Chapter Seventeen
Stardate 54246.7 (2 April 2377)
USS Bluefin
Sector 04340 - Warp 9
"Move us away from the Queen Elizabeth, Ensign An'Shill. Get us between that incoming Q-ship and the liner," ordered Akinola.
"Aye, sir," replied the nervous young Andorian helmsman. Drii An'Shill had helm duty by default with Sarnek and Bralus leading boarding parties on the QE. Now, she was piloting the Bluefin into combat - her very first time in battle.
As if sensing An'Shill's fear, Akinola gently encouraged her. "You're doing fine, Drii. Steady as she goes and be ready to follow my orders."
"Yes sir," she replied quietly. Akinola's words gave her a sense of comfort and fortified her resolve. "I'm ready."
Akinola smiled and nodded. "Good. Commander T'Ser - compute the trajectory of that Maquis vessel and transmit heading to tactical. Commander Simms, stand by on phasers - wide dispersal. If they fire any quantum torpedoes, you won't have time for target lock. Just pour on the fire-power and let's pray it'll be enough."
Delta smirked. "Just like openin' the choke on my Daddy's 12-gauge," she said. "Phasers set to 'wide-bore,' aye!"
"And here they come!" announced T'Ser. "Trajectory computed. The Maquis vessel is still outside of firing range but bearing straight for us. Sequoia is closing, but not quickly enough."
"Hold position, helm," ordered the Captain. "At the sign of torpedo launch, you are free to fire, Delta."
* * *
Stardate 54246.7 (2 April 2377)
USS Resolute
Sector 04340 - Warp 8.1
Captain Franklin tapped her commbadge. "Franklin to engineering."
"Engineering, Vanboerner here, Captain."
"John, tell me we'll have warp 9 or better in a few minutes!"
The sigh on the other end of the channel was audible. "Sorry, Sam. We're doing well to run at warp 8. The warp field from the starboard nacelle is fluctuating as it is. If we push any harder, we'll collapse the field and drop out of warp."
Franklin rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Understood. Keep working at it and keep me apprised of your progress." She closed the channel and looked back at the streaking stars on the viewscreen. "So much for getting back into the fight."
Commander Xyrel stood at the operations station, checking long-range sensors. A sudden spike on the theta band caught his attention. Focusing the powerful sensors of the Resolute on the Brez-krill system, he discovered a disturbing new development. The Vulcan first officer turned and addressed Franklin.
"Captain - long range sensors have picked up six additional Tzen-kethi warships. They have formed a picket line at the periphery of the Brez-krill system."
Franklin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Can you identify the type of vessels, Commander?"
"Based on their power-output, it appears that three heavy cruisers, two frigates and a dreadnought have joined the original vessel."
Franklin shook her head in disbelief. "This day just gets better and better," she said, sarcastically. "Helm, take us out of warp and hold position. Number One, keep our sensors trained on those Tzen-kethi ships. Mr. Hamartu, contact Starbase 500 and get me Admiral Jellico - right now!"
* * *
Stardate 54246.7 (2 April 2377)
SS Queen Elizabeth VII
Sector 04340 - Warp 9
Deck 10, Section G Midship - The Collonades ballroom
Frith J'Kliiz prowled near the tall, double doors that separated the hostages from the corridor. The Nausican mercenary was in the temporary employ of the Maquis - not for political reasons, but because the money was good. He was becoming agitated - a dangerous state for a Nausican.
Dola Karn, the other Maquis operative, watched the pacing Nausican with growing irritation. Finally, the Bajoran woman spoke sharply.
"For the sake of the Prophets, stop your incessant pacing, Frith!"
The Nausican turned his disruptor on his supposed ally. "Watch how you speak, Bajoran! I might decide to relieve my boredom by carving out your heart!"
Dola's eyes narrowed. "Keep in mind - you frak this up, you don't get paid! Understand?"
The two-meter tall mercenary made a hissing sound, then turned abruptly from the Bajoran.
Oddly enough, the hissing sound continued. In fact, it was growing louder.
Frowning, Dola began to move around, trying to surmise the source of the sound. Now the hissing became a low pulsing hum - it seemed to be coming from just outside the doors . . .
Dola's eyes flew open wide in sudden realization. She shouted a warning.
"Frith! Get away from the . . ."
The massive doors blew off their hinges in a cacophony of sound. Frith was crushed under one of the durasteel doors - a trail of brown blood smeared the polished floor as the door continued to slide inward with Frith underneath.
Dola clapped her hands to her head and dropped to her knees, stunned by the sonic burst that had smashed open the doors. Temporarily deafened, she stared dumbly at a dark cylinder that floated into view and began to approach her. She saw a flash of light, then everything went black.
* * *
"Move in! Move in!" shouted Lt. Bane as his team ran in behind the tactical drones. Deryx swept the room with his carbine but saw no hostiles. Ensign Li noticed the blood smear and the crumpled remains of a Nausicaan disruptor.
"One perp down!" Li announced.
Bane moved to the still form of a Bajoran woman, clad in black coveralls and a tactical vest. He kicked the disruptor pistol out of her reach and switched his combat scanner to bio-diagnostic mode. The woman was alive, just out cold.
He knelt and none-too-gently applied restraints to her wrists and ankles before turning his attention to the assembled passengers. Some near the doors were also unconscious - caught in the initial sonic concussion. Most were simply terrified, cowering away from these new dark-clad interlopers. Deryx and Li began to tend to the injured.
Lt. Bane hopped up on a nearby table. "Border Service!" he shouted. "You're all going to be okay, but we need you to do exactly what we tell you . . ."
* * *
Deck 10, Section H, Midships
Kenda Byress instinctively ducked at the sudden, muffled BOOM that emanated not far ahead. The sound was wrong - certainly not the charges that he and his cohorts had planted around the ship.
"Border Dogs!" he breathed, his voice dripping with venom. "They must have reached the ballroom."
The terrorist began to move away when movement just ahead caught his eye. He was surprised to see an elderly couple exit the ladder access hatch. He supposed they must have been overlooked in the initial sweep and were wandering the ship, confused and afraid.
His face twisting into a predator's grin, he moved forward purposefully. A pair of personal hostages would prove useful as one of his ships would arrive momentarily to beam him off before destroying the Queen Elizabeth.
Slipping easily into his persona of Steward 2nd class. He straightened his white jacket and allowed a fearful, harried expression to form on his face.
"Madame! Sir! Over here!" he hissed, his voice seemingly frantic. "The terrorists are just down the corridor! Please - come with me! I can lead you to safety!"
The white-haired couple glanced at one another, then began moving toward Kenda. In the dim light, the Bajoran could not see that their faces were anything but frightened.
* * *
Stardate 54246.8(2 April 2377)
USS Bluefin
Sector 04340 - Holding position 1.2 million km relative to the Queen Elizabeth
"Torpedo inbound!" announced T'Ser. "It's tracking toward us, not the QE!"
"Helm! Evasive! - pattern alpha alpha two," ordered Akinola.
Gamely, Ensign An'Shill inputted the requisite commands, sending the cutter backwards in a random, spiraling maneuver. Her antennae twisted in rhythm with the cutter's gyrations.
"Fire phasers!" barked the Captain.
The forward Type VIII batteries opened up, blasting forth twin streams of phased energy overlapping in wide cones.
The quantum torpedo streaked after the Bluefin, doggedly homing in on the border cutter. At a mere 20 thousand kilometers, the phasers struck the quantum torpedo, causing its premature detonation and unleashing hellish, destructive energy.
The Bluefin's shields saved it from destruction, but the massive energy wave overloaded many sub-systems of the cutter. Lights failed and the ship shook violently for several seconds before the blast effect subsided.
"Damage report!" demanded Akinola over the din of warning alarms that blared for attention. Pulsing red battle lanterns and emergency lights created eerie shadows that rose and fell across the bridge.
"Shields down to 20%," replied T'Ser. "Weapons and subspace communications are off-line. Warp drive is off-line. No hull breaches reported, life support is operating at full capacity. Impulse engines should be available momentarily."
"What about casualties?"
"Unknown. Dr. Castille said he'll get back to us."
"Damn," breathed Akinola. "T'Ser, get damage control parties moving - we need weapons and we need warp speed yesterday!"
* * *
Stardate 54246.8 (2 April 2377)
USS Sequoia
Sector 04340 - Warp 9
On the main screen, a small sun seemed to appear momentarily, then it rapidly faded away.
"Quantum explosion, dead ahead!" announced Vorl from operations.
"Source?" demanded D'Angelo. "Was it the Queen Elizabeth?"
"Negative. I'm still picking up the starliner - it's continuing on course to the Brez-krill system at warp 9." Vorl paused, peering intently at his readings. "I've got the Bluefin on sensors - she's intact but apparently damaged. The Maquis vessel is continuing to close on the QE." Another pause. "Sir, we've closed the gap significantly - engaging the Bluefin slowed them down. We're barely in weapons range."
D'Angelo didn't hesitate. "Mr. Lamonica - target the Q-ship with both forward tubes and fire!"
Two photon torpedoes slipped silently from the forward launcher tubes of the Sequoia, swiftly closing on the Maquis ship.
* * *
Stardate 54246.7 (2 April 2377)
USS Bluefin
Sector 04340 - Warp 9
"Move us away from the Queen Elizabeth, Ensign An'Shill. Get us between that incoming Q-ship and the liner," ordered Akinola.
"Aye, sir," replied the nervous young Andorian helmsman. Drii An'Shill had helm duty by default with Sarnek and Bralus leading boarding parties on the QE. Now, she was piloting the Bluefin into combat - her very first time in battle.
As if sensing An'Shill's fear, Akinola gently encouraged her. "You're doing fine, Drii. Steady as she goes and be ready to follow my orders."
"Yes sir," she replied quietly. Akinola's words gave her a sense of comfort and fortified her resolve. "I'm ready."
Akinola smiled and nodded. "Good. Commander T'Ser - compute the trajectory of that Maquis vessel and transmit heading to tactical. Commander Simms, stand by on phasers - wide dispersal. If they fire any quantum torpedoes, you won't have time for target lock. Just pour on the fire-power and let's pray it'll be enough."
Delta smirked. "Just like openin' the choke on my Daddy's 12-gauge," she said. "Phasers set to 'wide-bore,' aye!"
"And here they come!" announced T'Ser. "Trajectory computed. The Maquis vessel is still outside of firing range but bearing straight for us. Sequoia is closing, but not quickly enough."
"Hold position, helm," ordered the Captain. "At the sign of torpedo launch, you are free to fire, Delta."
* * *
Stardate 54246.7 (2 April 2377)
USS Resolute
Sector 04340 - Warp 8.1
Captain Franklin tapped her commbadge. "Franklin to engineering."
"Engineering, Vanboerner here, Captain."
"John, tell me we'll have warp 9 or better in a few minutes!"
The sigh on the other end of the channel was audible. "Sorry, Sam. We're doing well to run at warp 8. The warp field from the starboard nacelle is fluctuating as it is. If we push any harder, we'll collapse the field and drop out of warp."
Franklin rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Understood. Keep working at it and keep me apprised of your progress." She closed the channel and looked back at the streaking stars on the viewscreen. "So much for getting back into the fight."
Commander Xyrel stood at the operations station, checking long-range sensors. A sudden spike on the theta band caught his attention. Focusing the powerful sensors of the Resolute on the Brez-krill system, he discovered a disturbing new development. The Vulcan first officer turned and addressed Franklin.
"Captain - long range sensors have picked up six additional Tzen-kethi warships. They have formed a picket line at the periphery of the Brez-krill system."
Franklin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Can you identify the type of vessels, Commander?"
"Based on their power-output, it appears that three heavy cruisers, two frigates and a dreadnought have joined the original vessel."
Franklin shook her head in disbelief. "This day just gets better and better," she said, sarcastically. "Helm, take us out of warp and hold position. Number One, keep our sensors trained on those Tzen-kethi ships. Mr. Hamartu, contact Starbase 500 and get me Admiral Jellico - right now!"
* * *
Stardate 54246.7 (2 April 2377)
SS Queen Elizabeth VII
Sector 04340 - Warp 9
Deck 10, Section G Midship - The Collonades ballroom
Frith J'Kliiz prowled near the tall, double doors that separated the hostages from the corridor. The Nausican mercenary was in the temporary employ of the Maquis - not for political reasons, but because the money was good. He was becoming agitated - a dangerous state for a Nausican.
Dola Karn, the other Maquis operative, watched the pacing Nausican with growing irritation. Finally, the Bajoran woman spoke sharply.
"For the sake of the Prophets, stop your incessant pacing, Frith!"
The Nausican turned his disruptor on his supposed ally. "Watch how you speak, Bajoran! I might decide to relieve my boredom by carving out your heart!"
Dola's eyes narrowed. "Keep in mind - you frak this up, you don't get paid! Understand?"
The two-meter tall mercenary made a hissing sound, then turned abruptly from the Bajoran.
Oddly enough, the hissing sound continued. In fact, it was growing louder.
Frowning, Dola began to move around, trying to surmise the source of the sound. Now the hissing became a low pulsing hum - it seemed to be coming from just outside the doors . . .
Dola's eyes flew open wide in sudden realization. She shouted a warning.
"Frith! Get away from the . . ."
The massive doors blew off their hinges in a cacophony of sound. Frith was crushed under one of the durasteel doors - a trail of brown blood smeared the polished floor as the door continued to slide inward with Frith underneath.
Dola clapped her hands to her head and dropped to her knees, stunned by the sonic burst that had smashed open the doors. Temporarily deafened, she stared dumbly at a dark cylinder that floated into view and began to approach her. She saw a flash of light, then everything went black.
* * *
"Move in! Move in!" shouted Lt. Bane as his team ran in behind the tactical drones. Deryx swept the room with his carbine but saw no hostiles. Ensign Li noticed the blood smear and the crumpled remains of a Nausicaan disruptor.
"One perp down!" Li announced.
Bane moved to the still form of a Bajoran woman, clad in black coveralls and a tactical vest. He kicked the disruptor pistol out of her reach and switched his combat scanner to bio-diagnostic mode. The woman was alive, just out cold.
He knelt and none-too-gently applied restraints to her wrists and ankles before turning his attention to the assembled passengers. Some near the doors were also unconscious - caught in the initial sonic concussion. Most were simply terrified, cowering away from these new dark-clad interlopers. Deryx and Li began to tend to the injured.
Lt. Bane hopped up on a nearby table. "Border Service!" he shouted. "You're all going to be okay, but we need you to do exactly what we tell you . . ."
* * *
Deck 10, Section H, Midships
Kenda Byress instinctively ducked at the sudden, muffled BOOM that emanated not far ahead. The sound was wrong - certainly not the charges that he and his cohorts had planted around the ship.
"Border Dogs!" he breathed, his voice dripping with venom. "They must have reached the ballroom."
The terrorist began to move away when movement just ahead caught his eye. He was surprised to see an elderly couple exit the ladder access hatch. He supposed they must have been overlooked in the initial sweep and were wandering the ship, confused and afraid.
His face twisting into a predator's grin, he moved forward purposefully. A pair of personal hostages would prove useful as one of his ships would arrive momentarily to beam him off before destroying the Queen Elizabeth.
Slipping easily into his persona of Steward 2nd class. He straightened his white jacket and allowed a fearful, harried expression to form on his face.
"Madame! Sir! Over here!" he hissed, his voice seemingly frantic. "The terrorists are just down the corridor! Please - come with me! I can lead you to safety!"
The white-haired couple glanced at one another, then began moving toward Kenda. In the dim light, the Bajoran could not see that their faces were anything but frightened.
* * *
Stardate 54246.8(2 April 2377)
USS Bluefin
Sector 04340 - Holding position 1.2 million km relative to the Queen Elizabeth
"Torpedo inbound!" announced T'Ser. "It's tracking toward us, not the QE!"
"Helm! Evasive! - pattern alpha alpha two," ordered Akinola.
Gamely, Ensign An'Shill inputted the requisite commands, sending the cutter backwards in a random, spiraling maneuver. Her antennae twisted in rhythm with the cutter's gyrations.
"Fire phasers!" barked the Captain.
The forward Type VIII batteries opened up, blasting forth twin streams of phased energy overlapping in wide cones.
The quantum torpedo streaked after the Bluefin, doggedly homing in on the border cutter. At a mere 20 thousand kilometers, the phasers struck the quantum torpedo, causing its premature detonation and unleashing hellish, destructive energy.
The Bluefin's shields saved it from destruction, but the massive energy wave overloaded many sub-systems of the cutter. Lights failed and the ship shook violently for several seconds before the blast effect subsided.
"Damage report!" demanded Akinola over the din of warning alarms that blared for attention. Pulsing red battle lanterns and emergency lights created eerie shadows that rose and fell across the bridge.
"Shields down to 20%," replied T'Ser. "Weapons and subspace communications are off-line. Warp drive is off-line. No hull breaches reported, life support is operating at full capacity. Impulse engines should be available momentarily."
"What about casualties?"
"Unknown. Dr. Castille said he'll get back to us."
"Damn," breathed Akinola. "T'Ser, get damage control parties moving - we need weapons and we need warp speed yesterday!"
* * *
Stardate 54246.8 (2 April 2377)
USS Sequoia
Sector 04340 - Warp 9
On the main screen, a small sun seemed to appear momentarily, then it rapidly faded away.
"Quantum explosion, dead ahead!" announced Vorl from operations.
"Source?" demanded D'Angelo. "Was it the Queen Elizabeth?"
"Negative. I'm still picking up the starliner - it's continuing on course to the Brez-krill system at warp 9." Vorl paused, peering intently at his readings. "I've got the Bluefin on sensors - she's intact but apparently damaged. The Maquis vessel is continuing to close on the QE." Another pause. "Sir, we've closed the gap significantly - engaging the Bluefin slowed them down. We're barely in weapons range."
D'Angelo didn't hesitate. "Mr. Lamonica - target the Q-ship with both forward tubes and fire!"
Two photon torpedoes slipped silently from the forward launcher tubes of the Sequoia, swiftly closing on the Maquis ship.
* * *
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