Chapter 5: Loss
The USS Luminous glided gracefully out of the nebula and turned toward the coordinates from which they had exited the anomaly. Jabohr's small cylindrical vessel followed a parallel course using a cloak he had recovered from a vessel he had conquered in battle.
He admired the beautiful lines and curves of the starship. It was small, compared to the schematics he'd seen of Voyager, but it was a worthy vessel. It's design was similar, the saucer shaped front held the bridge, it's window stretching across the curve giving a breath taking view to the bridge officers. Right below this break in the titanium hull, the Mess Hall had a similar view to enjoy for those who do not have the privilege of serving on the bridge. He had noticed that a piece of hull plating had covered both of these windows when he had engaged them in battle. He was impressed with this feature. The rear nacelles were tall and thin, slightly tilted towards each other on the top. This, together with the engineering section right between and below gave the impression of a sympathetic face when looking from behind. The whole ship gave off a sense of peace and beauty. It was a deception. The Federation he read about cares nothing for his people, in fact allowing injustice to continue toward them. "This ship is nothing more than a war machine," he said aloud on the empty bridge.
There was no doubting the power of this vessel. One shot had not only penetrated his shields, but had also knocked his weapon offline. He doubted he would be able to hit them as well next time. Doubtless, they would have remodulated their shields to compensate for his missiles. He would get his shot in before they noticed him. It was his only advantage.
He moved in closer, attempting to target the main engines with his weapon. He targeted carefully, so as not to trigger a warp core breech. When he was positive he had it right where he wanted it, he fired.
The bridge crew was quiet as they pulled out of the nebula. They headed toward the last known coordinates of the wormhole, hoping it was still there or had left evidence that it may return. They were about to enter warp 5 when the ship shuddered violently.
"Captain, we are sustaining weapons fire. Shields are down to 78 percent." Lt. K'Haina reported from her station.
"Run a sensor sweep of the area. Find out where it's coming from. Is it a familiar weapon's signature?" Captain Baikel asked her tactical officer.
"It is the weapon used by that Kazon ship we encountered. I remodulated our shields to resist it during repairs. We took a hit but not as bad as last time."
Lt Wildman looked up from the ops station. "I've got a lock, he's using a primitive cloaking device."
"Put him onscreen. Lt, get a weapons lock and hold position."
The screen revealed dark space with a slight disturbance as if water were floating suspended in front of them. For a second there was a clear view of the small ship, and a flash of weapons fire headed their way. When it hit, a few stations exploded into the faces of their users. Reacting the way they were trained in the academy, all of the officers operating those stations ducked or turned to avoid the plasma and electric heat coming out of the equipment. However, as Captain Baikel ducked away from her command console, it put her directly in line with the first officer's station, which exploded in her face. She fell forward on the deck of her bridge, the pain searing through her consciousness like a hot knife melting her thoughts into nothingness.
"Captain!" Harry exclaimed as he ran to her side. "Fire at will", he called to K'Haina.
He tried to take her pulse, but the plasma burns covered her neck and wrists. He conducted an emergency transport to sickbay, calling the doctor in advance to alert him to the Captain's condition.
Lt. K'Haina delivered a volley of well-aimed phaser bursts along with a photon torpedo, disabling the small Kazon vessel, and leaving it visible and drifting in space. The victory was anything but sweet; she had seen the Captain before the transport and doubted she would ever recover from such extensive burns. She continued working at her station, keeping a lock on the Kazon ship and trying to reinforce their shielding.
The bridge was silent as Harry stood right where the Captain had been, staring out the screen at the vessel drifting in space. He spoke quietly, but in the stillness of the bridge it was easily understood. "Lt Wildman, are there any life signs on that vessel?"
Lt Samantha Wildman pushed a few buttons on her console as a single tear fell down her cheek unheeded. "No, sir, I can't pick up any signs of life"
"Ensign," he addressed the helmsman, "Continue on our heading toward the wormhole." He left the bridge in Lt. K'Haina's hands and headed for sickbay.
The commander walked through the doors of sickbay and immediately saw the body of his captain lying on a biobed. He headed her way and noticed the burns still brilliant over her upper body. Grief washed over him as he saw that the lack of medical attention meant she was dead. Anxiety came over him when he realized that he would have to take her place. Behind him, Crewman Watters cleared her throat softly to get his attention. He turned to face the young woman. When he didn't say anything she began.
"She was gone before she got here, sir. There was nothing we could do. When Dr.Marshall saw her, he started yelling and throwing instruments at the wall. I was in the office making notes in the log and ducked for cover. I saw him walk to the comm and then he transported out of the room. I don't know where he went, but I'm worried about him."
Harry walked to the station she indicated and began typing. Suddenly he stopped and tapped his badge. "Kim to K'Haina, reverse course back to the Kazon vessel" her acknowledgement came over the badge. He turned to the Crewman, "Prepare her body for burial, you will have to manage without Dr. Marshall" He then proceeded out of sickbay and headed for the bridge.