Chapter 125.
(Leah POV)
As Tom and Harry headed out to test out the new flyer upgrades.
Then When they got back they brought a friend which needed help and then found something out which Tom wanted approvement for.
"The Antarian Trans-Stellar Rally, 3 segments covering 2.3 billion kilometers," Tom said.
"With obstacles ranging from dwarf star clusters to Class K anomalies," Harry said.
"2 man crews. and most importantly, each ship is limited to sublight speeds, It is the ultimate test of ship design and piloting skills," Tom said.
"Not to mention a serious drain on Voyager's resources, You're suggesting we reassign 15 crewmen to modify the Delta Flyer," Tuvok said.
"The Race has very specific guidelines," Tom said.
"All of the ships have to use enriched deuterium fuel, The Delta Flyer isn't equipped for that," Chakotay said.
"Irina agreed to lend us a fuel converter," Harry said.
"Captain, this race is more than just a sporting event, Until recently this region was a war zone, 4 different species fought it for nearly a century to control it," Tom said.
"Now for the first time, they're competing peacefully to commemorate the new treaty that ended the war," Harry said.
"This race embodies everything the Federation values, A peaceful coexistence, a free exchange of ideas," Tom said.
"I think it's a great Idea," I said.
"You do," Tom said.
"You do," Tuvok said.
"Absolutely, This competition is just the sort of break we need, It would give us a chance to make some friends and Allow the Crew a little R&R," I said "Request Granted,"
"Thank you, Captain," Tom said.
"One thing gentlemen, Now that we're in this race, we're in it to win, After all, Starfleet's honour is at stake," I said.
"Don't worry it's in good hands," Tom said. As I left.
XXX
"Captain's log Stardate 54058.6. Our request to enter the Delta Flyer into the rally has been accepted, I'm meeting with the race coordinator Ambassador O'Zaal, to work out the details, End log," I said.
"We have teams that have travelled quite a distance, captain, but none from as far as the Alpha Quadrant," O'Zaal said.
"We're always willing to go that extra light year for a good cause," I said.
"Well your entrance petition seems to be in order, The Delta Flyer meets our guidelines, Now all you have to do is win," O'Zaal said.
"Something tells me the other teams aren't going to make that too easy," Chakotay said.
"Bridge to the Captain," Tuvok said.
"Go ahead, Commander," I said.
"There is an incoming transmission for the ambassador," Tuvok said.
"Route it here, Tuvok," I said. As I went over and got it on. "All yours, Ambassador,"
"I asked not to be disturbed," O'Zaal said.
"What is he saying," Chakotay said.
"Hold on," I said.
"I'm sorry, but the Aksani are threatening to withdraw unless they're allowed to host the post race ceremony," He said.
"Did you explain that we've already promised that to the Chessu," O'Zaal said.
"Yes, they said that was unacceptable," He said.
"Arrange for another meeting, I'll have to find some way of appeasing them," O'Zaal said.
"Sounds bad," I said.
"Well I hope the race you just entered doesn't end before it begins," O'Zaal said.
"It's that serious," I said.
"The peace is still very fragile," O'Zaal said. "Every decision I make no matter how trivial, is looked upon as symbolic,"
"So every time you make a concession to one participant," Chakotay said.
"Another is offended, Yes," O'Zaal said.
"Maybe we can help," I said.
"That would be wonderful, How," O'Zaal said.
"By providing neutral ground for the pre and post race activates, Since the Federation and Voyager never taken sides in your conflict, you could be accused of showing favouritism," I said.
"If your racing skills are as sharp as your diplomatic instincts, the other teams won't have a chance," O'Zaal said.
XXX
As The Delta Flyer launched. As all of the ships got into position.
"The Racers are moving into position," Tuvok said.
As I opened a section wide channel. "All yours Ambassador," I said.
"Welcome to the first running of the Antarian Trans-Stellar Rally, This moment marks a hopeful point in our shared history, A chance to put aside old animosities and come together in a spirit of peace and friendly competition, Good luck to all of you, Prepare for the starting signal," O'Zaal said. "Captain the honour is yours,"
"Tuvok," I said.
"Photon loaded," Tuvok said. "Set,"
"Fire," I said.
As Tuvok Launched the photon as it detonated away from everyone as the Race took off.
As I started heading down to Astrometrics. As I ran into Neelix and 7.
"It's all in the Deliver, do you mind," Neelix said. As he opened a Shipwide channel. "Attention, All hands, Standby for a race update, With only 58 million kilometers left in the first segment, The Askani, Imhotep and the Terrellian ships are still battling for the lead, Wait, The #8 ship just cut off the #3 in the Daria system, Now 3's changing course, Using the gravity from a gas giant to boost it's speed, It's making up for lost ground,"
"Sound's like quite a race," I said. As Harry was next to me.
"Apparently, It's all in the delivery," 7 said.
"The Delta Flyer just took 3rd place," Neelix said. "The Terrellian and Imhotep ships are still in the lead, The Delta Flyer trailing by a few seconds, Meanwhile 2 Chessu ship are continuing to advance, Claiming 4th and 5th position,"
"My Weekly security report," Tuvok said.
"I'll read it later," I said.
"There are a few matters we should discuss," Tuvok said.
"She said Later, Tuvok," Chakotay said.
"Something wrong, They're disappearing," Neelix said.
"7," I said.
"Radiation from the Mobius inversion is blocking our sensors," 7 said.
"How will we track their progress," Tuvok said.
"We can't. Not until they emerge from the other side of the anomaly," Chakotay said.
"Want to talk about that report now, Tuvok," I said.
"Later, If that's permissible," Tuvok said.
"It's them, It's the Delta Flyer. They're in the lead," Neelix said. "They're pulling away,"
"Captain, I'm picking up a section wide channel, It's Ambassador O'Zaal," 7 said.
"Put it through," I said.
"Attention all racers, There's been an accident, Stay in order and shut down your engines," O'Zaal said.
XXX
"Report," I said.
"His condition is stabilizing," Doc said. "I should be able to start dermal regeneration in a few hours,"
"This was Assan's fault," Irina said.
"Why," O'Zaal said.
"He Collided with me so many times, my shield generator overloaded, Joxom's console exploded, he's lucky he's alive," Irina said.
XXX
"If I'm guilty of anything It's of coming in 2nd," Assan said. "A situation I'll remedy in the next leg,"
"You're doing a poor job of defending yourself," O'Zaal said.
"We may have had something to do with this, too," B'Elanna said. "We grazed both of their shields while in the anomaly,"
"Intentionally," I said.
"It was a tight course, Everyone was flying very aggressively," Tom said.
"Your team is not responsible Captain, My generators were already overloading when they made contact," Irina said.
"Perhaps none of you is to blame," Tuvok said. "I found this interfaced with her ship's shield generator, I ran an analysis, It's a phase inverter designed to cause a system overload,"
"It's hard to believe someone would go this far just to knock a competitor out of the race," I said.
"This may be more than a simple case of cheating Captain, I think someone's trying to end the peace," O'Zaal said.
"Maybe I'm missing something, But we're talking about a single act of sabotage, How does that threaten your treaty," I said.
"By itself, It wouldn't, But we've received several threats of a more serious nature," O'Zaal said.
"Groups opposed to the alliance," O'Zaal said. "Arms dealers, isolationists, Political extremists, up until now I wasn't sure how seriously to take them,"
"Clearly they pose a security threat," Tuvok said.
"Yes, yes," O'Zaal said. "We've done everything we could to protect the racers, but that may not be enough, I don't want to risk any more lives, We should cancel the race or at least postpone it, Until we can guarantee everyone's safety,"
"No if we stop now, we'll be letting these extremists win," Irina said.
"She's right," Assan said.
"Very well then," O'Zaal said. "If that's the consensus we'll resume tomorrow as scheduled, Of course Captain if you decide to withdraw we'd understand,"
"Ambassador, The last time I checked, I believe we were winning," I said.
XXX
"All Teams Report to your ships, the race will resume in 30 minutes," O'Zaal said.
After 30 minutes.
"Attention all hands, Stand by for another race update, After fighting off a formidable challenge from the Terrellian team, The Delta Flyer has managed to hold onto it's lead going into the 3rd and final segment," Neelix said.
As I went down to the Mess Hall with my girls.
As I saw Assan's Ship cross the line.
"Damn," I said. As I headed over to the Ambassador.
"I'm sorry your team didn't win, Captain," O'Zaal said.
As we got rumbled by something.
"McCall to Bridge, Report," I said.
"That was a shockwave from an antimatter explosion, Approximately 1.2 million kilometers from here," Tuvok said.
"Set a course," I said. "Excuse me,"
XXX
"We're coming in Range," Chakotay said.
"Scan the area," I said.
"I'm picking up the Delta Flyer, It's taken heavy Damage," Tuvok said.
"Lifesigns," I said.
"2, B'Elanna and Tom are alright," Chakotay said.
"Beam them to Sickbay and Tractor the Delta Flyer," I said.
XXX
"Captain's log Supplemental, The Antarians have invited us to participate in the post race festivities, Which has allowed me to give 2 of my senior officers time off for a well deserved romantic getaway, The Delta Flyer still needs a new Warp Core, But I don't think they're in a hurry to get anywhere. End Log.
That's all for this Chapter.
More to follow
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!