Lt. Cmdr. Gogigobo Fairhug - A Matter of Life and Death
griz86
((Bridge, Deck 1, USS Enterprise NCC-1701))
The Enterprise was on course to the Gamma Hydra system, near the border of the Klingon Neutral Zone, but, right on schedule, the comms officers turned to face the Centauran in the centre seat.
Comms: Captain, we are receiving a distress call from the Kobayashi Maru. ::pausing while listening:: a civilian freighter ::pausing again, a growing look of concern evident on their face:: in the Klingon Neutral Zone.
Marsh: What is the status of the freighter?
Comms: The ship has been disabled and heavily damaged ::pause:: and we are the only ship in range.
Marsh: Being in the neutral zone certainly complicates the situation. If we enter the neutral zone it would violate our treaty with the Klingon Empire.
Gogi rocked on his heels as he listened to the exchange. Of course, this was just setting the scene for the scenario, everyone knew what happened next. The question was - how would Madison handle it?
Fairhug: What are your orders, *Captain*?
Madison turned to look at Gogi.
Marsh: Number One, I need more information that you can help us find. Scan the Kobayashi Maru freighter, I need additional details. What is the actual status of the ship? What is the crew compliment? Compose the vital information on the view screen so that we can work the problem.
With a click of his heels, Gogi made his way to the helm and relieved the holographic officer that had been manning it, taking his place. With a few taps of the console, he brought up a graphic displaying the Kobayashi Maru’s statistics.
Fairhug: ::reading off the viewscreen:: Eighty-one crew, three-hundred passengers, Captain. Their engines are offline and life support is failing.
Marsh: We are pretty far out in deep space. ::Her eyes shifted to the Comms Officer:: Comms, How long would it take for a message to get to Starfleet command to get permission to enter the neutral zone?
Comms: At least ten minutes, Captain.
By this point, Madison had made her way to where Gogi was now sitting and was leaning in over his shoulder.
Marsh: And how long can that freighter hold up in its current state?
Gogi turned to make eye contact with her. Attempting to get Starfleet backing was a good idea, but this was the Kobayashi Maru. They were on their own.
Fairhug: Eight minutes at the most, Captain.
Marsh: Response
Fairhug: Approximately three minutes to intercept, which gives us five minutes at most to evacuate those on board. It can be done, Sir, but only if we act now.
Marsh: Response
Fairhug: ::turning back to his console:: Aye, Sir.
Marsh: Response
A couple of tense minutes passed, before the comms officer spoke up again.
Comms: Captain, we are approaching the Neutral Zone, but I am losing the Kobayashi Maru’s signal.
Marsh: Response
Fairhug: Inconclusive, Captain. Should we maintain our course and speed?
Marsh: Response
TAG/TBC
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First Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
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