STAR TREK
"Disturbed Peace"
In the darkness of space, there was a vessel in trouble. It was of Prometheus-class. Its two engines lied dormant while troops packed their bags.
"Why do they need us this time?" one asked on the USS Ragnarok. It was a strike cruiser.
"We have been on red alert forever," the team sergeant stated. "What do you think, Hexter?"
A very large marine replied, "We are late. Let's move as quickly as possible. Hurry!"
They were told not to run down the corridor as they formed up for an approaching shuttle.
"Corporal Alec Hexter," the captain hailed, "do not shed as much blood as you did on your first mission."
He didn't know what Captain Rodney Dare was talking about, "Anything you say, Captain."
They arrived at the shuttlebay. The klaxons stopped, "Everyone, stand at attention."
A bomb exploded. It incinerated the shuttle once it landed. Only the tardy team would survive.
On the bridge, "Captain, the Romulan shuttle carrying the ambassador has exploded inside the ship!"
"I know that!" Captain Dare cried out. "Turn our engines on, so we can defend ourselves."
The engineer, Dreg Knots, asked, "Why was it so important that we turn the engines off anyway?"
The captain replied, "To appear peaceful in the midst of negotiations with the Romulans."
A Romulan warbird decloaked at point-blank range to beam over a boarding party, "Humans, you have crossed our path for the last time."
"Put shields up," Rodney Dare spoke. "Then find out who caused the explosion."
It became time to talk to his troops, "How are things, marines? Are you still with us?"
"Sergeant Sean Brink here. My team is the last one of all the troops at these parade grounds," it was truthfully relayed. "Though, we do have cuts and bruises."
"Alright," the captain told him. "Your orders are to take out the Romulan boarding party. Then find the one that blew up our chance for peace."
"Yes, Captain Rodney Dare," he began. "This is the USS Ragnarok, and I will follow your orders."
"Let us go to the armory," Alec said. "I have a mind to shed all the blood in the universe."
He picked up the biggest gun on the ship. Then attacking soldiers rounded a corner.
The soldiers were shot down.
"Good job!" the captain said. "Soldiers remain in engineering. Take them out as we leave the area."
The Romulan warbird could not keep up at simple impulse.
Engineering had to be retaken. One private told another, "The engineer has been wounded by the Romulans."
"We'll take them out quickly," Hexter said as he shot all of them down with his big gun.
They ran to Dreg Knots' aid. He was bleeding to death. Now the team had to find the bomber.
Dreg died in Alec's arms. He cried. Then the sergeant trained his phaser on him.
"Why?" the marine asked him.
"Is that all?" the leader of the team of four asked. "I'm entitled to my prejudice, Hexter."
Then a brave hero stabbed Sean in the back with a knife. Of all the things he could say to a mission well done, he said, "No hate crimes here."
Private Sparks then ran to a console. His plan to restart the engines allowed the ship to disengage by acceleration.
There were smiles in the engineering room as the marines cheered. Mick Doran cheered first then contacted sickbay for Dreg Knots.
"Alright!" he said hailing the bridge. "The ship is ours again, Captain. Could this mean—"
"Yes! Promotions," the captain responded. "Officers are on their way to relieve you."
"Captain," the corporal began, "this is Alec Hexter. The engineer has died, and Sergeant Brink was a traitor to turn on us. I'm in charge here."
Engineering crews showed up just as Captain Rodney Dare replied, "I want to hear all about it."
"Do I have to draw up a report?" he said. "It's not one of my favorite things to do, Captain."
It was a bad day, "Just do it!"
Once the USS Ragnarok had engine power, its captain had to explain things to his superiors. Only the truth reported by Alec Hexter saved them.
The End