━━ Do Not Touch The Button
System Loading... Reagan Kelley... 32%

All Reagan felt was anger as she watched the bodies of former cadets float around like kites without strings. Her anger only matched by her need to avenge all those no longer with them. She continuously sent commands to various cadets below to get ready for a fight, should it come down to it.

In the corner of her eye she kept watch over Bethany, who looked ready to collapse on sight. She was grateful for Jim's steady hold on her as she worked tirelessly to keep them safe. Nothing was going to stand in her way of keeping her family safe.

"Captain, they're locking torpedoes." Spock announced.

"Then they'll taste mine." Reagan replied, more aggressively than she had meant, but she had made her intentions clear.

They had started a war on the federation and Reagan would play a role in making sure they understood just what they were up against. She punched in some more codes as the enterprise got closer to the unknown vessel which loomed over Vulcan. It was massive in size and no doubt had more advanced technology, but the enterprise was quick and had a few tricks up her sleeve. It's what Reagan is counting on.

"Avert auxiliary power from port nacelles to forward shields." Pike ordered, not phased in the slightest by Reagan's comment.

Reagan grasped her console as a set of torpedoes slammed into the Enterprise. She looks up to find Jim holding Bethany close to him and Leonard looking up at her in concern. She waved him off as she assessed the damage done to her weapons bay and whether or not they could fire back.

"Sulu, status report." Pike demanded.

Sulu checked the state of the Enterprise as quickly as he could, "Shields at thirty-two percent. They're weapons are powerful, sir. We can't take another hit like that."

"Get me Starfleet Command."

"Permission to fire back, Captain?" Reagan asked, her hand hovering over the flashing red button.

"Denied." Pike replied. "We don't know what we are dealing with."

"Sir, we can't just do nothing. Look at what it did to the rest of the fleet."

"Captain, the Romulan ship has lowered some kind of high energy pulse device into the Vulcan atmosphere. It's signal appears to be blocking our communications and transporter abilities." Spock spoke up from his station.

"We need to take it out, Sir." Reagan said in a grave tone. "Otherwise Vulcan is doomed and we are next."

Pike looked between his Commander and weapon specialist. Reagan knew she had put forward a compelling argument. If they did nothing then they have failed their mission. Reagan knew that the enterprise's mission wasn't to continue a war, but to save lives. However, she wouldn't mind taking out a few of their defenses if it meant they got to live another day.

"All power to forward shields. Prepare to fire all weapons." Pike announced after a moment.

Spock and Reagan shared a knowing look before reading their stations to rain hellfire and beam up survivors. Reagan set to work doing just that when a commotion near Nyota set her off. The girl was typing frantically and it alerted everyone else on the bridge until she finally stood up.

"Captain, we're being hailed."

The crew waited as the face of their enemy appeared on screen. Reagan felt her blood boil as he appeared dismissive of all the carnage he's left in his wake. She looked over to find Leonard standing beside her looking at the man on the screen with distaste. She tried not to let his presence affect her, but in truth it would be a lie. All he did was remind her of what she was fighting for.

"Hello."

Pike stood unfazed, "I'm Captain Christopher Pike. To whom am I speaking."

"Hi Christopher, I'm Nero." The man replied, his voice holding a hint of amusement.

"You've declared war against the Federation. Withdraw. I'll agree to arrange a conference with Romulan leadership at a neutral location."

"I do not speak for the Empire." Nero said, his voice indicating irritation at being compared to the Romulan leadership. "We stand apart, as does your Vulcan crewmember, isn't that right, Spock?"

All eyes trained on Spock as he stood slowly. Reagan watched as he walked forward to face his accuser, but none could understand what it was he was being accused of. Reagan watched his body language to see if he would give way to what was happening, but all she saw was confusion. Pure confusion.

"Pardon me, I do not believe that you and I are acquainted?"

"No, we're not. Not yet." Nero replied, confusing everyone on board. "Spock, there's something I would like you to see. Captain Pike, your transporter has been disabled. As you can see by the rest of your armada, you have no choice. You will man a shuttle, come aboard the Narada, for negotiations. That is all."

The video of Nero ends abruptly and silence fills the air. Reagan looks at Spock in shock as her hand still hovers slightly over the red button. She knew Pike wouldn't readily agree to give himself up. At least not without some sort of advantage over Nero.

"He'll kill you, you know that." Jim said, seeing Pike not dismissing Nero's demands.

"Your survival is unlikely." Spock agreed.

"Captain, we gain nothing by diplomacy. Going over to that ship is a mistake."

"I, too, agree. You should rethink your strategy."

Reagan moved her hand and canceled all launch codes until ordered otherwise. She was at a loss for how to feel as Pike mulled over what to do. Beside her stood Leonard who looked down at all the different buttons spread across her console. He reached out to touch one, but she slapped it away.

"Do not touch the button."

"He couldn't possibly be considering going."

Reagan looked up at him, "He is. This situation reminds me too much of USS Kelvin and what did the Captain of that ship do?"

Leonard's eyebrow rose, "He sacrificed himself."

"What makes you think this will be any different?"

Leonard didn't answer as the two watched as Pike asked for officers who had advanced hand-to-hand combat skills. Reagan volunteered, but was shot down with the poor explanation that she was needed on the bridge. She tried not to retort back as Leonard left her side to go to medical. Bethany stayed put per Pike's request.

"Come with me. Kirk, O'Neal, you too. You're not supposed to be here anyway. Beth, I need you to run a quick check up. Chekov, you have the conn."

"Aye aye Captain."