The multiple Species 8472 ships flew in towards the two Starfleet vessels. The tips of the ships glowed bright yellow before discharging on the Akira class starship which resulted in a fiery explosion. Three of the four away team members walked from the turbolift and to their stations. Zofchak had headed down to Engineering.
"What's going on?" Sparhawk said walking up to his captain.
"Open a channel, Mr. Fulks." Allensworth said practically ignoring Sparhawk.
Fulks pressed a few buttons on the console. "Channel open, sir."
"This is Captain Allensworth of the starship Alexandria. You have invaded Federation space and destroyed a Federation vessel. If you do not comply we'll be forced to open fire."
"No response." Fulks said.
A few of the one manned ships flew by the Sovereign class starship.
"Mr. Fulks, fire a spread of photon torpedoes. Dispersal pattern: Sierra."
Fulks pressed buttons on his console and the Alexandria fired two photon torpedoes that then each separated into three smaller photon torpedoes. The six small torpedoes hit two of the ships.
"Two enemy ships hit. Moderate damage." Merriell reported.
One of the ships stopped in front of the Alexandria and its tip began to glow.
"It's charging its weapons." Merriel said.
"Come about, Lieutenant to one four zero mark zero zero three. Mr. Fulks, fire phasers."
The Alexandria whipped around as two ends of the phaser array on the top of her saucer section glowed orange and then moved towards each other. Once met, a beam shot from the saucer section towards the enemy ship. The phaser beam hit the ship's aft section just as it discharged its weapon. The impact sent the ship flying out of control, firing its weapon wildly and slicing through two of its own ships. The ship also collided with another ship destroying them both.
"Four enemy ships destroyed."
Three more 8472 ships charged their main weapons and fired at the Alexandria.
"Evasive maneuvers, Lieutenant." Allensworth said hoping that Moran could outmaneuver Species 8472's destructive firepower. Moran's fingers flashed across her control board. A beam of pure yellow energy swept across the view screen as the Alexandria came about, barely missing the ship. Allensworth let out a small sigh of relief but he knew the battle wasn't over yet.
"Divert all power to shields." Allensworth said as the ship barely missed another attack.
Before anyone could comply, a third beam impacted the Alexandria's initial shielding. The ship rocked violently, knocking everyone off their feet. Zofchak's voice came over the intercom.
"Engineering to Bridge, anti-matter containment fields failing. If I can't stabilize them, we'll have to eject the core or she'll blow."
"Power coupling severed in forward phaser banks. Attempting to bypass. Shields buckling, Captain. They'll not withstand anoth…" Merriell was cut off as another hit rocked the bridge.
The red alert claxon went silent as the ship went dark. Only to be illuminated by the residual flames from the exploding computer panels. Fulks lost his grip of his console and careened onto the floor. As he impacted the rampantly shaking deck, the only noise he heard over the noises of exploding panels was that of his shoulder breaking. He attempted to grab his shoulder despite the immense pain that was throughout his body. The only thing that stopped him was his lack of consciousness.
As the emergency flickered on, the first thing that Kit noticed were the small pools of blood dripping from the helm. It was her blood. She checked her face to find nothing wrong but she noticed a laceration on her left hand that was still slightly trickling.
"There's another ship coming in." Merriell reported. "It's the Titan."
The Luna class USS Titan came up from underneath the battle firing phasers and photon torpedoes. The photon torpedoes struck a few of the ships, destroying them.
"The ships are moving off and regrouping with the others." Merriell said.
"Do you know where they're headed, Mr. Merriell?" Allensworth said getting to his feet.
"It looks like their headed to Sector Zero Zero One. The Terran System." Merriell said.
"Earth." Allensworth said to himself. "Damage report. Dustin, how are things down there?"
A few silent seconds passed before Zofchak's voice came over the intercom.
"We've lost warp engines, inertial dampers are offline, starboard power coupling is down, containment field generator three is damaged. If we'd taken another hit we'd be staring a warp core breech right in the face."
"Acknowledged, Mr. Zofchak."
"Sir, the Titan is hailing us." Merriell said.
"On screen."
Seconds later, an image of Captain William T. Riker filled the screen.
"Can we offer assistance?" He said.
"We'll take anything we can get."