“Cross-currents”

Act 2

	Three shimmering columns of energy formed on on the transporter platform as Price, Thelev, and Taryn looked on.  They coalesced into Cmdr. T'lera and two other Romulan officers.
	“Commander T'Lera, welcome aboard the Orion.  This is my First Officer, Commander Thelev, and my security chief, Lt. Taryn Kal.”
	“Thank you, Captain.  Allow me to present my First Officer, Sub-Commander N'Veth, and my science officer, Centurion Viriana.”
 	“Welcome aboard, Sub-Commander, Centurion.  Now, if you'll come with me, we're expected in the conference room.”

	Romulan Commander T'Lera stood by the display screen looking at the assembly of Starfleet and Romulan officers sitting around the Orion's conference table.  The screen held an image of a cluster of buildings on a cratered lunar surface.
 	“Three weeks ago, one of our scoutships came across this installation on the second moon of  Obengali VI.  Further scans revealed it to be a Breen prison facility.  We have also intercepted transmissions between the Breen commander and Siroc that indicate that this is where Lt. Barrett is being held.”
	Lt. Cmdr. Sovok raised his hand.  “Ma'am, is there a plan to get him out of there?”
	“That's the reason I'm here, Commander,” said T'Lera.  “I wish to offer the assistance of my ship and its crew toward the liberation of Mr. Barrett and any other prisoners held at the facility.”
	At this point, Capt. Price spoke up.  “I've asked Mr. Taryn to devise a few plans of action in preparation for this briefing.  Lieutenant?”
	Taryn Kal rose and walked over to the display, waiting until Cmdr. T'Lera had taken a seat before speaking.  “One option is for the Orion and Vengeance to drop out of warp right on top of the moon and hopefully catch them by suprise.”
	That brought a murmur from the assembled officers.  “Kal,” said Price, “I'd prefer that we use that as Plan B.  We have no intel on the strengh of Breen forces in that system.  I'm not willing to risk two ships to rescue one man unless we have no other options.”
	“In that case, sir, our other option is this:  The Vengeance enters the system under cloak while the Orion holds position just outside.  Once in system, an assault team will take a cloaked shuttle down to the suface of the moon and infiltrate the facility.  The team, comprised of officers from both ships, will disable the prison's communications and shields. Once those tasks are completed, the team will start freeing the prisoners and Orion and Vengeance will move in.  One will beam up the prisoners while the other keeps an eye out for Breen patrols.”
	“I like that one, Kal,” Price said, smiling thoughtfully.  “What do you think, Commander T'Lera?”
	“The plan is sound,” she replied.  “When I return to the Vengeance, I'll have my hangar officer prepare a shuttle for the mission.” 
	“Excellent.  Mr. Thelev, assemble your half of the team.  Kal, have someone escort Cmdr. T'Lera and her officers to the transporter room.  Commander, I assume you'll signal us when you're ready to go.”
	“I will, Captain.  Don't worry.  Those Breen shavokh'la will learn their lesson.”  Price decided not to ask for a translation as T'Lera left the room accompanied by her officers and one of Lt. Taryn's security officers.

IRW VENGEANCE

	On the bridge of the Vengeance, Cmdr. T'Lera gazed upon the image of the Orion that dominated the main viewscreen.  She tapped a control on the arm of her chair.  “Hangar Officer, this is the Commander.  Report the status of the shuttle.”
	“The shuttle is prepared for its mission, Commander.  All classified data have been purged from its memory banks.”
	“Splendid.”  She turned to N'Veth.  “Have you prepared your team, Sub-Commander?”
	“Yes, Commander.”
	“Good.  Open a channel to the Orion.”  Captain Price took the Orion's place on the viewer.  “Captain, we are ready to depart.”
	“That's good to hear, Commander.  I commend the efficiency of your crew.  Rendezvous with us outside the system so Cmdr. Thelev and his team can beam over to your ship.”
	“Acknowledged, Captain.  T'Lera out.”   

uss orion, JUST OUTSIDE THE OBENGALI SYSTEM

	Jonathan Price watched out his ready room window as the stars went from streaks to tiny dots in the distance.  “Bridge to Captain,”  Sovok said over the intercom.  “We've arrived at the Obengali system.  The Vengeance is dropping out of warp to starboard.”
	“I'm on my way.”  He rose from his desk and stepped out onto the bridge.  “Hail the Vengeance, Mr. Taryn.”
	“Aye, sir.”  T'Lera appeared on screen
	“Commander, are you ready to receive my officers?”
	“Yes, Captain.  Sub-Commander N'Veth is waiting for them in our transporter room.”
	“Understood. Price out.”  He tapped his commbadge.  “Price to Thelev.  The Vengeance is ready to receive you.  Good luck.”
	“Sir,” said Taryn, “the Romulans report that Cmdr. Thelev and his team are aboard.  The Vengeance is moving off.”
	“On screen.”  The view shifted to follow the warbird as it moved away at impulse, then rippled into into invisibility.  “Hold position here, Mr. Crusher.  Sovok, you have the bridge.  I'll be in my ready room.”

irw vengeance, in orbit of obengali IV

	“Commander Thelev, is your team prepared for departure?” asked Sub-Commader N'Veth as he entered the Romulan assault shuttle.
	“We are prepared, Sub-Commander.”
	“Good.”  The stocky Romulan sealed the hatch and strode forward to the cockpit.  “Centurion, contact the bridge and request departure clearance.”
	“Yes, sir...  We are clear to depart.”
	“Engage the cloak and take us out.  We want to take the Breen by suprise.”
	“As you command, sir.”
	A casual observer would barely have noticed a slight ripple in space as the cloaked shuttle penetrated  the warbird's cloaking field.  On the bridge, the vessel's helmsman, Sub-Centurion Vorok, turned to face T'Lera.  “Commander, the shuttle is away.”
	“Good.  Now, we wait.”