Chapter 10

Bridge

"Transporter Room reports the strike teams have returned safely, Lt. Commander," Ensign Rodriguez said. He shifted in his seat as the Spector shook a little. The twin Zardanian cruisers had reached weapons range and were opening fire.

"They've locked onto us with Plasma torpedoes, Venax," Haro said, hands working on his console.

"They are signalling us to stand down and surrender," Rodriguez added.

"I should think not," Venax replied from the command chair in the centre of the Bridge, "Helm, lay in a return course to the asteroid field. Mr. Haro, return fire with the aft phasers."

"Aye sir," Lieutenant Aureli replied.

"Helm, utilize the return course we have pre-programmed with the computer. Allow the computer to pilot the ship but make whatever adjustments you need on the fly. We should have a safe route plotted through the field and it is imperative we are as close to that path as possible. Allow no deviation."

The Spector left the crippled mining vessel, banking into a tight turn and speeding towards the asteroid field, its shields flaring as the Zardanian ships continued to fire. Phasers lashed from its saucer section, impacting the lead ship. Both enemy vessels slowed but continued to pursue the Federation warship.

"The Zardanian ships are forming up. They are sharing their shields to lessen the effectiveness of our phasers."

Venax's eyebrow raised, "A clever tactic. Transfer auxiliary power to the aft shields and maintain course."

"How can we be sure the Zardanians will pursue us into the field?" Haro asked just as the turbolift doors opened. Captain Dent strode onto the Bridge, tossing his battle vest to a security officer and asking the man to stow it for him. Venax rose from the command chair and resumed her tactical station.

"Because Mr. Haro," Dent said, answering the Science officer's question, "if the Zardanians take the time to go around the field they'll lose us for sure. They expected us to head for the Frontier but here we are, attacking a mining vessel deep in their territory. Don't forget, they'll want revenge for their flagship as well. Those Captains aren't going to want to be the ones to report they let us go because space rocks slowed them down. Especially since their ships are smaller and more manoeuvrable than the Spector. They should be thinking it is desperation on our part to be flying into the field." Dent smirked a little to himself, "Rule number one of combat; give your enemy every opportunity to make a mistake."

"The course we have pre-programmed has taken into account the spatial drift of the asteroids. We should have no trouble passing through the Masor field."

"Just be careful Helm...some of those rocks probably have changed course and those Zardy ships are firing. Those blasts may miss us and hit them, changing their direction."

"Aye sir," Aureli said through gritted teeth. They flashed through the perimeter of the field, flying over a larger rock and down its side, altering course and flying deeper into the asteroids. The Zardanians increased their speed and pursued.

"Time, Venax?"

"Forty-six seconds at present speed."

"Aft view."

The viewscreen changed, showing the tips of the Spector's nacelles and the drifting asteroids, along with the pursuing cruisers. Dent's eyes narrowed as he pondered their course. The second enemy ship fired its disrupter and the Akira shuddered from the impact. Ignoring this, Dent raised a tentative hand, his finders moving as though doing calculations on an invisible chalkboard. "The lead ship is off course. Venax, fire a torpedo into sector J8."

"Firing torpedo."

The torpedo erupted from the launch bay, lashing out into the underbelly of a medium sized chunk of rock. The asteroid suddenly changed course, soaring directly in front of the lead ship. Desperately it changed its heading, narrowly missing an impact.

"They are good," Aureli said.

"Time?" Dent asked again.

"Ten seconds. Nine...eight...seven...six..."

"Haro, send out the activation signal."

"Aye sir."

Haro worked his console, bringing up a coded sequence and sending it over a secure comm channel. Outside, quietly drifting along in the expansive asteroid field, several quantum torpedoes suddenly came to life, their arming sequences activated.

"The lead ship is directly on course with torpedo one. Impact in three...two...one..."

On the viewscreen an explosion could be seen on the nose of the lead ship. The ship shook from the impact and was forced to alter course, flying into the path of several more floating torpedoes. All along its hull more outbursts of fire could be seen, the shields flaring and then collapsing. The hull burst inwards from the detonations and the ship lost helm control, diving into an immense mass of ore. The vessel became a plume of flame as the second ship veered away, breaking off pursuit.

"The field interference has masked the torpedoes from their sensors as expected," Venax observed.

"Detonate torpedoes six, seven and eight."

Attached to several asteroids carefully planted charges were set off, projecting more asteroids into carefully planned directions. The second ship found itself surrounded by rocks as they impacted with each other and set off a chain of events that rapidly removed every avenue of escape. Frantic, the ship increased its speed and attempted to make its way through a rapidly narrowing gap in the field. Its wing section too wide, the ship was crushed between two of the largest asteroids. The warp core explosion lit up the area around them like a miniature sun.

"Helm," Dent said quietly, sitting back in his chair. He had been riding the edge of the seat through the whole ordeal, very much in danger of falling to the floor. "Take us out of the Masor Field. Lay in a course for the crippled mining vessel."

"Excellent work, Captain," Haro stated proudly.

"Just careful planning, Mr. Haro. The crew deserves your praise for getting the work done, not me."

"Sir, we are emerging from the perimeter."

"Right about now that mining ship is realizing its friends aren't going to be returning with their prize. Venax, target their communications array and fire. We might as well buy us some time to get the hell out of here."

The Spector flew over the mining vessel, firing a quick shot and blowing a small hole into the top of its hull, the array now little more than twinkling fragments floating in space. Swerving away, the Akira went to warp.

"Heading, Captain?" Aureli asked.

"Set a course from the Galup sector. Head for the red giant located there. Maximum warp."

"Yes sir."

"Tell me Mr. Haro, how much do you and Mr. Lambs know about metaphasic shielding?" Captain Dent asked, smiling.