[End Act 2] Lieutenant JG Kaito Moore - Orions and Vulcans. We Got Em.

[Lieutenant j.g. Kaito Moore]

((In Pursuit of Hovan Stealth Ships, Bridge, USS Independence-B))

Moore: Sorry about that, Commander; they were being slippery, and we were running out of time. Locking up Hovan One, and ready to fire once we are in range.

Kaito looked over at D’Cyra.

Moore: Great idea with the tractor beam!

Kaito glanced over at Stros. He was fairly certain he was in trouble. A calculated risk on his part—he shouldn’t have spoken up the way he did—yet he was equally certain that if they screwed this up, they were dead. No question about it. Dead. The mass and velocity of the Hovan ship could have easily crippled them. They had to be perfect; otherwise, they would die. He would die. He wasn’t going to let that happen.

Varati: ::to Kaito:: Thanks, I’ve always wanted to try something like this in real life. Those who love each other tease each other. And opposites repel each other… or something like that?!

Stros: Something like that.

The Hovan vessel was now adrift, power fluctuating throughout their systems, no doubt. But still in one piece.

Varati: Could it be that they really wanted to use ship number 2 as a battering ram? Or worse? Surely they knew they wouldn’t stand a chance against our weapons and shields.

Stros: It was a distraction. They thought throwing one of their ships at us would pull our attention away from their further progress towards Uwe II. ::Glancing at Kaito:: But I feel it is time that we proved their tactic to be unsound.

Moore: ::Looking over at D’Cyra:: Don’t dismiss, Sir Isaac Newton — using a ship, even small ones, as kinetic projectiles is sadly an effective strategy. Their weapons might not be able to pierce us, but their kinetic energy could at best disable us. ::Glancing at Stros:: And, Sir, I am already prepping attack vectors, but I think a simple right up behind them should work.

Varati: Well, what I’m actually saying is… what if the ship is used as a bomb? Close enough, and the targeted explosion right in front of our eyes could cause significant damage or trigger a chain reaction…

Stros: You believe they could have weaponized the other vessel?

Moore: It would not be the first time.

Varati: Maybe we should gain distance and set a wide arc to intercept Hovan 1?! There’s not a moment to lose! – Oh! Oh, I guess I need a wet wipe?!

He glanced over to see the small amount of blood coming from D’Cyra’s forehead. Perhaps she hit her head during the impact, but luckily it did not seem life-threatening. At least from what he could see at his station.

Varati: ::excited:: Uh-oh! Collapse of structural integrity on Hovan 2! Simultaneous strong energy sure and release of the alpha emitter Bismuth… not dangerous in itself, but with other elements it can act as a catalyst…

Stros: There are power fluctuations occurring throughout the Hovan vessel. Structural integrity is surely compromised and we do not fully understand what the Hovan people use in their ships as far as building materials and energy conduits.

Moore: The good news is, now that I can get a full scan on it, there is no one onboard.

The power fluctuations continued within the Hovan vessel as the Independence moved beyond it, but the unmanned vessel did not detonate.

Stros: Lieutenant Moore, once we are in range, disable the other Hovan vessel. We will use the tractor beams to bring them back to Hova and return the stolen property.

Moore: Aye Aye, Sir. Locking up, and I’ll fire once we are in range.

Varati: Response

Stros: We can only hope that the Uwezo have not detected anything happening out here. Did we ever get a clear answer on their scanning technology?

Kaito wasn’t completely sure; he hadn’t received any new reports, and hoped that perhaps their science officer did, but himself he had no clue. Luckily there weren't any explosions—or major ones at least—that should catch the attention of astronomers. Then again, they did use antimatter weapons, so maybe a radio telescope would have picked up the bursts. Hopefully they would only see it as a gamma-ray burst, and nothing more.

Moore: Outside of looking like a gamma-ray burst, we should be fine.

Varati: Response

Stros: Let us get back to Hova as soon as possible. I don’t know about the two of you, but I feel I may be developing a rash from this disguise.

Kaito nodded in response to Stros. He then looked at his console; they were in range.

Moore: Agreed, Sir. Also in range now… Firing…

There was a slight pause as the thud-thud-thud of the pulse cannons reverberated through the ship, followed by silence as the bolts of energy streaked out through space and impacted Hovan One.

Moore: Shields down, loss of power, and… they are adrift. ::He turned to look at Stros:: We got 'em.

Varati: Response

[End Act 2]

Lieutenant JG Kaito Moore

Tactical Officer

Amity Outpost

A240006KM1