"Taking up the rear"
 by Ensign T'Kang
Chief Engineer - USS Intrepid


*** Engineering, USS Intrepid ***

T'Kang stared at the engineering view screen he had 
patched into the main viewer on the bridge.  Commander 
DeFerney of the USS April addressed the task force 
explaining the mission.   The Klingon Chief Engineer was 
disappointed to learn that the USS Intrepid with it's 
advanced Multi-Vectored Assault Mode would be bringing up 
the rear as they fought to free Gamma Ethos IV.  With the 
narrow corridor offered through the asteroid field, it would be 
the ships Cortez, April, Firehawk and Badlands that would 
see combat first before the Intrepid even arrived.

T'Kang's expression soured at the thought.   He and the 
entire Engineering department had rallied around the clock 
to repair the Intrepid from the first skirmish with the dreaded 
Panters.  That battle had not gone well for the Prometheus-X 
class starship.  T'Kang couldn't help but think that it was the 
Intrepid's poor showing in that first battle, one he personally 
had no part in, that had influenced the decision to have her 
guarding the other ship's rear.

When DeFerney mentioned that the Intrepid would likely 
have two Defiant class escorts to neutralize, it raised 
T'Kang's spirits slightly.  At long last, the Intrepid's MVA 
mode would be put to the test.   He knew the crew would not 
let the battle go badly this time around.

In anticipation, the Chief Engineer waited for Lieutenant 
Commander Davis to give the order to move the Intrepid into 
formation behind the Badlands and follow the attack force 
through the asteroid field to Gamma Ethos IV, and the 
waiting battle.