“Cross-currents”

Act 3

obengali iv, breen prison compound

	“Andy, how long do you think it'll be before somebody finds us?” asked Ensign Matt Jenkins.  “I mean, it's been almost three months since Surgant and Betras dumped you here.”
	“I don't know, Matt,” replied Lt. Andrew Barrett, late of the USS Excelsior.  “For all we know someone could be on their way right now.”  Suddenly, the lights overhead flickered and died as the main generators were silenced by a muffled explosion.  Red emergency lighting came on shortly, accompanied by the thrum of the back-up.  “Then again, we may about to be rescued right now.” 

irw vengeance

	“Commander, the prison has lost main power,” reported Vorok.  “Sub-Commander N'Veth reports that communications have been knocked out as well.”
	“Signal the Orion...  Phase One complete.”

uss orion ncc-75762

	Lt. Cmdr. Sovok tapped the annunciator pad by the ready room door.  Price opened the door and Sovok walked in to hear the final strains of a trumpet solo.  ”Interesting.  What style of music was that?”
	“Jazz, Mr. Sovok,” said Price.  “Wynton Marsalis, to be precise.  This collection was a congratulatory gift from Will Riker.”  He paused, smiling.  “However, you didn't come in here to talk about my music.  What's up?”
	“Cmdr. T'Lera reports that the Breen compound's communications and main power are offline.  The assault team has begun the search for Lt. Barrett.”
	“Lay in a course to rendevous with the Vengeance.  I'll be out in a minute.”
	“Aye, sir.” 
	A moment later, Price stepped out onto the bridge, pleased to see that his crew were already carrying out his instructions.  Sovok relinquished the captain's chair and returned to his posistion at Ops.  “ETA to rendezvous, Mr. Crusher?” Priced asked of his helmsman.
	“About twenty minutes, sir, give or take.”
	“Good.  Mr. Taryn, let the Vengeance know we're coming and give them our ETA.”
	“Aye, sir...  Sir, Cmdr. T'Lera acknowledges and says that once we arrive, they will assume a higher orbit.”
	“Understood.”  He turned to face forward again.  “Wes, when we reach the planet, make for stardard orbit.”
 	“Aye, aye, Captain.”

obengali iv
	
	The warbird Vengeance sat motionless as the Starship Orion banked and slipped smoothly into orbit around Obengali IV.  Captain Price rose from his chair and stood behind the forward duty stations.  “Kal, hail the away team.”
	“I've got them on audio.”
	“Commander Thelev, this is the Orion.  What's your status?  Have you located Lt. Barrett?”
	The Andorian's voice came in through the bridge speakers.  He nearly had to shout to be heard over the phaser and disruptor fire.  “Captain, we have Mr. Barrett, along with a few others.”  A volley of disruptor blasts drowned him out.  “However, we have encountered heavy resistance from the Breen garrison.”
	Lt. Cmdr. Taryn interrupted them.  “Captain... transmission from the Vengeance.  Four Breen cruisers have dropped out of warp on the outskirts of the system.  At current speed, tey'll be here in ten minutes.”
	“Damn!  Did you catch that, Thelev?  Gather up the people you have in a safe location for transport.”
	“Acknowledged.”
	Price tapped his commbadge.  “Bridge to Transporter Room 3.  Lock on to anyone near the assault team who's not Breen and stand by to commence beam-up on my command.”
	“Aye, sir.”
	“Bridge to Sickbay.  Mel, we're about to bring the assault team and and some rescued prisoners aboard.  Prepare for anything.”
	“Understood.”
	He walked up to join Taryn at the Tactical rail.  “Kal, could you open up a hole in the shields that we could beam them up through?”
	“I think I could do it, but we'd be restricted to beaming them up two at a time.  With a sixteen-member assault team, plus up to a dozen prisoners, it would take us at least ten minutes to beam tham all up.”
	“And how long until the Breen get here?”
	“Six and a half minutes, sir.”  
	Price sighed.  “Alright...  Coordinate with the transporter room and let them know of the two-at-a-time restriction.”  He returned to his chair.  “Sovok, open a channel to the Romulans.”
	“Channel open.”
	“Commander, we're going to have to remain in orbit for a few minutes after the Breen get here.”
	“We'll hold them off for as long as we can, Captain.”
	“Price to Thelev.  We'll only be able to beam you up two at a time.”
	“Understood, sir.  We'll send the prisoners up first.”
	“I thought you would.  Price out.”  He contacted the transporter room again.  “Commence beam-out now.”

obengali IV, breen complex

	Thelev severed the link with the Orion and turned to Barrett and Jenkins.  “You two go first, followed by the rest of the prisoners.  Then the team will beam up, with N'Veth and I going last.”
	“Aye, sir.”  
 	The Andorian watched as the two men were retrieved by the Orion's transporter beam, then motioned for two more to step forward.  Before they could call to be retrieved, however, the hatch burst open and a heavily armed squad of Breen ran in, disruptors blazing.  The last thing Thelev ever did was open a channel to the Orion.

uss orion ncc-75762

	“Captain!”  Thelev's voice rang out on the bridge, followed by a disruptor blast, then silence. 
	“Orion to Thelev!” Price shouted, apprehension building in his voice at the lack of response.  “Thelev, respond!”  Again, no response.  He sat in the command chair and slammed his fist on the arm.  “Bridge to Transporter Room, can you get a lock on their lifesigns?”
	“I'm sorry Captain,” said the transporter chief, glumly, “Their lifesigns no longer register on sensors.”
	Price lowered his head, then turned to face the viewscreen.  “Get us out of here, Mr. Crusher.”