From: ccchu@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu (Conrad Chihta Chu)
Subject: Re: More Than a Chance Meeting Part 2 of 5 
Organization: Engineering Computer Network, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 18:39:06 GMT


	M o r e   T h a n   a   C h a n c e   M e e t i n g

				by

			Conrad C. Chu

			part 2 of 5



    "Captain if I may, I'd like for you to keep any reference of your contact
with the Pegasus from those survivors."
     "But why would you want us to do something like that?" asked Picard.
     "The Pegasus is not currently battleworthy and I should hope that if the
Pegasus is destroyed that the news not reach the survivors, I'm sure many
assume that the Pegasus was destroyed after our brief encounter with the
Galactica against three Basestars.  But since the Pegasus managed to
disappear entirely without a trace the general populace can't assume that
I've been destroyed.  I've been harassing and hindering the progress of the
Cylons in their pursuit of the Galactica for quite some time now.  I'd like
the people to think or at least have hope that I'm still out there fighting
and winning against the Cylons.  It would be counterproductive to inform
them that I was destroyed or that I survived.  If you report that I was
destroyed at this battle then the populace will lose faith.  If you inform
them I'm still alive and well, there will be those who would insist that an
effort be made to recover my forces and bring them back to the whole. 
This I fear is extremely counterproductive as the only ship capable of
doing so would be the Galactica and I cannot ask that of Adama to abandon
his fleet to come searching in some vain rescue attempt to find me.  So I
ask you Captain, should you have further dealings with the Galactica or her
survivors that you refrain from mentioning me.  I suspect that I'll
eventually find my way to your normal space, but first I have a job to do
and your silence will allow me to keep doing it as best I can."
     "I understand Commander Cain, I'll do my best to see your request is
carried out.  First I'm curious about the ship you came in, it looked like a
Viper but it certainly wasn't.  Can you enlighten us about your situation
some more?" asked Picard.
     "Certainly, the majority of the Pegasus' fighterpower is in remote
piloted Starhounds.  We discovered an old supply depot with hundreds of
out of date Starhounds, preserved along with supplies and munitions.  We
determined is was an old resupply and manufacturing facility, abandoned
once the Battlestar program was started.  We modified those old fighters
into remotely guided fighters with some on-board command capability. 
These old fighters represent the bulk of the fighter squadrons we have
aboard.  In addition we have several modified Vipers, now Super-Vipers
which are improvements on the design the previously mentioned. 
Super-Vipers are crewed by pilots but are seldom used as those pilots also
represent the guiding force for the remote Starhounds.  The modifications
made to the remote Starhounds make them as maneuverable as the Viper is
while the Super-Viper is even more so, greater firepower, range and
speed."
     "It sounds like you would have no difficulty becoming battle-ready
Commander, so why the comment that the Pegasus is not battleworthy at
the moment?" asked Brennas.
     "Well the Cylons caught us right after we had loaded volatile supplies
we captured from their resupply depot.  What I've got aboard the Pegasus
will keep her in fuel and replacements for more than a yarhen. 
Unfortunately those supplies have not been properly stored yet, and cannot
be totally safeguarded since the Pegasus lacks secure facilities to house
all those supplies.  One lucky shot and the whole Battlestar could go up."
     "A nasty situation I agree, how long until you can be reasonably secured
for battle, Commander?"
     "I believe that once I return the Pegasus will be as ready as she'll be
for battle Captain."
     "Councilor Brennas can you enlighten us about the Imperials?"
     "Certainly Capt--"
     WHEEP-WHEEP-WHEEP
     "Red Alert, Red Alert, Captain to the Bridge!"

     The bridge crew rush out of the conference room and onto the Bridge,
quickly replacing the standby crew at their stations.

     "Situation report!" 
     "The Imperial Star Destroyers are advancing toward the Enterprise. 
They've  launched a dozen fighters as a vanguard of their approach.  Those
fighters will be in firing range is just under a minute sir," replied the
crewperson at navigation.  "The councilor's forces are standing to behind
the Enterprise.  Fighters have not been launched yet."
     "Helm, one quarter impulse toward the fighters.  Contact the councilor's
ship, tell then we are moving to intercept and that the Councilor will
remain aboard for the length of this action.  Councilor, please take a seat,
you to Commander Cain.  I'm going to try and dissuade those Imperials from
their current course of action.
     "Mister LaForge, what is the status of the warp drive?"
     "Captain, the warp-drive has been jury-rigged and is operational only at
low warp, just give me a moment before you use it though.  Limit the use
to warp four and lower Captain."
     "Captain, the TIE fighters are attacking, shall I return fire?"
     "Lock phasers and fire, low power, shields have priority.  Mister Data
scan those fightercraft and the Star Destroyers, find me a weakness"
     "Aye Sir,"
     "Phaser's firing,... TIE fighter destroyed.  Firing again.. miss?"

     The Enterprise is rocked slightly from the enemy fire.  TIE fighters are
swarming in and making high speed passes at the Enterprises shields. 
Energies glare of the shields as enemy fire strikes them, phasers are
firing at the TIE fighters singly, after just a minute the attack is over. 
The surviving TIE fighters retreat toward the approaching Star Destroyers.

     "Captain, if I may, the Star Destroyers do not have good firing
capability in their rear quarter, if you can manage it that is the weakest
point in their offense," Brennas remarked.  "The TIE are only sub-light,
also."
     "Thank you Councilor.  Helm prepare a course around the Star Destroyers
and bring us onto their stern quarter.  Ready Photon Torpedoes, Engage."

     The Enterprise jumped into warp heading toward the Leading Imperial
Star Destroyer.

     "Sir, the enemy ship has repelled the TIE attack and has jumped into
hyperspace.  No longer registering on my scanners sir."
     "Sir, the TIE are returning to our position, shall I order them to hold?"
asked the second officer.
     "All sensor operators, report anomalies of the enemy jump.  Order the
fighters to continue to return.  Find me that ship."

     The Enterprise after just a few moments emerges from warp space
behind the leading Star Destroyer,  phasers fire, aiming at the engine
exhaust ports of the Star Destroyer's main engines.  Deflectors flare but
are caught unprepared.  A single photon torpedo is launched.  Explosions,
minor ones compared to the size of the Star Destroyer emerge from the
stern of the ship.

     "Excellent shooting Worf, damage assessment."
     "Enemy ship has sustained moderate damage to port side main engine
assembly.  Acceleration stopped, engine output minimal.  Maneuverability
assessed to be one third or less of normal," replied Worf.  "Defensive
systems are now fully operational but appear to hinder the
maneuverability of the Star Destroyer.  Second Star Destroyer
approaching."
     "Very good mister Worf,.. Data takes us away from the approaching Star
Destroyer, back to the Councilors' group.  Avoid the approaching Imperial
fighters, Warp two, engage."

     The Enterprise warps away leaving a bemused Star Destroyer
Commodore and crew behind.  The Star Destroyer suffered only minor
damage, engine power being quickly restored in only fifteen minutes time. 
The other Star Destroyer meanwhile stops it's advance on the Rebel
Position and takes position perpendicular to the orientation of the
damaged Star Destroyer, covering its rear quarter.

     "Damage assessment," snapped the Captain.
     "Sir the enemy vessel displayed unexpected maneuverability and
aggression in it's attack.  It successfully maneuvered through the TIE
fighters, and somehow managed a hyperspace jump onto our stern, fired
some kind of plasma stream and guided torpedo and damaged the port
engine sir.  Sir the engine will be operational in roughly fifteen minutes. 
The Commodore wishes to speak directly to you."
     "Continue damage repair, pull all records of the enemy ships activities,
have tactical section give me a summary and analysis in twenty minutes. 
Continue observation of the other ships.  I don't want anymore surprises
Lieutenant, do I make myself clear?"
     "Yes Sir, very clear Sir!"

     Aboard the Cylon Basestar the events have taken on a different
meaning.  The Imperious Leader is pleasantly surprised at the
effectiveness of the enemy ship against another over twice its size.  Into
the audience chamber approaches an IL series robot, a humanoid shape with
conical top, flashing lights loop through the forehead, and slanted glowing
red lights flow back and forth, where the eyes would be on a human.

     "By your command, Imperious Leader."
     "Your report, Cylon."
     "The enemy ship which attacked the Triangular Cruisers displayed
unusual maneuverability and precise firepower during its engagement. 
Such acceleration was estimated as possible but not likely given the scan
of its propulsion units.  My estimation is some kind of space distortion
field is responsible for the unique motive effectiveness.  The plasma
stream was extremely focused.  The effective range seems as great as our
ion cannons this Basestar is armed with.  However, our scans also indicate
the ship is powered by both fusion and antimatter reactions. 
Anti-Hydrogen to be precise.  The estimated power generation is nearly
equal to our own.  Anti-Hydrogen is probably the source of the plasma
stream the ship used against the other one.  Further observation indicates
automated target acquisition by the ship.  Firepower was directed by a
single intelligence.  Enemy ships were singled out and attacked effectively
on a one to one basis.  The hull of the ship also appears to have several
openings and does not seem equipped with energy plating or laser armor,
instead an energy shield is used to repel attacks.  The effectiveness is not
yet known but the concentrated firepower of the other fighters managed to
penetrate and damage the port cylinder, where the hydrogen collector is
located.  Overall an inconclusive analysis but I estimate the ship can be
beaten by our forces.  However signs of the Pegasus have not been
discovered.  She maintains a camouflage screen and we have not detected
any anomalous emissions...."
     "And your analysis of the Triangular Ships?"
     "The Triangular ships appear to employ ion engines similar to our own,
they used armor and shielding which are also similar.  Their doctrine
seems to be also quite similar, fighters serve to engage the enemy first
while the carrier is reserved for heavy close in combat.  However the ships
appear to have manned fire control stations.  Several individual units
operate each gun independently.  Firepower is limited, range of the
weapons employed to date are extremely short ranged.  Automation
appears limited.  Surprise played an important role in the success of the
attack.  Shielding in the rear area was extremely low at the time of the
attack.  The ships do not engage their screens because it interferes with
their propulsion systems.  Given their size and maneuverability, their
fighter complement is much smaller than our own but the manned craft
have extreme high speed maneuverability our Raiders cannot match.  The
craft is manned with human lifeforms, Imperious Leader."
     "The other ship too was crewed by humans?"
     "Yes, Imperious Leader, the attacking ship contains several hundred
humans, but few are required given the automation detected onboard.  No
fighters are expected, insignificant shuttle capacity.  Manned vehicles are
clearly a secondary system of transportation.  Their primary one is
speculated to be direct matter transmission."
     "Your plan, then.."
     "If we could swarm the ship with our fighters we could manage to
render the defense screen the ship employs inoperative with several
Solonite loaded fighters.  One element in each unit of three is loaded for
such work.  We could then board the capture the vessel.  Atmosphere
requirements could be ignored and hull breaches can be made to disorient
the humans and make takeover of the ship easier, except..."
     "Go on Cylon, except What?"
     "Imperious Leader, we cannot hope to surround such a maneuverable
ship, boarding it would be extremely difficult, it would need to be crippled
before we could send enough transports over to it to conduct a successful
boarding action.  Further our crews are alert for our engagement with the
Pegasus, our primary mission is to destroy the Pegasus Imperious Leader."
     "Do not seek to remind me of My mission, Cylon.  Continue our patrols
for the Pegasus, ready all warriors for battle, have a transport wing
prepared for a boarding opportunity.  After we destroy the Pegasus we can
worry about capturing this maneuverable enemy craft.  It can't leave nor
can we."
     "Yes Imperious Leader,... By your Command..."

     "Captain, your report," asked the Commodore of the Imperial Star
Destroyer, Indomitable.  "What have you learned about the ship you
attacked, which managed to disable your Star Destroyer so easily."
     "Commodore, after reviewing the combat records we discovered that
the enemy ship can be tracked in its FTL flight mode."
     "Oh,... how Captain."
     "Sir, the enemy ship emitted gravitons when employing its FTL drive,
consequently those emissions can be detected once the scanners are
calibrated to monitor and track gravitons.  We will not be surprised again
Commodore."
     "Very good, I'll detail a similar scanner upgrade for the Indomitable. 
Continue.."
     "Yes Commodore, the enemy vessel appears to operate a space
distortion propulsion system.  Using this system, its fusion drives can
accelerate the craft and maneuver it much more nimbly than any ship save
a light corvette or smaller.  However we theorize that the sub-light drives
would be incapable of breaking a full tractor lock, as the distortion
system lightens the load of the ship so the engine doesn't need to work as
hard, the power of a Star Destroyer should be sufficient to hold the ship
and possibly board it."
     "Interesting Captain, how do you propose we do so?"
     "If we can manage to disable its sublight drive we could then approach
and tractor it toward the docking bay and once secured we can cut through
the hull and attempt a boarding action."
     "Fine, just how do we create such an opportunity, Captain?"
     "Send two thirds of our fighters out to attack the Rebel forces, only
order the fighters to ignore the rebels once the Saucership engages them. 
Order concentrated attacks against their sub-light propulsion systems. 
Their shielding system is different than ours, and can be brought down
with sufficient firepower, magnitude is unimportant."
     "Very good Captain.  Any further information about the Saucership?"
     "Commodore, the Saucership has excellent fire-control systems, mostly
automated.  Power systems are anti-hydrogen and fusion powerplants. 
Power output is significantly lower than our ion powerplants, however
their energy management appears to be at least a magnitude greater than
our own aboard our Star Destroyers.  Defensive screens are slightly better
than our own, but are automated.  Overall the Saucership can outmaneuver
our Star Destroyers, fire with greater accuracy, and outrun and outgun our
fighters.  Our best shot is to disable its drive systems and attempt a
boarding action.  We do not have sufficient heavy weaponry available to
disable the Saucership ourselves.  Fighters must close to point-blank
range and penetrate their defensive screens before they compensate."
     "Very Well Captain."
     "Commodore, one more thing."
     "Yes, Captain?"
     "The ship does not conform to military design, it has more crew than it
could possibly need to run its automated systems.  The surface is not
covered with armor or impact plating instead several transparent openings
are clearly visible.  The ship also does not appear to have significant
shuttle capability.  I suspect they utilize matter transmission technology."
     "Matter transmission is forbidden!  Such information may not be
allowed to fall into the Rebels hands.  Research of such technology has
been stopped as a matter of policy, since the days of the Old Republic. 
We'll have to be extremely careful when boarding them.  Any suggestions?
     "Sir if we could modify our defensive screens to match the frequencies
their own shields block, we should be reasonably safe from their matter
transmission devices."
     "Excellent Captain.  Proceed as planned."
     "Thank you Commodore."

     "Time to get you back to your ship Councilor," said Picard.  "You should
return to your people to explain what is going on here."
     "Certainly, I was about to suggest that idea myself.  Thank you Picard,
may we all prevail through this trial."
     "Number One, escort the Councilor and his group back to the shuttle
bay."
     "Certainly Captain, ...  This way gentlemen."
     "And what are we to do with you Commander?" asked Picard addressing
Commander Cain.  "How do we return you to your ship without exposing the
contact to the Cylons?"
     "I don't think we can avoid that, nor will it matter soon.  The Cylons
will have learned by now that this ship is crewed with human life, and as
it is so crewed then it must be destroyed.  That is the Cylon doctrine. 
Total destruction of all human life and knowledge...  
     "Captain, I'd like to remain aboard for a while longer, to give my people
more time to finish securing the volatiles aboard the Pegasus."
     "Certainly Commander, but you haven't mentioned how we are to return
you to your ship?"
     "I'm certain an opportunity will present itself Captain."
     "Would you care to join me as Commander Data briefs us about the
opposition we face?"
     "I'd be delighted Captain."

     Change of scene, Picard and Cain enter the main briefing room, already
seated are Commander Data, Commander LaForge, Doctor Crusher, and
Counselor Troi.  Behind Picard Worf arrives off the Bridge, from the other
side of the room Commander Riker enters.  Data moves to the main
viewscreen to begin the briefing.

     "To begin this briefing I will first describe which units and name them
for reference to this discussion."  The screen lights, we see the Rebel
Group arrive followed by the Imperials.  "These first arrivals are the Rebel
Alliance ships, one Councilor spacecraft, one clearly armed warship,
designate Frigate, and two transports, designate one a carrier.  The
pursuing ships are Imperial Star Destroyers, name supplied by Councilor
Brennas.  Whatever their name they are not exactly warships."
     "Excuse me Data but you said those aren't warships," Riker questioned.
     "That is correct Commander, those ships while military in design do not
fulfil a position consummate with a warship as we use the term.  These
ships are armed with numerous short range energy projectors.  These
weapons are used to knock down the deflection shielding of spacecraft of
their ken.  They do not have significant tactical value beyond short range. 
These Star Destroyers do carry heavier weaponry but not in any quantity to
matter.  Their primary weaponry are manned short range energy projectors. 
The most appropriate role these craft serve is that of a patrol or
interdiction cruiser.  Blockade or Orbital Control are the areas these ships
seem designed for.  Note Star Destroyers are also carriers.  They carry up
to six dozen fighters to assist in its job of controlling space.  The TIE
fighter actually stands for Twin Ion Engine Fighter."  Data pauses for
reflection.
     "Ion Power?  Those puny ships!" growled Worf.
     "Yes Ion Power, each of those ships on the screen utilizes ion
powerplants.  Ion Power is the basis of their energy production systems. 
Consequently by our reckoning they can produce as much or more power
than the Enterprise can."
     "You can't be serious, those tiny ships can out power the Enterprise?"
     "Yes Worf, technically they could but they probably do not.  Those ships
out there are all established designs and the result of engineering
compromises.  They do not need to produce as much power as the
Enterprise to perform their mission.  My analysis indicates that we are
actually fairly evenly matched in terms of energy availability.  While they
produce more power in their powerplants their systems are not as
efficient as ours.  We should be able to hold our own against a Star
Destroyer."
     "Excuse me Commander, but are you aware that our technology is also
based on Ion Power?" Cain asked.
     "I surmised that to be the case Commander, shall I elaborate on that
point now Captain?"
     "Please do Data."
     "As Commander Cain said, the Pegasus' and Cylon technology use Ion
technology to run their ships.  The fightercraft covert Tylium to Solium,
which releases enormous amounts of energy, beyond anything we have ever
seen.  We have devised a theory to explain this, Geordi."  Geordi stands at
his place at the table and addresses the assembly.
     "Everyone here, except possibly Commander Cain understands how
Dilithium works.  Dilithium is an unusual product of nature, it extends
itself into time.  Well as a solid that is well understood, Federation
Scientists have discovered only solid examples of such time-space
phenomena, but if there existed a volatile liquid with time extension
properties, well all bet's are off.  This liquid could extend itself in time
and potentially be reduced to other isotopes.  The Solids we have as
examples of time extended material do breakdown eventually into other
isotopes.  Tylium is probably just such a material,  the energy available is
incalculable.  The Cylons and the Pegasus utilize this fantastic material to
power their ion drives.  Tylium and Solium are dangerous elements, no
telling the power released when sufficient quantity are brought to their
flash point."
     "Solium can be solidified into Solonite a very powerful explosive," Cain
announced.  "As a solid, every molecule touching other similar molecules
converts itself into energy.  Tylium first reduces itself into Solium.  Once
refined and solidified into Solonite, it can be used as the premier military
explosive.  Nuclear fissionable materials do not compare on a mass to
mass basis.  Solonite is many times more powerful. As a liquid the flash
point is reached much more quickly and more controllable, that is what
happens aboard our spacecraft.  Liquid Tylium is reacted to release energy
and Solium is the controlled residual produced from our powerplants.  This
is later processed into solid form for more convenient and secure storage. 
That is why our ships are destroyed so completely.  Energy reacting with
the stored Tylium or Solium, if it reaches its flash point will devastate
everything around it."
     "Thank you Commander Cain.  That was most enlightening.  I shall add
that to the information we have on such materials," Data replied. 
"Continuing with the analysis of the Star Destroyer.  As they appear to be
designed for patrol and interdiction each are equipped with several
powerful tractor beams.  Their strength is unknown.  In summation, we
have a carrier, with several agile sub-light fighters.  Short range ship to
ship weaponry and numerous gun emplacements around the ship except for
the stern.  Tractor capability and energy to match the Enterprise."
     "Sounds like a tough fight, but we do have some advantage right Data?"
     "That is correct Commander Riker,  The Star Destroyers themselves are
not very maneuverable for equivalent massed ships in Starfleet.  They have
long turning radii and time when compared to the Enterprise.  Given an
equal situation without surprise and only sub-light maneuvering the
Enterprise could easily evade a Star Destroyer with only one third impulse. 
The Enterprise could easily control the range and aspect of any engagement
between a Star Destroyer in a sub-light combat.  Maximize our weapons
effectiveness and minimize theirs."
     "Any Questions?" Picard asked those seated at the table.  "Proceed
Data."
     "The Cylon Basestar is also a carrier or fightercraft platform.  The
majority of its effectiveness depends on its fast attack craft.  Each
Basestar can carry over two hundred small craft.  Most are fighters but
transports for ground assault could also be part of the complement.  While
there are several fighters aboard, each Basestar is also armed with
several medium range energy projectors.  These projectors are much larger
and have many times the effective range of a Star Destroyers multiple
manned guns.  However the Cylon Basestar cannot employ all of its heavy
energy projectors at once.  Nor is the effective firepower exceptionally
great.  A Basestar would have much difficulty destroying another like
craft unless a critical area were struck."
     "Like the Tylium fuel tanks," Geordi announced.

End of Part 2 of 5