STAR TREK

 

Volshins 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Derek Kestner

Based on Star Trek TM created by Gene Roddenberry

            Captains Log, Stardate 54581.1. A decision has been placed on me that is harder to make than any decision I have ever had to make. Surrender the Federation and save two of my best crewmembers I ever commanded, or say no and have them killed. Lieutenant Whitney Gallimore and Lieutenant Ashley Rickman are taking it the hardest on the ship. I don’t know what to do in this situation; I’ve never had to face this kind of decision. For the record the two crewmembers captured are Engineers Mate Lieutenant Commander Brad Foreman and Lieutenant Commander Derek Kestner. They have both told me to warn Starfleet and get out of this sector. I just don’t know. End of Log Entry.

 

            Captain Morgan Bateson sat alone in his ready room thinking his problem. He didn’t know what to do. Ten of his twenty-four hours had been used up. What was he to do? A chime rang at his door. He didn’t feel much like company right now but thought it might be important. “Come,” he said simply.

            The door slid open to reveal Lieutenant Whitney Gallimore and Lieutenant Ashley Rickman. “Captain, have you reached a decision yet?” Whitney asked.

            “There is a great battle raging in my mind at this moment,” Bateson told his officers. “There is a lot at stake, not only Mr. Foreman and Mr. Kestner but Millions of Federation Citizens lives.”

            “Sir, we could rescue them,” Ashley said. “All we’d have to do is weaken their shields. When they are weak enough to transport through we get them back.”

            “How many lives do you think that would cost?” Bateson asked. “We know nothing about this alien race, nothing about their tactics. Another thing, if we just start firing on that ship they will not hesitate to kill them.”

            It looked like both of them had come up with this plan because both did not say anything for a few moments for thinking. There was no way he would let Whitney and Ashley do something like that. Brad and Derek would not want him to.

 

            Once again they were in darkness. They were shoved into the small holding area only an hour before hand. They had been talking about many ways of escape. They had decided that the only plan that would work is to somehow break out of the holding room get to the transporter room and transport back to the Bozeman.

            “There’s just one thing bothering me with this plan,” Brad said after a few moments of thinking.

            Derek asked, “And what is that?”

            “Did you see the biceps on those Volshins, they’re huge. If we’re gonna defend ourselves we’ll have to get a phaser. It’s the only way,” Brad said.

            “You’re right. Here’s the plan. When the guard comes to get us the next time we’ll stay in the shadows until he’s good in the room. We’ll sneak up behind him and hit him unconscious. We’ll then take his phasers and make our way to the transporter room. Did you notice that every alien on this ship carries two phasers?” Brad nodded. “That can be to our advantage because the guard will have two, one for each of us.”

            They continued to talk about their plan for a good hour, making sure they did not leave out any details. At the end of their planning they herd voices and footsteps outside their door. “Now,” Derek told Brad. They quickly got into position as the door slide open. They remained as quiet as they could as the large Volshin stepped into the room. Quickly Derek walked up behind him and hit him on the back of the neck.

            He said “Oof,” as he hit the ground. Derek and Brad proceeded to turn him over and grab his phasers out of their holsters. They slowly walked up to the door and looked out. “The coast is clear, let’s go,” Brad said. “Do you remember where the transporter room is?”

            After studying the corridor for a second Derek said, “This way.” They turned and walked as quietly as they could to the right. “We’ll have to be ready for anything.” Brad nodded. They turned a corner and came face to face with two Volshins. Derek and Brad raised their phasers and fired before the Volshins had time to be startled. The two Volshins fell to the ground.

            Derek listened for a moment, glad not to hear any alarms. “Come on, it’s just around this corner.” They turned another corner.  Sure enough the doors to the transporter room were closed there in front of them. “You must know there will probably be Volshins in there. We’ll have to go in firing just, don’t hit the transporter controls.”

            “I will try not to,” Brad said. They raised the phasers then ran at the door. It slide open before them revealing three Volshin men standing there. They began firing at the men. One…two…three they all fell to the floor.

            “Now comes the hard part,” Derek said. He walked over to the board. Everything was in Volshin. He hoped that everything was in the same place as it was on the Bozeman and began pushing buttons. He made the coordinates as close as he could then stepped onto the platform. Two seconds later Brad and Derek were engulfed in the green transporter beam.

 

            Captain Bateson was on the bridge still thinking over the problem at hand. He had asked Gabe to take Whitney and Ashley down to the holodecks to try to calm them while he puzzled this out. A green light suddenly flashed in his eyes. It lasted for a few seconds then disappeared. Bateson rubbed his eyes and when he looked up Derek Kestner and Brad Foreman were standing there.

            He jumped out of his chair quickly. “What are you doing here?” he asked them.

            “Aren’t you happy to see us? Okay I guess we’d better go back,” Derek said.

            “Go on back if you want to, I’m staying right here,” Brad said.

            “Well first things first, you need to get some medical attention to those cuts and the whip marks on your back,” Bateson said. “Andy, help these two down to sickbay.”

            “Aye sir,” Welch said jumping up. He led them to the turbolift.

            When the doors had closed behind them Bateson tapped his communicator and said, “Bateson to Bush.”

            “Bush here, Captain,” Bush said.

            “Take Whitney and Ashley to sickbay, they have a surprise waiting for them there,” Bateson ordered. “Don’t tell them anything though.”

            “Aye sir,” Bush said.

            “Thank you, Bateson out.”

           

            “Where are you taking us?” Whitney asked as the turbolift speed down its shaft.

            “Captains orders, I must not tell,” Bush said. He stood silent as the doors opened. “Please follow me.” He walked out towards the sickbay. As they entered they saw Brad and Derek sitting on examination beds. Quickly Whitney and Ashley ran to them giving them a hug.

            “How did this happen?” Whitney asked noticing the whip marks.

            “Long story,” Brad said plainly.

            “How did you get out?” Ashley asked Derek.

            “Even longer story,” Derek said. Ashley nodded.

            “Well I’m glad your back,” Whitney said. Brad cringed as she touched a cut on his back. Dr. Hayter came through the door and said,

            “Ah, nice to see you two again. Well let’s see what we have here.” Karl began examining the two sitting on the examination bed. After the examination was complete he said, “You have no major injuries, except for your back, but I can give you a cream to put on it, it will take most of the scars away.”

            “Thank you Doctor,” Derek and Brad said.

            “All officers report to the bridge, repeat, all officers report to the bridge,” Dayton’s voice said over the comm link.

            Derek and Brad stood. They quickly went to their rooms to get uniforms then were standing at attention on the bridge. Bateson turned as they were walking out of the turbolift and said, “Mr. Kestner, do you think you are well enough to take your station?”

            “Of course, Captain,” Derek said. He walked down to the second level of the bridge and sat down at his console. “Captain, scanners say that the Volshin ship is powering up. Looks like they found out we aren’t there anymore.”

            Dayton turned his chair around his hand on his earpiece. “Captain, we’re getting a communiqué from the Volshin ship.”

            “On screen,” Bateson ordered. Dayton pushed a few prompts on his board. The star field switched back to the Volshin Bridge.

            Zoc sat tall in his chair trying to hide his shame that he let two officers escape. “So, I see you recovered the trash that I ejected from our hold?” Zoc said motioning to Brad and Derek.

            “I can tell you, Lt. Commander Kestner and Lt. Commander Foreman are a lot more than trash. Why are you powering up your engines?” Bateson asked in equal tone to the Volshin commander.

            “I will soon be crossing over the Neutral Zone. When I do I will destroy your ship, along with the rest of the Federation,” Zoc said smiling.

            “You will have to go through us first,” Bateson said sternly.

            “You do not intimidate me with your puny threats,” Zoc said laughing. Bateson pondered on why he was so sure that he could beat three of the best ships the Federation had. “I am feeling generous today so I will give you one last chance, get out of my way or I will destroy you.”

            “Never!!” Bateson shouted. “And don’t be so sure that you will destroy us?”

            “You underestimate the power of my ship,” Zoc growled. “You will be destroyed!” Once he said this the connection was cut.

Derek staired at his sensor screen. “Captain, they’re powering up their weapons,” he called out.

“Andy, get ready to start evasive action,” Bateson ordered.

            “Aye sir,” Welch said.

            “Ms. Gallimore, prepare our weapons, raise shields,” Bateson ordered.

            “Aye, Captain,” Whitney said. She made the necessary adjustments to her board and watched as the shields raised on her screen. The Bozeman was ready for battle.

            “Wizz, notify Sovereign and Sloane to prepare for battle,” Bateson ordered.

            “Aye, sir,” Dayton said turning his seat around to his station. He repeated his message over the comm link. As this was happening the Bozeman was preparing for battle as all personnel went to their battle stations.

            “Captain, all personnel is reported at battle stations,” Dayton said.

            “Very well,” Bateson said. “Now we’re ready, but it’s her turn.”

            Nothing happened for the next few moments. Suddenly a silver torpedo came rushing toward the Bozeman. “Evasive: One-three-seven-six-mark-four!” Bateson shouted.

            The ship groaned as she was forced into a sharp turn. The Sovereign tried to put itself in between the torpedo and the Bozeman, but failed. The torpedo smashed into the Bozeman’s shields. The torpedo exploded on the shields sending it flying to starboard.

            “Damage?” Bateson asked. Each officer returned to his station and checked his board. One after another they reported no damage. “Good,” Bateson said. “Now it’s our turn. Prepare to fire photon torpedoes.”

            “Aye, Captain,” Whitney said. “Torpedoes ready.”

            “Fire!” Bateson shouted. The red photon torpedo speed away from the Bozeman. The Volshin ship was struck by the torpedo, it threw the ship to starboard. “Fire!” Bateson shouted again. The second torpedo flew away toward the ship. The Volshin ship was again flung to starboard.

            “Captain, I’m reading that the Volshin shields are beginning to weaken, it seems that their shields are not very strong against our torpedoes,” Derek reported.

            “This might be the break we’ve been waiting for,” Bateson said. He turned to Whitney. “Can you concentrate all your fire power on the same spot as before?”

            “I can try, sir,” Whitney said.

            “I know you can,” Bateson said. He gave her a moment to prepare her board then said, “Are you ready?” She nodded. “Fire!” Bateson shouted. The torpedo flew away at high speed. It smashed into the exact same spot as before. “Mr. Kestner.”

            After a quick scan he said, “I am reading no warp,” a pause, “and main power is down to minimum.”

            Bateson smiled. Maybe they weren’t the tough race they thought the were. “One more torpedo,” Bateson said. “Fire!” The torpedo flew away from the ship. It struck the same spot. The Volshin ship flew towards port again. Bateson looked at Derek.

            “Shields are down, all weapons systems are out,” Derek reported. “They only have Aux power not enough for much than half impulse, control, life support, and some communications.”

            “That’s right, Captain. They’re requesting to talk to you,” Dayton said.

            “On screen,” Bateson ordered. The star field changed to reveal the Volshin Bridge only red emergency lights illuminated it. Zoc sat as straight as he could in his command chair.

            “You, Captain, have won my respect. There is an old saying my people have. ‘He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.’ I have lived by this rule for many years. I will now practice it, until next time,” Zoc said. The screen went dark. It was replaced by the Volshin ship. It slowly turned to starboard and limped back into Klingon space.

            Bateson smiled as he looked around at his crew. He was proud of each of them. “You all did good work,” he said. “I am proud of all of you.”

            “Captain, we’re getting a communiqué from Starfleet Command,” Wizz said. “They say we are to report back to base immediately.”

            “Very well. Andy, set course for Earth, warp five.”

            “Aye sir,” Welch said. The Bozeman turned and headed back for Earth at warp five.

 

            The officers and crew of the U.S.S. Bozeman stood at attention as the Commander of Starfleet Command paced in front of them. “You men and women did well out there against that new race. Even though you are new in Starfleet you handled yourselves well, that’s why Starfleet is giving you two weeks of shore leave.”  He walked in front of Derek and Brad. “All except Mr. Kestner and Mr. Foreman here. They are needed on the new Galaxy Class Starship U.S.S. McCoy, for their Kestner’s knowledge on the Volshins and Foreman’s on engineering.” 

            “But sir, I thought they were going to continue on my ship,” Bateson said.

            “Plans have changed,” the admiral said. “You boys need to be on the bridge of the McCoy in one hour. Dismissed.”  The admiral walked out of the room, the doors sliding shut behind them.

            After he left the room fell silent. Bateson walked in front of Derek and Brad. “Well boys, you should be proud that you have been entrusted with this assignment,” he said trying to hold back tears. “I just wanted to say that it has been an honor commanding you.” He shook each of their hands.

            “Thank you, sir,” they both said.

            “You’ll probably want to collect your things now,” Bateson said. “Dismissed.”

            As Derek and Brad turned to face Ashley and Whitney they saw tears trickle down their faces. “It’s gonna be alright,” Brad said to both of them. “We’ll be back soon.” He hugged Whitney then turned back to both of them. “I promise, one day all four of us will be back together.”

            They both nodded but didn’t seem to believe them. Brad and Derek turned and went into the turbolift. “Transporter Room,” Brad said. They watched Whitney and Ashley as the doors closed around them.

 

            An hour later they were standing on the bridge of the U.S.S. McCoy looking around them. It was their first time on a Galaxy Class Starship. The bridge was like the Bozeman’s only larger. Captain Lisa Little turned to face them. “Good to see you boy’s could make it,” she said smiling. “I understand that it will be hard on you leaving Captain Bateson and all, but you will get to go back in six months or so.”

            “Thank you…uh…ma’am,” Brad said. “I hope you will of course understand that the first chance I get I’m going back to the Bozeman. Everything that’s me is on that ship.”

            “I understand completely Mr. Foreman,” Little said. “But as for now, stations.”

            “Aye, ma’am.” Derek walked down to the lower level and took up opps.

            “Lower moorings,” Little ordered.

            “Aye ma’am,” Lieutenant Brennan O’Quinn said. He pressed a few prompts on his board then said, “Moorings lowered.”

            “Thrusters, one third impulse power,” Little ordered.

            “One third aye,” O’Quinn said. The McCoy slowly moved forward toward the space doors.

            “Get Spacedock and ask them to open space doors,” Little ordered.

            “Aye ma’am,” Lieutenant Evan Baker said. He repeated his captain’s message on to Spacedock. When his message had been sent space doors opened in front of them. All was quiet as they flew closer to open space.

 

            Ashley Rickman and Whitney Gallimore sat in the observation lounge that would let them see the McCoy as it left Spacedock. They stood at attention as the gray hull of the ship slowly passed the windows. Everyone stood as it passed. Ashley and Whitney looked at each other when it had gone through the space doors; a tear was trickling down their faces.

 

THE

               END