Alpha Isles – Unaware of the full extent of events on Sol, the USS Ronin and USS Khitomer team up to launch a surprise attack on the Lattice Alliance.
A joint operation between two Starfleet crews began when intelligence revealed a potential buildup of Lattice Alliance forces, suspiciously timed to coincide with the Frontier Day celebration at Earth. Concerned by the magnitude of the threat, Captains Karrod Niac and Randal Shayne devised a plan: the USS Ronin would feign severe damage and drift near the enemy’s cloaked rally zone, hoping to lure the Alliance out. Meanwhile, the USS Khitomer would remain a few light seconds away, poised to warp in and strike. Portions of both crews stayed behind on DS33 to prepare for its defense or, if necessary, to scuttle the station.
Initial reports indicated the ruse worked, and the Alliance ships that emerged were successfully routed. But upon entering the cloaked region, the crews of the Ronin and Khitomer discovered an unsettling truth—there was barely any enemy presence. Instead, they found evidence of a massive fleet heading back toward DS33. With little time to waste, Captain Niac sent an urgent wide-band subspace message:
“Ronin to All Federation Outposts and Installations in sector A113. We have reason to believe a large Lattice Alliance strike force is heading towards Deep Space Thirty-Three. It is unlikely we will be able to engage them before they reach your position. We are coming. We will not abandon you. For your tomorrows…we give our todays. Ronin out.”
Unfortunately, this message came too late for those on DS33, as they had already detected the approaching armada just minutes away. Evacuation efforts, led by Khitomer‘s XO, Lt. Commander Nolen Hobart, were quickly underway, while Commander Toryn Raga of the Ronin oversaw the station’s defense. With limited resources—only support craft from the Ronin and DS33’s fighter wing under Major “Snowball” Singh—the defenders faced overwhelming odds.
The Ronin and Khitomer, more than 20 hours away at maximum warp, could offer little immediate aid. DS33’s defense systems, reportedly below Starfleet standards for a border outpost, were quickly overwhelmed, and Lattice Alliance troops, including Tholian and Sheliak forces, began boarding the station. According to sources, the battle that followed was reminiscent of the Dominion War, with Commander Raga and the station’s personnel fighting fiercely for every second.
By the time reinforcements arrived, nearly half the station had fallen, though critical sections remained under Starfleet control. Communication was lost with the Gamma module and the medical bay, but the defenders held strong. With the arrival of the Ronin and Khitomer, the battle briefly turned in Starfleet’s favor—until reports surfaced of a superweapon deployed by the Alliance. The device, identified as a Sencha Wave cannon, unleashed a massive shockwave that caused devastating damage to DS33 and both Starfleet vessels. The Ronin was left adrift, while the Khitomer was seen venting atmosphere.
Despite the destruction wrought on the Alliance fleet, including the loss of their superweapon, two Leviathan-class ships and numerous smaller vessels remain a threat. The condition of the Ronin and Khitomer is uncertain, and station defenders have reportedly fallen back to deck one in a final, desperate attempt to hold Ops amid heavy losses and casualties.
Is this the final stand for the Ronin and Khitomer, or is there still hope just a slipstream jump away?
Written by: Toryn Raga
