From: Matt LaRocque (larocque.matt_at_gmail.com)
Date: Mon Apr 23 2007 - 12:45:40 PDT
=/\=
"Shoot First"
Con't from "Into the Hornets Nest"
=/\=
Location: USS STAR RIDER
Stardate: 2422 [2.7] 0423.1448
Scene: Cabin
The STARRIDER glided with relative ease through the shiny waves of the
nebula as it continued its current mission. Blue and red hues
intertwined into purplish wisps before being scattered by the bow of
the vessel. The light vibrations of creation were eerie and mystical
and right now, they were starting to give Lt. J.G. McClellan a serious
headache.
"You're sure there's no way to put some more power into the noise
dampeners?" He asked for about the fifth time.
"No Sir." If T'ial wasn't a Vulcan, Kel would have assumed she was
annoyed. "I would not object to some light music if it would help take
your mind off the harmonics of the neb..."
T'ial was cut off as Sweet Home Alabama washed over the cabin, Tam
looked quizzically over at Kel who had momentarily risen from his
chair to stretch his shoulders. Kel looked back at his team and
shrugged, "What, you two aren't Skynard fans?" With a wink he sat back
down and looked at the grid. They were following the flight pattern
the PATRIOT had relayed to them. So far, they'd found bubkiss.
"Tam, how do things look back there?" Kel asked, hoping for a sliver
of light to lead them in the right direction.
"Nothing on sensors, minimal debris, lots of dust. Do you want me to
modify the search parameters?"
"Nope." Kel sat in an intense silence as he worked furiously over the
controls to guide the STAR RIDER around a particularly dangerous
looking collection of gases and stardust.
The music continued in the background until it was rudely interuppted
by an automated red alert as the STAR RIDER started taking fire.
"STAR RIDER to PATRIOT, taking fire, engaging hostiles." Kel barked
over the intercom before turning to the two newest members of the
PAT's crew, "T'ial take over the Tactical console and initiate phaser
bursts every three seconds, target their engines and key up some
torpedoes. Tam try and raise them with a signal, they won't answer you
but if they're stupid we'll be able to lock onto their position
through this fucking soup."
"Comm link to the PATRIOT has been lost sir, I don't know if they have
received that last transmission." Tam informed Kel of the new
circumstance. He simply nodded quickly in reply.
The STAR RIDER shifted on its axis and dove through a thick wall of
plummage, turning on it's axis again to face its would be pursuers.
Tense moments passed without their pursuers falling into the obvious
trap.
"Found them. Mark 014 Point 8." Tam stated with a hint of nervousness.
"T'ial stay on those phasers I want to capture these bastards." Kel
ordered as he corrected their course and went after who or whatever
fired on them. Though they couldn't see more than a few feet out the
viewport but he three of them knew they were heading in the right
direction when they started recieving more fire.
"Shields at 82% and falling." T'ial shouted amongst the din of
sizzling circuits and groaning hull plates.
"Taking evasive action." Kel manouvered the craft quickly and got into
firing position. "Fire at will Ensign." His voice was coated with a
dangerous impatience that more than convinced the new CSciO to open up
with both barrels. The two ships exchanged a few rounds of fire before
T'ial gave the next report.
"Shields at 58%. We're being hailed." The Vulcan grabbed the control
panel as the vessel was rocked by another volley.
"Onscreen!" Kel ordered as he punched more evasive manouvers into the
console. An image of a wild eyed unkempt man appeared and Kel started
the conversation off on the most positive note he could muster.
"Hostile ship ceasefire immediately!"
{{Federation vessel you have entered our territory. Lower your shields
and prepare to be boarde}}
Kel cut the communications and turned to T'ial "Fire all weapons on
this location on my mark," he sent the coordinates to her console as
the STAR RIDER was hit by more weapon fire. "Mark."
The STAR RIDER glowed with orange as its weapons systems powered up.
Phasers and torpedoes unleashed like a torrent, they rained hell upon
the other craft, blackening its hull and capsising it, letting
bluish-green gases leak out of its warp nacelles as it sprialled into
nothingness.
"Life signs?" Kel asked.
"Two, and they're faint." T'ial replied.
"Good. Lock on and beam them both onto the transporter pad and throw
up a level 5 forcefield around them. Tam take the helm and take us
back to the PAT. I'll go greet our guests."
=/\=
Matt LaRocque
Lieutenant J.G. Kel McClellan
Strategic Operations Officer
USS PATRIOT NCC-5781-A
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