Title: "Gateway" 37/45
Author: Quills
Contact:the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Series: ENT
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.
Codes: A, T/Tu, Ma, S, R, P angst, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure
Summary: Captain Archer is relieved of command for a secret mission into the 24th Century .
To find and stop the Suliban renegade Silik. While he is gone, a Vulcan Starfleet Captain from
the future is given temporary command of the Enterprise NX-01 with his own orders to
investigate the 'Temporal Cold War'.
Chapter 37
Captain Archer leaned over the shoulder of Tol, Bolian astrophysics officer. He had ordered the
Bolian to run a spectrographic analysis of the localized area around the systems
G@ star. Specifically, Archer wanted to know the concentration levels of chronometric particles.
They had already determined that the 'Kirk' had initiated a slingshot effect around the systems star,
enabling the 'Kirk' to travel back in time...presumably to the late 21st century.
"Can you tell how long ago the' Kirk' left our time period?" asked the Captain
The Bolian shook his head as he performed another sensor sweep of the surrounding space.
"I'm not sure Captain, but sir... if they have left our time then it wouldn't matter if it was five minutes
or five days...would it? They could travel to any period in time of their choosing."
Captain Archer leaned closer and looked at the sensor readouts "No" he replied shaking
his head " We can pinpoint the relative time they selected."
Commander Garrett had been leaning against the tactical station as she listened to the Bolian
officer. When she heard Archer's response she glanced over and gave him a
questioning look. "John, how can you be sure?"
Archer inclined his head in Garrett's direction "Remember...he wants me. He's going to head back
to my time period for his revenge. He obviously doesn't know I'm in the 24th century."
Garrett wasn't convinced, but she took the premise a step further "But even if we know when.We don't
know where."
Archer stood up and looked at Garrett "That's why we need to go down to the science station. Silik
had to take the it to get a fix on the Kirk. He may have left a clue as to what his plan is."
Garrett gave Archer a worried look "And if he didn't?"
Archer considered that for a moment. Taking in a deep breath he let out a low sigh "Then we have a
very big haystack to search back in the 21st century and not a lot of time."
Archer turned back to the science station "Mr. Tol, scan for life signs on the planet."
"Aye, sir." replied the Bolian as he redirected the ship's sensors towards the surface
of the planet.
As the sensor sweep cycled through, a queer look came over the Bolian
and he readjusted his instruments and initiated another sweep. The cycle
passed again with the same results. He turned to Archer with a confused
look on his powder blue face. "I'm not reading anything sir."
A look of alarm crossed Archer's face. He voiced his concern as a question. "You mean their dead?"
"No sir" said the Bolian shaking his head "I'm not reading ANYTHING."
Garrett walked over to the station and leaned over the Bolian's shoulder. Reading
the data patterns on the console she knew exactly what she was seeing.
"The science team is using a low energy subspace dampening field." she explained
pointing to the low spectrum radiation the field created in the atmosphere.
"It'll mask anything within a hundred meter radius of the field."
Archer let out a breath in disgust "Great, more cloaking technology to slow us down."
"Maybe not" came a voice from behind. It was Travis Mayweather. He had stepped onto
the bridge a few moments before and had intently listened to the officer's conversation and
the problem they had encountered.
Mayweather walked up to the science station, coming to a stop in front of Archer "If you adjust
Enterprise's scans to detect background emissions we might be able to find the compound."
Garrett looked over at Mayweather "But our scans won't pierce the energy field."
"They won't have to." explained Mayeather "Not If you scan for background radiation..."
"We would detect at least residual traces." said Garrett in realization "Of course!"
"But the field would mask even those." said Mayweather turning back to Archer
who was clearly not seeing where this was going. "It's like looking
for a black hole in a star field. The trick is to look where there isn't anything...
that's how you know it's there."
Archer understood what Travis was proposing. If it worked, it would give them
a chance to search for possible clues of what plans Silik had for the Kirk.
"Do it." said Archer
Mayweather nodded and took up a seat next to Tol. "This might take some time.
The ship's sensors have to be set to a narrow confinement or we might pass right
over the research station and never know it."
"Do your best." said Archer "Mr. Tol can give you hand."
"Yes, sir" nodded the Bolian
"I can take the auxiliary science station." added Garrett "With the three of us directing
precision point scans, we'll have a better chance of locating the station."
"Then we'd better get started." said Mayweather "If the 'Kirk' is in the 21st century
there's no telling what Silik can do."
"I think it's pretty clear what at least one of his objectives is." said Archer
Travis shook his head warily "Erasing any chance of the Federation."
"One thing is for certain." replied Archer "He hasn't succeeded yet."
Garrett's brow creased "How can you know that?"
"Simple" he Archer smiled "we're still here."
--------------
Eight hours ago
Captain Piper sat in his command chair as he stared at the view screen. The brown sandy
surface of the planet, codenamed 'Gateway', loomed in the distance as the ever vigilant
'Kirk' and her crew kept silent watch over it's secrets. When he had first received command
of the 'Kirk', Piper was especially honored to have been chosen for such an important
assignment...protecting the Federation's most valuable secret.
Unfortunately, that honor became a curse for the Starfleet Captain. Simply put, nothing ever
changed for the crew of the 'Kirk'. Oh, they had communicaes from both Starfleet and the
science team on a regular basis, but nothing else really happened. For all the Kirk's abilities
she just sat in high orbit dutifully watching and waiting. A maddening experience to be sure.
Especially for explorers like Piper and his crew. They were Starfleet officers, not wet nurses.
Piper rubbed his eyes. He knew better than to stare at the view screen for too long.
It became almost mesmerizing. It also gave him a headache. He looked around
the massive bridge seeing only a handful of the regular duty personnel attending
to their stations. He had made several requests to Starfleet security for additional
crew and support personnel. The 'Kirk' was designed for a crew of 900 and yet he
had only 43 officers and crew. He had been assured on numerous occasions that
the Kirk's automated systems could handle any attacking vessels, although Piper had his
doubts. In his opinion, Starfleet was taking a hell of a security risk by trying to keep
the number of personnel who knew about 'Gateway' to a minimum.
Piper stood from his command chair and turned towards his communications
officer "Mr. Beach, isn't it about time for the science team's check in?"
A middle aged human with a sandy beard speckled with gray looked up from
the communication station "Another five minutes sir."
Piper turned back to the screen staring intently once more "Lt. Shrel, what do your
scans show?"
A slender Andorian female looked down at her instruments for a moment and then
turned towards Piper "Sensors show a sand storm in the vicinity of the science
station Captain."
"A sand storm?" said Piper in surprise "Why didn't they notify us."
"You know the Doc." replied Beach
"Yeah, but still...Lt. Shrel, scan outside the compound area for life signs. Let's make sure
none of the team got cut off by the storm. Phil, try to raise the station."
"Aye sir." replied the Andorian as she turned back to her instruments. She tapped several
illuminated buttons as she looked at her panel. "Captain, I'm not reading any life signs,
but I am picking up an energy signature outside the compound."
Piper's brow furrowed "Location?"
Shrel looked back at her screen "Sir, it's the Guardian."
"The Guardian?" said Piper clearly concerned
"Maybe they left it on." came the voice of Ensign Parkhurst
at the navigation station.
Piper looked at the Ensign clearly not amused by the Ensign's attempt
at humor. "It's not a light bulb Ensign."
Piper turning back to the comm station "Mr. Beach."
"Nothing yet, sir" responded the comm officer as he tapped the touch sensitive board.
After a moment his brow furrowed and he tapped his panel again, this time
tapping several other buttons.
"Captain,I'm not getting a response from the science team."
"Could the storm be interfering with communications?" questioned Piper
"No sir." responded the comm officer holding his ear piece "Sir, I'm getting a localized
subspace distortion. It might be what's interfering with our ability to communicate with
the science team."
"That tears it." said Piper turning to his command chair. Tapping the comm button, he opened
an inter ship channel. "Armory, this is Piper. Doug I want you to get a security detail to the
transporter room. We might have a problem planet side."
The Captain waited for a response from the ship's security officer, Doug Holloway. When
none came the Captain's state of alarm increased. "Commander Holloway? Doug! ?"
Lt. Shrel turned to her station and ran her hand across the sensor board. She pulled up
the ship's internal sensors. One look told her something was desperately wrong. "Captain,
internal sensors show no life signs in the armory."
Piper walked over the science station. "Widen the field. Scan the ship for life signs."
Shrel turned back to her station as Piper looked over at Beach "Phil, get me Commander
Thorn. He should be in his quarters."
Just then the Andorian science officer called out in alarm "Captain!"
Piper turned towards his science officer who was frantically pressing rows of buttons on her
station boards. "What is it, Lt.?"
"Sir, I'm still running life scans, but I'm picking up intermittent bio readings. I can't isolate
them long enough to determine species, sir...but they are definitely not the crew...we have
intruders aboard the 'Kirk'. I can read multiple phase shift patterns. It's almost like they're
wearing personal cloaking devices."
"Dammitt" spat Piper as he turned back to Beach "Have you had any luck raising Thorn?"
"Negative Captain" replied Beach "He's not responding."
"Sir" interrupted the Andorian "He's not aboard, Captain. No one is."
Piper looked at the Andorian in disbelief. "What?"
"Aside from the intermittent bio signatures...internal sensors show only four
life forms aboard the 'Kirk'." she replied pausing for a moment "They're all
on the bridge sir. It's just us."
For the briefest moment, Captain Piper's face went ghost white. Thirty nine people gone without the
slightest alarm being raised. Thirty nine of his crew. Friends he'd known for years. What could have
happened to them and how the hell did intruders get aboard the 'Kirk'. At that moment he reasserted
himself and his command training kicked in.
"Lt. Shrel, seal off the bridge access."
"Aye sir" responded Shrel as she turned back to her station.
"Mr. Beach, initiate a priority one distress call. Include my logs and any sensor data." ordered Piper
Beach was about to acknowledge the order when Lt. Shrel interrupted "Captain, I can't close off the
access ways. Something's overridden the computer codes."
Beach added to the Lt.'s distressing report. "Sir, that subspace distortion is preventing me from getting
a signal out. We're cut off sir."
Piper turned towards the view screen, staring at it for a moment. He knew it would probably
be the last time he saw it.
"Lt. Shrel, man the bridge emergency escape transporter." ordered Piper " Lock onto the
planet's surface... anywhere outside the storm but within walking distance of the science
compound. Ensign Parkhurst break out phaser rifles from the weapons cabinet along with
enough food rations and survival gear for the four of us. Phil, your with me."
Parkhurst and Shrel headed for the weapons cabinet and emergency transporter at the front
of the bridge while Piper and Beach walked over to one of the 'Kirk's' access stations.
Tapping a button on the panel he activated the voice recognition. "Computer...this is Captain
Lawrence Piper, request security access."
The computer paused momentarily as it scanned the Captain's voice print "Voice
recognition confirmed. Security access approved."
Piper looked at his comm officer for a moment. Beach knew what came next.
"Computer....initiate auto destruct sequence...code alpha tango three zulu."
The computer responded to the input command "Auto destruct requires the agreement
of two senior officers. Please input a second authorization command."
"Computer...this is Lt. Commander Philip Beach, Communications Officer, initiate destruct sequence ...
code Charlie two two beta.'
"Voice authorization approved. Destruct sequence completed and engaged. Awaiting final code for one
minute countdown."
Piper straightened himself. This was the moment every Captain feared. When they they
would have no other choice but to destroy their ship. "Computer this is
Captain Lawrence Piper...code alpha...alpha... br..."
Before Piper could finish the final code a sudden noise from behind caused him to jerk his head.
In a span of time that seemed to slow down to infinity, but in reality occurred in just under two
seconds, Piper saw the main lift doors to the bridge open to reveal...no one inside.
Turning back to the access station to input the final destruct code, Piper caught a glimpse of a
shimmering form approaching his position from some 10 meters away. Ignoring the approaching
form he started to speak the final code when he suddenly felt something strike his back. Piper stumbled
for a moment as a strange sensation came over him. His head dropped involuntarily causing him
to look down at the gaping hole where his chest used to be.
Phil Beach stared at the falling form of his friend and Captain. As Piper dropped to the floor, Beach
caught site of another of the shimmering forms approaching. He called out to Lt. Shrel who was already
crossing the bridge with a phaser rifle. She let out a blood curdling scream as she fired the weapon at
anything she thought was moving. Her weapon fired in rapid succession and she thought she might have
hit one of the invisible intruders.
Vaulting over the far railing, she landed in a crouch, only to turn and see Ensign Parkhurst struck by
a similar energy bolt that felled Captain Piper. The young Ensign careened back against the wall
sliding down the smooth surface as he dropped his phaser.
Phil Beach called out to the Andorian "Shrel, save yourself...use the transp..."
His order was reduced to a gurgling noise as cold metallic blade sliced through
the front of his neck.
Seeing the knife slice open her crewmates throat, Shrel let out a shriek
"No!!!" she yelled as she ran towards her fallen comrade. She knew this was a foolish
decision as soon as she made it. It placed her in the open. Instinctively, the Andorian
warrior in her took command and she dived for the floor as an energy bolt missed her
head by centimeters but still manage to slice off one her antennae. She somersaulted
across the lower bridge deck and came up in a crouch, phaser rifle ready. She could feel
the blood trickle down the side of her face as the stalk that was her right antennae
bled profusely.
She held her phaser rifle tightly as she scanned the bridge. She thought she could see multiple
shimmering forms, but she wasn't sure if they were the intruders or her own blurred vision
brought on by the excruciating pain from her head wound. Her breathing was becoming
labored and she was certain she was going into shock. She knew it was over. She would
either pass out from the pain or die like her Captain and fellow bridge officers.
She was an Andorian, she would not die in her 'sleep'.
Rising up, she gripped her weapon and in her native Andorian, she let out a battle cry
as she let loose a volley of phaser fire across the bridge. The bolts of energy struck
panels and instruments sending sparks and smoke all over the bridge. Amid this were
several cries. After several moments of firing, Shrel paused. The cries and moans
from the various sections of the bridge made it plain that she had been successful.
However, she knew it was in vain. She was outnumbered and barely able to stand.
It would only be a matter of moments.
Shrel used those final moment and lunged at what she was fairly certain was one of the
shimmering forms. She came down hard with the butt of her rifle and connected with a
solid mass. Kneeling over the fallen form she lifted her rifle above her head as she
prepared to crush the spot where she believed the intruder's skull was. As she brought
the rifle butt down, it abruptly halted causing her to fall forward. She staggered momentarily
and swore she heard laughter coming from the invisible form. Then a shudder went through
her as she felt a knife end pierce her abdomen. She gasped briefly before she was pushed
to the side where she fell to the ground slumping over as she gave a final rasping breath.
The shimmering form that had been beneath her rose up, coalescing as it did so.
When it finally finished it's chameleon like state the form of a Suliban male stood in the
center of the bridge. "Decloak" he ordered
Around the bridge the shimmering forms coalesced and settled into six Suliban
soldiers. Three others lay on the bridge floor, wounded from the Andorian's savage
attack. One of the Suliban put a communication device to it's ear. After a moment
he looked at the Suliban in the center of the bridge.
"Sir, all teams have reported in." he said "The major sections have been secured and the
crew has been nullified. The ship is ours."
The Suliban in the center of the bridge looked at the man holding the comm device. "You mean
mine." he corrected
The Suliban swallowed hard as he looked at his leader. "Of course...The 'Kirk' is yours Commander Silik."
Silik smiled "Then let us get under way. I have a man I need to kill and I don't want to
keep him waiting."
TBC.....
Author: Quills
Contact:the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Series: ENT
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.
Codes: A, T/Tu, Ma, S, R, P angst, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure
Summary: Captain Archer is relieved of command for a secret mission into the 24th Century .
To find and stop the Suliban renegade Silik. While he is gone, a Vulcan Starfleet Captain from
the future is given temporary command of the Enterprise NX-01 with his own orders to
investigate the 'Temporal Cold War'.
Chapter 37
Captain Archer leaned over the shoulder of Tol, Bolian astrophysics officer. He had ordered the
Bolian to run a spectrographic analysis of the localized area around the systems
G@ star. Specifically, Archer wanted to know the concentration levels of chronometric particles.
They had already determined that the 'Kirk' had initiated a slingshot effect around the systems star,
enabling the 'Kirk' to travel back in time...presumably to the late 21st century.
"Can you tell how long ago the' Kirk' left our time period?" asked the Captain
The Bolian shook his head as he performed another sensor sweep of the surrounding space.
"I'm not sure Captain, but sir... if they have left our time then it wouldn't matter if it was five minutes
or five days...would it? They could travel to any period in time of their choosing."
Captain Archer leaned closer and looked at the sensor readouts "No" he replied shaking
his head " We can pinpoint the relative time they selected."
Commander Garrett had been leaning against the tactical station as she listened to the Bolian
officer. When she heard Archer's response she glanced over and gave him a
questioning look. "John, how can you be sure?"
Archer inclined his head in Garrett's direction "Remember...he wants me. He's going to head back
to my time period for his revenge. He obviously doesn't know I'm in the 24th century."
Garrett wasn't convinced, but she took the premise a step further "But even if we know when.We don't
know where."
Archer stood up and looked at Garrett "That's why we need to go down to the science station. Silik
had to take the it to get a fix on the Kirk. He may have left a clue as to what his plan is."
Garrett gave Archer a worried look "And if he didn't?"
Archer considered that for a moment. Taking in a deep breath he let out a low sigh "Then we have a
very big haystack to search back in the 21st century and not a lot of time."
Archer turned back to the science station "Mr. Tol, scan for life signs on the planet."
"Aye, sir." replied the Bolian as he redirected the ship's sensors towards the surface
of the planet.
As the sensor sweep cycled through, a queer look came over the Bolian
and he readjusted his instruments and initiated another sweep. The cycle
passed again with the same results. He turned to Archer with a confused
look on his powder blue face. "I'm not reading anything sir."
A look of alarm crossed Archer's face. He voiced his concern as a question. "You mean their dead?"
"No sir" said the Bolian shaking his head "I'm not reading ANYTHING."
Garrett walked over to the station and leaned over the Bolian's shoulder. Reading
the data patterns on the console she knew exactly what she was seeing.
"The science team is using a low energy subspace dampening field." she explained
pointing to the low spectrum radiation the field created in the atmosphere.
"It'll mask anything within a hundred meter radius of the field."
Archer let out a breath in disgust "Great, more cloaking technology to slow us down."
"Maybe not" came a voice from behind. It was Travis Mayweather. He had stepped onto
the bridge a few moments before and had intently listened to the officer's conversation and
the problem they had encountered.
Mayweather walked up to the science station, coming to a stop in front of Archer "If you adjust
Enterprise's scans to detect background emissions we might be able to find the compound."
Garrett looked over at Mayweather "But our scans won't pierce the energy field."
"They won't have to." explained Mayeather "Not If you scan for background radiation..."
"We would detect at least residual traces." said Garrett in realization "Of course!"
"But the field would mask even those." said Mayweather turning back to Archer
who was clearly not seeing where this was going. "It's like looking
for a black hole in a star field. The trick is to look where there isn't anything...
that's how you know it's there."
Archer understood what Travis was proposing. If it worked, it would give them
a chance to search for possible clues of what plans Silik had for the Kirk.
"Do it." said Archer
Mayweather nodded and took up a seat next to Tol. "This might take some time.
The ship's sensors have to be set to a narrow confinement or we might pass right
over the research station and never know it."
"Do your best." said Archer "Mr. Tol can give you hand."
"Yes, sir" nodded the Bolian
"I can take the auxiliary science station." added Garrett "With the three of us directing
precision point scans, we'll have a better chance of locating the station."
"Then we'd better get started." said Mayweather "If the 'Kirk' is in the 21st century
there's no telling what Silik can do."
"I think it's pretty clear what at least one of his objectives is." said Archer
Travis shook his head warily "Erasing any chance of the Federation."
"One thing is for certain." replied Archer "He hasn't succeeded yet."
Garrett's brow creased "How can you know that?"
"Simple" he Archer smiled "we're still here."
--------------
Eight hours ago
Captain Piper sat in his command chair as he stared at the view screen. The brown sandy
surface of the planet, codenamed 'Gateway', loomed in the distance as the ever vigilant
'Kirk' and her crew kept silent watch over it's secrets. When he had first received command
of the 'Kirk', Piper was especially honored to have been chosen for such an important
assignment...protecting the Federation's most valuable secret.
Unfortunately, that honor became a curse for the Starfleet Captain. Simply put, nothing ever
changed for the crew of the 'Kirk'. Oh, they had communicaes from both Starfleet and the
science team on a regular basis, but nothing else really happened. For all the Kirk's abilities
she just sat in high orbit dutifully watching and waiting. A maddening experience to be sure.
Especially for explorers like Piper and his crew. They were Starfleet officers, not wet nurses.
Piper rubbed his eyes. He knew better than to stare at the view screen for too long.
It became almost mesmerizing. It also gave him a headache. He looked around
the massive bridge seeing only a handful of the regular duty personnel attending
to their stations. He had made several requests to Starfleet security for additional
crew and support personnel. The 'Kirk' was designed for a crew of 900 and yet he
had only 43 officers and crew. He had been assured on numerous occasions that
the Kirk's automated systems could handle any attacking vessels, although Piper had his
doubts. In his opinion, Starfleet was taking a hell of a security risk by trying to keep
the number of personnel who knew about 'Gateway' to a minimum.
Piper stood from his command chair and turned towards his communications
officer "Mr. Beach, isn't it about time for the science team's check in?"
A middle aged human with a sandy beard speckled with gray looked up from
the communication station "Another five minutes sir."
Piper turned back to the screen staring intently once more "Lt. Shrel, what do your
scans show?"
A slender Andorian female looked down at her instruments for a moment and then
turned towards Piper "Sensors show a sand storm in the vicinity of the science
station Captain."
"A sand storm?" said Piper in surprise "Why didn't they notify us."
"You know the Doc." replied Beach
"Yeah, but still...Lt. Shrel, scan outside the compound area for life signs. Let's make sure
none of the team got cut off by the storm. Phil, try to raise the station."
"Aye sir." replied the Andorian as she turned back to her instruments. She tapped several
illuminated buttons as she looked at her panel. "Captain, I'm not reading any life signs,
but I am picking up an energy signature outside the compound."
Piper's brow furrowed "Location?"
Shrel looked back at her screen "Sir, it's the Guardian."
"The Guardian?" said Piper clearly concerned
"Maybe they left it on." came the voice of Ensign Parkhurst
at the navigation station.
Piper looked at the Ensign clearly not amused by the Ensign's attempt
at humor. "It's not a light bulb Ensign."
Piper turning back to the comm station "Mr. Beach."
"Nothing yet, sir" responded the comm officer as he tapped the touch sensitive board.
After a moment his brow furrowed and he tapped his panel again, this time
tapping several other buttons.
"Captain,I'm not getting a response from the science team."
"Could the storm be interfering with communications?" questioned Piper
"No sir." responded the comm officer holding his ear piece "Sir, I'm getting a localized
subspace distortion. It might be what's interfering with our ability to communicate with
the science team."
"That tears it." said Piper turning to his command chair. Tapping the comm button, he opened
an inter ship channel. "Armory, this is Piper. Doug I want you to get a security detail to the
transporter room. We might have a problem planet side."
The Captain waited for a response from the ship's security officer, Doug Holloway. When
none came the Captain's state of alarm increased. "Commander Holloway? Doug! ?"
Lt. Shrel turned to her station and ran her hand across the sensor board. She pulled up
the ship's internal sensors. One look told her something was desperately wrong. "Captain,
internal sensors show no life signs in the armory."
Piper walked over the science station. "Widen the field. Scan the ship for life signs."
Shrel turned back to her station as Piper looked over at Beach "Phil, get me Commander
Thorn. He should be in his quarters."
Just then the Andorian science officer called out in alarm "Captain!"
Piper turned towards his science officer who was frantically pressing rows of buttons on her
station boards. "What is it, Lt.?"
"Sir, I'm still running life scans, but I'm picking up intermittent bio readings. I can't isolate
them long enough to determine species, sir...but they are definitely not the crew...we have
intruders aboard the 'Kirk'. I can read multiple phase shift patterns. It's almost like they're
wearing personal cloaking devices."
"Dammitt" spat Piper as he turned back to Beach "Have you had any luck raising Thorn?"
"Negative Captain" replied Beach "He's not responding."
"Sir" interrupted the Andorian "He's not aboard, Captain. No one is."
Piper looked at the Andorian in disbelief. "What?"
"Aside from the intermittent bio signatures...internal sensors show only four
life forms aboard the 'Kirk'." she replied pausing for a moment "They're all
on the bridge sir. It's just us."
For the briefest moment, Captain Piper's face went ghost white. Thirty nine people gone without the
slightest alarm being raised. Thirty nine of his crew. Friends he'd known for years. What could have
happened to them and how the hell did intruders get aboard the 'Kirk'. At that moment he reasserted
himself and his command training kicked in.
"Lt. Shrel, seal off the bridge access."
"Aye sir" responded Shrel as she turned back to her station.
"Mr. Beach, initiate a priority one distress call. Include my logs and any sensor data." ordered Piper
Beach was about to acknowledge the order when Lt. Shrel interrupted "Captain, I can't close off the
access ways. Something's overridden the computer codes."
Beach added to the Lt.'s distressing report. "Sir, that subspace distortion is preventing me from getting
a signal out. We're cut off sir."
Piper turned towards the view screen, staring at it for a moment. He knew it would probably
be the last time he saw it.
"Lt. Shrel, man the bridge emergency escape transporter." ordered Piper " Lock onto the
planet's surface... anywhere outside the storm but within walking distance of the science
compound. Ensign Parkhurst break out phaser rifles from the weapons cabinet along with
enough food rations and survival gear for the four of us. Phil, your with me."
Parkhurst and Shrel headed for the weapons cabinet and emergency transporter at the front
of the bridge while Piper and Beach walked over to one of the 'Kirk's' access stations.
Tapping a button on the panel he activated the voice recognition. "Computer...this is Captain
Lawrence Piper, request security access."
The computer paused momentarily as it scanned the Captain's voice print "Voice
recognition confirmed. Security access approved."
Piper looked at his comm officer for a moment. Beach knew what came next.
"Computer....initiate auto destruct sequence...code alpha tango three zulu."
The computer responded to the input command "Auto destruct requires the agreement
of two senior officers. Please input a second authorization command."
"Computer...this is Lt. Commander Philip Beach, Communications Officer, initiate destruct sequence ...
code Charlie two two beta.'
"Voice authorization approved. Destruct sequence completed and engaged. Awaiting final code for one
minute countdown."
Piper straightened himself. This was the moment every Captain feared. When they they
would have no other choice but to destroy their ship. "Computer this is
Captain Lawrence Piper...code alpha...alpha... br..."
Before Piper could finish the final code a sudden noise from behind caused him to jerk his head.
In a span of time that seemed to slow down to infinity, but in reality occurred in just under two
seconds, Piper saw the main lift doors to the bridge open to reveal...no one inside.
Turning back to the access station to input the final destruct code, Piper caught a glimpse of a
shimmering form approaching his position from some 10 meters away. Ignoring the approaching
form he started to speak the final code when he suddenly felt something strike his back. Piper stumbled
for a moment as a strange sensation came over him. His head dropped involuntarily causing him
to look down at the gaping hole where his chest used to be.
Phil Beach stared at the falling form of his friend and Captain. As Piper dropped to the floor, Beach
caught site of another of the shimmering forms approaching. He called out to Lt. Shrel who was already
crossing the bridge with a phaser rifle. She let out a blood curdling scream as she fired the weapon at
anything she thought was moving. Her weapon fired in rapid succession and she thought she might have
hit one of the invisible intruders.
Vaulting over the far railing, she landed in a crouch, only to turn and see Ensign Parkhurst struck by
a similar energy bolt that felled Captain Piper. The young Ensign careened back against the wall
sliding down the smooth surface as he dropped his phaser.
Phil Beach called out to the Andorian "Shrel, save yourself...use the transp..."
His order was reduced to a gurgling noise as cold metallic blade sliced through
the front of his neck.
Seeing the knife slice open her crewmates throat, Shrel let out a shriek
"No!!!" she yelled as she ran towards her fallen comrade. She knew this was a foolish
decision as soon as she made it. It placed her in the open. Instinctively, the Andorian
warrior in her took command and she dived for the floor as an energy bolt missed her
head by centimeters but still manage to slice off one her antennae. She somersaulted
across the lower bridge deck and came up in a crouch, phaser rifle ready. She could feel
the blood trickle down the side of her face as the stalk that was her right antennae
bled profusely.
She held her phaser rifle tightly as she scanned the bridge. She thought she could see multiple
shimmering forms, but she wasn't sure if they were the intruders or her own blurred vision
brought on by the excruciating pain from her head wound. Her breathing was becoming
labored and she was certain she was going into shock. She knew it was over. She would
either pass out from the pain or die like her Captain and fellow bridge officers.
She was an Andorian, she would not die in her 'sleep'.
Rising up, she gripped her weapon and in her native Andorian, she let out a battle cry
as she let loose a volley of phaser fire across the bridge. The bolts of energy struck
panels and instruments sending sparks and smoke all over the bridge. Amid this were
several cries. After several moments of firing, Shrel paused. The cries and moans
from the various sections of the bridge made it plain that she had been successful.
However, she knew it was in vain. She was outnumbered and barely able to stand.
It would only be a matter of moments.
Shrel used those final moment and lunged at what she was fairly certain was one of the
shimmering forms. She came down hard with the butt of her rifle and connected with a
solid mass. Kneeling over the fallen form she lifted her rifle above her head as she
prepared to crush the spot where she believed the intruder's skull was. As she brought
the rifle butt down, it abruptly halted causing her to fall forward. She staggered momentarily
and swore she heard laughter coming from the invisible form. Then a shudder went through
her as she felt a knife end pierce her abdomen. She gasped briefly before she was pushed
to the side where she fell to the ground slumping over as she gave a final rasping breath.
The shimmering form that had been beneath her rose up, coalescing as it did so.
When it finally finished it's chameleon like state the form of a Suliban male stood in the
center of the bridge. "Decloak" he ordered
Around the bridge the shimmering forms coalesced and settled into six Suliban
soldiers. Three others lay on the bridge floor, wounded from the Andorian's savage
attack. One of the Suliban put a communication device to it's ear. After a moment
he looked at the Suliban in the center of the bridge.
"Sir, all teams have reported in." he said "The major sections have been secured and the
crew has been nullified. The ship is ours."
The Suliban in the center of the bridge looked at the man holding the comm device. "You mean
mine." he corrected
The Suliban swallowed hard as he looked at his leader. "Of course...The 'Kirk' is yours Commander Silik."
Silik smiled "Then let us get under way. I have a man I need to kill and I don't want to
keep him waiting."
TBC.....