Freeman was about to hail the other two ships, when Valen's voice interrupted his thoughts, "Captain! Sensors indicate four Andorian battlecruisers decloaking at long range, bearing 225, Mark 89. Approaching at warp five, on an intercept course; they must've seen through our cloaking devices sir."
"Incoming transmission from the R.S. Moscow; scrambler code Kurn Ten," Lt. Klagg reported.
"Decode and put it on screen," Freeman ordered.
"We'll handle these ships; you go on ahead," Kurn said once communications had been established.
"But Captain," Freeman started to protest.
Kurn held up a hand to silence his Human counterpart, his teeth bared in a maniacal sort of grin, "Today is a good day to die, Captain." Kurn clenched his right hand into a fist and struck his chest, "Kaplagh!" His image on the viewscreen was then replaced by stars.
"Success to you too, my friend," Freeman said quietly. "Helm, set a wide sweeping course around the battle area and give us warp nine. Engineering, divert all remaining power to the cloak; I want to keep that thing from fluctuating if possible. Computer, initiate red alert," Freeman ordered brusquely. The lights dimmed and changed to a reddish hue as the ship's klaxon sounded.
"Course initiated, Captain Freeman. Warp nine engaged," Lt. Klagg reported.
"Cloak fully operational," Commander R'lanna reported from her engineering console. "Fluctuations within acceptable parameters."
"Valen, alter speed and trajectory as needed on approach to the Sol star to provide maximum acceleration. Set the computer to activate breaking thrusters as necessary once we're clear, so that we arrive at the proper time period. We'll want to arrive before the conference, not after," Freeman finished half-jokingly.
"I'm already prepared sir," Valen replied.
"How long?" Freeman asked.
"Six minutes. May I remind the captain that travelling in-system at high warp speeds is extremely dangerous," Valen said.
"Noted. Raise shields Commander," Freeman ordered. Valen quickly complied.
The Bonaventure shuddered as the ship lurched forth into maximum warp. "Report on the battle, Captain," Lt. Klagg said, swivelling in this chair to face Freeman. "The R.S. Demetrius just exploded, but not before she took an enemy with her."
Freeman nodded, "Thank you, Lieutenant." To himself, he then added, "We won't fail you, Laura."
"Captain, sensors indicate one of the Andorian ships has broken off and is in pursuit of us," Valen reported. "They won't catch us before we reach the Sol star, however."
"Excellent," Freeman replied, then noticed that Klagg was chuckling to himself. "You find something funny Lt. Klagg?"
"They only left two ships on Kurn? They'll easily be destroyed!" Klagg boasted, pounding his right fist into his open palm.
Freeman allowed himself a small smile, "I hope so."
"Captain, we're beginning our trajectory around the Sol star; speed now passing warp ten," Valen reported.
Freeman glanced at Yilaan, who nodded and smiled in reassurance. "Very well. Here we go then," Freeman replied, with no trace of the nervousness or worry he was feeling.
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