===== Bridge, USS Chimera ===== Foster's console bleeped slightly and the OPS officer announced: "Commander, Science reports that the modified probes are ready for launching". Shane looked at Foster and noded: {Finnaly} he thought {now we will deal with the shuttles}. "Have science lunch the probes Lieutenant" Shane said, "Whats the status of our fighters?" he asked. Foster tapped his console and after three seconds he said: "Fighters are ready to start sir, all three crafts in launching position". Shane flexed his fingers and his mood was improving slowly. It was a bad dat today with almost nothing going as planned till now, but Shane oped that the tide will now turn in their favour. "Lieutanant" he said to Foster, "order the fighters to start". "Aye, aye sir" Foster replied and tapped two buttons. "On screen" Shane ordered. The main screen blinked before changing the image from the space in front of the Chimera to a view above the fighters shuttle bay launching door. One by one ... all three AR-02 assault runabouts left the bay and in a more or less closed formation headed away from the Chimera. The 19 meters long runabouts were of a similar design as the standart Danube class runabouts but with several modifications. The design has been modified to provide greater speed and power, thus increasing the operational range and tactical effectiveness of the craft. A smaller runabout design then either the Targa or Danube, the Warhammer is designed for Starfleet Special Forces (SSF) use with their Operational Detachments - Alpha (ODAs). Crew anemities have paid the price for increased personnel and cargo space. In the rear of the runabout, there are six folding bunks which fold flush with the bulkhead of the craft, allowing the Warhammer to conduct medium range operations without the support of a starship. Using a similiar design concept to the Defiant Class starship, the warp nacelles of the Warhammer have been built into the hull of the craft to increase atmospheric manuaverability and protection. This does however make repairs and standard maitanence more complicated, as the nacelles can only be accessed through the interior of the vessel. It was again Foster who announced: "Sir, LT. Oriana reports that the probes are in position and she begins with the scans-cycle." Shane acknowledged the information with a nod. While waiting for Oriana's toys to do their magic, Shane wondered where the Marduk shuttles will be hinding and even more who the heck is piloting the Chimera's fighters. He was fairly sure that there were no crw on board with a decent fighter pilot record and wondered what a record the pilots and co-pilots on the Warhammenrs had. Skimming through the ship's roster in his mind, Shane decided better not to think about it ... the risk for a headache was just too great. Now it was C'el who broke the (relative) silence on the bridge: "Commander, security reports that they have found and disabled one of the Marduk soldiers" She looked down at her console and continued: "At the armoury, Marduk soldier killed, one other casuality - Petty Officer Henderson. One wounded Petty Officer Rico. A team has been send to the sickbay but no report about the situation there yet." Shane noded. This wasnt a good deal. One dead Marduk for the price of one dead and one wounded ODA guy. Shane only hoped that this wasnt a preview of the future KIA list ... "Sir" Foster said, "Science reports that the probes are working as expected and they provide us with the location of the Enemy shuttles. Holding diamond formation 5 km on our six." Shane straightened himself in the chair and barked: "C'el target the enemy shuttles, fire at will. Foster, coordinate the fighter's attack on the enemy. Blast the hell out of them!" ===== End of log ===== Cmdr. Shane Guzman CO USS Chimera