Jamming, Part 2 [BACKPOST]

Posted on Wed Jan 15th, 2025 @ 10:09pm by Sub-Commander T'shir & Commander Saul Whitford & Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Calhoun & 1st Lieutenant Volodymyr Kovalenko

1,273 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Landings
Location: Shuttle Bay
Timeline: 3 days before The Landings

Elf dressed in her suit and carrying her equipment entered the pod she was assigned to. She settled in.

T'shir gave a curt nod to Lieutenant McArthur as she walked through the Shuttle Bay and into her assigned pod. McArthur's shuttlepod would be piloted by Lt. Commander Calhoun, and the goal was to get the communications officer as close to one of the main Romulan relay stations as possible as they attempted to hack into the computer servers that were being used to jam communications between Starfleet and it's allies in the war.

The other shuttlepod would provide cover as needed, and if feasible make a run at destroying other nearby relay stations after the primary mission had been completed.

Waving an arm, Whitford made his way to the second shuttlepod. He smiled at the others hoping to hide the leaden feeling in his stomach. Such was his reaction to new adventures, 'we almost ready?' he asked the Sub-Commander.

"Indeed, once everyone is on board we are ready to depart," T'shir responded.

Entering the bay next, a fresh face from the MACOs. Athletically built, curly brown hair, and a smile that could make anyone blush and accent to boot. 1st Lieutenant Volodymyr Kovalenko, formally of 23rd MACO Engineers and Combat Engineer was geared in the MACO SOCOM version of the Starfleet EVA suit. A gunmetal grey undersuit, with the main body of the suit being coated in the standard MACO camo pattern (an upgrade to the old MACO style spacesuits used by SOD-Bravo during the Xindi Expedition).

He approaches T'shir, stopping and standing to attention.

"1st Lieutenant Volodymyr Kovalenko, reporting as ordered." He spoke in a crisp Ukrainian accent.

"I am Sub-commander T'shir. You are assigned to the primary tactical station, 1st Lieutenant. Should Lieutenant McArthur need to board any of the facilities you are in charge of her protection," T'shir directed. "You may take your position."

"Yes, Ma'am" Volodymyr nods, moving past her to step into the shuttlepod, and taking one of the open seats inside, next to Elf.

Elf sat in silence and began going through the files on her PADD. She was making sure all her equipment was ready.

Gabe Calhoun was already in the pilot’s seat, performing launch pre-checks. All systems diagnostics were complete. Sensors and engines were standing by. The engineer was entering readings on a PADD when he noticed Lieutenant McArthur enter the pod. “Ah, Lieutenant, come on in, make yourself at home. We’re ready for launch when you’re ready. I’ve already laid in a course for the first relay station.”

Elf merely nodded. "Aye Sir"

T'shir took her station and pressed the comm button, "Shuttlepod 2 and Flight Control, this is Shuttlepod 1. We are clear for launch."

"Copy that," came the voice from control. "Shuttlebay doors opening in 10." The countdown began, an alarm sounding in the bay before the doors finally opened.

"Take us out, Commander Calhoun," T'shir directed.

The pod was released from the connector arm and was able to get underway.
“Yes, ma’am. One-half impulse. Everybody get strapped in.”

Moving his hands across the shuttlepod control panel, Whitford signalled the Duty Officer their readiness to depart. After a moment came the acknowledgement and the clunk of the release. Goosing the thrusters, Whitford 'dropped' the shuttlepod out of its launchbay, lining it up with Shuttlepod 1. 'On your three o'clock, Shuttlepod One,' he said over the comm. 'We'll follow your lead.'

“Visual contact confirmed, Commander. I’d wave to ya out the window if we had any,” Calhoun joked. “I’ve set course for the dorsal side of the relay. I’m thinking a more direct approach to access its systems would be best. Keep those scanner peeled for any resistance or interference. Shuttlepod One out.”

'Course and destination confirmed Calhoun,' Whitford replied with a chuckle, 'we'll keep an eye out for anything unusual don't you worry.' Increasing his speed to match Shuttlepod One, Whitford kept his eyes on the panel in front of him. It was mostly open space, but he preferred the safer option than flying visually in enemy territory.

When they reached the first relay station it did not look like much. It was considerably smaller than a standard space station, though larger than a typical satellite. If it weren't for their intelligence that the station was just one link in a larger web, it would have appeared innocuous.

"Approaching target, Romulan communication station," T'shir announced. "It is active and currently transmitting. Attempting to determine if it is aware of our presence."

“Here we go….bringing program online. I designed it so the signal can be directed 360 degrees without changing our relative position. Pretty ingenious if I say so myself. This will open up the network so that Lt. McArthur can implement the virus. Ready to transmit on your order, T’shir,” Calhoun said.

"Lt. McArthur can give the order. We should spend as little time in the system as necessary," T'lenn responded.

Their Shuttlepod hovering near their comrades, all Whitford and his crew could do was watch and wait nervously. If the Romulan station detects us, this ain't gonna last long, he thought to himself as he quickly scanned the panel in front of him. No incomings, not yet anyhow. He listened to the conversation between the Engineer and Comms officer.

McArthur merely stood in her suit and headed to the hatch. She sealed her helmet and said "Helmet seal completed. Ready to exit the shuttle craft. I will need to get as close as possible to the node."

“Roger that, Lieutenant. Adjusting course. You do understand how close we need to get? Just checking, McArthur,” said Calhoun.

The first computer virus was planted without incident, and the two shuttles were on their way without incident. On approach to the next outpost, T'shir observed some unusual readings.

"Commander Calhoun, can you take us out of range and signal to Commander Whitford to do the same?" T'shir requested. "I'm picking up some unusual communications from the relay station. I am uncertain whether we should risk approach. We should retreat to clear location before communicating without other shuttle."

“Yes, ma’am. Setting course away from the station, approximately 25,000 kilometers,” Calhoun acknowledged. As the pod was en route, Calhoun sent a message to his counterpart in Shuttlepod 2 to follow suit and move away from the station.

Acknowledging the communication with an answering click, Whitford maneuvred his shuttle about and formed up with Shuttlepod One, dutifully following the course Calhoun had taken to get them away from the relay. Worrying the inside of his cheek, Whitford wondered what the issue could be.

T'shir opened a secure channel to Commander Whitford. "This station appears to be live. If we are detected, we risk engaging in a firefight. What are your orders, Commander?"

He thought for a moment, wanting to take the daring, dashing option, but came to his senses. 'Withdraw,' he sighed. 'We can't let the Romulans know we're out here - there's more than just the Unicorn at stake. Get back to base, and we can assess next steps.'

T'shir sent an acknowledgment over comms and related the order to Commander Calhoun.

"Set a course back to Unicorn. Standard warp, Commander."

[end]

A joint mission post by:

Commander Saul Whitford
Executive Officer/Chief Armory Officer
Unicorn NX-151

&

Sub Commander T’shir
Chief Communications Officer/Officer of the Watch
Unicorn NX-151

&


Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Calhoun
Chief Engineer
Unicorn NX-151

&

Colonel Josiah McEntyre
Commanding Officer/MACO Commanding Officer
Unicorn NX-151
as 1st Lt. Volodymyr Kovalenko

&

Former Officer Lieutenant JG Elspeth McArthur
Communications Officer
Unicorn NX-151

RSS Feed