AAR: Attacks of Opportunity - Annatar


SUBMITTED:
Stardate 94134.1
FILED BY:
CAPT Alundi, Nylassa
SECURITY:
Level 1 - Open


LOCATION: Annatar System, Betazed Sector, Alpha Quadrant

MISSION:
PRI: Investigate reports of red crystals reported in the Annatar system, establish additional defence satellites to deter Tzenkethi attack
SCDRY: Engage hostile Tzenkethi forces if they attack the planet

OUTCOME: Federation established satellite destroyed, moderate damage to Annatari orbital facility, minor damage to Starfleet vessels. Hostile forces neutralised.

KEY PERSONNEL:
VADM Krvhn, Iryj - Commanding Officer, 38th Fleet
CAPT Alundi, Nylassa - Commanding Officer, U.S.S. San Francisco
CAPT Mercer, Alan - Commanding Officer, U.S.S. O'Brien
CAPT Nimitz, Alistair - Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Akagi
CAPT Timoreev, Andrej - Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Attar
CMDR Pecius - Commanding Officer, R.R.W. Caratacus
CMDR Wilson, Chance - Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Fearless
MCPO L'Grana, Mirrano - Chief of Operations, U.S.S. O'Brien

NARRATIVE: Upon arrival in the Annatar system, USS Fearless entered a standard orbit of Annatari Homeworld while USS Akagi took up a defensive position, the RRW Caratacus and USS O'Brien both moved into position to deploy their satellites. Shortly thereafter and before either satellite was operational, Tzenkethi signals were detected heading towards the planet at high warp.

Ultimately only one satellite could be brought operational in time as the Tzenkethi fleet arrived and began their assault. The fleet was ordered to red alert and a cruiser and escort ship were assigned to each orbital facility. The Caratacus and Fearless were assigned to the Annatari Orbital Facility while the O'Brien and Akagi were assigned to the Starfleet constructed satellite. The San Francisco meanwhile began engaging the Tzenkethi Battleships firing protomatter torpedoes at the planet's surface.

During the course of the battle, the Starfleet satellite took significant damage and was destroyed, leaving a hole in the defence grid. The San Francisco was retasked with priority torpedo targets, leaving the battleships to the Caratacus and Akagi. As the Battleships withdrew, the Tzenkethi Dreadnought warped in and began a full assault on the planet, deploying hundreds of protomatter torpedoes within a few minutes.

The Fearless and Akagi dedicated their entire targeting to the torpedoes, while the San Francisco dedicated all aft arrays to torpedo defence, leaving all fore weapons to bear on the Tzenkethi dreadnought. The O'Brien and Caratacus dedicated their full compliment to the dreadnought. Whilst some headway was made, we were unable to maintain a total coverage with the Tzenkethi escort ships bearing down. San Francisco sent a distress call, which was received by the USS Attar, which engaged the escort ships upon arrival. With such a combined force, not a single torpedo reached the planet, and the dreadnought was quickly destroyed. During the battle, the Fearless took a direct hit to the port nacelle, leaving the warp drive disabled.

Following the battle, the planet was contacted and assistance was offered with repairs to the starbase by Commander Pecius, however these were declined, instead the Annatari requested a material donation for their automated repair systems. The San Francisco meanwhile did receive a data packet containing sensor readings and analytics, as well as a sample of the crystals recovered from this planet prior to their destruction.

With the data already known to Starfleet, combined with this new information it can be confirmed that these crystals are in essence eggs, intended to house a dormant species known as the Drantzuli. Why the Tzenkethi are attempting mass genocide in the destruction of this species remains unknown as in the egg-like crystals, the species' hostility (or lack thereof) cannot be confirmed. Until such a time as they can, the San Francisco's Cargo Bay 4 has been locked down and a stasis field has been established surrounding the crystals. Should these crystals "hatch" and true hostility is confirmed, the cargo bay may be vented directly into space.

RECOMMENDATION: Continue diplomatic efforts with Tzenkethi, using this "Drantzuli" information as leverage, a common ground and understanding with the Tzenkethi to allow us to better understand their attacks and planetary destruction.



OOC: I don't think any responses are required to this, the San Francisco has multiple crates of these Crystals, so if anyone wants to perform their own examination we have some to spare, requests may be placed with the San Francisco's Chief Science Officer (TBA!), ensuring proper containment protocols are maintained at all points, so as to prevent any incidents happening. Not that that would ever happen... right... Kermit?... right?
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