From bberg@discover-net.net Sun Jun 7 11:35:27 1998 Date: Fri, 8 May 1998 21:30:29 -0600 From: bberg@discover-net.net To: areich1@juno.com, fta98@hotmail.com, jyoung@eaze.net, bullseye@earthlink.net, mwolfe@phoenix.isn.net, jhill@banda.ntu.edu.au, vicden@mis.net, vicden1@yahoo.com, sagatech@one.net.au, thompson@usna2001.com, jeffj@Princeton.EDU, jdt7@cornell.edu, george@vegasnet.net, alton.reich@snet.net Subject: USS YAMATO: A Unique Oppurtunity. Stardate: 100508.1700 MD: 7.0545 Scene: Bridge >"LT D'Artgnan how many Dalriadan ships have we detected so far?" Isaac asked. Stephens looked up from her sensors when the captain spoke. Now with the ship slowed, sensors were easier to read eventhough the YAMATO was cloaked. The thought of the cloak made Cassandra think of the Brief and the HOOD. Cassandra had been on the HOOD when it had been fitted with a cloak. So when the captain mentioned the cloak at the Brief Cassie had shuddered as she recalled the memories of that time on the HOOD. Now a cloaked YAMATO was going to play cat and mouse with the Dalriada, and Cassie was glad for the cloak, she just hoped the YAMATO wouldn't end up like the poor HOOD. Cassandra came out of her thoughts as D'Artgnan spoke. >"There are 8 vessles as pickets. 6 are around 500,000 tons >displacement, but the other 2 are smaller, on the order of half that >size," Brenan replied. >"Potential targets, Sir?" Alex asked. >"That's what I'm thinking, XO. The phase cloak would give us an >advantage over an isolated ship. I think we should complete our primary >mission of surveying before indulging." A blip on Stephens' sensors caught her attention. "Captain, I'm detecting another ship that just broke orbit around the 6th planet and is heading this way," LT Stephens reported. >"On screen," Isaac ordered, "Any indications that we've been detected?" >Isaac asked as he watched the sleek cigar shape come toward them. >"That thing is huge," Alex breathed. "I don't think we've been detected, Sir," Cassandra said. Under her breath she added, "I think." Two thoughts went through Cassie's head as she took a breath after voicing those words-the YAMATO's close call not long ago with those three Dalriadan vessels in the Tabillin system, and an image from longer ago of the HOOD in flames. Of course with the HOOD the Dalriada hadn't caused the damage, but still the possibility of destruction and loss of life was similar now as it was then, and possibly even more so. >"XO, I've got an idea." >"Yes Captain?" >"What if we cruise right through her? Since we're out of phase we >should be able to do just that, and get a good look at what's inside," >Isaac suggested. The word 'What', leaped into Cassandra's head. But it was an interesting idea, and Cassandra thought a very intriguing one. >"It's possible, in theory." >"Now's not the time for theory, though. Opinions people?" Stephens replied,"It could work captain, although I haven't heard of anyone doing it. Navigating could be tricky, we would need to match speed with the Dalriadan vessel to get a good look. Sensors and the cloak would need to be monitored for any changes initiated by the other vessel which might seriously affect us so we could pull out." After Sterns listened to the opinions from the others present, it was decided to pass through the Dalriadan ship. Such a task was tricky, but it could very well supply more information on their opponent. As the YAMATO approached about midway down the broadside of the other ship Cassandra found herself clutching her console waiting to hear 'Brace for impact', but of course it didn't come and the YAMATO started to pass through the Dalriadan vessel's bulkhead. Someone gasped, but Cassie didn't look, her eyes were fixed on the viewscreen as were many others. The first thing inside was a large open area with turrets. Turrets on which weapons were mounted and moved. Sensors picked up the shielding of the bay which was used to prevent detection. A second reading picked up another bay above this one. Since the YAMATO had entered the ship's broadside the presence of the weapons bay was not unusual since the Dalriadan ships often turned broadside to fire. As Stephens tried to scan as much of the bay's contents as possible she couldn't help but invision an old Terran Pirate ship, which mounted and fired weapons broadside as well. The YAMATO passed beyond the weapons bay through another bulkhead wall. Here there was a maze of corridors, and access tunnels. Most lifeform readings were coming from above and at the aft and forward parts of the vessel, scans were erratic though. Energy readings were coming from the central part of the vessel which the YAMATO was approaching. Through another bulkhead wall into another large area containing equipment-perhaps a back-up control room, or engine room. Here there were some Dalriada present, but they didn't seem to notice anything amiss. Directly in the line of the YAMATO's viewscreen at the far end of this large room was a transparent bulkhead. Sensors were acting up again, and energy readings continued. The YAMATO was near the center of the vessel. On the otherside of this bulkhead was a large containmet field-with a swirling mass inside, and low level gravitron readings. This was where the Dalriada generated their gravity well. As Cassandra watched the swirling mass before her, sensors picked up the begining of an energy increase. "The Dalriada's vessel is increasing power. They either know we are here or are about to make a course change. We probably wont be able to keep in sync with them, perhaps it is time to pull out." After speaking, Cassandra held her breath hoping the YAMATO would get out in time. Timeline: MD:7.0545 YAMATO begins detecting ships within Burrakis System Alton MD:7.0600 Cloaked YAMATO passes through a Dalriadan vessel Kris MD:7.0615(approx) YAMATO detects energy readings in vessel pulls out Kris NRPG: ------ All: Well Alton mentioned about me having Stephens describe the phased trip through the Dlariadan vessel in his last post. So I hope this post worked alright. I tried not to be too specific about the vessel's details. And there is space here if anyone else wants to add anything. Respectfully, Kristine B Lt jg Cassandra Stephens Chief Science Officer USS YAMATO