Chapter 3- On the Bridge of The Enterprise

A fierce explosion rocked the Enterprise. Kirk braced himself in the command chair, the calm in the eye of a storm of intercom chatter, the red alert siren, electrical fires, and moans of injured crewmembers. He watched Sulu, his helmsman and Chekov, his navigator scramble back to their seats.

"Prepare to attack. All hands battle stations." Kirk ordered.

Chekov punched a few buttons at the navigation and weapons console. "Phasers armed and ready, captain."

"Fire!" Kirk ordered.

"Aye Captain" Chekov replied, his Russian accent slightly more pronounced than it normally was.

The view screen lit up with flashes of light from phasers hitting against the shields and the hull of the Romulan warbird.

Sulu looked down at his display from the helm. "We have a control circuit malfunction, captain. Phaser banks not responding."

"Evasive maneuvers, starboard. Let's get some distance between us and them"

"Aye, Sir." Sulu said.

The view screen showed a burst of weapons fire. The Enterprise convulsed as an explosion detonated a few meters off the port side.

Sparks leapt from the science station. Spock ignored them. "We're getting damage reports on decks 14 and 26." He calmly provided reports on damage to ships power systems, propulsion, life support, and the hull.

Kirk stared at the view screen intently. He stroked his chin, and watched the Romulan warbird decrease in size as they moved further away.

"The Romulans do not appear to be in pursuit." Sulu said. "They have life support, but otherwise appear to be dead in the water."

"Keep me posted, Mr. Sulu." Kirk rose from the command chair and paced near the helm. "They came out of nowhere, phasers blasting trying to blow us out of the sky. Why?"

"They wanted to cover up a neutral zone infraction, so they fired on our wessel." Chekov offered.

Sulu looked toward the captain. "But they should know that we have already informed Starfleet."

"They have never been too concerned with crossing into the neutral zone in the past. They've been further into Federation territory than this before." Chekov said.

"Five times since the treaty was signed, to be precise." Spock added. "All but one were classified by the Romulans as navigational errors."

"…and the other time was after four Federation Starbases were destroyed. Yes I know" Kirk recalled. "Why would they risk a war over something that could be explained away as a navigational error? Why are there Romulans on earth? What are they up to?"

"They're up to no damn good, Jim." Dr. "Bones" McCoy drawled. "We need to do something."

"It would seem to me that if the Romulans were up to no damn good, as Dr. McCoy eloquently stated, we would need to go to the surface."

Kirk nodded. "Mr. Spock, take command of the bridge. I'm taking an away team to the surface."

"Captain, may I remind you that…"

"Spock. Save your breath. You are going to argue that it is dangerous to go to the surface and that you should lead the away team. I will acknowledge and ignore all your arguments."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Captain."

"Your objections will be noted. Chekov, Bones. Come with me."

"Captain." Sulu said. "I'd like to volunteer."

"Stay here, I want to be able to dance at your wedding."

"I have no plans to get married soon." Sulu replied.

"Perhaps someday. And when you do, I want to be there."

"Aye Captain." Sulu smiled. "I'll send an invitation."

******

Kirk assembled his away team in the transporter room. McCoy, Chekov, Deurtnap, and Malheureux two large square jawed, ruggedly handsome security officers, and the pretty, petite biochemist named Cortez. He studied them carefully before taking his spot on the transporter pad. Except for McCoy, he thought, they were a good-looking group.

Within seconds of the command to 'energize', the away team rematerialized near a dumpster behind a warehouse. The group spread out and began to familiarize themselves with their surroundings.

Kirk called the strong, burly crewman in the red shirt over. "Ensign Deurtnap?"

"Call me Mort." The security specialist said, looking over at the blonde biochemist.

Kirk knew that Deurtnap's informality was more to impress the biochemist then to be amicable. Maybe she likes them dumb, he mused. Starfleet attracted the best and the brightest to the Enterprise. On occasion, though, it seemed like a few of the least and the dullest found their way onto starships. Then again, maybe Deurtnap was an idio-savant when it came to security, strategy, and tactics.

"Jim. Over here" McCoy called out. He was kneeling over a body. I think this was the man who transmitted the signal Uhura intercepted."

"Jack Bauer?"

"Yes. He's not breathing."