Six
Stardate 59432.1, USS Aegis, Uncharted Romulan System, RSS-2398
"Hard about, set course out of the system, maximum warp!" zhNon order.
"Belay that." Theus countermanded.
"Captain?!"
"Torpedo has a lock, ten seconds to impact." Goritan said.
"Helm come about, full impulse to the nearest gas giant, red line all reactors. Ops, bring back those probes we sent out, and have them rendezvous at our position in theta formation, ten-thousand kilometer distance."
"Aye sir." Both stations acknowledged.
"Sir, our increase in speed has bought us time, but the torpedo is still gaining. Impact in twenty seconds, and falling." Goritan said.
"Captain!" zhNon shouted. "We need to put as much distance between that torpedo and the ship as possible. Continuing into the system prevents us from going to warp."
"Leaving the system gives them time to get away Commander, we're ending this. Now."
"Sir?"
"Tell me about that gas giant, Ensign." Theus said to his Science Officer.
"Standard hot giant sir. Atmospheric layers composed primarily of molecular and metallic hydrogen, methane, helium, ammonia."
Lieutenant Carver from Ops spoke up. "Sir, I wouldn't recommend getting to close. Wind speeds are in excess of two-thousand kilometers per hour, and the radiation belts in the magnetosphere will become lethal in short time."
"How much radiation?"
"Fourteen seconds to impact." Goritan said.
"The closest moon receives at least thirty-eight hundred rems per orbit." Contreras answered.
"Good." Theus said calmly.
The view screen began to fill with the vista of the massive planet. It reminded Theus of Jupiter, with its swirling clouds of multiple browns and greens. It had no signature markings or features, but at one of the poles was a clear and brilliant display of lights.
"Entering the upper atmosphere now, sir." Mok said.
"Hold her steady, Lieutenant. Take us directly to the highest concentration of magneto-interference at the pole." Theus said as the turbulence caused the ship to tremble.
"Torpedo less than three-thousand kilometers from impact." Goritan said, with an edge in his voice.
"Divert all available power to aft shields." zhNon ordered.
Theus tapped a few commands into his arm panel and said to Goritan, "Lieutenant, bring photonic counter-measures online."
"Aye sir." He said.
"Sir," Carver said, "scanner resolution down to less than seventeen percent. If we stay this close to the planet, significant damage will be done to the sensor array."
"Acknowledged."
"One-thousand kilometers." Goritan said.
"Pop chaff, Lieutenant" Theus ordered.
From aft of the Aegis, two slow moving cylinders were launched. The hung lazily in space until they recognized a targeting scanner, and detonated with a blinding flash. Centuries ago, man used similar devices to confuse the radar signatures of air craft, and weapons guidance systems by detonating clouds of aluminum and other materials in their path. Starfleet had updated the devices to send out highly charged EM particles in an effort to overload the onboard systems of projectile weapons.
"Torpedo has lost us as a target, its scanners are attempting to reacquire." Goritan reported.
"A snowball would have a better chance in the Vulcan Forge." Theus said. "Commander, if you would?"
Theus saw that zhNon was busy at her Mission Ops console, no doubt coordinating preparation for what she believed would be major casualties and damage to the ship. She looked at the screen puzzled for a moment before regaining her focus.
"Helm take us up and come about, make sure we're still in the blind spot the pole is creating. Goritan, target cannons and fire."
The Aegis gracefully swung up and fell back on herself before rolling to right herself. Mok expertly guided them into position, as Goritan manually targeted and fired several volleys of energy blasts from the main batteries to vaporize the torpedo.
"Target destroyed." zhNon reported.
"Are our probes in position yet, Commander?" Theus asked.
"Just about sir, I had them hold station to prevent damage from the gas giant."
"Ops, coordinate with Science. Our probes are about to have an unobstructed spherical line-of-sight on us, and we'll need a grid setup asap."
"Yes sir." They both said.
"Full power to the main deflector. Goritan, initiate tachyon pulse."
From the main deflector a pulse of tachyon energy was released. It expanded in all directions with no results.
"Enemy vessel de-cloaking, dead astern!" Goritan said.
"Probes have detected the ship. I have six sensor beams trained for solid lock." Carver said enthusiastically.
"They're trying to get away." zhNon said, as the ship started to cloak again and move away from the probes.
"Not this time." Theus said. "Set probes to stalk. Goritan, resolve a firing solution and target propulsion systems."
The Romulan vessel was cloaked, but still very visible to the Aegis' sensors thanks to the sphere formation of the probes that kept pace with its every move. Even when it evaded the constant beams of two or three of them, the probes had it surrounded. They could destroy them, but it would require them to de-cloak. Their best option was to try and run, an opportunity Theus was not allowing.
"I have a lock."
"Fire photons, full spread." zhNon ordered.
Four crimson, active-thrust accelerated torpedoes streaked from the Aegis. The Romulan ship seemed to realize its mistake, as it began to de-cloak in an effort to raise shields, but it was too late. Two torpedoes slammed into each of its nacelles, sheering them off and causing several secondary explosions. Their shields finally activated, just as the other two warheads detonated near their primary impulse reactors.
"Direct hits, they've suffered massive damage, sir." Goritan said.
"Stand down to yellow alert, hail them." Theus said.
"They're responding, on screen." Carver said.
The screen flash, and showed the damaged and sparking bridge of the Romulan vessel. Smoke was visible in the background, but the spiteful face of a Romulan female surprised Theus. Truly she was still defiant.
Federation veruul! Finish it then!" She demanded.
"Romulan vessel, you have attacked a Starfleet vessel. As far as the Federation is concerned, that is an act of war. An act, which we both know your people cannot commit to. I am Commander Theus Eridos, Captain of the Starship Aegis. Why did you attack us?"
I don't answer to you, Federation!" She spat. "You can either finish it, or wait until we make repairs and I will. Any attempt to board, and I will send us all to the afterlife!"
Theus signaled for the channel to be muted and screen to be deactivated. He stood up and turned to his crew.
"Impressions?" He asked his bridge. zhNon stepped forward but he held up a hand when he noticed three individuals at the turbo lift doors. "Major?"
Major Bullock deactivated what sounded like magnetic boots and stepped forward. Once again she was in full battle armor, only this time she had two addition MACO's with her at each access point. They were posted like sentry, armed with several particle weapons and each wore a combat bandoleer with a loadout of multiple grenades, stabbing weapons, blunt non-lethal batons, and scanners.
Engineering to Bridge, can someone tell me why there are MACO's posted in my engine room?" Bloss demanded.
"Stand-by Chief." Theus said. "Well?"
The helmet retracted from her face and she said, "Sir, I must admit to being a little confused. What did you think we would do when you sounded battle stations, sit in our bunks?"
"When did you even enter the bridge?"
"Respectfully sir, there is still a very active situation we have to deal with. I would be more than happy to go over protocol; and the absolute lack of security for critical systems and personnel during general quarters, but we should really focus on the Romulans for now."
"I take offense to that." Goritan huffed.
"As you should." Bullock said without missing a beat. "I'm surprised professional embarrassment didn't keep you quiet."
Goritan began to walk from his station but zhNon interrupted.
"Enough! The captain asked for input, does anyone have anything?" She said.
Goritan grumbled. "I don't think they are trained from the Imperial Fleet." He said. "Threats from their Commander aside, their movements were too predictable. Too textbook."
"Agreed." Bullock said. "What little I saw of their bridge suggests they're a poorly trained militia, maybe even civilians. They weren't wearing Imperial Fleet uniforms."
"She also seemed angry." zhNon added. "Not humiliated or defeated, but angry in the sense of being helpless."
"I noticed that as well." Theus said.
Just then, the door to the bridge opened, and Centurion Keln stepped out.
"You called for me?" He said to Bullock.
Bullock cleared her throat, and gave him a hard look. He stared just as hard and then turned to Theus.
"Permission to enter the bridge…sir?" He said after an unnatural pause.
Theus didn't respond for a moment but eventually said, "Granted." He motioned for him to come toward his chair. "Centurion, we've just been attacked by a rather powerful Romulan Warbird."
"It couldn't have been that powerful, we're all still alive." He said.
"I think you underestimate the capabilities of Starfleet." Theus said, angrily.
"Forgive me Command…Captain. I meant to say that the commander of the vessel must be an inept fool. While Romulans have no problem fighting, we prefer to achieve our objectives in the most direct way possible. Combat requires time, energy, and has variables that cannot be controlled. That ship would have been right to exercise more patience, and strike when you were busy with a scan or during a shuttle launch."
"He's right."
zhNon and Bullock spoke over one another. They shot each other a harsh glance before zhNon continued. "They didn't follow any known or observed patterns of Romulan combat."
"Sir, I recommend we allow Centurion Keln to speak with them." Bullock said.
"I object sir." zhNon said swiftly. "He's here to facilitate easier interaction once we have an agreement of relief operations. This is a combat situation, and until we resolve it, I don't think it's an acceptable risk to let him contact them."
"And what exactly would I do, Commander?" Keln asked. "Or did you not notice they were firing on me as well?"
"One of the newest, most advance, and heavily armed ships in Starfleet would be a nice start to rebuilding your Empire." She said.
"What is he here for if not to make our interactions more peaceful?" Bullock asked.
zhNon and Bullock were challenging one another with non-verbal looks again, but Theus didn't have time for it.
"Enough." He said. "We're contacting the Romulans with Centurion Keln's help. After our attack, they probably have wounded over there and we need to try and provide aid."
Theus retook his seat.
"Goritan, maintain positive weapons lock. zhNon, notify sickbay of possible casualties. I want a strike team prepped and ready in case we need to go over their Major, for now, reestablish visual."
It took a moment but the Romulan finally responded.
What do you want…bruchon!" She shouted at Keln.
"Jolan tru citizen, I am no traitor." He said. "My name is Keln, I am a Centurion in the Star Navy. The Federation is here to help. Something you would know if you possessed the wisdom to speak with them first, instead of firing disruptors."
You speak sweet words while on the ship of our enemy, and claim not to be a traitor?" She asked.
"If they wanted to destroy you, they could have done so multiple times over."
Keln said this plainly, and it seemed to mollify her as she realized the truth.
"Do not trust them, trust me. Our empire is broken, bordering on the brink of extinction. You know the weakness of Humans. Their compassion and need to help overrides their concern for the safety of even their own lives. They want nothing more than to be seen as the saviors of the galaxy."
This I know, Centurion." She said in a low voice.
"Then you must also know, that being able to say they are the reason we survived as a people, is the ultimate narcotic to them. They are not doing this out of the kindness of their hearts, but to say once again to all the races of the quadrants that they are morally superior. It's what gives them the power they so vehemently deny they crave."
Your words speak true, Centurion. So answer me, why should we help them to increase their political leverage?"
"We shouldn't." He said. "But our position necessitates that we think of the larger picture. Romulus will return. We will stand tall as the proud and glorious people we have always been. But that cannot happen if we do not survive long enough to rebuild. The Federation is offering to help us. It would be unwise to reject those that will help put food in the mouths of our citizens."
She was silent for a long time before saying, "I am R'Navta, champion of the free Romulan Republic of Lleiset." She said.
"Lleiset?" Theus asked.
"Roughly translated, it means liberation or freedom." Keln answered him.
I will allow you to take us back to our world. A moon orbiting the next gas giant in this system. Do not try to board us."
The screen went blank. Theus raised an eyebrow before letting out a breath.
"They're powering down their defensive systems, sir." Goritan said.
"I supposed we're fortunate that they're allowing us to tow them." He said. "Helm, bring us into position. Ops lock on tractor beam."
"I'm receiving a set of coordinates, Captain. However, our probes completed a scan of that moon and found nothing." zhNon said.
"I'm sure there's more to that moon than initial scans revealed, Commander." Theus said. "Engage."