Chapter 53.
Rise.
(Scott POV)
I was on the bridge just waiting for the right moment.
"Tuvok, fire," I said.
"The asteroid is fragmenting, but most of the debris is still on a collision course with the planet," Tuvok said.
"Target the fragments. Fire," I said.
"That Asteroid should have been Vaporized. What happened?" Chakotay said.
"I'm not sure," Harry said. "Sensors showed a simple nickel Iron composition, we shouldn't be seeing fragments more than a centimeter in diameter,"
"Ambassador, I'm afraid I was right, This isn't going to work, the same thing happened to us yesterday, we tried to vaporize 2 incoming asteroids, but they fragmented and struck the surface," Sklar said.
"I've destroyed most of the debris, captain, however targeting scanners were unable to track 2 of the fragments," Tuvok said. "They have already entered the upper atmosphere, The debris impacted on the largest continent approximately 500 kilometers from the southern tip,"
"The central desert," Ambassador said. "Fortunately that region isn't heavily populated,"
"Substantial cratering atmospheric shock waves and large concentrations of dust and other stratospheric contaminants," Tuvok said.
"How long until the next asteroid hits," Sklar said.
"Approximately 6 hours," Tuvok said.
"Can you give us an idea of its trajectory," Ambassador said.
"Same continent, but this time on the eastern coastal region," Tuvok said.
"Our largest colonies are there," Ambassador said. "Over 5,000 citizens,"
"Captain, we appreciate your efforts, but I think it's time we considered an evacuation," Sklar said. "According to my analysis there are at least 12 more asteroid heading in our direction, How can we hope to destroy them all even with your help,"
"Incoming Hail from the surface," Harry said. "It's coming from one of the Heavily damaged areas,"
"On screen," I said.
"Ambassador, I've been analyzing the debris and I've discovered disturbing evidence that the asteroids are not what they seem, They are composed of artificial materials, I must meet with you immediately," He said. "I think we can stop," As his transmission cut off.
"Harry," I said.
"I've lost the transmission," Harry said.
"Location," Chakotay said.
"I can't find them, too much interference," Harry said.
"That was Dr. Vatm, Our most prominent astrophysicist," Ambassador said. "He mentioned the composition of the asteroids, Could he have found something important,"
"At this point, Ambassador, I don't know what that discovery could be," Sklar said.
"Tom, Can we send a shuttle down through that turbulence," I said.
"It would be a rough ride, but I think it's possible," Tom said.
"Our chances of finding Dr. Vatm are slim, We should evacuate the colonies," Sklar said.
"We haven't time to evacuate all those people," Ambassador said. "I won't give up now, Captain I'm asking for your help again, But I won't ask you to risk your crew,"
"Afraid that's my call to make, And we're not leaving now, Tuvok, assemble rescue teams, we'll send down 3 shuttles to find Dr. Vatm," I said.
"Aye Captain, Mr. Paris," Tuvok said.
"Bridge to Engineering," Chakotay said. "B'Elanna I want you to beam aboard a sample of the debris from that last asteroid, Let's find out why it wasn't vaporized,"
"I'm going to have a look at the Data we've collected so far," I said. "You got the Bridge," As I went for my ready room.
XXX
I heard about Tuvok's Shuttle going down and what Chakotay and B'Elanna found from the sample it confirms that someone is targeting the planet. And I was out on the Bridge.
"Captain, I've got Tom," Harry said.
"Put him through," I said. "Tom,"
"We've just completed our 3rd low altitude survey There's not sign of Dr. Vatm or Tuvok and his rescue team," Tom said.
"We're monitoring a major dust storm heading your way, You'll need to head due north within the hour," I said.
"Acknowledged Paris out," Tom said.
"Captain, I'm getting more detailed sensor readings on the approaching asteroid, it's huge over half a kilometer in diameter, and it's moving faster than the others," Harry said.
"Time to impact," I said.
"Approximately 2 hours," Harry said.
"Keep going over that asteroid something about it moving faster worries me," I said.
"I'm on it," Harry said.
XXX
The asteroid was nearly here.
"Captain the asteroid is within Visual range," Harry said.
"On screen," I said Then I saw a ship. "I knew I didn't like it,"
"There's a large crew complement at least 2,000," Harry said.
"They remodulated their shields to fool our sensors," Chakotay said. "We're being hailed,"
"On screen," I said.
"The Etanian Order claims this territory, You will withdraw," He said.
"This planet belongs to the Nezu, they have 5 colonies here," I said.
"You are not Nezu," He said.
"I'm a friend of theirs and I don't scare easily. Scott McCall and I'm not going anywhere until you've lowered your weapons," I said.
"You will be willing to die for them," He said. "A Loyal friend and a foolish one," As he cut the link.
"They'll be here in under 10 minutes Captain," Chakotay said.
"Red Alert, Battle Stations," I said. As the Klaxon went Red. As I sat down. "Harry be ready with those ZPM's, Chakotay load all Torpedo banks,"
"Aye Captain," Harry said.
"Photon torpedoes Ready," Chakotay said.
Ten minutes later, they were here.
"The ship is within range," Chakotay said. "They're charging weapons,"
"Full power to shields, Ready Phasers," I said.
As we got hit.
"Shields down to 85%," Harry said.
"Return fire, hit their weapons," I said.
"No Effect," Chakotay said. "We can't penetrate their shields,"
"Put Phasers Bank to Maximum," I said.
"Captain, I'm getting a comlink, Its Tuvok," Harry said.
"Put him through," I said.
"Tuvok To Voyager," Tuvok said.
"McCall here, Are you all right, Tuvok," I said.
"Yes, Captain," Tuvok said.
"We're a little busy right now, Prepare to Beam aboard," I said. "Harry,"
"Got them," Harry said.
As we got hit again.
"Shield down to 23% Structural integrity is failing," Harry said.
"Engage ZPM 1," I said.
"Done," Harry said. "Structural integrity is holding. Shields at 85%,"
"Captain, This data device contains tactical information about the enemy vessel, including their shield modulation," Tuvok said.
"Adjust phasers to match," I said. "Target their Primary reactor,"
"Ready," Tuvok said.
"Fire," I said.
"Direct hit, their reactor is offline," Tuvok said.
As we got hit again.
"They're remodulating their shields," Chakotay said.
"Target their weapons array, Fire," I said.
"Their weapons have been destroyed," Tuvok said.
"They're retreating Captain," Chakotay said.
"Keep an eye on them," I said. "Until they are gone from Sensors Maintain Red alert,"
"What happened to you down there," Ambassador said. "Where's Sklar,"
"Mr. Sklar, returned to the surface," Neelix said.
After a few hours, the ship was gone.
We stay around to give them Medical supplies, So they can rebuild. But one thing was sure. We made another friend in the Delta Quadrant.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!
See you on Before and After.