Bridge Training: Cardassian Conspiracy (Part I)

Posted on Sat Feb 3rd, 2024 @ 6:59am by Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Junior Grade Renae Villanova & Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver & Cadet Junior Grade Emma Mendez & Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer

1,273 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: Bridge
Timeline: After Bridge Training: A Brief Briefing
Tags: Anyone

ON:

Daniel stepped out of the Ready Room ahead of the others. He had a serious look on his face now that he knew the Cardassians were involved in this training scenario his father cooked up for him and the Cadets. Of course the Cardassians were going to be a part of this. A Bajoran Science Vessel, with his grandfather on board no less, as a Cardassian ship approached with a possible devious intention. Their mission was still to rescue that ship, but now things have become a bit complicated.

As Daniel sat in the Captain's chair he looked over to the main view screen. "Put them on the main. Let's see who we have to deal with."

"On screen now, Sir." The Op's Cadet replied as he brought up a view from the eternal sensors.

Daniel leaned back as he saw the ship in question. "Galor Class." He said softly as he appearance of the vessel became a bit clearer. "At least it’s not a Keldon." Of course, he heard stories about how even a Galor could be pretty tough, but a Keldon would be dangerous against the Cavalier. Those ships were pretty tough and, this being their first scrimmage together, he wasn't sure how it would go. This ship and crew were all still pretty new. Besides, after everything his parents and family friends have told him about the Cardassians and their crimes, Daniel wasn't sure he would be able to control himself with them on the other side of that screen.

"Let me know when they are in communications range." Daniel said firmly.

"Yes, Sir." The Ops Cadet replied.

"I'm opened to suggestions." Daniel said as he looked around the bridge.

"Security should scan the ship," Meghan said quietly from behind Daniel. Renae was monitoring the science station and until the scan of the nebula was complete, she'd let the junior cadet stay there. "The science scans will be done shortly. I'll let you know what they show as soon as I can."

Shafin's furrowing brows were lifted, expressively as he examined the view screen. "One Galor class ship?" he said aloud and looked to Daniel. "Where's the logic in that? I would not be a lone Galor class out here. I'd anticipate reinforcements, an ambush potentially. If not, then we may have the upper hand here."

"I agree. Just because you see one Spoon-head, it doesn't mean there aren't others out there. Then again, they might think that's all they need. " Daniel replied with a bit of an annoyed tone. "Emma, when the ship is close enough scan her. I want to know her complement and weapons status."

"Prejudice will get us nowhere productive" quipped Shafin. He directed that purely at Daniel. "You cannot afford to let bad blood between your people and theirs affect your judgment or command decisions. Emotions have a time and place; my observation would be it is not here and not now."

Emma tapped away at the tactical console. "Yeah, although it outguns us by far, if it’s a Galor" she reported. "I can't make much more of a tactical analysis from this range however."

Meghan heard her console chime. She knew it was science before Renae signaled to her. She went over to her to see what the scans revealed.

The readings were not exactly what she expected. She made a list of the components, recognizing most of them. They might be able to affect a small area of space for a short time, but there was no way they'd get a clear signal--communications or transporter. She had to double-check with the computer database. She was bouncing ever so slightly on the balls of her feet as she looked through the data. Yes, that could work. Well, not quite, but it would at least give them something that could last long enough to get answers.

"Cadet Weaver, I have some results," she said, looking over to where he and Shafin were talking.

Shafin was quick to move towards Meghan's position. "What do your results show?" asked Cadet Shafin Todenhöfer. He was intrigued to hear the science officer's assessment the results.

Daniel followed Shafin to the science console.

"The readings are...odd. Abnormal at best, but look at this list." She pulled up the list of gasses in the nebula. "See what I mean? They're just...odd. We could use probes to counter some of them and clear up a comm signal, but I think transporters are out of the question. The readings keep fluctuating, so there's no guarantee that we'd be able to use anything, even with the probes. I'm not being paranoid but...I think we should look more closely at both ships. The timing, along with the components of the nebula, are just a bit too coincidental. It's like someone wants us to enter the nebula where we'd be more vulnerable." She nodded to the Cardassian ship on the viewscreen. "Is it possible they're here to scare us into that nebula? Yes, they could be after the other ship, but they could also be working with whatever ship is in there, and it is always possible that we're being set up." Part of her whispered that she was being paranoid, but she had to trust the data. At least until it changed.

"I was hoping you would narrow things down for us not give us all the reasons why we could be screwed." Daniel said quickly before letting out a deep sigh and taking a moment to think. "Okay... when confronted with an adversary, who thinks they hold all the cards, trick them into revealing their hand." He immediately turned to the tactical station. "Mendez... is the ship in range? What's their weapons status? Are they coming at us armed?"

Meghan had to blink several times and look down at her console. She was trying, but she couldn't make the readings say what he wanted. She could only tell him what she saw and how she interpreted the data.

"They're not quite in range yet, but will be shortly..." she paused as she worked out how long it would take them. "I'd say three minutes? Their shields and weapons are charged, for all we know they could be at their equivalent of Red Alert for some reason."

Daniel crossed his arms slightly and nodded his head. "That may not mean anything. For all we know, approaching with shields up and weapons hot is a Cardassian's way of saying hello, but it doesn't mean we should let our guard down. Emma, maintain shields at full. Weapons at the ready, but don't target the ship. We want them to know we are prepared for a fight, but not going to initiate one." He walked over to Shafin and Megan.

"Aye," Emma said as her fingers danced across the console. "Shields and weapons are ready. They can see us as much as we can see them. They'll be more than aware of our firepower" she reported.

Shafin leaned over shoulder level with Meghan at the science station. "Good work," he said to her. "I think knowing all the reasons why we could be screwed gives us valuable information."

Meghan glanced at him and nodded. You generally needed to know the facts and the odds before you could determine what your options were.

(To be continued...)

Senior Cadet Daniel Weaver
Acting CO

Junior Cadet Shafin Todenhöfer
Acting XO

Senior Cadet Meghan Stefani
Acting Chief Science Officer

Junior Cadet Renae Villanova
Acting Assistant Chief Science Officer

Junior Cadet Emma Mendez
Acting Chief Security Officer

 

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