"Can I see those equations again?", the Vulcan looked at Zek once more.
"It will work I tell you. You could amplify the production of the Red Sea Dilithium ten fold.", Zek almost begged the flight commander of the USS Quasar Quest.
"The only known vessel to enter the sea with success was the USS Voyager in the Delta Quadrant. I do not think the Sovereign would be able to withstand the pressure because of the haul size.", T'Zohl looked at the equations over and over again.
"The only King's Fleet vessel that is closely resemblant to the Voyager craft is the Rhodes Island Class USS Providence. This ship may have a chance to perform the very risky mission you are proposing.", T'Zohl looked at the Ferenginar.
Zek walked over to Autumn Laree sitting at the end of the bar and looked at the Tactical Officer, "My plan is simple. We will load the Red Shale Dilithium into the cargo bay of your vessel. We will plunge the ship into the Medara Trench, open the cargo bay door and the intense pressure will crystallize the Dilithium instantly. This process will be far faster then putting the Dilithium into containers and lowering them with the shuttles and toys of Lt. General Acrylos Teero."
"Well I agree in principle that the Providence is likely the only vessel that can survive the pressure but there is no way to guarantee that the outer shell shield will be able to adjust quickly enough once the cargo bay doors are open.", Autumn warned.
"I am not and I am certain that Captain S'Nii is not willing to risk the history of our grand ship to improve your ability to sell Dilithium to the Federation.", Autumn warned.
"There is a legend that a Cardassian Galor once plunged into the Bajoran Sea to hide from the Federation Advance Fleet.", Commodore Tania Branson looked at Zek.
"Do you think the Tanmesad might be able to do this?", Zek looked promisingly at Tania.
"There is no chance we will risk it.", Thandie Varno interrupted the pair, still trying to control Tania.
"The ship is more than 20 years old. To risk the most important ship in the history of Cardassian-Federation cooperation for this is just plain stupid.", Thandie glared at the Ferengi trader. Thandie knew that Zek was very seriously hurt by the end of the Red Shale trade. He needed the revenue.
Vash was sitting with Alexis Bladon and the command staff of the USS Retribution, "I think I could fly it."
Tania smiled, "We could fly it."
Secretly Tania was overjoyed at the potential reincarnation of the original Tanmesad command staff.
Zek was very excited, "I bet you could."
"I forbid it.", Thandie snapped.
John was sitting in the back of the room and he came forward, "Is there a problem?"
"I will not let Gul Vash Enranet take command of the Tanmesad and do this very risky mission.", Thandie stood up to face John eye to eye. John was not pleased with being challenged, let alone being challenged in front of everyone at the Casino lounge.
John looked over at Alexis, "I hear you have an Executive Officer opening?"
Alexis did not quite understand, "But Gul Enranet is my Executive Officer, Task Force Commander?"
"I believe Gul Enranet has a ship to run.", John looked over at Tania and smiled.
Thandie looked at John, "The Tanmesad is my ship!"
"I strongly recommend you take the position aboard the Retribution Gul Varno or you run the risk of flying service shuttles for General Teero.", John sternly responded.
Thandie looked at John, "When the Tanmesad is destroyed by the extreme pressure, it is you who will get to inform Minister Garak and the Hebetian Senate!"
"I am willing to take that risk.", Captain Warren looked at Thandie.
Within the hour, Vash had picked up the Red Shale Dilithium from storage and was hovering over the Medara Sea. Vash looked at Keeley and the eerie two headed Chivalry on the helm, "Are you ready ladies?"
Tania stood up and walked behind Vash to the Tactical station. You could literally hear her take a deep breath as Keeley responded, "Aye, Gul Enranet."
Vash tapped his combadge, "Lieutenant Ro, you are highly recommended by General Teero. It is time to show your moxy. I need engineering to be on its toes. When we enter the water, we will need to alter to polarity of the shields and then be ready to compensate when the cargo bay doors open. There will be no second chances."
The skinny Bajoran kid walked over to the Engineering main console, "I am to do you proud Gul Enranet and to do the Bajoran legacy created by General Teero aboard this ship proud as well."
Vash smiled, "Lt. Commander Keystone, plunge into the sea."
Keeley slid the side touch screen up. The nose of the mighty Galor plunged into the sea. Everyone frantically worked to compensate the change in pressure.
Angie announced, "Gul Enranet, we may have a problem. The science lab is taking on water."
"Marino, we need this!", Vash snapped on all channels.
"On it!", Marino quickly announced. The old ship started to creak and moan under the intense pressure.
"I am losing communication with the main network.", Keeley turned back to Vash. Suddenly the helm had no control over the Galor.
"Dammit, Vash think!", Enranet mumbled.
"Tiara, where are you?", Vash shouted on all channels.
"Cargo Bay watching the Dilithium.", the Caitian responded.
"Override the ship controls and fly the ship!", Vash ordered.
"From here?", Tiara responded.
"You will have a more direct path to engineering.", Vash explained.
"But I can't see.", Tiara exclaimed.
"Pull the maps provided by General Teero. You can do this. You have to.", Vash ordered.
Tiara was soon touching the wall pad. She hoped she was doing the right thing. Vash held his breath.
"Entering the Medara Trench.", Chivalry announced.
"Tiara, expose our cargo.", Vash ordered.
Marino was in a frenzy entering corrections for the shield from engineering as the cargo bay doors opened. The entire ship went black. The extreme pressure had made the systems non-functional.
Vash looked at the bridge crew, "Don't worry. The doors are on a time delay. They will close. The pressure will equalize and the ship will start to rise on its own. When it does, the systems will re-engage."
I am still not sure if he was trying to reassure the crew or to simply convince himself. The Tanmesad moaned under the intense strain. There were several load bangs each bringing a series of screams. Each one believed to be omens of the end.
Suddenly the ship started to float upward. Tania muttered, "Come on! Please come on!"
The Borg Disconnect looked at the Tactical console, "Please."
Suddenly the lights started to come on. Tania smiled, "Systems coming on line."
Vash pumped his fist, "Yes!!"
"Gul Enranet?", Tiara announced on the open channel.
"Go Ambassador Cu'Gr.", Vash tapped his combadge.
Tiara tapped the PADD so that her visual of the cargo bay would be shared by the main viewer.
Vash put his hand on his mouth in awe as the huge volume of Crystalline Dilithium glistened moistened by the water at immense pressure.
Zek had been watching the main viewer from the casino. The Ferengi jumped into the air, "Yes!! It worked. I knew it work."
The truth is he was as surprised as everyone.
Vash turned around, "Commodore Branson, please inform Starfleet Command, King's Fleet Command and the Hebetian Republic of our discovery."
"It would be my honor, Gul Enranet. It is good to have you back.", Tania smiled.
"I will inform my customers.', Zek smiled.
"And you will inform Governor Branson. I am certain the civilian government has taxation questions for you, Mr. Ishka.', Vash smiled.
Ishka glared at the viewer. Vash simply winked.
Posted by:
Commander T'Zohl of Vulcan
Voice of the King's Fleet Vessels
Special Guest Appearance by
Commodore Tania Branson
Executive Officer
USS / CGV Tanmesad
King's Fleet
I hope this is okay, Cam. - Zoey
Based on an idea from
Lt. General Acrylos Teero
Chief Engineer
Station Support
King's Fleet
