Thier arrival at ESD was less than glamorous. Towed into port by tugs, hundreds of civillians being beamed off, and wounded being transfered. Elisa had to be taken out in a hoverbed, as the transporters were overtasked with civilians. Elizabeth and T'Vrell walked with her the entire way, making sure she was confortable before going to see Admiral Quinn.
"Admiral, sir!" Elizabeth said, stepping into the office with T'Vrell and saluting. "Elizabeth Khovansky, reporting!"
"At ease," Admiral Quinn said. "We have a lot to discuss, Cadet Khovansky."
"It's lieutenant, sir," Elizabeth replied.
"Yes, I see that here in the report transmitted by Captain Vo'Lok," Quinn said. "He granted you a field promotion to give you seniority over the rest of the active crew of your ship. As a cadet, you were assigned to an Academy training cruiser, under Captain Masc Taggart, correct? Acting first officer?"
"Yes, sir," Elizabeth replied.
"I've read the reports," Quinn continued. "Facing off against Klingon raiders and a Borg invasion force within hours of leaving Starfleet Academy. Very Unusual. In your own words, tell me what happened out there."
Elizabeth spent the next hour retelling the tale from leaving the Academy to returning to ESD.
"That's... quite the story," Quinn said.
"It's all true, sir," Elizabeth replied sadly, "though I wish it wasn't so."
"You and I both," Quinn said. "All the reports corroborate your story. All three of them cite your bravery and command skills, as well as you and your crew's willingness to put yourselves in harm's way to preserve the lives of others."
"We're Starfleet officers, sir. It's all in the job description," Elizabeth replied.
"And you are exactly the kind of officer Starfleet needs," Quinn told her. "I know your ship may not be the Enterprise, but I think you've proven yourself capable of sitting in her Captain's chair."
"Sir?"
"Under normal circumstances, it would take you years of work to get your own command," Quinn elaborated, "but these are nore normal circumstances. We're at war with the Klingon Empire. The Borg have returned. I'm losing more trained officers and ships than I can spare. Ships we can replace, but leaders with courage and honor... those are harder to find. I need somebody who can handle themselves in a crisis and get the best out of their crew. Even through you're young, I think you're that person. You are promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and given command of the U.S.S. Deutschland. Don't disappoint me."
"I won't, sir, but I am sorry for the loss of Captain Taggart, sir," Elizabeth said.
"He was a good man and a fine officer," Quinn replied. "He knew what he was doing when he issued that order. You actions saved the lives of your crew, and the civilians of Vega colony. Now it's up to you and your crew to honor Taggart's sacrifice as you carve out your own legacy. Did you have any questions?"
"No, sir."
"Now, come see me in a few days for your next assignment once repairs are complete."
The next day was spent entirely at Elisa's bedside while she slept, with Zarva bringing her breakfast and Kovez bringing lunch. T'Vrell came with dinner at 1800, flown up from her favorite restaurant on Earth.
"T'Vrell!" Elizabeth exclaimed quietly. "This must have cost a fortune!"
"You seemed like you needed something to cheer you up," T'Vrell replied.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this," Elizabeth whispered. "I know there are risks in Starfleet, but we were cadets on a training mission! And now... Elisa is hurt, R'raak, Anderson, T'Mar, they're all injured. And how many dead? And for what?"
"There are always risks and casualties," T'Vrell said, he hand hovering above the human's shoulder, unsure of what to do. "We all know the risks when we join, and we accept that. Elisa knew those risks, the same as Captain Taggart."
"I wish it would have been me," Elizabeth whispered.
"She will be fine," T'Vrell said.
"Yeah... I hope so," Elizabith replied. "Damn it, it should have been me!"
T'Vrell sighed, putting her hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, biting back a gasp at the grief, pain, and anger felt by the lieutenant. "Elizabeth, you need sleep."
"But if-"
"When Elisa wakes," T'Vrell interrupted, silencing the human, "I will be here. Vulcans can go days without sleep, humans can't."
"T'Vrell..."
"Elizabeth," T'Vrell replied. "It would not do well for Starfleet's newest ship commander to pass out from exaustion."
Elizabeth sighed. "All right. But if there's any change..."
"I will contact you in a reasonable time frame," T'Vrell replied.
Elizabeth smiled sadly, nodded, and stood up, walking out of the sickbay and to the turbolift, taking it to deck 39 where her assigned quarters were. Tiredly, she stripped out of clothes, and walked into the refresher, sighing in relief as actual hot water ran across her skin, before sinking to the floor in tears, the stress of everything hitting her at once.
When her fingers had finally turned to prunes, she turned off the water, dried off, and threw on a shirt, walking to her storage locker and opening it. She picked up the K98 that was inside, attached the bayonet, and began running through drill after drill, only stopping two hours later when a knock at her door forced her to put it away.
"Enter."
The door opened, revealing T'Vrell on the other side. "I hope I am not interrupting anything."
"Not at all," Elizabeth replied with a smile. "Please, come in."
"Thank you," the Vulcan said, stepping into the door frame. "Elisa is fine. She will be awake tomorrow."
"Thank the goddess," Elizabeth whispered, sinking onto her bed. "What was the... the damage?"
"Three broken ribs, two broken legs, a broken arm, and multiple first-degree burns," T'Vrell reported. "I thought you knew that."
"I couldn't bring myself to look until I knew for sure rather or not she would... Thank you, T'Vrell."
T'Vrell was about to say something, but noticed a locker door, and the object inside. She walked over, and took the rifle from the locker. "This rifle..."
"I'm sorry," Elizabeth said. "I know I shouldn't have it, but after what happened, and the Borg adapting to our phasers, I thought that-"
"Teach me," T'Vrell interrupted.
"I'm sorry?"
"Teach me," T'Vrell repeated. "Bayonet drills, marksmanship, everything. I don't ever want to see my friends hurt again."
"T'Vrell, that's... okay," Elizabeth agreed.
"I also have... other news, too," the Vulcan said. "The Deutschland is beyond repair. We've been assigned a new ship. Nova-class. They named it the Ilytiraurozi."
"Statistics?"
"Science vessel, two fore weapon mounts, two aft. We've been outfitted for fleet support operations. All phaser arrays."
"That will give us a powerful broadside," Elizabeth observed.
"Indeed," T'Vrell agreed. "It had also been fitted with Diburnium plating and phaser relays. Also, I took the liberty of having a firing range added for you."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said, genuinely touched.
"You should get some sleep," T'Vrell said. "It is already midnight."
"Right," Elizabeth replied. "Good night, T'Vrell."
"Good night, Captain," T'Vrell said.
"I'm only an LC," Elizabeth corrected.
"You will always be my captian," T'Vrell said as she left.
The next morning, Elizabeth and T'Vrell were by Elisa's beside as she woke up.
"What happened?" she asked.
"What do you remember?" Elizabeth replied.
"The civilians? Did we get them out? And the Deutschland? Is she all right?"
"Whoa, slow down, there," Elizabeth said.
"We saved the civilians," T'Vrell said. "The Deutschland was damaged beyond repair. We now command a Nova-Class ship, the Ilytiraurozi."
"Oh," Elisa said, depressed. "I had a bottle of Riesling in my quarters. I don't suppose...?"
"Crew quarters suffered major damage," T'Vrell said.
"Damn," Elisa muttered.
"How are you feeling?" Elizabeth asked.
"Like I got run over by a beer truck," Elisa laughed. "Seriously, though, it's not your fault."
"I should have seen it," Elizabeth replied. "I should have-"
"Our phasers barely touched them," Elisa said. "I want rifle training. Borg cannot adapt to a bullet. And those fancy new rifles can bite my ass."
T'Vrell and Elizabeth smiled.
"The doc says you get out of here tomorrow," Elizabeth said. "T'Vrell wants to learn as well. T'Vrell, can you show Elisa where the range is?"
"Of course," T'Vrell replied. "We are in port for a week before our next mission. That should give us ample time."
A week later, they received thier first mission.
"Escort an ambassador to P'Jem?" Elisa asked. "Too easy."
"Agreed," T'Vrell said. "According to Admiral James Kirk, diplomatic missions are horrid."
"Well, that's what we got," Elizabeth said. "We sail in two hours. Make ready."
"Aye, aye," T'Vrell replied, leaving.
"Elisa, was there something else?"
Elisa smirked, and slowly walked over to Elizabeth. "Do you really expect us to run into trouble?"
"I would be honestly surprised if we didn't," Elizabeth confessed. "How are you feeling?"
"A little sore, but ready for action," Elisa replied. "Do you still feel guilty about what happened?"
Elizabeth looked away, towards the floor.
"Liz, I am sorry for doing this," Elisa apologized.
"Sorry for what?"
A loud smack echoed through the room, and Elizabeth felt her head snap to the side before her cheek exploded in pain.
"What was that for?" Elizabeth asked.
"Do you feel less guilty?"
"Actually, yes," Elizabeth admitted. "That, or I am a masochist."
"If you are a masochist, what does that make me?" Elisa joked.
"My, uh... well... I, uh... wow, did environmental just fail?"
"You wish," Elisa said, taking a step toward Elizabeth, her mouth right against her ear. "Bye."
And then she was gone.
Elizabeth sank into a chair, her face in her hands. "What... Goddess, I wish she would have stayed... wait, what? But... damn it," Elizabeth muttered as she came to a realization. She had fallen in love with the tactical officer. "Goddess, how do I get myself into these situations? There can be no way she feels the same for me." With that realization, she began crying right there in the ready room, thankful that the door was soundproof.
"Earth Spacedock, this is USS Ilytiraurozi, requesting departure clearence," T'Vrell said into the communicator.
"USS Ilytiraurozi, this is ESD Control, you are clear for departure to Vulcan. Live long and prosper."
"Live long and prosper," T'Vrell repeated, closing the channel.
"Nilke, set a course for Vulcan, Warp 4," Elizabeth ordered the Caitian at the helm.
"Aye, aye, ma'am," the Caitian replied.
Ten minutes out of ESD, T'Vrell noticed something.
"Captain, I am picking up a distress signal. Patching it through."
"This is Captain Diana Brott of the SS Azura! We have been ambushed by Orion pirates. Warp containment and life support failing. Requesting assistance."
"Told you," Elizabeth said to Elisa and T'Vrell. "Helm, set intercept course, maximum speed. All hands, red alert!"
Alarms rang across the bridge, and the crew strapped themselves into their seats. Five minutes later, they warped into the system, and saw four Orion corvettes.
"Goddess," Elizabeth breathed as they landed on two of them. "Evasive pattern, Janeway Two! Fire at will!"
The ship rolled to the left, narrowly dodging the incoming fire, while orange beams streaked toward the green ships, cutting one in half instantly. Ten second later, the second one was destroyed.
"Head for the Azura," Elizabeth ordered. "Briti, take the conn, T'Vrell, Elisa, with me! Radio for Zarva and Kolez to meet us in the transporter room!"
"Aye, aye," came the replies.
By the time they had gotten their rifles and reached the transporter room, the final two Orion ships had been disabled.
"All right, here's the game plan," Elizabeth said as they took their positions on the transporter pad. "Kill anything with green skin. If they surrender, Kolez, stun them and haul them back to the transport pad. T'Vrell, keep an eye out for wounded crew. Elisa, you and I will cover them."
"Right," Elisa replied.
"Captain, the Orions are beaten back, but if you are transporting, you better do it now."
"Energize," Elizabeth ordered.
The next instant, smoke filled her eyes, and she could smell the sickening stench of charred flesh. Raising her rifle, she walked through the room until she reached a door. Waiting for Elisa to take up a position, she nodded, then opened the door, ducking back at the hail of plasma fire that came through.
Elizabeth leaned out, aimed, and fired, her bullet taking half an Orion's head off and painting the one next to him with blood, only for him to be felled by Elisa. The remaining two redoubled their efforts, only to meet the same fate at thier friends.
They proceeded down the corridor, with Zarva rerouting plasma flow and T'Vrell aiding the wounded until they found a briefing room where an Orion woman was lounging at the table. Instantly, three rifles and two phasers were aimed at her.
Elizabeth looked the woman over. She was about six foot six, very slim, and had a pale green skin pigment. She looked almost... human.
"Half human," the Orion said. "Valida Tormeri. I want asylum with the Federation."
"What can you give us in exchange?" Elizabeth asked.
"Information, a most precious commodity," Valida replied, brushing a strand of black hair from her eyes.
"What kind of information?" Elisa asked, tightening her grip on her rifle.
"Information that is important enough for the Cardassians to hire my own people to hunt me down," Valida said.
"Kolez, stun her," Elizabeth ordered. "Good. Now, take her back to the transport pad. I want her in a cell with five guards. If she tries anything, stun her again."
"Yes, ma'am," Kolez replied, grabbing the woman under the armpits and dragging her through the ship.
They reached the engine room, and found Captain Brott with the rest of her crew.
"Thank the dieties you're here!" the Andorian said. "We can't stop the reaction! The core is going critical!"
"Zarva, stabilize it!" Elizabeth ordered. "The rest of you, on me! We're getting out of here."
"More Orions are beaming on board," T'Vrell said.
"Good," Elizabeth hissed, pulling her knife from its sheath and fixing it on the end of her rifle. She stormed out, catching the Orions completely by suprise. One was dead before he knew what hit him, a bayonet lodged in his throat. Two more of the five fell to Elisa and T'Vrell. One ran away, only for Elizabeth to shoot him in the back, while one of the Azura crewmen hit the fifth one with a high-powered phaser, killing him instantly.
"Captain!" Zarva shouted, running up behind them. "I can't stop the breach! It's too far gone!"
"Shit," Elisa breathed.
"Move, people!" Elizabeth shouted.
A minute later, they were standing on the transporter pad, with medical personnel taking care of the injured.
"Captain, we have three more Orion ships coming in," came the call from the bridge.
"Elisa, T'Vrell, on me," Elizabeth ordered. "Kolez, Zarva, return to your posts!"
On the bridge, Elizabeth had just sat down in her seat when two more corvettes and a battleship appeared.
"Captain, they are... hailing... us," T'Vrell said, completely confused.
"On screen," Elizabeth ordered.
"Attention, Federation starship," the Orion captain said. "You have a criminal by the name of Valida Tormeri. She will be turned over to us and your ship impuonded."
"How is she a criminal, captain?" Elizabeth asked.
"That is none of your business!" the Orion shouted. "Turn her over, now!"
"Helm, Bravo Six manuver, fire full spread," Elizabeth ordered.
"This isn't over," the Orion swore as one of the corvettes exploded. The second one followed seconds later.
The ship rocked as a torpedo impacted on the shields.
"Put us on broadside position," Elizabeth ordered. "Elisa, order battery three to intercept and destroy those torps! Let's not eat too many of them."
"Right," Elisa replied, re-prioritizing the battery.
"Enemy shields are failing," T'Vrell reported.
"Focus your fire," Elizabeth ordered.
The ship rocked again, and Elizabeth grimaced at the sound of tearing metal.
"Hull breach, Deck Six, Sector Thirty," Elisa reported.
"We've breached their hull!" T'Vrell said.
"Fire everything!" Elizabeth ordered.
The crew watched with grim satisfaction as the Orion battleship began listing, before exploding.
"Helm, set course for Vulcan," Elizabeth ordered. "I need to talk with our guest. Elisa, T'Vrell, with me."
This... is not my best work. I apologize for my long hiatus, but with finals, it was... hectic, to say the least. I am not sure when I will get another chapter up, but I will be writing shorter chapters. Thank you to all who read and review, and don't worry, Valida has a purpose... just not sure what it is yet.
As always, reviews are appreciated. All forms. Even flames.