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Star Trek: Protector ( Darkkitten9389 & CrimsonMaster )

Lenara and West had no clue what was going on, but that would change soon enough. However, for now they were enjoying their coffee together while they talked about DS9 and she told him that she'd like to return. Not just to see her friends again, but also because she'd enjoyed her time there in general. The people there were nice and it was different from other places. When Kyle said about getting there before or after the war was over, she nodded while saying that she'd enjoy that.

Their peaceful moment was cut short, however, when the red alert klaxon went off and she jerked her head up slightly as the voice of Lieutenant M'Ress called the crew to their battle stations. This certainly got the captain and his first officers attention even before the captain was asked to report to the bridge. Lenara stared at Kyle while he stared back before he pressed his communicator badge and asked what was going on. The reply from M'Ress was shocking to say the lease as they were told that multiple distress calls were being picked up from not just Starbase's but starships as well and they were reporting attacks by Dominion forces.

It wasn't long before Kyle and Lenara were both quickly on their way to the bridge, leaving the mess hall and heading for the nearest turbo lift, the two moving through corridors filled with crew members rushing to their battle stations.
 
Captain West & Commander Singh entered the turbo lift. A few seconds later, the doors open and the pair stepped out onto the bridge. The officer manning the tactical station moved away once Lenara appeared. The captain broke off from Lenara, He moved down towards the center seat. " Report! " Captain West asked in a commanding tone. Lieutenant M'Ress spoke of weeding out what she could from the distress signals. She spoke of two mixed groups attacking Starbase 11 and 19. The mixes forces were Dominion & Cardassian. She said the group attacking Starbase 234, their current home base, was just Jem'Hadar. However, she spoke of getting reports of federation starships battling Cardassian ships in the system beyond Starbase 234. There had been almost 200 starships at Starbase 234. They were apart of the 4th fleet, as was the Protector. West knew Starbase 11 & 19 had smaller groups protecting them. Most were old vessels, not capable for front line duty. Both starbases were behind the lines and didn't need front line ships for their patrols. However, Starbase 234 was a home port for the 4th fleet. Taking out that station meant the 4th fleet would have no home port. The entire fleet would need to be re-assigned to another command base.

Captain West told Lieutenant Siimms to take the ship to maximum warp. The young lieutenant carried out the order. Captain West walked around his chair. He joined Lenara at the tactical station. " They must have drew the ships away from 234...........Using the Cardassian forces as bait for the remainder of the fleet........That would leave only a skeleton force for the Jem'Hadar. " Captain West spoke after joining Lenara. He had a bad feeling about this. It made sense to attack Starbase 234, but only if they planned to attack another target, not far away. The question was. What was that other target? Lieutenant Geta, the young Cardassian woman Lenara helped out, said she was picking up Jem'Hadar ships on long range sensors. The captain asked how many she could scan? " I'm picking up over 100 ships........Attack ships......Battle cruisers and battleships. " The young woman spoke as she looked up from her scanner. " 100 to 1......You gotta love those odds. " Captain West spoke before looking down at Lenara's station. Her scanners were also showing the ships. These were just they could see. Starbase 234 wasn't even within scanning range and they were picking up that many ships.
 
The moment they stepped onto the bridge, Commander Singh was moving over to the tactical station, breaking away from the captain while he moved towards the center seat and ordered a report. Already Lenara was settling into the tactical station and setting to work, her hands moving over the controls while she listened to the report that Lieutenant M'Ress had for the Captain. The attack was worrying as was the numbers being told to them. With the report given, Captain West had them taken into maximum warp before he joined her at the tactical station.

Lenara listened to him speak about the ships having been drawn from 234 with the use of the Cardassian forces as bait before the Jem'Hadar moved in to attack. She nodded in agreement. "This is most worrying, Captain." she softly told him before Lieutenant Geta said that she was picking up on Jem'Hadar ships on the long range sensors and then told him she was picking up over 100 attack ships, battle cruisers and battle ships.

While she was speaking, Lenara was studying the scanners at her station. They weren't even in scanning range of the Starbase and they were picking up on that many ships. Captain West's comment of loving the odds made her look over at him and she smiled slightly. "Indeed Captain." she softly told him. "What is our course of action sir?"
 
Lenara asked what their course of action was. This made everyone on the bridge look towards the captain. He began to slowly look around at those looking at him. Lieutenant M'Ress and Lieutenant Geta were new to the crew. They came on board during the crew transfers at Starbase 234. The same starbase which was under attack now. The others on the bridge had been apart of the crew for awhile now. Lieutenant Jamal Simms, the helmsman, had served the longest. Captain West looked at each face. Included Lenara who stood beside him. Everyone understood the dangers of being a Starfleet officer. They knew every mission could be someone last. This was even more apparent during war. Each officer knew they could die and they were ready to lay down their lives to protect the federation. However, the captain wouldn't just throw away their lives. He believed the ship they were detecting were there to catch ships trying to escape or get in.

Captain West said they would attack, but not head on. He was about to fight his way threw that line of enemy ships ahead. He told Simms to alter course. Captain West had Simms swing the ship out, slightly away from Starbase 234. He then had the lieutenant swing back, towards the starbase. This would allow the Protector to bypass the waiting ships, Slip in behind them and strike at the ships attacking the station. This maneuver would give the Protector a slight edge, the enemy wouldn't expect it. Captain West returned to his seat. " Commander........Standby with quantum torpedoes.......All tubes. " Captain West spoke as Lieutenat Geta began calling out the distance between the ship and the starbase. Warp 9.5 would bring them into the fight quickly. Once the ship was close enough. Captain West ordered Simms to drop out of warp. As the ship entered normal space. They saw the Jem'Hadar ships attacking the space station part of the starbase. Other ships were pounding the planet side facilities. Captain West ordered Commander Singh to open fire, with all weapons.
 
The moment she asked what they were going to do, Lenara noticed everyone on the bridge all turned to look at the captain who was at her side but she kept her gaze on him, watching as he looked around at everyone on the bridge. They all knew the dangers of being a Starfleet officer, especially during war. But they had all taken their jobs despite these risks. When he looked at her, she stood there calmly, the look in her eye letting him know that she would follow him anywhere. He already knew this and he knew that she would lay her life on the line for him, the man having already witnessed this when she had taken a knife wound that would of killed him if she hadn't gotten in the way.

He then told them that they would attack, but not head on and she listened to him talk of his plan and she nodded before he returned to his seat, telling her to standby with quantum torpedoes. "Yes sir." she said and she began pressing buttons on her station, her hands moving quickly while listening to Geta call out the distance between them and the starbase. Lenara and the torpedoes were ready when they reached their destination and the moment Captain West gave Commander Singh to open fire, all weapons, she instantly went into action. Just like any other time she'd fired the weapons, she did so with extreme accuracy, usually hitting her targets 9 times out of 10.
 
The Protector jumped out of warp. The weapons started firing moments after the ship was in normal space. Lenara targeted, hit and destroyed several enemy ships with her opening shots. The Jem'Hadar had been taken by surprise. But, this surprise was one ship and not seen as much of s threat. The had over 100 ships attacking Starbase 234. The Protector was maneuvering in and around the enemy ships. Lenara was firing and hit targets as the ship passed. The Protector was also taking hits. The ship was rocked several times by enemy weapons fire. Lieutenant Geta was calling out damage cause by the hits. Captain West was ordering Lieutenant Simms to change course often. Making the starship dodge and duck while Lenara continued firing phaser and torpedoes. The Protector was doing a fine job. Her crew had been trained well. However, there was just to many enemy ships for one starship to handle.

On the viewing screen. The bridge crew was able to witness when the space station part of Starbase 234 exploded. It had been hanging above the planet, along with all the repair docks. All of those structures were destroyed. The Jem'Hadar ships began moving away from the planet. This was a sign their job was done. The planet side facility was also destroyed. Captain West ordered Simms to break off and head out of the system. Simms took the ship back to warp. On the captain's orders, he set a course for where the federation ships had engaged the Cardassians. It didn't take long for the Protector to reach the first group of returning starships. Captain West had M'Ress contact the ships. She opened a channel. West then told them the news. Their base was gone. Once the remainder of the starships joined the Protector. All the ships return to what had been their command base. Scans were done, but only a few survivors were found. These people were found in escape pods. They were lucky enough to getaway. Admiral Price had been one of the lucky ones. He made contact with Captain West. He ordered West and the other ships to remain here for now. Price needed to contact Starfeet Command. Captain West ordered the ship to yellow alert. The crew would remain on alert, but not at battle stations. Several hours later. Captain West called Lenara to his quarters. He just received a message from Starfleet, and needed to tell Lenara.
 
The moment they were out of warp they were right into the thick of things as the weapons started firing upon their enemies right away. While others were good at the same job that Lenara did, the way she ran her station was in the way of a master. Her hands moved quickly over her controls, her gaze never leaving the screen. The look upon her face was serious with an edge of fierceness as she worked. She was one of the best that one could find at what she was doing and it was moments like this that it showed.

However, despite her taking out a good many enemy ships didn't stop the Jem'Hadar from destroying the space station part of Starbase 234. When it exploded, Lenara felt her breath catch in her throat and she glared at the screen showing the explosion. After the explosion, the Jem'Hadar ships began moving away from the planet and Captain West ordered Simms to break off and head out of the system. Lenara sighed and took a brief step back while the ship started on a course for where the federation ships had engaged the Cardassians.

Upon coming upon them, West had M'Ress contact the other ships and he told them that the base was gone and as soon as the remainder of the starships joined them, they all returned to what had been their command base. There were a couple scans performed, but only a handful of survivors were found in escape pods. Admiral Price was one of the lucky ones whom had gotten out and was rescued. He contacted West and gave commands that they were to remain here as he had to contact Starfleet Command. So they went to yellow alert, with them being on alert but not at battle stations. Some time later, Lenara was called to Captain Wests quarters and she told him she would be there momentarily. Leaving her station, she head for his quarters.
 
Once Lenara arrived, Captain West had her sit down. He spoke of getting a private message from Starfleet Command. West said the news he got was dire. " The attacks on Starbase 11 and 19 were just a cover........The attack on Starbase 234 was a calculated move......They need the 4th fleet distracted........Distracted so their real target was left without reinforcements. " Captain West spoke before standing. He touched a large screen on the wall. Bringing up a map of the federation. " Dominion forces have taken Betazed......They out flanked the 10th fleet.....Which should have been protecting the system.......Catching them off guard........The Jem'Hadar and the Cardassians are now in total control of that system. " Captain West was grim as he spoke. Pointing out on the space map how the Dominion was able to take Betazed.

The captain continued to tell Lenara more of how Betazed fell. He said the planetary defenses were so out of date. The planet fell in last then ten hours. The Dominion now held a major member world of the federation. They had a foothold into federation space. " From Betazed they can make strikes against Vulcan.....Andoria......Teller Prime.......Alpha Centauri. " Captain West then spoke of the 10th fleet trying to free Betazed, but the campaign wasn't going well. West then asked Lenara to have the senior staff meet in the main briefing room in one hour. The captain wanted to address them on this new and terrible twist to the war. The ship's was Lenara, Doctor Boyd, Lieutenant Commander Quinn, Mr. Vox, who was on leave, Geta was taking his place, Lieutenant Simms, Lieutenant Lesley Wong, Lieutenant M'Ress and Lieutenant Arex.
 
Sitting down, Lenara listened as he spoke about the private message he'd received from Starfleet Command and she frowned slightly as he told her that the news was dire. When he told her that the attacks on Starbase's 11 and 19 were just a cover, she wasn't exactly surprised, but that was just the beginning to what he had to tell her. He came to tell her that the Dominion forces had taken Betazed, out flanking the 10th fleet which should of been protecting the system by catching them off guard. She shook her head with a sigh with rubbing the spot between her eyebrows.

He told her that Betazed fell because the planetary defenses were so out of date and the planet fell in less then ten hours. So now the Dominion now had a hold of a major member world of the federation, thus giving them a foot hold into federation space. She was told that the 10th fleet were trying to free Betazed but it wasn't going well. Finally she was told to have the senior staff meet in the main briefing room in an hour and she nodded. "Yes sir." she told him. Standing up, she left the captains ready room and went off to inform the senior staff of the meeting in the main briefing room. Lenara went and told each member of the meeting before she got ready for it herself. So when an hour was up, Lenara head to the main briefing room where Captain West would be telling the others the bad news.
 
Once the senior staff was gathered by Lenara. The captain entered the briefing room. Everyone was silent as Captain West approached the large computer screen on the wall. West brought iup a space map of the Betazed system. He then delivered the bad news. It took everyone expect Lenara by surprise. She'd already been briefed by the captain. The news was dare. Everyone seated at the large table knew the Dominion was in a position to win the war and defeat the federation. Captain West then told everyone that the Dominion was throwing warships at Vulcan. The 10th fleet had broken off trying to free Betazed. They moved into a position to defend Vulcan from invasion. This news would be new to Lenara. Captain West got an update from Starfleet Command before coming to the briefing. The mood of the senior staff was pretty low at the moment. It seemed like defeat was perhaps weeks, or maybe months away. The Dominion seemed unbeatable.

Captain West said they were being resigned to Starbase 133. He said Starfleet Command had another special mission for them. The captain said it was a mission where the fate of the federation was in their hands. Failure would surely hand victory to the Dominion and their Cardassian allies. Captain West broke up the meeting. He ordered Lieutenant Arex to set course for Starbase 133. The captain asked for Lenara to stay after the staff left. " This mission is more dangerous then our last.........You and I will be leading a group behind enemy lines........We'll need a ship with a cloaking device.......The Protector wouldn't make it........I've contacted my father.........A Klingon ship will be meeting us at Starbase 133.......Besides the macos.......I want you to hand pick members of the crew to go with us.......We'll need all the help we can get on this one. " Captain West spoke in a low tone. He wanted Lenara to pick 4 others from the crew. He said one should be an engineer, one should be a medic and one should from communications. The last could be from security. They couldn't take Doctor Boyd or Lieutenant Commander Quinn. There were other doctors and engineers on board. Lenara would have to chose between Lieutenant M'Ress and Lieutenant Lesley Wong.
 
Entering the briefing room, Lenara moved to her seat and waited for the meeting to start. She watched as Captain West moved to the large computer screen that was upon the wall and brought up the map of the Betazed system. After bringing it up, he delivered the bad news to everyone, though Lenara already knew what he was going to say, having already been told about it. She sat there with her pad before her while listening to West speak. She knew how bad things were and they could get much, much worse from here. He told them that they had been resigned to Starbase 133 and they had another special mission for them which placed the fate of the federation within their hands. With this news, West broke up the meeting, ordering Lieutenant Arex to set course for Starbase 133 and for her to stay after the rest of the staff left.

With a nod, Lenara set her pad aside and waited patiently for everyone to leave. Once they did, she looked up at West again as he began speaking again. He told her about the mission being more dangerous then their last one. She looked at him seriously as she was informed of what they were going to be doing. The Protector was unable to avoid detection behind enemy lines, so they would be using a Klingon ship at their new base. He wanted her to pick members of the crew to go with them on the mission. "Of course Captain." she softly told him. She was told who she needed to pick for the mission. "I will think about who will go with us Captain and have my choices upon your desk before the end of the day." It wouldn't take her long to make her decision on who would be going and West knew this.

Sure enough, Lenara had her decisions made and delivered a pad to West with her choices upon it less then two hours later. She had chosen Lieutenant Doctor Erica Marks, Ensign Tok Brex from engineer, Lieutenant Dan Coleman from security, and finally Lieutenant M'Ress to go with them.
 
Captain West was in his ready room when Lenara completed her task. She brought the hand picked list of those coming on the mission. Lenara had already told Sergeant Sara Mahony to have the M.A.C.O.'s ready for the mission. Captain West looked over the choices Lenara made. He approved her choices and then told her to inform the crew members on the pad. They would need to be ready to leave once the Protector reached Starbase 133. Captain West's adoptive Klingon father would have a ship waiting for them. There was no doubt about that. Klang would make sure his favorite human son got what he asked for. As the Protector approached the starbase, there was a Klingon ship waiting. It was a K'vort Class Battle Cruiser. A larger version of the smaller B'Rel Bird of Prey. A signal was sent from the Klingon ship announcing they were there for Captain West. Kyle answered the signal, saying he and his team would beam over shortly. Captain West had Lieutenant Wong inform everyone going on the mission to gather in transporter room one. He then left the bridge, heading for the transporter room.

After everyone started to gather. They were being beamed over to the Klingon ship. Captain West & Lenara were the last two transported over. Lieutenant Commander Quinn was left in command of the Protector until the captain or Commander Singh returned. The Protector would serve as a patrol ship for Starbase 133 until then. After beaming about, Captain West & Lenara were greeted by a Klingon woman. " We've come to serve the House of Klang! " The woman said before introducing herself as Commander L'Kor. " I turn over command of the Tagak to you Captain West. " L'Kor said before she was introduced to Lenara. " Welcome Commander.......I will serve under you as second officer. " L'Kor then added that she'd heard about Lenara's brave deeds. She spoke of Lenara's action of saving Captain West. It was a well known story told by those who serve the House of Klang. The great houses of the Klingon Empire operated their own private fleets of ships. Part of the Klingon forces fighting the Dominion were apart of the private fleet operated by the House of Klang. L'Kor took Captain West & Lenara to their quarters. Once they knew where their bunks were. L'Kor took them to the bridge. Lieutenant M'Ress was already at the communications station. Captain West told Lenara to man the weapons station. The ships shields, disruptors, torpedoes and cloaking device were under her control. " Helmsman!.........Sey course for Orias III.........Maximum warp! " Captain West spoke while taking the center chair. " Commander Singh!........Engage the cloaking device! " The captain added as the Tagak moved out, before jumping to warp. Captain West then asked Lieutenant M'Ress to have everyone gather in the main cargo bay. This is where they would learn about their mission. Captain West told Lenara, M'Ress and L'Kor to join him.
 
Handing Captain West the pad, Lenara stood before his desk while he looked over the choices that she'd made. Upon getting his approval, she nodded. "Yes sir. The M.A.C.O.'s are already informed and ready for the mission." she informed him. "I'll make sure that everyone is informed and ready to go." If there was something everyone on board the Starship knew, it was that Lenara was efficient and she made sure that what she said got done, got done. Even if she had to do it herself. She'd been told by others that she took too much onto herself and tried to do too much herself. But she still continued working as hard. However, she did relax more when off duty. With that, Lenara excused herself and left to inform the others and make sure the team was ready to board the Klingon ship that was waiting for them.

When Lieutenant Wong sent word that the team was to report to transporter room one, Lenara head straight there. She was the first one to arrive after Captain West and she stood with him while waiting for the others, who didn't take long to show up as well. With everyone there, the group were transported over with Captain West and Lenara being the last two, leaving Lieutenant Commander Quinn in charge until either West or Lenara returned. After arriving, they were greeted by a Klingon woman who introduced herself as Commander L'Kor.

Lenara greeted her in return before she was told that the Klingon woman had heard of her brave deeds. Of her actions of saving Captain West. While she knew of how Klingons regarded honor and the kind of deeds that she'd done. She also knew that others knew of her actions. However, she wasn't entirely used to the praise that came from others because of it and it showed a little. Because he knew her and was familiar, West would be able to see that while she was very proud of having served her Captain and saved his life, she was still a little bashful from the praise. Especially when just the lightest flush of pale pink touched her cheeks. "It was an honor protecting my Captain." she said to L'Kor. "It had been a cowardly attack on their part and I would do it again in a heart beat for him." Her words, though softly spoken, were firm and full of honesty.

The pair were shown to their quarters and once they knew where their bunks were, they were taken to the bridge. There, Lenara was told to man the weapons station, something that she was a master at. Moving over to the station, Lenara looked things over, her gaze moving over the station and she got better acquainted with it while West was giving out his orders. The moment she was told to engage the cloaking device, she glanced over at him. "Yes captain." she told him and was right away engaging the cloaking device, her hands moving over her temporary station and engaging the cloaking for the ship. It wasn't long after that, that she, M'Ress and L'Kor were told to join Captain West.
 
It was true. Lenara was a very hard worker. She pushed herself far more then she pushed anyone who was under her. Lenara proved her worth each time she reported for duty or for a mission. Captain West made sure to note in hsi logs how dedicated to duty Lenara Singh was. He knew such hard work would make her a captain someday. Every captain in Starfleet had worked as hard as Lenara. That's how they became captains. Only the best, only the hardest working officers became starship captains. Lenara would one day have her own ship and crew. Until then, she'd found a home aboard the Protector. A place where Lenara could earn that right to command.

Everyone involved with the mission gathered in the main cargo bay. Captain West used a computer monitor on the wall to bring up a video. He said the video was from sensor logs of a Ferengi ship which passed near Orias III. Starfleet got the sensor data from Grand Nagus Zek, the leader of the Ferengi Alliance. Although the Ferengi were officially neutral during the war. Zek did everything he could to aid the Federation. Humans and Klingons made much better customers then the Jem'Hadar, or the Founders. And selling items was what made Ferengi's rich. The video showed a large metal ring floating in space above Orias III. This is when Captain West announced the bad news. He said this device was a Cardassian version of a Iconian gateway device. Everyone had heard tales of the Iconians. An ancient race known to use gateway devices for conquest. Sometimes, such devices were on planets and could be used to transport armies from one planet to another in seconds. Other gateway devices were built in space and could transport entire fleets. Obviously, this one was being built to fleet use. Once completed, the Cardassian and Dominion forces could invade Earth or Qo'noS, the Klingon home world and end the war.

Captain West was very blunt when he said it was possible no one could return from this mission. They were facing very long odds. They had to destroy the gateway device, the nearby space station and a research post on Orias III. The space station was constructing the device. The research post may not have anything to do with the device, but Starfleet couldn't risk leaving it standing. Orias III was officially reported by the Cardassians as uninhabited. Starfleet never believed this because the Cardassians always kept ships in that area. They were hiding something. Captain West said he believed the Cardassians had a garrison on Orias III. Most likely not far from the research post. This meant assaulting the research post needed to be done quickly. It had to be destroyed, wiped off the planet. The space station and the gateway device must also be destroyed. No matter the cost to the Protector crew or the crew of the Klingon ship. Lenara was picked to lead the ground assault. She would take the M.A.C.O.'s with her. Captain West would lead the others and some Klingons aboard the space station. Everything would have to be done quickly. West pointed out that 30 Cardassian warships and 25 Jem'Hadar attack ships guarded the planet, the station and the device. Once the attacks started. These warships wouldn't just sit by and do nothing. The Tagak would become a hunted ship, even with it's cloaking device active.
 
Despite her heritage, Lenara had a bright future ahead of her. She was extremely dedicated and passionate about her work. She could honestly say she loved what she did. If she didn't, she wouldn't put so much of her life into all of it. It had been commented to her that all of her hard work would make her captain someday. However, she was happy where she was as Captain West's first officer. She finally found a place where she could call home and she was accepted by her fellow crewmates. Perhaps one day she might wish to become a captain, but for now, she was happy to remain working under Captain Wests command.

The team gathered in the main cargo bay where Captain West brought up a video from the sensor logs of a Ferengi ship which had passed near Orias III. Lenara studied what he showed them on the computer monitor with a critical eye while the captain spoke. When he delivered the bad news of a Cardassian version of an Iconian gateway device, she looked over at him sharply, her gaze hardening at this news. This was bad news indeed. West showed them a large metal ring floating in space above Orias III. If the Cardassians and Dominion OFrces had these structures, they would be able to invade Earth or Qo'noS with ease and the war would be over quickly.

West then told them that this mission was one that they could possibly not return from. They weren't facing very good odds. The team had to destroy the gateway device, the space station and a research post on Orias III. Lenara was told that she would be leading the ground assault with the M.A.C.O.'s and she nodded. She and the M.A.C.O.'s worked well together, the group often sparring together. She had become close to the entire team. While she and her team were on the ground, Captain West would lead the rest and some Klingongs to the space station. The mission needed to be done swiftly and she agreed. The Cardassians and Dominion forces wouldn't just sit on their hands while they attacked.
 
The briefing continued. Captain West singled out Lieutenant M'Ress & Ensign Tok Brex, a Bolian male, for their own special mission. Once the attacks started. The captain didn't want any messages getting into or out of the Orias System. He pointed out several crates which had been beamed over from the Protector. Captain West said Brex would find sub-space buoys inside those crates. The captain wanted M'Ress & Brex to alter the buoys, turning them into sub-space jammers. The Tagak would drop the buoys off around the system. The buoys would be kept off until the attacks began. This would keep them from being spotted to early and destroyed. Once the attack was underway. The buoys would keep messages from getting out and warning the surrounding area. The teams would have enough trouble dealing with what was already waiting for them.

The briefing broke up shortly afterwards. Brex & M'Ress began working on the buoys. Lenara would need to plan out her assault on the research outpost. The scans taken by the Ferengi ship did provide her with an idea on what the structure looked liked. It was a single level building with perhaps 15 rooms inside the structure. There would be guards protecting the outpost. Perhaps a dozen Cardassian soldiers. The real trouble would come from the garrison. There was no way of knowing how many troops would be stationed here. But, one could assume at least a thousand or more. This meant Lenara and the M.A.C.O.'s would need to assault the outpost, plant explosives and get out before reinforcements arrived. Captain West was planning out his own assault on the space station. His team would be smaller and need to find the station's power core. Destroying that would wipe out the space station.
 
Lenara studied the information of the research outpost that they had, her mind going over the details over and over before she moved over to the team that she would be working with. She knew how the M.A.C.O.'s worked, having trained with them more often since they joined their crew and they had made her an honorary member after their wild night together. She wanted to talk to them about the assault on the outpost because while she was brilliant with her tactical planning, she still knew that they could have some good ideas.

Moving to their sides, she looked at each person one at a time, a serious look on her face. They all knew that they could die during this mission and they all accepted it. Lenara understood that she could die at any moment while working on the starships and she accepted that. It was why she had become so open to those that she had become lovers with. Once with the M.A.C.O.'s, she began speaking. "Out attack needs to be swift." she said as she looked at them. "I want it to be as quick as we possibly can and draw as little attention as possible." She spoke to them about there being guards protecting the outpost. Possibly a dozen.

But the real trouble and threat would come from the garrison. They had no clue how many were stationed there and they wanted to be in and out of the research outpost as quickly as possible so they didn't end up having to fight the troops there.
 
Once the space station and the outpost were destroyed, that only left the gateway device. The Tagak would have to take care of that job. As long as it was still around. Intelligence said there was at least 30 Cardassian warships and perhaps 25 Jem'Hadar attack ships, maybe more. The ships patrolling the system would be alerted once the attacks started. There was no way to stop that. Captain West hoped the jammers would keep anyone else from finding out to soon. If they survived the attacks and were able to leave the system. He wanted a head start before the enemy could get on their tail. It was their only real chance of making it back alive. For those who lived through the mission that is. Captain West had no information on where the station's power core was. However, Ensign Brex made an educated guess. He put the power core in the lower half of the center part of the station. Brex also believed the computer core would be there as well. Getting onto the station would require some luck. Captain West hoped the luck would be on their side.

The M.A.C.O.'s stood around Lenara as she spoke. Lenara had become one of Alpha Team, known by their nickname, "Mavericks". She was their superior officer. The only one, besides the captain, the team needed to listen too. Although the team respected the ranks of all StarFleet Officers on the Protector. They weren't Starfleet. They were apart of the Federation Army Special Forces. Like the ground pounders Captain West & Lenara fought with on Qiuntar IV, only better. The M.A.C.O.'s already fought with Lenara when they took down that Dominion listening post. They also rescued Captain Montgomery Scott from the Dominion on the same mission. The men & women listening to Lenara speak, would die for her. They would die to make sure the mission was completed. Sergeant First Class Sara Mahony suggested spitting the team in two. One team would assault the research post. The second team would keep watch outside and lay a trap for any other troops which might show up. Being second in command of the team. Sara would lead team two. That is if Lenara approved her idea. They would be facing long odds on the planet. But, the entire group was facing log odds on this mission.
 
As she spoke to her team, Lenara looked around at them all, her gaze lingering on each member of the team while they watched her and listened to what she said. This team was very close and Lenara was proud that they considered her a part of them. She'd fought side by side with them when they took down that Dominion listening post and at the same time rescued Captain Montgomery Scott during that same mission. The team respected her and she had become their superior officer while they were with her crew. After she spoke about what she wanted to do and asked about any suggestions from her team, Sergeant First Class Sara Mahony spoke up and she looked at the other woman.

Lenara listened as she spoke of the team splitting up into two teams. One would go inside and assault the research post while the second would keep watch for any other troops that might show up. With Sara being her second in command with the team, Sara would be the one leading the second team and for a long moment Lenara thought about the idea while gazing at the other woman before nodding. "We'll do it." she told the team. "It's a good idea, Sergeant Mahony."
 
It would take several days to reach the Orias system. Once the mission planning was over. Those on board the Tagak, did their best to keep their minds busy. Being on board a Klingon ship was new for Lieutenant M'Ress, Lieutenant Dan Coleman, Lieutenant Doctor Erica Marks and Ensign Brex. None of them had any real experience with Klingons. They'd all seen them and knew things about their race. However, none of the junior officers ever spent anytime around Klingons. Captain West and Lenara both had close contact with Klingon in their past. The captain was an adoptive member of the House of Klang. Lenara was close friends with Commander Worf, of Deep Space Nine. She was in fact closer with him now, since they enjoyed sex with each other during her vacation on the station. Lenara had learned a lot about the Klingons from Worf, while they were at the academy together. Living on a Klingon ship would hold no surprises for her. The Klingon food left most of the junior officers without much of an appetite. It was lucky for Marks, Coleman and Brex, that the M.A.C.O.'s brought extra Starfleet food packs with them. Being Caitian, a feline race, M'Ress wasn't turned off by the Klingon love of raw, or freshly slaughtered food. The Klingons found the reaction of some of the starfleet officers, amusing. Klingons dislike most cooked foods. The only foods they would eat heated, were soups and stews. Everything else was eaten raw. Often times packed in fresh blood for transport.

The Tagak reached the Orias system on time. What they found there wasn't surprising. It looked like the images taken from the scans of the Ferengi vessel. The planet, the space station and the gateway device. What was surprising to everyone. There was a lack of enemy ships patrolling the system. None of the 30 Cardassian warships could be seen. Only two squadrons of Cardassian attack ships were patrolling the outlaying area. Even the Jem'Hadar attack ships were gone. Captain West was confused by what was going on. He was expecting more resistance. The captain knew that something must have happen to make the Dominion and Cardassian forces leave this system without proper protection. But, the system was deep within Cardassian territory. And, it was unlikely that either the Dominion or Cardassians would believe their project had been discovered by Starfleet.

The reason for the lack of enemy ships, would remain unknown to those on the Tagak. It would be sometime before they found out the reason why. The Romulans had entered the war, on the side of the Federation & Klingons. This caused a major shift in the war. The Romulans struck hard against the Dominion and Cardassians. Attacking 15 bases along the boarder. These attacks forced the Dominion to reassign ships to defend their territory. This left the Orias system with just the barest of protection. Captain West wasn't going to pass up such good luck. He ordered the deployment of the jamming buoys. The Tagak moved around the star system, dropping the deactivated buoys into place. They wouldn't become active until the attacks were underway. One the outlaying area around the system was covered by jamming buoys. The Tagak entered the system. Captain West told L'Kor to take command. He and Lenara gathered their strike teams. Sensors showed neither the space station, nor the research outpost had shields up. This was expected since no one would believe an attack was coming. The Tagak went into a low orbit over Orias III. Lenara and the MACO's would be transported first. They were attacking a ground structure. Captain West wished Lenara and every member of the MACO's good luck. They were then beamed down to the planet. The research outpost was several miles from the garrison. However, the garrison would have transporters and they could send troops to the outpost quickly. Lenara and the MACO's needed to take the outpost as quickly as possible.
 
Because the trip to the Orias system would take several days, Lenara worked with her team to get ready when she wasn't working at her station. She took the time to go over their plan a couple more times and to study the information she had about their target better. The time on the Klingon ship was one that Lenara found mildly amusing at times. A number of the group had never had any real experiences with Klingons. The only two out of all of them whom had close contact with Klingons was the Captain and his Second in command. The captain himself was adopted into a Klingon family while Lenara was close, intimate friends with Commander Worf himself. So they both were quite comfortable being on board the ship.

One thing that Lenara rather enjoyed was what the Klingons offered in ways of food. She'd seen how the crew reacted to the food and found it quite amusing as they shared the M.A.C.O.'s food packs, watching them while she enjoyed her food made by the Klingons. Because of being good friends with Worf and having been taught all about the Klingon race by him, she'd been introduced to their kind of food and found that she enjoyed what they offered. She seemed completely unfazed by the raw or freshly slaughtered food.

Upon reaching the Orias system, they were a little surprised. There was no sign of the Cardassian warships with only two squadrons of Cardassian attack ships patrolling the outlaying area. Like Captain West, Lenara was rather confused by this. While they had no clue as to the reason for the lack of enemy ships, eventually they would find out in time. For now, however, they focused on what was before them. The Captain took advantage of this stroke of luck and ordered the deployment of the jamming buoys. With that, the Tagak moved around the system while dropping the deactivated buoys into place. These would become active later on when the attacks were underway.

With the buoys in plays, they entered the system and Captain West wished Lenara and her team good luck. She nodded with a soft thanks before they were beamed down to the planet. Once on the planet, Lenara looked around before nodding to herself. "Lets go." she told the M.A.C.O.'s and she led the way, the team heading for the research outpost. Lenara wanted this done quickly before the garrison could send many troops against them.
 
The Cardassians didn't believe their project was in any danger. There was no shields protecting their space station and none around their research outpost. The system was deep inside of Cardassian space. There was no reason to believe anyone knew it the gateway project. Several years before the war started. A group of rogue Jem'Hadar took control over an Iconian gateway on a planet in the Gamma Quadrant. This rogue group attacked Deep Space Nine. They caused heavy damage to the station, injured many and killed several. They also stole some equipment needed to get the gateway up and running again. Captain Sisko led a team to find these Jem'Hadar. After they entered the Gamma Quadrant, the USS Defiant came acrossed a damaged Jem'Hadar attack ship. The ship had been sent to find and kill the rogue Jem'Hadar. The rogues attacked first, catching the other ship off guard. Sisko rescued the Jem'Hadar from their damaged ship. He then joined with them to hunt the others down.

The mission was a success. The gateway was destroyed and the rogue Jem'Hadar were dealt with. However, the Dominion did have detailed scans on the gateway device. They gave the Cardassians the information. The Cardassians believed such a device would end this war. They could send entire fleets to wipe out both Earth & Qo'noS. This would bring the Federation and Klingons to their knees. At least in the eyes of Cardassians. On the planet, Lenara and her M.A.C.O.'s landed without being detected. It wouldn't be long before they would see the outpost. Two Cardassians stood guard by an outside door. Two more were on a roaming patrol around the building. Eleven more Cardassian guards were inside the structure, along with five other Cardassians. These others were scientist working on a number of other projects. They also had all the data on the gateway device stored in their computers. It was a backup in case something happened to the station. Sara took part of the team and set up a defensive position. Lenara would take the others and assault the outpost. They had the element of surprise on their side. At least for the moment. Captain West and his smaller team, beamed onto the station. Lieutenant M'Ress then activated the jamming buoys. The countdown began. The ships patrolling the area would soon realized their communications were being jammed. Moments afetr the captain and his team appeared on the station. An alarm went off. Their transporter beam had been detected. It wouldn't be long before the outpost and the garrison were alerted.
 
Having landed, the group moved quickly towards the outpost. They spotted the guard standing by an outside door. Lenara took a moment to look at the building and she noted that there were two roaming patrol around the building. She watched the two roaming guards and she nodded slightly to her troops. "I want them taken down quickly." she told her team. That was the last thing that she said to them before they moved out. Sara's team moved and set up a defensive position before Lenara and her team moved out.

With the roaming guards out of sight, Lenara and her team moved quickly and took down the two guards standing at the outside door as well as the roaming guards quickly. Lenara took the lead position on her team without hesitation. It was one of the things that set her apart from some others. She didn't have any kind of hesitation at taking the lead in an attack, putting herself into danger ahead of her troops. She was willing to lead the fight against their enemies.

Her feet carried her swiftly across the ground with her team close behind and she had her weapon readied. Before the Cardassians could even react, her and her team were upon them and taking them down.
 
Since joining the USS Protector, the M.A.C.O.'s trained with Lenara every day. Working out in the gym, and working even harder in the holodeck. They used the holodeck in combat simulations. Training for missions like the one they were on now. They were a well oiled machine. The M.A.C.O.'s knew the moves Lenara would make and she knew the moves her team would make. Lenara didn't have to worry that someone would crack under pressure. She didn't have to worry that someone didn't knew their job. Lenara was commanding the best of the best. They were the Alpha team, they were the "Mavericks". The M.A.C.O.'s fought hard and partied even harder. Lenara got the best of both worlds from her team. Plenty of hard cocks, and plenty of hot pussy. Lenara's initiation into the team, was one she would always remember. She was fucked by every member during their party. Lenara enjoyed sex with the men and women under her command. Normally, such actions would be against the rules. However, the M.A.C.O.'s weren't Starfleet and Lenara wasn't an army officer. This gave them the freedom to have fun as a group.

The two Cardassians standing guard, were taken down with ease. The two roaming guards soon fall. Corporal Amanda Cole used an override device to unlock the door. Private Wayne Woods was first through the open doorway. He and Amanda secured the hallway, allowing the others to enter. Private Willis Ramos entered, using his tricorder, he quickly found the outpost's power core. He said the room was located just down the hall. " I've also got 20 Cardassians in a room on the other side of the building........Two more are located in what looks like a control center. " Ramos said with a smile. He then noted that the 20 were in their mess hall. " Commander........A couple of well placed grenades would take out that mess hall and everyone inside. " Staff Sergeant Kemper spoke up. They knew where the outpost's power core was, and they could reach it without trouble. The outpost hadn't been alerted about the breach on the space station yet. There was a chance to take out most of the outpost's personnel in one attack. While the explosion of the power core would do that. There was a chance they could be alerted to Captain West's actions on the space station and discover Lenara and her team. The Cardassians had been caught with their pants down. Lenara could take full advantage of that, but the call was hers to make. She could send two members of her team, to deal with the Cardassians in the mess hall, while taking the rest with her.
 
Lenara watched as her team worked on getting them in. Starting with Corporal Cole, who used an override device to unlock the door followed by Private Woods who secured the hall way with Amanda before the rest of them filed inside. As they did, Private Ramos used his tricorder and found the outposts power core, which was a room located just down the hall while there were 20 Cardassians in a room on the other side of the bilding with two more located in what looks like a control center.

Staff Sergeant Kempers comment about being able to take out the mess hall and everyone inside with a few well placed grenades made her pause and she looked at him for a brief moment, her mind quickly going through their options. They had the upper hand right now, having caught them with their pants down, so to speak. Finally she nodded. "Do it." she said. "Take them down. I want to take every advantage we can. Then we can get out of here and back to the ship." That was after they blew up the power core of course. She sent two of her team to take out those in the mess hall. "Be careful though." she told them. While she wanted this mission done, she didn't want them to die. With the team split up, she took the rest of the team to take care of the power core.
 
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