Chapter 8
Eighteen hours later, impulse power had been restored and the worst of the injuries treated. Riker sat in Picard's place at the head of the conference table as that Picard was still in Sickbay and would be for the foreseeable future. Enough systems had been bypassed or restored that doctor Crusher had ordered the command staff to bed for six hours.
The haggard expressions on everyone's face were plain to see as Riker said: "Mr. Data, final damage report." Data said: "Yes sir. Impulse power is restored as well as navigational shielding. Warp power is offline, the main shield generators are, I believe the word is 'fried', phasers are offline as well as photon torpedoes. Life support is functioning normally as are many collateral systems."
Riker turned to Crusher and said: "What's the status of the crew?" Beverley said: "Thirty-three known dead at this time, several hundred broken bones as well as more cuts and bruises than I've ever seen in one place. The most common injuries right now are concussions ranging from mild to severe. Amazingly, the children are the least injured of anyone onboard. The Captain is stable but will be under observation for a time."
Riker said: "How's Armis doing?" Beverley said: "I have no idea how he managed to stay standing as long as he did. He had no injuries to speak of but all the same, he is more exhausted than I've ever seen anyone get. Deanna told me that he told her that extended active use of the Force depletes his internal resources but in this case, it almost killed him. His compassion for other people almost proved to be his undoing. I had to threaten him with sedation to make him go to bed and that was only just before I left Sickbay to come here. I feel it best to let him sleep until he wakes on his own."
Riker looked over to Geordi after Beverley finished her report. Geordi said: "I'll have warp power restored within the hour but at best, we can do warp 5. I'll see if we can bump it up to six or seven but I can't promise anything. Like Data said the main shield generators are all fried. There aren't enough spares on board for full shields. The secondary generators will be connected in three hours. As for phasers and torpedoes, I can get enough power for a few shots from each but this ship is not going to survive another encounter with Warlord Regis."
Worf spoke next: "From the sensor logs that we were able to get before we were fired on, even fresh out of spacedock, we would be outgunned and overpowered by the Star Destroyer Regis is flying in. It would be Wolf 359 all over again if Warlord Regis chose to try and conquer the Federation. Sheer weight of numbers is the only way we could defeat him in battle but at the cost of many of our ships and our allies as well."
Riker was silent a moment then said: "Alright. Get back to your stations and let's keep working on this. Dismissed," Deanna was the last to leave as she said: "Are you all right Imzadi?" Riker smiled and said: "I'll be fine. I never thought I would see the day when Captain Picard was laid up in Sickbay and I would command in his place. How are you Imzadi?" It was her turn to smile as she said: "I'll be okay. I have a lot of counseling sessions to arrange so I'll be busy for awhile too."
Deanna left the room then leaving Riker by himself for a moment. He looked out the window to the stars beyond then said to himself: "Break time's over Will, time to get back to work."
Twelve hours after going to bed, Armis woke up, famished. Eating a huge meal then getting a shower and a change of clothes, Armis tapped the commbadge he had been given and said: "Jedi Rau to Riker." A moment later: "Riker here. Please come to the bridge as soon as you're able." Armis said: "On my way Commander."
On his way to the bridge, signs of active repairs were everywhere to be seen, wall panels that had been blown out being repaired, lights being replaced, doors getting unjammed. Everywhere, there was activity to be seen. The turbolift was slower than normal but still got him to the bridge.
He walked onto the bridge proper and Riker stood up from the center seat, walked over to him and said: "Thank you for what you did for the Captain and everyone else. I understand it could have killed you." Armis shrugged and said: "My life is but to serve however I can, whenever I can. How is Captain Picard?" Riker said: "He'll be in Sickbay for awhile but will make a full recovery, again in part to you. So that was Warlord Regis?"
Armis said: "Yes. I can sense his ship is not far away. He will return. Let me lead him off this time. Please. You were all injured and your ship almost destroyed because of me." Riker said: "I doubt any of us are angry with you. I know I'm not. We're four hours out from what we believe is the spatial rift that got you here. Data postulates that if you enter hyperspace as you pass through it, it should, theoretically at least, take you back to your world. Our remote probe says the rift is stable for now but will likely close sometime in the next eight to twelve hours."
Armis said: "I understand Commander. Thank you for all your help, I'm very sorry though that you ended up being involved in my battle. Riker said: "That's alright, Armis. These things happen." As Armis turned to leave the bridge he stopped where he was and spun to face Riker again and said: "Prepare to be boarded Commander, Regis won't let me go without a fight."
Riker had already begun to trust Armis's intuition and said: "Red alert! Engineering, give me what shields you can. Worf, prepare your security teams to repel boarders! I am authorizing you full armor and weapons load-out. If that arrogant bastard thinks he'll take my ship without a fight, he's got another thing coming!"
On any other person, Worf's feral grin would have been ridiculous, on him however, it was truly frightening. As Worf left his station and walked towards the turbolift he said: "Jedi Rau, it would be an honor if you accompany me into battle." Armis said: "As much as I regret the coming battle, I would be honored to fight at your side."