Runner Up 4 20501.26
Star Trek Onyx: The Return of the Battle Ship - Ens Marcos Dregs
© 2005 by Federation Space and the author pen named Marcos Dregs
The USS Onyx (BB-175), commanded by Commodore Richard Spears, sailed from her home base in the Utopia Panitia Fleet Yards about ten years after the ship was on the drawing board. Being its size and fire power, only the most skilled of captains can master the ship. Being second only to a carrier, it is one of he most intimidating ships in the whole fleet. And Spears didn’t feel intimidated by the Onyx because he would be commanding it. He walked into the transport and got in about 5 hours before the rest of anybody would arrive.
Commodore Spears was born 5 years before the current events in San Francisco. He served on board the Enterprise ‘E’ and Voyager as tactical officer, became FO of the Nixon and commanded the Fangorn. Finally after all of his time, he was given command of the Onyx. He walked out of the shuttle hearing nothing but the silence of the decks and the slight whispers of the life support systems working. Spears walked threw the ship until he found the bridge.
The bridge looked like the Enterprise-E, except larger with more controls. The Helmsmen and Operations Manager stations were at the traditional side by side arrangement. Going clockwise from there, he saw the Engineering station, Tactical, Medical, then back to the Helm/Ops Station. Looking forward to the center of the bridge, he saw two, side by side chairs. He knew that the chair to the left was his chair. He sat down and got acquainted. He looked on with at the view screen and realized that it too was improved then any other he had seen.
Just as he was looking threw his duty roster, Admiral Jonathan Gage stepped in and asked, “Are you ready for your first mission Dick?” Spears got up and turned around to see the admiral stare at him, he replied, “Yes sir.” Gage walked around to sit in the first officer’s chair and informed him of the mission…
“Now Spears, your mission is to travel to Romulus with Romulan and Federation diplomats to try to establish universal peace. They are to be taken to Romulus with out a single thing happening to either diplomat. Clear?”
Spears was shocked at the order given to him, however, showing no emotion, he nodded with a “Yes sir.” “Good, your crew will arrive soon to prepare for the opening ceremony. And Spears, do a good job.” Gage didn’t wait to hear a response from Spears and soon realized just how much was at stake here. He gave himself a tour of the ship, while going to the PADD of technical information and who was in charge of each section.
After hours of being alone, the crew, media, and miscellaneous other people started to crowd around the ship being in aw at the size. They have never seen a ship like that, especially now with the Federation being between the Klingon Civil War and now this classified mission of making peace with the Romulans. Spears knew his days of the Onyx would be a very special tour and he wouldn’t want to give her up.
The crew assembled at the bridge after the ceremony and the rest of the crew were at there stations getting ready to depart. As Spears was in his Ready Room, thirty minutes before launch, his First Officer, the Department heads of Tactical, Medical, Engineering, Science, Security, an even the Marines, sat waited for Spears inform them of the mission he spoke…
“Welcome to the Onyx, I am pleased to read the roster knowing I have strong and able personnel serving. Now for the mission, we are to transport an ambassador to Romulus…”
Deep breaths of anxiety and fear flowed threw the men and women in the room and continued…
“We are going in this alone, as soon as we cross the neutral zone, we will be meted with the Romulan Warbird D’Deridex II. They will meet us directly at Starbase 718. And we will travel to Romulus, drop off the ambassador, pick him up and be escorted out by the same ship. Once were inside, they will turn home and as well as us. Any questions?”
None raised there hands as they knew exactly what was needed. Spears said, “Dismissed.” Everyone stood up and walked out, the bridge was now busy with the preparations for departure. As soon as Spears sat down he said, “Ensign, contact control tower.” “Yes sir.” The audio message said, “This is Control.” “USS Onyx ready for departure, request permission to depart.” “Go ahead Onyx, god speed.” Spears ordered, “Helmsmen, one-quarter impulse ahead.” The helmsmen started to tap controls until he felt the ship move forward and out of the dock.
The Onyx changed course to Starbase 718 to rendezvous with the Romulans, “Sir, plot coursed, and awaiting further orders.” Spears replied, “Ahead Warp factor 6, engage.” The stars slowly turned into star lines showing the warp space. He knew about the immediate dangers to the Romulans, and he knew about the danger of if he will be attacked.
On route to SB 718 while in his quarters, he made his first log on ship…
“Captains log, SD 20412.04, I have been given command of the Onyx, the fleets biggest battle ship. Although the mission bestowed upon us is one to be afraid of, I have full hope in my crew. I only wish that this could end with out a shot fired.”
Spears didn’t realize that he would be in the undertaking of the most unpredictable treaty, the ever lasting peace, resulting in the elimination of the Neutral Zone. He fell asleep, dreading to go a step further.
As he woke up, the Onyx reached the SB and the First Officer said over the room speakers, “Sir we have reached SB 718.” “Alright, on my way.” Spears got out of bed, got dressed and headed for the bridge, seeing the Warbird in the out skirts of the star base, surrounded by federation ships. He ordered, “Hail the Warbird.” In a fraction of a second the view screen changed into the bridge and viewing the sitting Commanding Officer. Spears said,
“I’m Commodore Richard Spears of the USS Onyx; may I know who I am talking to?”
“Certainly, my name is Commander Bhatia Tax of the D’Deridex II, I see the federation has put in extra care for my stay here.”
“Well, we do what we can to ensure the safety of you as well as us.”
“Indeed, now, on to business, I am to provide you safe escort into Romulan space, threw that time, if you veer one degree away from the planned course, I will be forced to open fire.”
“I don't believe both of us want a needless fight, I just want to go in, drop them off, and get moving out of your space.”
“Agreed, follow my lead.”
The screen showed the front view of the D’Deridex II move to the planned course. He looked back at his weapons officer…
“Shields up and put phasers on standby, just in case.”
“Aye sir.”
After weeks of travel, the Onyx finally reached Romulus, dropped of the Ambassadors and ordered the quickest way out of the space, finally reaching the neutral zone. ‘A simple milk run.’ Spears thought, as he traveled back to SB-718. He filled out a log when the Tactical Officer shouted, “Sir, incoming ships on intercept!” Spears looked up and asked, “Classify.” The operations manager said, “Federation ships USS Equinox and Rio Grande sir.” “Hail them.”
The ships soon came into view and soon showed the Capitan of the Equinox,
“Sir, Breen ships have just infiltrated the Star base, I don’t know how, but they did.”
“Capitan, there on the other side of the quadrant, are you sure?”
“Yes sir, the ships carried the same warp signature as any other Breen ship.”
“Well, what is the current status?”
“The star base is in total disrepair, it didn’t get destroyed, although they sure as hell gave us a fight.”
The screen split in two as the captains from both ships, the one from the Rio Grande said,
“The Breen retreated and none of the ships went after them. Since you’re the highest ranking person in the vicinity, what is your orders sir?”
“What is the status of the fleet?”
The Equinox replied, “5 destroyers, 2 battle cruisers, and one galactic survey vessel. Including about 300 wounded.”
“Right, get the wounded medical attention and as many ships repaired as possible.”
“Aye sir.” Both ships moved off course and started to tend to the other ships. Steal got organizing how to get the fleet back on it’s feet. In the meantime he was in his ready room talking to Admiral Gage.
“The who?”
“The Breen sir, the Capitan of the Equinox said they came due north of the star base shortly after I hit warp. They fought them until they retreated to Sector 004, who knows until they will hit Earth sir.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry about that.”
“True, however I think Star Fleet Command should be aware of this.”
“Yes, and by the way, did you complete your mission with the Romulans?”
“Yes sir, they were actually very cooperative with us being there.”
“Yes, so I have heard.”
“Do you have any orders sir?”
“Only one, lead a fleet of ships and locate what’s left of the fleet, additional support and combat ships will rendezvous with you at SB-12, then you and the fleet will run threw the entire sector, if you find the fleet, make contact, if they fire…well, you know what to do.”
“Aye sir.”
He walked out thinking how to solve this mess. He never knew just how bad the Breen could want to attack directly at Earth. However, all he needed was to find a way to attack the Breen and find a way to eliminate the fleet, if they head for Earth. He stood and walked out onto the bridge; as soon as he sat down he started ordering commands…
“Mr. Howard, plot course for SB-12…Ms. Tulane, contact fleet and inform them of the situation…Dr. Miles, have medical teams ready for battle…Mr. Davis, have the security teams ready for boarding parties from enemy Breen…and Major Jackson, prepare to assault the flag ship of the Breen fleet on my orders.”
Spears heard the miscellaneous ‘Yes Sir!’ from the different officers. He looked back at the helmsmen and said,
“Warp 7, engage.”
The Onyx moved threw space and arrived at the star base, getting the fleet together until he and the rest of the ships formed a formation equal to a whole fleet. With the combat fleet in warp to Sector 004, it wasn’t long until the Onyx fleet met with the Breen fleet. The sweet started to roll on everybody’s face as they saw the fleet; Spears looked right at the flag ship, noticing the 2 escort ships next to it.
“Launch fighters and assault ships and wait for my signal.” The fighters and marine troop ships ejected from there given starships and waited. Spears knew first hand that if you attack the flagship, then the ranks will be thrown off. ‘What can I do?’ he thought. Then he remembered the old earth game of ‘Football.’ He opened his communications to fleet and said…
“Ok, here is the plan, initial Delta-4, once were half way in; half will split port and the other to starboard. Go at the first Breen ship destroyed, no sooner.”
He closed the comm. watching the other ships fall in the attack formation. He then looked forward and ordered, “Fleet, Red Alert!” He took in a deep breath and looked back at the Weapons officer, “On order, fire all weapons, maximum strangth, wide spread.” He then looked at the helmsmen and said, “Theta attack pattern on the flag ship and the escort ships. Engage.”
The Onyx, leaving the safety of the fleet, headed right at the flag ship, taking hits, yet shields holding the ship amazingly performed the maneuvers and went threw the volley until shouting, “FIRE!” The volley from the Onyx gravely wounded the flag ship and destroyed the escort ships. At that explosion, the rest of the fleet flew in and started to perform the maneuver, confusing the Breen. The fighters started to inflict damage and finally gave the Marines a chance to board the flagship.
Just as things were going swell, a whole other fleet of Breen dropped out of warp and started firing on the ships.
“Jesus Christ, it’s a whole new fleet!”
Spears noticed that half the fleet finished the rest of their half so Spears ordered them to attack the new fleet. After minutes of fighting that seemed like hours, the Major reported, “Onyx Bird 1 to Onyx 1, we half the flag ship taken, he is calling a cease fire.” Shortly after the message, the ships started to slow down and everything was dead in space. He saw every fighter return to base and started to realize just what he had done,
“Damage report?”
“Shields are at 65% and holding, Sickbay reports 56 wounded, 0 killed.”
“Give me reports on the fleet’s status ASAP.”
Both fleet commanders met on the Onyx and settled that what the Breen did was an act of war on the federation, which was settled with the immediate dismissal of the whole fleet, and the commander arrested to be brought before the high command.
About a month after the Onyx moved out of the dry dock, he was met by Gage who said…
“Spears, I’m quite impressed.”
“Thank you sir.”
“So, are you ready for your next mission?”
“Yes sir.”
“You are to do a 5 year exploration mission, following the same trail as the original Enterprise did many, many years ago.”
“To boldly go where no man has gone before.”
“I hope you’re ready for this.”
“Yes sir.”
And so it was, for another ship would fall into the many that would travel on 5 year exploration missions, he never thought he would be following the same route as Admiral Kirk did. He sat back and awaited his next mission.
But that is another story…
