If nothing else comes from this, I had fun writing the story. The proposal and justifications are after the story. You may scroll down there if you wish. The story goes about 75-80% of the way down.


Into, or out of, but not through, unless....


FY183
Captain's ready room
IKV D5WX Soulraker
En route to a Tholian base

Commander Korloth sat at his desk. His computer monitor slowly scrolled through every recorded Klingon interaction with the Tholians. He wasn't paying any particular attention; he had long since memorized them. Having them on his screen helped him focus on them even if he didn't read or see them.

Since he had first been assigned to the Tholian Border Harassment Squadron as a newly minted officer, Korloth had been fascinated by that technological marvel known as the Tholian Web. He had participated in numerous actions against the Tholians, and as often as permitted he would stand watch as Sensor Officer. This position let him study the web in person and copy the sensor recordings for later analysis.

The one time he presented his findings to a superior, he regretted it.
"You've found out something about that web they use?"
"Yes, sir."
"Is it tactically relevant?"
"No, sir."
"Get out of my office."

Korloth never again raised the subject, but then none of his findings were 'tactically relevant.' He wasn't reprimanded for his interest in the web; at least, he didn't feel reprimanded. He did, however, stay attached to the Tholian Border Harassment Squadron after all of his contemporaries transferred to other fleets. Many Klingons considered that to be a punishment.

Instead of reprimanding him, he was encouraged to continue his interest in the Tholians and their technologies. His only regret was an incident that occurred several years later, in Y176. He had been on a temporary reassignment to the Starbase informally known as the Tholian Border Squadron Starbase as an instructor. He trained new officers about the Tholian tactics and their web before sending them on raids. During one such raid conducted at this time, another officer was able to discover that the Tholians had implemented significant improvements in the efficiency of their webs. That discovery was tactically relevant.

"That infernal web," he muttered, shaking his head. He smiled at his joke. The Tholians' atmosphere could also be described as infernal.

The chime on his desk blinked and sounded. The bridge was calling him. "Yes."

"Sir, this is your reminder."

"Ah, yes. Thank you." Korloth shut down his computer and headed out to the bridge.

On the bridge, Korloth asked, "Time to target?"

"Two hours, sir," came the answer from his navigator.

"Very good," he said, "Communications, get me the captains of the Blade Chieftain, the Havoc King, the Blood Lust, and the Glory Hunter. I want to speak with them all at once."

Moments later, four Klingon faces filled smaller screens to either side of the bridge's main screen. "Commanders," Korloth began, "soon we will arrive at our destination near our assigned Tholian base. We are to see what the Tholians have been doing with that base since building it. We are to disrupt and harass any of their efforts as best we can. Finally, we are to get some real combat experience for your crews."

The Tholian Border Harassment Squadron was often used as a live fire training ground for Klingon crews. Nothing trained a crew like a real enemy trying to kill it. When conducting a siege of one of their bases, the Tholians would fire at you when they thought they could hurt you. They would rarely bring the battle out from behind their webs if your forces were superior to theirs, unless you make a mistake.

"Commanders, we won't attack this base directly unless we surprise it, find it under-defended, with its webs weak enough to speed through without breaking down. I will tell you what I want from your ships, and you will lead them. I will not converse with the other ships' captains unless I have to. Each of you in lead ships will rotate command of a battle group. If we fire upon the enemy, I will designate the target, and you will comply. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," they answered in chorus.

"Very well. LCDR Marreck, I want your scout ship to gather the intelligence wanted by the Admiralty. Keep your eyes open, both electronic and those spheres in your skull. You are to avoid internal damage to your ship. Don't worry, I'll arrange for your shields to get hit."

"Aye, sir, and thank you," Marreck replied.

"Good, good," Korloth said, "but first things first. When we exit high warp, immediately you need to scan for their webs to determine their strengths before we close to battle range."

"All of you make sure your crews are prepared for battle damage mitigation and repair. We'll slow to combat speeds when we reach the base. Depending on their forces and web strengths, I'll either order an immediate assault of the base or a withdrawal to a rallying point well beyond their weapons' ranges."

Korloth studied the captains in his fleet. All were young, most were promoted before they were ready. Their crews were even younger.

•••• this war.

*****

Two hours later.

The fleet dropped to Warp 3.11 about 35 kilikams from the Tholian base. Phaser capacitors were charged. Shields were up. Korloth had two-way communication channels open to the Glory Hunter, Blood Lust, Blade Chieftain, and Havoc King. He had a one-way command channel ready to be opened to all ships at the flick of a switch.

"Glory Hunter," was all he had to say.

"Scanning," came the immediate reply. "Webs are up. The outer web has a strength of... 34 units per kilikams and charging... The middle ring is at 35 units per kilikam."

“Maximum strength webs!” Korloth thought, his hand clenching in frustration. That precludes a base assault. "All ships starboard turn. Form on me. Let's set a rallying point." As they traveled to a distance of about 150 kilikams from the base, Korloth asked, "Glory Hunter, what else did you see?" Korloth was certain that Marreck had his Sensor Officer recording everything that his scout's special sensors detected.

Marreck relayed in short bursts as his Sensor Officer filled him in. "There is a base station there. It has an attached module... The base is surrounded by webs... The web pattern is three concentric belts... The corners of the webs are anchored to asteroids... There are two ships there... They are Tholian ships... One is cruiser-sized, and the other is frigate-sized.... The cruiser is a front-to-back weld job... The frigate is, in fact, a destroyer... There is a flotilla of gunboats... They are in pinwheels... The two ships are between the middle and outer belts of the webs and are positioned between us and the base... The pinwheels are on either side of the ships, also between the middle and outer web belts.” Marreck did well, Korloth thought. No assumptions. No conclusions. Just data.

“Very good, Glory Hunter. What else can you tell me?” LCDR Marreck looked back and forth from his Sensor Officer to Korloth. Confusion showed on his face. Korloth decided to help him out. “Do the uninvited guests who have long since overstayed their welcome inside of sovereign Klingon territory expect reinforcements? How soon may we expect their arrival?”

The expression on Marreck's face shifted from confusion to embarrassment during the seconds his Sensor Officer needed to gather that information. “At this time, there are two forces of ships heading in our direction at high warp. It will take about three hours for the closest force to get to our location, and a second force could arrive in about four hours at their current speeds.”

Korloth noted this. “Very good, Marreck. Like I said, 'Keep your eyes open, both electronic and those spheres in your skull.' Tunnel vision in the presence of the enemy is imprudent and often fatal.” Marreck's expression told Korloth that he had learned this lesson well.

"Only two ships!" one of the bridge officers exclaimed. "We can destroy that base here and now and be gone before any reinforcements arrive!"

"Don't be overconfident," Korloth cautioned. "They also have a flotilla of gunboats and reinforced webs. That's a lot to deal with. Also, they may know something we do not. It is best to stay focused on our objectives.” Specifically the one about mitigating the damage to these ships, Korloth thought. I would rather my soul be condemned to eternal torment than benefit the hated Tholian invaders in any way.

“Captains, we will begin doing battle runs. All ships in range will fire disruptors at a target of my choosing on my command, and then the formation will turn away. The non-ranging ships will have disruptors armed in case the Tholians decide to come out and fight while the other ships' disruptors recycle.”

"Blood Lust, you will be the lead ship of the battle group for this first run. I want all of the frigates in two wings, starboard ship forward, you and the Havoc King between two other frigates, standard distance between ships.

"Blade Chieftain, put your ships immediately behind the battle group as a third wing, you in the middle.

"Glory Hunter, take up station port and aft of the trailing first wing frigate. Provide ECM to your ship. Yours will be the highest value target in range for the Tholians to shoot at. Prepare for incoming fire.

"Soulraker will be port and aft of the third wing. Execute!" The lead ships' captains forwarded orders to their subordinates, and all of the ships moved to take place around the Blood Lust in the wedge formation as described. Korloth gestured to his waiting helmsman, and the Soulraker began moving to his specified spot in the formation.

As the ships assembled the formation, Korloth ordered, "All ships, phasers charged, shields up. Blood Lust, since you are the lead ship on this run, plot a course and speed toward the enemy base station. At 25 kilikams, I want the point frigate to have the base station on his number 6 shield." It took a little more thought to plot a course that put another ship at a particular point in space, so Korloth allowed the navigator of the Blood Lust to have some practice.

LCDR Mornak called out a course and speed. The navigator of the Soulraker gave a silent gesture of disagreement and quietly said, "Too fast." Korloth said, "Keep the other ships in the fleet in mind, and adjust your proposed speed." "Aye sir," Mornak said. Soon, he repeated the same course but with a new speed. This time, the navigator of the Soulraker gave a gesture of agreement. Korloth said, "Very good. All ships execute. Glory Hunter, keep me apprised of new tactical intelligence as it becomes available." The fleet formation was wobbly at first, but LCDR Mornak and CDR Korg quickly got that under control.

"Weapons, choose an asteroid for our ships.” Maybe if we cause damage, the enemy will come out to make battle.

Korloth told his fleet, "The target for this run is the selected asteroid. On my order, all disruptors in range will fire. All other weapons are to be held in case the enemy tries to take advantage of us after we fire."

As they approached the base, Marreck shared what his Sensor Officer reported. "There is a gunboat docking module on the base." (That was obvious, Korloth thought.) "All webs are at maximum strength." (That's already known, Korloth thought.) "The gunboats are disruptor armed." (That's good to know.) "Three of the gunboats just broke themselves free from a pinwheel formation. They're positioning themselves between the war cruiser and destroyer." (That's an excellent idea, Korloth admitted. 'They're behind the web but close enough to provide support should we decide to close with them. The other pinwheel will likely take over the duty of maintaining the two outer webs and let the rest of their forces engage us with all of their weapons and full energy capacity.)

"All ships charge disruptors... Prepare to fire... Fire." 14 bolts of energy slashed through space toward a Tholian asteroid anchor, cracking away at its structure. Six of the disruptor bolts missed the asteroid and splashed over the outer web in a beautifully colorful yet harmless display of released energy. Korloth noted that his Sensor Officer got a bit more attentive to his equipment but paid him no more thought. With the firing of weapons, there was something new for the Sensor Officer to see. "All ships turn to starboard now."

The Tholians stayed behind their webs while the cruiser and destroyer fired their phasers. The Glory Hunter shuddered with minor shield damage. “All ships head to the rally point. Glory Hunter, repair that shield damage and report on Tholian reinforcements.” Korloth contemplated the Tholian commander's response. He focused on what he saw and wasn't concerned about immediately firing back. Interesting! That could be useful.

Back at the rally point, Korloth changed the lead ship for the next pass. He had the Glory Hunter keep to the rear of the front wing of the wedge. He made orders to return with the base off their forward starboard bows, fire at the same asteroid off their starboard side, and return to the rally point.

The Tholians again targeted the Glory Hunter for their return fire. The damage was limited to the shields again, but this time on a different shield.

Thus began the tedium of repetition. Pick a battle group leader. Pick a lead ship. Form around that lead ship. Put a ship in the best position to be bait for receiving Tholian fire. Head towards the base in formation. Fire at an anchor asteroid. Receive return fire. Commence shield repairs. Return to the rally point. Check on the approaching Tholian reinforcements. Repeat.

Korloth tried to keep things interesting by varying their approach to the base. He would have the fleet approach with the base off the port (or starboard) bow or approach with the base directly ahead. He directed them turn port (or starboard, or not turn) and fire at the chosen target, then return to the rally point. He let his navigator get inventive with the formation and course to put a given Klingon vessel at a point likely to receive Tholian fire. He always allowed the battle group's lead ship's navigator figure out the course and speed for the fleet. He had his second-in-command take over the training duties while he monitored everything. Periodically, he had the fleet dally at the rally point while some of his ships completed shield repairs. After several passes, the target asteroid was pulverized. Another asteroid became the selected target. After that one was reduced to rubble, a third one was selected.

Periodically, the Tholians would do something to make things interesting. After the Klingon ships would fire, the Tholians simply refused to fire back. As this was a waste of the Klingon's training time, Korloth was prompted to reduce the range at which his fleet would fire at the assigned Tholian target until the Tholians fired back.

When the Klingons turned toward the rally point, the Tholians would periodically exit the web with either or both their war cruiser and destroyer and fire their disruptors along with their phasers. This did much more damage to the shields of their target, sometimes causing minor internal damage. It allowed the plethora of extended arc rear-firing offensive and offensive/defensive phasers of the Klingon fleet to fire at the Tholian ships. The Tholian destroyer was sent back to the base for repairs more than once. Often, a Klingon ship was ordered to remain at the rally point to make repairs.

Since one of the purposes of these exercises was to toughen the crews of the ships, some internal damage was acceptable. The problem was that there was a limit on how much damage he could allow any individual ship to receive. This and the approaching reinforcements put a time limit on how long this exercise could continue. The Tholians had time on their side.

Eventually, the Tholians again refused to fire back at the Klingons. Again, Korloth was prompted to reduce the distance at which his ships would fire at the selected Tholian target. They approached the distance that would allow the Tholian base to fire its heavy phasers. “Minefield detected,” the Sensor Officer announced. "Sir, the Glory Hunter reports mines detected," the Communications Officer stated. Korloth was pleased that neither officer expressed stress in his voice.

“All ships abort run and return to the rally point.”

*****

At the rally point, Korloth opened the two-way channel to the scout and lead ships. "When we again approach the base, we'll be doing so at warp 1.4. The Soulraker will take point and start searching for individual, automatic mines. Once I have a sample of the layout of the minefield, the Glory Hunter and Soulraker will map the entire minefield. I'll want the rest of the fleet located in close range to discourage the Tholians from attacking us while we work. Commander Marreck, you are to avoid any internal damage to your ship should the Tholians come out to fight.

"Commander Narg, you are to lead the battle group of all the frigates having one squadron defend the Glory Hunter and the other squadron defend the Soulraker. Stay close, but don't let a single mine damage more than one ship

"Commander Korg, you are to use your destroyer squadron to aid any ship that comes under attack. Position your ships between the Soulraker and Glory Hunter, and move as necessary. Be wary of the mines, but use your discretion.

"Commander Marreck, position the Glory Hunter eight kilikams to my starboard and 20 kilikams from the base. Hold that position and put all remaining power into shield reinforcement. We will make scans for mines until each of us makes five consecutive scans with no new results. My ship should finish. At that time, I'll relocate eight kilikams to your starboard and continue. We'll continue until we have circumnavigated the base. Don't worry about identifying the mines unless you find any close enough to make an identification. I expect that the mines will be too close to the web for us to identify. During this time, maintain watch for approaching Tholian reinforcements. Once the scanning is complete, we'll all withdraw to the rally point for the continuation of training.”

"Should any of those gunboats make targets of themselves, focus on the destruction of any one gunboat. That will eliminate a pinwheel. In any case, hit any target that becomes available.

"Understood?" Korloth asked.

After the acknowledgments, Korloth ordered, "Follow me." Since he ordered the Glory Hunter to position itself to his right, he had his helm officer put the Soulraker at a position 20 kilikams from the base and as far to the left as he thought prudent to begin mapping the minefield.

"Incoming transmission from Commander Narg," the Communications Officer announced.

After an affirming gesture, LCDR Narg's face appeared on an auxiliary monitor. "Yes," said Korloth.

"LCDR Mornak of the Blood Lust requests permission to take up position 1 kilikam behind you," Narg said.

"Permission granted. Have him approach at sublight speed. You may similarly approach the Glory Hunter. Tell him that was good thinking," Korloth said.

The mapping went as expected. The Tholians kept behind their webs and fired at the Glory Hunter. At 20 kilikams from the base, the Klingon ships were out of range of the Tholian gunboats. The phasers of the Tholian ships were too few to be effective at forcing the Glory Hunter to withdraw. At the range of 20 kilikams from the base, very few mines were detected. That meant that there were likely more mines closer to the base and web.

The only unexpected event was that the Glory Hunter, after four consecutive attempts at locating individual mines without new results, found one more mine on the fifth attempt. This happened twice. The Soulraker did the majority of the mapping due to its superior mapping speed and better luck at locating mines.

During the mapping, LCDR Marreck reported, "There are still only two forces of Tholian ships headed in our direction. The first force has a total warp signature of one-half, and the second force has a signature of one and two-thirds. The first force is moving to link up with the second force. Their ETA is now just over two hours." Korloth considered this. His fleet was still larger than those two forces combined with what the Tholians had here. However, they had gunboats and his fleet was taking damage. His advantage was declining.

Korloth decided, "We will make another mine-detecting sweep with the Soulraker doing the detecting at a range of 16 kilikams from the base. Commander Korg, put the Blade Chieftain behind and a destroyer to either side of the Soulraker, Commander Narg, position a squadron to my port and to my starboard. Commander Marreck, stay behind me at least five kilikams and provide electronic countermeasures. Commander Narg, you lead the frigates in a battle group. Leaders take charge of your squadrons and follow me as described."

Korloth looked towards his helmsman and navigator. "Do you two understand what I want?" he asked. They both answered in the affirmative. "Good, proceed without surpassing warp 1.4, and side slip into position giving the Tholians our number 6 shield to shoot at." Then to his Weapons Officer, "Charge to standard and hold the disruptors in case they're needed." Then, "Engineer, put all remaining power into the shield facing the enemy. I expect the Rock Heads will take several concentrated shots at us. Be ready to use reserve power as needed to protect my hull."

The Soulraker slowly moved into a scanning position, crawling at a speed just below three times the speed of light. The rest of the fleet attained and held its position relative to the Soulraker. When in position, the Soulraker stopped and began scanning. The rest of the fleet gave the Tholians their number one shields, heavily reinforced, for the Tholians to hit.

Korloth expected that the Tholians would fire on his ship from behind the web to discourage his scanning for mines. He was wrong. The first ship targeted was a frigate. Although the captain of that frigate had reinforced his front shield, the Tholian fire burned through that reinforcement and burned away a significant amount of the frigate's number one shield. Almost immediately after being hit, the frigate turned a fresh shield towards the enemy and began to retrograde away from the base.

Korloth saw this and took a quick check of all of his ships. Each ship, frigate and destroyer, had retained enough power to be able to move away from the enemy if it should be targeted as that frigate was. He had not prepared the Soulraker for the same escape if he should be targeted.

Korloth swore at himself under his breath. He had been off of frigates too long. He had been out of real combat too long. He had been in cruisers too long as well, and this technological marvel he currently commanded made his complacency even worse! He had lost his combat edge, and admitting that fact shamed him. He failed to plan for a hasty departure should the need arise. "Engineer, arrange for full reserve warp power."

"Aye, sir. It's already arranged."

Korloth first looked at his engineer, then at the engineering status panel. It was already arranged. He ordered all available power to be put into shield reinforcement for the number six shield and to have reserve power available should it be needed. He meant to have the batteries available to use as a reserve for shield reinforcement, but his engineer put the battery power directly into reinforcement and had warp power as a backup either to move the ship, provide more shield reinforcement, or recharge the batteries.

"Good job, and good thinking. I'll put a letter of commendation in your personnel folder after this battle is over," Korloth said.

"Thank you, sir, but there is no need for that," the engineer replied.

"Take the commendation. It can only help your career," Korloth advised.

Korloth observed the frigate that had been struck by enemy fire, and he was pleased by what he saw. The frigate backed away to 20 kilikams from the base. At this distance, neither his disruptors nor phasers would suffer loss of effectiveness should a Tholian enter the outer web to get a better shot at him. Additionally, he kept his undamaged number 6 shield toward the enemy. This also gave him more firepower. He could use his rear phasers taking advantage of their extended arcs. At this range, the number of phasers the enemy could fire at him was significantly reduced as the gunboats had a shorter phaser range and would have to expose themselves to return fire in order to get off a shot. That frigate was still very much in this fight while he needed less power for shield reinforcement, and he was using some of his remaining power for shield repairs. Since part of Korloth's orders was to get his fleet some experience being fired upon, this suited him just fine.

The mapping went smoothly for the Soulraker. Instead of firing at the Soulraker, the Tholians kept singling out a frigate or destroyer, sending each, in turn, back a few kilikams for the safety of distance. None of the Tholian ships or gunboats exited the web during this mapping of their minefield.

*****

Back at the rally point
Captain's ready room
IKV D5WX Soulraker

While the ships made repairs, Korloth was eating a snack. "As you can see, the Tholians have concentrated their minefield within two kilikams of the web.” Korloth took another bite. “Destroying the base is still out of the question. We will continue training until either they force us to withdraw, or until our ships have used up their damage control supplies.

"Glory Hunter, what is the status of the Tholian reinforcements?"

"The two forces have combined and are due to arrive in less than two hours, sir. Their ship count is four."

“Good. We can get more training in before we go home. We'll resume making passes at a range of 20 kilikams from the base and finish pulverizing their outer asteroid anchors." Korloth knew that a pulverized asteroid would still act as an anchor. After this raid, Tholians would either spend the resources needed to replace those asteroids, pay to keep that web up, or let it dissolve. Regardless, rock busting was productive.

"We'll wait until all of the ships have repaired their shields before resuming attack runs. Leaders, let me know when shield repairs are completed for your squadrons. Glory Hunter, keep an eye on the local and remote Tholians forces and immediately let me know of any changes," Korloth ordered and took the last bite of his meal.

Korloth strode back to the bridge. The Sensor Officer gestured to Korloth to get his attention. "Captain, a moment of your time," the officer said.

"What is it? We're about to continue attack runs."

"Understood. I'm getting inconsistent sensor readings."

"What kind of inconsistent readings?"

"Distance measurements. Shots made at a given asteroid, the distances were consistent to six or seven decimal places."

"That's not inconsistent," Korloth interrupted.

“Agreed,” the Sensor Officer said. “But those distances apply only to the hits. Those shots that missed did not simply dissipate. They struck the web near the asteroids. Those bolts traveled farther than the distance from the firing ship to the web. That is the inconsistency.”

"Show me the data." He still had that love of discovery about the Tholian Web. He felt that old feeling of obsession returning.

The Sensor Officer had anticipated this order, and the data was immediately made available along with a summary with the pertinent data highlighted. The data was substantial due to the number of disruptor firings this fleet had done.

"Did you contact any of your contemporaries on the other ships to see if your data was independently obtained?"

"I did, telling them that I was checking the calibration of our sensors. They said that their sensors were obstructed by the energy splashes. Ours are not." Korloth, from his experiences being the Sensor Officer, knew this to be true.

"After the weapons' energies were released, the web returned to normal before the splashes disappeared. If it wasn't for my having reviewed some of the recordings of the data results, I would have missed that detail."

Korloth pored over the data with an enthusiasm he hadn't felt in years. As he scoured the data, he began to sense patterns beyond mere inconsistencies. "Create a new column. Calculate the difference between expected and actual travel distances. Separate hits from misses."

Minutes later, the Sensor Officer had the requested data collated, and Korloth stared at the results. "You're correct. “Korloth said. "The differences of the missed shots are inconsistent. Lieutenant, see if you can find out why."

The Sensor Officer gave a small exhale of exasperation at the mountain of data he would now have to sift through. "Aye, sir," he said and began thinking about how he could sort the data to find patterns within it. "Where to begin?" he whispered to himself as he shifted in his seat preparing himself for the task at hand.

"Maybe," began the Executive Officer with a possibly helpful suggestion, "you could separate the data into the different ranges at which we fired at the asteroids." With no better suggestions at hand, the Sensor Officer began to sort through the mountain of data he had.

Minutes passed and the Sensor Officer was quickly showing signs of increasing stress and frustration. The data was showing hints of patterns, but it wasn't coalescing into anything that could be used for taking any action. It didn't help that Korloth and other members of the bridge crew periodically kept giving him hopeful glances of anticipation.

The Weapons Officer became the hero of the hour. "Captain, instead of sifting through the firing data captured at ranges that the Rock Heads chose to fire at us, we could choose our firing ranges based on the known range brackets of our weapons?" The Sensor Officer looked at him with appreciation in his eyes.

Korloth considered this for a few moments. "That's an excellent idea. Communications," he called out, "what is the status of the fleet repairs?"

Moments passed. "The Glory Hunter is undamaged. The three lead ships have some damage on non-combat systems, and each captain has decided to let them be for now. Each lead ship has completed shield repairs. Both destroyers and all of the frigates have some minor damage. Two frigates have minimal engine damage. The destroyers and frigates are almost complete with shield repairs."

"Very good," Korloth thought out loud. He opened his two-way communication circuit to his lead ships. "Captains, retain the last command structure and follow me. Training for this mission is complete. I want a squadron of frigates to my port and starboard. I want the destroyers on my flanks and the leader following me at 2 kilikams distance. Glory Hunter, you follow the lead destroyer by 2 kilikams. All ships will keep station and follow the movements of the Soulraker."

"Navigator, lay in a course toward the base to a point 45--no 44 kilikams from it, with an asteroid within disruptor range. Helm, once the course is laid in, proceed to that point at warp 2.52". Korloth thought about how he would go about getting more information about the Tholian Web and how it could be 'tactically relevant'.

By the time they arrived at the designated spot, Korloth had a partial plan on how to proceed. "Weapons, arm the disruptors and fire them at that asteroid. Sensors, record all data available, and tell me what you see."

Four bolts of energy flashed toward the target asteroid. "Three hits, one miss. Good shooting, Guns!," the Sensor Officer congratulated. "Of that miss, it dug into the web, making an indentation during the time that the bolt took to release its energy."

Korloth considered this answer. "How does the indentation just observed compare to the ones previously seen?" Korloth shifted in his command chair. He was getting the same feelings of enthusiasm he got as a junior officer when he first studied the Tholian web.

"The results are consistent in that there was an indentation made. This indentation is much smaller than those observed earlier."

"Interesting," Korloth mused, shifting in his seat. "Weapons, fire four bearing phasers at that asteroid. Sensors, tell me what you see."

Four phaser beams lanced through space towards the target asteroid. "Two hits with minimal damage. The other two traced patterns over the asteroid but didn't stay in one spot long enough to cause damage."

"Very well. Let's try something new. Does that destroyer have its shields up?" Korloth asked.

"No, it does not," the Sensor Officer answered, smiling because he knew what was coming.

"Good," Korloth said. "Let's see how much faith they have in their webs. Weapons, as soon as the phasers have recycled, fire the same number of phasers at that destroyer."

"Aye, sir," the Weapons Officer said. Soon, another four phaser beams lanced from the Soulraker towards the Tholian destroyer.

All eyes on the bridge turned towards the Sensor Officer. The fatigue of the past monotony was gone. The entire bridge crew was engrossed in what was happening. The impenetrability of the Tholian web was being challenged, was being tested, and possibly was being proven false. "Three of the phasers were on target with the destroyer, and their traces did draw indentations where they contacted the web. The indentations were almost nonexistent, but they were definitely there." Korloth smiled.

The Sensor Officer continued, "The destroyer captain has chosen not to raise its shields."

"Sir," the Communications Officer spoke up. "The Tholians are transmitting a message in the clear."

"They're probably calling for more reinforcements," Korloth ventured.

"No, sir. The translation circuits have determined that the transmission was that of Tholian laughter."

"Really!" Korloth smiled. "I guess it's time for another experiment. Weapons, charge the disruptors and the phasers again, this time, fire the disruptors in two groups of two narrow salvos and the phasers as single beams. Target that destroyer. Let's let him think he's angered us, and let's see what combining the disruptor energies does to the web."

"Sir, may I make a recommendation?" the Weapons Officer asked.

"Certainly."

"I recommend that the narrow salvo include three disruptors."

"Very well. Why?" Korloth asked.

"At this range we will be able to determine both if the combining of the disruptors makes a difference in the indentation in the web, and if so, how that indentation compares to the indentation made by a single disruptor."

"Excellent idea! Let the phasers be individually independent." Inwardly, he was pleased that the bridge crew was becoming as invested in what was happening as he was.

"Aye, sir," the Weapons Officer said while keying in the requested weapons volley arrangement. Soon, four bolts of energy and four lances of phased energy crossed the space between the Soulraker and the Tholian destroyer.

"The three narrow salvoed disruptors did create a deeper indentation than the single disruptor. I'm comparing the current results to the results of the missed shots from earlier," the Sensor Officer reported. "The amount of energy released on the web from the three narrow salvoed shots is nearly equivalent to the single shots from before and closer, but the recent indentation is significantly smaller than those of the asteroid busting missed shots."

“The phasers?”

"Their traces made their own indentations, but none of those intersected with the indentations of the disruptors nor with each other," came the answer.

Korloth thought about those answers. "How does that narrow salvo compare to the result of that single disruptor?" Korloth asked.

The Sensor Officer took a little longer checking those results and comparing them. "The narrow salvoed disruptors created an indentation three times as deep as the single disruptor down to seven decimal places! It's a direct correlation!"

"Calm yourself. There is still much for us to discover here." Narrow solos seemed to work, but the results so far were not as predictable as he had hoped for. "Communications, are the Tholians still laughing at us?" Korloth asked. The comms officer gestured in the affirmative. "Very well." Then to his Weapons Officer "Let's fire the disruptors as a narrow salvo of three disruptors and one as an independent shot, and do the same for the phasers. Target that destroyer and fire when ready."

"Aye, sir," the Weapons Officer acknowledged. Four bolts and four lances of energy streaked towards the destroyer. As soon as they did, all eyes turned towards the Sensor Officer for the details.

The Sensor Officer suddenly became much more attentive to his instruments. He double-checked his readings to make sure that what he was seeing was correct. "Sir, the single shot disruptor made the indentation that we would expect. The three narrow salvoed phasers added their energy to the same indentation of the narrow salvoed disruptors, making that indentation even deeper than expected!" he said. He could not keep the joyful excitement out of his voice.

Korloth thought deeply about what was being discovered. There was more here to be discovered, and if he was correct about what that discovery would be, the implications would be massive. It might be possible to hit back at the Tholian units that were maintaining the web from behind it without having to get one's own ship stuck in it. If this turned out to be true, and if it could be calculated how much firepower was necessary to breach a web, then that discovery would definitely be tactically relevant.

He contemplated the battles he had studied of the various sieges made of Tholian bases. He thought of all the ships that got wrecked just for the chance at neutralizing a single Tholian ship. He thought of the sieges of Operation Nutcracker. Gorn and Kzinti ships, helping their Tholian allies, launched multiple plasma torpedoes or waves of drones from behind and through deliberately weak middle layer webs. Klingon and Romulan ships stuck in the outer web were mauled without a single offensive shot being made in return. Battle cruisers were wrecked by frigates and destroyers at nearly point blank range because their crews didn't believe that the weak webs between them and their tormentors could be breached.

Korloth mulled over the history he had memorized. When the hated invaders first made their unwelcome presence known, the weapons of the Klingon ships sent to force them away weren't able to breach the web. Those were the warriors who risked their lives to bring the Empire what was currently known about the Tholian Web. They discovered how to fight the enemy that was behind it. They learned how to enter the web without wrecking their ships due to a rapid deceleration.

Korloth's joy at the discoveries being made was replaced by a deep sense of duty to provide the Klingon Empire with a new method to use to rid the Empire of the hated Tholian invaders. "Helm, move us to a point ..., 34 kilikams from the base." Korloth knew that at that range, the effectiveness of his disruptors and his phasers would be improved.

At the new range, Korloth gave the orders to determine the efficacy of what he already believed. "Weapons, fire all four disruptors at the destroyer with three of them in a narrow salvo."

The four bolts of energy sped towards the destroyer. Korloth turned to look at the Sensor Officer. The Sensor Officer took a few moments to confirm his readings and report. "Sir, the single bolt created an indentation deeper than the single bolts at the farther range, but the indentation is more than just twice as deep. However, it was exactly a third as deep as the narrow salvoed shots at this range."

A thought occurred to the Executive Officer. "Have their webs been at the maximum strength of 35 units per kilikam, or have some of the shots hit a weaker web? If the web were weaker, did that make a difference?"

Several sets of eyes focused on the Executive Officer. Korloth looked at the Sensor Officer. "Well?"

The Sensor Officer needed time to check. "Some of the weapons strikes were on weaker webs. The slightly reduced strength did allow a noticeable increase in the depth of the indentations."

Korloth nodded. It was as he suspected. There was more to this than just the energies of the weapons involved. "Repeat the disruptor shots, but add three phasers fired as a narrow salvo and one more as an individual shot." he ordered. "Fire when the web is at maximum strength."

Moments passed as the weapons recycled and were charged again. "Captain, the results are only partially indicative of what we could expect," the Sensor Officer began. "The narrow salvoed phasers were no more effective than those from the longer range, but they did concentrate themselves at the location of the narrow salvoed disruptors making that indentation even deeper. However, had there been no web between our ships, all of the shots would have missed that destroyer."

Korloth gave a small gesture and ordered, "Weapons, repeat that last strike at that destroyer, but at a less than maximum strength web."

The Weapons Officer acknowledged the order. The Sensor Officer let him know when to fire. Four bolts and four lances shot through space toward the destroyer. The Sensor Officer checked his instruments. "Sir, the impacts are nearly identical to those previously seen in the depths of the indentations; just slightly deeper."

"Acknowledged," was all Korloth said. He was deep in thought about the next tests that had to be done to prove what they had learned was indeed tactically relevant. "Weapons, what if we were to supplement the firepower of the disruptors and phasers with drones?"

The Weapons Officer thought about this for a while. "Sir, I'll need access to some of the sensor data collected to give you an answer."

"Very well. Sensors ...," Korloth said, indicating that the Sensor Officer should supply the Weapons Officer with what he needed.

The Weapons Officer pored over the data for the parts he needed. As he studied the data, he reflexively began to gesture in the negative. "Sir, I don't think it is possible. Getting a drone where it needs to be when it needs to be there and getting it to explode at the exact right spot and time to add its warhead strength to an incoming energy weapons volley is an unrealistic expectation."

Korloth was neither surprised nor disappointed by that answer. He asked more out of being thorough than of anything else.

"Very well. Helm, bring us to a point 19 kilikams from the base. Engineering, put and maintain some energy into reinforcement of the shield facing the enemy. They may decide to fire their phasers back at us."

At the new range, Korloth ordered, "Weapons, let's repeat the combination of four disruptors and four phasers with three of each fired as narrow salvos."

"Aye, Sir," he said as he hit the fire button. He had anticipated the order and prepared the configuration in advance.

Four bolts and four lances sped toward the destroyer, striking the web as before. Since the beginning of these tests, the bridge crew had been paying more attention to the main monitor watching the splashes of energy released as the weapons struck the web. They could see that the energy releases were greater than before. The Sensor Officer took a noticeably longer time to give his report this time. Eventually, he said, "Sir, the narrow salvoed phasers hit in the immediate vicinity of the narrow salvoed disruptors. The disruptors would have hit the destroyer, but the phasers would have missed.” Interesting. “The depth of the indentation is greater than that of those at the previous ranges, but the indentation is minuscule compared to the thickness of the web. I did some quick checking, and not once has any solo shot of either disruptor or phaser added its energy to a narrow salvoed set of weapons. All of the individual shots would have missed if either of the narrow salvos hit."

“Sir, may I suggest that we try two separate groups of two disruptors and two phasers fired, but their times of fire be separated by a micro-second or two?” the Weapons Officer volunteered.

“Two separate narrow salvos? Why?”

“'We're experimenting. It's data.”

Korloth shrugged, “Fair enough, give it a try.”

Soon, four bolts and four lances flashed toward the Tholian destroyer in two identical groups separated by an infinitesimal amount of time that no biological entity could notice without the aid of technology. The Sensor Officer checked his instruments, smiled briefly, and made his report. “Guns, you couldn't have planned your shots any better for data. Captain, the two groups made identical indentations in the web. One group had the disruptors on target with its phasers missing. The other group was the opposite.”

“Indeed,” Korloth said, giving his Weapons Officer a look of admiration. “One suggestion, one test, maximum data collected. Weapons, now let's fire four of each again, but this time let's fire all of them as narrow salvos.”

"Aye, Sir" the Weapons Officer responded. He needed a few seconds to program the configuration.

"Sir," the Sensor Officer began as soon as the weapons hit, "all of the weapons fired would have struck the target, and the indentation is proportionally deeper than the narrow salvoed trios and pairs. But even at this larger amount of penetration, it still doesn't compare to the web."

Almost under his breath, the Communications Officer mused, "I wonder if the range has anything to do with it."

The Weapons Officer heard the question and answered, "That is why the Captain is choosing these ranges. He's selecting them to take advantage of our weapons' firing brackets to eliminate that variable from needing to be considered by the Sensor Officer."

"No. That's not what I meant. If we were this close to a Battle Station of anyone other than the Rock Heads, they would be firing back at us from the station using those heavy phasers. We know that at this range, because of those webs, their heavy phasers can't touch us. They lose strength based on some weird correlation of the distance between the weapons and the web. They might hit us at this range with their ships' phasers, but then those ships are closer and up against that outer web where they can fire without their phasers being weakened."

The Sensor Officer froze, staring into nothingness. He looked at the Communications Officer, then began furiously manipulating his computers. Moments later he exclaimed, “Captain... that's it!” Eyes bright he turned to Korloth, “The range to the web and its strength--they're linked. Cumulatively.” His fingers still flew over the controls. With a final flourish, he added, “I can predict the depth of an indentation. Any range. Any strength. It's a simple algorithm.”

Korloth stared at his Sensor Officer. Was it possible to breach the web? He had to know, and time was running out. “Glory Hunter, what is the status of those reinforcements?”

“They are almost upon us. It won't be long now.”

"Weapons and Sensors, assume the algorithm is accurate. How close must the Soulraker get to that destroyer to cause some damage to it in a single alpha strike firing through that outer web while it is at its full strength? I want the safest approach distance with a chance of success and the farthest distance with a guarantee of success based on that algorithm. Get this answer right. Now. Those reinforcements are almost here."

"Aye, sir," they said together. The Weapons Officer moved over to the Sensor Officer's station, and the two began muttering. Bits and pieces of their conversation could be heard by the rest of the bridge crew. Sometimes, the sounds they made were encouraging, and at other times the sounds were concerning. Before long, they asked both the navigator and helmsman to join the conversation. Eventually, they had something to offer their captain.

It was the Weapons Officer who would bring the answer to the captain. Korloth sat in his chair as he approached.

"Sir, the short answer is five kilikams—assuming the disruptors are on target and overloaded. Any farther, and the phasers risk being ineffective. We'll need at least eight phasers fired in a narrow salvo as well. Fewer, and failure is possible. I recommend using an Ubitron Interface Module."

He paused, letting the weight sink in. "We’ve mapped options at eight kilikams. Success isn’t guaranteed on the first pass, but it greatly reduces the base’s heavy phasers’ effectiveness. At that range, they may not even fire."

Good, Korloth thought. All I need at this time is proof that the web can be penetrated and that a target behind it can be hit.

Korloth considered what the Weapons Officer said. He understood that the disruptors had to be on target for this to work, and agreed with the recommendation of using a UIM. He agreed that it was safer to make multiple attempts at the longer range, but he had the approaching Tholian reinforcements to keep in mind. So far, the Soulraker was the only ship in his fleet that had not taken fire from the Tholians. Korloth did some calculations in his head. He concluded that the Soulraker could take the expected fire from the Tholians if he planned his speed well and reinforced his shield.

"Glory Hunter, what is the status of those reinforcements?" Korloth asked.

"They will be here momentarily. Soon, they will slow to battle speeds."

"Weapons, overload and hold the disruptors. Prepare a UIM." He saw that the phaser capacitors were already fully charged. "We'll make a single pass and fire the right wing phasers across the deck and add their firepower to the phasers on the port side. Navigator, plot a course that will put the left waist and right wing phasers in arc to hit that destroyer through our number six shield at a range of five kilikams at the first opportunity to fire them."

"Aye, sir.... Course plotted."

"Good." Korloth opened the one way channel to his fleet. "All ships. We will make a single pass at that destroyer. We'll fire at it, then turn away to disengage. Keep station and follow me."

Korloth shut off the one-way channel and ordered, "Helm, take us in and prepare to turn away and disengage after we fire."

"Aye, sir."

"Engineer, put all remaining energy into shield reinforcement for shield number six."

"Aye, sir."

Korloth began excitedly shifting in his seat again at the implications of what this battle pass might reveal.

"Helm, maximum acceleration without losing our escorts until we disengage."

"Tholian reinforcements have slowed to battle speed. They are about 35 kilikams away and are approaching at warp 3.14," LCDR Marreck reported. "One is launching gunboats."

"Very well," Korloth responded. "Helm, continue on course."

Korloth focused on the monitor showing the approach to the firing position. He counted down the seconds to the firing position, shifting with each click of the digital clock.

"The Tholian ships are slowing, the reinforcing gunboats are not, but they are moving in indirect paths that look like channels through their minefield. The original gunboat flotilla has stopped circling and is moving toward the outer web ring nearest us," Marreck reported. Korloth chose to overlook this one assumption of Marreck as to the reason the gunboat path was indirect; mostly because he was probably correct.

We will make it, Korloth thought. The distances still worked in his favor. He would be able to fire, then his fleet would turn, accelerate and disengage. His fleet's weapons would keep the Rock Head ships away long enough for them to make their departure. His fleet still outgunned the Tholian forces when outside of the webs. They would stay behind their webs and allow the Klingons to leave like they had done so many times before.

Korloth was watching the distance to the destroyer decrease and the firing arcs nearing the optimal position for firing his weapons at that destroyer. He was fidgeting like a young boy on his first boar hunt.

"The destroyer has raised its shields," Marreck announced. That was irrelevant, Korloth thought. I only need to determine if the web can be penetrated. Shields up or not, that didn't matter.

The Tholian range and the optimal position would both be perfect simultaneously, Korloth noted. The navigator had done well.

The Soulraker was eight kilikams from the destroyer. He would fire narrow salvos of disruptors and phasers at five kilikams. Seven kilikams .... Six kilikams ....

At five kilikams Korloth shifted one more time in his seat, not noticing a slight tug at his wrist. "All bearing weapons fire at that destroyer!" he ordered with all of the undisciplined enthusiasm he felt at that moment.

He watched as four bolts and eight lances of energy splashed against the web between the Soulraker and the destroyer. He checked the sensor display and saw what he was looking for. In addition to the expected giant splash of released energy on the wen, he saw a second smaller energy splash appear against the front shield of that destroyer. It worked!! The Web could be penetrated!

He also saw a plethora of other bolts and lances of energy splash harmlessly against the outer web in the vicinity of the Tholian destroyer. He looked down at the one way communications channel toggle switch. It was in the "On" position. He saw a few fabric threads sticking to it. He recalled the tug at his wrist. He recalled the last order he had given his fleet, "We will make a single pass at that destroyer. We'll fire at it." By "We", Korloth had meant the Soulraker. His captains had thought he meant the fleet.

Korloth was shaken out of his stunned reverie by a deafening noise, a blinding light, and the uncomfortable sensation of flying. As he was reintroduced to the deck, he heard and felt several loud crashes and the screaming of metal. Just as he found his tactical display to see what had happened, he felt his ship rapidly decelerate to sublight speed. He saw that a Nuclear Space Mine had detonated against his number six shield, the base had fired it's heavy phasers at and through that shield, the destroyer and cruiser had fired their phasers through that shield, and his ship had suffered critical damage. The engineering display showed his warp engine controls were damaged, explaining the deceleration.

"Tholian forces are moving; all of them," Marreck reported.

*****

Bridge
FWC Blade Chieftain

CDR Korg, the highest ranking officer not onboard the Soulraker, waited as long as he dared for CDR Korloth to say something. Hearing nothing immediately. He had to assume Korloth was dead, unable to maintain command, or that the communications of the Soulraker were damaged. In any case, command had to be maintained and action taken. "All ships, this is Commander Korg. On my responsibility, turn to bring rear facing phasers to bear on the Tholian units and fire to protect the Soulraker as best you can without getting any closer to that base. All weapons free."

*****

Cowards!! Korloth thought. They're running from a fight. Then he saw the phasers fire. He saw drones launch from every ship but his. He understood. He hadn't given any orders, so someone did. Good job to whomever took that initiative. He climbed back into his command chair and saw both his navigator and helmsman lying motionless on the deck. Dead or unconscious, they were out of this fight. He glanced at the weapons station and saw his weapons officer regaining his proper place.

As Korloth moved between the navigation panel and helm controls to turn his ship away from that Tholian base, he ordered, "Weapons, fire at will." A glance at the engineering station told him the engineer was already working to get warp control back. There was no sense interrupting his thoughts by ordering him to do what he was already doing.

Korloth looked at the tactical display and realized the last order he gave was the last order he would ever give. He saw a dozen gunboats closing to two kilikams, almost all of them were grouped off of his no longer available number six shield. He saw them open fire.

*****

Before the explosion of the Soulraker began to fade, CDR Korg ordered a general withdrawal and disengagement from the battlefield. There was nothing more that could be accomplished by sticking around. As the ships' captains gave the orders to bring their ships back to base, they all wondered silently why CDR Korloth had acted so irrationally at the end. It was all just a waste of time and energy. Everyone knows you cannot fire through that Tholian Web.


Decisions about the story:
A D5WX is the smallest Klingon X-ship with the firepower to pierce a web that I found. I wanted it to be barely enough to pierce a web.
The Soulraker receives an (XD8.1) critical hit with a (D8.2) die roll of 12.
The NSM was command controlled.
The fibers on the toggle switch is for a mistake to be made and to bring to fruition an event of previous foreshadowing. (“unless you make a mistake.”)
I wanted the Soulraker to be destroyed, preserving the secret.


Obviously from the title, this is a proposal for a method of firing DF weapons through a web. That admission alone may put the kibosh on this proposal, so all I ask is a fair consideration. The story shows how such a discovery might come about.

The Tholian Web at even a mere one strength point is a perfectly impenetrable barrier to enemy direct fire weapons regardless of the strengths of the individual weapons or the size of the volley. What if this were not actually the case and the usual enemies came to believe this myth of impenetrability shortly after the Tholians' arrival in this galaxy? What's more, what if the different empires made this belief military doctrine and trained their ships' captains not to waste their weapons' energies in presumably futile attempts at firing through the Tholian's web?

I propose that a large enough amount of direct firepower using narrow salvos can create a discrete and very temporary hole in the web through which some of the firepower can pass without weakening the web in the process. If the web is weak, individual weapons may pierce the web with some of their firepower. If the web is strong, narrow salvos can be used to allow for multiple weapons to concentrate their power to pierce a layer of web. This is an X1-era proposal.


Historibabble:

During the early years, the Tholians’ superior sensors allowed them to reinforce their webs beyond the capabilities of their enemies' current weapons, establishing the doctrine that webs were impenetrable to direct-fire attacks. Even Romulan bolted R-torpedoes proved ineffective, as their sublight approach gave the Tholians time to strengthen outer webs beyond strength 25.

Early attempts to use narrow salvos failed because available fire controls lacked the precision and timing to concentrate multiple weapons at a single point. More focused salvos did not appear until the Y120s with overload technology, and even then, attackers' sensors were insufficient to detect any effect on the web. This limitation persisted through most of the General War.

As a result, attackers did not attempt to fire through webs. Instead, they either entered strong webs—getting stuck and risking breakdown—to engage targets directly behind it, or passed through weak webs to fight on the other side. In practice, doctrine became “into or out of, but not through” for the use of direct fire weapons.

Only with the advent of X-technology did sensors advance enough to detect localized distortions in the web through the energy splash. This capability ultimately challenged the long-held assumption of impenetrability and opened the door to new tactical approaches.

Proposal justifications:

For the most part, the flow of technology and changes in all of the empires' forces was slow and proportional. From Y79-120, the web was very inefficient for 41 years. From Y121-160 the web was at an improved efficiency more permissive of 3 rings for 39 years. From Y161-174 the web was even more efficient. The 13 year time span may have been shortened by the General War raising the priority. It begins in Y175 that things shift rapidly in the Tholians' favor. In Y175, the web is improved yet again. In Y178 is the arrival of the Tholian 312th battle squadron with 12 ships and Web Caster technology. Granted the Neo-Tholian ships arrive in crippled condition, but those 12 ships are a huge boost to the Tholian Navy. In Y180 the Tholians get PF technology allowing for PF pinwheels, which greatly improves their ability to power their webs, and those same PFs to defend themselves from behind their webs. In Y182 Seltorians arrive. That's bad, but this year is also the introduction date for web tenders larger than the AWT, and that's good. When the Seltorians are defeated, the larger web tenders are still available. Then in Y183 the Tholians get X-technology with the corresponding improvements available to their ships and bases along with a comparitively massive boost to their economy.

In eight years it's boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom in benefits to the Tholians' ability to defend themselves (web improvement, NT ships, WC tech, PFs, large WTs, X-tech, economic boost). With all of these benefits for the Tholians, it becomes much more urgent for the Klingons to keep up pressure on the Tholians if they are ever to force them from their stolen territory. This comes at a time when they cannot afford to redirect the forces necessary to have a proper go at it. Unchecked, the Tholians will only get tougher.

A second justification is game play variety; something new to experiment with. With little change to the game as a whole, there will be a new way to play scenarios involving webs. Players may experiment with scenarios set prior to Y180 to see how differently things might have turned out. There will be more tactical options for both the attackers and the Tholians, and more forced decisions for the Tholians. The Tholians cannot continue to keep their shields down until just before an enemy ship enters the web close to the unit, nor can they allow allies to launch seeking weapons form behind deliberately weak middle layer webs at attackers stuck in strong outer layer webs.

What this proposal is designed to do is balance out the increasingly asymmetrical advantages the Tholians receive in the late years. X-ships and phaser armed PFs make just approaching a webbed defense exceedingly dangerous. When the web is strong, most ships will still be prohibited from taking offensive action without entering the web. Those few that can pierce the web to hit something behind it will have their own firepower significantly reduced and will have to risk concentrated return fire. Strong webs will still be strong. Weak webs will still be weak. All webs will just be permeable for the first time.


Proposal concepts:

All direct firepower must hit the web at the same instant and the same point on the web, thus the need for simultaneous narrow salvos of all DF weapons being fired at a single target. No multiple pulse weapon is fast enough to have more than one shot per weapon be part of a combined effort to pierce a web. No form of Aegis is fast enough to have weapons fire, determine the outcome, and allow more weapons fire.

If a unit elects to use (E1.633) to fire multiple narrow salvos at a single target, the weapons must be bundled together first before any are fired, and may be mixed or matched at the player's choice. All must be fired. Each type of weapon in each bundle has its own die roll per (E1.62). Each bundle then must make its own effort to pierce the web independently of all others. The consequences of a UIM use happens after all weapons have been fired per (D6.521).

The line of sight path from the firing unit using narrow salvos to the target may only pass through 1 web hex.

In a campaign, once the discovery is made by an empire, any ship from that empire with enough direct firepower is able to pierce a web with direct-fire weapons without the need for X-ships being in the battle force. The firing ship will not see the weapons' effects on the web but can detect reductions in the target's shields or damage inflicted. This information cannot be shared between empires in a campaign because nobody would believe it until they proved it for themselves. An individual SFB scenario does not have this restriction. It will be in the scenario rules that web piercing has been discovered.


Change descriptions:

Each firing unit must make its attempt to pierce a web independently of all other units. Docked units or ships in pinwheels are not considered to be a single unit for this purpose. Tugs with pods (battle-tugs) are considered to be a single unit.

All weapons to be fired at a target behind a web must be committed before any are fired, and all of these weapons are considered to be fired as narrow salvos per (E1.6) unless stated otherwise. Each category of weapon will require its own die roll to determine the damage inflicted. Only weapons that successfully roll for hits contribute to piercing the web. Misses would pierce the web in the wrong place.

The damage done to the target is the difference between the total amount of damage inflicted by the weapons that hit minus the sum of the strength of the web and the range from the firing ship to the web hex being penetrated. DamInfl=TotDam-(WebStr + Range). All weapons fired must be in range of the target, not just the web hex being penetrated.

(((If this proposal is given consideration, I hope the following paragraph is rejected due to its being exceedingly complicating. I added it because the SFU physics seemed to require it.)))
In the case of Photon Torpedoes, Ion Cannons, Ion Pulse Cannons, or any other "all or nothing" warheads that do not weaken with distance, all of the weapon's warhead strength is applied to the web or none at all. The proximity versions of any of these "all or nothing" weapons cannot be used to punch a hole through a web. They would detonate too far away to create an indentation. If they are mixed with other weapons in an alpha strike (i.e., phasers), the firing player may distribute which damage creates a hole and which pass through the hole as long as individual "all or nothing" warheads do not split their damage. (Example: 2x16 pt. photon torpedoes plus 5 points of phaser damage will create a hole in a 35 pt. web at range 2. Whether those 5 phaser damage points come from 1 phaser or 5 different phasers is irrelevant.)

PPDs cannot use this method due to (E11.38) but may individually punch through weak enough webs. Their splash elements are lost. If (E11.351) is used, both elements must pierce the web independently.

Hellbores must fire in direct-fire mode (E10.7). Enveloping Hellbores will detonate too far away to generate a hole in the web. Hellbores may not use their (E10.44) sequencing ability due to all the firepower needing to hit the web at the same instant.

Maulers may be fired in a narrow salvo mode as well and work like HoM weapons to bundle with other weapons.

Seeking weapons are of no use in this procedure. The firing unit cannot arrange for a seeking weapon to be at the precise spot on the web at the exact right instant. If the seeking weapon arrived infinitesimally too soon and detonated, the piercing or indentation created, if any, would close before anything could pass through or aid in piercing a hole in the web. If the seeking weapon arrived infinitesimally too late, it would be destroyed by the incoming direct-fire weapons and reduce their effectiveness in penetrating the web. Additionally, any speed zero target without positional stabilizers would drift slightly, making the precise position of the needed hole move, and powered movement exacerbates this.

Narrow salvos may not be used to pierce 2 or more layers of web. The target of narrow salvo web piercing must be exactly 1 hex behind a layer of web, no more. Only one web hex of a single web may be pierced using narrow salvos. Straight lines of fire passing through two or more web hexes will miss because the weapons that pass through a piercing spread out on the other side.

Gatling phasers do not fire rapidly enough for multiple shots to pass through the same hole or for multiple shots to help open a hole. Only a single P-3 shot from a Gatling phaser may be used to pierce or fire through a web.

Web fists cannot be fired through a web by this method. The proximity of the fist to the web interferes with the fist.

If a firing unit fires at more than one target behind a web simultaneously, the web will have to be pierced at multiple locations requiring multiple holes to be punched. Each hole requires its own calculation, and neither hole affects the other, even if both targets are in the same hex.

Sufficiently strong weapons (mainly X-maulers) may pierce multiple layers or hexes of web but only as individual weapons; they may not be narrow-salvoed for a cumulative effect to pierce multiple webs, and they are weakened by each layer or hex of web they pierce with the individual strengths and ranges of the web being calculated. On those ships showing multiple mauler arrows and energy tracks leading to one arrow but not the other, treat all portions of the mauler arrows and energy as a single weapon.

The Tholians may fire through their own webs with non-phaser DF weapons using this same procedure and limitations. (G10.62) says the Tholians may fire phasers through their webs with the improved efficiency we're all familiar with. It doesn't say they must. It can be reasoned that they can turn on and off the ability for each phaser with an 8 impulse delay restriction. They may wish to fire their own photons or disruptors through their webs at maximum effect.


Here's a simplified firing example:
1. Select the weapons to fire and roll for their narrow salvos.
2. Determine the total amount of damage done.
3. Subtract the web strength, then subtract the range to the web.
4. Apply the remainder to the target.
In most cases, even with "all or nothing" warheads, this will suffice.


Several examples:
The D5WX in the story. Web strength = 35. Range to the target = 5. Range to the web = 4. 4 overloaded disruptors with a narrow salvo die roll of 4 = 24 damage points to the target. 8 P-1s with a die roll of 6 = 16 damage points to the target. 24 + 16 = 40 total damage points. 40 - 35 - 4 = 1 damage point inflicted to the target. Concept proven. If the target reinforced its shield per (H7.342), the rest of the fleet wouldn't have detected the hit behind the splashes, although there is no game play rule to hide this.

A Fed NCL+. Web strength = 35. Range to target = 6. Range to the web = 5. 4 fully overloaded photon torpedoes = 4x16 = 64 damage points with a narrow salvo die roll of 3. 4 P-1s with a die roll of 2 = 12 damage points. 2 photon torpedoes + 8 points of phaser damage = 40 point of damage to pierce the web. 2 photon torpedoes + 4 points of phaser damage hit the target for 36 damage points inflicted. If the phaser die roll was a 6, the phasers would have missed, and 3 photon torpedoes would have opened a hole with 1 torpedo hitting the target.

A Tholian CPW. Web strength = 35. Range to target = 2. Range to the web = 1. 4 fully overloaded photon torpedoes = 4x16 = 64 damage points with a narrow salvo die roll of 2. 1 P-1 narrow salvoed with its (G10.62) ability deactivated and a die roll of 1. 2 of the photon torpedoes and 4 points of phaser damage pierce the web. The other 2 torpedoes and 3 points of phaser fire hit the target for 33 damage points along with what the other 4 P-1s and a P-3 do using their (G10.62) ability.

In all examples above, if the disruptors or photons miss, the target will not be damaged and the selected phasers will still be fired and unavailable for other uses. I'm not immune to the irony that the Feds have an advantage in damaging units behind a web using this method.

A Romulan KRMX. Web strength = 35. Range to the target = 5. Range to the web = 4. All batteries used for the mauler cannon = 72 points of damage. 4 P-1s, the only ones in arc, with a die roll of 5. 39 mauler points pierce the web with the remaining 33 points striking the target. The 4 P-1s do an additional 12 damage points for 45 damage points to the target.

Mauler through 2 adjacent web hexes
A wedding cake is centered on hex 2215. An MD7X is in hex 2720 facing A. A target is in hex 2716. Web strength = 30. Range to target = 4. Range to near web hex = 2. Range to the remote web hex = 3. 24 batteries used; total damage = 72. It takes 30 + 2 = 32 points to pierce the first web hex. It takes 30 + 3 = 33 points to pierce the second web hex. 32 + 33 = 65 damage points to pierce both web hexes. 72 - 65 = 7 damage points to the target. The ship's phasers are useless in this case.

Mauler through 2 separate webs
A wedding cake is centered on hex 2215. An MD7X is in hex 2819 facing F. The target is in 2317. Outer web strength = 35. Middle web strength = 20. Range to target = 5. Range to outer web hex = 2. Range to middle web hex = 4. 24 batteries used; total damage = 72. It takes 35 + 2 = 37 points to pierce the outer web. It takes 20 + 4 = 24 points to pierce the middle web. 37 + 24 = 61 points to pierce both webs. 72 - 61 = 11 damage points are done to the target. The ship's phasers are useless in this case.

A Romulan NHX. Web strength = 35. Range to target = 4. Range to web = 3. 2 Plasma-M and 1 Plasma-S bolts with a narrow salvo die roll of 3 = 55 damage points. 5 P-1s with a narrow salvo die roll of 5 = 15 damage points. 35 + 3 = 38 points to pierce the web. 55 + 15 = 70 total damage points. 70 - 38 = 32 damage points to the target.