Back To Where It All Started
"What is our ETA?" asked Naomi.
"13:45 ship time" Azan said. "I could tell you the local time if you wish" but Naomi shook her head.
"We've got seven hours until we reach the Norcadian system" she said. "Seven hours to wait…"
"We could engage the transwarp drive" said Rebi. "We would be there in seconds…"
"And let me people off a few hours of sweating?" Mezoti snorted. "My only regret is that we're not capable of landing on the surface. I would have loved to see their Cabinet's reactions when they see a fully armed warship decloaking in the middle of the capital" she added with a laugh.
"Now that would be somethi-" Naomi was cut off by the intercom.
"Yellow Alert, Yellow Alert! All stations Yellow Alert. Captain Wildman, please report to the bridge. Repeat: Yellow Alert! All stations, Yellow Alert!"
"Captain to bridge. What's up?"
"Picking up a large number of vessels heading on an intercept course. Estimate seven minutes until weapons range"
"We're on our way" Naomi said, and closed the link.
# # # # #
"Captain on the bridge!"
"As you were" Naomi said as she stepped out of the turbolift. "Report!"
"Captain, long range sensors detected a large fleet of vessels coming from Norcadia Prime. Differing types. They match the dimensions of the ships you encountered before" Kiska said, standing up from the centre seat.
"Naomi, two of the vessels are registering as those we battled before" Azan said, looking at sensor readouts.
"Oh, well then…" Naomi said. "It'll be a reunion of sorts" she took her seat as her friends assumed their stations - displacing the crew there to other positions around the bridge.
"They have detected us and have raised shields" Mezoti said.
"All stations reporting manned and standing by" Rebi said.
"Time to intercept?" asked Naomi.
"Two minutes" the helm officer replied.
"All stop" Naomi announced suddenly.
"All stop, Aye, Captain" came the correct reply. "Controls reading full stoop, Captain"
"The lead vessels are powering weapons" reported tactical.
"Understood" Naomi said.
"Captain, I recommend that we go to Red Alert"
"Are you sure?" asked Azan, not taking his eyes off his console. "It does mean changing the light bulb" and a few of the bridge crew sniggered.
"Now reading full stop" helm reported.
"Very well" Naomi said. "We'll not arm our weapons until we actually have to" she said.
"Understood, captain. I request my protest be entered into the log"
"Request granted" Naomi said.
"Norcadian fleet has come to a halt" Mezoti said.
"Are they within weapon's range?" Naomi asked.
"Well within for us" her wife replied. "However, they are outside the range for an Intrepid class ship. I can only assume that they think we are limited to the same range" she added.
"Open hailing frequencies" Naomi ordered.
"Channel open" Azan said.
"This is Captain Naomi Wildman of the Federation starship USS Icheb. We bring greetings from our home planets" but there was no reply. "Are we sending?" she asked quietly.
"Communication channels are working at optimal levels" Azan told her. "They can hear us, but they don't seem to be in the mood to talk" and Naomi looked back at the main view screen. "Are they running silent?" she asked.
"Negative" Mezoti said. "I am detecting rapid communications between the lead vessels and what appears to be a flagship of some kind"
"Can you patch us in?"
"Give me a minute to do it" Mezoti said. "Just about… there!" she said.
"… ship. Unless, of course, they have changed the ship's name"
"I say that we attack now and blow it up"
"I say we disable the thing and put the crew on a prison asteroid"
"If we went up against our enemies with a ship like that, we would be unstoppable. That other one got away, but this time we will finish the job that I started all those years ago" the different ship Captain's discussed the method of dealing with the Icheb with the flagship.
"No…." Mezoti said in a whisper.
"Mez?" Naomi swung round in her chair.
"It can't be… She wouldn't have…" Mezoti was looking at the ships with horror etched into her face.
"What is it, Mezoti?"
"I know the flagship commander" Mezoti turned to face her wife. "And the person who ordered the deaths of every single member of Voyager's crew" and a chill came over the bridge.
"We are being hailed" Rebi said.
"Really?" Naomi turned back from a worried Mezoti. "Open a channel" she ordered.
"I am Chancellor Gratis. You are not welcome in Norcadian space. You have two minutes to put your ship about and leave before we open fire"
"This is Captain Wildman" Naomi said. "We are on a mission of great importance to the Federation. Our charted course brought us close t-" Naomi was cut off at the same time as Mezoti stood from the science station
"I do not care about that" Gratis said, her voice full of both loathing and greed. "Turn your ship around, or we will blast you to-" but Mezoti spoke six, and only six, powerful words.
"Hello Mother. Did you miss me?" Mezoti's eye flashed.
"Mezoti…?" Gratis said. "Captain, you will surrender yourselves and your ship. You will also turn over my daughter to my custody. I shall attempt to undo whatever kind of brainwashing you have done to her. Failure to comply will mean we take her by force – including killing your crew if we have to"
"Chancellor, I must warn you that any attempt to lock weapons on this ship will result in this vessel considering it as a hostile act, and we shall reply accordingly. As it happens, thanks to information I have just been given, I am ordering you to surrender and be prepared to answer charges of murder"
"I don't have to listen to this! Target that vessel" and with that, Gratis shut the link off.
"All Norcadian vessels have targeted us" said Azan.
"Red Alert! All hands man Battlestations" Naomi said.
"Red Alert! Red Alert! All hands, man your Battlestations. Man your Battlestations! All hands, Red Alert!" the computer intoned. The bridge darkened and the klaxons sounded.
"Charge forward phaser banks. Load torpedo bays with standard photon warheads" Mezoti said.
"Mez, you can leave if you want" Naomi said.
"My place is on the bridge" her wife replied.
"Fleet is assuming a hostile formation" Azan said.
"Target the flagship and prepare to fire a full spread of torpedoes" Naomi ordered.
"Now we're talking" the tactical officer said.
"Hail them now" Naomi said.
"No response" Rebi said just as the ship was hit by plasma weapons.
"I disagree" Naomi said dryly. "Report"
"That was a charged plasma packet" the tactical officer said. "No hull damage. Shields remain at 100%"
"Return fire" and phasers and photon torpedoes lashed out and hit the Flagship. It lost half of its shields in just one wave, but the rest of the fleet joined in the attack.
"I have been scanning their computer hardware, and it seems to be of the same level as our last encounter with them" Rebi said.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning" he smiled at Naomi, "That I could break their encryption codes and take command of their ships"
"Do it" she ordered. "Helm, bring us about to 180 mark 24. Ahead one half impulse power. Bridge to Engineering"
"Engineering" Brex's voice came through.
"I want you to vent plasma from the port nacelle. Hopefully our attackers will think that we are more damaged then we look"
"Aye, Captain"
"Target the aft phaser strips on the enemy vessels" Naomi ordered. "I want it to look as if we are retreating. Switch forward launchers to quantum torpedoes, and then have the next load fitted with Borg derived warheads" she looked at Mezoti. "Let me know the moment they get within minimal torpedo range" and Mezoti nodded.
"Plasma now being vented" Rebi said.
"Enemy vessels closing fast" Mezoti called.
"Mixed loads are ready" tactical called out.
"I am detecting the same kind of poison they used on Voyager" Azan said.
"Biological warfare?" Naomi shook her head. "The gloves are off. Helm, all stop. Flip the ship so we appear upside down to the Norcadians. Tactical, lock on the lead vessel with Quantum torpedoes and stand by to fire. Ready phasers for surgical strike on shields"
"All stop" Helm reported. "Flipping the ship"
"Standing by to fire"
"Target their forward weapons array. Have phaser cannons one through five targeting the other vessels" Naomi watched as the viewscreen seemed to fall over itself as Icheb brought itself end over end to face the pursuing vessels.
"Awaiting your command" the tactical officer said.
"Steady… steady…" Naomi counted in her mind the seconds until she was happy. "Steady… FIRE!" and the torpedoes lashed out from the ship and just obliterated the shields of the flagship. "Second salvo… Fire!" and the Borg torpedoes sparkled with light as they travelled to their target – hitting the forward weapons arrays and taking them out completely.
"Light cruisers coming around, and are trying to outflank us" Mezoti said.
"Tactical, redirect nacelle cannons to fire as they bear"
"Aye, Captain"
"I have nearly finished entering their computer systems" Rebi said.
"Good job" Naomi praised. "Let me know the moment we are in" she added.
"Warning: Port power grid is offline" the computer announced.
"The grid just detected a surge and shut down automatically. Bringing secondary shield grid in place" Azan said. "Rerouting to compensate" he added, just as a slight tremor shook them slightly.
"Report!"
"They got a lucky shot in just as the shield went back up" Azan said. "No hull damage, but we have lost our portside defensive guns"
"Well we don't need them anyway" said Naomi. "Target their primary power couplings and stand by to fire"
"Ready"
"Fire" and a combination of phaser, disrupters and torpedoes of all types lashed out and took down the main power systems of every ship at once. "Report" Naomi ordered.
"All enemy vessels have been forced to go to secondary power systems. Shields and are offline. Their warp drives have been disabled" Mezoti said.
"I have now gained access to their computer systems" Rebi said.
"Very well" Naomi said. "Have them come to a complete stop, and then disengage their impulse engines"
"Aye" Rebi worked his controls.
"Casualty reports from Sickbay coming in" Azan said. "No fatalities. One injury though"
"How bad?"
"Paper cut"
"Not bad…" Naomi mused, then looked at the Norcadian vessels on the viewer. "Rebi, can you patch me into their internal communications grid please?"
"Sure thing, Naomi" Rebi said. "You're on"
"Attention Norcadian vessels! This is Captain Wildman. You are no match for our vessel, and you have no chance of winning in a continuing battle. So far, we used only a fraction of this ship's offensive capability, and I do not want to cause bloodshed. However, if you do not surrender your vessels to me in the next one minute, then we will resume firing and utterly destroy you. You have sixty seconds starting from now" and to press home how serious she was, the computer started counting the minute down.
"No reply yet" Rebi said.
"Come on…" Naomi said. "Don't make me do this…"
"Power grid back up to full strength" said Azan. "It would have been something to sort out during our defect repairs in Drydock" he added.
"I am picking up coded transmissions between the fleet and the flagship. Shall I decode?" asked Rebi.
"Don't bother" said Naomi. "Their time is up. Tactical, target each ship's warp core and fire on my comma-"
"WAIT!" a voice cried out.
"Hold fire" Naomi said. "Is this surrender?" she asked the voice.
"Chancellor Gratis is no longer in command of this fleet" said a male voice. "We surrender"
"If this is some kind of trick, then you are going to be very sorry" Naomi said.
"Very sorry indeed" Mezoti said. "They will be dead"
"Standby" Naomi muted the channel. "Azan, did we get the cargo bays fitted out?" she asked.
"Cargo Bay One is fully operative" he replied, looking at her with curiosity. "But bays Two and Three only have life support on them. We never got round to fitting the stack shelves" and Naomi smiled.
"Good enough" she said. "Have a detail go down there with some blankets and pillows. Looks like we're taking on prisoners" and Azan grinned and passed on the order.
"Captain?" the tactical officer queried. "Are you sure about that? Starfleet regulations state that we must treat prisoners fairly and decently"
"But we are" Naomi said. "We're giving them a blanket and pillow. And we'll feed them and give them medical attention if they need it"
"What about recreational needs?"
"All that wide open cargo bay space…?" Naomi said sweetly. "Not my fault if they don't like running that much" and the officer grinned back at her. "Are you still there?" she asked the voice.
"Yes"
"We will take you aboard as our prisoners until we reach Norcadia" Naomi said. "You will leave your vessels' bridge and engineering spaces at once. Failure to comply with that order will result in resumption of hostilities"
"Understood, Captain. I will shut down life support to those locations to ensure compliance with your orders"
"Icheb out. Azan, do a full sweep of their vessels for lifesigns. Relay the positions to the transporter rooms and have them beam everyone to the bays" Naomi said.
"With your permission, I should like to be there when they arrive with a security team" Mezoti said. Naomi took a full ten seconds to think it over in her mind.
"Granted" she knew who her wife wanted to meet. "Actually, I think I will join you. About time I met my mother in law" Naomi said, getting out of her chair. "Continue evacuation of the enemy vessels. Once they are empty, scan them to be sure, and then let me know. Azan, Rebi – you're with us. Commander Kiska, you have the bridge" and with that the friends took the turbolift deep into Icheb.
# # # # #
The Norcadians appeared in the cargo bays in columns of blueish white light, and all under the watchful eyes of a security detachment.
"Bridge to Captain"
"Captain here"
"Last group beaming aboard now, Ma'am"
"Understood" Naomi said. The last group shimmered into view and Mezoti gave a yell of rage before diving into the crowd. "Oh shit…" Naomi cursed as she followed with the security team.
"Somebody give me a phaser!" Mezoti shouted as she hit an elegantly dressed woman in the jaw.
"Mez, stop it at once" Naomi said, dragging her wife off whilst the security team put themselves between the two. "What the hell are you thinking of?" she demanded.
"Naomi, meet your mother in law…" Mezoti spat. Naomi got her first close view of the woman that had ordered the killing of her mother over twenty years ago. She had given up hope of getting justice for the deaths of Voyager's crew a long time ago, but now she faced the person who ordered the wanton murder of an entire crew.
"Security" she breathed deeply to keep her anger in check. "Take this prisoner to Sickbay. Have the duty Doctor give her a full examination. I want you to remain with her at all times with phasers on heavy stun. Once it is completed, you are to remove her to the Brig in maximum security conditions. Around the clock suicide watch. Oh, and put her in full prison clothing while you're at it. She's coming back with us to stand trial" Naomi gestured at Gratis. "Take her away"
"You can't do this" she said as she struggled. "Our fleet will kill everyone here to rescue us"
"Oh, please…" Azan said.
"Try it" Rebi said.
"This ship could walk over your fleet with cleats, and you damned well know it" Naomi said. "After finding out who you are, you are lucky that I didn't give my wife the phaser herself"
"Your wife?" Gratis said, and turned as best as she could to look at Mezoti. "You're a freak for being in a relationship like that. How can you do this to me? My only daughter – whoring herself…" and whatever Gratis said was not known as she was in on both sides of the jaw by Azan and Rebi.
"Don't you"
"Ever dare"
"Talk about our friend like that" they finished. Naomi and the rest of the Starfleet group blinked in amazement. The twins were known for their mildness, but clearly they felt Gratis had crossed the line.
"Security, carry out my orders" Naomi said, then turned to the other prisoners. "I assume you'll all stay here and be quiet?" she asked, and they all nodded quickly – lest they get the same punishment.
"Bridge to Captain"
"Bridge, this is the Captain. Go ahead"
"All vessels are completely empty" Kiska said. "Nothing of any salvageable value"
"Very well" Naomi said. "Access their drive systems and activate an overload. Remove all safeties. Once they are destroyed, resume course for Norcadia Prime Warp 6"
"Aye"
"I am a head of state!" Gratis shouted as she was dragged to the bay doors.
"You are a head of state on Norcadia" Naomi shook her head. "On my ship, however, you are nothing more then a murderer and criminal. Take her away" and Gratis was dragged away by security.
# # # # #
"I don't know what came over me…" Mezoti said. "She just appeared and I felt such a powerful rage wash over me" she swallowed her drink.
"It took everything I had in me to not pull a phaser on her and execute her on the spot" Naomi admitted. "My first wish was to blow a huge hole in the side of her ship – let her die slowly like Voyager's crew. But we'll take her back to the Federation so she can stand trial" and she looked at her wife. "As it happens, you did strike an unarmed prisoner. There will have to be a note put into your file" and Mezoti nodded glumly.
"I wouldn't expect anything else" she said.
"Or, you can accept summery judgement at Captain's Discretion" Naomi finished.
"Summery… thanks" Mezoti said. By giving her a choice of punishments, Naomi was going to overlook as much of the assault as possible.
"Commander Wildman" Naomi spoke in a formal tone. "As the Commanding Officer of the USS Icheb, it is my decision that you are not fit to wear a Starfleet uniform. As punishment, you will be remanded to the bedroom of this vessel's Captain where she has a range of interesting paddles and other toys to use on you" and Mezoti squeaked as Naomi smacked her on the backside. She wouldn't have any issues following this punishment at all.
# # # # #
Gratis was taken to Sickbay, examined and treated and then taken to the Icheb's maximum security brig. She was issued clothing worn by prisoners in the Federation, and told either to put it on herself, or she would be forcibly stripped and shoved into it by the security detail. Under the circumstances, she decided to put it on herself and without any help. As she sat in the cell, she plotted her revenge on Naomi for taking her daughter from her.
# # # # #
The ship sailed through the night, and the crew created a new program so the power grid wouldn't fail next time in battle. They still had two other sets of shields to call upon, but it was best that it was sorted out anyway. The next day, Icheb truly entered Norcadian space and Kiska called Naomi to the bridge.
"This better be good…" she rubbed the side of her head – the result of the mask being on too tight the previous night.
"Captain, we've been monitoring Norcadian transmissions as you ordered. We've picked up stuff that sounds like attack orders" Kiska said.
"With regards to us?" Naomi asked.
"To their own ships, Ma'am" Kiska said.
"Are you sure?" Naomi raised an eyebrow.
"Totally. Seems like news of the fight reached Norcadia somehow. There is a split in their forces between those that want Gratis and her group out of office, and supporters of our VIP guest" Kiska said.
"So I guess this means we can't turn over our prisoners to the Norcadians" Naomi shook her head. "On the other hand though, we are a neutral ship in this conflict. Maybe we can work out some kind of deal here. Have defence systems at increased readiness" she ordered. "Once we are close to the Norcadian system, broadcast our ID in the clear and say we have a number of prisoners aboard whom we wish to disembark"
"But that will give away our location" said Kiska.
"I know, but it is a civil war. By definition, it is a matter for the Norcadians to settle. By squawking our ID in the clear, it'll show we're not to be messed with at all"
"You hope, Captain" Kiska replied.
"We'll just slide into orbit, drop most of our guests off and then resume our mission" Naomi said. But then she looked at the viewer which was showing the stars streaking past the ship. "Still… you may be right all the same. Have the forward centre phaser bank charged. Time to Norcadia, Helm?"
"Two hours and fourteen minutes" replied Lost.
"Very well" Naomi said. "I'll be in my ready room. Maintain course and speed. Contact me when we are five minutes from entering the Norcadian system" and Naomi went to her ready room to work on something or another.
"Steady as she goes, Helm"
"Aye" Lost replied. "Course is 281 by 32. Speed is Warp 6.2. Holding steady on that" she added.
# # # # #
"Bridge to captain"
"Captain here"
"We are approaching the Norcadian system" Kiska said.
"Very good. I'll be there in a minute" and seconds later, Naomi strode out and took the bridge. "What do sensors tell us?" she asked.
"I'm reading multiple vessels fighting all over the local area" Kiska said.
"What about our route?" asked Naomi.
"Not doing much there at all" said the Bajoran after a moment of adjusting her panel. "Assuming that their sensor systems are the same as on the flagship we engaged earlier, I'd say we would pass well clear of them. Until they hear our ID calling out and decide to come and attack us" she added.
"It's the best I can do under the circumstances" Naomi said. "Oh well… drop out of warp"
"Aye, Captain" Lost said, and worked her board like a piano player.
"Come left to 275 by 9 – ahead one half impulse power"
"Understood"
"Lomar, send out our ID and announce our intentions" Naomi ordered, then pressed a button on her panel. "Attention all hands, this is the Captain. We are entering a potentially hostile zone, and we do not know which side is the least aggressive. Until our prisoners have been transferred to Norcadian custody and we've left the combat zone, I want you all to maintain Yellow Alert. That is all"
"Message is broadcasting on all Norcadian channels" Kiska said. Icheb kept a steady pace as it moved towards Norcadia Prime. "Vessel approaching off the port beam" she said after a while.
"Is she armed?" Naomi asked.
"Not picking up weapons being powered up" Kiska said. "We are being scanned" she added.
"Raise shields and paint a target lock on them for a few seconds" Naomi said. "Just let them know we're not to be messed with" a couple of minutes later, and the Alpha shift arrived on the bridge to take over. Their companion kept pace with them before turning and moving off.
"I am picking up faint sensor echoes that might be a battle in progress" Mezoti said, manning the sensor station.
"We can not get involved" Naomi reminded her. "Keep an eye on them all the same…"
"Actually, it is more of a slaughter" Mezoti amended. "I am picking up two heavy cruisers firing on an unarmed civilian vessel. She is badly damaged and won't last long"
"This is not our fight" said the tactical officer. "If we step in to defend that vessel, we'll be taking sides in a war that is not even in our own quadrant" he added.
"The transport's impulse drive has been disabled. The vessel is dead in the water" a heavy air came down on the bridge as more details came in. "They have a hull breach and are venting into space. The transport is sending out a distress call"
"And that is what I have been waiting for" Naomi said. "Red Alert! Helm plot an intercept course and engage at Warp 1" and the ship leapt into action once more.
"Red Alert! Red Alert! All hands, man your Battlestations. Man your Battlestations, Man your Battlestations, All hands – Red Alert!" the computer intoned.
"Dropping out of warp in 3, 2, 1 and … now" and the Icheb appeared like an angel of darkness out of the ether.
"All decks report cleared for action" Azan said.
"Very good" said Naomi. "Open a channel"
"Open" said Rebi.
"This is the USS Icheb to attacking Norcadian vessels. You are ordered to cease your attack at once, or we will open fire upon you" Naomi spoke clearly, but her hands shook like jelly.
"They are breaking off contact" Mezoti said. "Turning and running away" she added.
"Keep an eye on them please, Mez. All hands, this is the Captain. Stand down from Red Alert. Sickbay, prepare to receive incoming heavy casualties"
"Understood" came the reply from Sickbay.
"Deploy damage control parties to the transport. Send over medical teams as well" Mezoti said.
"Does she have communications?" asked Naomi.
"Just about" said Rebi.
"Patch me in" Naomi waited for the cue. "Norcadian transport. This is the USS Icheb, a Federation starship. We heard your distress call and have come to render aid and assistance. We are deploying medical and engineering teams to your ship in a few moments. The most seriously wounded we'll beam to our ship for treatment. Do you read me, over?"
"We read you, Icheb" said a voice. "Thank you for coming out of your way to help us. We are an unarmed transport carrying civilians away from the fighting, but we got intercepted by two heavy cruisers"
"Don't you worry about any others coming to finish the job, transport. We're going to stay here until you are fit for transit"
"Thank you, Icheb. We'll give your people every bit of help they need. Transport out"
"Tactical, maintain weapons readiness. Science station, keep scanning with active sensors for any muggers in the park" Naomi ordered.
"Naomi, I just ran a sensor scan over her. She was about two beam hits away from disintegrating" Azan said.
"I don't think we'll have enough medical personnel to treat everyone" Rebi said, looking at a report that flashed up on his console. "The whole ship's crammed like a hen full of eggs" he said.
"Security, this is the Captain. Send an armed team to cargo Bays Two and Three"
"Acknowledged"
"What are you thinking of?" asked Mezoti.
"I'm thinking that we have a lot of people in need of redemption" Naomi replied. "I want you to pick out all of the medical people we took aboard and have them help in the wounded"
# # # # #
"Captain's Log, Supplemental. Despite wanting to remain on station to aid in the repairs of the transport we rendered aid to, I have decided to proceed to Norcadia Prime and turn over our prisoners for trial by the local authorities. I have left behind three of our shuttles to act as a piquet for the transport until we are able to return. Long range scans of the adjoining systems indicate faint traces of recent federation designed warp cores being used. Once we have completed our tasks in the Norcadian system, we shall continue our primary mission"
"Captain, approaching orbit" Lost said.
"Very well" Naomi looked up at the viewer which showed the rotating planet. "Assume a standard orbit. Hail the planet"
"Standard orbit, Aye"
"Channel open" Azan said. "We are getting a reply"
"You will return Chancellor Gratis to us at once, or we will open fire on you until you agree to our terms"
"This is Captain Naomi Wildman of the starship Icheb. Gratis is wanted by our peoples for ordered a mass murder and attacking federation starships. She will remain in our custody for trial by our selves. As a peace offering, I am returning the others to you for whatever punishment you deem them worthy of. Any attempt to remove them will be met with equal fo…"
"We're being targeted by ground based defence cannons" Azan said.
"Anything that can hurt us?" Naomi asked.
"We'd get some of the hull melted through" Azan replied. "I am reading some kind of torpedo system being targeted on us" he added.
"Start jamming their targeting sensors" Naomi ordered. "Arm phasers and prepare to fire on anything that threatens this vessel"
"Naomi…?" Rebi pointed at the screen which was displaying a massive punch up between two large groups of Norcadians. As the bridge crew watched with amazement, the government was overthrown and an acting one put into place.
"I am Skolpa" said a male that bore a likeness to the late Commander Chakotay. "We are standing down our weapons. We are only a small population in terms of things, captain. Please do not leave us defenceless"
"Very well" Naomi agreed. "Be advised though, that we reserve the option to strike and eliminate any weapon system that attempts to attack us. Now that that is settled, we have things to discuss about prisoners"
# # # # #
Gratis was remanded to the custody of the Norcadians until Icheb could return after the simple task of defeating the Borg Collective. The vessel dropped off the prisoners, went back to the transport to collect the shuttles and then shepherded the damaged vessel back to an orbital repair complex. To somebody watching the unlikely pair, it was like Giant Bradford attempting to have sex with Tom Thumb. Icheb simply dwarfed the transport in size.
"Contact Norcadian orbital control" Naomi ordered. "Let them know that we're going off"
"Aye, Captain" Mezoti said. "Control has cleared us"
"Attention all hands: rig for departure" Rebi called over the intercom. "All decks report they are rigged for departure, Captain" he informed his friend.
"Very well" Naomi said. "Let us get under weigh. Stand by Transwarp drive. Raise deflector shields, and take us into the atmosphere. Not too far, mind you, but just enough to make our shields glow" and the bridge crew understood what Naomi was doing. She wanted to go to Transwarp from a standing start, but to do so in atmosphere which would make them seem like a fireball in the night sky.
"Transwarp drive is standing by on your command" Azan said.
"Very well" Naomi said. "Helm, engage the drive" and the vessel went off to continue its mission.
