Chapter 4 – Part One – The Shi'ar
Her recent departure from space dock where much needed upgrades had been received, the UFP Formidable sped through the void of space once more. Despite it being a relatively new build, barely two years old the Federation was ever improving as a result of new technology gained. Whether it was invented or in some cases found in alien databases on planets whose dominant species had long since died. Aldea have been a major treasure trove to researchers, unfortunately some of its more key secrets were proving difficult to unlock, or put to use. This was in fact their current destination as they sped there at transwarp velocities. When the Legacy class had been first built it had housed a class 6 or type 45 matter/antimatter reactor; known as M/ARC for short. Initially capable of transwarp 15, that had been replaced with a class 7, increasing her giving a maximum velocity to warp 17.
Captain Bateson surveyed the bridge, looking out at the stations and his officers. With a nod it got his seal of approval, for now, his only concern was how it would fare in battle. Sometimes Fleet Command were too concerned with niceties like image, and how pretty things looked – unlike in his heyday. Not how they performed under duress or critical conditions. Personally he was a pragmatist; always erring on the side if it can go wrong, it usually bloody does! Overall though he liked the starship, although, his one peeve was that it was too dark, the colours were sombre and glum.
As a whole he could live it though.
In all his time he'd never been to the legendary Aldea, the thought that he was beating Kirk to it was almost too good to be true. It wasn't that they had a rivalry as such, more a case of, was there northing Kirk and his Enterprise hadn't done? It would be nice to be first, for once.
Stars streaked by on the view screen, "Turn that damn screen off, it's giving me a headache," he lied and began rubbing his temples. Not that he was in pain at all, or that the screen was even necessary, they were more than capable of running everything from consoles. It would do them good he thought allowing himself a crafty smile.
"Sir we're getting a transwarp distress call"
Oh well time to get some work done, "On screen."
A female humanoid appeared, she seemed to be in her mid to late twenties, physically at least, instead of hair there was a feathered crest atop her cranium. "I am Princess Lilandra of the Shi'ar Empire"
"How can we help Princess Lilandra?"
"Our ship was attacked and crippled. We require aid before life support fails"
He could remember nothing about the Shi'ar so he began to discreetly press his console to access their data files. "Do you require help in the form of engineers or mainly parts?"
"Both, if that would not be an imposition?"
"Of course not," he said using his best most reassuring smile. Using his console signalled the Chief Tactical officer, Commander Bu'KaH; and his Denobulan Science officer, Trevika.
What is their tactical status? Is their ship any threat if we get it operational? Who the hell are the Shi'ar?
His first response was from Trevika:
Shi'ar are believed to originate from the Megallanic Cloud possessing technology roughly anomalous to ours. It is rumoured their transwarp is superior although this has never been proven.
Quickly clicking onto the next message from Bu'KaH:
Captain my analysis of the ship shows its weapons are on a par with ours and certainly a threat. Its shields are unknown at this time but my speculation, although not conclusive could exceed our capabilities. Currently due to the extensive damage taken they are on standby and are unlikely to attack should we conclude repairs.
Turning back to the view screen signalled the klingon to reopen the channel, "If you send me coordinates I will be happy to send over a team in a shuttlecraft"
"Done," she replied ending her transmission.
"Distance to target?"
"We need to drop to sub-light now sir"
"Do it," he ordered, trying to get comfy knowing instantly that they had changed his chair, again.
All around was a graveyard of ships, all alien in design, none, except one, had enough power to support survivors even if there were any. It had four long tubular arms each about nine hundred meters long attached to the longer main body creating an 'X' shape. At the rear its gravity drives were visible. Huge sections were venting oxygen and bodies were clearly visible dancing lifelessly in space.
"That's pretty banged up sir – about half the ships have the same hull type as hers, the other well I've got no idea who they were"
"So it was an invasion? Looks like its seen one hell of a fire fight."
"Something doesn't feel right Captain"
"I agree," he affirmed, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "Commander Vahn take an Away Team across to their ship. We'll maintain a lock on you at all times. Any chance…of well…you know we'll beam you directly aboard"
"Understood Captain"
Morgan watched his First Officer leave who while not particularly tall was average in most areas; his plus side was that he lacked Riker's smugness and bombastic nature. Which all things considered was a good thing, even Kirk didn't have any of those qualities and he was the most self assured person he knew. He watched the new Warhammer depart, most of the older shuttlecraft had been replaced by fighter craft that were able to perform multiple roles. Part of the old irresponsible 23rd Century self wanted to take one out and see what it could do but in this century there was less leeway when it came to disobeying rules and regulations. Far too many rules he decided.
"Vahn to Captain Bateson"
"Formidable here Commander. Have you arrived safely then?"
"No problem there sir, many of them are wounded but they seem to be coping. I've offered our medical services should the need arise"
"Well done Commander, let me know when the repairs are done, Formidable out."
The USS Griffon sailed through space, its upgrades completed - like the Formidable. Just before leaving T'Bon had wished Riker a Bon Voyage, feelings which the Enterprise Captain had responded in kind. He watched his crew perform their duties. Despite tightly reigning in his feelings, only allowing them some fresh air on occasion could not help but feel trepidation, a foreboding that refused to go away.
"Captain we're nearing the wreckage of a Belasarius class vessel"
They'd only been out of spacedock ten days having traversed just over ten thousand light years – it was too soon for any trouble! "Go to warp five and scan the area thoroughly. I don't like this"
"Me neither," commented the Capellan tactical officer, "Scanning surrounding area for weapon traces," his fingers dancing over his display. "Getting something wacky here"
Looking behind for the tactical console was no longer necessary as during the refit the bridge had been completely redesigned. Sitting in the centre was the Captain. The XO was situated to the Captain's right while the Councillor was the left, both had semicircular consoles. On the right side of the wall were several science stations, slightly further down was engineering – while Ops and Navigation were at the front. Situated against the left wall was tactical.
"Define Wacky. Have all my clothes spontaneously disappeared, or there is a huge space dragon eating the sun?" Azuma deadpanned.
"The first is by far the worst of the two scenarios" the Capellan retorted without looking up, trying to hide his smile.
Vahn smiled back, waiting patiently for the report to follow.
"I've got it," he exclaimed joyously fingers tapping over the console. "You're not gonna like it though."
"You know what they say about keeping an idiot in suspense?"
"When you're as brilliant as me it's hard for everyone else to keep up," unable to resist a jibe at the XO. Continuing to work he feigned ignorance as the rapport of laughter could be heard across the bridge, even the Kzinti joined in.
"What have you found Lieutenant?" Inquired the Captain curious at what had managed to destroy a vessel of the First Federation.
"Sir! I've got a life sign, its weak"
"Lock on and beam directly to sickbay. Doctor you have incoming"
The CMO replied over the comms, "Understood"
"As I was saying the weapons discharge is identical to the aliens that attacked both Vulcan and Minbar"
"I find it perplexing why they would choose to attack two worlds so far apart, unless they have something connecting them?"
"We have nothing in common with them," Maban stated, "except being humanoid," he added as an afterthought.
"I agree Lieutenant," responded the Captain. "But there is obviously something we are missing – unless….it is sheer coincidence"
"There are no coincidences," declared Grax ominously.
An hour later in Sickbay, Doctor Pulaski was standing over the child sized alien known as Hatal with the Commander waiting impatiently by a nearby bio-bed for the all clear to talk to the First Federation Captain.
She shook her head.
"Something wrong Doctor?"
"He's not going to make it," she said running her hands through her raven coloured hair. Picking up a medical tricorder she passed it over the prone patient's head – "Cranial bleed, I just can't stop it."
"Can I talk to him?"
"He's barely conscious. If I give him a stimulant death is guaranteed"
"Do it," he ordered in tones brooked no reproach. She sighed walking over to the bed administering the hypospray as ordered. Slowly his eyes fluttered open, fell shut –then opened with alarm. He took a deep breath looking closely at his surroundings. Things blurred in and out of vision, "Come closer," he coughed, blood and spittle dribbling out the corner of his mouth.
"I am Commander Grax of the Federation starship Griffon. We found the wreckage of your ship"
A great wracking cough forced the small humanoid to sit up, gobbets of blood exploded out of his mouth all over his tattered uniform. The doctor that had treated him upon arrival ran over trying to wipe the bodily fluids away, stopping when he waved her off. "They came for me, their…..ship…." he gasped once more. "It was huge, over ten miles long…didn't stand a chance," slowly his eyes closed and he lay still for a second.
"Don't sit up, let me help you," Grax suggested approaching closer, placing a hand under the diminutive being's back and helping him to rise. "Better?"
Unable to nod for the pain, blinked once hoping the Federation officer comprehended. "Understand, they were in my head – they're still there."
A terrible thought occurred, "Grax to Klep-Hreh"
"Klep here Commander"
"I want you try to sense the aliens"
"Yes sir," he was interrupted as Hatal shook and convulsed beginning what resembled an epileptic fit, holding the Commander in a vice like grip. "You understand don't you? Tell me you do," his were eyes pleading. They're here" he cried one last time before finally going still.
Over the intercom was the terse voice of the Captain, "Commander to the bridge immediately."
Turning ran upon his heel towards the door, "Coming through!" Sprinting all the way to the turbolift waited impatiently for it to arrive on bridge fifteen seconds later. He walked out unable to prevent his eyes bulging at the sight on the viewer. The ship was an oblong shape with swivelling gun ports along the top and on each side were two smaller triangular objects connected to the main body being what he would approximate as launch bays for fighters. The most terrifying part was the four dual barrelled central guns that ran through the middle of the whole fifteen miles of ship. "My god," he cursed looking at the Captain, "Tell me that's magnified?"
"I am afraid not Commander" responded the Captain.
"Tactical," he suggested.
Maban just shook his head sadly.
"Raise shields, and prepare a combative approach on my mark!"
"You cannot be serious Captain. We'll get swatted like a fly"
"I will not let them get away with it"
"Captain but we cannot help Vulcan by dying here today," he rebutted, his commanding officer had already made his mind up and would continue no matter the counter argument, unless. "I say again Captain I am sorry for what happened to Vulcan but we need to warn everyone of the threat, not to engage in a battle we cannot win!"
"Then relieve me," he challenged catching a dangerous look from the Kzinti who growled a warning. Realising he was about to lose control reigned in the angerhe felt, just for a moment. "What do you have in mind?"
"We tuck tail and run as fast our legs will carry us" Vahn replied.
"Seconded"
"Thirded" acknowledged Klep-Hreh, "I find myself in a curious situation agreeing with Maban…..for once"
"Fly…." Uttered Grax, "That gives me an idea. Helm plot course 040 mark 065. Full impulse"
Ensign Lopez responded automatically as the Griffon began its evasive manoeuvres.
"I thought you said you wanted to retreat Commander?"
"I do Captain but not before finding a few things out first"
"Of course Commander" He replied.
"Lopez ensure we are always broadside where the smallest guns are. I want full sensor sweeps, half a dozen passes will do then we run like crazy. Get to work people."
The Bynar science officer subjected their ship to as many sensor probes as possible, "I'm getting some fairly interesting readings Commander"
"Good" he said joyously, "Maban anything useful?"
"Their shield array," he began but never had the opportunity to finish the sentence as the Kzinti officer dropped to one knee. Roles reversed this time as T'Bon moved to help his subordinate, who bared sharp teeth threateningly, reflexively clutching his head in pain swaying unsteadily. Having no choice he backed away only to stare at the viewer in horror. It was there he realised two things. One was that the Griffon was no longer dodging or avoiding enemy fire – the deck shaking under the assault. The other was that Lopez at navigation was motionless.
"Lopez what are you doing?" Grax took a step forward this time only to feel the hand of the Captain on his bicep. "Don't," he warned, "look at him." As he turned around the ensign's eyes were completely black now, not a trace of the whites remained. A phantom wind circulated through the bridge, building in strength second, by second.
"He's doing that?"
"Yes" answered the Vulcan.
"How is that possible?" Not waiting to find out drew his phaser aiming it at the ensign who raised a hand as the Captain and First Officer exploded off their feet towards the rear of the bridge.
"Byn-One, re-route." Shouted Maban at tactical, "Re-route the power from navigation to your console and get us the hell out of here," watching as the pink skinned alien nodded almost imperceptibly – there was no way he could fly and fight at the same time. He fired every weapon he could. If control was not gained soon they would crash into the huge alien ship, and that was the best scenario. Worse…well Maban didn't really care to think about that.
The ship shook in pain as more barrages struck her triple layered shields.
Ensign Kelly at the operations station rose to a standing position too her eyes were similar ebony colour. The huge Capellan struggled to stay standing as it felt he had been being physically struck. Suddenly the view began to change and with a sign of relief he realised the little Bynar had taken control and that it was the Griffon moving away from danger.
"No!" screamed Lopez and Kelly in unison.
A hurricane wind whipped through the bridge, the two ensigns at the centre of it. There was a thud at the science station as someone had collapsed like they were being pole axed. Attempting to grab his phaser barely saw the orange blur that pounced upon the poor ensign, who was then tossed like a rag doll to land at his feet. Taking the opportunity struck navigation officer squarely on the jaw watching that he fell limply to the deck.
Suddenly the Capellan was hurled across the bridge by an unseen hand, struggling to rise amid the acrid smoke; one whiff immediately alerted the Chief of Security to its toxic nature. Shields must be taking one hell of a beating. Another explosion rocked the bridge. Staring wide eyed in horror as the Griffon was looking down dual barrels of death that glowed ominously. It was like staring into the mouth of a flame breathing dragon ready to cremate you on a moments notice. He dove back across trying to grab a phaser in the hopes that fate could be avoided.