AAR: Operation Hydra

Thrawn215 · February 9, 2025, 7:02am

Stardate:
101108.6

Filed By:
CMDR Dellir, R.

Clearance:

LOCATION Uncharted Asteroid cluster, near DS13, Aldebaran sector

MISSION Interdict a small group of pirates operating near DS13

OUTCOME Overwhelming success.

KEY PERSONNEL

CAPT Lunya Vel
CAPT Allistair Nimitz (Observing)
CMDR Riasull Dellir
CMDR Kora zh’Venda
CMDR Kala Sejea
LCDR Matthew Flynn

NARRATIVE USS Hornet, alongside a small task group consisting of the USS Roosevelt under LCDR Flynn and the USS Ecstasea under CMDR Kala, were tasked with the interdiction of a small group of pirates that were operating near DS13. Hornet and Roosevelt arrived beyond the range of the pirates’ sensors, which SFI had determined to be a trio of old Klingon Birds of Prey and a Ferengi Marauder. Upon departing warp, Hornet began launching a strike package, consisting of VFA-106 “Gladiators”, VFA-255 “Rapiers”, and VAQ-140 “Patriots”, with VFA-111 “Lancers” on standby as a backup fighter force, as well as launching her two assigned Callistoes, with Thrasher assigned as a troop carrier for the duration. At this time, as well, the USS Ecstasea dropped out of warp and began to sneak in towards the pirate ships under low power.

At this point, I ordered the Roosevelt and the strike package to move in, with the fighters escorting the Roosevelt and the Thrasher hiding inside its visual and sensor shadow. As the group moved in towards the pirates, the Marauder began launching its own fighters - second hand Klingon To’Duj attack craft. From here I gave the order for the fighters from VFA-106 to engage with the To’Dujs, while the Peregrines from VAQ-140 would begin a blanket jam of the area. Roosevelt and the Valor strike fighters from VFA-255 were also ordered to begin attacking the pirates’ ships to disable them. It was clear from the way that the pirates’ fighters operated that they had been particularly well trained. Because of this, the fighters from VFA-111 were launched to support the Gladiators, while Thrasher was ordered to begin screening the fighters. Despite all this, during the initial engagement with the To’Dujs, a handful of Valkyries were shot down. Thankfully all but two pilots managed to eject, and were eventually picked up by the runabout Sea Fury. From here, the fighters from -111 arrived and began turning the tide on the pirate fighters.

Meanwhile, Roosevelt and the Valors from -255 began pummelling the pirate ships. It was here that Captain Vel ordered the Ecstasea to make her presence known, where upon the Miranda class ship also began engaging the ships. Around this time, one of the Birds of Prey, labelled 002 by the Hornet crew lost shields and propulsion. Captain Vel ordered the Thrasher to initiate a boarding action on the BoP, which ended in a successful capture. The remaining two Birds of Prey were eventually almost fully disabled (with the exception of their main disruptors, which were dealt with in short order by VAQ-140), at which point Roosevelt and VFA-255 turned their attention to the Marauder, while Ecstasea beamed the crew of BoP 001 into her brig. Here, Thrasher reported a successful capture of 002, retrieved her boarding party and prisoners, before moving to initiate a boarding of 003. By this time, the fighter battle had ended, at which point I order VFA-106 to turn for home, VFA-111 to set up a CAP around the Thrasher, while VFA-255 were to continue hounding the Marauder, and VAQ-140 were to continue their jamming.

By this time, the Marauder had lost a hefty amount of its shields and armour, and so the crew seemingly decided on doing the smart thing and surrendered. All combat elements, including Roosevelt and Esctasea disengaged, while Captain Vel ordered Hornet into transporter range. At this point, it was discovered by the Thrasher’s boarding party that the crew of BoP 003 had initiated a warp core overload, and had requested an emergency beam out, before the Thrasher quickly removed herself from the blast area. From here, all collected prisoners were beamed over to Hornet, and the now disabled Marauder was slung in a tractor beam behind Hornet, and towed back to DS13 for analysis. Overall, 52 prisoners were captured, alongside the Marauder and BoPs 001 and 002 (both of which were scuttled), while all the To’Duj fighters and BoP 003 were destroyed, all at the cost of two Starfleet lives.

RECOMMENDATION It is my recommendation that Command look into why pirates were operating in the vicinity of DS13, as well as increase the number of interdiction patrols so that an event like this might not occur again. Also, depending on what an analysis of the Marauder brings to light, Command might want to look into where any modifications to said ship might be coming from.

RECOGNITION All personnel formed as expected, however special note must be given to LCDR Matthew Flynn and CMDR Kala Sejea; the former for this being his first combat outing in command of the USS Roosevelt, and the latter for this being her first combat outing under the command of the 38th Fleet (from what I can tell).

OOC

Mission Transcript
Mission Brief

Thank you @Nimitz @Rogue @Kala for attending the first outing of the USS Hornet with the 38th, and thank you @LunyaVel for hosting!!

Rogue · February 9, 2025, 9:11am

Stardate:
101109.3

Filed By:
LCDR Flynn, Matthew

Clearance:

ADDENDUM Echoing the above report, this was the USS Roosevelt’s first combat scenario since undergoing operations under a new commanding officer. Per the chief engineer, the ship suffered no damage other than shield depletion, and no crew casualties were observed.

RECOMMENDATION The crew of the Ferengi Marauder may have obtained the modifications to the vessel illegally, if its personnel are any indication, prejudice not withstanding. As a former engineer myself, I and my crew would be willing to investigate the matter further.

RECOGNITION The crew of the USS Roosevelt performed their tasks during the mission without issue, most notably Ensign Bradley whose ability at the conn met the experience required of a tactical escort helmsman, and Ensign Theo, whose ability to maintain communications during a group operation was commendable.

Kala · February 9, 2025, 4:41pm

Stardate:
12345.6

Filed By:
CMDR Kala, Sejea Segga

Clearance:

ADDENDUM In aggreance with the above report, this was indeed CMDR Kala’s first combat outing under the command of the 38th. The USS Ecstasea sustained minor damage that was easily repaired by her crewmen. During the altercation with Bird of Prey Zero Zero One she performed at her best and provided sufficient support to the Roosevelt.

The Ecstasea had deployed a surprise attack via hiding behind an asteroid in the belt until called for into battle. Once deployed she engaged the pirate ship at the flank in an attempt to disable systems. In doing so, Bird of Prey Zero Zero One took interest to her and engaged head on. CMDR Kala attempted to disable weapon and shielding systems. Upon being fired on, Zero Zero One rolled to her starboard wing and exposed a ventrical disruptor ray, to which the Ecstasea responded to by rolling to Port and firing torpedos. Weapons systems were rendered useless on the Bird of Prey and main systems began failing soon after. CMDR Kala made the decision to save any survivors before life systems went down. All survivors were beamed to the brig with security and medical personnel standing by.

Once the Operation was successful, the Ecstasea transported all prisoners to the Hornet as instructed and returned to DS13 for repairs and reprieve.

RECOMMENDATION It is within my professional opinion that some sight be looked into the survivors. As a medical background officer, I believe their well-being is important. It seems that many of them were prisoners themselves to begin with from prior raids and possibly forced or cohersed into submission. They could have some valuable information about the raids and what it is the pirates were looking for or even their goals. I would also like to further recommend possibly returning them to their homes, if possible.

RECOGNITION The crew of the USS Ecstasea performed well in combat. Special recognition goes to our Tactical and Engineering team for performance and maintaining a strong attack and defense during the altercation with the Bird of Prey.

OOC This is my first time writing an ARR Apendum. I hope i did this correctly. This was such a fun event and encounter, would love to do so again. Special thanks to @LunyaVel for reaching out to me to see if I was interested in participating despite it already going and suggesting a fun way to splice me in with a surprise attack at the flank.