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Sulu eyed the main viewer. "Any minute now they will advance. If they follow their usual tactics, there will be a small advance group with plasma energy weapons. They'll try to knock out shields and screens. Then the larger ships will try to encircle us and take selective shots and attempt to overwhelm our defenses."
"How selective?" asked a curious Kirk.
"Just enough to damage us. They want the ship and as many prisoners as possible. Sound familiar?"
Kirk said nothing but confirmed Sulu's evaluation with a curt nod.
"The real trick is to take some of the first hits. This will hide our actions to a degree and make it easier for the Romulans to believe the necessity for an emergency separation."
"But not too many hits," Chekov reminded him.
"Right! Negate as many as you can, Pavel," Sulu said. "And let's try to intitiate separation soon. If the e-bolt doesn't fire, the Romulans shouldn't catch on to our plan. If it does fire, they may come in quicker or divide forces and attack with an intent to kill only. With all the action, they may not even pick up on it. The real problem is if we wait too long to separate, we won't be able to get away. Talk about a Kobayashi Maru scenario!"
Putting his hand on Sulu's shoulder, Kirk complemented him. "Can't think of anyone else I'd rather have in that center seat, Hikaru."
"Why are they waiting, sir?" Stiles was all sweaty palms and nerves. It was all under control, but anxious never the less.
"Probably to charge up the plasma weapons," offered Koord.
"Or to coordinate a plan of attack," said Uhura.
"Just as long as they don't wait too long." Saavik had stated vocally what they were all thinking. "Like long enough for the home fleet to arrive."
Koord cursed then spoke out of frustration. "I thought I had him! He should have attacked by now."
"Patience, General," said Spock quietly. "Jamak may be doing what is referred to as a slow burn."
James Kirk grinned at his old friend's observation.
"Tactical plot on main viewer," Sulu ordered calmly.
As the graphics came into view, Sulu wondered if he had made a mistake. Viewed in normal space, only half of the Romulan ships were visible. This way each ship was identified and tagged.
"Ambassador, a question, please. If it comes to a 'them or us situation,' do I haf permission to return fire." Chekov already knew the answer but he had to ask anyway.
Nearly everyone froze at the question. It was an apparent breach in protocol and standing orders.
Spock's eyebrow rose majestically. "Mister Chekov, orders remain. No action is to be taken against the Romulans by a Federation ship unless approved by Federation Council or the Diplomatic Corps."
Chekov gave Sulu a sly grin and directed another question to Spock. "But didn't Koord just establish the fact that this ship is under Klingon command?"
If it were possible, the bridge became even more quiet. The silence was broken by Koord's sudden laughter. "By the Gods, I like your way of thinking Chekov. You'd make a helluva Klingon." Koord turned to Spock, "How about it, gunner? He's right, no self-respecting Klingon would go down without a good fight. Even the stupid Roms know that. That's why they wanted us an ally and not an enemy!"
The intended joke drew no laughter but Spock was now in a difficult position.
He was spared from making a ruling by a cry from Leslie. "Here they come!"
"Prepare for incoming fire and stand by for separation!" Sulu was now ready for action. Koord had done his job. Jamak was moving before the home fleet was in range and the Romulan admiral was attacking just as Koord had predicted and as Sulu had hoped.
Four things happened in rapid succession. First, the Romulan plasma weapons all discharged at the same time. Second, Chekov countered with a spread of photon torpedoes which neutralized the majority of the plasma bolts in a blinding display of high energy pyrotechnics and light. Third, after the ship sustained a few hits, separation occurred without the e-bolt firing. Thrusters were activated on the secondary hull, which easily tore the only remaining links to the primary hull, the outer skin and the shielding circuits. Fourth, the secondary hull cloaked immediately, moving off at warp eight. Meanwhile, the primary hull peeled away in the opposite direction at warp point nine five.
All of it happened exactly as planned. The Romulans were caught completely off guard and immediately jumped on the primary hull. Not a single Romulan was attempting to follow the secondary hull. With an extended 'end run,' the Enterprise, such as it was, would be in Federation space within the hour, home free.
No one could have asked for more. No one except one very lonely officer, but his problem would not be discovered until it was far too late.
Sulu was the first to break the silence on the Beta bridge. "I think we did it!"
A tremendous yell filled the bridge and several officers turned to shake hands and offer congratulations.
"Nice work, Hikaru," Kirk was pleased with his protege's performance. "No one could have done better."
"It helps to have good personnel, right?"
Kirk stepped a bit closer and whispered, "That's what I always tried to tell Starfleet Command whenever they tried to pin medals on me."
Smiling warmly, Sulu turned to Chekov, "Let's stand down to yellow alert and have Scotty check on the damage. I think a few of those plasma bolts rattled our cage a bit."
Chekov jumped from the weapon's console seat. "Aye, sir. Can I get rid of this make-up now?"
Looking around at his Klingon and Romulan crew, Sulu smiled. "Everyone not joining the Klingon fleet, report to sickbay for a 'Federation refit.'
Replacement crew stepped into the Beta bridge and began taking up positions at all the primary stations.
Demora Sulu ran into her 'uncle' and broke out in laughter at the sight.
"Vhy do you laugh, Demora?" Pavel asked straight faced. "General Koord thinks I haf a great future in the Klingon fleet!"
Everyone, including Koord, broke up on that one. As Spock led the way, Chekov and the others left. Angela Martine assumed her duties at the weapons console. Studying the board quickly, she noted that Chekov had already put the weapons on standby status. Then, more as a matter of curiosity than anything else, she checked the scanners. The Romulans weren't pursuing and it was just a matter of time before the primary hull was destroyed or self-destructed.
It was a total shock then, when a sudden energy surge registered from the primary hull and it wasn't the self-destruct!
Angela spun around to check the science station. Saavik was seated, quietly running a check on the space ahead. Momentarily, Martine forgot protocol and procedures for the first time since joining Starfleet. "Saavik, switch your scans to the primary hull, quickly!"
Without questioning or responding, Saavik complied and concentrated on the readouts.
"What is it?" Sulu had risen from the command chair and was walking towards the weapons officer. "Primary hull destruct a little earlier than planned?"
She turned to face the Admiral, pale and hands shaking. "The primary hull is firing on the Romulans!"
"What?!!" Sulu rushed to her side.
"Confirmed, Admiral, the primary hull is maneuvering as well!" Saavik was equally shocked.
Spock had already left the bridge but Sulu had a nagging suspicion that the Vulcan was somehow responsible. Returning to his command chair, he tabbed the intercom. "Ambassador Spock, please call the bridge, immediately."
Sulu turned back to Angela, "Still firing?"
She shook her head vigorously, "Yes, sir, but the maneuvering has stopped. The Romulans seem to be playing cat and mouse with --"
"I get the picture," Sulu shook his head in disbelief. "What the hell is going on?"
"Spock to bridge. Admiral, did you wish to speak to me?"
Tabbing the intercom call on the command chair, Sulu asked, "Ambassador, did you program the primary hull to perform in any specific manner other than a basic escape course?"
"Negative, Admiral. Remember, we agreed to a complete download. The only programs left were very basic and totally unremarkable. Is there a problem?"
"I'm not sure, Ambassador. Thank you for your help; Sulu out." He made his way across the bridge. While moving, he gave several orders. "Helm, full stop; navigation, plot a return course to the primary hull and make warp eight!"
Demora and DiFalco were stunned to near silence but managed to respond quietly, "Aye, sir."
Sulu stood behind Saavik, "What can you pick up on scan, Saavik?"
"Not much, sir. All those weapons discharging make for very difficult readings. I'm going to use high level scans, will that be acceptable?" She turned to look at the admiral.
He found himself staring into her eyes and nodded once in agreement. "Make it short, okay?"
"Understood, sir," Saavik returned to her work with a speed she never knew she had.
"Sir?" It was Demora, "Do you wish to return to our original position?"
"Negative, helm; let's parallel the primary hull and give Saavik a chance to get some accurate readings. Make it one hundred thousand kilometers. Just avoid the Romulans in the process, okay?"
"Very well, sir." The young officer set about working her board with DiFalco entering the course particulars.
"I've got it, sir." Saavik was ecstatic, "One life form in the primary hull, Terran."
Now Sulu was really confused, scratching his head in the classic manner. "Who the hell--?"
He approached Saavik, "Can we get in close enough for transporter use?"
"No, sir! The Romulans are about to finish him off!" Saavik looked back to the main screen and pointed, "There!"
On the main viewer, three Warhawks were administering a coup de grace.
"Romulan transporter is taking the life form from the Enterprise, sir." Saavik rechecked, "Confirmed!"
Staring, as the primary hull erupted in a series of internal explosions, Sulu was mesmerized. The auto destruct had activated after all. The final explosion rendered the beautiful hull into little more than dust. It was a shame to sacrifice the primary hull, but because they weren't sure if the cloak was indeed working, it was necessary to provide the extra advantage. It was easier to replace the primary hull than the entire ship and her crew. "Too late now, reverse course. One hundred and eighty degrees about. Continue at warp eight for Federation Space."
"Warp eight; aye, sir."
Turning to Martine, the admiral barked, "Code three security alert! I want to know who is missing and now!" Sulu was mad and it showed, "Bridge to sickbay."
"Sickbay here," It was Chapel answering in an almost sing-song manner.
Sulu was about to bite her head off when he realized security three hadn't sounded yet and no one, other than the bridge crew knew what had just transpired. "Doctor, has Chekov showed up yet?"
"He's my next 'victim' after I finish with Ambassador Spock."
"Cancel the session. We have a security alert, code three, missing man. Tell Chekov I want an answer to the problem in three minutes, Sulu out!"
In two minutes and forty three seconds, they had their answer: Kevin Riley.
The group of Starfleet ships 'on maneuvers' near the Neutral Zone had a hidden agenda. They were to act as a reception committee and reinforcements in case Enterprise required them during their return. While they carried out what would appear as normal operations, all sensors were intensely focused on Romulan space.
When the Romulan fleet appeared in force, it was apparent that something was brewing, probably connected with the rescue mission. However, the Federation ships gathered seemed to be a good idea rather than just a precaution. After all, the Romulan fleet just might be gathering for another purpose.
After watching the Romulans for some time, it became obvious they were waiting for something to happen. For exactly what was revealed to them when Enterprise suddenly appeared on long range scanners. The Starfleet ships braced for what they thought would be a brief one-sided battle. Instead, Enterprise initiated combat then, self-destructed! The Romulans then quickly disappeared.
Devastated, the commanding officer of the Starfleet forces reluctantly withdrew.
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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