| Chapter Eight |
| From Behind |
| Omicron Nebula 14:30 SET 2195 �Things are running along rather smoothly so far,� commented Commander Vaughn from his seat beside Mansel on the bridge of the Explorer. �It didn�t take a lot to convince these alternate Stealthlon members of who we really are.� Mansel nodded. �I had been thinking that myself,� he confessed. �These people are much more open minded than the people of our universe.� The Stealthlon was currently doing a quick reconnaissance scan of Earth, daring to get as close as they could without being detected by Maradine�s sensors. Meanwhile, the Explorer was hiding out in the Omicron Nebula, awaiting the Stealthlon�s return. Mansel stretched and yawned. �I haven�t slept in days,� he said. �Vaughn, take control of the bridge. Wake me up when the Stealthlon comes back.� �Aye, Captain.� Vaughn hustled out of his chair and made a dive for the center seat. �Rest well, Captain.� �I�ll try.� *** Thirty minutes later, Commander Vaughn was still sitting in Mansel�s chair, thinking of how smoothly things were going. At her console at the Science station, Lieutenant Talaj perked up. �Sir, I�m picking up something on the long range scans.� �A ship?� �Yes sir.� �Pull back as seep as you can into the nebula. Shut down everything except life support.� �Everything, sir?� �Do it, Commander.� Broadaway started the Explorer moving backwards into the nebula. Not long after, the bridge, as did the rest of the ship, went dark. Vaughn headed for a conduit leading from the bridge. It was a small knee-high door that blended in with the rest of the paneling. �I�m going to get the Captain; Broadaway, you�re in charge until we get back.� �Yes sir.� *** Moments before the Explorer shut down and began it retreat into the nebula, the Cambodian male on the Crimson Star relayed the information he had just received from his computer. �Ma�am, a ship powering down and on the move, starboard side.� �What kind of ship, Khlim?� the female commander of the vessel snapped. �Be specific.� �It�s a variation of the UNSF�s Sovereign class ships, ma�am,� the young male responded, unperturbed by Anarcha�s quick temper. �Almost like they�ve taken one and modified it.� �Interesting,� Anarcha, daughter of Maradine, mumbled to herself, reading the findings for herself. �It appears that they�ve detected us. It may be some type of new spy ship. The UNSF is getting bold. Employ the masking device. We�ll make this spy ship pay for its bravery. She laughed as the Crimson Star rushed to demolish the Explorer. *** �Don�t worry, TJ, I would�ve done the same thing,� Mansel said as they climbed out of the conduit and onto the bridge. Mansel was dressed with a fresh uniform; starched and pressed. He stood up and headed over to his chair, Commander Vaughn right on his heels. �Now we have to wait and see what this other ship does,� Mansel declared, standing behind his command chair. �We�ll give them twenty minutes, then we�ll turn the sensors back on.� Ten minutes had passed since Anarcha and the Crimson Star had spotted the Explorer. She had decided to take a careful approach, unaware of the strange Sovereign class ship�s technology. �They�ve not responded to any of our advances,� Khlim told the female terrorist who was currently slouched in her chair. �Well then,� Anarcha exclaimed, �maybe they�re not as advanced as we thought they were. Prepare to fire.� �Aye.� The Crimson Star came around and headed straight for the Explorer. Khlim had two shells loaded and ready to fire. |
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