Chapter Updated On: - 19/10/2009

Chapter Beta Read by: - Specter06.


Chapter 9 (The Battle)

McGregor stood on the deck of his massive control room overseeing the battle taking place through his twenty-foot windows being fought inside the asteroid belt between six ships and a defenceless transport.

Tulack pierced through the idle murmurs with his announcement, "Captain, if we do not intervene the defenceless vessel will be destroyed." But little did the crew realize that the Cataline people are highly valued and the enemy is not likely to destroy them. But this was not the image the crew could see.

"Open a channel to the alien ships," ordered McGregor walking to his chair in the middle of the spacious command deck trying his best to hold back the anger he has been developing over the pointless attacks he could see through the windows.

"Channel open," replied Tulack adding a slight Vulcan touch to his answer.

"This is Alex McGregor of the USS Explorer, you are to stop your attack immediately and leave this area or we will engage your ships." McGregor demanded in a mood not to over-intimidating however he did show a slight 'not caring' attitude.

A few moments pass and the fighting still continues to no avail. McGregor repeated in a more harshly tone then before, "I will not ask again!"

After that, the channel was closed with no response coming from the enemy. McGregor, being tired of this race attacking these people, decided that something needed to be done before the ship that carried about five hundred souls would be destroyed.

"Tulack, are there any other life forms on the lead alien ship?" questioned McGregor as he spun in place getting a good and un-obscured view at Tulack who will eventually give him the go-ahead for his next stage of attack.

"Negative, I am not reading any other life forms on the attacking ships." Tulack replied.

McGregor looked at a situation that demanded immediate action, if he was going to save the people on that sleek blue ship then he needs to open fire or attract the fighting ships away otherwise the life of five hundred people will be on his head.

Being fed up and muttering under his breath McGregor said, "OK then, if that's the way you want it."

"Lock the primary beam cannon on the lead ship." said McGregor standing up from his post and directing his eyes in the direction of the lead vessel gliding around the asteroids.

As the command was acknowledged, one of the massive 15-meter long beam cannons sprang to life and rotated creating a perching hollow deep rumbling sound from the motors allowing the cannon to track the position of the enemy ship.

As soon as the cannon locked onto the enemy ship, the enemy also noticed this action and began moving closer to the Explorer to attack.

The attacks on the transport stopped immediately, which per-stowed a state of confusion and worry for the crew on this defenceless transport.

Looking through the large windows at the front of the vessel, Lolai-yu could see the massive Explorer hovering in the distance and the tail, tail signs of the crummy enemy ships on an intercept course to attack. Suddenly small flares or fireworks began to drift from the surrounding areas in space and into the cannon that can barely be seen at their distance.

After three seconds of this method of charging, a beam of yellow light with a core of fire in it, shot across the asteroid field. Slowly the massive endless beam of light drifted across space disintegrating and destroying asteroids before it drifted gracefully through space towards the enemy ship.

The beam moved towards the enemy ship and as the horizon of the beam struck the shields. Great shreds of light glittered of it before the full core of the beam took out the shields and penetrated the hull. The hull melted and blew apart with a great lightshow like a welder welding metal together.

The beam stayed on for a further 5 seconds before discharging and cooling down.

After the lead ship was blown to bits the remaining ships pause in mid air before they decided foolishly that the remaining five ships could attack from different locations.

"Captain, the remaining ships are on an intercept course from different locations." Tulack followed up immediately displaying holographic repartitions of the fight scene on one of the projectors in the middle of the room,

"When they are in range of the normal weapons, activate the phaser banks and blast cannons. Then prepare the ship for docking with that transport." McGregor held his breath slightly at the view of the approaching enemy ships. He hoped that seeing their leader's demise would prove to be an adequate example of what they are up against and decide not to pursue this course of action. However as he briskfully waited, he saw no sign of them leaving, "Are we jamming their signals?" McGregor knew that having there communications jammed would make it difficult for them to coordinate an attack and even though he is in command of a very powerful ship, he just wanted to make there lives difficult.

"Yes sir, they are unable to communicate for reinforcements." replied the communications officer.

The enemy ships flew closer to the Explorer from different locations; the jellyfish shaped cannons moved and tracked one of the enemy ships that was closing in. Unable to fire, the cannon idly waited for the ship to enter firing range before releasing a sharp blast of energy at the approaching ship.

Two blasts from the cannon disabled the enemy shields before the third blasted a hole in the side of the hull hitting the ships warp engines and causing it to explode.

The exploding ship, which was moving at high speed, crashed into the Explorer's shields leaving a mess of smoke and light that blinded the view of the battle for a short time.

Phaser banks then opened fire with the normal charging and firing of phasers in different locations of the ship, not as powerful as the blast cannons but each shot weakened the enemy shields before a blast cannon with nothing to do got board and decided to finish the ship of.

However, the remaining ships then launched fighters.

"We are getting a launch of smaller ships sir, about thirty smaller ships are launching from the enemy. They are heading this way," Tulack stated with a slight tone of urgency, which is uncommon for a Vulcan

"OK, activate the security guns. They are automatic and designed for this type of combat, concentrate the main guns on the larger remaining enemy ships." McGregor gave of a slight grin as he looked at the real-time activates on a holographic display on the command deck.

Blasts of enemy fire struck the shields of the Explorer causing no damage.

Suddenly all over the ship, under, top and on the sides, chambers opened in which a single gun turret would be holding four gatling pulse guns. As the cannon rose out of its protection chamber on the ship, the barrels of the guns began to rotate and the guns then locked onto the individual enemy fighters.

The guns can only fire when the enemy ships are within one thousand meters however they carry their own power supply, shields and are self-targeting.

"All sixty-six pulse cannon turret guns are operational and locked on to the enemy fighters. Once they are in range they will open fire" one of the officers at firing control enthusiastically said because these guns are his babies and having them perform to the best of the ability makes him proud and overjoyed that they are being used in this manor.

Kraile-li watched the massive battle take place between the small puny ships and this massive god like vessel that appeared out of no ware. Who are they, and what do they want pondered their minds as they glared out of the windows?

"I don't recognise their markings" Kraile-li said clutching the control panels trying to hide her panicking fear.

Lolai-yu replied, "I have not seen them before. But you can guess they're after us. Can we escape out of here?" she then got a simple but abrupt answer, "No! We are severely damaged. Our life support is failing also. I guess we have no choice but to surrender." She gave a slight defiant look at Kraile-li before she finished her last statement. She looked to the floor while pondering all the hateful things that could happen to her.

The enemy fighters entered range of the pulse cannon turret guns and immediately the cannons opened fire with a hale of yellow plasma bolts which flew in space in sets of four destroying anything that gets in its way.

Sparks of lights displayed the destruction of each enemy fighter as one by one, the fighters were destroyed. The larger enemy ships then retreated in a retarded manor as they realised that there 'so called friends' got destroyed.

Suddenly out of the blue, a sudden flash from behind the Explorer that displayed the characteristics of a nuclear explosion struck the shields and destroyed everything in the area. Luckily the transport was behind the Explorer and protected by the blast.

The shockwave shook the Explorer and all its inhabitance causing damage to a few systems and caused some problems.

"What the hell was that?" McGregor roared in anger at the sudden jolt that sent his ship sideways causing him to fall over ass first on the floor.

The ceiling, which is covered in florescent lights behind glass panels, all flickered off and then struggled to turn on as the blast shook the lighting cables and shorted out a few systems on the command deck. Because all the systems are protected by circuit breakers, the damage or explosions from this didn't happen and the systems just went off.

"Shields are down to 67% but they are recharging back to full strength. Minor damage sustained to the outer hulls and radiation has been detected decks 150 to 214. Decontamination systems are in operation." Tulack stated as he gained his footing and listed the reports coming in.

"This is the breaker room, What the hell are you guys up to, I just had several rows of breakers shut off, do you know how long it takes to switch on each row!" shouted a angry individual down the com, with the endless clicking of circuit breakers going off in the background.

"A nuclear device just went off outside our shields, do what you can to get systems back online" McGregor replied shutting of the COM Unit and interrupting the individual that was about to carry on his ranting and raving towards him.

"Tulack, are there any more ships out there with nuclear devices?" McGregor questioned.

"I am not reading any signs of nuclear weapons on any of the remaining fighter's captain. However they might have developed a way to mask there nuclear signatures" Tulack replied performing detailed scans.

"Make sure all weapons are locked onto the fighters, I do not want another attack like that!" said McGregor

Few moments pass as the fighters were cleaned up by the pulse cannon turret guns and blast cannons. Leaving nothing but clear space and the drifting of rocks, debris and bodies.

Kraile-li who witnessed the battle looked in fear as she can see the massive ship heading towards them. The Explorer pushed rocks and debris out of the way with its shields as it headed straight for the small defenceless and disabled blue transport.

Kraile-li jumped out her chair to warn the others that they are about to be boarded with Lolai-yu following behind.

Suddenly large banging sounds echoed throughout the ship as the Explorer lowered its docking arm and attached it to the side of the ship.

Silence followed after a shudder and clanking of metal on the outer hull. The suspense was epic, everyone stood in silence to know whom this new invader was, everyone clearly knew about the treatment they're going to expect and this massive size ship can only mean that they are most feared in the quadrant. There have been rumours of a very powerful sect that takes Cataline people and they're never heard from again, perhaps these are the people.

Kraile-li stood in fear almost ready to faint with Lolai-yu ready to fight anyone that enters the ship; she grasps the nearest weapon and builds up her anger ready to strike.

Lay-yi being young and having the memories of her past experience begins to get very worried, sticking close to her friend who is still inside the cocoon.

A small hole is then drilled in the side of the hull and purple smoke pumped in which will desterilise all infections and deceases. However the Cataline people don't know about this and they all could do was to hold their breath and pray. They don't know who they are, but they know the enemy will not kill them due to the high value they pose.

McGregor stood outside the airlock door going over all the checks before the break the seal into the blue silky ship.

"OK everyone, remember be careful and we must get these people to the decontamination and treatment centre at the end of this hall way. Once they get the translator microbes it should make our job more easier, but for the time being we must be careful, and watch out for weapons." McGregor warned.

With a small charge, the transports door springs open to a dark and musty place. The crew and McGregor walk in only to turn and find a large opening full of Cataline people all holding each other and looking very scared.

McGregor then calls out for Arania to help and convince the people that they are safe.

A state of confusion erupted, as no one knows who the humans are and why a member of there owns species was helping them. After a while everyone got the hint that they are needed to walk out and down the tunnel. A few of the crew helped to carry the cocoons out of the ship to the treatment centre.

But McGregor ended up having a run in with Lolai-yu who was standing behind a hatch ready to pounce on the first person who came through and take out before she was subdued. As McGregor walked into the room, he was met by an angry female who proceeded in bashing his head in. McGregor, who was caught of guard came plummeting to the ground and was unable to fend of the angry female. A few of his crew managed to overhear the yells for help and capture then remove Lolai-yu who by this time was out of control in a fit of rage.

"Captain, are you OK," One of the crewmen, lamented as he tried to pick him off his feet.

"Damn it, that female bashed me in, god!" said McGregor muttering to himself as he checked his blood soaked hand he moved form his head. "I will have to go to the medical bay, take over," McGregor then left the area with a slight stumble as he tried his best to leave with some dignity after being beaten up by a cute blue creature.

At the treatment centre a few crewmembers can be seen marching the Cataline people through different rooms, one room had more purple decontamination smoke. Then they passed into the room that contained translator microbes to be breathed in. No one from the Cataline people knew what was going on, but the crew directing them did not help matters as they rushed them through. "That's it! Go on through, I know you don't understand me, but never mind! You will eventually, that's it, move it!" as one crewmember said pushing the people through the rooms.

A good old fella, who has a small crush on these people, was eagerly watching them pass through the treatment centre. Sam who works at maintenance and controls the Space Car bays was watching the Cataline people, as if he was window-shopping. His friend came and began to talk to him.

"See anyone you like?" Said Sam's friend.

"They are so hot!" Sam over enthusiastically said with his eyes fixated on the females walking past like lost children. "They're kind of like a human with blue skin, cat like ears, small teeth like a vampire, sexy skin clothing and the spots of a Trill without the symbiont. Very unique"

Arania spotted Sam's hasty response towards her people, which prompted her to tell them of. This then sparked more confused and bewildered look from the Cataline people because no one, like them has ever disciplined or talked in a manner that Arania just did.