Capt. Shayne: Surprise!
Quinn
((Deck 1, Bridge, USS Arrow- one week after shore leave))
Every person on the bridge understood the basic physics fact that sound did not travel through space. And yet, speech was murmured. Breaths were held. A harsh chill was giving form to their exhales, white and flowing. The dim light of a dozen of so consoles worked in tandem with the soft red, glowing alert indicators that intermittently bathed the bridge in further illumination.
They were not in a submarine, patrolling the Atlantic during the second world war.
But there was no denying that this time, they were hunters.
Shayne sat, hunched forward, one elbow on his thigh, the other hand gripping his command chair rail. His eyes were assertive, stern, scrutinizing the image displayed on the screen. It was far from the best definition he’d seen; sketchy disruptions and static fizzled across the image. From within the rings of the gas giant, the interference, both magnetic and gravitational, made active image displays challenging.
But it was enough.
Outside of the thick layer of cloudy brown murk, five ships approached. Four took the corners of the fifth, which appeared to be a somewhat banged-up cargo vessel. The Sabrina’s Delight, no doubt. According to Federation records, her cargo was humanitarian in nature- at least for this run. And whatever the situation, Shayne was confident that the four Sheliak attack craft that held her in their clutches had not asked permission to take custody of the cargo ship.
Shayne: =/\= Bridge to Sickbay. =/\=
R’Ariel/Ar’Gorvalei: =/\= Response =/\=
It was odd that the place on the ship from which hope stemmed was the least likely to be called for anything positive.
Shayne: =/\= Standby to onboard casualties. =/\=
Ar’Gorvalei/R’Ariel: =/\= Response =/\=
Shayne watched as the involuntary convoy slowly moved past the gas giant at a leisurely impulse speed.
Shayne: Mr. Dewitt, on my mark, bring all systems online. Coordinate with tactical for power utilization.
Dewitt/Serinus: Response
That was a valid source for worry, but hopefully, without the Proteus Ring (which they'd left more than a light year away, it wouldn't be so great an issue.
Shayne: I understand. Do the best you can.
His eyes turned toward the science station.
Shayne: Science, get us some weak spots in the Sheliak shields. Passive scans only until we’ve blown our cover.
Collins/Jacin: Response
Shayne then looked forward, which meant looking at the back of Cadet Jenna Perim.
Shayne: Helm, on my mark, give me full ventral thrusters. We’ll rise above the ring’s interference and take them from behind by surprise.
Perim: Response
A final look back at his first officer preceded a nod of understanding.
Shayne: Ready?
Niac: Response
A moment. Two. Three…
Shayne: Mark! All systems online!
The ship whirred and groaned and seemed to stretch powerfully as lights flickered back on, and the thrum of energy once again returned to the newly awakened vessel.
Shayne: Helm, take us up!
Bridge: Response
Tag/TBC…
Captain Randal Shayne
Commanding Officer
USS Arrow
NCC 69829
G239202RS0