STAR TREK
"Cold Survival"
ACT ONE
Commodore Decker watched the screen grimly as the impossibly powerful construct that filled the view-screen began the invisible process of recharging its weapon, with which it had battered the U.S.S. Constellation nearly to destruction. The duration of this charging process had increased as the one-sided battle had gone on; Decker and his science officer had come to the conclusion that the construct (or organism, if it was possible that the massive thing could be alive) was gradually running out of power. It was a shame the Constellation's shields weren't stronger, or that the first thing that had gone out were the warp engines. If they had just a little more time, the sturdy ship may have simply outlasted the strange construct. As it was, Commodore Decker could only conclude that destruction was imminent.
With a subtle flick of his finger, he motioned for Commander Takeshewada, his First Officer. When she approached the Captain's Chair, Decker leaned in close to her. "I'm going to give the order for a full emergency evacuation."
"To where, Sir?" The First Officer asked.
"The third planet in this system is habitable. The crew should be fine there until another starship can pick them up."
"Sir," Science Officer Masada said, clearing his throat. "What sensor scans we've been able to do through that thing's neutronium hull indicate that it's extremely short on fuel. At least we know that unless it can refuel itself somehow, it won't be able to cause any serious harm to anyone else. I've done some rough calculations based on its estimated fuel consumption, and the weapon's previous recharge rates." Decker looked up at the Science Officer expectantly, daring to hope that the number he would give him was enough. "I'd say we have about thirty minutes before it can fire again, Sir."
Decker closed his eyes in relief. It could be enough. If we had only been able to maneuver more, he thought, regret mingling with his relief. The machine had wasted five or six shots before it took out the ship's impulse engines. If it had missed one or two more times...
"The cargo transporters are cleared for emergency personnel transport," Decker said to Takeshewada. "And we've got two. With those, we should be able to get everybody down to the planet before that demon can finish us."
Decker's excitement had caused him to speak more loudly than he had been, and everyone on the bridge was now listening. It didn't matter; he would be making the formal announcement shortly. But before he could, the Chief Engineer spoke up. "I don't know if we have enough power for all those transports, Matt. Half of the coils are fried already."
"Divert power from all primary systems. Even life support and artificial gravity if you have to."
"But, Sir," Takeshewada said, "That construct already destroyed one planet in this system. How do we know it won't destroy the one we beam down to?"
"The weapon's following a predetermined course," Decker said. "It doesn't seem like the type to turn around and go back. It must have some kind of programming that tells it to destroy certain types of planets. I think it's done with this system. Even if it isn't," the Commodore continued, "there are still three planets here. But there's only one ship, and this ship is gonna go the next time that thing fires its weapon. And that's going to be in about thirty minutes." Decker said himself resolutely. "It's our only chance."