Smoke had partially filled the bridge, causing the few remaining conscious crew to cough. "It's no use, Sir," Lieutenant Bosa admitted from her science console. "Auxiliary power is gone. We're running on batteries."
O'Neill turned from the blown out remains of his navigation console. The right side of his face and arm were badly burned, his uniform melted to his skin. Somehow, despite the pain, he stayed at his post, obviously the result of years of training and experience. "I've got nothing, Sir. My console is completely dead." He was breathing heavy.
The red, flashing alarm lights of the Vigilant and two computer panels were the only things illuminating the bridge. As Bolerov surveyed the remains of his bridge, he came to the inescapable conclusion the fight was over. Thankfully, the auxiliary navigation panel on his command chair could still operate the maneuvering thrusters, but the weapons and shields were gone. Of the ten people stationed on the bridge, only four were still alive. He turned to his communications officer "Lieutenant Curran," he never thought he'd hear himself say this... "alert the crew... abandon ship. All hands, abandon ship."
His science and navigation officers looked worriedly at him. Bosa had a large gash across her forehead from flying debris. O'Neill looked like he was slowly losing consciousness. He nodded to them with a smile. "That means you... get out." Another shot rocked the ship, blowing out yet another panel on the bridge. Sparks rained from the shorted-out ceiling power junctures.
They slowly stood up. O'Neill already knew the answer, but he had to ask. "Are you coming, Sir?" he staggered towards the escape pod entry door to the rear of the bridge.
Bolerov shook his head. "I'm going to run interference for the rest of you. That Gem'Hadar cruiser had her shields knocked down pretty badly when last we saw. Maybe I ram it and buy you some more time."
The bridge guard and Lieutenant Bosa paused for a moment before crawling through the pod hatch, reflecting on the fact they'd never see their captain again. Despite the intense pain and waning consciousness, Aaron stood upright and saluted his captain one final time. Andrei Bolerov returned the salute with an official snap. Their eyes met one final time. Bolerov expressed not only a respect for Aaron as a shipmate and subbordinate, but his gratefullness as a friend with that single look.
Rather than insult the captain with tears, O'Neill spun on his heel and headed to the hatch while Bolerov plotted the fateful course that would send the Vigilant into its attacker at maximum thruster speed.
From the forward viewscreen, Tyler could see the ejected core rocketing through space. Per instructions, the Warlord was already above the romulan warbird. He had been anxious and exhilarated throughout the entire combat. It was something from one of his favorite old-time science fiction movies. That was before he was ordered to fly into the path of an exploding warp core. That was before Commander Kirk went down. It became entirely too real. Almost instinctively, he maneuvered the Warlord so that it would be precisely between the warbird and its ejected core. "We're in position, Sir," he reported without turning around.
"Five seconds to detonation," T'Nia added. She was in her mid forties and had lived much of her life without Stephen Kirk or Tony Moreau. Still, the thought of possibly living without one of them now was somehow... disquieting. It was best not to dwell on such matters... not until she knew what had happened.
The transporter chief's voice came across the communications panel. "They're aboard, Sir!" He yelled.
"Four," T'Nia counted.
Bolerov let out a sigh. "Raise the shields, Commander."
T'Nia quickly switched screens and raised the primary shields. Suddenly, an alarms rang. She switched panels back.
"What is it?" Bolerov asked quickly.
T'Nia shook her head. "It's the Devoras, Sir. She decloaked and is raising shields behind us."
Bolerov nodded. "Lieutenant Davies, reduce viewscreen brightness fifty percent."
Elaine had done everything in her power to not turn around. Her emotions had slowly been getting the better of her ever since the three left the bridge. When the bridge crew wound up overhearing the three getting overwhelmed and eventually shot, she coudln't hold back the tears any longer. They streamed down her face as her shaking fingers reduced the brightness. "Aye, aye, Sir," her voice was cracking.
Andrei could hear the stress and sorrow in Davies' voice, but chose to say nothing about it. "I guess we'll find out just how good these shields really are." At that same moment, a bright, silent flash filled the viewscreen. The flash lingered for several seconds. Everyone sat, still and quiet, as the explosion concluded. To everyone's surprise, the ship never moved a millimeter. Unlike the ships of Federation past, this one gracefully withstood the concussion of such a large-scale blast.
As the light faded, Bolerov turned to T'Nia. "Commander; what is our status?" It was almost too good to be true.
T'Nia quickly examined her console. "Shields holding at thirty one percent, Sir." Even she was a bit surprised.
Andrei raised his eyebrows. "Impressive. What about the other two ships?"
She pressed several controls before delivering her verdict. "They were both, apparently, behind us when the explosion occurred. They are fine." The bridge crew cheered and clapped with the successful mission. Captain Bolerov let out another sigh of relief.
Bolerov's comm badge beeped. "Lieutenant Kelly to Captain Bolerov." The somber tone in his voice quickly deflated the atomosphere in the room. They all stopped, turned, and stared at the captain.
Bolerov's smile vanished. He tapped his badge. "Bolerov here, Lieutenant."
"You'd better get down here." He said simply.
"Lieutenant Commander T'Nia," Bolerov started. She was expecting him to tell her she could accompany him. She was mistaken. "you have the bridge."