CHAPTER 16
Supplemental
At Neptune Class Landing Site
Maluria II (Tollen)
Karim’s cheek hit the dirt hard. The Nausicaan’s rough hand grabbed his collar and got him to his knees again. Despite the brutal treatment he was getting, bin Nadal was thankful they hadn’t killed him on sight. At the very least, it bought him time.
The four Nausicaans towered over him. The leader, the other’s called him Wi’jawk, asked again, “Where are the other Starfleet officers?”
Wi’jawk didn’t wait for a reply before striking him again. Karim assumed the Nausicaan was just getting warmed up and didn’t expect any answers yet. The tactical chief’s head was throbbing.
The pirate walked around him. “How many ‘fleeters are here?” Immediately, Wi’jawk kicked the gash on his back, forcing bin Nadal forward in the dirt once again. Karim couldn’t stop from crying out in pain.
*****
Supplemental
USS Rhode Island, Main Bridge
In Orbit of Maluria VID
The R.I.’s Kasheetan helm officer turned aft, “Sir, I have the double warp jump set into the navigational computer. Our first jump will take us over the star’s northern pole. The next will take us to the second planet.”
Killian stood from the center seat, “Is everyone aboard?”
“Yes sir,” came from Mr. Veril. He added with some trepidation, “Sir, shouldn’t we inform the Independence about the situation?”
The senior officer smirked. “No. Not yet. I have the distinct feeling, if I do, Captain Aurelia will do an about face and get here too late to do anything, anyway.” He shook his head, “No, the Indy needs to take care of that merchant ship. We need to take care of those people on the second planet.”
The Coridan bowed slightly, “Aye sir.”
“Alright.” Killian said. He stepped forward and placed a hand on his helm officer, “Ewngus, get us there.”
*****
Supplemental
USS Independence, Main Bridge
Nearing the Bolian Freighter Jolim
The dark-skinned Vulcan, Virak, reported from the tactical podium, “The freighter’s shields have failed.” She checked her previous scans and said, almost to herself, “Intriguing.”
Captain Aurelia looked back over her shoulder, “What’s intriguing?”
The security officer responded, “I’ve analyzed the attack of the Yridian ship. The attack pattern suggests they are merely harassing the Jolim. Despite a sustained attack of several hours, the Bolian vessel only has minor damage. The Jolim’s shields have been down for nearly an hour, yet the pirates have made no attempt to board the merchant ship.”
Kimula asked rhetorically from the comm. station, “They could have raided the Bolians and left by now. Why are they still there?”
Aurelia shrugged and added, “Whatever the reason, they’ve made a fatal mistake.” She asked, “How long until we’re in weapons’ range?”
“Two minutes, ten seconds,” rejoined the Vulcan.
The captain regarded her Andorian friend, “Open a channel to the pirate ship.” She had been trying to warn the Yridian-made ship off for hours without avail. They might listen a bit better now that they were ready to get pummeled. “Unregistered vessel, this is your last chance to withdraw. Failure to do so will result in…well, the result will be your sorry asses getting kicked.”
“Nice touch, Captain,” humorlessly commented Kimula.
Virak sighed slightly. Then, she reported, “They are not responding, Captain.”
“Works for me,” said Sintina. She sat on the edge of her seat and ordered, “Red alert.” The bridge dimmed and a klaxon sounded. She continued, “I want their shields weakened with pulse phasers then disable their engines with conventional phasers. I don’t want them bugging out.”
The Vulcan manipulated her console and confirmed, “Understood.”
Aurelia tapped a control on her armrest. A tactical overlay appeared on the main viewer. The Independence, represented by a Starfleet icon, was in the center of a pale yellow circle. The circumference was the weapons’ range. The edge neared the two other icons. She watched it intently. She didn’t want to delay a second more than she had to.
Just as the pirate vessel was about to reach the circle, its symbol disappeared.
The captain shot up, “Did they go to warp?”
“Yes, ma’am,” stated Virak. “They assumed a course of fifty-six mark twenty-one.”
D’nas turned his head, “Do you wish to pursue, Captain?”
She addressed Virak, “How fast is that ship?”
The Vulcan consulted the computer, “They’re maximum speed is warp six point eight two, Captain.”
“We can afford to let them get a head start, then,” rationalized Sintina. She stated, “Hail the Jolim, Kim.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She did so, “I’m putting the response on screen.”
The tactical display changed to an image of a Bolian man. “Thank you, Independence,” said Captain Lum. “I don’t know why they were stringing us along like that. We been unable to put up an effective fight for hours, but they just kept on picking at us.”
Sintina put her hands on her hips, “They didn’t even try to steal anything?”
“No,” replied the Bolian, “They were the stupidest pirates I’ve ever come across.”
The captain grimaced and allowed the mystery to be put on the back burner. “Do you have need of any medical or engineering assistance?”
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t turn any assistance down, but now that the attack is over, I think we can be underway in a few hours. As for injuries, we do have a few, but I think my doctor can handle it.”
Aurelia grinned dubiously. Many private vessels didn’t care to have Starfleet board them. Part of it was pride that was associated with any ship. Part was resentment toward new inspection powers Starfleet attained during the war. To be honest, Sintina didn’t blame him. She’d probably do the same thing if she were in his position.
She nodded, “Okay, Captain Lum. How about we stick around until your engines and shields are up and running.”
“That would be appreciated.”
Aurelia nodded and gestured to Kimula to close the channel. “Are you still tracking that pirate?” she asked Virak.
“Yes, ma’am. They are thirty-five point nine million kilometers away.”
“D’nas,” continued Sintina, “Lay in an intercept course. Warp nine. Engage.”
“Aye ma’am.”
Next, the captain turned to the Andorain in blue trim, “Report our progress to the Rhode Island and request a situation report from their end.”
Kimula complied. The response she got made her jaw drop. Still processing the report in her mind, she swiveled her chair and said somberly, “Captain, you’re going to want to hear this for yourself.”
END OF CHAPTER 16
- maybe we'll discover what more there is to them. Intriguing...
