Chapter Seven

The dim red alert lights were now the primary illumination on the Bridge. Marrissa stood up from her seat and turned toward the Engineering station. "Status report!" she ordered.

"The Gubosako's engine blew before our shields were completely up," Clara reported. "The EMP shockwave caused several fuses to blow, most notably in the lighting system, which also needs some elements replaced. We've lost our primary starboard shield generator, and I've got reports of hull damage near the starboard impulse engine. It's off-line at the moment. We also have degraded starboard sensors, at 40% effectiveness. Other than that, we're in good condition. Give me a couple minutes to figure out repair estimates."

"Ops, what's the status of the fighters and the Gubosako?"

"Commander Gordon reports all fighters functioning normally," Rineheart said. "The bulk of the Endeavor protected them, and the Gubosako. The Gubosako is drifting at the moment, but otherwise okay."

"Endeavor to Golden Boy," Marrissa said.

"Golden Boy."

"Can you leave enough fighters here to protect the Endeavor and the Gubsako and still safely escort the Stargazer to our location?" Marrissa asked.

"It will be tight, but we can do it," Jay replied. "The Endeavor would have to assist with mine killing though. I'd leave a couple wings here, and take the rest to the Stargazer."

"Stand by Golden Boy," Marrissa said. "Open a channel to Captain Riker on the Enterprise."

Moments later, Captain Riker appeared on the screen. Behind him, the Enterprise's Bridge was a bustle of activity, as it was the middle of a shift change there. "Enterprise, this is Captain William T. Riker, commanding. Marrissa, what the hell is going on?"

"We left orbit as we discussed this morning, and one of the Tuposakyoships followed us in to the mine field and was hit by one of the mines," Marrissa explained. "We stopped to aid them. We cut off their engine, and when it blew, our shields weren't completely up. Lights are out, and we've got minor shield, sensor, and impulse damage. Clara will send you a full report."

An ensign handed Riker a PADD. "I've got it," Riker said. "What do you need?"

"With the impulse damage, I'm not sure I can pull the Gubosako out of the mine field to safety," Marrissa said. "Commander Gordon believes he can detatch enough fighters to escort the Stargazer here. Can you send her in?"

"I'll dispatch the Stargazer as soon as her fighters arrive," Riker replied. "I want you to return to orbit around the planet along with the Stargazer and the Gubosako. Lend all the aid possible."

"May I tell Minister Teherif that you gave me an extension?" Marrissa asked.

"Tell the Minister that I've decided to give him one more chance with you," Riker said. "But don't take any more risks, Marrissa. The Victory won't arrive for another eight hours, now, and I won't be able to rush to your rescue."

"I don't intend to need rescuing, Captain," Marrissa replied, standing stiffly. "But your warning is taken."

"And Marrissa ..."

"Yes?"

"Relax. Enterprise out."

Once again the channel was open to the First Minister's office, and once again, Marrissa wasn't going very far. As the minister launched into yet another denial of the problem, Marrissa idly did a look up of the First Minister's office location, then took what was now a quite familiar response. "Tell that to the people who ran into you mines in space lanes that have been established for centuries," Marrissa said. "Are you so unbending of your ways that you cannot see how much harm this expansion is causing?"

Another denial ... this was getting to be annoying. One thing was becoming clear in Marrissa's mind, and after a moment, she voiced it. "Minister Teherif, we are going no where at the moment," she said. "So perhaps it's time to break and reconsider our positions. I will see you in two hours to resume our conversation." As the Minister made his closing, Marrissa was dimly aware of her First Officer's exit from the Bridge.

Lieutenant Commander Jay Gordon stood in Transporter Room Three, the closest to the Captain's Quarters on the Endeavor. He'd dismissed the Transporter Chief when he had arrived, and now awaited his expected visitor. He didn't have to wait long, as to door parted to reveal his Captain, Marrissa, dressed in the dress whites. Her hair had become tightly braided since she'd left the bridge, when it had only been in held back by a single braid. She'd slipped a pair of golden combs, entirely non-regulation, but fitting, into her hair, to help hold her braids in place

"Going somewhere, Marrissa?" he asked, leaning up against the console. "You know this sneaking off the ship to pull off a miracle has got to stop. You're the Captain now."

"Jay, I've got to try to get Minister Teherif to listen, or this will end as war," Marrissa said. "I won't let the Federation be dragged though the mud after fighting a barely warp level civilization, not when there is still a chance that I can stop it."

"And this relates to you beaming down onto a hostile planet alone, how?" Jay said, continuing to lean against the console, but now crossing his arms.

"I need to come to him, bringing options, to show that we're not just some high and mighty force with demands that must be met or else," Marrissa said. "Otherwise he'll continue to play the role of the underdog verses the faceless giant. He'll be unyielding, no mater what, and a people and a culture will die."

"Then why you, and why alone, unarmed?" Jay asked.

"I'm the Captain, it's my job," Marrissa said. "No one else should have to be at risk, and you saw what happened to the last people that went down armed."

"Okay, I'll let you beam down, on a couple conditions," Jay said. "One, you keep a channel open to this transporter room, and two, I will keep a lock on you at all times, and beam you up with the slightest bit of chance of harm occurring to you."

"Agreed, but you get Clara on the Bridge as soon as I leave," Marrissa said, taking her place on the transporter platform. "I want a familiar face answering any queries from the planet, and they know her, not you."