MARCHLANDS –The USS Constitution-B responds to a distress call from Hermes Outpost, engaging in a fierce battle with pirates while attempting to protect the outpost and assess the extent of the damage.
The crew of the USS Constitution NCC 9012-B had barely begun to enjoy a moment of peace following the successful conclusion of their mission on Drever IV when a distress call shattered the calm. Hermes Outpost, situated in a small system approximately thirty light-years from Cait, reported a sudden and alarming escalation in pirate activity near the Tholian border. The distress call, relayed by Hermes’ Commanding Officer Captain Ve Remy to Lieutenant Commander Akeelah D’Sena on the Constitution’s bridge, was abruptly cut off, and all attempts to re-establish contact failed.
When questioned about the communication breakdown, Ensign Motha from Engineering responded, “I’m not sure what is going on at the moment. We are all being sent to our stations and heading towards the station. I recommend you head to your civilian station before we arrive.”
Lieutenant Commander D’Sena wasted no time, recalling the crew from their shore leave on Drever IV, where many had been participating in a desert buggy race. The Constitution launched within five minutes, bracing for what lay ahead. Upon exiting warp, the crew was met with a devastating sight: several smaller pirate ships were wreaking havoc on the orbital installations of Hermes Outpost.
Hermes Outpost, primarily ground-based on the system’s lone M-class planet, is a critical communications hub for the Marchlands and surrounding sectors. It coordinates activities across the southern Federation and houses a large communications array, orbital telescopes, and sensor platforms essential for both scientific research and intelligence gathering.
As soon as Commodore Jalana Rajel saw the extent of the attack, she ordered Red Alert and initiated a counteroffensive. The pirates, of unknown origin, intensified their assault on both the orbital facilities and the outpost itself. Despite the Constitution’s efforts to disable or destroy the attacking vessels, a larger pirate ship entered the fray, launching torpedoes that inflicted significant damage on the planetary structures and severely weakened the outpost’s protective shields. The Constitution positioned itself between Hermes and the pirate ship, directing all available firepower at the larger enemy vessel in a bid to halt further destruction. However, the smaller, more agile pirate ship maneuvered for a second strike.
In a bold move, Lieutenant Commander Diz’mim Ch’Nilmani, the Constitution’s First Officer, proposed deploying a Wild Weasel ruse against the presumed pirate mothership. Engineering prepared a shuttle packed with explosives, which was remotely piloted towards the pirate ship, broadcasting a false signal that mimicked the identification of a second Galaxy-class starship. The ruse worked; the shuttle’s explosion severely damaged the pirate vessel as it attempted to disable what it believed to be a formidable Starfleet ship. Whether the pirates will retreat or continue their assault remains uncertain.
Engineering teams are now addressing battle damage aboard the Constitution and preparing worker drones to assist Hermes Outpost until personnel can provide direct aid. Meanwhile, Medical is tending to the injured as fires and explosions continue to erupt across the ship, and they are preparing to extend support to Hermes as soon as possible. Security teams are on high alert, ready to respond to any boarding attempts on both the Constitution and the outpost, while Intelligence works to identify the pirates and uncover their motives for the attack.
Communication with Hermes remains severed, and the full extent of the damage is still unknown. As soon as the situation stabilizes, the crew of the Constitution will begin their investigation and provide the much-needed assistance to Hermes Outpost.
Written by: Mason Stone
