===== Bridge, USS Chimera ===== Shane kept watching the battered warbird on the main screen and asked without turning: "Status of the Warbird Mr. Acheson" Acheson needed only up to two seconds before replying: "Their shields are virtually non existant, hull damage around 40%, structural integrity failing on several places. The only functional weapons are the plasma canon and the port disruptor" Shane noded but could not loose the thought that there is something wrong. The warbird was in a very bad shape, near total destrution ... but the romulans kept fighting like they would defend their own homeplanet from anihilation. Shane knew a bit of Romulan warfare, but such almost fanatical fighting was definitely NOT a common tactics. "Sir" Acheson interrupted his thoughts, "I've found something really interesting, you might want to have a look at that". Shane glanced ober at the main screen and asked himself if there was time for looking at 'interesting things' during a battle. Luckily both the Chimera and teh Warbird were now maneuvering to get into a better position before the final assault. Shane then looked at Acheson and asked: "What is it Captain?" Acheson had curiosity in his eyes when he reported: "Well, since the Romulans have no shields, I was able to do a quick scan of the of the life signals on board. That was 5 Minutes ago. Now i did an another scan and i've got the same number. 670 both times" Acheson looked up at Shane, "a complete crew .... like they've had no casualities" Considering the amount of damage taken by the Warbird it was almost a miracle. The Chimera herself, even if not that much beaten, had surely some casualities, but with the Warbird loosing extire sections of its hull ... it was almost impossible. Shane shook his ehad in disbelief: "Are you sure that there isnt just a malfunction in our sensors?". Acheson shrugged slightly: "I would not give my hand into a fire for it, but i dont think its a malfunction". Shane noded again and said: "All right, Attack pattern Alpha 7. Cripple that ship Captain but dont detroy it. I dont want to kill all those 670 romulans ..." Hard to say what Acheson did feel receiving this order but he noded like he was supposed to : "Understood Commander" Shane turned to the main screen again and sat himself down in the CO's seat. For a moment he thought about Rangi and his brother hoping that both of them are fine, but he had to concentrate again on the ongoing battle. Helm just finished the maneuver and the Chimera was now in a sharp angle to the port side of the Warbird. "Attack pattern Alpha 7" Acheson announced and the ship's weapon fired. Shane could see the blue-ish color of the phaser beam and the yellow flickering of three lauched photon torpedoes ... hitting the Warbird on various places. Suddenly a bright green light dazzled the bridge and a violent rocking shook everyting around. Sparks from several consoles filled the air on the bridge and two or three screams indicated that finally even the bridge got some casualities. The faint light that lightened the bridge with the red alert lights dissapeared and the bridge was covered in darkness except the small fires that bursted on one or two consoles. Only very reluctantly ... some few of the consoles on the bridge went slowly to life and tiny little colorfull lights appeared on them. The smoke that filled the air made it a bit difficult to breath and Shane could hear some caughting not far from him. Shane himself was lying on the floor there he was catapulted from his seat. He felt dizzy for a moment and his left hand had a nasty bruise covered in his own blood, just abouve the elbow. Since his head still spinned around he was not able to stand up from teh floor, he managed only to sat up and lean against a nearby console. Shane couldnt see through the darkness and the smoke but he head someone calling: "Bridge to Sickbay, we have casualities here, send an medical team over". An another voice from the back area of the bridge, most probably Acheson's anounced: "Heavy damage to decks 1,2,7, 14 and 15. Energy distribution on those decks is failing, we have lost external sensors and all phaser banks. Photon torpedoes launchers one and two are operational but we cant setect the warbird now. Shane turned his head a bit to have a look at the main screen ... but it was black and lifeless. Now was the Chimera the sitting duck .... ===== End of log ===== Cmdr. Shane Guzman XO/ACO USS Chimera