To KO a Planet Killer attempt 1 (Phasers)
Posted on Tuesday 30 June 2020 @ 20:47 by Captain Melody Jones
Mission:
Race against the machine - Joint Mission with USS Andromeda
Location: Andromeda Bridge, Merlin Bridge, Europa Bridge
Timeline: MD5 14:00
3330 words - 6.7 OF Standard Post Measure
ON:
The weapon had stopped and they had witnessed first hand it destroy and consume a planet. Jon had kept everyone at a safe distance not knowing what it would do and as the planet in question, in fact, the whole system was uninhabited, he had allowed himself to be convinced by both Starfleet HQ science and the ships respective science teams to observe this process. It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity to do so. Then the beast had powered down again consuming its meal. This was now their opportunity to try to engage it in a system with no one else around.
"Patch through both Merlin and Europa crews. Is everyone ready?"
=^= Ready when you are Captain.=^= Vern replied cautiously. He was fairly certain the plan would work, it was their best option to stop this beast.
Melody stood on the bridge of the Merlin. =/\=Copy that Andromeda. Engineering is working on running the phaser array directly off the warp core, unfortunately, channelling that much power through the phaser emitters is going to burn them out pretty fast, the beam won't last for more than a couple of minutes or so and there's a good chance we might overload the EPS conduits in the process but it should be one hell of a blast. should increase phaser output by at least 200%. Standby.=/\=
"We are going to attempt a probe first," Jon advised everyone. He had ummed and arhhed on it but ultimately had been swayed by the same argument. There might not be this opportunity again. "So over to the science teams."
From the rear science station, Aidan briefly looked up. "Probe is ready to be launched sir, ready to receive telemetry as soon as it nears that thing."
Xu had taken the Science Station next to Lieutenant Datari but stayed silent allowing her Senior Officer to report directly to the Captain, who to this point had not had the chance to meet as of yet. Instead, her head still swimming with the situation and the gravity of it still not really sitting in her conscious mind. Instead, she focused on the work, tuning the probe's sensors and making sure the deflector grid and comms array was ready to receive what could be immense amounts of data in a very short window.
At the Andromeda's Main Phaser Array, Lilura finished a final surge and sink test of the Phasers from incoming power, conversion, phasic modulation array aiming, and to the sink just before firing. The Phasers convert and control handled the 45% burst through it, and so should easily handle the 33% extra. What made this beam more deadly, besides just the power, was the additions to the emitter frequency modulation circuitry. It took a while to cobble together, but there were now three multi-modulation arrays instead of one. By creating multiple harmonic cascades through the signal, it should create a penetrating phaser beam able to disperse even the neutronium hull of the beasty. There was a chance of getting a harmonic event that could cause feedback, or even start to crumble the phaser array emitter, but Lilura kept the frequencies of the three emitter modulation controls to within acceptable range for the emitter specs.
Lilura called up to the bridge, =^= Bridge, Phaser Array Forward Ops, Tests come back clean. Multi-harmonic Phasers at 133% Power standing by.=/\=
Jon responded to Lilura, =^=Hang fire Chief. We are going to take one stab at .. communicating. Several science officers have raised it as an idea. It's worth a shot.=^=
"Tactical open communications," Jon said.
"Communications open," Gwen said with a nod.
"Planet killer .... vessel this is the CO of the USS Andromeda Jonathan Reynolds….." Jon stopped to allow the other COs to also speak thinking more diplomatic brains were better than one semi diplomatic brain ....
Ensign Hawkins, watched and listened to what was happening, doing his bit to control the output of the phasers when it was time for them to be fired.
Melody was monitoring the open channel added: "This is Melody Jones, Commanding the USS Merlin...."
Vern wasn't entirely sure that the planet killer or anyone else for that matter was going to care what his name was but it seemed appropriate just to say it. "Vern Keading of the USS Europa."
"You pitiful fools. Do not interfere with our awakening. Your time will come. Your entire universe will tremble before us as one before," came a sinister reply.
Commander Natasha Blackthorne on the Europa bridge glanced over at Captain Keading, her eyebrows raised, this was not sounding good at all.
"I'd make a joke," Vern replied to Nat's look. "But something tells me they don't have a sense of humour."
Ensign Hawkins shuddered slightly at the menace in the being's voice.
On the Merlin Meldy also felt a chill run down her spine. "Hmmmm, sounds the friendly sort...."
A voice came over the comm system. "Engineering to bridge. The phasers are as hot as we can make them and are online."
Melody replied "Acknowledged Engineering. Jones to Andromeda. We're ready and waiting for your signal."
"Acknowledged, let's just try a little more diplomacy here," he answered Captain Jones. "Stand by."
"Planet killer. Who are you? We are here to open a dialogue for neg ...."
"We will NOT negotiate. The Dark ones will rule over you ..." Jon was cut off and a fritzing sound followed as the channel closed abruptly.
Jon frowned. "Well, I would say diplomacy fell on deaf ears. Let's do this. All ships target the hull with phasers."
"You're going to stop trying at the first attempt?" Aidan shook his head. "Probes aren't sending anything back yet... we should at least wait until we get some telemetry back."
Jon looked at Aidan, "I just got threatened and cut off Lieutenant. Would you like the floor?"
"We need more time to get readings," Aidan explained, "maybe one of the other captains can try to talk to... it? Or a diplomat?"
"Captain, I may not be a diplomat, but I could give it a try." Ensign Hawkins spoke up, as he made another attempt to contact the planet killer. "Attention Dark Ones Vessel, please respond, we would like to know who you are."
Deimos who had just left Uldrag used the last of his energy to send one further message. "We are your enemies." The communication cut once more and would not connect again.
Jon looked at Hawkins and shrugged. "I would say they don't want to talk. But we need to find out anything we can about these dark ones."
Ensign Hawkins nodded solemnly, "Indeed they don't seem to want to."
"Proceed with the phasers," Jon ordered.
"Aye" Gwen quickly double checked the target lock and hit the button, "Firing on the planet killer."
The Andromeda's enhanced Phaser beam lanced out and struck the planet killer on the agreed upon spot. The beam seemed to look a little denser, with dancing light spots within, due to the extended phasic array structure of the destructive energy spewing forth. The spot being hit began showing wear as the hull integrity began to weaken on the target. However, due to the enhanced modulation types, and that both the Merlin's beam and the Andromeda's beam were hitting the same spot with the Merlin's beam being of a much higher power, several harmonics burst forth creating a disastrous inter-modulation distortion harmonic cascading through the phasers, and that exceeded the phasic frequencies that were safe for the Andromeda's emitters.
A section of the emitter began to crumble, and as it did, that spiked energies and multiple destructive harmonics back into the circuitry sending the phased power to the emitters. The additional frequency modulation circuitry immediately fried and took itself out of action. That created a pulse back into the eps conduits even as the protection circuitry did its best to shut down the affected sections. Phaser control panels and eps junctions began letting their moans of agony be heard as they would begin to overload, then let loose in explosions and/or high heat meltdowns.
The Andromeda phasers dwindled, then shut off, as the autoprotections got ahead of the reducing in amplitude pulse causing the damage..
Merlin
Melody sat done and braced herself in her chair. "Fire!"
The red hot phaser beam lanced out from the Merlin and struck the Planet Killer. At first, it seemed to have little impact.
Melody turned to tactical "Is it having any effect?" she asked?
The tactical officer studied her pannel. "Yes! the integrity of its hull is starting to fall 98%......"
The computer voice interrupted "Warning. Pressure in the Eps system is passing safety limits..."
The tactical officer looked up worried "Captain! We're having an effect but it's negligible at best."
Suddenly the ship rocked hard and the alert claxon sounded. "What the Hell! Captain. I'm not sure how, but it's sending some kind of feedback pulse along the phaser beam..." The officer continued to report as he hung onto his console as the ship rocked hard again. "The phaser emitters are going to overload! 20 EPS conduits just blew out on decks 20 through 28 and we've got a major plasma leak near engineering. I've got more than a dozen causality reports of severe plasma burns."
"Evacuate and seal off the affected sections and advise sickbay they've got incoming," Melody ordered.
Michael thought that it would be wonderful to just once have a patient-less day. However, today was not that day. So for the umpteenth time he got his staff into action as he tapped his comm badge. "Bridge, we are sending triage staff to the affected areas. Try to keep us in one piece. Ki out." Michael remained in Sick Bay as the attending physician.
The phaser beam started to flicker ominously and then fizzled out completely.
The tactical officer sighed "The main phaser relays have completely burnt out. Engineering wasn't kidding. They really did beef up the phasers! I suppose in a way it's a good thing. If that feedback pulse had reached the warp core..."
"There would have been a cloud of dust where the Merlin was a second ago..." Melody finished the thought off. "Get me a full damage and casualty report."
"We've got thermal damage to the phaser relays and EPS system. Main power is at 50%. Storage lockers 7 and 8 and surrounding corridors are folded with plasma, emergency forcefields are containing the leak and are holding. Long-range sensors, targeting scanners and phasers are off-line. Shields are holding. 18 people have been taken to sickbay, no fatalities."
Melody nodded "At least that's some good news. Begin repairs immediately." How's the Andromeda and Europa faring? Have they managed to inflict any more damage?"
Letting loose of his console, Marbim fixes his uniform before fixing an almost glare at his Captain, "I thought I told you not to get yourself hurt, Mam." Turning back to his station he begins firing off messages to his OPS repair teams, "Primary systems first. You find a hull breach report it. You find someone hurt let Dr Ki know. Now move people!" In the midst of his fingers flying, he shoots off one additional message ... ~You okay over there Sav, we got rattled around pretty good~
During this time, Sav had been maintaining station keeping, all the while keeping various tactical maneuvers at the ready in case the planet killer decided to change course to chase them. While the long range sensors being taken offline hurt her 'long range view', that they still had short and medium range meant she was still able to do everything needed as helm during this time. Also, Miles' and her changes to the helm console kept anything from blowing up under her feet for a change. She sent to Miles via computer, ** Thanks for checking on me, Miles. It looks like our changes to the helm station worked, it didn't blow up under my feet or in front of me for a change, so I am good for a date after this that doesn't involve sick bay, yay.**
Sav now reported to Melody. "Captain, Helm, no sign of change in course of the Planet Killer so far, ability to maintain station keeping at this distance not affected at this time. Staying on course at this time."
Leaning in close to his Captain, Miles quietly asked, "Why'd we just do all of that. Phasers never worked in the past on these things. Of course, the first one didn't talk to us either. I can't find anything in the database about these 'Dark Ones' either, what the hell have we gotten ourselves into here Mam?"
Melody thought for a moment. "I'm not sure Number one and I don't like it. It was bad enough when we had the prospect of facing just the Planet Killer. Not it seems to be controlled by these Dark Ones who don't seem interested in any form of diplomacy or relations with the Federation. The engineer on the Andromeda thought this was an attempt worth making." She turned to look at him "I do know that thing needs to be stopped and we need to make every effort to protect any more planets from it, I'm sure I can count on your support Number One, as always and I value your input."
Melody rose and went over to the helm "Nice work there. You gave us our shot. Maintain course and speed for now. No doubt the other will want to get together and plan our next move. Just keep an eye on our friend out there."
Europa
Vern had hung back to see what Andromeda's weapons had done to the planet killer. But nothing seemed to affect it much. He had read the history of such machines and knew how they had destroyed the first one Starfleet had encountered. He gestured for his communications officer to message Andromeda. "This doesn't seem to be working well Captain."
"I think we need to reassess," Jon stated over the comm. "The Merlin looks to have sustained some fairly major damage and our reports are coming in saying we are not in the best shape either and the phasers were negligible in any results. Might be a good idea to chalk this one up as unsuccessful and go clean our wounds so to speak."
Natasha watched intently at the ships engaging the Planet Killer, she noticed that the phasers hadn't done anything to the ancient weapon. She grimaced hearing the report from the Captain of the Andromeda, this wasn't going too well. She quietly murmured, "We certainly need to come up with another plan."
"Suggestions?" Vern asked, the channel was open now to all the ships.
Andromeda
Back on the Andromeda's bridge, Aidan picked himself up from the deck, his face ashen as he climbed back into his seat. Even his spots had paled and his hands trembled as he tried to get a damage report. "My console is fried," he reported. He was here to do his job but at the back of his mind, all he could think about were Emme and their newborn daughter.
Graham had one hand on the corner of his helm console while the other hand typed in commands. He focused on the readings, seemingly oblivious to the trouble happening around him. "Control is a bit sluggish. Impulse power is reduced. RCS quad governors have gone to reset mode. It'll take a minute for them to come back up." He squinted at the navigational sensors. "Hostile vessel is adjusting course to one-zero-five mark two. Increasing speed."
"Keep eyes on it. We need to get everything fixed up and be after again," Jon stated. "Have medical and engineering teams up here asap," the part betazoid ordered.
Hawkins yanked his hand back from the console as sparks danced their way across it. His nose wrinkled up at the scent of some scorched hair and electrical damage. He rubbed his fingers where he felt the jolt of the feed back. Gazing around the bridge, he growled out a soft note of frustration. It was time to get to work at repairing the damages, he wanted to kill something and that was the beast outside of the ship. He paid no mind to the slight burns on his face. Hawkins sent out the call for engineering and Medical to come to the bridge.
Within a minute of receiving the call from the bridge, C'Tora a nurse and an orderly came onto the bridge with medical field kits and a shoulder bag with extra emergency supplies. They stepped onto the bridge together as a team. "Medical crew on scene Captain! If your injured speak up if you can."
In Engineering, Lilura and her damage control team had their hands full. Lilura got to the wrangled wreck of circuits and lockers in the forward emitter array control space. She couldn't believe her eyes. She had limited the frequencies to prevent... but the Merlin didn't know that. She called up to the bridge. =^= Bridge, Engineering, we experienced a cascade phasic harmonic inter-modulation distortion event. The Merlin's beams and ours must have interacted when our shifting modulations reached a bad resonance state. It will take us a while to repair, and even then, we will have reduced capability until structural tests are run on the Emitters.=^=
=^=Acknowledged=^= Jon replied. =^=Do everything you can to get us fixed up and aid any of the other ships where you can. If that thing starts moving again we need to keep pace.=^=
Aidan moved over to an auxiliary control. "Probe's not sending anything back," he said, clearly frustrated, "either something's interfering with transmission or there's literally nothing to measure there. I'm not even getting any feedback on what just happened."
"Captain, Hail from the USS Merlin" an ensign stated.
Melody's face appeared on the viewscreen, in the background could be seen some of the damage suffered by the Merlin. "Captain. I think it's safe to say that didn't go quite the way it was meant to. We need to meet up and compare notes before we try out the 2nd option. I'll beam over shortly."
"Agreed Captain," Jon nodded. "I'll ask Captain Keading to join us also."
OFF:
●●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda
●● Lieutenant Amelia Fox
Executive Officer
USS Andromeda
●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda
○● Lieutenant JG C'Tora Kuroka
Chief Medical Officer
USS Andromeda
●● Lieutenant Mitchell Graham
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Andromeda
○● Lieutenant JG Lilura Karakalakss
Chief Engineer
USS Andromeda
●● Lieutenant Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer/2nd Officer
USS Andromeda
○● Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Intelligence Officer
USS Andromeda
● Ensign Gwen Leighton
Apprentice Chief Security / Tactical Officer
USS Andromeda
● Ensign Michael Hawkins
Chief Operations Officer
USS Andromeda
○● Lieutenant JG Xu Chang Lau
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Andromeda
●●● Commander Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin
●● Lieutenant Marbim Rejal
Executive Officer Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin
●●● Save'ena Tillatix
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Merlin
●● Lieutenant Michael Ki
Chief Medical Officer
USS
Merlin
●●● Commander Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor
USS Merlin
* Marine Major Richard "Wolf" Johnson, Psy.D.s
Company Commander
USS Merlin
Captain Vernon Keading
USS Europa
NPC True Keading
Natasha
XO of USS Europa
NPC Hawkins
Dark ones
NPC Reynolds
