Dance of the Enterprise
Space. The final frontier.
These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
Its five year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before.
Captain's log. Star date: 3078.6. The Enterprise is about to enter an unexplored area of space. We are to search the area and report anything unusual.
The USS Enterprise's engines began to ease as she came out of warp. Chief engineer Montgomery Scott inspected to make sure everything was running smoothly. He smiled to himself as the engines were running as planned.
On the bridge, Mr. Spock, in his familiar blue uniform, stood, watching Captain Kirk as he ordered his crew around. Sitting in his captain's chair, James T. Kirk contacted Mr. Scott.
"Are we ready to come out of warp, Scotty?" he asked.
"I think so, sir. Everything down here looks fine," replied Scotty.
"Mr. Spock, are the scanners still not working?" asked Kirk.
"Affirmative, Captain. We don't know what lies ahead of us. It is therefore illogical to come out of warp . . . but I know you will do it anyway," said Spock.
"Where's the fun if there isn't a bit of mystery?" replied Kirk as he turned to his helmsman.
"Mr. Sulu, bring us out of warp."
The Enterprise came out of warp, and on the view screen Captain Kirk saw a sight that almost stopped his heart.
Directly in front of the Enterprise was a Klingon ship.
Kirk quickly ordered evasive action. The Enterprise just narrowly avoided the ship, but as the Enterprise flew over the vessel, a much bigger problem was revealed.
They had flown directly into a battle between Klingon and Romulan forces. All around the Enterprise, ships pursed and destroyed each other.
"Raise the shields, condition red. Arm the phasers, but do not fire – we don't want to get involved in this scuffle; just make sure we are defended," ordered Kirk calmly.
"We are receiving messages from both the Romulans and the Klingons," reported communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, "they are demanding to know what the Enterprise is doing here, and both are warning us not to intervene."
"Sulu," started the captain, "we need to navigate to a safe location. If we get involved any further, we will be under fire from both sides."
"Sir, we have an incoming transmission from one of the Klingon ships," reported Uhura.
"On screen," ordered Kirk.
On the screen appeared a true Klingon – impossible to mistake it for any other race. His eyes scanned the ship, looking for the Captain. He spotted him and looked directly into his eyes in an attempt to intimidate Kirk.
Kirk stood up to challenge that look and said, "What do you want? We were just leaving."
"You have no business here, human. This is a private feud between the Klingons and the Romulans," came the draconic reply.
"We don't mean to intrude. We were just exploring this area of space. Our mission is peaceful," offered Kirk.
"Is your vessel the USS Enterprise?" asked the Klingon.
"That is correct, yes," replied Kirk
"Captain Kirk?" said the Klingon
"That is correct, yes. I don't believe I know you," responded Kirk, slightly worried.
"I am Captain Koron. I will honour my fellow Klingons you have slain! I am going to destroy you and your ship . . . and just wait until the Romulans find out who you are! Kirk . . . think your ship can handle an attack from both races?" said Koron.
"Maybe if you threw in another three ships we could call it an even playing field," replied Kirk.
"Prepare to be decimated," said Koron swiftly.
Captain Koron ended communications and readied his ship to engage the Enterprise.
"Captain, I must say that it is illogical to attempt to take on all the Klingon and possibly Romulan vessels in the area at the same time. I would advise that we fly the ship into the nearby asteroid field," said Spock.
Kirk thought about his first officer's plan and then replied, "Are you sure, Spock? If the shields get knocked out by one of the asteroids, then the enemy vessels will have a clear shot at us."
Spock replied, "It will make the ship a harder target to hit, and possibly allow us to gain an advantage."
"Set course for the asteroid field," said Kirk with an air of uncertainty.
On a Romulan ship, the commander said, "I recognize that ship – isn't that Captain Kirks ship?"
Another Romulan sitting at a computer said, "Scanners confirm that it is the USS Enterprise."
"Pursue that ship. Let's wipe out the interfering Captain Kirk once and for all! Order all ships to attack it!" said Commander Parraca.
A Romulan turned to face the Commander and said, "We are being hailed by Captain Koron."
"Patch it through," said Commander Parraca.
Captain Koron appeared on the screen and smiled briefly.
"Let's put this fight aside for one moment. No doubt you have detected the arrival of a new ship. We can confirm it is the USS Enterprise."
A smile appeared across Commander Parraca's face.
"The same Enterprise run by Captain Kirk?"
"Precisely," replied Captain Koron.
Commander Parraca thought for a moment and then said, "He is a persistent enemy to both of our races. Together, we could destroy him."
Cutting in, Koron said, "And of course, after the Enterprise is wiped out, we will resume our battle."
"Agreed," said Parraca.
On the Klingon ship, Koron addressed his fleet.
"This is Captain Koron speaking. Stop attacking Romulan vessels. You have a new target – the new ship that just arrived: the USS Enterprise. Stop at nothing until it is destroyed."
On the Romulan ship, Commander Parraca ordered, "Cease fire upon all Klingon vessels for now. Attack the federation ship that just arrived. It is the Enterprise, commanded by Captain James T. Kirk. You all know that we cannot allow him to live."
On the bridge of the Enterprise, Spock reported that Romulan ships had begun to pursue them.
Kirk replied, "It looks like the Enterprise is going to have to dance between the two squadrons to survive."
"That is one way of putting it, Captain, and it seems the only logical option . . . other than to surrender," said Spock.
"I will never surrender – we will make it through this, Spock," said Kirk confidently.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. McCoy entered the bridge and asked, "What the hell is going on Jim?"
Kirk replied, "Patience, Bones. I will explain now – I was just about to address the ship."
"Very well," replied McCoy.
"Crew, we are being pursued by both Klingon and Romulan vessels. We are flying into a nearby asteroid field in an attempt to make the ship more difficult for the enemy vessels to hit. I ask all of you to work to the best of your ability. Kirk out," said Kirk.
"Are you crazy? Flying into an asteroid belt? It's bad enough you'll have all those Birds of Prey after you, but contending with asteroids too? It's suicide! Who suggested such a crazy idea?" asked McCoy.
Spock turned from his station and said, "It was my idea, doctor."
"I should of known you would have something to do with it . . . are you sure all that logic isn't affecting your sanity, Spock?" asked the Doctor sarcastically.
"My sanity is perfectly intact. Thank you for your concern, Doctor; if you wish, you may give me a complete examination," replied Spock coolly.
"You know, Jim, sometimes computers get viruses" said McCoy.
"Enough, Bones. We're going with Spock's plan. It's the best we've got. Mr. Sulu, have we entered the asteroid field?" asked Kirk.
Sulu answered, "Aye sir. Just entering now."
The Enterprise entered the field, slowly trying to weave its way through the confusing maze of asteroids which all varied in size. The ship was closely followed by two Romulan D7 class Battle Cruisers and five Klingon Birds of Prey.
One Bird of Prey was caught off guard by a rogue asteroid three times its size. The collision destroyed it instantly.
On board the Enterprise, Spock informed Captain Kirk, "One Klingon Bird of Prey has collided with an asteroid and been destroyed, Captain."
"One down, six enemy vessels to go," replied Kirk.
One of the D7 Battle Cruisers fired at the Enterprise, but its attack was blocked by an asteroid.
On the bridge, Spock suggested they fire phasers on asteroids behind the Enterprise in an attempt to confuse their pursuers. Kirk made the order, and all of the ship's phasers that could find a target fired. The two Klingon Birds Of Prey which lead the attack had to take evasive action to avoid all the pieces of rock that flooded the area.
Captain Koron looked out from his ship, but he could see no sign of the Enterprise.
"Scan the area! Find them!" he demanded.
The Klingon scanning the area said, "They are above us."
On the Enterprise, Kirk ordered, "Fire all phasers."
The deadly phasers' blasts rained down on the two Klingon Birds of Prey, destroying them both.
On the bridge, Kirk said, "Three down, five to go."
The Enterprise quickly turned around and headed back into the asteroid field. As it did so, a laser blast came from the nearby planet and destroyed one of the Romulan ships.
The Romulan Commander Parraca hailed the Enterprise and said, "What is this trickery Kirk?"
Kirk replied, "I assure you I had nothing to do with it."
"You lie!" replied Commander Parraca.
Another laser came hurtling from the planet and just missed the Enterprise.
"Guess the locals don't like us being here. We can't have that, though their weapons seem to be greatly superior to our own," said Kirk.
"Agreed. I estimate that one direct hit would completely take out our shields," said Spock.
"And I thought we things couldn't get any worse," muttered McCoy.
To be Continued...........
By Paul C