While the Iron's Hot (Part 3)

Posted on Tue Mar 25th, 2025 @ 4:23pm by Captain Maho Takahashi & Captain Erica Hartmann & Captain Koko Kaga & Commander Keisuke Takahashi 'K.T.' & Commander Ichika Misono & Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa & Lieutenant Ami Rori & Lieutenant Kael Ryo & Lieutenant JG Jane Sinclair & Captain Mikoto Misaka
Edited on on Tue Mar 25th, 2025 @ 4:23pm

1,316 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Indivisible

Previously, on Star Trek: Myogi:

“Any indication of enemy force strength?” asked Jane, her hand raised. “Tal Shiar ships usually have cloaking devices, and maybe that tech’s been shared with Elachi or Separatist ships, right? Do we have any idea how many enemy ships we might be facing?”

"Long range sensors detected at least twenty six Elachi vessels." Erica explained. "Tachyon scans detected at least fourteen Romulan vessels of varying classes. Of course, it's always safer to estimate that number to be higher."

"Any idea as to what kinds of ships they're packing?" a Tactical officer inquired.

"I'll speak for that."

And now, the continuation:

All heads turned as Commander Barkhorn as she got up and made her way over to the podium.

"On the Elachi front, we've been able to identify at least one class, approximately the size of what we would categorize as a "frigate", and what- for lack of a better term- we shall be referring to it as from here on out," she explained as several blurry spy photos showcasing what appeared to be a bulky, scarab-shaped craft appeared on screen. "Based on what few engagements Starfleet has had with this particular type of craft, has been described to be fast, nimble, and used to great effect in what we like to call "swarming" offensives, where they are utilized primarily in whittling down enemy defenses to make them easier for the larger craft to finish off. Tactical capabilities include a forward and aft beam array, a subspace torpedo launcher, and a high yield that allows them to launch said torpedos in rapid succession); additionally, a handful of reports have identified the craft's ability to land and maneuver on planetary surfaces, meaning that even if we were to beam directly down onto the surface of Braxus, that would not necessarily guarantee them safety from the Elachi frigates, and if anything puts them at greater risk. Evidently, this will be our biggest hurdle in simply breaking through their defenses, and if we are to successfully carry out this operation, then I would strongly encourage that we focus our early efforts in dispatching of the Elachi frigates."

The screen switched to another set of images, this time depicting a sleek, bird-shaped vessel that was familiar to just about anyone who possessed even a modicum of knowledge pertaining to the Romulan Star Empire and their fleet.

"On the Romulan front, we've identified the presence of at least ten D'deridex-Class Battlrecruisers, which hardly require any explanation for most of you here to day, but I'll sum up some of the highlights," Commander Barkh continued. "Designed sometime in the late 2350s to serve as a replacement for both the Amarcan Warbird and the War Eagle dreadnought, the D'Deridex became the foundation of the Star Empire's forces, and comprised the bulk of their fleet from their inception in and around circa 2360 to the late 2370s, when it was superseded by the Mogai-Class. A vast majority of the intel we have pertaining to the D'Deridex-Class was taken from what limited presence the Federation had aboard Romulan vessels over the course of the Dominion War, and while the specifics are likely to have changed in that time, we know that it is significantly more resilient and carries firepower comparable to Galaxy-Class starships of the time. Taking on at least 10 of them is going to be no small feat, but that's likely going to be a cake-walk compared to this:"

The screen once again switched to show a larger ship that resembled the D'Deridex at first glance, but significantly smaller and a more aggressive, "hawk"-like stance, with forward-swept, downward-slanted wings, a more rounded "head", and corrugated paneling along the trailing edges of the aft section. Anyone here who had served on the Myogi in the past few months would recognize it's shape almost immediately.

"The Ar'Kif class:" Barkhorn continued. "It had been rumored in the years following the Armitage class' debut that the Romulans had been working to develop a counter to the class. Many in Starfleet dismissed these rumors until the Myogi encountered a fully operational one in the hands of the terrorist cell known as the True Believers. In order to have made it into private hands, it was safe to suspect that the Ar'Kif had indeed reached full production, and our scans indicate as such; as we have identified the presence of at least four of these. If you think fighting a D'Deridex is tough, try fighting one of these while getting swarmed with its auxiliary craft, of which little is known, as the ship the Myogi encountered never launched its compliment."

"Is that the reason why a ship that was reportedly canceled is fully operational?" Someone in the back asked in regards to the Alita.

"An excellent question:" Misaki responded. "While the many delays that have plagued the Alita program have seemed like a cancellation, and indeed, cancelling the Alita program outright was on the table prior to the discovery of the Ar'Kif, Starfleet has given the program a 'second life', if you will, in an attempt to regain the advantage that was lost with the advent of the Ar'Kif."

"When did the Tal Shiar get involved?" Someone in the back asked.

"The Tal Shiar and the Confederacy share a common interest:" Erica explained. "Both entities have declared independence from their respective governments, and both purport themselves to be beacons of truth in a galaxy full of lies. If you ask me, the team up was practically inevitable."

"Tal Shiar? Truth? It's like saying that politicians have the public's best interests in mind when they make policy decisions." Ami pointed out, "But teaming up with the Confederacy? Makes me wonder what they're going to get out of the deal.. Aside from working to destabilize the Federation."

"On the contrary, Lieutenant, Ichika was quick to point out. "Based on the evidence we have so far, we suspect it's likely the other way around; by toppling the Federation and instating a puppet government that's loyal to their cause, it leaves the Tal Shiar free to focus their efforts on overthrowing the Star Empire- and with the added backing of a Confederacy that would possess full control of our defense industries, the Tal Shiar would practically be unstoppable."

“Why the Elachi then?” Jane asked. She didn’t understand the politics of it, but they very much seemed an unusual partner in this. “Why partner with either of them?”

"The motives of the Elachi are still being determined." Maho sighed. "All these months later, and we still know very little about them. Not at all helped by Confederate propaganda denying their existence, in spite of the obvious team up."

"So, what are we going to do about it?" Someone in the back asked.

"Right now, the calculations are pointing towards the Elachi 'returning to base,' as it were. That being the aforementioned Braxus system." Erica explained. "I know it's likely in the interests of half the fleet to smother the Confederacy in the cradle. For far too long, we've been complacent in allowing this sickness to thrive, so a more firm response is not only necessary, but required if we're going to keep this federation from tearing itself in two."

Captain Misaka cleared her throat. "Luckily, I have some additional data on the Elachi. Provided by Captain Aisaka of the Starship Tokyo." She said. "She made a rater excellent tactical analysis of their battle strategies. It seems as if Starfleet seems to have ignored her report."

"By all means, Captain," Ichika nodded as she stepped aside and motioned for Mikoto to take the podium.

To be continued...

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