(FYI: it's "moot point" rather than "mute point."

)
...Oops.
It's corrected now, thank you.
I even got more tonight. (Hopefully with no errors...I'm not counting on it, though.)
CHAPTER 14
Supplemental
USS Chaka, MainBridge
In Pursuit of the Runabout Banda
The ship’s chronometer indicated one standard minute had past. There was no word from the doctors. Staring at the back end of the runabout stolen from
her ship for the past few minutes had done nothing to quell her anger. “Their status?”
Ra-Goran told her what she already knew, “No change. They’re holding steady at warp 5.2, shields are up, weapons are not powered.”
Sidhani grinded her teeth. “Raise them.”
“On screen.”
The Arkonian doctor’s face filled the viewer.
The temporary
Chaka captain demanded, “This is your last chance, Doctor. Surrender the
Banda.”
“I won’t do that. If you wish to follow us to the H’Kan system, we will provide the vaccine to the Vuke people and surrender ourselves after that.”
The impudence was too much for Sidhani, “You won’t get to H’Kan! This is not a negotiation! Surrender now or I’ll disable that ship.”
Zo’Kama visibly prepared herself for the impasse,
“Then it appears we have nothing left to discuss.”
The screen reverted to the forward exterior view.
The
Meharry first officer was a Dominion War veteran. She found herself mentally preparing for battle. “Red Alert! Shields to full. Power forward phasers.”
“Yes sir,” came from tactical.
She continued with purpose, “Target their port nacelle and fire.”
There was a pause and no phaser fire.
She spun around, “Lieutenant?”
His eyes were wide.
“Lieutenant, is there a problem?”
Glances were shared by crew all around the bridge.
Ra-Goran offered with some trepidation, “Captain, perhaps phasers should be reduced to 30% power before we engage them.”
She now noticed the looks she was getting from the crew. It didn’t take her long to realize her orders were inappropriate. It would only take a few full power phaser discharges destroy the whole runabout; shields or not. To disable the ship, the phaser blasts had to be precise and adjusted to a narrow beam. Full phasers wouldn’t have the finesse needed for a ship that small. She forced herself to calm down. She wasn’t at war. She closed her eyes and repeated in her mind,
‘I’m not in that situation anymore. It’s not life or death. It’s not kill or be killed.’ Sidhani opened her eyes, “Of course. Of course, Lieutenant. Phasers to thirty percent, narrow beam. Just target their shields.” She found her seat and added to reassure the crew of her sanity, “Let’s just tap them on the shoulder to get their attention.”
The Efrosian confirmed immediately, “Aye sir, phasers ready.”
“Fire.”
Supplemental
Runabout Banda
En Route to the H’Kan System
The runabout buffeted as the phasers impacted the shields.
“I can’t believe they fired on us,” said the Latina doctor.
The reptilian observed, “Shields are at 92%. I’d say it was, as you humans say, a ‘love tap.’
“I wouldn’t describe it that way,” commented Wenera. She called aft, “Is everyone ok back there?”
The young Arkonian’s head popped out of the hatch, “Yeah, what’s happening?”
The ship jolted again.
“Don’t worry about it,” unrealistically suggested Jane, “You and Coby get into a cot alcove and shut the blind. It’s the safest place for you right now.”
“Alright.” Zo’Kala’s face disappeared again.
“Aft shields at 85%,” reported the elder Arkonian.
Jane looked over, “They’ve called our bluff, Zo’Kama. They’re going to keep on wearing us down, until our shields collapse. Then, they could just beam us out.” She sighed deeply before admitting, “There’s nothing more we can do.”
Slowly, Zo’Kama began to nod. “I grieve for all those that will die.” She continued, “But you’re right. We will not reach H’Kan, no matter what we do.”
Wenara offered, “At least we can say we tried.”
They shared a silent moment of reverence and loss.
“Well,” said the Arkonian, “It seems there is nothing left to do but to signal our surrender.”
Supplemental
USS Chaka, MainBridge
In Pursuit of the Runabout Banda
“A couple more hits and their aft shields will be down,” reported Ra-Goran.
Sidhani, still much more reserved than she had been a few moments ago, acknowledged. “Come on people, give it up,” she said to no one and everyone.
The Efrosian said unexpectantly, “Comman…Captain, we’re receiving an emergency distress call from a civilian cargo ship named
Tarah. It’s an Andorian ship. They say they’re being attacked.”
She stood up, shocked, “This far inside Federation space?”
Ra offered, “It’s not unheard of for rouge Klingons or Orions to make raids in this area.”
She looked again to the viewer.
‘Only a few more minutes.’ She addressed Ra, “How far?”
“Point six light-years away. It’ll take us just over 2 hours to get there at maximum warp.”
“Are there any closer ships?” the commander snapped.
“No sir. The next nearest would take 6 hours to get there.”
Once again she focused on the image of the runabout.
“Captain,” prompted Ra.
It really wasn’t much of a decision. Knowing that didn’t make it any easier for Anchal. “Damn,” she said under her breath. She ordered, “Change course. Intercept the cargo ship, maximum warp.” She sat back down, “Engage.”
As the runabout disappeared from the viewer she added quietly, “Another day, ladies.”
Supplemental
Runabout Banda
En Route to the H’Kan System
Both doctors saw the same thing on their consoles. The
Chaka veered off. They looked at each other in bewilderment.
“What just happened?” asked Zo’Kama rhetorically.
Jane shrugged, “Maybe we have a guardian angel.”
“I don’t know exactly what that means,” started the Arkonian, “but I think I like it.”