Star Trek: The Final Frontier ~ Season I IC Thread

[wiegeabo]

"She's a fine ship, never seen one like her. Unique. Runs beautifully. I guess the final test is how well it holds up in a fight."

I take a seat back down in my chair and offer the one on the opposite side of my desk to the Commander.

"A seat, Sir?"

"Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that," I say, taking the offered seat. "But she does seem to be an impressive piece of technology."

I look around at the various screens for a few seconds until I notice Skinner start to fidget. "I still need to thoroughly go through all the personnel files for the crew. But I was curious about yours."

Not I see Skinner start to get uncomfortable. "Your first assignment was on the Galaxy?"

 

[Red_Robin77]

"Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that," I say, taking the offered seat. "But she does seem to be an impressive piece of technology."

I look around at the various screens for a few seconds until I notice Skinner start to fidget. "I still need to thoroughly go through all the personnel files for the crew. But I was curious about yours."

Not I see Skinner start to get uncomfortable. "Your first assignment was on the Galaxy?"

"Ur, yes Sir. She was definetly a reliable ship. Good in a battle as well."

I sit back in my chair, thinking about my old ship and how much the Chief Engineer was out to get me. Well, it seemed like it. He may have managed to put me in some boring old starbase, but that somehow got me on one of the best ships in history. I could even thank him if I ever met him again. Or not.

 

[wiegeabo]

"Ur, yes Sir. She was definetly a reliable ship. Good in a battle as well."

I sit back in my chair, thinking about my old ship and how much the Chief Engineer was out to get me. Well, it seemed like it. He may have managed to put me in some boring old starbase, but that somehow got me on one of the best ships in history. I could even thank him if I ever met him again. Or not.

"So I've heard. One of the few of the original Galaxy Class ships still around. I've also heard you were basically kicked off of the Galaxy by her chief engineer for some...unauthorized modifications. Which led you to being stationed on a starbase until your assignment here. Not the most illustrious career."

"So, what I'd like to know is," I lean forward, "why did Picard choose you?"

 

[Red_Robin77]

"So I've heard. One of the few of the original Galaxy Class ships still around. I've also heard you were basically kicked off of the Galaxy by her chief engineer for some...unauthorized modifications. Which led you to being stationed on a starbase until your assignment here. Not the most illustrious career."

"So, what I'd like to know is," I lean forward, "why did Picard choose you?"

"To be honest, Sir, I was never fully told. All I know is, that Starbase has some of the most up to date technology around, and that I had it ready for anything. That's all I can think of."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Hmm...Seems we have a little mystery then." Skinner looks decidedly uncomfortable. I'm not sure if it's because I've put him on the spot, or if he's wondered about the answer himself. "Picard wouldn't have assigned you this post without good reason. And I trust the man's decisions...mostly."

I stand up. "Thanks for your time, Chief. I appreciate the honesty."

 

[Red_Robin77]

"Hmm...Seems we have a little mystery then." Skinner looks decidedly uncomfortable. I'm not sure if it's because I've put him on the spot, or if he's wondered about the answer himself. "Picard wouldn't have assigned you this post without good reason. And I trust the man's decisions...mostly."

I stand up. "Thanks for your time, Chief. I appreciate the honesty."

"No problem, Sir, if you need me I'll be down here," I nod to him as I stand to lead him to the door.

That was slightly...worrying. The one thing I was never sure about, and I get asked about it. The room did suddenly get a lot hotter when the question came up. I guess that's not too surprising really.

 

[wiegeabo]

"Hey Dad,

The Defiant's going to launch in about an hour. Everything's chaotic as we all get ready for launch. The Tellarite delegation's been complaining about nearly everything. You'd think we'd be used to it by now.

I just snuck away long enough to send you a quick letter. Let you know that we're all excited to get back to the Gamma Quadrant. And that I wish you were coming along. Even Commander Dax sort of wishes you were still in command. Although Dr. Bashier's pretty happy she's coming along instead of you, although he thinks he's hiding it well.

Anyway, I really need to go. I'll miss you, and I'll send you a letter whenever I get the chance. Love you, dad."

I lean back in my chair and smile and Prynn's face. So much like her mother. And I see a little of my mother around the eyes. Suddenly I feel homesick for DS9.

I check the chronometer. Ten hours. She sent the message Ten hours ago. Just before the Enterprise launched. I could have easily dashed off a quick response and it would have gotten to her before the Defiant launched. But no, I had to go see the Captain directly. He would have waited ten minutes for me to stow my gear.

Once again I put career ahead of family. Sure, this is minuscule compared to all the other times, and Prynn will understand completely. But it still bothers me.

I start my reply:

"Hi. Just got your letter. Yeah, I know, ten hours late. Not a surprise. Or maybe it is, only took me ten hours to get back to you.

This ship...it's impressive. The crew...well, just imagine how eccentric we thought the station's crew was when we joined up. Yep, it's almost that bad. We're already on our first mission, which of course I can't talk about. But it seems pretty important. I'm about to catch some sleep, I've been going nonstop since getting here. I hope you get this quickly, and you get back to me soon. I want to hear about all those adventures I'm missing out on. Love you."

I shut down the recorder, code the message, and send it off to DS9 for routing. If I'm lucky, she'll get it in a day. Which means she'll probably get it in about the week. I sigh and shut down the terminal, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

I look at my bed and think longingly about my bed on the station. I sigh again.

"I hate a new mattress..."

 

[wiegeabo]

My alarm goes off and wakes me up. And I wish it hadn't.

"I really hate new mattresses."

You'd think after nine decades of intelligence work, I'd be able to sleep anywhere. And I can. Doesn't mean I always enjoy it.

I glance at the chronometer. Shift starts in a little over an hour, and we'll be arriving at the Neutral Zone a couple of hours after that. Who knows what we'll find there, but the Captain wanted the senior staff on the bridge and ready for anything. And I don't blame him.

A quick shower and quick meal later, and I'm almost ready. "Jovian coffee, spiced, black, decaffeinated...make that double caffeinated. Hot." I have a feeling it's going to be a long day. And I never ignore my feelings.

***

The turbolift door opens to the bridge and I step out. Looks like I'm the last of the senior bridge crew to arrive. Never let it be said that I can't arrive fashionably late.

"Captain," I say as I walk to my station.

"Commander," Rourke replies, studying the padd he's holding. "We're about two hours out."

"Anything on sensors, sir?"

"Nothing yet, Commander." He glances over at Ensign Puk, who nods a confirmation.

"Maybe I should have slept in."

Rourke grins. "Now what kind of impression would that have made with your Captain?"

"That I'm so good at my job I only need five minutes to be on top of things."

His grin turns into a smile. "I may have to hold you to that."

 

[wiegeabo]

For the next two hours, the crew goes about their business. But I can feel the tension in the ship rising as we get closer. Battle drills become a little more terse each time they are run. I've noticed bridge personnel triple running diagnostics on their systems. And I've been reading the same page of this report on the sector for the last twenty minutes. I still don't know what it says. I mentally chastise myself for losing focus and shut down the file, looking over the bridge instead.

Everyone's thinking the same thing. We're going into an unknown, potentially hostile situation. And while most of the crew are experienced (especially after the war), a good number aren't. And this ship is still completely untested.

But you couldn't tell that by looking at the Captain.

If he's twisted up inside, he's keeping it inside. I don't know what Riker does to train these guys, but Rourke's keeping his cool. Which is exactly what the crew needs at times like this. And it's probably the last thing Rourke needs to deal with on his first mission as a Captain.

I'm starting to think I made the right choice in taking this position. And I'll also keep pretending that I had a choice.

"Sir," the helmsman speaks up, breaking the relative silence. "We're approaching the Starbase."

"Prepare to drop out of warp. Yellow Alert, Commander."

I nod briskly. "Yellow Alert! I call out." Instantly the soft warning klaxon rings out a couple of times, and the yellow lights come on. I can almost feel the entire ship instantly come to readiness.

"We're here, Captain."

"Drop out of warp. Half impulse the rest of the way. Ops, get a full sensor scan of the debris and start collecting your data. Bellatrix, scan the area for hostiles. What are you seeing out there,Lieutenant?"

 

[AnorexicBatman]

edit

 

[AnorexicBatman]

"Drop out of warp. Half impulse the rest of the way. Ops, get a full sensor scan of the debris and start collecting your data. Bellatrix, scan the area for hostiles. What are you seeing out there,Lieutenant?"

Not a second has pass since the order was given and the seasoned officer immediately begins scanning the area for any hostiles. She was impressed by the accuracy and speed of the scan and continued until she was satisfied with the results.

"Captain, I am reporting no contacts, the entire sector is clear. No warp trails nothing. No signs of cloaking or residual energy from phaser or photon or even disruptor based weapons"

She continued to stare at the screen with a look of disappointment and compulsively tapped the screen.

 

[wiegeabo]

Not a second has pass since the order was given and the seasoned officer immediately begins scanning the area for any hostiles. She was impressed by the accuracy and speed of the scan and continued until she was satisfied with the results.

"Captain, I am reporting no contacts, the entire sector is clear. No warp trails nothing. No signs of cloaking or residual energy from phaser or photon or even disruptor based weapons"

She continued to stare at the screen with a look of disappointment and compulsively tapped the screen.

Rourke twists his head to looks back at Bellatrix. "Nothing at all?" She nods efficiently. "This is damned peculiar. Ensign Puk, confirm readings."

There's a few moments of silence while we wait for her to respond. Then I few more. I look over at her and see her busily pounding buttons on her consoles with three hands. She realizes I'm looking at her and gives me a quick shake of the head.

"That's confirmed, Captain."

Rourke's expression remains unchanged, and stays focused on the screen. As if he could stare hard enough and force the answers to appear. "Helm, take us in. Nice and-"

I assume the Captain's next word was going to be slow. But I'll never know because a pair of torpedoes striking the underside of the saucer section prove to be an effective interruption.

The ship lurches upwards, putting so much strain on the inertial dampners that anyone standing, like myself, are quickly thrown to the floor. "I thought we were cloaked!" Rourke shouts over the now blaring red alert klaxon.

"We were," I say, crawling towards my chair and throwing a look at Bellatrix. I'm almost in my chair when another torpedo strike pitches the ship, and rolls me away. From the angle of the pitch, I'd guess it hit the stardrive section.

"Helm, evasive manuevers! Full impulse!"

The ship suddenly lurches forward as power is dumped into the impulse drive and unleashed. There's a flash of light on the screen as a torpedo narrowly misses us.

"Bellatrix, drop the cloak and get our shields up now!"

"And find that damn ship!"

 

[AnorexicBatman]

"Bellatrix, drop the cloak and get our shields up now!"

"And find that damn ship!"

"Acknowledged, dropping shields, setting it to 150% strength, bit of a drain on the reserve battery but let's not take risks. Initiating scan"

Bellatrix stares at the screen hoping for something, as Rourke & Vaughn return to their seats. Once again, she is left disappointed.

"Nothing, it's like we are being attacked by a ghost. This isn't possible, unless ... unless they are using an extremely advanced cloaking device OR they have found a way to subvert or absorb the sensor signals."

"I suggest we retreat because we are sitting ducks here. "

 

[wiegeabo]

"Acknowledged, dropping shields, setting it to 150% strength, bit of a drain on the reserve battery but let's not take risks. Initiating scan"

Bellatrix stares at the screen hoping for something, as Rourke & Vaughn return to their seats. Once again, she is left disappointed.

"Nothing, it's like we are being attacked by a ghost. This isn't possible, unless ... unless they are using an extremely advanced cloaking device OR they have found a way to subvert or absorb the sensor signals."

"I suggest we retreat because we are sitting ducks here. "

I can hear it in her voice. The last thing Bellatrix wants to do is retreat. It's also the last thing I want to do. Well, the second to last thing. The last thing I want to do is die. And while I might be a fighter, I also know when it's time to pack up and run, and come back with the cavalry.

"Agreed." Apparently Rourke knows this too. "Helm, make your course one-six-five-mark-twelve. Warp factor six. En-"

"Incoming!" the helmsman shouts as he pulls us hard to starboard. The ship shutters as the shields absorb the impact.

"Get us the hell out of here." Rourke orders.

"I'm tryin' sir," Cobb replies, tapping furiously at his console. The ship shudders again, lights flickering. Sparks shoot up from the helm console and Cobb shouts in surprise, covering his face.

"Get away from there!" I've rarely seen a man move so fast. Rourke is out of his chair before I can even move to stop him. He grabs Cobb by the shoulders and shoves/throws him to the side.

And then the helm explodes.

Everything seems to happen in slow motion as the explosion lifts Rourke off his feet, sending him flying backwards. He hits the rear rail with a sickening thud and slumps to the floor in a heap.

For a moment, the world is silent. Even the alert klaxon stops as we all stare at the Captain. And then this ship shakes and the world kicks back into motion.

I'm at the Captain's side, my fingers probing his neck. I'm not a religious man, but I throw a few prayers to whatever deities I can think of, and even the Bajorian Prophets for good measure. And my fingers finally find a pulse. It's not strong, but it's there. And it's only after I feel the first waves of relief that I notice the burns and damage to the Captain's face and body, and my stomach tightens again.

"Bridge to Sickbay. Bones, get your ass up here. The Captain's down!"

I'm knocked off balance as the ship shakes. Without helm, we're stuck flying on our last course. The ship is in chaos. Several rear bridge consoles are shorted out, smoking, or on fire. Crewmen struggle to put it out. The bridge air starts to thicken with the smoke. I take a deep breath...and my training kicks in.

"Puk! Transfer helm control to your station. Cobb, get up there and fly the ship. Bellatrix, fire everything." She gives me a confused look. "I don't care where you aim. Aim everywhere. Aim randomly. Just hit that damned ship. And when you do...blow it hell."

 

[AnorexicBatman]

"Puk! Transfer helm control to your station. Cobb, get up there and fly the ship. Bellatrix, fire everything." She gives me a confused look. "I don't care where you aim. Aim everywhere. Aim randomly. Just hit that damned ship. And when you do...blow it hell."

The world around her burns, bodies being flung everywhere, even the Captain's heroics resulting in him being rendered comatose doesn't phase her. She had experienced far far worse. Though her heart was thumping against her chest.

The Commander bellows at her to fire randomly, suddenly a spark of genius that may or may no work, "Computer! Calculate the trajectory of the last missile hit and fire of 8 photon torpedoes at full spread. Fire a phaser arc so that it sweeps back in forth at increasing angles, also from the last hit position.

The ship does so but the void of space is too large for successful blind fire. She continues firing of more volleys at increasing angles with multiple spreads but to no avail

Finally in her rage, she slams a fist against the screen, "This is madness!"

 

[Byrd Man]

"Agreed." Apparently Rourke knows this too. "Helm, make your course one-six-five-mark-twelve. Warp factor six. En-"

"Incoming!" the helmsman shouts as he pulls us hard to starboard. The ship shutters as the shields absorb the impact.

"Get us the hell out of here." Rourke orders.

"I'm tryin' sir," Cobb replies, tapping furiously at his console. The ship shudders again, lights flickering. Sparks shoot up from the helm console and Cobb shouts in surprise, covering his face.

"Get away from there!" I've rarely seen a man move so fast. Rourke is out of his chair before I can even move to stop him. He grabs Cobb by the shoulders and shoves/throws him to the side.

And then the helm explodes.

Everything seems to happen in slow motion as the explosion lifts Rourke off his feet, sending him flying backwards. He hits the rear rail with a sickening thud and slumps to the floor in a heap.

For a moment, the world is silent. Even the alert klaxon stops as we all stare at the Captain. And then this ship shakes and the world kicks back into motion.

I'm at the Captain's side, my fingers probing his neck. I'm not a religious man, but I throw a few prayers to whatever deities I can think of, and even the Bajorian Prophets for good measure. And my fingers finally find a pulse. It's not strong, but it's there. And it's only after I feel the first waves of relief that I notice the burns and damage to the Captain's face and body, and my stomach tightens again.

"Bridge to Sickbay. Bones, get your ass up here. The Captain's down!"

"Aye, sir!" I yell into the commbadge as I leave Sickbay. The ship is shaking, the nurses are holding on for dear life...and Dr. Peters is nowhere to be found.

It takes me a few minutes to navigate through the ship and up to the bridge.

"Where's he at?!" I yell to the cew on the bridge.

 

[wiegeabo]

"Aye, sir!" I yell into the commbadge as I leave Sickbay. The ship is shaking, the nurses are holding on for dear life...and Dr. Peters is nowhere to be found.

It takes me a few minutes to navigate through the ship and up to the bridge.

"Where's he at?!" I yell to the cew on the bridge.

"Over here!" I wave McCoy over from the turbolift. He's down beside the captain in no time.

I stand up, letting the doctor work. I look over to the ops station. "Cobb?"

"Busy, Commander." The young man's fingers are a blur. I glance at the screen. The stars twist and spin in patterns I didn't think a starship this size could manage. I hate to think what the inertial dampers are going through. Honestly, it's making me a little nauseous. But it seems to be working. The ship's stopped taking impacts.

SHUDDER

I'm glad I didn't say that out loud.

"Bellatrix, save the torpedoes. Keep firing phasers. Don't give them-" I sound from her console interrupts me. In fact, it interrupts pretty much everyone on the bridge. The only two who maintain their focus are Bones and Cobb. Everyone else looks at Bellatrix. Her board makes the sound again.

The sound of a hail.

 

[Byrd Man]

"Over here!" I wave McCoy over from the turbolift. He's down beside the captain in no time.

I stand up, letting the doctor work. I look over to the ops station. "Cobb?"

"Busy, Commander." The young man's fingers are a blur. I glance at the screen. The stars twist and spin in patterns I didn't think a starship this size could manage. I hate to think what the inertial dampers are going through. Honestly, it's making me a little nauseous. But it seems to be working. The ship's stopped taking impacts.

SHUDDER

I'm glad I didn't say that out loud.

"Bellatrix, save the torpedoes. Keep firing phasers. Don't give them-" I sound from her console interrupts me. In fact, it interrupts pretty much everyone on the bridge. The only two who maintain their focus are Bones and Cobb. Everyone else looks at Bellatrix. Her board makes the sound again.

The sound of a hail.

While the rest of the bridge runs around frantically, I stay focused on Rourke.

Shallow breathing, but a steady pulse.

I pull open his eyelids. The pupils don't contract in the light. The scratches and burns on his face are cosmetic, minute at best. The large knot on the back of the head worries me the most.

"Nurse Johnson," I say into my commbadge. "I need you on the bridge ASAP. I believe Captain Rouke has a mild to severe concussion. We have to move him down to Sickbay for treatment."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Over here!" I wave McCoy over from the turbolift. He's down beside the captain in no time.

I stand up, letting the doctor work. I look over to the ops station. "Cobb?"

"Busy, Commander." The young man's fingers are a blur. I glance at the screen. The stars twist and spin in patterns I didn't think a starship this size could manage. I hate to think what the inertial dampers are going through. Honestly, it's making me a little nauseous. But it seems to be working. The ship's stopped taking impacts.

SHUDDER

I'm glad I didn't say that out loud.

"Bellatrix, save the torpedoes. Keep firing phasers. Don't give them-" I sound from her console interrupts me. In fact, it interrupts pretty much everyone on the bridge. The only two who maintain their focus are Bones and Cobb. Everyone else looks at Bellatrix. Her board makes the sound again.

The sound of a hail.

While Bones calls for help from the Captain, I just stare at Bellatrix. Her board beeps again with another hail. I giver her a curt nod and she opens the channel.

"This is-"

"Federation starship. You have invaded Romulan territory. Drop your shields' and prepare to be boarded."

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from telling him just where he can that idea. "Romulan vessel, you are on the Federation side of the Neutral Zone-"

"The New Romulan Empire does not recognize the mistakes of its predecessor."

I look at Bellatrix and slash my throat with my thumb for her to mute the connection. "New Romulan Empire?" She looks just as clueless as I feel.

"Great. Zealots." The Romulan Empire has essentially fallen, and we've fighting a group who want to install their own version in it's place.

We need a plan. I need a plan. "Bellatrix. Start tracing their transmission. But don't make it look like you're tracing their transmission. And when you do, and I give the signal..." She's typing away before I even finish.

"Put me back on." I hear the sound of the comm unmuting. "Romulan vessel. The Federation does not acknowledge the existence of any new Romulan Empire. The current Empire is still trying to reorganize itself after the destruction of Romulus and Remus-"

"Do not speak to us about matters you know nothing about!" I smile grimly. Got them talking now. "The old Empire fell from weakness. Unable to cope with a disruption."

"The loss of billions of Romulans and the government is a disruption?"

"The Empire should not have fallen!" The anger in his voice is obvious, but so is the grief. I want to guess a former military leader, but it could just as easily be anyone who's life has been thrown into turmoil by what's happened. "And the Empire will rise again. We will lead the Romulans out of the darkness and back into greatness. And that starts with fortifying our boundaries. Our new boundaries. Borders not dictated by..."

I let the Romulan ramble on. I don't really need to hear what he's saying, I've heard it all before. I look over at Bellatrix, hoping for some good news...

 

[The Question]

"**** and hellfire!"

Tarkon stumbled into a doorway as the ship lurched.

"Alright children," he shouted in a manner that garnered more attention than a red alert ever could, "battle stations! Move it!"

The security team scrambled around him as he unslung his phaser riffle and held it at the ready.

"Soon, baby girl," he muttered to his firearm. "Soon."

 

[wiegeabo]

While Bones calls for help from the Captain, I just stare at Bellatrix. Her board beeps again with another hail. I giver her a curt nod and she opens the channel.

"This is-"

"Federation starship. You have invaded Romulan territory. Drop your shields' and prepare to be boarded."

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from telling him just where he can that idea. "Romulan vessel, you are on the Federation side of the Neutral Zone-"

"The New Romulan Empire does not recognize the mistakes of its predecessor."

I look at Bellatrix and slash my throat with my thumb for her to mute the connection. "New Romulan Empire?" She looks just as clueless as I feel.

"Great. Zealots." The Romulan Empire has essentially fallen, and we've fighting a group who want to install their own version in it's place.

We need a plan. I need a plan. "Bellatrix. Start tracing their transmission. But don't make it look like you're tracing their transmission. And when you do, and I give the signal..." She's typing away before I even finish.

"Put me back on." I hear the sound of the comm unmuting. "Romulan vessel. The Federation does not acknowledge the existence of any new Romulan Empire. The current Empire is still trying to reorganize itself after the destruction of Romulus and Remus-"

"Do not speak to us about matters you know nothing about!" I smile grimly. Got them talking now. "The old Empire fell from weakness. Unable to cope with a disruption."

"The loss of billions of Romulans and the government is a disruption?"

"The Empire should not have fallen!" The anger in his voice is obvious, but so is the grief. I want to guess a former military leader, but it could just as easily be anyone who's life has been thrown into turmoil by what's happened. "And the Empire will rise again. We will lead the Romulans out of the darkness and back into greatness. And that starts with fortifying our boundaries. Our new boundaries. Borders not dictated by..."

I let the Romulan ramble on. I don't really need to hear what he's saying, I've heard it all before. I look over at Bellatrix, hoping for some good news...

"...and with the destruction of your ship, a clear message shall be sent to your Federation, and it's allies. That the Romulan Empire will rise again, and take it's rightful place as a galactic power. But, this time, we will not be stalled. We will not let weak-willed politicians dictate our borders. We will expand, without fail, and we will make this galaxy ours."

I glance over at Bellatrix. She still works furiously at her console. We need more time. I have to keep them talking. Because once the line closes, we lose our chance, and we're sitting ducks.

I have to keep them talking. Think...think...

"********!"

Everyone on the bridge stares at me with open eyes. Even Bellatrix spares me a quick glance before pounding her console again.

"...W-wh-what was that?"

I grin. Now I've got them right where they want us. "I said...********. Do you need me to say it slower? Everything you just said, all that dribble you've been spouting, is nothing but pure, unadulterated, bull. Of course, maybe your translators aren't sophisticated enough to pass on such a human concept. Let me put it in words you'll understand. Only a varuul would believe that diatribe."

I look around the bridge as I speak. Bellatrix ignores me. Puk, and pretty much everyone else, stares at me as if I just signed their death warrants. Cobb is the only one smiling like a fool. I'm starting to like the guy.

"How-how dare you!-" I can just imagine this Romulan commander almost spitting his words in rage

"No! How dare YOU! You invade Federation space. You attack a Federation station and Starfleet vessel without provocation. You jeopardize years of hard work forming an alliance between our governments since the Dominion War. And you have risked all the aid the Federation has been supplying your people since the destruction of Romulus-"

"The Federation destroys the Empire with every subversive act of 'aid' it sends."

"Commander..."

I look at Bellatrix, and she gives me a firm nod. Finally.

Even though I wasn't born on Earth, I am human, and I've studied their culture. 20th century science-fiction always fascinated me. Particularly one rather fantastical saga that spawned films, books, even, what they used to call, television shows. One of the books had a line for situations similar to this that I always laughed at and wished I could use. "I only have one thing to say to that accusation."

"And what is that?"

I give Bellatrix the nod.

"...Kiss my wookie."

 

[AnorexicBatman]

"...and with the destruction of your ship, a clear message shall be sent to your Federation, and it's allies. That the Romulan Empire will rise again, and take it's rightful place as a galactic power. But, this time, we will not be stalled. We will not let weak-willed politicians dictate our borders. We will expand, without fail, and we will make this galaxy ours."

I glance over at Bellatrix. She still works furiously at her console. We need more time. I have to keep them talking. Because once the line closes, we lose our chance, and we're sitting ducks.

I have to keep them talking. Think...think...

"********!"

Everyone on the bridge stares at me with open eyes. Even Bellatrix spares me a quick glance before pounding her console again.

"...W-wh-what was that?"

I grin. Now I've got them right where they want us. "I said...********. Do you need me to say it slower? Everything you just said, all that dribble you've been spouting, is nothing but pure, unadulterated, bull. Of course, maybe your translators aren't sophisticated enough to pass on such a human concept. Let me put it in words you'll understand. Only a varuul would believe that diatribe."

I look around the bridge as I speak. Bellatrix ignores me. Puk, and pretty much everyone else, stares at me as if I just signed their death warrants. Cobb is the only one smiling like a fool. I'm starting to like the guy.

"How-how dare you!-" I can just imagine this Romulan commander almost spitting his words in rage

"No! How dare YOU! You invade Federation space. You attack a Federation station and Starfleet vessel without provocation. You jeopardize years of hard work forming an alliance between our governments since the Dominion War. And you have risked all the aid the Federation has been supplying your people since the destruction of Romulus-"

"The Federation destroys the Empire with every subversive act of 'aid' it sends."

"Commander..."

I look at Bellatrix, and she gives me a firm nod. Finally.

Even though I wasn't born on Earth, I am human, and I've studied their culture. 20th century science-fiction always fascinated me. Particularly one rather fantastical saga that spawned films, books, even, what they used to call, television shows. One of the books had a line for situations similar to this that I always laughed at and wished I could use. "I only have one thing to say to that accusation."

"And what is that?"

I give Bellatrix the nod.

"...Kiss my wookie."

Bellatrix declares with an air of murderous intent, "Red Alert. Computer, full impulse." The Enterprise punches forward heading straight for the enemy ship. The Romulans are surprised by this rash move, "Are they insane? Destroy them!"

But before they can fire, The Enterprise shimmers and disappears into thin air. The Romulans are shocked that a Federation vessel having cloaking technology. As they prepare their own cloak, the entire vessel rocks due to a massive shock wave. The Captain demands a status report and is enraged to find that their cloaking device has been disabled.

The Enterprise de-cloaks behind them and fires of a tight spread of torpedoes but the enemy vessel manages to maneuver out of the way. Bellatrix once again tries to ram the enemy vessel which fires it's won torpedoes.

Instead of dodging Bellatrix orders all available energy except life support be used to buff the frontal shields. The Enterprise shakes furiously as it takes the full blast of the attack and keeps going. The Romulan vessel fires off it's disruptor to weaken the shields but Bellatrix turns them off altogether.

As the ship tilts slightly forwards the disruptor beam scorches the surface but enough to burn through thanks to forward momentum. The Romulans are left slack jawed at the display of sheer lunacy as Rourke looks like he is about to have a heart attack.

As the ships reach collision distance"Same thing but for weapons. Divert all power to weapons and FIRE EVERYTHING!" The result is the equivalent of a point blank shotgun blast as the opponent ship is torn apart by torpedo's, phasers, phase cannons and even the point defense turrets. Bellatrix had figured out they were keeping their shields at half strength to buff their weapons.

Unfortunately, one of the Enterprise nacelles is damaged due to the close quarters assault hindering warp ability. Bellatrix restores power equally among all systems and keeps her finger on a final trump card.

Inside the Romulan ship, the captain is screaming his head off and smashing his console, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! DAMAGE REPORT!" One of the bridge members informs him that essentially the entire front of the ship was badly damaged leaving them with their engines and the aft torpedo bays.

They are hailed, Bellatrix shows up on screen, raises her pinky and index fingers at them (Romy equivalent of the middle finger) and signs off.
Back on the Enterprise Bellatrix seems relived and worried at the same time, "We are out of torpedo's. I suggest we use the trump card and destroy them with phaser fire. They are only disabled and will be able to come back online in a few moments. This is fun." she smiles a wicked smile. she smiles a wicked smile.

 

[Byrd Man]

Sickbay

The ship is shaking from the battle going on outside. Here in Sickbay, I'm fighting what appears to be a losing battle.

Running my scanner over the unconscious captain, I can only shake my head.

"I'm not detecting any REM or higher brain functions."

Nurse Johnson hands me the detailed read outs of the scans.

"Oh, my God."

"Doctor?"

"Nurse, it appears to be Captain Rourke is comatose."

"What do we do?"

"Move him to a bed for the time being. I need to talk to Commander Vaughn to see what we'll do after this."

That is, if we survive this skirmish.

 

[wiegeabo]

Bellatrix declares with an air of murderous intent, "Red Alert. Computer, full impulse." The Enterprise punches forward heading straight for the enemy ship. The Romulans are surprised by this rash move, "Are they insane? Destroy them!"

But before they can fire, The Enterprise shimmers and disappears into thin air. The Romulans are shocked that a Federation vessel having cloaking technology. As they prepare their own cloak, the entire vessel rocks due to a massive shock wave. The Captain demands a status report and is enraged to find that their cloaking device has been disabled.

The Enterprise de-cloaks behind them and fires of a tight spread of torpedoes but the enemy vessel manages to maneuver out of the way. Bellatrix once again tries to ram the enemy vessel which fires it's won torpedoes.

Instead of dodging Bellatrix orders all available energy except life support be used to buff the frontal shields. The Enterprise shakes furiously as it takes the full blast of the attack and keeps going. The Romulan vessel fires off it's disruptor to weaken the shields but Bellatrix turns them off altogether.

As the ship tilts slightly forwards the disruptor beam scorches the surface but enough to burn through thanks to forward momentum. The Romulans are left slack jawed at the display of sheer lunacy as Rourke looks like he is about to have a heart attack.

As the ships reach collision distance"Same thing but for weapons. Divert all power to weapons and FIRE EVERYTHING!" The result is the equivalent of a point blank shotgun blast as the opponent ship is torn apart by torpedo's, phasers, phase cannons and even the point defense turrets. Bellatrix had figured out they were keeping their shields at half strength to buff their weapons.

Unfortunately, one of the Enterprise nacelles is damaged due to the close quarters assault hindering warp ability. Bellatrix restores power equally among all systems and keeps her finger on a final trump card.

Inside the Romulan ship, the captain is screaming his head off and smashing his console, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! DAMAGE REPORT!" One of the bridge members informs him that essentially the entire front of the ship was badly damaged leaving them with their engines and the aft torpedo bays.

They are hailed, Bellatrix shows up on screen, raises her pinky and index fingers at them (Romy equivalent of the middle finger) and signs off.
Back on the Enterprise Bellatrix seems relived and worried at the same time, "We are out of torpedo's. I suggest we use the trump card and destroy them with phaser fire. They are only disabled and will be able to come back online in a few moments. This is fun." she smiles a wicked smile. she smiles a wicked smile.

I grab the arm of my chair and pull myself off the floor.

"What the holy hell was that?! I think you blew out half our inertial dampeners!"

I pull down the front of my uniform, trying to regain some sense of dignity. "Status of the Romulan vessel?"

 

[AnorexicBatman]

I grab the arm of my chair and pull myself off the floor.

"What the holy hell was that?! I think you blew out half our inertial dampeners!"

I pull down the front of my uniform, trying to regain some sense of dignity. "Status of the Romulan vessel?"

That my dear Commander is called the Bellatrix Maneuver, it's like the Picard Maneuver but several times more reckless and dangerous. Trust me, these so called Romulans have been crippled and all I need to do is activate the trump card and our friends here are space dust. However, since we are not Klingon I suggest hailing them and demand an explanation for their actions.

She was enjoying this too much for her own good. Romulans tend to be rather
uptight but once in a while there is one born with a healthy amount of crazy.