As soon as we exit hyperspace I hurry to pull up the sensor information. No ion storm. I let out a shaky breath. The captain's voice cuts in through the panel. "We have engaged Slug slavers. Charge weapons, full shields." I divert all available from the reactor to the weapons and shields. Our small crew of three is almost skeletal, and the responsibilities of shield control and sensors have fallen to me. My eyes flash between the systems indicators crowding my screen.
As soon as weapons show green I fire one of the weak missiles we were given at the wildly painted cruiser, the mark of a pirate. It lands accurately and I whoop and leap out of my chair involuntarily. Embarrassed, I hasten to retake my seat, but O'Regan doesn't let the moment pass.
"Bugger 'em, Stelly!" he yells from the adjoining room. A genuine smile warms my face.
A warning indicator beeps rapidly as the ship shudders slightly. A weak laser burst has temporarily disabled the shield, but it recharges without any additional shots landing. Their weapons are weak, and I feel a strange power in my gut as I become certain of victory.
The battle continues and slowly the Slug ship begins to drift lamely in space, looking more lifeless with each shot. The power I felt moments ago has waned and a certain trepidation creeps in. On the sensor screen I watch as the remaining crew scramble frantically to put out fires and repair systems, although to my omniscient eye it looks as though their efforts will ultimately be in vain. My hand hesitates over the weapon controls.
A short message pipes through from the captain: "Hold fire."
I sink back in my chair, watching the sensor screen. The opposing crew has gathered on the bridge of the crippled ship. Soon, the ship-wide intercom echoes, "This is the captain. Stand down from battle stations. Report to common room for crew assignments."
I stand in the doorway to the engine room, observing O'Regan route the controls to the bridge.
"Crew assignments?"
O'Regan shrugs as he finishes his task. With one last tap to the screen, he turns and joins me in the doorway. We trot down the hallway briskly.
"We're all assigned as far as I know. Unless you've been reassigned to trash duty," he says, bumping me and laughing. I shove him back playfully. "Unless we've got company."
I'm unable to question him further before we reach the door to the common room. It slides open, the captain standing with his back to the door. His imposing presence is enough to drain the smiles from our faces and we stand stiffly at attention as the doors close behind us.
"Ensigns," he says, pausing slightly. As he turns around, he extends one arm, gesturing behind him. "Meet your new crew mate."