The U.S.S. Titan
Disclaimer: All D.C. comics belong to them. Major (and, boy, do I mean major) apologies to Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek (all bow down in worship). By the way, is that how you spell it? Probably not, I need a beta. Okay… it's utter weirdness, but hey, it's fun (for me anyway). Enjoy!
Chapter One
The ship moved through the blackness of space. Its engines pulsed as they pushed it along. The hull was pockmarked form space debris, but the paint was still white, and the name was proudly emblazoned across it.
The U.S.S Titan.
* * * * *
On the bridge, Captain Richard 'Dick' Grayson sat back in his chair. He felt relaxed at the prospect of the mission ahead of him and his crew. They had been cruising outside Federation space for the past six months, and all were happy about just one more fairly straightforward mission before they returned home. They were on a peacekeeping mission to the planet of Tamaran.
A civil war on the planet had recently reached such heights that it was spilling out into Federation space, causing the Federation to get involved.
"We should be entering the Vega system in a few minutes, Captain." The voice of his navigation officer cut across the captain's thoughts. Lieutenant Garth Shayeris sat at his screen, constantly checking the ship's position.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Grayson replied. "Anything on the scan, West?"
Lieutenant Wallace West, known as 'Flash' for his uncanny turn of speed, darted between keyboards, making minor adjustments before speaking.
"Yes, cap'n. There's three ships coming out from behind that moon."
"Show them on screen."
The display flickered as it changed to show the three ships. They were short, squat, and painted a dark green colour.
"Gordanians," Dick breathed.
"I didn't know they were involved," Commander Donna Troy's blue eyes met his.
"I heard rumours," he admitted quietly, "but I wasn't sure. I didn't want to arrive with a wrong idea of the situation."
"Should we attack, cap'n?" Ensign Roy Harper called from his position at the weapons panel.
"Hold your fire, Harper. We'll wait till we know their intentions. I won't have it said that I fired on the welcoming party at peace negotiations."
At the age of twenty-three, Dick Grayson was the youngest captain in the Federation. Several rumours had flown round about him, all of which he had taken personally. All his crew knew that he took his reputation very seriously.
"They're stopping in front of us, captain," Garth reported.
"Open hailing frequencies to them."
"They're responding, sir," West said as he pressed the button to put the picture on screen. The green face of a Gordanian filled it. Dick stood, and addressed the screen.
"Greetings. I am Captain Grayson of the U.S. Starship Titan. We are on a peacekeeping mission. If your ships would kindly move aside, we can carry out our mission."
The face on the screen contorted into a grotesque sneer as it started at them contemptuously.
"You will not complete your mission, Federation scum!" It reached forwards to its control panel and pressed a button. Sizzling bolts of energy shot through space towards the Titan. Wally slammed the shields up around the ship just in time. The bolts exploded against them, rocking the ship. Dick grabbed the rail behind him to stop himself from falling. The Gordanian continued to sneer.
"You will not last long, human vermin!" It abruptly cut off transmission.
"Right," Dick stated more calmly than he felt, "good work with the shields, Wally."
Wally nodded.
"I think that can be considered a hostile move," Dick continued, "so we have no option but to retaliate."
He was interrupted by further shaking of the ship, as the Gordanians fired again.
"Shields are holding up well, cap'n," Wally reported.
"The Gordanians are moving apart," Garth added. "One's staying at the front and the others are going for the sides."
Dick nodded his thanks to them.
"Mr. Harper? Let's see you use that famous aim." He smiled. "See if it's all it's cracked up to be. Pick off the middle one."
Roy grinned, and immediately began to align the guns. He fired, and the middle ship disappeared in a burst of flame. The two remaining ships renewed their attacks, causing the Titan to shudder violently.
"Shields down to fifty percent, cap'n," Wally reported.
"Harper, take out the other two," Grayson ordered.
"On it, cap'n." Roy trained the guns on the ship that was attacking their starboard side. Squeezing off a shot, he moved his attention to the port side, not even waiting to see the ship he had hit explode.
Dick smiled. He had complete confidence in Roy's marksmanship. They had both attended the Academy together, but whereas Dick had studied hard, Roy had more of a preference for the high life. This, however, hadn't stopped them being the greatest of friends.
As the third ship was destroyed, Dick turned to Wally.
"Any more ships on your scanner, Lieutenant?"
"None, cap'n," came the answer.
"Good shooting, Roy. Garth, set the ship back on course."
"Aye aye, sir," Garth said, lapsing into nautical lingo, something he often did, having been brought up on a ship.
"Damage report?" Dick turned to Ensign Grant Emerson.
"There's some damage to level fourteen, position alpha," Emerson announced. "No hull breach, but it's fairly close."
"Get onto Victor Stone about it."
"Right away, cap'n."
Dick slumped into his captain's chair, ran a hand through his hair and frowned. Donna Troy looked at him concerned.
"It's not good, is it?" she asked in a low voice.
"Not if they're involved." He shook his head. "It means it's not as straightforward as we thought. The Gordanian involvement adds a whole new angle."
"And we don't even know what side they're on. Aren't they supposed to be one of the most vicious species in this space sector?"
"Yes. That's what worries me."
"You'll do fine." She placed her hand on his. "I just know it."
* * * * *
The Titan hung in orbit above the planet of Tamaran. The captain looked at his handpicked diplomatic team, which consisted of himself, Commander Troy, Lieutenant Shayeris and Ensign Harper. Turning, he addressed the remainder of his bridge crew.
"Wally, I'm leaving you in charge here. Don't attack anyone unless it becomes absolutely necessary."
"No, sir!" Wally grinned. "Good luck, captain."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Dick smiled as he led his team into the elevator.
"But I'm hoping we won't need luck," he added softly as the doors closed.
To be continued…
(A/n: I've just realised that in my head, I hear the Gordanians like the French taunter from Monty Python's Holy Grail!! Sorry if that's not how you hear them.)
Disclaimer: All D.C. comics belong to them. Major (and, boy, do I mean major) apologies to Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek (all bow down in worship). By the way, is that how you spell it? Probably not, I need a beta. Okay… it's utter weirdness, but hey, it's fun (for me anyway). Enjoy!
Chapter One
The ship moved through the blackness of space. Its engines pulsed as they pushed it along. The hull was pockmarked form space debris, but the paint was still white, and the name was proudly emblazoned across it.
The U.S.S Titan.
* * * * *
On the bridge, Captain Richard 'Dick' Grayson sat back in his chair. He felt relaxed at the prospect of the mission ahead of him and his crew. They had been cruising outside Federation space for the past six months, and all were happy about just one more fairly straightforward mission before they returned home. They were on a peacekeeping mission to the planet of Tamaran.
A civil war on the planet had recently reached such heights that it was spilling out into Federation space, causing the Federation to get involved.
"We should be entering the Vega system in a few minutes, Captain." The voice of his navigation officer cut across the captain's thoughts. Lieutenant Garth Shayeris sat at his screen, constantly checking the ship's position.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Grayson replied. "Anything on the scan, West?"
Lieutenant Wallace West, known as 'Flash' for his uncanny turn of speed, darted between keyboards, making minor adjustments before speaking.
"Yes, cap'n. There's three ships coming out from behind that moon."
"Show them on screen."
The display flickered as it changed to show the three ships. They were short, squat, and painted a dark green colour.
"Gordanians," Dick breathed.
"I didn't know they were involved," Commander Donna Troy's blue eyes met his.
"I heard rumours," he admitted quietly, "but I wasn't sure. I didn't want to arrive with a wrong idea of the situation."
"Should we attack, cap'n?" Ensign Roy Harper called from his position at the weapons panel.
"Hold your fire, Harper. We'll wait till we know their intentions. I won't have it said that I fired on the welcoming party at peace negotiations."
At the age of twenty-three, Dick Grayson was the youngest captain in the Federation. Several rumours had flown round about him, all of which he had taken personally. All his crew knew that he took his reputation very seriously.
"They're stopping in front of us, captain," Garth reported.
"Open hailing frequencies to them."
"They're responding, sir," West said as he pressed the button to put the picture on screen. The green face of a Gordanian filled it. Dick stood, and addressed the screen.
"Greetings. I am Captain Grayson of the U.S. Starship Titan. We are on a peacekeeping mission. If your ships would kindly move aside, we can carry out our mission."
The face on the screen contorted into a grotesque sneer as it started at them contemptuously.
"You will not complete your mission, Federation scum!" It reached forwards to its control panel and pressed a button. Sizzling bolts of energy shot through space towards the Titan. Wally slammed the shields up around the ship just in time. The bolts exploded against them, rocking the ship. Dick grabbed the rail behind him to stop himself from falling. The Gordanian continued to sneer.
"You will not last long, human vermin!" It abruptly cut off transmission.
"Right," Dick stated more calmly than he felt, "good work with the shields, Wally."
Wally nodded.
"I think that can be considered a hostile move," Dick continued, "so we have no option but to retaliate."
He was interrupted by further shaking of the ship, as the Gordanians fired again.
"Shields are holding up well, cap'n," Wally reported.
"The Gordanians are moving apart," Garth added. "One's staying at the front and the others are going for the sides."
Dick nodded his thanks to them.
"Mr. Harper? Let's see you use that famous aim." He smiled. "See if it's all it's cracked up to be. Pick off the middle one."
Roy grinned, and immediately began to align the guns. He fired, and the middle ship disappeared in a burst of flame. The two remaining ships renewed their attacks, causing the Titan to shudder violently.
"Shields down to fifty percent, cap'n," Wally reported.
"Harper, take out the other two," Grayson ordered.
"On it, cap'n." Roy trained the guns on the ship that was attacking their starboard side. Squeezing off a shot, he moved his attention to the port side, not even waiting to see the ship he had hit explode.
Dick smiled. He had complete confidence in Roy's marksmanship. They had both attended the Academy together, but whereas Dick had studied hard, Roy had more of a preference for the high life. This, however, hadn't stopped them being the greatest of friends.
As the third ship was destroyed, Dick turned to Wally.
"Any more ships on your scanner, Lieutenant?"
"None, cap'n," came the answer.
"Good shooting, Roy. Garth, set the ship back on course."
"Aye aye, sir," Garth said, lapsing into nautical lingo, something he often did, having been brought up on a ship.
"Damage report?" Dick turned to Ensign Grant Emerson.
"There's some damage to level fourteen, position alpha," Emerson announced. "No hull breach, but it's fairly close."
"Get onto Victor Stone about it."
"Right away, cap'n."
Dick slumped into his captain's chair, ran a hand through his hair and frowned. Donna Troy looked at him concerned.
"It's not good, is it?" she asked in a low voice.
"Not if they're involved." He shook his head. "It means it's not as straightforward as we thought. The Gordanian involvement adds a whole new angle."
"And we don't even know what side they're on. Aren't they supposed to be one of the most vicious species in this space sector?"
"Yes. That's what worries me."
"You'll do fine." She placed her hand on his. "I just know it."
* * * * *
The Titan hung in orbit above the planet of Tamaran. The captain looked at his handpicked diplomatic team, which consisted of himself, Commander Troy, Lieutenant Shayeris and Ensign Harper. Turning, he addressed the remainder of his bridge crew.
"Wally, I'm leaving you in charge here. Don't attack anyone unless it becomes absolutely necessary."
"No, sir!" Wally grinned. "Good luck, captain."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Dick smiled as he led his team into the elevator.
"But I'm hoping we won't need luck," he added softly as the doors closed.
To be continued…
(A/n: I've just realised that in my head, I hear the Gordanians like the French taunter from Monty Python's Holy Grail!! Sorry if that's not how you hear them.)