A Curve Ball Part #3

Posted on 07 Aug 2026 @ 10:37am by Captain Jasmine Somers FCapt & Master Chief Petty Officer Lucy Armitage & Lieutenant Commander Remington Dodd & Lieutenant Commander Leland Hawksley & Lieutenant Paul Winchester & Lieutenant JG Faith Benson & 1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross Dr. & 1st Lieutenant S'earr & 2nd Lieutenant Elora Rykov & Chief Warrant Officer Glenn Stone Mr & Warrant Officer K'Muss

4,863 words; about a 24 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Main)
Location: USS Tomcat Various
Timeline: MD: 23

OOC Somers: Please get this post complete by getting Benson back to the ship - Thanks

[ON]

- Bridge -

At the Communications station, the Ensign looked up, alarmed. "Captain Lieutenant Benson's comms has been directed away from us; we have effectively lost contact with her!" he said

"Ensign, keep working on attempting to make contact with Benson. Let me know your status in fifteen minutes." Dodd ordered the ensign at the communications station. "Everyone else, I want a way to get Benson back on the ship as soon as possible. Chief Armitage, could you please coordinate with the fighter deck to get a team of three assembled and have them report to the bridge as soon as they can? Thank you."

"Aye, Captain," Armitage responded and carried out her order.

Stone was manoeuvring the ship aggressively, looking for any opportunity for Tactical open fire. He would not give the enemy ships time to breathe. "Klingon tactics and something else can't point my figure on it." stated Stone to the bridge. Their command ship is not here with the ships we are engaging.

=/\= Bridge to CAG, ready your Squadron and launch immediately, your job is to provide cover; we have cloaked raiders in the area; one has been disabled; there are at least two others. They decloak and attack, then cloak again, be alert and stay frosty =/\= Armitage said.

=/\= Winchester to Bridge Copy that, Do you want Raiders and Klingons? =/\= asked Paul for clarification so he knew who to get into the void, as he rose from his seat and hit the button to scramble his pilots to their Fighters, as he had been in his flight suit after doing some simulation work.

=/\= I want a squadron out asap as Chief requested. Then I want a squad for a special assignment. At least three raiders but if you feel a Klingon is needed in the mix, feel free to mix it up. Get your team reported to Chief Armitage and then get them to the bridge so I can discuss with them what is to happen.=/\= Dodd replied to Winchester's response and then let Armitage handle the rest of the arrangements.

=/\= Acknowledged Lieutenant =/\= Armitage said, then opened another channel to the ranking officer of the Rifles.

=/\= Bridge to Warrant Officer K'Muss =/\= Armitage begun.

=/\= K'Muss here =/\=

=/\= Assemble a SAR team, operation extract Lieutenant Benson, we have lost contact with her, the communications have been jammed and redirected =/\= Armitage added.

=/\= Right away. mobilizing now =/\= K'Muss replied

The special requested squad selected by Winchester had arrived on the bridge, and Dodd was up and walked over to converse with them. Since the captain was in the ready room, he just met with the squad to the side.

"Pilots, I want you to go as covertly as possible around Gavin IV and then come up on the other side of the field of the mission, this way we can attempt to catch the enemy off guard and hope it makes them reveal themselves. Chief Stone and Chief Armitage will be your primary information sources from the bridge, as I will be overseeing all so I want you to have the two bridge staff who will be the most vested in your orders. Do what you have to do to take the enemy out of the picture so we can save Benson and protect Gavin IV. Is this understood?" Dodd stated the orders."

- CAG's Office -

=/\= Copy that, Bridge. Give me half an hour to brief my Pilots, Winchester Out=/\= replied Paul as he rose from his chair and opened a channel =/\= raider's 2,3, and 4 please report to the briefing room,= Winchester Out/\= as he picked up his helmet and gloves and began to head to the pilots' briefing room.

The Captain exited the CRR as the group of Pilots left the bridge, and she looked at her XO, "SITREP Number One?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma'am. The team of raiders will be going out to see if they can find and eliminate the threat to our test, the drop pod and Benson and to the ship. There will be a team of fighters out to help distract the opposition, and the special team of raiders will attempt to get around behind the field of engagement to help maybe pinpoint the threat and neutralise it. Stone and Armitage will be working with all the craft to coordinate the task, as the rest of us will be trying to get Benson back from the surface or from wherever she may be if not there." Dodd reported.

"Interesting, and what of the weapon hits I felt in the CRR, what is the status of those?" the Captain asked.

"The locations of the hull that got hit are being addressed. Repairs are underway by drones. The structural engineers have it all under control." Dodd stated as he confirmed it with a glance to his PADD.

"Thank you, Number One," Jasmine said and went to sit down when Armitage spoke up, "Captain, I forgot to mention that I supplied a list of all Rifle Officers qualified for the RXO post. Now that we have an RCO in place, it might be wise to choose him as an XO," Armitage said.

"Thank you, Lucy *sigh*" she said. She was partway down when she stood up again and looked at Dodd "You have the bridge again, Commander, get those surviving enemy ships out of my sky asap", she said.

"Aye, Ma'am. We will get that accomplished." Dodd replied.

- PlanetSide -

It was a little hard not to see the flashes from weapons fire between the ships. Though she had to focus on what was going on down here with her. Benson kept her spot but worked with her tricorder to try to patch into her communicator. So when she contacted the fake officer, it would track their location.

An Officer spoke, "Come in. Where are you? It's getting bad out there."

The infiltrator was monitoring the situation and knew Benson was attempting to adjust her equipment. However, there was a small relay on the planet's surface that scrambled the signal, so the pinpointing of the source would be difficult with what she had available.

"Lieutenant Benson, We need you to go towards the tree line to secure yourself in a better position. It is going to be a bit before we can get a rescue team to your location. We have a bit of a situation up here." The mysterious voice stated to Benson. It was modified to sound like Commander Dodd and could maybe even fool some people. The infiltrator was hoping it would fool Benson. "We are working to get you, but need you to be safe in the tree line. Transporters are out of use as we have shields raised and all hands at battle stations. Get to the tree line, that is an order." The voice stated.

"How about I don't do that. I don't trust you." Faith continued to try to work out getting a lock on the transmission. She was going to look more towards the exact opposite location than being directed to. So now that they knew her location for the temporary shelter she made, she'd have to move all of that to a new one. She could easily play along, though, "Alright, heading that direction." Popping a stimulant pill to help stay more alert in case suddenly someone, or ones were beaming down to try and ambush her.

"I figured you would respond in this manner." The voice stated. "I really want to help you. The rescue team will be searching for you in the direction I am telling you to go at the tree line. However, I know you, and you will likely see this differently but I have your best interests in mind."

Faith shook her head, "You're going to have to do better than that to convince me."

The voice of Commander Dodd came across the channel. "Lieutenant Benson, this is Commander Dodd. We are attempting to hijack this frequency. Please get to the prearranged coordinates of the testing target. I have been able to patch into this frequency, and the rescue team is going to have the best chance to find you if you can make it to the prearranged coordinates. We are doing our best to res......" Dodd's voice was cut off. The channel then went to static feedback.

Meanwhile, on the Bridge of the Tomcat

"I am sensing a strong presence off the bow of the ship in a unison orbit with us. I think this may be the culprit of this situation." Dodd told the bridge crew. "I do feel they are aware of our attempts to rescue Benson, but I really think the raiders and fighters will get to the bottom of this in no time. Chief Stone, do you have any more information? Communications, can you find any frequencies that Benson may be able to pick up that may be more like background noise to a starship?"

"Will do," said the Young officer currently at communications.

Looking at his panel, he glanced at a screen. "I see you." his hand moved over the panel. "When they jammed the signal, they used a lot of power feeding Tactacal the location now," said Stone as he did the work.


Lucy was remembering something Paul had showed her when she had asked him for some tips at the Tactical Station, she adjusted the targeting sensors and refined them, "okay I think I have one" Lucy said and fired at a seemingly an empty spot, she did not hit nothing, but the concussive force made one of the raiders de-cloak, "acquiring target, firing full power" she said and a moment later the Pirate ship exploded, but her little trick reset the targeting sensors so she had to do it manually again.

"One Rat damaged and adrift and another destroyed, cannot tell if there are any more out there, Captain," she said to Dodd.

"Great job, Chief. You seem to be very well focused. Keep up that great work." Dodd replied. "I am still sensing a presence coming from nearby off the ship, I would say maybe the starboard side, trying to hide in a blind spot of our sensors, but not out of range of a telepath," Dodd added.

"Angling the targeting Sensors to starboard, Captain," Lucy said and adjusted direction, but came up empty, sorry, Sir, tactical Sensors as sharp as they have been cannot detect the cloaked Pirate ship. I would advise Sir that the 100th Squadron protect our blind spots," Armitage suggested.

"Well, I am fairly certain there is something or someone out there; time will tell. Please continue to do what you do and let me know if you do detect any changes." Dodd stated to Armitage. He then closed his eyes for a moment. "How are we at finding a means to get a comm channel to Benson open?" Dodd asked of the bridge crew.

Returning to the bridge from the CRR, "Oh, how I miss my marine days!" she quietly exclaimed ", Report Commander Dodd, what is the latest with Lieutenant Benson?" She asked, returning to her command chair

"Ma'am, our communications with Benson are still not going through. Chief Armitage was able to negate one of the infiltrators out there. I am still sensing a presence in the area, but the crew are looking to take them all out soon. I have been trying to get communications restored so we can get Benson to safety." Dodd responded.

"Indeed, how long until the SAR is ready to go, Number One? Galen IV may have embassies and Diplomats on, but it is also infested with criminals, most of whom hate Starfleet and would love to get their hands on a Starfleet officer, and I do not want to imagine what they would do to a female one," the Captain said.

"Ma'am, I am sure they are basically ready to depart. They have been preparing for the last few minutes. I want to get Benson back and safe as soon as possible." Dodd stated in response. He then turned to grab his PADD and looked it over. "Ma'am, they SAR is ready to move and I just gave the order to move out with my PADD. So we should have some progress soon."

"Captain, communication from Starfleet, we are to return to Starbase 51 as soon as possible," the Communications Officer announced.

From her chair, the Captain was alerted, "I will not leave until we recover Benson," she said and opened an internal hail to the Marine level.

=/\= Somers to S'earr, Lieutenant, get that CSAR team deployed, use the transporters, we have been recalled to Starbase 51, get our girl back, Lieutenant =/\= She said.

S'earr heard the call; a team was already in place and merely awaited the go order. =/\= Rykov, this is S'earr. You are approved for deployment. Good luck. =/\= S'earr then walked to the tactical table for mission oversight.

=/\= Reaper Actual copies. CSAR team is deploying now. We will return with Lieutenant Benson. Rykov out. =/\=

- Galen IV - Wilderness -

Faith sighed. Well, that was great. Even though she knew it wasn't her Dodd, at least it was someone to talk to while she was stuck down there. Now she didn't even have that. She most certainly was not going to head towards the area she was being directed to. She did the exact opposite. Gathering up what she could, she made a makeshift sledge to haul the rest of the things she'd gotten out of the drop pod. Heading for a higher elevation, Faith started building a beacon locator that would use only the Tomcat's emergency frequency. The elevation should help in getting a message through.

Static appeared on the Tomcat's emergency frequency. This frequency was specific to the ship and authorised only for the Tomcat's crew. Dodd knew that Benson would likely try to single out that frequency to call out or to monitor for messages.

"Comms, please tune in to the ship's emergency frequency and narrow it to the general area where the droppod was last detected. That frequency should not be known to our unwelcome visitors, and therefore, they likely are not scanning for it. Send out a message to Benson on that frequency. I bet she is trying to either signal us or listen for us on that frequency. Make this your priority." Dodd ordered the communications duty crewmember.

- Galen IV Wilderness - CSAR Insertion Point -

The transporter effect faded into nothingness, leaving Second Lieutenant Elora Rykov and her CSAR team standing among the dense wilderness of Galen IV. The air was cooler than expected, carrying the scent of damp earth and unfamiliar vegetation. Around them, the distant flashes of orbital weapons fire occasionally illuminated the night sky, a reminder that the battle above was still unfolding.

Elora immediately raised a hand, signaling the team to hold.

"Stay sharp. Weapons free, but maintain discipline," she ordered quietly as she brought up her tricorder. "We are behind enemy lines until proven otherwise."

Her eyes moved across the terrain as she analysed the readings. The enemy had already demonstrated advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and she had no intention of walking her Marines into a prepared kill zone.

"Corporal, establish our fallback position. Mark this location as the emergency fallback extraction point. I want a secure perimeter and a continuous watch on our surroundings."

The Marines nodded and moved to comply.

Elora activated the secure channel.

=/\= Reaper Actual to Tomcat. CSAR team has successfully beamed down to Galen IV. No complications during insertion. Beginning search for Lieutenant Benson. =/\=

She paused briefly, listening for any response or signal interference.

=/\= Our priority remains recovery of Lieutenant Benson. We will avoid unnecessary engagement and only engage hostile forces if required to complete extraction. =/\=

Closing the channel, Elora studied the terrain map again.

"Lieutenant Benson knows the enemy is attempting to manipulate her. She won't follow their directions. She'll be looking for a way to contact us."

She pointed toward a higher elevation ridge visible through the trees.

"That terrain gives her the best chance of establishing a signal. We move there first."

The team moved out in controlled formation, Elora leading from the front. Every step was deliberate, every scan checked twice. She trusted Benson's instincts, but she also knew the enemy had already proven they were willing to exploit any mistake.

As they advanced through the wilderness, Elora opened another encrypted channel.

=/\=Reaper Actual to Lieutenant Benson. This is Second Lieutenant Elora Rykov, Ninety-Fifth Marines CSAR team. If you are receiving this transmission, respond on the emergency frequency only. Do not move toward any unfamiliar voices or signals until we confirm identification. =/\=

She lowered the communicator, eyes scanning the tree line.

"Hang in there, Lieutenant," she said quietly to herself. "We're coming for you."

- Bridge -

Sitting in her chair, Jasmine was reading a Padd "Remy, when we get back to SB51, I want you to grab Leland and report to the CRR," she said, looking up at her First Officer, then at the viewscreen that was showing the orbit of Galen IV.

"Understood, ma'am," Dodd replied. "I will be monitoring the away team for any progress, as I need to personally know she is safe."

"Indeed, you know I always hate waiting up here and not being able to take part in the majority of Away Missions," she said.

"I know you are always wanting a piece of the action, which I also enjoy, but I relate as I always feel the need to monitor engineering as it is in my blood," Dodd replied. "I wish I was also on the away team so that we can get us out of here."

"I know, I know, so do I, but unlike those quiet, safe missions a Captain is allowed to go on, I do miss those days of uncertain away missions," Somers said.

"Well, I look forward to away team missions, but I too have not had many lately. But think we could work out some way to get you on a planet to see some action sooner or later." Dodd said with a polite smile as he knew something was bouncing around in her mind but was not exactly sure of what it was.

- Galen IV Wilderness -

Faith was still making her way up, also looking for any caves or outcropping that she could use if necessary. Hearing the message. At least she knew that she was getting a real transmission this time. Switching over the frequency, =/\= "Benson to Reaper Actual. I'm reading." =/\=

The encrypted transmission crackled softly through the underbrush.

Every Marine in the patrol instinctively slowed, dropping into defensive positions as Second Lieutenant Elora Rykov immediately raised a clenched fist, signalling the column to halt. Weapons covered the surrounding tree line while the team's communications specialist began recording and analysing the transmission for signs of spoofing.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Elora's mouth before professionalism returned.

She keyed her communicator.

=/\= "Lieutenant Benson, Reaper Actual copies. Good to hear your voice." =/\=

She glanced toward her communications Marine, receiving an affirmative nod as the signal encryption and authentication checks completed.

=/\= "Authenticate Sierra-Charlie protocol. Challenge code: Atlas-Seven. Confirm with the correct response only." =/\=

The brief pause allowed the team to continue scanning the surrounding terrain.

"Maintain security," Elora ordered quietly. "Eyes high. If they intercepted one transmission, they'll be trying to intercept this one."

Several Marines shifted positions, covering likely avenues of approach while another deployed a passive sensor beacon to monitor movement beyond the ridge.

Faith took a breath for a moment; this was getting exceedingly annoying. It wasn't necessarily their fault. =/\= "Grab somebody sexy, tell me hey-Omega-Three-Two-Nine." =/\= She was the Chief; she could make up whatever one she wanted previously to this.

Once Benson's authentication was verified, Elora resumed.

=/\= "Authentication confirmed. You're speaking with friendly =/\=

She expanded the holographic terrain map projected from her tricorder, comparing Benson's signal against local topography.

=/\= "Transmit your current status. Report any injuries, available ammunition, enemy contacts, and whether your position has been compromised. Do not activate any additional transmitters or visual signals unless directed. Keep your communications brief. We are triangulating your position from this transmission." =/\=

=/\= "My current status is flipping fubar, what do you think it is? Morons trying to get me for some reason. Had to abandon a perfectly good drop pod. Drag all this stuff after rigging up things and climb up this damn mountain. How do you think it is!" =/\\= Yes, Faith was royally pissed off, tired; she hadn't even checked to see if she was actually hurt other than some scrapes and bruises. Taking a breath, =/\= "I've got enough to hold myself in a fight, no contacts so far. Position mobile." =/\=

She looked toward her point Marine.

"Signal originates northwest, elevated terrain. Approximately one-point-three kilometres." She pointed toward a rocky ridgeline partially obscured by the dense forest. "Adjust heading three-one-eight. We move by bounds."

The Marines acknowledged with silent hand signals before the patrol resumed movement, spreading into staggered intervals designed to minimise their signature.
Elora keyed the communicator one final time.

=/\= "Lieutenant, hold your position unless remaining there presents an immediate threat to your survival. If hostile forces close on your location, break contact only as necessary and continue transmitting short bursts every five minutes on the emergency frequency. We are inbound to your location." =/\=

She released the transmit key and looked ahead into the darkness. "Let's Move out!"

Without another word, the CSAR team disappeared deeper into the Galen IV wilderness, moving with practised precision toward Benson's last confirmed position.

CSAR Cont...

The trek toward Benson's position was slow and deliberate.

The dense vegetation swallowed sound, while the uneven terrain forced the Marines to carefully pick each foothold. Elora's tricorder continued updating Benson's last transmission every few seconds, the signal growing steadily stronger.

She suddenly raised a clenched fist. The patrol froze.

"Movement," whispered the point Marine. Then gestured,

Off to their right.

Not one contact.

Three.

Elora slowly lowered herself behind a fallen log, bringing her rifle to her shoulder. Through the thermal scope she caught fleeting heat signatures weaving between the trees.

"They're searching," she murmured. "Not hunting. They haven't found her yet."

She opened a whisper channel.

=/\= "Reaper One, Reaper Two... with me. Three and Four, hook left. Five and Six, swing wide right. Nobody fires unless I give the order or we're compromised." =/\=

The team melted into the undergrowth.

Seconds later, the three hostile figures entered the small clearing. They weren't Marines. Obviously. Each wore adaptive camouflage and carried compact disruptor carbines. One paused, raising a scanner.

"They're tracking residual comm emissions," Elora quietly observed. The lead hostile took another step. A dry branch snapped beneath his boot. Elora acted instantly. Her fist chopped downward. Three suppressed phaser rifles discharged almost simultaneously. Blue lances struck all three infiltrators before any of them could raise their weapons. The trio collapsed without a sound. "Move."

Within seconds, the CSAR Marines had dragged the unconscious infiltrators into concealment, confiscated their weapons, and planted remote sensor beacons to provide early warning of any pursuit.

The delay had cost them less than thirty seconds. "Continue." Nearly ten minutes later, another encrypted burst arrived. Benson. Closer. Much closer. Elora keyed her communicator while continuing forward.

=/\= Lieutenant Benson, Reaper Actual. We're within approximately three hundred meters of your position. She glanced toward her communications Marine, who nodded. No additional enemy transmissions detected.=/\=

=/\= "Reaper Actual, Benson. Well good, so split and circle around both sides to keep any way of an ambush. Just because the transmissions aren't detected, doesn't mean they aren't on the ground." =/\=

=/\= Roger that Benson. We already encountered a few hostiles and will take your intel into advisement. =/\= Elora couldn't suppress a smile though. =/\= You sound healthy enough to complain. =/\=

Faith coughed a little, just taking a breath, =/\= "I can complain about a great many things at the moment. I could also twist one of the's power cells up someone's ass as well." =/\=

Several Marines chuckled.

The point Marine suddenly held up two fingers before pointing toward a rocky outcropping overlooking the valley. "There."

Elora raised her binoculars. A lone Starfleet uniform. Dirty. Bruised. Dragging improvised survival gear behind her. Lieutenant Faith Benson. Alive.

Elora stepped from cover just enough to be seen and raised one gloved hand. =/\= We have a visual on you. splitting up and headed for your position currently. Out =/\=

Taking Benson's advise she had the team split and begin the trek up to the high ground. Luck was with them as they didn't encounter anymore hostiles along the way.

It was several minutes later when they converged on Benson's location.

Benson didn't need to say anything more, she'd also just flipped them the finger so they'd know it was her. She also had her phaser and wasn't going to just let someone say they were there.

That earned restrained laughter throughout the patrol. Elora closed the remaining distance.

"Good to see you too, Lieutenant." She looked Benson over with an experienced eye. "No obvious fractures. Minor abrasions. Fatigue." She nodded once. "We'll let Sickbay argue with you about the rest."

Elora about got shot, except for the fact that she didn't get shot. Faith relaxed a little bit and leaned back.

"You still might," Elora replied with the faintest grin. "Just not today." Her expression immediately returned to business.

=/\=Reaper Actual to Tomcat.=/\=

She pressed the transmit key.

=/\= Mission update. We have successfully located Lieutenant Benson.=/\=

She looked toward Benson, who gave a tired but unmistakable thumbs-up.

=/\= Lieutenant Benson is alive, conscious, and ambulatory. Minor injuries only. Enemy search elements have been neutralized in our sector. Beginning movement to extraction point Alpha.=/\=

A brief pause.

=/\= Request immediate transporter lock on my mark. Recommend maintaining fighter cover until extraction is complete. Reaper Actual out. =/\=

Elora looked at her team.

"Protective diamond around Lieutenant Benson."

The Marines moved without hesitation, surrounding the recovered officer as they began the disciplined march back toward the extraction zone.

- Bridge - Medical -

Somers pressed the communications surface on her chair =/\= Bridge to transporter room, when the CSAR team are at EZ beam them up immediately and get Lieutenant Ross there; I think Benson is going to need medical treatment =/\= she said.

=/\= Affirmative, Bridge. Transporter room out =/\= the transporter operator said, then opened a line =/\= Transporter room to Doctor Ross, please report to transporter room one, our CSAR team is bringing back an injured Lieutenant Benson =/\= he said.

=/\= Ross to Transporter Room One. Acknowledged. Moving out now. =/\=

Ross set his PADD aside...

He crossed to the storage locker and pulled two emergency med kits from the rack...

One trauma pack. One general support kit. Kits secured under one arm, Gavin left sickbay without another word...

The corridor lights blurred past as he made for the turbolift to see Lieutenant Benson. Destination: transporter room one.

Back on the bridge, word came in that the CSAR team was back onboard. She sighed and looked at Helm "Chief Stone set a direct heading for Starbase 51, warp 6" she said.

"Aye, ma'am." Stone's hands danced across the helm controls with practised confidence.

"Course laid in."

"Execute."

The USS Tomcat surged ahead as the warp field blossomed around her. For the briefest instant, the stars seemed to stretch into brilliant ribbons before resolving into the familiar tunnel of warp flight. Deep beneath the decks, the warp core settled into a smooth, reassuring hum—a sound every veteran spacer knew well.

The bridge relaxed almost imperceptibly. The danger was behind them, and the ship herself seemed to sigh in relief, eager to leave the troubled sector astern and carry her crew home.

TBC...

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