Pacifica #130"
By: Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Acting Chief Intel Officer, [PST]
Ryan-Steven ‘Rusty Ryan’ Madriani, Marine CO, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.29 1805

Madriani returned from the pilot compartment to the rear of the drop ship and inspected his men.

Northrop looked around the small transport ship as it moved. It seemed that every one of the Marines had made it back....but she couldn't remember the exact number that had touched down with Madriani. "Major....what's the plan from here?"

Technically the Marine outranked her, as did most everyone on board the Zion except maybe the chef and a couple of regular crewmen, but she wasn't about to stand on ceremony here. It wasn't her usual style and certainly not in a combat situation.

Madriani sat down next to her, "well, Miss, we've lost contact with the Zion, the pilot received a transmission but it was corrupted with some sort of jamming device."

Madriani leaned back. "A fighter wing reports that the Zion broke orbit to pursue the Federation ship."

Madriani preempted any of Northrop's concerns, "Don't worry, the D'Kuul is still in orbit. If the Zion makes it back we'll return with Delaplane and decide the best way to clean up this situation.

The intelligence officer nodded. "It's Doctor....or Alyssa. Your choice."

She smiled at the Marine. "But anyway....we can't just fly around up here. I'm sure the Federation/Cardassian forces that are still on the ground aren't totally defenseless. They'll probably be scrambling the auxiliary craft they do have to hunt down that joker."

With a jerk of her thumb, she indicated the Federation governor they'd taken prisoner. "So by my way of thinking...we've got two options. Return to orbit and meet up with the Klingons...or set back down and help."

Madriani slouched back, he was slightly put off by Northrop's brashness.

"Doctor," said Madriani with a slight patronizing tone, "We're going to return to the evac point, I'm not sure what we can do to...help them," he said, "Unless you have intel we don't know about."

"As a matter of fact...I do." She smiled sweetly and pulled a PADD from her pack. Sifting through its contents quickly, she showed Madriani what she'd been looking for. "This is the flash point for a citizen's revolt, Major. I bet if we took ourselves over here that we'd be able to reinforce their ranks quite well....in addition to providing some needed firepower."

Alyssa indicated the weapons locker near the back of the troop transport.

"Officially... we can't..." he shook his head and looked at Northrop, "Nevermind."

Madriani took the PADD and looked at the coordinates given by Northrop. He looked at his men. Their objective was completed, Bocca was removed from the government building.

"Alright," he said standing up, he walked to the front of the ship, and returned.

He cleared his throat and spoke loudly, "Men, we're going to insert ourselves into a combat situation. Everyone make ready."

Shortly after his announcement they landed on the outskirts of the citadel.

"Would you like to stay here with the prisoner or join us?"

The archaeologist pulled out her phaser pistol and checked it's charge. "Do I look like a security guard to you?"

With that, she headed off away from the ship. "Coming Major?"

Madriani whistled loudly, "Fall out men!"

As his men filed out of the transport, Madriani caught up to Northrop. "Do you have a contact?"

"Several....but I have no way of knowing where they are right now." She shrugged and listened. "I suggest that we simply head towards the shooting."

"Alight, you know your way around here better than any of us... lead the way Miss, uh,...Doctor." said Madriani.

Alyssa stopped in her tracks and pulled her backpack around so she could dig inside. Rooting around inside the bag, she pulled out a solid black device that was attached to what looked like an arm cuff. She placed it on her arm and shut the cuff.....causing a small screen to unfold from the upper portion as several sets of lights flashed beneath. Next out of the pack was a pair of glasses with a single lens that wrapped around her face. When she looked directly at Madriani, he could see that there was data scrolling across the lens.....a HUD.

She caught the Marine's surprised look. "What? You have your tricorders....I have mine. My equipment simply has to take into account form factor in addition to function. My work generally has me in tight spaces that require me to be able to move and react quickly. This is more than just a tricorder. Maybe when we get back to the Zion...I'll let you take a look at it. You and your Marines might find it interesting."

Madriani was going to mention to her that the ZR-20X was a newer and improved version but as she interrupted he decided to let her prattle on.

"In reality...it was built as a multi-purpose tool...complete with an array of small weapons and a grapler. After a moment, she spoke again, "There's a strong concentration of weapons fire to the east-northeast. I'm reading a lot of Federation Phaser signatures...but some Klingon, Romulan and a myriad other energy signatures. We're talking seriously rag tag."

That said...she took off running.

Madrini looked dumbfounded, "Romulans?"

He turned and signaled his men to follow.

They raced through the citadel, its interiors were beautiful examples of flowing architecture. Its open spaces and vast expansive ceilings gave the underwater portion of the city the illusion sky.

Up ahead, smoke could be seen rising up behind many of the marble-like court yard obstacles.

The sound of fighting as now everywhere, echoing off the hard surfaces that surrounded them. Alyssa slowed her approach and drew her weapon. Coming to a corner, she looked around it and saw a war zone....the Federation and the Pacificans locked in a pitched battle, neither side really giving any ground.

Looking behind her, "Major....if we can outflank the Federation forces....we'll have them in a cross fire."

"Okay, we'll wait here, you find a suitable location and we'll come to you."

She growled for a second, "Why don't you take half of your team around to the far side of the fire fight....and I'll take the remaining half with me and location a firing position on this side."

Madriani turned, "Wilson, take your men and go with her, Stevens your men are with me."

Madriani and half the men left the way they came.

"Alright...let's move." Alyssa took off into the nearest building and started climbing stairs. She could hear the Marines behind her, grunting as they carried all of their equipment with them. Once she decided that they were high enough, Alyssa went out into the main area of that floor...and over to the windows. Not too far below was the battle for the Government facility. Thankfully, everyone who had worked on this floor had evacuated...which made things so much easier.

"Ok Marines.....you know who to shoot....so do it." Her squad lined up at the windows and started firing down on the pinned down Federation and Cardassian Forces.

After about 10 minutes Madriani signaled Northrop, "We're in position."

"Take them out, Major."

Over a ledge looking down Madriani and his men opened fired on the Cardassians.

The surprise attack dropped several of them who were in unable to take cover.

Many of them repositioned themselves to defend against the 2 sided attack.

After the last Cardassian dropped, the surviving Federation foes signaled their surrender. The pacifians raced forward and apprehended them.