Hey everyone! Sorry for the late response. I've been on hiatus working two jobs and going to school. I had a free moment and chose to write this chapter for you all to enjoy. I plan on going back and rewiting this story to add to it and correct mistakes I found recently in the first two chapters. Please write reviews, it help some me to be a better writer.
Without further direction from this authors note, I give you chapter three!
The klaxons continued to wail as the first of the three Klingon ships fired upon the enterprise. Four torpedoes made their way towards the enterprise's outer hull near the Astrometrics lab Kirk and Spock were currently in. Enterprise fired back the same amount of torpedoes in an attempt to destroy the Klingon's weapons. Only one torpedo was destroyed. The first two torpedoes hit the ship with precision. But the shields still held as the ship was rocked backwards a few degrees.
Kirk and Spock immediately exited the Astrometrics laboratory just as the third torpedo hit the ship. It threw Spock and Kirk off balance causing them to strike the walls within the hallway. Kirk was briefly disoriented and vaguely felt Spock shaking him and telling him to get up. To Jim's benefit, the disorientation lasted only a few seconds before he was oriented once more. Kirk accepted Spock's assistance and stood up. Both of them continued run towards the bridge so that they could command the ship from a central location and develop a rapid defensive strategy that would help them live through this ordeal.
It only took three minutes for the captain and his first officer to reach the bridge but for Jim it seemed like it lasted for hours. Slightly out of breath from running so fast and hard, Kirk stepped onto the bridge and stood at command beside his chair.
"Status report!" he barked out loud.
"Shields are holding. Minor damage reported on decks nine to twelve near the science laboratories. Shield defensive frequencies are holding at ninety-one percent. No injuries reported as of yet." Sulu replied effortlessly given the situation they were in.
Two Klingon war birds fired on the Enterprise, sending more torpedoes at them. It was three against one.
"Mr. Sulu, turn us around and get the enterprise to face towards two Klingon ships. Fire multiple rounds of torpedoes and phasers at the Klingon war bird to the furthest right. Overwhelm and incapacitate them! Ensign Checkov, help him!" Both navigators gave their captain affirmative acknowledging this captain's commands.
"Mr. Sulu, turn the ship clockwise about 23.2 degrees. That will give us the advantage to fire on the Klingon war bird to our right and placing us in a defensive position. Divert shields from the right of the ship to the left for extra protection." Spock added as his used his scientific skills to assist in the firefight.
Sulu rapidly moved his fingers across the console in front of him as instructed. The Enterprise was able to turn far enough away before the second round of torpedoes struck the ship. Luckily the ship was able to narrowly avoid many of the torpedoes.
The ship was in position and it began to fire rapidly its counter attack. The first Klingon ship was unable to counter the Enterprise's attacks. Fourteen torpedoes and 3 phaser blasts hit the warbird, incapacitating the ship just as Kirk knew it would be.
The second round of torpedoes and phaser blasts was fired towards the same Klingon ship while the other two ships retaliated and fired upon the Enterprise once more. Simultaneously the Enterprise was hit with multiple torpedoes, it knocked out the shield deflectors near the lower decks. Meanwhile the Klingon war bird on the right hand side was unable to counter and exploded.
Ensign Checkov used this as an advantage to fire on the second Klingon war bird that was in the center. When the Klingons realized what the Enterprise's attack method was, they moved out of the way and used their cloaking devices. Neither ship fired at the enterprise as they moved into a counter position. Enterprise was lucky that the center ship was briefly hit, weakening their shields and its weapons array.
The brief respite from the fire fight gave time for Kirk to develop a strategy.
"Ensign Sulu, take us to warp 8! Get us out of here before the Klingons fire upon us again. Uhura, open a channel frequency and send it to the closest star fleet vessel to let them know we are still under attack. Spock, status report!"
"Captain, preliminary reports are arriving. Shields are holding at seventy-two percent, but dropping. Damage reported on decks nine through fifteen, seventeen and on decks nineteen through twenty-one. Sixteen casualties reported. More reports are coming in. I'll update you as I receive more information".
Sulu did as instructed by his Captain. His fingers moved rapidly across the console to send electronic commands to send the ship into warp. As the ship prepared to go to warp, the Klingon vessels decloaked, they were now in close proximity to the Enterprise. The first of the two ships fired upon the Enterprise, knocking out the warp drive before the ship was able to go to warp.
The Enterprise lurched forward and came to a dead stop. Kirk lost his balance and fell to the floor. His head ached as it struck the floor. The crewmember who was in charge of the security consoles on the bridge immediately fired back as Kirk moved to stand up. The phaser blasts hit one of the ships causing minor explosions to in two different locations; disabling their weaponry. However, the ship remained intact as the second ship fired upon the enterprise.
The enterprise was hit once more, one of the corridor segments on level eleven tore open. The Enterprise began to seal off the area as the ship's computer system automatically deployed the emergency bulkhead procedures. Kirk saw on the view screen two bodies being ejected into space amongst the debris. Two of his crew members now dead as they slowed down and began to float into space.
"Keptin, shields are down; warp drive has been disabled."
"Fire everything we have! Target both war birds and incapacitate them before they destroy this ship!" Kirk shouted. His vision began to darken in the corner of his eyes. He fought it as best as he could. The Enterprise needed its Captain to be alert and oriented for the situation at hand, not incapacitated and unable to command to its bridge.
"Mr. Sulu turn us counter clockwise 32.68 degrees. Enterprise's reinforced hulls will withstand several torpedo blasts. Ensign Checkov, use the impulse thrusters to move the Enterprise upwards to give us a better tactical advantage." Spock commanded. Both men at the console rapidly moved their fingers across the shared console.
"Captain! Starship Endeavor has responded. They've gone to maximum warp and will reach us in three minutes. Captain McCullough has forwarded our message to the next closest starship requesting assistance." Uhura stated.
Both Klingon vessels were hit. The one that had its weapons disabled exploded. Debris flew in every direction. Enterprise was rocked backwards as the blast waves hit them and the other Klingon vessel. The computer consoles and the lights went out briefly before secondary power reserves kicked on. Security teams then fired upon the remaining Klingon vessel just as the other vessel fired back. Phasers hit the Klingon vessel, disabling its shields, cloaking device and its weapons array. The Klingon torpedoes struck the enterprise again, knocking out Enterprise's weapons drive. Enterprise was, essentially dead in the water.
Kirk pressed the button on his chair as he moved to sit in it.
"Mr. Scott, report! How long will it take us to get our warp drive up and running again?"
"Captain" Scotty replied with his Scottish accent. "Warp drive is being repaired as we speak but it will take at least fifteen minutes to get it online just to go to warp 4! That's if we can pull a hail mary."
"Get more crew members to work on it! We need the warp drive within the next few minutes if we are to survive this fight!"
"I'll try to get the warp drive running again but I cannot guarantee anything". Scotty closed the channel.
"Captain, Starship Endeavor is thirty seconds out. Starship Gallivant has hailed our ship and is expected to arrive in fifteen minutes at maximum warp." Uhura stated.
"Mr. Spock, status report on the enemy ship!" Kirk commanded to his first officer.
"The enemy vessel is repairing their weapons array; it should be back online momentary. Shields are still down. It will take us about ten minutes to repair our torpedo launchers. They currently have the advantage. Our odds for survival is 23.4% if we do not get help within twenty seconds."
"Let's hope the Enterprise can defeat those odds." Kirk said in a low voice. "We need the Endeavor's weapons array if we are to take out the enemy ship."
Kirk mentally counted down the seconds to the Endeavor's arrival. They only needed fifteen more seconds if they were to live and see tomorrow. Kirk began to feel dizzy and lightheaded. He felt he had a minor concussion forming and wondered what colorful language Bones would use once he found out his captain was injured again. Ten more seconds was all that remained. Silently he pleaded to whatever entity existed; hoping his crew would survive this encounter.
The remaining Klingon ship began to fire up their weapons array in front of the Enterprise. Their lights flickered because the warbird was drawing any and all power that could be spared. Another attack was imminent. The Klingon ship fired several torpedoes towards the enterprise. The impact would occur within seconds.
Just then, the Starship Endeavor appeared from warp and fired upon the torpedoes and all six torpedoes exploded in front of the enterprise. The Endeavor then fired several rounds of torpedoes and phasers; sparing no ammunition in the process. The remaining Klingon ship exploded; ending the firefight.
Various members on the bridge exhaled with relief. They survived the attack and would live for a while longer. More reports were coming in to Spock's console.
"Captain, the U.S.S. Endeavor is hailing us."
"Open the channel Uhura so I can speak to the Captain."
Uhura did as Kirk commanded. Soon McCullough appeared on screen. "Mr. Kirk, what a surprise it is to see you. I wish it was under better circumstances though". McCullough's solemn expression showed on his face clearly. "Do you need any assistance from our vessel in repairing your ship."
"Yes please." Kirk replied. "Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated."
"Understood. I will send a crew out to your ship by shuttle craft. Our sensors detect that your transporter is down as well as your shuttle bay's main docking deck. They should arrive momentarily."
"Thank you captain McCullough." The communications channel ended. Kirk closed his eyes. He was relieved his crew miraculously survived. Jim knew that there was no time to evacuate all members of his ship if it came to that during the Klingon battle. In fact, he predicted that less than twenty would be able to board the shuttle craft to prepare for launch even if the starship was able to open the bay's doors. Sadly, it was damaged in the process.
"McCoy to Captain Kirk."
"Kirk here."
"So far, twenty-five casualties reported. Five crewmen are dead while more members continue to enter med bay. I've instructed the medical team to begin triaging the casualties. I'll give you an update once triage is completed and treatment has started with the most critical patients."
"Understood" Kirk gruffly responded.
Kirk returned his attention to the view screen. He watched as the USS Endeavor deployed its shuttle craft. Uhura sent information to the shuttle craft's communications channel to give them the exact coordinates needed to use the secondary access on the port side of the ship. There was no reason for Kirk to remain on the bridge and chose to meet the various crew men who would be boarding the ship.
"Mr. Spock, you have control of the bridge" Kirk informed his first officer before stepping onto the turbolift and headed in the direction of his visitors. Silence became a welcome friend as the turbolift descended. He closed his eyes and it almost felt like nothing changed at all. But that was not the case and it was his job to oversee the repairs and get his ship running again before another enemy tried to engage in another firefight with the Enterprise. Thankfully, between the Endeavor and the Gallivant offering aid and assistance, the two starships would allow an extra form of protection and security for the Enterprise. All that Kirk needed was time. Time for repairs, time to eat, time to enjoy peace of mind once he could sleep in his own bed.
It took Jim ten minutes to get to the shuttle hatch in the center of his ship. There he saw four gentlemen and two ladies wearing various red and blue uniforms who stood alongside two of Kirk's security officers who entered the security access codes needed to open the safety hatch. Many of these crewmen and women looked around and saw various sparking wires hanging from the ceiling, cracks in the floor, among other structural deformities on this level alone.
"Good evening Captain. My name is Jaceugin, I am the first officer of the star ship Endeavor. I have come here to provide assistance of much needed repairs. Two of my crewmen are engineers as well as one female. The other lady can provide any necessary medical assistance. She is a federation physician assistant. Myself and the remaining two crew men are from various science divisions are also knowledgeable with the essentials of ship repairs. Where would you like my crewmembers to offer our support to you?"
Kirk looked at the first officer who looked like the species that joined the federation two and a half years ago when Kirk was sent to their planet to provide a peace treaty. Like James, Jaceugin clearly rose through the ranks rapidly. Then again, Star Fleet was still short of several ships and support staff after Nero came close to destroying an entire armada nearly three years ago.
"The Physician Assistant member can head up three levels. She can navigate using the ship maps on the computer screen to head towards sick bay. Last update from my CMO is that triage is underway and that treatment will begin with the most critical first.
Scotty, is my chief engineer needs help with various ship systems. The most critical systems in need of repair are the warp drive, weapons array, and transporter room so we can beam you and your crew off between both of our vessels quickly without having to shuttle crew members back and forth. I am in the process of heading to the engine room to get a verbal update from Scotty and personally assist with repairs myself where needed.
Spock is my first officer who is in charge of the science division. He is currently on the bridge. He would be the one who knows more of what's going on with my ship and can give you further guidance on where you and your other science officer need to go to help with repairs. And… thank you for any assistance you are able to provide for us."
"Understood Captain. You're welcome. It is not often I get to meet a well-known Star Fleet officer. My shuttlecraft navigator will head back to my ship to shuttle the next group of personnel who offer their assistance to you and your crew." Jaceugin then turned his attentions to his fellow comrades that stood behind him.
"Crew, you heard of your assignments, go to your stations and help assist wherever needed." With that, everyone parted ways. Jim directed three of the engineers to the engine bay. Enterprise was his ship and he did not want to waste any crucial time needed to make repairs. The two security officers stayed at their post to receive the second group of federation members as well as help direct them to the areas on the Enterprise that was in need of major repairs.