Rator III…

“Ethan, we’re approaching Rator III. We’re still undetected, but that’s only because our countermeasures are working.” Mikaela piped up as her hands moved swiftly to evade the numerous patrols surrounding the planet.

“Thank you, Mikaela.” He glanced over at Jolie, “Small miracles.”

Jolie looked at Ethan as she thought to herself, ‘small miracles, indeed.’

“Take us out of warp,” Ethan said sitting up in his chair.   The Zebulon Pike was approaching Rator III at last after spending nearly a week running silent and dodging Romulan patrols.  Now here they were.  “Carolyn initiate Blue Alert.  Adjust the cloak to compensate for atmospheric entry.”

Crawford tapped at the console and the lights on the bridge faded to the blue alert as the computer announced they were going to blue alert. The lights in the wall of the bridge began to flash intermittent blue to remind them that indeed they were going into the atmosphere.  It took a moment, but the ship was soon ready, “All stations report secure and ready for blue action – ship ready and able.”

The Pike was buffeted as it entered the atmosphere. The cloak was far less effective while in the atmosphere where gaseous particles was physically pushed and moved around, but if no one was looking hopefully no one would notice.   They broke through the clouds as they passed over the target settlement.  The landing zone was centered on the viewscreen.   A clearing of relatively level grass field surrounded by tall leafy trees. A small stream pierced the northern boundary.

The ship entered the atmosphere and glided though the air heading for the landing zone.

Ethan glanced down at the readouts on his armrest and entered a few command, “All systems to station keeping. Bridge to Lt. MacDonald and Dr. MacDonald, please be on standby.” He turned to his first officer,  “the mission is yours Jolie. Godspeed.”

Standing up Jolie looked at the viewscreen for a moment before she nodded to Ethan. She then turned about and exited the bridge. A moment later she stood on the ramp that was lowered to the surface of the planet. 

—

While the Zebulon Pike was entering the atmosphere several Reman workers stood near the landing zone. A place that they had been informed of by the Federation that help would be arriving at. 

One of the workers looked over at their foreman as the sound of a ship approached, “Is this a good idea?” they asked as a tall lanky woman watched a ship approach them. “I do not know, but we are out of options, and besides we have requested Federation help.”

—

Tomarah stared at the humans around her disguised at Romulans.  Slipping on a pair of fetters and sighed. Her home was gone. Her old life was gone with the destruction of Romulus and the rise of Shinzon.  Now, here she was helping the Federation against her own people.  How things changed.  She would have never guess that her life would play out this way, set in motion following a meeting with a Captain Talon many years ago.  The old ways just wouldn’t work.  The Republic learned that, but the Empire seemingly never did.

In the distance she could see the tops of the buildings of the settlement, built in that classic Romulan architecture.  It almost felt like home. Almost. She nodded to Jolie indicating that she was ready.