Through the smoke and sparks, one man stood. Captain Charles Harkness stood in front
of his Command Chair. The screams of fallen officers and crew can be heard with disturbing
clarity. He yells out, "REPORT!" Through all the screaming, and the ship
flying apart, one voice can be heard. "Captain, we have a hull breach on Deck
12, section 45b. Force fields are in place." Yells the young Lt. Melissa Larson.
"Bridge to Engineering, re-route aux. Power to the weapons systems. Lt. McNeil
lock all weapons on section 1342E of the Borg cube. Larson bring us to 234 mark 166".
Barks Harkness. As he said this as the bridge is rocked and the weapons control officer
is thrown across the bridge. The young Lt. Yells with a quiver in her voice, "Sir,
direct hit to the port nacelle, we are venting drive plasma." Her Console lights
up with warning lights. "Sir, The Enterprise has just dropped out of warp, they
are hailing the fleet, I am putting it on speakers sir." With this bridge becomes
very still and quite, as if all the crew was getting ready for the pope to make a
speech. Then comes the voice over the speakers, "This is Captain Picard of The
Enterprise, I am taking Command of the Fleet. Lock your weapons on the following
quadrants." As the speakers turn off, Captain Harness stands, and walks over
to the CONN, "who the hell does he think he is? Taking command of the fleet.
Hail the Enterpr". He is cut of by the dull voice of his chief Engineer. "Engineering
to Bridge, we have a warp core breach in progress. Ejection systems off line".
As the COMM is cut off Harkness yells the four words that will haunt him to his death.
"All hands, Abandon Ship".
The Bridge crew starts to shuffle out of the bridge, as the dull metallic voice of the Borg is heard on the speakers. "Resistance is futile, lower your shields. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own." Charles Harkness with his back turned to the Bridge and his head lowered. Turns around and heads to the Comm position. He hits a few buttons, and with all the might he could muster yells to into the microphone, "You rat ass sons of bitches, you can have this fucking ship! Computer set a course into the Borg cube Full impulse, and engage when all the life pods are away" and with that he heads for the turbo lift.
As his life Pod heads away from the Ontario, he thinks to him self. Way to go Harkness, you have just lost your rank. He takes one more look at his ship and watches it hit the Borg ship. He wipes away a tear.
Act 1
As Captain Harkness enters the courtroom, there is an awe of silence. Sitting in front of him, are 6 admirals. As he walks over to his counsel, he thinks to himself, Way to go Harkness, first you lose the Ontario and now this. His lawyer greets him, "Captain Harkness, I presume, I hope this will be quick and painless". With a half smile, he acknowledges him; he sits down beside the Lawyer. The on lookers in the courtroom mutter to each other. 'Ding, Ding' the Admiral hit his bell, "Order in the Court, order in the court. After reviewing all the testimony and evidence, the inquiry of looking into the actions taking on the USS Ontario, an Intrepid class ship, during the most recent Borg attack on stardate 3984.5; we have come to the conclusion that Captain Charles Harkness". Harkness lowers his head in preparation for the judgement, which he excepted to be demoted. The Admiral continued acted in the best traditions of Starfleet. Although his ship, the before mentioned USS Ontario, was destroyed. It was not due any action taken by Captain Harkness, or any of her crew. So it is the recommendation of this Court Marshal that Captain be put back on active duty, and be giving Command of an Other ship at the earliest convenience of Starfleet. Do you Captain Harkness wish to dispute the findings of this inquest?" Captain Harkness raises his head in surprise. "No sir, hell no, thank you sir" The Admiral nods in response. "Captain Harkness, I here by, make you the Commanding Officer of the USS Toronto. Right now she is in dry dock undergoing repairs. You are to report there to take command of her. She will not be ready for a few more weeks, so I suggest that after you report onboard, you find I good hide away and find a good book to read. This Court Marshal is officially closed." 'Ding, Ding'. Everyone in the court rises as the Admirals leave the room.
* * *
"Captain Sir, our ETA to the Toronto is 5 minutes sir" the Pilot of the shuttle said. Captain Harkness sitting in the back of the shuttle reading a pad on the history of the USS Toronto. He thinks about the Ontario and about different ways he could have saved her. He is interrupted by low voice of the pilot. "Captain sir, we are in visual rage of the Toronto, sir". Harkness stands and walks to the front of the cockpit, his mouth drops with awe as he looks at his new command. "Holy shit, how big is she?" The pilot with a smile on his face turns and responds, "pretty damn big sir" he starts to laugh. Harkness with a smile on his face pats him on the shoulder and walks to his seat. He thinks to him self, Pretty damn big, too funny. He starts to laugh very loudly.
As the shuttle starts to dock, Captain Harkness stands and walks to the door. "Captain sir, it was an honor to pilot you today sir." Yells the pilot. Harkness turns with a big smile on his face, he opens his mouth and begins to say thanks, but stops half way through as he thinks of something different, "Thank you Yeoman, next time don't be so nervous. I am only a Captain, and I will not bite you." With this the Door opens and Harkness walks out. The pilot heads to his seat muttering to him self, "don't be nervous? I am not nervous"
As Captain Harkness walks out, he stopped in his tracks by a voice he has heard before. "Captain on Deck!" Yells a woman's. Where have I heard that voice before? Thinks Harkness. "Ten hut". Barks Commander Melissa Larson. With surprise on his face he makes eye contact with his new First Officer. "Captain Harkness, welcome aboard the USS Toronto. It is good to see you again sir." Harkness's mouth drops with surprise, as he walks over to shake her hand. "Cmdr. Larson, it is good to see you again". He looks around at his new crew and heads over to the podium. He thinks to him self I really hate these speeches. He places his pad down and looks around, 1000 pairs of eyes are fixed on him. "To Captain Charles Harkness, you are ordered to take command of USS Toronto NCC 711867, immediately." He places the pad down and looks around, so quite, even though there are 2000 people in the room he swore he could here a pin drop. "Well, I guess your are now officially stuck with me, DISMISSED!" As his crew shuffles out of the Shuttle Bay, Harkness called to his first officer, "Commander Larson, could I speak with you?" She turns to face him. "What can I do for you sir?" He scratches his nose, "well Melissa, I was wondering. As my shuttle flew by I noticed two things. One the size of her, and two, no warp nacelles." With a smile on her face she responds "well sir the warp nacelles retract when we are out of warp and for your first question. The Toronto is about 2450 meters long, and has a crew of about 3500. No families, 6 Holodecks, 5 shuttle bays, 10 marine launchers." Captain looking some what lost. "Marine Launchers?" Larson with a smile responds. "That is right, I forgot to tell you, the Toronto is officially a Battleship/Carrier. To full the carrier portion, we have stationed 2500 marine officers and NCO's. Basically the Marine Launcher is a shuttle bay except it holds the new Halifax Class Attack Ships. Understand sir?" He nods is response. "What else is new on this class?" He asked. Well maybe I should give you a tour, then I will be able to show you." She gestures him to follow her as they head for the door.
* * *
* * *
"Welcome to Marine Barrack Captain Harkness, I am the Marine CO, and your second officer." Harkness looks around the Massive Room, He wonders to him self how much of his new ship is devoted to the marine unit. The man he was talking to gets impatient. "Thank you um" he stutters as he tries to remember his name. "um·" he is interrupted by voice of a female ensign. "Bridge to Captain" Oh thank god he thinks to him self. "Captain here" he responds to the air. "Captain, you have a message coming in from the star base. You and Commander Larson are to report to Admiral Stroud's office ASAP, and Captain welcome on board. Ensign Jenkins out". Harkness turns to man in front of him. "Thank you·". He is cut off by the man. "Lt. Col. Matt Dubins sir, I do not believe I told you it before sir." Harkness looked up with surprise. "Thank you Col. Now I must be going" Dubins stood to attention and saluted Harkness, as he leaves.
Walking down the corridor, he thinks to him self. Perfect timing Melissa, needed else where, so I can make a fool of my self. He turned the corner to see a dead end. "What the hell?" He spurts out. Looking around in with a confused mans eyes. "Um sir, are you lost?" A young woman's voice says from behind, as he turns around ready to bit off her head, he sees and young beautiful LT. "Thank you LT?" He mutters out. "Actually it is Dr. England sir." With a smile he said "Ah, my·" he stumbles. "I mean the ships CMO" As he said this she laughs. "Yes sir, I noticed you were lost, can I help in anyway?" "Well actually you read my mind." He smiles. "Is turbo lift 12 around here?" Shaking her head she replies. "Well sir, it is around that corner. I'll walk with you." They start to walk down the hall. "How long have you been onboard Dr?" He asks trying to make small talk. "I was transferred here about 3 weeks ago. And it took me about 2 weeks till I figured most of the ship out." They laugh. She looked up at him and said "Well sir, this will get you to anywhere on the ship. I have to go, Col. Dubins wants to talk about something, and between you and me, I think he wants me to be more of a Doctor to him, if you know what I mean" She laughs. "Well good luck Captain, I hope you find where you are going. And Captain I will gladly give you a tour of the ship when ever you're free. I'll be in sickbay if you decide to take up my offer." He nods his response. He walks into the turbo lift and thinks to him self. She ain't bad. Boy she ain't bad.
* * *
As he entered the transporter room, heads over to the Petty officer that manned the controls. "Where is Commander Larson?" He asks excepting no answer. The young man answers. "She was just in here. She said something about being back in a minute, having to go powder her nose?" Harkness chuckles, "well chief, that is her way of saying 'hitting the head'. Don't ask where she got that saying". He stepped back and hit his COMM Badge. "Harkness to Larson, you done in the head yet?" "Larson to Captain. I just finished applying my powder, and be there in a minute. And Captain, I see you remembered that saying?" He responds "Yes I do. I assumed since you were now a Commander, you would have grown a bit, but I was wrong." Harkness with a smile hits his COMM badge to acknowledge the signal. He turned to see the Transporter chief looking very confused. "Well you had to be there" Harkness was laughing when Larson entered the room. "Laughing about me again?" They walk onto the transporter pad. "Energize", Harkness says with a smile.
* * *
As they re-materialized on Star Basses transporter pad, they were met by Admiral Stroud. "Charles, long time no see" greets his new visitors. "Tony! Good to see." Replies Harkness. "Charles, I wish this meeting could be for something happier, but". Harkness notices that Stroud looks unhappy. "What is it Tony" asks Harkness. "Well we should talk in my officer." He gestures for them to follow. They entered his office. Stroud sits down behind a desk. Breaking the silence Harkness asked "What is it Admiral?" Stroud responds, "I have some bad news. It is about Chris." Harkness lowered his head, and Larson notices that something is wrong. "Who is Chris?" Asks Larson. Harkness goes to respond but he cannot get the words out. "He is·" Stroud interrupts. "Well Cmdr. Chris is Commander Chris Bean. Charles, Chris, and me were in the Special Ops Academy together, both Charles and Chris dropped out after a year. I stayed. Charles and Chris were best friends, till he ran off with Charles's girl friend." Harkness clenches his fists in attempt to gain control of his emotions. "I never forgave him." Harkness said with a quiver in his voice. "Well Tony, what about Chris?" demanded Harkness.
"He was working on the development team at Utopia Plenitia. And last week he stole the USS Bismarc." Confused with the statement Harkness responds. "USS Bismarc? Never herd of her. What class?"
"I am not surprised you haven't herd of her" he responds. "She is a Billy Bishop class fast attack ship. We designed her to do one thing. Kick the living shit out of the Dominion. She has a fire power on the same scale as the Defiant class ships, and more maneuverable. She was going to be out fitted with a cloaking devise, but he got to it before we could add it, so I guess that is lucky." He said this with a small smile.
"Why do you think he stole her Admiral" Asked Larson who finally makes her voice known.
"We have reason to believe that he is taking her to the Dominion. We need to get her back; a lot of her design is the same as the Sovereign, Defiant, and Toronto classes. All of those are the back bone of our War Effort."
"Where is she? And where do we attack?" Harkness asked.
"We think that Chris and the Dominion are making the switch in Bullock sector, in 72 hours. I want the Toronto there as they make the change. Starfleet Intelligence says that there will be 3 Jem'Hadar warships, and 3 Galore Class Destroyers. The Toronto is the best ship for this mission."
"48 hours sir. The ship isn't ready; the crew isn't ready. Hell I haven't seen the bridge yet." Exclaimed Harkness.
"Well Charles, you have to be ready. I suggest you get over there now."
End Act 1.
"Captain on Deck" yelled the young CONN officer. Harkness always hated that. He took a look at his new bridge. He had never seen a bridge design as this one before. As he headed for his new chair he tried to figure out what the positions are. To the right and left were two consoles that looked like the weapons and ops on the Intrepid class ship. Then directly behind him was a long control manned by two Marine personal. "Status Report Ensign Jenkins?" Asked Larson.
The Young Ensign responded "we still waiting for the final shipment of Quantum Torpedoes, and Tri-Colbalt devices, they should be onboard in 35 minutes. Also fighter wings 3, 13, and 47 have not arrived, their excepted ETA is 3 hours." Harkness getting comfortable in his new chair asks, "Ensign, at Maximum Warp, how long would it take us to get to the Bullock System?"
Looking a bit confused as she puts the numbers into computer, Jenkins answers. "10 hours sir."
"10 hours. Forgive me Ensign, what is the Maximum speed for this ship?" With a smile on her face she responded "Warp 9.9978 sir."
Turning to Larson who has taken position at the console to his right, "Cmdr. run a series of Battle Drills, I want to be ready for a fight. Also Melissa, where is my ready room?"
She turned to him and answered. "Sir you Ready Room is over there" she points to a hall way just behind her console. "Aye sir I will have the results on your desk. Also sir, how is the chair?"
"I prefer the one on the Ontario" He smiled "you have the bridge XO."
* * *
Captains Log. Star Date 50010.5
I only been in Command of the Federations biggest and most powerful ship for less than a day and already we have been ordered to attack the Dominion. I am anxious to take this ship and her crew into battle, but I am nervous for my performance. When commanding the Ontario, I only had to worry about ordering to launch photon torpedoes and phasers in battle. Now I have to order Marines, hopefully I will not have to send them into battle often. But if I do, I am confident that she will kick ass. And in the meantime I am going to take up Dr. Englands offer.
"Captain on Deck" yelled the young CONN officer. Harkness always hated that. He took a look at his new bridge. He had never seen a bridge design as this one before. As he headed for his new chair he tried to figure out what the positions are. To the right and left were two consoles that looked like the weapons and ops on the Intrepid class ship. Then directly behind him was a long control manned by two Marine personal. "Status Report Ensign Jenkins?" Asked Larson.
The Young Ensign responded "we still waiting for the final shipment of Quantum Torpedoes, and Tri-Colbalt devices, they should be onboard in 35 minutes. Also fighter wings 3, 13, and 47 have not arrived, their excepted ETA is 3 hours." Harkness getting comfortable in his new chair asks, "Ensign, at Maximum Warp, how long would it take us to get to the Bullock System?"
Looking a bit confused as she puts the numbers into computer, Jenkins answers. "10 hours sir."
"10 hours. Forgive me Ensign, what is the Maximum speed for this ship?" With a smile on her face she responded "Warp 9.9978 sir."
Turning to Larson who has taken position at the console to his right, "Cmdr. run a series of Battle Drills, I want to be ready for a fight. Also Melissa, where is my ready room?"
She turned to him and answered. "Sir you Ready Room is over there" she points to a hall way just behind her console. "Aye sir I will have the results on your desk. Also sir, how is the chair?"
"I prefer the one on the Ontario" He smiled "you have the bridge XO."
* * *
Captains Log. Star Date 50010.5
I only been in Command of the Federations biggest and most powerful ship for less than a day and already we have been ordered to attack the Dominion. I am anxious to take this ship and her crew into battle, but I am nervous for my performance. When commanding the Ontario, I only had to worry about ordering to launch photon torpedoes and phasers in battle. Now I have to order Marines, hopefully I will not have to send them into battle often. But if I do, I am confident that she will kick ass. And in the meantime I am going to take up Dr. Englands offer.
As Harkness entered sick bay, he noticed the sheer size of this room, and assumed that for a ship this size and crew of this size, there needed to be a big Infirmary.
"Captain" called out the young nurse, "welcome to sick bay. Is there anything I can do for you?" "Well·" he responded. "Yes, is Doctor England here?" He stuttered a bit when he said this. "She is in her officer sir."
"Thank you Ensign, um. Um, can you show me where that is?" He always hated asking for help.
"Just in there sir." She pointed down a hallway to their left.
"Ah Captain Harkness, I see you found sick bay alright" Greeted Doctor England with a smile.
"Yes thank you, earlier you offered to give me a tour. Are you up to it?" Asked Harkness.
"Of course. All I am doing right now looking over some reports, so what would you like to see first."
Immediately he thought, the inside of your quarters, "I don't know" he answered with a quiver in his voice.
"How about Engineering. Lt. Lynch has been hoping to meet you."
Harkness assumed the Lynch was his Chief Engineer.
"Just follow me Captain"
As they left her office, he noticed how beautiful she was.
They entered a massive room. Off to each side many engineers worked at control stations and were talking to each other. "Lt. Lynch" called the young Doctor.
From a workstation in front of the two, a Bajorian with his head down working on a panel cursed to the instrument.
"Lt. Lynch! There is someone here to see you."
"What, what, I am very busy." With out looking up he continues. "This new captain wants us ready in a few hours. I am working my ass off to make sure he is happy. I wish for once Captains would get off our backs."
"Lt. Lynch, let me introduce you to our new Captain."
"Oh Christ, he is with you isn't he Michelle?" He turned with shock on his face.
"Captain, um·um· you know I was joking there."
Smiling to him self he responded, "It is ok Lt. A few years ago I did the same thing, it is ok. Now that is over with, I am Captain Charles Harkness, it is nice to meet you."
Lynch's jaw was still wide open as Harkness greeted him. "Um·Um· Sir, I thank you."
Harkness lifted his hands to show that he was not offended.
"So what is new with this class ship Lt.?" Asked Harkness trying to put what happened a minute ago behind him.
"Well sir. We have newest thing to help the Engineer, I assume you've herd of the EMH, now the Toronto is the first ship Class to have EEH, Emergency Engineer Hologram." He said this with a lot of pride. "Would you like to see it sir?"
"Sure why not." He always liked the new gadgets that came with new ships.
"Computer run EEH program" Ordered Lynch.
The hologram appeared out of nowhere and asked "Please State the Nature of the Engineering Emergency"
With shock Harkness opened his mouth. "Is that Cmdr. LaForge of the Enterprise?"
"Yes sir, I am the holographic representation of Lt. Cmdr. LaForge." Responded the Hologram.
"Computer, deactivate EEH program" ordered Lynch.
"Thank you Lt. Now we must be going."
"Okay sir, thank you coming down here, and I must apologize for earlier." Pleaded the Engineer who knew that he could be demoted for something like that.
Harkness nodded his response. And England and him made their way to the door.
Lynch turned back to his work and mutter to himself.
* * *
Captains Log supplemental.
The last of fighter wings have docked and we have received our full shipment of weapons. I have called a meeting with my senior staff, partly in to introduce myself and brief them on our first mission.
The interior of the Observation Room was big. A massive table was directly in the center with chairs around it. At each end a massive screen about 2 meters wide and 2 meters tall, and food replecators at each end of the room. In the background the starbase is sitting peacefully. All the senior staff are standing talking to each other.
"Captain on Deck" yelled Larson as Harkness entered the room.
"At ease, take your seat please." Harkness took his seat the head of the table; Larson took the seat to his right. Col. Dubins took the seat to the left. To his left was Dr. England; beside her was Lt. Lynch. On Larson's right side was Ensign Christina Jenkins. She was about 5'10, she looked very tame, but despite her looks she was one tough fighter. Harkness was glad to have her.
"Ok, um, um." Harkness looked around the room. "Is there someone missing Cmdr.?" He said looking at Larson.
"Yes sir, Major Rapoport has not arrived. His fighter squadron engaged a Cardassian Destroyer, so he will not be able to get here on time."
"Ok. Thank you Cmdr." He continued. "By now I am sure you have all herd the rumor about a renegade officer who has stolen a prototype ship. Well they are true, and it is our job to bring him in. Cmdr. Larson will fill you in." As he said this she stood and went to the Screen directly behind and punches a button.
"This is the USS Bismarc" she started to brief the staff. "Commander Chris Bean, has stolen her and Starfleet Intelligence believes that he is going to give her to the Dominion. As Captain Harkness already said, it is our job to bring her home. Any questions?"
Lt. Cmdr. Zavi March raised his hand. March was the operations officer and used to be in Special Ops. He was a tall man of 6 foot; he was born in Germany.
"What class ship is the Bismarc?" Asked March.
"She is the new Billy Bishop class fast attack ship. She is about 250 meters long and the same amount of firepower as the Defiant class ship. But she isn't our main concern. IS has reason to believe that 6 enemy ships will also be there to accept delivery. Any other Questions?" Replied Larson
Every one in the room went quiet.
"Very well, have you stations ready for departure in 2.5 hours. Is there anything you would like to say Captain?"
"No thanks Cmdr."
"Dismissed." Ordered Larson.
End Act 2.
Begin Act 3
The interior of the Captains quarters were about 15 meters long and 5 meters wide. At both ends were doors to the Bedroom and the Head. Harkness always loved the smell of new quarters. He was sitting on the couch looking out the window thinking about the Ontario, and how small his quarters were compared to this. "Computer, what time is it?" He asked the air.
"The time is 15:47.56" Responded the cold voice of the computer.
He stood up and headed for the Replecator. He hit a button on the LCARS control panel.
"Computer, large Coke." Coke was a drink from the 20th century that a friend of Harkness had found in the computer database.
The large glass filled with a dark liquid appeared in the replecator.
He finished the drink and placed the empty glass on the glass table and headed out the door.
* * *
Ah he entered the bridge; he noticed how much activity that was going on. "Ensign Jenkins plot a course to the Bullock system Maximum warp." He Ordered. Larson walked onto the bridge from the conference room and took her place along side the Captain chair.
Harkness walked over and took his seat. "Number One, have all senior staff on the bridge."
She ran her fingers over her LCARS panel.
"Ensign, unlock all moorings, disengage us from the stations power supply. Maneuver us to a safe distance from the station." He said with a smile, he forgot how it felt to command a ship.
"Captain we are now 2.5 million KM from the station", announced the young Ensign.
Harkness stood up and gave the order, "Engage".
The silent large ship moved through space. Then with a bright flash from the Nacelles, it disappeared into Warp.
Captains Log Supplemental:
We are now 3 hours away from the Bullock system, and long scans have indicated that no ships are there. I am starting to realize that Starfleet Intelligence was wrong about the trade happening here.
The Bridge of the massive ship was somewhat calm; the only sound came from the computers. Harkness was pacing around his new toy.
"Report" he asked looking towards Larson.
"Nothing sir, no ships for several light years."
He took a deep breath and took his seat again.
"I don't like this" he muttered to him self.
He stood again.
"RED ALERT, ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS. Col. I want your ships ready for combat." Harkness ordered, as the lights on the bridge went dark and the alert Klaxons went off.
"Aye sir." Responded Dubins.
"Cmdr. Larson take over at weapons. And do a sensor sweep of this sector." Barked Harkness.
"Sir, there are 3 Jem'Hadar war ships that just entered sensor range. There are about 2 light years from our position." Responded Larson
"Set a course to those ships, warp 7. Engage."
"We should be there in 4 minutes sir." Responded the young Ensign.
"Drop us out of warp when we are 30 million KM from them. Larson ready all weapons." Barked Harkness, he always loved taking a ship into battle.
"Weapons ready." Replied Larson.
As the ship reached 30 million-KM away from the target, she silently dropped out of sub space.
"Sir we are now 30 million KM from the lead Jem'Hadar ship." Announced Jenkins.
"Captain" called Larson; "they have entered weapons range. They are in standard attacking formation"
Harkness thought for a second. "Lock Tri-Colbalt devises on the lead ship." He ordered in his Calm voice.
"Target locked sir" responded Larson with her cool voice.
"Lets see what this ship can do, FIRE!" As he said the word Larson's fingers ran across the Computer control.
From the main Torpedo bay, a single white projectile appeared. As bright as a star it flew through space and headed for its target. As it hit the first ship it exploded vaporizing it and 4 other ships. The 6th still remained although she was badly damaged.
"Good shot Cmdr." exclaimed Harkness. She had a big smile on her face.
"Captain" called Lt. Cmdr. March. Harkness didn't notice him earlier.
"That Jem'Hadar ship still has her weapons on line."
Looking over at Dubins Harkness orders "Col. Send in the Marines."
"Yes sir." Replied Dubins.
From the main Marine launcher out came 10 Halifax Class Attack ships. These ships looked like miniature Defiant ships. They closed in on the crippled Jem'Hadar ship and fired their phasers.
"Captain, the Jem'Hadar ship has lost main power." Said Jenkins in a very excited voice, since this was she first time in actual combat.
"Col. RTB your ships. Also have your Marines meet me in Transporter Room 5. March, Dubins, Jenkins come with me. Larson you have the Bridge." The four of them got up and headed for the Turbo Lift. Larson got up and took the Command chair.
As the Team re-materialized on the Jem'Hadar bridge, they saw the bodies of Jem'Hadar soldiers burnt to a crisp.
"Dubins take your marines down there" he pointed to a hall, "sweep the ship for any survivors." Dubins singled to his men to follow him, and they ran down the hall.
"Jenkins check the computer and try to find anything on the Bismarc. March come with me."
The two men headed down the hall with their phaser rifles in hand.
When the two men reached the end of the hall they herd the faint cries of the Vorta. Harkness looks around to find the source of the noise.
"Captain" called March, as he lifted some debris off the Vorta.
Harkness walked over and inspected the body. He had cuts over his face, but other than that he was fine.
"I am Captain Charles Harkness of the Federation Starship Toronto." He said looking at the scared Vorta. Harkness never liked the Vorta; he felt that they were genetically engineered Ferengi.
"Ah Captain, I am Prelu, the Vorta assigned" he stop and looked around. "To this hunk of metal."
"Prelu, are there any survivors other than you onboard?" Harkness asked excepting no answer.
"No Captain."
Harkness never trusted Vorta. He hit his comm. Badge.
"Harkness to Dubins. Have you found anything yet?" He spoke to the air.
"Sir, there are approximately 100 dead Jem'Hadar soldiers down here."
"Thank you, met me and Zavi on the Bridge. Harkness out."
Looking down in disgust at the Vorta "Get up". The Vorta did as he was ordered. He could sense that Harkness had resentment towards him.
* * *
The interior of the Jem'Hadar ship was black from smoke. Jem'Hadar corpses were rotting on the floor. Jenkins was down loading the ship's information to her tricorder.
As Harkness entered he asked, "report ensign?"
She looked up and replied. "Sir, the exchange has been moved to Aries system, about 14 light years from our current position."
Harkness looking at the Vorta "when is the exchange?"
The Vorta had a smug look and replied. "Well Captain, the depends on a few things. I can tell you, and you reward me, or you don't reward me and the Bismarc is the Dominions."
Harkness became annoyed.
"Either you tell me you little shit, or you will be out the nearest air lock!"
The Vorta was pleased, he did what he wanted to do, and started to laugh.
"Come now Captain. You kill me and you do not find out when the exchange is. And from what I understand you would also be charged with murder."
This really pissed of Harkness. He raised the butt of his rifle and hit the Vorta in the belly, knocking the wind out of him.
"Captain, that did nothing to me." Replied the Vorta after a few minutes of coughing.
Harkness breathing heavily turned and raised his rifle.
"Zavi get out of the way" he ordered. "Look you piece of shit. You either tell me or you will be vaporized. You have 5 seconds. 5·4·3·2·"
"Ok, ok. It will happen in 5 hours!" Screamed the little Vorta.
"Thank you. You do not know how close you came to being stunned." Harkness said with a laugh.
"Harkness to Toronto. 11 to beam back." He said to the air.
The men were shrouded in the blue transported beam.
End Act 3.
Begin Act 4.
Captain Log. Stardate 50011.2
We are en-route to the Aries System where the Dominion and Chris are going to make the exchange. This mission has brought back many memories of Chris and SO academy. My orders are to stop the Dominion from getting their hands on the Bismarc at all costs, and that means I might have to destroy her and Chris. We are now 3 hours away from the Aries system.
Harkness was sitting behind his desk in the ready room, drinking a mug of Coffee. The stars out the window ran by as the Toronto hurdled through warp. Harkness was thinking about the time he had first met Chris.
* * *
Inside the Briefing room at Star Fleet Academy, server dozen cadets were sitting down talking. Harkness was sitting at the edge of a row thinking of how much he missed Toronto. He was a loner, no friends; he was the only one who was no talking or being talked to. He had always hated gatherings like this where he would have to sit beside people who he didn't know. He was still annoyed that his parents forced him to join Star Fleet.
The crowd hushes down as the Admiral walks in.
"Greeting Cadets, and welcome to Cadet command school." The only reason Harkness was here was that his Professor urged him to join up for Command school.
The Admiral continued. In his British Accent.
"I am Admiral William Nelson Commandant for the Command school. I am sure you are all ready for a tough challenge and ready to met your new crew." Harkness thought Yeah sure.
As the Admiral continued Harkness drifted in and out of day dreaming. He pictured himself in Command of an Ambassador Class ship firing a volley of Photon Torpedoes at Admiral Nelson.
The Admiral continued.
"Thank you for your time, the lists of Simulators is posted out side. Dismissed."
As the people started to file out of the room, Harkness followed and checked the list. He was in Simulator 25 at the East End of the building.
As he left the room he dodged the young immature cadets as he headed for the door. As he walked back to his dorm, some one from behind called his name.
"Charles"
Harkness turned around to see a young man, about his age running towards him.
He caught up to him and was out of breath.
"Charles Harkness I presume. I am Chris Bean your First officer, I just wanted to met you before our first mission tomorrow morning sir."
Harkness nod his acknowledgment and headed for the Turbolift.
"It was nice talking to you sir." Called Chris Bean.
As Harkness entered the simulator, he was greeted by the usual "Captain on Deck".
He looked at his new crew. He noticed that Chris Bean was at the Ops position and to his right was a gorgeous young woman. Kathryn Lembke, Harkness had looked trough the records of his crew the night before.
Admiral Nelson walked through the door.
"Welcome cadets to the Simulated Bridge of the USS Enterprise-C."
Just then Harkness is woken from his dream by the COMM system.
"Captain Harkness to the Bridge." Called the computer in its cold voice.
He stands, adjusts his uniform and heads to the bridge.
"Captain on deck" yelled Larson.
"Thank you Cmdr. What is it?" He asked as she got out of his chair.
"Sir. We have just entered the Aries system."
"Red Alert. All Hands stand to Battle stations" Harkness ordered as he took his seat.
As the Bridge lights dimmed. Harkness looked around and thought. What a ship
"Cmdr. March. Do a scan of the system and locate the Bismarc." Ordered as Harkness as turned to look at March.
"Captain there are 5 Jem'Hadar warships, and 8 Cardassian Destroyers. And the Bismarc is 50 million KM directly ahead of us."
"Ok. Seeing how this isn't going to be easy. Larson open a channel to the ships." Ordered Harkness.
Larson ran her fingers over her controls and nodded to Harkness when she was done.
"This is Captain Charles Harkness of the Federation Starship Toronto. The USS Bismarc is Federation property. And I am giving you 30 seconds to leave this system."
Larson controls panel beeped. "Captain. We are being hailed by the Bismarc."
"On screen Cmdr."
The Holographic Screen jumped into place. On it was a man in his late thirties."
"Charles is that you? It has been a while." The Man asked.
Harkness when seeing his face again brought back many unhappy memories.
"Commander Bean, you are in violation of Starfleet protocols, and I order you to lower the shields of the Bismarc." Harkness just blurted that out.
"C'mon Charles. This is my ship. I designed her I built her. And I am going to decide what happens to her. If you do not like that, just try and go through my escorts. Chris Bean out." The screen flickered off.
"SHIT. Ok this is going to be tough." Cursed. "Cmdr. are we in weapons rage of the Dominion ships?" Asked Harkness as he looked down at Larson.
"Yes sir." She replied with a smile.
"Ensign attack pattern Harkness four-seven-tango. Cmdr. lock phasers and quantum torpedoes on the lead Jem'Hadar ship. Fire on my Command." Harkness stood for a minute as he looked at the screen.
"MARK!"
The Toronto increased to full impulse as the nose climbed to a 10-degree angle and rolled to starboard. As she started to roll, 3 phaser beams fired and destroyed the first ship.
"Sir one Jem'Hadar ship destroyed." Exclaimed Larson.
"Dubins. Launch the Marines. Larson fire quantum torpedoes."
From the Marine Launchers came several dozen squadrons of the Marine fighters. As they flew towards their targets, the Jem'Hadar ships fired destroying 3 of them. The destruction of the three fighters made the Marines pissed off. They flew in and fired all their weapons on the Jem'Hadar ships, destroying the first 3 ships.
On the bridge of the Toronto, people were doing their jobs with clarity.
Harkness looked around and admired that.
"Captain 3 more Marines ships have been destroyed by the Cardassian fleet." Yelled out Dubins.
"Larson prepare 5 Tri-Colbalt Torpedoes. Dubins get your men out of there. Jenkins bring us to three-four-six mark two-two-seven. One quarter impulse." Ordered Harkness. He wanted to blow the remaining ships back to the Gamma Quadrant.
"Sir the Jem'Hadar ships are breaking formation and going towards the Bismarc." Yelled March.
"Dubins get your men out NOW!" Harkness didn't the blast to get his own men but he would do it if he had to.
"Sir all but 1 squadron is clear." Replied Dubins.
Harkness put his hand on his head. He knew he had to do it but he didn't want to.
"Fire Torpedoes." He said with guilt.
From the Main, and Starboard torpedo bays. Came Five White stars that flew through space towards their target. The marines never knew what hit them.
End Act 4.
Begin Act 5.
The resulting explosion for the Tri-Colbalt torpedoes destroyed all of the Jem'Hadar and 7 of the Cardassian destroyers.
"Sir." Called out Larson. "The remaining Cardassian ship is heading for the Bismarc and getting ready to lock a tractor beam on it."
"Helm full impulse. Bridge to Engineering." Harkness said to the air.
"Lynch here sir." Replied the COMM.
"Re-route all available power to the impulse engines."
"Yes sir. We are now at 125%."
"Larson are we in weapons range of the Cardassian ship?" Asked Harkness hoping that the answer would be yes.
"No sir. We will be in 35 seconds." She responded.
The 35 seconds felt like an eternity for Harkness and the rest of the Bridge crew.
"Sir. We are in Phaser range." Yelled Larson with joy in her voice.
"Lock phasers on the Cardassian ship and fire when ready." Ordered Harkness stood as he looked at the screen getting ready for his reunion with Bean.
As the Toronto flew through space she fired phasers. As the beams hit they bounced of the shields of the Destroyer.
"Sir they are lowering their shields and preparing to transport Bean aboard." Said Larson as her console beeped. "He is aboard."
"Try to disable their warp engines Cmdr." Harkness cried.
The Cardassian ship turned to port and then jumped into warp with a flash.
'Their gone sir." Said Larson.
"Harkness turned and kicked his chair.
"SHIT!" he yelled. "Set a course for Bismarc. And prepare to take her into our shuttle bay. Once we have her. Set a course for Starbase 47."
Harkness looked around. And stood up. "Larson you have the Bridge. I will be in my ready room if you need me."
Harkness walked of the bridge.
* * *
As he entered his ready room he walked to the replecator. "Computer. Labatt Blue." The replecator hummed as a Beer mug with a yellow liquid materialized.
He walked over to his couch and sat. Looking at the big monitor. "Computer play game 7 of the 1993 Norris Division Conference final. CBC broadcast."
As the screen flickered on. The commentators started talking. "Welcome to Maple Leaf Gardens. For the 1992 Norris Division Final between the St. Louis Blues, and the Toronto Maple Leafs."
Harkness sat back and put his feet on the table.
Just as the puck was about to be dropped that chimes for the Door ring.
"Computer pause. Enter." Harkness was annoyed.
As the doors parted, Dr. England entered.
"Captain. Am I disturbing you?" She asked.
Standing up he said. "No not at all. Please come in."
She walked over to the couch.
"What are you watching." She pointed to the monitor.
"Ah it is just a match of my favorite game." He replied.
She sat down beside Harkness.
"I herd what happened. Are you ok?" She said with her soft voice.
"I'll live, and if I don't, there is always the Best Doctor in Starfleet to save me." He said with a smile.
She laughed.
"Computer time." Harkness ordered.
"The time is 20:37." Replied the computer.
He looked at her and said. "I got so caught up in today's battle I forgot what time it was." He said with a half smile. "Is there anywhere onboard to get dinner?" He asked.
"Yeah. The Sky Dome." She replied, hoping that he would ask her to dinner.
"Want to grab something?" He asked.
She nodded her reply and they got up and headed for the Door.
* * *
The interior of the Sky Dome was very festive. Bright lights. Music in the back ground and a dance floor in the center. They found a seat close to a window where the stars were flying by.
"Funny" He said looking into the Brown eyes of Michelle England.
"What is?" She replied
"I would have thought for a Battleship, there would not be room for a place like this."
"Yeah that is what I thought." she said. "The designers of this ship went to the extremes on both ends. The Toronto is the most powerful ship in Starfleet. The biggest. And she is the most comfortable also."
As she said this the waiter came to table.
"Ah Captain it is a pleasure to have you in our establishment" said the waiter. He continued. "What would you two like to have today?"
Um. I think I Steak and Kidney pie with a side of Fries. With a glass of house whit wine." Said Michelle.
"And for the Captain." Asked the waiter.
"I'll have a T-bone steak with a baked potato with sour cream. And a starter order of Garlic Bread with Cheese for the two of us."
"And what would you like to drink sir?" Asked the Waiter.
"I'll have a pint of Guinness." Said Harkness.
As the waiter walked away Michelle asked. "Charles, what is going to happen with Cmdr. Chris Bean?"
Harkness turned and looked out to the stars. "I will get the Bastard. If it is the last thing I do. I will see him in the Brig!"
End.
* * *