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Description
Six hours from the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone.

Coordinates 34-17-09.

Ronald Carver turned from his science station and announced: "Long range sensors have detected vessel movement from within Grid-Lamda 34. Could be our resident mystery guest, Captain."

Bridgette turned in her chair to face forward.

"Red Alert. All hands to battle stations. Lieutenant Becker...have the Shiraz fall back to Grid Zulu One while the USS Rochester swings around to cover our flank at the following coordinates. I want us to take point as we meet our new guests."

The Bridge tension broke at that point. Everyone jumped to their assigned tasks as the chatter crept up a bit as orders were being carried out and relayed across the vast gulf of space.

"Copy that, Captain. Shiraz is responding as ordered. Captain Gillian Johnson acknowledges receipt of message. All ships will coordinate their first strike when the enemy reaches Sector Four." Catherine relayed from her position.

"Navigation...three points to starboard. Half-impulse power. Begin Operation Corregidor as planned."

Walter nodded eagerly--pointing at a young ensign on the top deck. "Erik, it's your show. Let's give these boys a performance they soon won't forget."

The taller man at the auxiliary communications station nodded and got in touch with the main shuttle bay over the intercom.

"Shuttlecraft Hubert. You have the green light to begin decoy operations at your assigned sector coordinates. Please confirm. Over."

"Shuttlecraft confirms. Lift off in fifteen seconds." The pilot's voice came back strong and steady.

"Position the ship for launch. Our window is limited ladies and gentlemen. And once clear of the task force, this shuttlecraft will also be alone in the wilderness." Bridgette told the Bridge at large.

"Leaving the two we left behind as bait for a much larger trap." Gabriel Tanner offered up from her station--the displays back lighting the soft accents of her face--slightly enhanced by the makeup she wore.

"Correct. The Romulans must think that there is a much larger force to be dealt with out here in the frontier." The captain confirmed easily.

"Hence the movement from within the sensor blind." Doctor T'Lena spoke from her customary position from beside the captain's chair itself.

"That's right. Thanks to Sinclair's ruse, the Romulans took the bait sooner than we expected--thus drawing out our mystery guest from behind the system's own Oort Cloud."

"How long do you think they were waiting?" Tracy asked from her assigned seat at the Helm.

"Not long. I think we caught them by surprise. Now they are swooping in to investigate."

Bridgette nodded. "So now we need to throw out the party favors. Ensign Vickerson...stand by on torpedoes. We want to make things look good for everyone present."

Walter nodded. "Phaser banks armed and ready. Torpedo banks one through three are on hot standby."

"Load the decoys. When the Romulans get within our sensor range, fire when ready. Hicks, get ready to twist the tail on that communications buoy we launched two hours ago."

The woman nodded, a finger on the button pad in question. "Ready and waiting, Captain. On your orders."

Carver looked up from his science station. "Shuttlecraft away as ordered."

Bridgette nodded in quiet satisfaction.

"Stand by, everyone. Stand by...and...now."

***

Artwork by Jetfreak-7

Description
Six hours from the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone.

Coordinates 34-17-09.

Ronald Carver turned from his science station and announced: "Long range sensors have detected vessel movement from within Grid-Lamda 34. Could be our resident mystery guest, Captain."

Bridgette turned in her chair to face forward.

"Red Alert. All hands to battle stations. Lieutenant Becker...have the Shiraz fall back to Grid Zulu One while the USS Rochester swings around to cover our flank at the following coordinates. I want us to take point as we meet our new guests."

The Bridge tension broke at that point. Everyone jumped to their assigned tasks as the chatter crept up a bit as orders were being carried out and relayed across the vast gulf of space.

"Copy that, Captain. Shiraz is responding as ordered. Captain Gillian Johnson acknowledges receipt of message. All ships will coordinate their first strike when the enemy reaches Sector Four." Catherine relayed from her position.

"Navigation...three points to starboard. Half-impulse power. Begin Operation Corregidor as planned."

Walter nodded eagerly--pointing at a young ensign on the top deck. "Erik, it's your show. Let's give these boys a performance they soon won't forget."

The taller man at the auxiliary communications station nodded and got in touch with the main shuttle bay over the intercom.

"Shuttlecraft Hubert. You have the green light to begin decoy operations at your assigned sector coordinates. Please confirm. Over."

"Shuttlecraft confirms. Lift off in fifteen seconds." The pilot's voice came back strong and steady.

"Position the ship for launch. Our window is limited ladies and gentlemen. And once clear of the task force, this shuttlecraft will also be alone in the wilderness." Bridgette told the Bridge at large.

"Leaving the two we left behind as bait for a much larger trap." Gabriel Tanner offered up from her station--the displays back lighting the soft accents of her face--slightly enhanced by the makeup she wore.

"Correct. The Romulans must think that there is a much larger force to be dealt with out here in the frontier." The captain confirmed easily.

"Hence the movement from within the sensor blind." Doctor T'Lena spoke from her customary position from beside the captain's chair itself.

"That's right. Thanks to Sinclair's ruse, the Romulans took the bait sooner than we expected--thus drawing out our mystery guest from behind the system's own Oort Cloud."

"How long do you think they were waiting?" Tracy asked from her assigned seat at the Helm.

"Not long. I think we caught them by surprise. Now they are swooping in to investigate."

Bridgette nodded. "So now we need to throw out the party favors. Ensign Vickerson...stand by on torpedoes. We want to make things look good for everyone present."

Walter nodded. "Phaser banks armed and ready. Torpedo banks one through three are on hot standby."

"Load the decoys. When the Romulans get within our sensor range, fire when ready. Hicks, get ready to twist the tail on that communications buoy we launched two hours ago."

The woman nodded, a finger on the button pad in question. "Ready and waiting, Captain. On your orders."

Carver looked up from his science station. "Shuttlecraft away as ordered."

Bridgette nodded in quiet satisfaction.

"Stand by, everyone. Stand by...and...now."

***

Artwork by Jetfreak-7