"Armageddon & The Gnat"

[FredM 0]

ORIGIN: Task Foce BSA QP0 Flagship Tjan

DATE: 11293 39 Eunj

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"Tactical condition seven. Repeat, tactical condition seven," the voice of a younger aged Andorian on the bridge stated into an open channel throughout the ship. It was something that actually impressed Werin, for someone so young to be maintaining his calm given the circumstances showed excellent training and dedication. They were both something everyone was going to need in the near future.

 

Lieutenant Hergin, the navigational control officer, leaned over the shoulder of a woman who sat in a chair before him. "Readings showing bearing achieved. Manuvering operations will be complete in five minutes...mark," he said to the tall Andorian roaming the room. There was no response, no need for one. Everyone knew where they were going and why. Nothing else really mattered at this point, at least nothing of importance.

 

Werin glanced over a document which sat before him on the large sensor display panel in the center of the room. "Mr. Reji, please bring the main batteries online. Load all magazines, weapon package zero-sando-terak," said the Fleet Admiral shifting his antenna. Before him was a copy of the last official order sent to him by Rear Admiral Morval, dated 49 Eunj. While no actual shots had been fired, circumstances had changed to the degree that they might as well have been.

 

A shorter figure to the Fleet Admiral's left nodded, glancing back at the several officers in the circular alcove which made up fire control. "Load weapons package zero-sando-terak, standard operational yeild. Primary and secondary batteries," the figure repeated to his subordinates.

 

Again, the Andorian of fifty glanced up at the forward viewer. At this stage it was certain that Vulcan sensors had finally detected the massive ships moving into position. What concerned him was the fact it would still take almost another fifty-five minutes before every ship was in position. In the meantime, a small window of opportunity could potentially exist. The chance was minute, and having had the fleets move into position under warp would have been the better choice. However, it would have also left the Tjan a sitting duck for almost two days.

 

"Sir," the medium built officer to Werin's left stated turning around, "the a'Lorao desires to know if we require the deployment of DSG SV/1, sir." The group of fifteen ships, known as Destroyer Sustainment Group SV/1, had been sitting on standby for nearly a week awaiting instructions. The purpose of the task force was to maintain the security of the rear during a forward advance, ensuring an enemy would be unable to mount a series attack before no one knew what had happened. However new the ships in SV/1 were, their commander was also inexperienced and known to be somewhat trigger happy. "No, not yet, "Werin replied with a frown and his antenna dropping. He didn't need that right now.

 

He still outnumbered the Vulcan ships in actual craft and could easily oblierate them several times over. This tactical situation would remain for some time, as intelligence sources had confirmed the Vulcans were spread rather thin throughout the area of the Sol system. The conflict would be at a time and place of Werin's choosing. What's more, he was certain his pointy eared countparts knew it.

 

Then it happened. An alarm everyone aboard knew was eventually going to come sounded. "Sir! Vulcan vessel approaching the Sol system," someone barked. The taller Andorian who had been roaming approached, leaned over and read the display. He glanced up and met Werin's gaze, "A shuttle, traveling well above it's recommended speed. Will encounter the blockade line in two minutes."

 

Glancing down at the sensor display in front of him, the Fleet Admiral's antenna raised...as did his right eyebrow. "A shuttle...," he mumbbled. What would the Vulcans be doing attempting to pass a shuttle thru the blockade line? To warn them of the Andorian presence in the system? It was possible...but something those sixteen Vulcan ships already knew. So why were they remaining on course?

 

Adamant Force had been executed and called for the immediate detainment by any means necessary ships attempting to enter the system. It was a regulation that could not be overriden unless the order was retracted, something Werin was not about to do. However, the question still remained. Why would the Vulcans be flying so fast to get to the pinkskin homeworld?

 

The giant sensor display illuminated, now tracking the small ship as it approached the Sol star group. Werin tilted his head and glanced up at the tall Andorian. "All of our ships are not yet in position...this shuttle is attempting to enter in an area where only one quarter of our forces are deployed. Let us not start armageddon on the account of a gnat," he said raising his antenna. The other man nodded slightly and gave several orders to numerous individuals.

 

The shuttle would be allowed to pass, for now. Werin was not going to risk delaying the deployment of his forces on the account of a small shuttle. The Terran ship was still months away from operational status and was therefore not a threat at the present time. However, the continued influence by the Vulcans was. Once Adamant Force was fully operational, it's ability to hinder the Andoria via the pinkskin would be eliminated.