160: Not So Fast

By TC Blane and Zanh Liis
80223.00
Following Breaking and Entering

-=Bridge USS Serendipity=-


"Misdirection is a common tactic. As soon as they are out of our sensor range they will change course to their actual destination. I'm sorry Captain, but," Blane looked again back to the screen. "They're gone."

Zanh sat fuming in the center seat. “Anyone have any idea of where they might be going?” Although she did not say it everyone knew the question was directed at TC.

He turn back to Zanh with an expression that shocked her, he had the slightest grin on his face. Just then Avery walked onto the bridge.

“Mr. Breaux how did we make out?” TC asked as the engineer approached.

He nodded to Zanh as he passed. “Captain.” He turned back to TC. “I had JUST enough time commander.” He handed TC a metal box.

TC opened the box and nodded. “Very good Mr. Breaux. You have fast hands, remind me to watch my wallet in your presence.” TC smiled. “I do not think we need to worry about finding them Captain, they will be back looking for us.”

He walked over to the center seat and opened the box revealing the contents to both the Captain and the Sera’s first officer. It was filled with isolinier chips.

"Oh, gentlemen, please believe me when I say this with all sincerity," Zanh's frustration melted into an expression of pure joy. "I love you."

"Captain," Blane said, his smile fading quickly as he avoided Salvek's intense gaze. "A word in your ear?"

Zanh nodded, and the instant she saw the look on Blane's face, she thought about what Jariel had said earlier, about his vision of Lair Kellyn. She indicated for him to follow her to a secluded corner.

"We should send Salvek to Sickbay right away," Blane frowned, "and Reece."

"And Reece?" Zanh whispered back sharply. Jariel had neglected to mention anything about anything being wrong with Grace.

"Yes." Blane concluded sadly. "As soon as Alchemy docked, Bru passed out at the helm. Micah Samson carried her to Sickbay, they didn't want to risk transporting her."

"Impact injury?" Zanh asked,

"No, the radiation. She," Blane's jaw set and his eyes shone when he thought about how she'd kept her station as sick as she was. "She held her post until we got home."

Zanh nodded and patted TC on the back.

Before the captain had a chance to relay the message to Salvek, the voice of Dr. Terasha was heard over Salvek’s badge.

[Sickbay to Commander Salvek.]

“Here,” Salvek replied, having to clear his throat to get the word out.

[We need you down here. Please bring Lt. Commander Reece with you. Sickbay out.]

Without making any attempt to speak, both men hurried into the lift. Reece barked out their destination as the doors closed.

"Bad?" Zanh asked Blane after they'd gone.

"Yeah." TC replied softly. "Bad."

He switched gears. “Captain, knowing that the Gauntlet will be coming back as soon as they realized that they stole a empty shell. We might want to try and get the Executor back in the fight.”

"I don't think we have that luxury," Zanh replied regretfully. How many people are on that ship, Mr. Blakeslee?"

"Full compliment, Captain. Two hundred and fifty-six souls. That's the whole capacity of the Sera if she was empty," Zander reminded everyone, his voice heavy with concern. "We can't take them all."

"Are we able to send a distress call back to Command?"

"Aye." Tenney replied.

"Then tell them they need to send back up," Zanh ordered. "Tell them the Executor has been destroyed and we can't take on all its passengers."

"Captain?" Blane questioned, seeing the other ship on the screen- still being pulled closer to its destruction but still intact.

"By the time they get here, it will be. Open up a channel to the Executor."

"Open, Sir."

"This is Captain Zanh Liis of the USS Serendipity. All hands aboard the Executor, abandon ship. You must launch any and all escape pods, shuttle craft, and use any other available means to evacuate your people, we are unable to free you. We will beam Admiral Vox directly to our bridge. Zanh out."

A moment later, a reply came from the Executor in the form of an audio only transmission. It was Vox.

[I will go down with my ship.]

"Oh no," Zanh grumbled, "You're not getting out of this that easily. We need to get a lock on that man and get him over here right now."

Commander TC Blane
Second Officer/ Chief of Operations
USS Serendipity

and

-=/\=- Captain Zanh
USS Serendipity NCC-2012