"Something to shoot at"
 by Lieutenant jg T'Kang
 Chief Tactical Officer - USS Tempest
 http://come.to/tkang


The Tempest and her deployed fighters finally reached the 
struggling USS Avalon.  Two Klingon Bird of Prey vessels, a 
B'Rel and a K'Vort, were attacking the badly damaged 
Avalon using hit and run tactics.  But they didn't realize that 
they were being lead into a trap.

The Chief Tactical Officer growled as he brought the 
Tempest's weapons on-line and adjusted the ship's targeting 
scanners to give the modified readout displaying the Spectre 
fighters on his tactical display.  In their last skirmish, T'Kang 
had discovered a major flaw in close quarters combat with 
the Spectre's; one of identification.  During the battle with 
Spectre fighters flown by the enemy, the Klingon had a hard 
time distinguishing between friend and foe, which made 
targeting and firing a virtual nightmare since no positive 
identification could be made in the turbulent, closed in battle.  
The burly warrior had to depend on sharp eyes, sub-space 
transmissions, skill and a lot of luck in hitting the enemy 
without hitting his own ships.  But now that had changed.  
Thanks to the Engineering department's modifications and 
"painting" the DNA signatures on our own fighters, T'Kang 
was able to easily display the "friendly" Spectre fighters on 
his display in a different color, making the targeting of the 
enemy vessels, the BOP's in this case, that much easier.  No 
mental conflicts, no hesitations, simply aim and shoot.

"I believe I have found something to shoot at."  T'Kang 
stated, repeating the joke line that had been uttered to him 
so many times before by the crew of the Tempest.

The battle turned towards the allies advantage after the 
smaller of the two birds of prey was destroyed.  The 
explosion from the B'Rel class ship rocked the Tempest as 
T'Kang called up the display.

"Enemy vessel has been destroyed by our Spectre fighters."  
T'Kang called out loudly over the warble of the Red Alert 
klaxons.  "Last enemy target is down to 60% of normal 
operation.  Our fighters are regrouping to come and join us."

Scott glanced at the main view screen and announced his 
intention to attempt to capture the remaining Bird of Prey to 
gain a peek at it's computer core.  The decision sent a few 
questioning glances across the bridge from Cowan and 
T'Kang, though the grumpy Klingon just let out his typical 
grunt and returned his eyes and attention to the tactical 
station as the Tempest rocked again under fire from the 
fleeing enemy warship.

T'Kang could hear Cowan stand and call out to the Acting 
Captain, Lieutenant Commander Scott  Lee, "Sir,  I need to
speak with you for a moment ..."

But the Klingon had to break off his eavesdropping when the 
enemy bird of prey radically altered it's course.  "Sir! Enemy 
vessel is coming about to a new heading.  Course 091 Mark 
15."  T'Kang called out in his deep warrior's voice while 
glancing up at the main view screen, "She's turning towards 
the asteroid field. . ."

Scott pulled his glance away from Cowan and directed it 
back towards the main view screen.  "She can't be thinking 
of making a run through the asteroid field, that would be 
suicide."

"Desperate men will take desperate measures Captain."  
T'Kang reminded, "I am reading they are down to 54% 
power now."

"Well, while the odds of successfully navigating a starship of 
that size through the asteroid field is staggering, the odds of 
loosing us off their tail is pretty darn good I would imagine, if 
they survive."  Cowan stated rubbing a hand across his chin.

"We aren't going to let them get that far.  The Nordica is in 
there somewhere along with her team.  We have to turn the 
enemy vessel around before she slips into the field.  Helm! 
increase speed to full impulse and plot an intercept course.  
T'Kang ready phasers and load forward torpedo tubes with 
standard photons." Lee called out.

T'Kang nodded, carrying out the Captain's orders.  
"Weapons charging, torpedoes standing by." the Klingon 
returned in a deep voice anticipating the battle.

Cowan glanced at Scott.  The Acting Captain returned his 
XO's glance without comment.  For the moment Cowan's 
question about the wisdom of trying to capture the K'Vort 
Bird of Prey was moot.  At least until they knew what was 
going to happen to her with this 'suicide run' towards the 
asteroid field.

"Enemy weapons are building up, they are firing sir. . ."  
T'Kang announced.

"Steady as she goes."  Lee ordered.  He wanted to insure 
the Tempest could intercept the BOP before she slipped 
away into the asteroid field.

Watching the screen, the enemy vessel had not targeted the 
pursing Tempest, but instead began blasting a path through 
the asteroid field, as if sweeping an area just large enough 
for the K'Vort ship to navigate through.

"She's clearing a path sir!"  the Klingon called out, then 
double checked his tactical display as he lost the signal of 
the enemy vessel.  "Wait, she's cloaking!"

Cowan, Lee, T'Kang and the rest of the bridge crew of the 
Tempest watched as the K'Vort class Bird of Prey 
shimmered away in front of them and disappeared off the 
main view screen.  Leaving the question of where she was 
truly heading.  Was she intending to continue into the 
asteroid field just ahead? or was she going to double back 
under the safety of her cloak and try to slip away unnoticed?   
An immediate decision was going to be needed if Scott was 
going to capture his prize.