100448.9
LCDR zh'Vhenda, Kora
LOCATION T’Liss System, Vendor Sector, Beta Quadrant.
MISSION Reconnaissance in force, attempt to secure system if possible
OUTCOME Combat engagement with Imperial warships as well as Hirogen vessels. Key surveillance outpost destroyed. Unable to take system due to Hirogen intervention.
KEY PERSONNEL
- CAPT Vel, Lunya
- LCDR zh’Vhenda, Kora
- LCDR Flynn, Matthew
- LT Drush, Lalaa
NARRATIVE On above stardate, USS Forrestal arrived in T’Liss system as ordered in an attempt to gather intelligence on possible Romulan Empire forces, with a secondary stated objective to take the system if possible. Once on the outskirts of the system, standard reconnaissance flight of four (4) Peregrines were launched in compass point headings relative of the ship (North, South, East, West of ship’s bow on a flat plane). Additional eight (8) Valkyries were launched as defensive combat patrol. At this phase, First Officer had command of the bridge, with Captain Vel nearby, monitoring.
After a short period of time, contact was made with an Imperial taskforce containing one (1) D’Deridex vessel and two (2) T’Varo class vessels, of which they appeared to be protecting a sensor array nearby.
In an effort to keep Forrestal’s location an unknown, strike formations were ordered while the ship remained out of sensor range from the Imperial Vessels. Initial focus was the D’Deridex class warship, in an effort to force it to withdraw, knowing that a direct engagement with Forrestal would be unfavorable.
Initial strikes from Forrestal carrier wing resulted in one T’Varo being knocked out of action, and only minor damage to the D’Deridex class warship. No record of report on results against the second T’Varo were received due to combat losses. Citing unsustainable initial losses, Captain Vel resumed command of the bridge at this time.
Captain Vel immediately ordered a consolidation of active fighters deployed to strike the sensor array, deeming it a high value target. At this time it was observed that the D’Deridex cloaked. Due to LCDR Flynn’s outstanding work with tachyon detection and tracking, it was deemed that the enemy warship was approaching Forrestal with an attempt to attack.
Upon Captain Vel’s request, LCDR Flynn was able to give a pinpoint location of where the D’Deridex would uncloak to begin its attack. At this time, Captain Vel ordered torpedoes from Forrestal and the sixteen (16) defensive Valkyries (eight additional added to screen during lull in fighting) to fire at the marked point without using targeting locks. At the angle that the torpedoes were fired, they were on a ballistic trajectory for the area of the other T’Varo, giving a possible false impression that was what the target was.
The “blind” fire attack was successful, causing substantial damage to the D’Deridex vessel, in addition to currently launched fighter assets destroying the sensor array. However, at this time, numerous Hirogen vessels arrived to engage both Imperial and Federation vessels. Captain Vel attempted to offer rescue to the crew of the D’Deridex but Forrestal was fired on in reply. Not willing to pursue any undue further risk, all fighters and shuttles were ordered to return to carrier, and Forrestal was ordered to withdraw, unable to take the system without extreme danger to ship and crew
RECOMMENDATION Make sure transporter range for rescue operations is maintained. Undue losses in pilots during this mission due to this issue. Recommend Fleet Intelligence investigate why Hirogen arrived at the battle. Consider further replacement of aging Peregrine fighters. Recommend USS Forrestal resupply with replacement fighters and crews.
RECOGNITION LT Drush for her excellent tracking of deployed fighter assets during the mission, and quick recognition of Hirogen arrival. LCDR Flynn for his work on the tachyon net for accurate tracking of cloaked vessels. CAPT Vel for the unconventional torpedo attack that most likely forced the D’Deridex from being able to attack, saving countless lives.