Ensign Lera Michaels - Give Him What He Wants

[steve...@yahoo.com]

((Shuttle Ouchita near the probe))

The pressure wave struck Ouchita, tossing Lera from her chair. Sparks flew from several of the systems. Lera held her breath... not that it would have extended her life more than marginally if the shuttle suffered much additional damage.

A moment later, it was quiet again. Lera got back up in the chair. She was surprised but pleased that some of the systems were still operating.

Prix: =/\= Ouchita to Khitomer Bridge, Engineering and Sickbay. We transported Lieutenant El’Heem to sickbay. The energy discharge hit us hard… We will try to return to Khitomer shortly. Ouchita out.=/\=

Michaels: Commander T'Dara will want to examine whatever is left of the probe. We should ask what they want us to do with it.

Prix nodded and tapped her communicator. Lera frowned when she finally found the remains of the probe. The blackened hulk actually seemed to be in better condition than she had expected. Apparently, the open hatch had allowed most of the force to escape while building up minimal pressure to damage the rest. It would require a detailed examination to determine what, if anything, was worth salvaging.

Prix: =/\= Ouchita to Bridge. Do you read? =/\=

Hobart: =/\= Khitomer reads, Ouachita. Go ahead. =/\=

Prix: =/\= The probe seems deactivated… Do you want… ::pause:: Should we get it back to the Khitomer? =/\=

Hobart: =/\= Ensign Prix, listen to me very, very carefully. As soon as you’re operable, I want you to set one microtorpedo to minimum yield, load it, and then get that thing the hell out of my sky. =/\=

Michaels: =/\= Sir. Will not Commander T'Dara ... =/\=

Hobart came in so quickly that Lera was unable to complete her sentence.

Hobart: =/\= This is not a discussion. Blow it up and get your asses back here. Khitomer out. =/\=

Lera's smile barely shifted the shape of her mouth as she shook her head. She glanced at Prix.

Michaels: It is safe to assume that Mr. Hobart will not be receptive to bringing the probe back to Khitomer. He can engage in discussion with the SCE and Commander T'Dara about that decision.

Prix: Response.

Michaels: ::taking a deep breath :: Ouchita should have four micro-torpedoes. Assuming they are operable, we should prepare all of them as instructed.

Prix: Response

Michaels: Given that we do not have a functional targeting computer, the probability of our succeeding in fulfilling Commander Hobart's command is extremely low. As my grandfather would probably phrase it, "It is not impossible, but I wouldn't bet the ranch on it." My understanding of his objective is that we destroy what remains of the probe. It was a valid command, and we should do our best to comply.

It only took a few minutes to alter the settings and load the torpedoes. The two settled into the pilot and copilot seats.

Michaels: You must be significantly better than I am at this. Take your best shot.

Prix: Response

The two micro-torpedoes left faint trails as they sped away from Ouchita.

Michaels: =/\= Two torpedoes away, Impact in five seconds. :: beat:: Three. Two. One. :: There was nothing. No sound. No flash of light. Nothing. There appears to have been a malfunction in their homing mechanisms. My suspicion is that it was caused by the same thing that damaged so many things on Khitomer and on Ouchita. =/\=

Lera did her best not to smile. Torpedoes would not have been a viable solution to the earlier problem. She turned to Prix.

Michaels: What do you think? Would our chances be better if we were closer?

Prix: Response

Michaels: Probably true. We could manually place a torpedo into the probe and then detonate it remotely. I suspect that Commander Hobart might not think too much of that solution. Still, let us give him what he wants.

They loaded up a last pair of micro-torpedoes.

Prix: Response.

Michaels: When you are ready. This will be our last chance.

Prix waited and toggled the controls for what felt like an eternity before she finally pressed the fire button.

Michaels: =/\= Last two torpedoes away, Impact in five seconds. :: beat:: Three. Two. One. :: =/\=

Lera and Prix nodded at each other after the flash and the shockwave hit them. It was minor shaking, far less than what they had experienced during the initial blast. At least one of them had struck the probe and inflicted some damage to it. Whether it had destroyed what remained of the probe was unknown, but that was a problem for another time.

Michaels: Excellent shot, Jenna.

Lera started to tell Prix to take them back, but it was too late. Prix was already flying Ouchita back toward Khitomer

TAGS/TBC?


Ensign Lera Michaels

Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2