Lt. Cmdr. Ian O'Connor- End of a Whale's Tale? Or Just the Beginning?
rob mahardy
((Bridge, Dack 3, USS Ronin))
Ronin began to spin almost on its own axis and picked up speed like a figure skater as it tightened up.
He could feel the forces trying to press him down as the damaged inertial dampeners struggled to keep up.
O’Connor: N-n-n-n-o-o-o-o-w-w-w-w…re-leeeea-ssssee…
An alarming clang sounded as presumably the lock on the giant fragment released. A slap could be heard as the unspooling fibers of the cabling hit the deck. Much of their angular momentum had transferred to their payload so the ship was already slowing, but indicators still showed over 5 Gs of acceleration on the dampeners.
Niac: Null....our....spin…
Kessler: Releaaaased!
The makeshift weapon hurled directly towards its target. Ian noticed Nakada shifting power into engines and he used every ounce to counter their spin and begin to move them away. The forces on them gradually lessing as they did.
O'Connor: Everyoooonnne stiiiill haaave their luuunnnch?
Nakada: Mo-r-e thru-terssss!
Ian complied veering harder as the spinning finally stopped. The main viewscreen switched just in time to see the chunk they had spun like the worlds deadliest projectile into the off-guard Alliance fleet. It hit a cruiser before causing a spectacular detonation.
Yet again the moment of calmness passed way too quickly. The tactical alarms blared and Ian heard a slap of a console behind him. It was a manifestation of the frustration that they all felt.
Niac: It looks like Administrator B'Hab called for reinforcements...I think we're supposed to be flattered.
Kessler: :;eyeing the view screen:: What in the hel.....
His voice trailed off. Ian saw on his own readings an energy build up on the Alliance ship.
O’Connor: No, no, no. We don’t go out like this.
He frantically tried to turn and increase speed but it wouldn’t be enough.
Nakada: :: concerned :: Commander?
The Leviathan turned towards them, lightning rapidly building up along the spine of the vessel. It would only be a few moments before a blast of Sencha radiation erupted from it and, in Ronin's current state, there was no surviving that blast.
Niac: Gentlemen, it has been an hon...
Everything around the bridge seem to explode. Systems blew out. Crew was thrown about. Sirens blared.But somehow, some way they were still there.
oO How am I not dead? Wait, Am I dead? Oo
Ian smacked his own hand. It hurt.
oO Alive. But how? Oo
Then it hit just as Jack spoke it aloud.
Kessler: Narhelion to the rescue! fly baby, fly.
They were moving along with their rescuer. Fast.
O’Connor: What the? ::understanding that they were getting taken along with Narhelion.:: I can’t make sense out of these readings. We are just along for the ride.
Niac: Response
Nakada: :: dumbly :: We’re moving really fast.
Kessler: ::getting fully seated and tapping at his console:: Sir, Narhelions speed is too great for the Alliance. They can't keep up.
The enemy was regrouping but they were rapidly falling behind.
Nakada: Out of range for … well, anything in four seconds.
O’Connor: We’re still accelerating as well.
Niac: Response
An odd calm resonated around the bridge.
Kessler: Looks like we're headed wherever Narhelion is going.
Wherever they were going, it would be a lot safer than here.
So where does one go when they want to feel safe?
O’Connor: Home? Do you think Narhelion might be going home?
Niac: Response
Nakada: :: rhetorically, in desperate need of medical attention :: The adventures never end, do they?
Kessler: ::turning back to the view screen:: My guess. Somewhere no one in Starfleet has been before.
Ian sat up straight and smiled at the CO and the officers behind him.
O’Connor: Well, then I guess let’s go boldly.
End Act 3 and Mission for Ian
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Lieutenant Commander Ian O’Connor
HCO
USS Ronin NCC-34523
R240009IO4