens ran her medical scanner over him.

"Severe trauma to the face and abdomen; he was attacked with something heavy. But there are also electrical burns on his chest." Claire walked over. "I need to get him to a sickbay," said Stevens.

"Captain," said Lisa. "You should see this." She was standing in one of the other doorways as Claire walked over to her. In the room was an Andorian in a similar condition to the human Stevens was attending to.

"What the hell is going on here?"

* * *

The Orion was deserted and in darkness as Faye and her team prowled the decks.

"There's not a trace of anti-matter on board," said Gallagher.

"We guessed that would be the case," replied Faye.

"Do you know how long it'll take us to get to a starbase from here at impulse?" Faye rolled her eyes.

"A fairly long time I'd say! Now belt up and get to work. We have to be ready." Faye looked as her commbadge chirped. "Tozer here."

"Faye, I need you to get sickbay up and running. I'm having some casualties brought in."

"Ours?" said Faye in alarm.

"No, but they are serious. If possible, could we have transporters?"

"I'll see what I can do. Give me five minutes." Faye looked at Gallagher, who nodded at Deeley before both headed down the corridor. Faye meanwhile beckoned to Burke, who followed her in search of a transporter room.

* * *

"Tozer to Richards."

"Go ahead."

"We have a transporter functioning. Gally is working on sickbay now."

"Alright. Lock on to the Doc's comm. signal and transport them aboard. Her and five others."

"Acknowledged." Claire, Lisa and Brook stepped back as the sound of the transporter beam began. Soon, Stevens and her five patients had disappeared. Claire looked at their new companion.

"You didn't want to go?"

"He was a member of my crew once. He is no longer, but the Chefrn is holding my crew. I must get them out before something like that happens to them."

"OK, come on." The group headed off down the corridor.

"You should be careful. The Chefrn have patrols throughout this facility."

"What are they doing here?"

"They arrived just before Mr Big returned."

"Mr Big?" Despite the seriousness of the situation, Claire looked as if she were about to burst out laughing.

"That is how I know him. Sometimes he has things he needs done with a minimum of fuss, so he calls me." He looked at Claire seriously. "Do not underestimate him; he is a dangerous man. I know that he had one of his underlings fed to a pair of Trandol lizards for allowing a few unimportant prisoners to escape." He halted at a corner, and then pushed the others back and through a door. A few seconds later, a squad of Chefrn soldiers marched past.

"That was close," said Lisa.

"I have to get to my crew," said their companion. "I owe it to them to get them out; after all, I got them into this." Claire looked at him suspiciously. "Don't worry, I won't turn you in. now that I know Mr Big has got into bed with a bunch of thugs like the Chefrn, I want to make sure he gets what's coming to him." As he spoke, he patted the handle of his d'k tagh.

"Alright," said Claire. "But do you know if there's someone else being held here?"

"If there is, they'll most likely be in his private apartments. The Chefrn are under strict orders not to go near them. They're guarded by his personal security."

"Thank you," said Claire as he walked down a corridor.

* * *

Tarin sat opposite Procurator C'h'e'nta; each was holding a glass of Saurian brandy. Following the successful launch, C'h'e'nta's mood had noticeably improved, especially given the favourable response his communication of the fact to the High Command had brought.

"Our forces have begun their mobilisation," he said. "Our projections indicate we will be able to move within five days."

"You can guarantee that Krios and Valt Minor will be taken?" said Tarin.

"Certainly," replied C'h'e'nta. "They are two of our primary targets." He raised his glass. "To your installation as ruler of Krios and Valt Minor, and to your upcoming nuptials." Tarin smiled as he raised his glass in return.

"To the expansion of the Chefrn Empire."

* * *

The guard watched as the three females walked up to him. They were dressed as concubines, but he did not recognise them. That didn't mean much though; the concubines on Station One seemed to outnumber the crew.

"What do you want?"

"We were sent here from Section AA23," said the one in the centre. The guard looked at them dubiously.

"I.D." The three looked at each other.

"Where would we have any I.D.?" said the one to the left. That was true; the outfits they were wearing seemed to preclude secreting anything within them. That at least assured the guard they weren't carrying any weapons. He considered for a moment.

"Alright," he said. "I'll let you through. But I have to have something in return."

"What did you have in mind?" said the one to the right. The guard leaned forward, with a leer spread across his face.

* * *

Claire and Lisa peered through the open doorway, leaving Brook to tie up the guard. Claire could not help but be impressed at the speed with which Brook had been able to deal with the guard, given that the skirt she had on was floor length and very tight, and that she had a tricorder strapped to her leg.

"Nice work Lieutenant," said Claire as Brook joined them, handing Lisa the tricorder, and keeping the guard's weapon.

"Several different life form readings," said Lisa as she scanned ahead. "Mainly Chefrn, but also Kriosian and human." She looked closer at the display. "And Cardassian," she said.

"Cardassian?" replied Claire. "Where?"

"Thirty metres that way." Lisa pointed to her left. Claire was caught in two minds - she wanted to know what a Cardassian was doing here, but she also had to find Kamala. It was then that they heard voices coming towards them. The three of them bundled through an open door, just as three figures came around the corner. Claire peered through the door, watching them walk in the direction Lisa had indicated. Two of them were clearly Chefrn, while the other was human looking. As soon as he spoke though, Claire knew he wasn't human.

"Tarin."

* * *

Churchill sat watching the image on the viewer - three Chefrn carriers and six smaller cruisers were passing the Independence through the asteroid field.

"That can't be good," said Churchill to Rutherford. "Why is a Chefrn task force coming here?"

"Add that to the four already in there, and you have a powerful group of ships," replied Rutherford.

"I don't like this."

"A fair assessment sir. We won't last long trying to get out if we have to defend the Orion as well."

"With any luck, we'll have some back up of our own. Just pray that it gets here."

* * *

Claire, Lisa and Brook walked down the corridor, stopping outside of a door. Lisa held her tricorder up.

"One Kriosian female," she said. "Life signs faint but regular. I think she's unconscious." Claire opened the door and entered the room. There, on a bed lay a dark haired woman.

"It looks like she's been prepared for surgery," said Brook.

"There's neurazine in her system. It's only recently been administered," said Lisa.

"Then she won't be waking up any time soon. We'll have to beam out." Claire tapped her commbadge. "Richards to Tozer." There was no response. "Faye, come in." Again, there was nothing. "Communications must be blocked."

"We are in 'Mr Big's' private apartments," said Lisa. "Maybe he likes his privacy."

"We have to find some way to get her out of here." Claire looked around and saw, in the corner of the room, a door. Carefully opening it, she found it was a store, containing five antigravity gurneys. "Bingo," she said, pulling one of them out. The three of them lifted Kamala off of the bed and laid her carefully on the gurney. It was at that moment that the door opened, admitting two men dressed as medical orderlies. The two men and three women looked at each other for a split second - it was Brook who reacted first. Raising the guard's weapon, which she had taken off the kill setting, she stunned both orderlies.

"I suggest we get out of here now," she said, pushing the gurney out of the door. But, as they emerged into the corridor, they heard voices coming around the corner, the same voices they had heard before. Around the corner came the two Chefrn, a Cardassian in surgical gear, and him.

"Tarin," said Claire. The quartet stopped in their tracks, a look of surprise and recognition on Tarin's face.

"I thought I recognised you when you were captured on Zantor Prime. I also see that you've brought one of your little friends, but not the other. And where would she be, I wonder?" He walked towards them. In return, Brook raised her weapon, halting him in mid-stride.

"So that's how you were able to seduce me so easily," said Claire. "You're an empathic metamorph."

"Guilty as charged," replied Tarin. "Speaking of which, you seem to have something there that belongs to me. Return it, and I will guarantee your lives."

"You're responsible for all of this?"

"Certainly, with the help of my Chefrn associates."

"And I thought you were just a bastard. I didn't realise you were also a murderer. Why?"

"My dear Claire, you'd be surprised at the things I am. As to why," he smiled. "I've seen far too many Bond movies to spill all the beans, in spite of the fact that escape for you is impossible." He indicated behind them, where five Chefrn soldiers were walking up the corridor. "Now, I suggest you return my property."

* * * "I've got the fusion reactors online," said Gallagher. "We have full power."

"Just no warp drive," replied Faye. "And no weapons. This is going to be fun."

"Richards to Tozer."

"Go ahead."

"Beam us out of here quick." There was the sound of weapons fire on the comm channel.

"Stand by," said Faye as she dashed to the transporter room. Working feverishly at the console, she locked onto Claire's signal, before energising the transporter beam. On the pad, crouched in ready positions, were Claire, Lisa and Brook, surrounding a gurney with a body on it. Claire looked around, a little disoriented, before focusing on Faye.

"Get us out of here," she said.

* * *

Claire sat in the captain's chair on the bridge of the Orion, marvelling momentarily at the plushness compared to the Independence.

"Clear all moorings. Engage impulse engines, ahead full." Both Faye and Lisa, the only others on the bridge, looked at her. "We've got to get shifted pretty damn quick guys. Full impulse power." The moorings holding the Orion in place retracted, leaving it floating free. At this point, the RCS would have gently propelled the ship into open space. Now though, the big impulse engines powered the Orion out faster than anyone could react. Most of the Chefrn ships were either docked, or orbiting the far side of the asteroid. Only one of the carriers and a small cruiser were between the Orion and escape. But, even now, from the cargo modules that made up the bulk of the carrier, were being launched a dozen fighter ships.

"Come on Churchill, where are you?"

* * *

"Ahead full impulse power. Red alert," said Churchill. The Independence moved away from the asteroid it was hidden by, and headed for the centre, where at least a dozen small fighters had been launched from one of the carriers to converge on the Orion. The three docked Chefrn ships had also launched, while several others were coming in from the far side. "Lock phasers and torpedoes on the nearest ships and fire at will." Phaser beams lanced out to hit one of the small cruisers, while a pair of torpedoes struck the carrier. This caused several of the Chefrn ships to turn towards the Independence. By this stage, the Orion was taking several hits to its stern quarter; the shields though seemed to be holding. Both Federation ships were now level with each other, with the Orion heading out.

"Follow them out," said Churchill. "Stern first; give them cover." The Independence reversed after the Orion, still with weapons firing, several Chefrn ships in pursuit.

* * *

General Klach sat in the command chair of the Grel'Chor, watching the screen as the ship was at warp. Slowly he turned to D'Gal.

"Fire," he said. The Grel'Chor's heavy disruptor lanced out to a point ahead of the ship. Instead of dissipating though, it struck something. A Bird-of-Prey emerged from cloak and dropped to impulse. "Send a signal to Picard; we have the Cha'varga."

* * *

A section of five Vor'Cha class attack cruisers were in line ahead of the missile. The captain of each ship had been personally briefed as to the capabilities of the weapon by Colonel D'Kan, and so knew that it would not be easy stopping it. A full on attack with all disruptors had been easily repulsed, as had strafing runs. Even the heavy disruptors had not been able to slow it down. In the end, the only course open was to ram the thing - Captain Klaan, the oldest of the five, had volunteered his ship and crew. And so, his ship had peeled away from the formation and, under cover of heavy fire from his companions, and taking heavy punishment from the missile's thoron shock emitter and on board torpedoes, had crashed into the weapon, causing a massive explosion that rocked the other four Vor'Chas.

* * *

First the Orion, then the Independence, emerged from the asteroid field, followed by several Chefrn vessels. What nobody expected to see was a Sovereign class starship, accompanied by an Akira class carrier, a Steamrunner class frigate and a Midway class assault ship. At least 10 Valkyrie interceptors had been launched from the carrier; these headed towards the ships emerging from the asteroids and immediately engaged the Chefrn fighters, while the three combat starships moved towards the cruisers. At the same time, launching from the assault ship were at least two-dozen Mustang strike fighters.

"We're being hailed," said Faye.

"On screen." The image on the screen changed to show Jean-Luc Picard.

"This is Captain Picard of the Enterprise. Move to the vicinity of the Leyte Gulf."

"Captain Picard, this is Lieutenant Richards..."

"Not now Lieutenant. Your situation can wait. Suffice it to say that you've done your bit; now let me do mine." The screen flashed off, showing the Leyte Gulf, still launching Mustangs, looming closer. At this sight, Claire sat back in her chair and, without warning, started to cry.

Captain's Log; Stardate 54330.1: The effect a force of Federation starships has on people is a sight to see. The speed with which the Chefrn turned around when confronted by the Enterprise was certainly not in any training manual. All of the Chefrn ships have left the area, as have the two NX class ships owned by Tarin. With the area secure, the Leyte Gulf has withdrawn, having left a regiment of the 112th Infantry Division occupying the base.

The area around Station One was virtually empty of starships, with all of the Chefrn vessels having escaped. Now, the Falcon orbited the asteroids, while the Orion sat in a spacedock next to an antimatter tanker.

"You three have caused no end of grief," said Picard, as he piloted the shuttlecraft out of the shuttlebay on the small asteroid. "You realise that Starfleet Command believes the same people that took the Orion took the Independence."

"We realise the trouble we've caused sir," said Claire. "The three of us are prepared to take whatever punishment Starfleet wishes to inflict on us. All we ask is that the crew be spared. They were only acting under orders."

"That isn't for Starfleet to decide," replied Picard. "They are part of the Britannian forces and subject to whatever discipline their superiors think fit." There was silence in the shuttlecraft as it emerged from the asteroids. There, the Enterprise was cruising alongside the Independence, while the Wasp was launching a pair of Valkyries. Picard steered the shuttle towards the Enterprise's main shuttlebay, from which was emerging a cargo shuttle headed into the asteroid field.

"Can you give us some idea of what will happen sir?" said Faye. Picard looked at them.

"I can say a few things for certain. The Nyberrites are pleased with the performance of their new ship. The Klingons, whatever they may say, are glad to have avoided another war. The Valtese are pleased that the wife of their murdered Chancellor is safe and they haven't been invaded. And Starfleet has a lot of egg on its face, because three junior officers were able to figure the whole thing out, while Starfleet's best investigative minds couldn't. So, no matter how much Starfleet wants to court martial the three of you, they can't because of the embarrassment they would face if the whole story gets out."

Claire, Faye and Lisa looked at each other.

"Don't think you've got off scot free," said Picard as he brought the shuttle to a halt. "They may not court martial you, but they can certainly make things difficult." Waiting at the hatch were a pair of security guards. "Escort them to quarters," said Picard. "The Enterprise has been ordered to take you back to Earth. I'd suggest that once you get back to Earth, you take whatever punishment Starfleet has in mind, then lie low and work at being good officers. Dismissed."

* * *

Picard walked into sickbay. On various intensive care beds were the two humans, Klingon, Trill and Andorian taken off of the Orion, while in the corner, now awake, was Kamala.

"I wondered how long it would take for you to come and see me," she said as Picard walked over. "Are you going to talk to me now?"

"I would like to know what Tarin wanted with you."

"Well, it seems that this Tarin, whoever he was, was a metamorph. He was obsessed with the story of Krios and Valt and was apparently determined that he would marry one."

"But, you're not a metamorph any more," said Picard.

"I know that. But it seems he had some Cardassian surgeon research into the concept of restoring the Finilis'ral." Kamala's smile faded. "He performed a lot of surgery on male metamorphs before he managed to get it right."

"I have some bad news," said Picard.

"I know. Alrik is dead." Kamala looked at him. "I am sorry for that; in spite of everything, he was a good husband."

"What will you do?" She considered for a moment.

"Go back to Valt Minor. If the Chancellor dies in office, the post passes to his next of kin until an election is called. I shall finish what he started, get Valt Minor into the Federation."

"And after that?"

"Who knows Jean-Luc?" She said with a mischievous grin. "Maybe I'll come look for you."

* * *

Claire, Faye and Lisa sat in the communal area of their suite of rooms.

"Do you think it was worth it?" said Lisa, seemingly to no one in particular.

"We found the Orion didn't we?" replied Claire. "We rescued Kamala and we stopped the Chefrn manipulating a war. I don't care what happens to me having done that." The other two thought for a moment.

"Right," said Faye.

"Right," concurred Lisa.

"OK." Claire got up and walked to the replicator. "I could do with some ice cream. How about you?"