Off the beaten path

[tomcat]

Mr. Stonn answers, "I am already trying to match the freighters to our data captain. The profiles of the ship that is transmitting matches profiles of an older class of freighter that used to be prominent in the civilian fleets, but I am not bringing up any data from her identifying transponder code. The other ship is not Federation built sir, but it too is a mercantile vessel that is used in this region of space."

While Stonn was reporting, Darkan hit his comm button on his chair, "Dr. Tam, there is nothing to report at the moment. Just some pesky freighters that keep mysteriously showing up. I shall keep you apprised if anything new comes up. Darkan out."

The captain appreciated his doctor, having gotten used to the Trill, but right now he had a lot on his mind - thus the semi-curt reply. He would have to remember to apologize to the good doc once things quieted down.

To the other request made by Darkan, Stonn shook his head, "Sir, I will need more time for analysis in regards to trying to pinpoint a key person responsible for such a plot... truth of the matter sir, we know very little about our friends on the other side of the Romulan Neutral Zone."

From Darkan's left came Grahm's voice, "I have movement on my contacts... looks like they are seperating."

Stonn confirmed, "Captain their warp cores are energizing."


Muskaloosa Sensor Operator Sys Ops (Sensors) TN 20
Sys Ops +7, Specialty +2 = +9
Roll(2d6)+9: 6,1,+9 Total:16 FAILED

The next test will be at a TN 18 as the distance closes between the freighters and the Columbia.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Even as Grahm reports the distance closing between the Columbia and one of the ships, he knows he shouldn't tip his hand too soon.  "If they are just jetting off, let them go but track both as you can.  We will only respond if necessary."

[sdrotar]

"Captain," Stonn asked, "if the vessels are going in different directions, which one do you intend to follow? We can track both for some distance, but our range has limits, of course."

[GandalfOfBorg]

"What are their current headings?"

[tomcat]

OOC: Both freighters will warp out in different directions, but both heading in to Federation space.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Take detailed recordings of their signatures and note their headings, the more pressing security issue is that fake Federation ship."

[sdrotar]

"Take detailed recordings of their signatures and note their headings, the more pressing security issue is that fake Federation ship."

"Yes, sir. Agreed, sir."
Stonn did what he could; the sensors would track each vessel with as much detail as possible until they were out of range.
In the meanwhile, he could hear the ship's deckplates hum slightly as it continued on it's fateful course.

[tomcat]

Pushkin sat at his station as the freighters warped off the viewscreen. Moments passed... and passed.

Confused and nervous about asking a question that may have been obvious to all but him, he turned, "Heading captain?"

The Columbia still sat in the heart of the Acamar sector and the Constitution class vessel in Romulan territory was days away at Warp Factor 6. The cryptic message interpreted by Townshend gave a commencment of T-20, but who knew how long that was?

If they were going to do anything about this Trojan Horse, it either needed to happen on the Romulan or Klingon sides of the Neutral Zone and either risked war.

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: I just blanked on further action to take for the time.

"How long would it take for the imposter ship to reach the Klingon space likely to be targeted for the raids?"

[tomcat]

Stonn pushed a button on his console and the viewscreen changed from the starfield in front of the ship to a sector map showing the relative positions of the Columbia and the Constitution vessel. It displayed estimated distance and the travel times based on the ship's travel speed.

U.S.S. Columbia currently holds a position approximately 27 light years from the location of the target.

Warp Factor	Duration
6	26 days
7	15 days
8	10 days

Grahm answered the captain, "Sir, if the Constitution-class mock-up were to depart its hangar, it would enter Klingon space within 1 to 2 days. They could initiate attacks from any point forward."

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: Tomcat, do you think you could stat out and describe the Prairie Masker system in the Ship Profile?  I'm always forgetting its specifications, such as how effective would it be if the Columbia were travelling at Warp 6? etc.

[tomcat]

Arc Bow Passive Sensor Suite and Prairie Masker Damping System

OOC: Let me know if you have any questions, and remember that I am still tweaking the functions.

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: Thanks, Doug.

Darkan pounded a fist on the arm of the command chair. "Senior staff meeting in 5 minutes."  He knew what they must do and his crew trusted his judgement, but at this moment he needed their assurance.  What he was planning to do could, even if successful, could start a war.