Suzanna chimed and when the door opened she walked into the ready room on the Cortez. She nodded at Hawke, "Captain," she said and handed him the PADD, "this contains the crew manifest and departmental reports you've asked for."

Hawke took the PADD and scanned its contents, "Hmm, very good Blokpoel. Issue the orders and move the attached personnel to the Valiant. I will be transferring my command of the Cortez over to Sutherland today, once that has been done I will assume full command of the Valiant and give the mission brief to the senior staff for the assault on Kraken III."

Suzanna, putting on her best Vulcan face nodded approvingly, she paused for a moment and then spoke, "Sir, I question your logic in picking me as your Executive officer for the Cortez. I have very little command training and have only recently been promoted. Were there not more qualified candidates?"

Hawke smiled slyly. "To answer your query Mr. Blokpoel, I don't need another tactician as an XO. Speaking as a tactician I know that at some point 'we'...tacticians that is, think too much alike. Sometimes you need someone to provide a new perspective... To quote Sun Tzu, 'The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them.' Thinking along those lines, you may provide me with something more then combat skill, you represent an unknown quantity, and that could make all the difference."

Suzanna thought about his words, but before she could answer, there was another chime at the door.

"Enter," said Hawke.

In walked Ensign Kahless, "Sir, I have completed the inventory you asked for." He handed the PADD over to Hawke and stood at 'parade rest' as he went over it.

"Hmm, only 50 type II phaser, and twenty-five type III," He looked at Blokpoel, "XO, we need to requisition another 50 type two phasers and 25 more type III. You can help the Ensign with this now and we'll finish our discussion later."

Suzanna nodded "Aye sir, come with me Ensign." they both left the ready room.

They entered the turbolift. "Main Science lab". She turned to look at the young man standing before her. "Ensign Kahless, as of now you are Chief of Security on the USS Valiant, please report for duty there immediately. I will join you there in an hour and we'll sort out those extra phasers then. I'll expect a status report of the your department a.s.a.p." Suzanna said.
"Aye sir" Kahless answered.
The turbolift stopped and she nodded at Kahless before stepping out.

Later, on the USS Valiant, Suzanna stepped on to the bridge and looked around. It looked alive compared to the last time she was here. Most stations were occupied. As she made her way to the science station Cdt Ninjor stepped towards her.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. This is the inventory of the quantum and photon torpedoes that Captain Hawke asked for. " He said as he handed her a PADD.
Suzanna nodded, "Thank you,” and took the PADD and quickly scanned it. “I’ll pass it on to the Captain. Please run a full diagnostics on all tactical systems, if there are any problems we need to know about them now.”
“Aye, Ma'am,” Cdt Ninjor said and returned to his station.

Suzanna sat down at the science station and started up a full diagnostic of the science systems. That would take a while to run she thought. “Computer what is location of Ensign Kahless?”
"Ensign Kahless is in the security office." The computer chirped cheerfully back.

Suzanna got up and headed for the turbolift. A few minutes later she walked into the security office. Kahless snapped to attention. Suzanna nodded at him in greeting, “at ease Ensign. How do you like your office?”
“Not bad sir, for a first office” Kahless said and grinned.
Suzanna walked over to the computer console, “I have activated the chief of security command authorisations.” She tapped on the console, “All you will need to do is confirm the transfer with your own authorisation code. As for ordering the additional phasers,” she tapped on the console again. “This is the menu where you can select what you need. The remainder of the crew has started arriving. The crew manifest and personnel files are in the computer, so you can get up to date with the members of your department. I need a full departmental status report ASAP. Any questions?” She asked.
“Not at the moment, sir”
“Very well, I’ll let you get on with it. If you have any questions later, you know where to find me,” Suzanna said.
“Aye sir,
Suzanna nodded at the Ensign and left the office, her next stop was engineering.

Hawke was pleased to finally be underway, he hated being in spacedock for any length of time... Plus with all the new crew onboard space was the best place to train. Simulations were just that, nothing can prepare one for the real experience of running a starship other then space. The briefing had been simple enough, the mission itself not difficult. Perfect actually, considering all the Cadets onboard, this would give them a taste of what to expect in war. Before they left though, he had one more thing to do. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Blokpoel. Front and Centre!" He called out.

Suzanna raised an eyebrow and wondered what was up all of a sudden but complied.

"You are out of uniform, Lieutenant. Please ensure that in the future you wear the correct rank. You are promoted the rank of full Lieutenant, with all rights and privileges of that rank." Hawke added with a smile.

"Aye, Sir." Suzanna replied, quickly covering up her surprise. "Thank you, Captain."

Hawke turned and looked at Cadet Dominko at the Conn. "Helm, set course at 232 mark 59, Mr. Ninjor, activate cloak and initiate long range scans. Feed all reports to science for analysis. Mr. Lim I want you to initiate a series of battle drills while en-route..."

The officers gave ayes and began carrying out their orders. Hawke leaned back in his chair and focused on the starfield as the Valiant faded from view...Destination, Kraken III.

A week later, the Valiant was on its way to Kraken III, all departments were running battle drills and the ship was getting ready for action. With only four decks and little room, the forty people on board were slowly getting used to it.

Ninjor manned the tactical display his mind was set on the task of monitoring long-range sensors. Suddenly his panel started to blink...A subspace message from the Bismarck. "Sir incoming transmission from the Bismarck."

Hawke frowned and check his console, "Hmm, open a channel to the Bismarck via holo-link."

Ninjor nodded, "Aye, aye sir." Ninjor quickly went to work establishing the link.

On the Bismarck... After putting the message to be auto-sent after encryption calculations were done, Spartan got up to get himself a cup of hot milk with a spoon of Bajoran honey. Sipping the drink, he turned to look out of the window at an impressive sight of Federation Starships in the Alpha Centauri system. Not noticing the message being sent, his thought trailed of for a while, when suddenly his tactical officer announced the incoming holotransmission from Captain Hawke.

Captain Spartan turned to the holo-message receiver as Captain Hawke's image shimmered in.

"Greetings from USS Valiant, Captain," Hawke said and smiled.
"Greetings, Captain. You're on Valiant now?"
"Long story... anyway, I got your message. The 6th Fleet needs assistance?"
"We're rallying every ship we can muster. I have no authority to order anyone though." Captain Spartan explained.
"Since when did I become the officer that needed to be ordered to protect the Federation?"
"Hehehe... I never heard you turn down a fight, I'll give you that."
"What's the situation?"
"Still assembling the fleet... enough ships, but always looking for experienced officers."
"They've got you." Hawke replied and smiled.
"Aye... " Spartan replied and smiled back. "But do they have you?"
"One of the Federation's founder-members has fallen to the enemy and you're wondering if I'm just going to sit here? What are the orders?" Hawke retorted.
"Join with the 6th Fleet as soon as possible and check out all Romulan movements along the way. If it's indicated they're heading for Vulcan and you can handle it... disable or destroy the target."
"Always keeping the nice mission for your friends, Spartan... " Hawke said with a smile. "Consider it done."
"Glad to have you aboard Hawke..."
"Let's see if we can make it their first. Valiant out..."

Hawke swivelled the command chair facing front and started barking orders, "Helm, set new course at 232 mark77.... Alpha Centauri. Mr. Ninjor send a subspace message to Star Base 202, tell them that we have a change of mission. The Valiant will be running rear guard for the 6th Fleet. Kraken III will have to be reconned by another ship. Mr. Lim, sound battle station...Let them know this is not a drill."

The officers carried out the orders of their commander as Hawke began to formulate a course of action. Things were finally starting to get interesting. While all this went on Suzanna walked over to Hawke's side.

"Sir, we already have a mission to Kraken III. I would advise completion of that before changing our course."

Hawke looked up at Blokpoel, "Your concerns are noted Mr. Blokpoel... However, to quote SF General Order Number 6 'The request for emergency assistance from Federation citizenry demands unconditional priority from Starfleet personnel. Such personnel shall immediately respond to said request, postponing all other activities.' In this case it's Vulcan. Any further questions?"

Suzanna raised an eyebrow as if to show objection with the Hawke's tone. "None at present time sir."

"Very well, returned to your station." Hawke looked over to Lieutenant Lim,
"Mr. Lim, time to earn your keep...I want you to come up with possible resupply routes to Vulcan that may be used to reinforce their positions...I needed it yesterday."

Lim nodded, "Aye sir, I'm on it."

Hawke nodded back and turned his thoughts once again to a plan of action. His eyes focused intently on the starfield from the view screen.

Later.... "Hawke to Blokpoel.." Suzanna had control of the Bridge, this was the first time she had been in a command chair other then in training simulations at the academy, and that had only been once. She had to admit...It was a comfortable chair. That was when Hawke's voice came over the comm. She quickly replied.

'Blokpoel here sir.'
"Mr. Blokpoel, have the helm change course again... We're going to do a little snooping before we go to Alpha Centauri."
"Aye sir, where are we...snooping?"
Hawke smiled slyly.. "The Tirenzite web.'
'Where?' Suzanna asked, it was out of their way to go there.
Hawke grinned, "I know it's a bit out of the way but it may just be the main supply route of the Romulan forces. I'm on my way to the bridge."
"Aye sir, changing course." Suzanna looked up at Cadet Dominko, "you
heard the Captain, The Tirenzite system...Warp 9."
Dominko's hands flew over the CONN console as he carried out the orders,
"Course laid in sir, Tirenzite system...Warp 9."

Later... As the Valiant moved within sensor range of the Tirenzite system
Blokpoel and Lim began their analysis. The results were almost immediate...
"Captain," said Lim.
Hawke swivelled the command chair to face him, "do you have Mr. Lim?"
"Sensors are full of static from the nebulae, but I believe Romulan warships and troop transports...Over 60 ships passing out of the Nebula."
"Confirmed sir,' said Blokpoel. 'As they exit the Nebula they are activating cloak."
"Hmm, it would seem that the Romulans found away around the detection grids. Instead of using their internal cloaking devices they used the Nebula as one huge external cloaking device."
"Aye," replied Blokpoel, "They know that are detection grids won't work near the Nebulae and we know their cloaks don't work around emission nebulae. So the chances of them coming this way were almost nil."
"And SF records indicate that Admiral Blake had removed all SF patrols from this area while he was in charge of this sector," added Lim.

Hawke frowned, "Now we know why. It seems the intent was to aid the Romulans in infiltrating Federation space... That bastard." Hawke turned back toward the helm, "Alright people, I think we've seen enough, I love a good fight but the odds are a little too high. Let's get the hell out of here and catch up to the 6th Fleet, I'm sure they'll be interested in this. Mr. Dominko, destination Alpha Centauri... warp 9. Mr. Ninjor, once we are out of sensor range download all data on the Romulan convoy and send it via subspace to the Bismarck."

'Aye Captain,' answered Ninjor

'Course set sir,' replied Dominko.

Hawke nodded, "Engage!" The Valiant moved out for her rendezvous with the Sixth...

Two days later, Upon entering the Alpha Centauri system the USS Valiant came upon two Romulan scout ships. No doubt they were attempting to probe the Sixth Fleet in anticipation of the Romulan reinforcements. Of course, they weren't expecting the Valiant...

Hawke clutched the armrest of his command chair tightly as the Valiant came out of warp. "Mr. Dominko, attack program Theta 9-7, Mr. Lim, fire Quantum torpedo spread at target one and lock phasers." Both officers responded to their CO's commands. The Valiant banked quickly and came in directly starboard of the first Romulan scout as Ninjor launched a spread of six quantum torpedoes before they even impacted the Valiant glided between both Romulan ships and closed to within 250.000km, "Lim fire pulse phasers!", yelled Hawke excitedly. At that same moment, the first Romulan scout fired a disrupter barrage at the Valiant just as two of the quantum torpedoes hit it. This caused the disrupters to miss wide left. The quantums penetrated the scout's shields, this allowed the phasers to do maximum damage to the scout. The second scout realizing what had happened fired a disrupter burst at the Valiant as it's sister ship imploded on itself. The Valiant rocked slightly from the blast, the second scout started to move away from the battle. Hawke looked at the tactical overlay and saw that the Romulan was attempting to make an escape.

"Helm, set a pursuit course! I want that bastard!" He pointed at the screen, to emphasize his words.
"Aye sir, in pursuit. He's not going anywhere," added Dominko.

Hawke turned to look at Lim, "I want it disabled Mr. Lim, make it happen and ready boarding parties. Mr. Blokpoel you will lead the boarding of the Romulan vessel, head to the Transporter. These kllhe (dung eating worms) are going to give us information or die." Hawke's tone became low and deadly. He could almost taste the fear coming from the small Romulan Vessel.

"Aye Sir", Suzanna replied. She tapped on her console and requested a relieve officer to take over her station.

"Aye Sir!", said Vincent as he configured the pulse phasers to one fifth of the normal intensity and fired three bursts at the scout ship's propulsion. "Commander, the scout ship has been disabled.... lowering shields and activating the tractor beam to make sure it doesn't go anywhere."

Suzanna tapped her comm badge, "Blokpoel to sickbay. Send a medic to transporter room One to accompany a boarding party".

"Acknowledged, sending someone now," came the reply.

Hawke nods to Vincent and sits back in the command chair. Vincent taps on his comm badge, "Mr Kahless, which Security team is on duty now?"

"Alpha team Sir," replied Kahless down on deck 2.

"Okay, then please assemble Beta team and meet Lieutenant Blokpoel at the transporters." Vincent ordered.
"Aye Sir." came the reply from the Security Chief.
"Captain," Suzanna turned towards Hawke, "I recommend Mr Lim joins the boarding party."
"I concur." Hawke replied.
"Mr Lim, please report to transporter room 1" Suzanna said.

Suzanna stood up and turned round ready to head for the turbolift. She cast a last glance at the sensor readings from her console before doing so. She blinked and raised an eyebrow in surprise at what she saw, "Sir, sensors indicate a massive energy build-up from the Romulan ship. This could be an indication of a warp core overload"

"Energy build up confirmed, Sir", Mr Ninjor added.
"They'd rather die than be boarded." Hawke said. "Well.. If they don't want us aboard their ship then let's invite them here. Mr Lim, go and greet our 'guests'."

Suzanna nodded in agreement, she tapped her comm badge, "transporter room one, lock on to the bridge crew of the Romulan ship and energise."

"Core breach in progress on the Romulan ship, Sir!" Ensign Ninjor called out at that moment.

"SHIELDS UP!!! Disengage tractor beam." Hawke yelled.

"Helm get us out of here" Suzanna added simultaneously

The officers acknowledged their orders and fingers were flying over the consoles but the scout ship exploded in a blinding blast at nearly the same time. Too close for comfort Suzanna thought, hoping that at least the shields would be up again in time. The Valiant rocked severely in the shockwave of the explosion. The inertial dampers and lights flickered and a console nearby exploded. Those people standing were sent flying. Suzanna lost her footing and was thrown to the deck, landing hard. She was dazed and shook her head slightly, her arm hurt but she suppressed the pain. It was good that she could actually feel her arm she reasoned, it meant that the shields had been up just in time....

"Damage report." Hawke broke the eerie silence that had descended on the bridge.

"... Shields down to 40%. Tractor beam off-line..." Tactical reported "EM discharge in the EPS system. Impulse engines are off-line" Ensign Davies reported.

Suzanna stumbled back on to her feet and looked around the bridge. There were several wounded crew and the Ensign that had been working at the console that had exploded was lying on the floor unconscious, with severe burns to hands and face. Suzanna tapped her comm badge, "Blokpoel to sickbay, we need medical assistance on the bridge immediately"
"Acknowledged. Medic is on the way" came the reply.

Suzanna looked at Hawke, and tapped her comm badge again. "Transporter room One, report! Did you get anyone?"