by Dabin Reece
90612.2300
After Of Course You Realize, This Means War
-=USS Serendipity=-
90612.2300
After Of Course You Realize, This Means War
-=USS Serendipity=-
[So be it.]
-=/\=-
There was a moment of silence as the gravity of the situation was realized by all those assembled. Zanh Liis O’Sullivan had officially lobbed the ball into their court and the next move was theirs. The ending of the conversation left little doubt that any hopes of a diplomatic solution were gone now.
The worst part was the Sera and Zenith were on their own right now, up against a species whose technology they barely even understood. For all anyone knew the Domox would have weapons that could make the fighting the Borg look like a relaxing soak in the symbiont pools in the caves of Trill. Admiral Lassiter’s refusal to send reinforcements was definitely not among Dabin Reece’s “50 Most Sexy Orders of 2389” at the moment.
“So does this mean we can’t be friends?” Dabin asked. The Domox answered him before anyone else could, by raking the port side of the Serendipity with weapons fire, as soon as their small attack ship decloaked.
Reece and the rest hurried from the ready room to take their places on the bridge. Captain Zanh stepped up behind the young Ensign at the helm. If it were February at the helm, and the ship were not already taking enemy fire, she probably would have at least made a witty remark about wanting the wheel, but not today.
“You’re relieved.”
The man scurried out of the chair, appearing to be, if anything, grateful that he Captain had spared him the responsibility. Zanh sat down, not missing a beat as she began evasive maneuvers.
Reece tried to hold on to the science console with one hand and work the controls with the other. It was times like these that he cursed starship designers for producing a smooth architecturally pleasing work surface. Sure, it looked great in the publicity banners hanging from the rafters at Starfleet Academy, but when you were looking for something to grab on to, so you wouldn’t get dropped on your ass, they weren’t particularly helpful.
Battle wasn’t usually the busiest time for a Chief Science Officer, but this was no typical fight. Reece was keeping an eye at every transmission from the Domox to make sure they didn’t try to slip any transporter beams past their shields. So far they hadn’t tried anything, or they had tried and it wasn’t working. Either way Reece was watching like a hawk to make sure nothing he didn’t expect would sweep away the Sera crew like it did the Zenith’s.
He looked over his shoulder at the viewscreen just for an instant. The Captain was barking orders from the helm to tactical, which Reece wasn’t even hearing as he focused on his own work. If she needed him, she’d say so, and he’d answer her then. On the screen he saw the Zenith where it always seemed to be, between the Domox and the Sera.
Keiran was taking the brunt of the weapons fire but the Domox ship was small, powerful and extremely agile. They would maneuver around the Zenith and take a few shots at the Sera every chance they got. Obviously they knew that the bulk of the people were there, even if their primary target in Vol Tryst was on the Zenith.
There was a lull in the battle as the Domox ship withdrew to regroup. Their weapons were drained from the constant firing and needed a few minutes to recharge. There was no way the Captain was letting that opportunity pass.
She punched the ship to full impulse with every intent of running the Domox down and giving Paxton Briggs at tactical the chance to fire on them.
The Zenith was right on the Sera’s tail and, according to Reece’s readings, capable of just a bit more speed then the Sera right now. Still O’Sullivan’s ship lagged behind and Reece grinned, knowing that while Keiran might not by shy about taking enemy fire for his wife, he was smart enough not to pass her in traffic.
“Are we having fun yet Liisy?” Dabin asked to lighten the mood on the tense bridge.
“Just keep an eye out for those transporters, or none of us will ever be having fun again. Are we doing any damage to them?”
“Nothing substantial. They have a few power fluctuations but nothing that’s affecting any crucial systems,” Salvek reported from the Command chair, where he was assisting in monitoring the ship’s systems while the Captain flew the ship. Zanh smacked her palm on the helm. The report was not exactly what she was wanting to hear.
“Captain, there’s another ship coming in!” Dabin Reece shouted, as weapons fire once again erupted between the three ships.
“The Gauntlet? About damn time.” She replied.
The ship lurched, and a console burst into a shower of sparks. Reece lost his footing for a moment and scrambled back to his feet to recheck the sensors.
“Nooooo, not the Gauntlet,” he said softly. The Captain was too far away to hear him, but TC Blane had.
“Then who?” Blane said, stepping up behind Reece. If it was another Domox ship, they weren’t going to stand a chance.
“She’s going to be pissed,” Dabin warned Blane, who was looking over the Trill’s shoulder at the readout on the other ship. As soon as Dabin uttered the words, he froze. “February,” he whispered, realizing his wife and unborn child were still aboard the Alchemy.
“Us or them?” Liis shouted, her patience officially gone with all the whispering occurring at the rear of her bridge.
“It’s the Alchemy,” Blane said. Before the Captain could even issue an order to hail them, Lair Kellyn had already joined the fight, speeding between the Sera and Zenith both, with no trepidation whatsoever about blowing by the Captain or her husband.
Unlike her larger counterparts, the Alchemy was too agile for the Domox to effectively target with their weapons.
The Domox suddenly found themselves out maneuvered. Each time they tried to catch the Alchemy, Zanh Liis and Keiran O’Sullivan would punish them for letting their attention be drawn away from the more powerful ships.
“We just hit their port thruster!” Dabin reported. “Captain, I’m getting a surge in EM radiation.”
“They’re trying to cloak. They’re going to make a run for the portal!” Blane said. Zanh tried to pursue them, but it was too late. Reece tracked the vessel even through the cloak, but the Domox were too far ahead, and following them through the portal was far too dangerous.
“Let them go,” Zanh said reluctantly. “They’ll be back.” She vacated the helm, and Salvek in turn surrendered the command chair back to her. “Get me an injury report from Sickbay.”
Sue Tenney cleared her throat and prepared to inform the Captain of the incoming communiqué. “Sir, the Zenith is hailing.”
“On screen, and get me the Alchemy, now.”
Keiran’s face appeared on the screen. If there was any worry in him, his expression did not betray it. [Ev’ra’one a’right?]
“Everyone is fine so far. How is your crew?”
[No injuries reported. The Zenith is a fine ship. I should tell ya our numbers are actu’lly one more now than when we started.] Keiran said, inclining his head towards the young woman to his right. [She appeared on the bridge right b’for the Domox retreated. Our shields dropped for just a minute durin’ the fight.]
Zanh just now looked to see the unfamiliar face. Was it possible one of the Zenith crew had actually escaped?
“I’m sure she needs medical attention. Let’s arrange for her to see the Doctor immediately. We’ll compare notes in a bit, but make sure you make any repairs now, before they come back.”
Keiran nodded in understanding. The Captain’s desire to have the crewperson from the Zenith sent to sickbay was not merely based on compassion, but also the knowledge that the Domox had placed imposters on the Zenith before, and may attempt to do so again.
His face disappeared from the screen, and was replaced by the starfield for just an instant.
“Commander Lair, sir.” Tenney reminded her that the Alchemy was on hold still.
Zanh Liis stood up from her chair this time. “On screen.” She waited a moment until Lair Kellyn appeared. On either side of Lair, she saw Samson and Cristiane manning stations on the bridge.
“Report.” Zanh said, slowly and deliberately. What she really wanted to say was, “What the hell are you doing here?” However now was not the time or place for it.
“I left the civilians and telepaths behind with Vedek Jariel. I got them to safety, just like you asked. Including Lieutenant Grace.” Kellyn looked away from the Captain as she delivered the last piece of information, directly to Dabin Reece.
“Just like the Admiral asked,” Zanh corrected.
Dabin’s tense expression faded into a smile. He had been worried some, but the part of him that called Kellyn his friend knew she never would have put any children in harm’s way to return here. Of course the next question he wanted asked was, “Where the freaking heck exactly did you leave my wife and unborn child anyway?”
He hoped he wouldn’t have to wait long for an answer.
*****************
Dabin Reece
Chief Science Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Dabin Reece
Chief Science Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012