96931.6
CAPT Zarath, Tellara
After Action Report
LOCATION Xi Geminorum, Briar Patch, Sector 441, Beta Quadrant
MISSION Prevent House Mo’Kai harvesting of Prototaxites stellaviatori spores from an identified colony within the Briar Patch region.
OUTCOME Spore collection harvesters shut down, Mo’Kai force driven from the area.
KEY PERSONNEL
Taskforce Briar
- CAPT Bishop, S. U.S.S. Endeavour, Commanding.
- CAPT Nimitz, A. U.S.S. Pegasus, Commanding.
- CAPT Timoreev, A. U.S.S. Attar, Commanding.
- CAPT Zarath, T. U.S.S. Cassini, Commanding.
- LCDR MacLean, D. U.S.S. Pegasus, Chief Engineer, on temporary assignment to U.S.S. Endeavour
NARRATIVEAt the start of Beta shift, Taskforce Briar Commanding Officers convened aboard the U.S.S. Endeavour in Captain Bishop’s ready room. We were briefed on the involvement of House Mo’kai forces and the presence of Prototaxites stellaviatori spores in the area.
Captain Nimitz informed us that the Pegasus had been carrying out recon of a force of House Mo’Kai vessels in the region which had set up a number of collection sites throughout the area, our mission would be to stop their collection efforts and drive Mo’Kai vessels from the area.
The Endeavour, Attar, and Cassini were tasked with securing the Mo’Kai Spore Collection technology while Pegasus would attack the main Mo’Kai force alone, the intention being to draw the Klingon vessels away from the highest concentration of Metreon gases to hopefully alleviate the possibility of a cascading Metreon reaction within the patch.
To that effect, the Attar was to focus on disabling and removing the collection infrastructure while the Cassini and Endeavour would attempt to find a method of safely reducing the concentration of Metreon gas in the immediate region in case the Attar’s efforts led to a chain reaction or Klingon vessels were able to slip past the Pegasus’ defences. I posited a theory where if our nacelle particle filter rates were adjusted, we may be able to direct the Metreon gas as a supplemental reactant to our power converters, thereby removing a high concentration and also increasing impulse engine efficiency, albeit at a cost of longevity.
Captain Timoreev provided an additional insight, suggesting that we may be able to utilise our navigational deflectors to emit a dispersal wave thereby loosening particle cohesion within the gas pockets themselves, making collection and use safer while also separating out the pockets themselves.
After we returned to our respective vessels we began our missions, with the Pegasus departing to draw the main force away from the area, the Attar, Endeavour and Cassini made our way to the first collection site. While the Attar began dismantling the first collector, Cassini and Endeavour finalised preparations for absorbing the Metreon gas. Our calculations showed that a filter rate of 68.2% of nominal would allow the most reactive of the particles to pass through the converters, while those safest could be used as an exceptional power boost. Further, Commander MacClean determined that of the less reactive particles, only a maximum of a kilogram per minute could be processed by the converters.
As the Attar concluded the dismantling of the first collection site, a wing of Mo’Kai vessels decloaked off the Endeavour’s port bow and began a strafing run, dealing significant shield damage. The Attar turned to assist while Captain Bishop ordered the Cassini to perform a “Riker manoeuvre” at close range to the Endeavour. Cassini bore down to the centre of the group attacking Endeavour, releasing the ram scoop interlocks throughout the group.
Unfortunately an additional Sech class destroyer decloaked while the Cassini’s ram scoops were open, causing a backflow into the starboard nacelle, destroying both Bussard collectors and causing significant damage to the warp drive system. The Endeavour was caught along the dorsal hull, suffering multiple hull breaches and failed shielding. The Bark additionally suffered extensive damage, being caught adrift with failing power systems. Attar was able to pull away with minimal damage. All Mo’Kai vessels were either destroyed or disabled by the resulting Metreon explosion.
More concerningly, a Metreon cascade reaction had begun to take place, with a wave threatening to consume most of the region. Captain Timoreev was able to head off the wave and with a combination of the Cassini and Endeavour from our locations, began a dispersal wave pattern to lower the Metreon density ahead of the cascade. This was ultimately successful and the region returned to its usual state of 47% particle density.
Captain Nimitz and the Pegasus returned to the taskforce, flanked by a number of Elachi vessels who explained that the Mo’Kai had poisoned their homes and had assisted in driving them from the region.
With the Mo’Kai presence removed, the taskforce completed repairs and completed the removal of the final collection platform.
RECOMMENDATION Maintain patrols of the Briar Patch to ensure Mo’Kai forces do not return to set up more spore harvesters. Investigate possible Elachi diplomacy avenues.
Additionally, while collection methods have improved over the past four decades, Metreon gas remains unstable and largely unusable outside of ideal conditions, however the increase in impulse engine performance is undeniable and may be worth researching a method of processing Metreon gas to aim at a safe additive during high intensity manoeuvres.
RECOGNITION Lieutenant Commander MacLean’s quick thinking and intuition in controlling and shutting down the Endeavour’s impulse engines likely saved the Endeavour and her crew when metreon gas entered the impulse manifolds through battle damage.
OOC Many thanks to Sam and Nimitz for running this event, very sorry I almost killed us all!