Ambushed

Posted on Tue May 6th, 2025 @ 10:18am by Lieutenant Commander Evelyn Howel & Captain Ka Wehi Ma Kana Io Lana

1,220 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 1.01 "Borderlands"
Location: Main Bridge, USS Vaultera

ON: [[Main Bridge, USS Vaultera]]

The USS Vaultera hung in standard, geostationary orbit. It was a routine archeological survey. Something the Nova-ckass vessel was designed for. Survey teams, experts, transportation canisters for artifacts. Everything had been accounted for. Except time.

Lieutenant Commander Robbie Aegle sat in the center seat, staring at the thin sliver of planet out the viewscreen. He checked the chronometer on the armrest of the chair, and tried not to look irritated. The change of command ceremony on Starbase 234 was set, and could not be delayed. Neither could they reasonably miss such a thing. "Vaultera to landing party." He said, activating a comm channel. "You had your extra hour. Times's up, Doctor."

"Now, really. These are priceless artifacts from the Third Dynasty of the-"

Commander Aegle didn't get a chance to hear exactly how the Third Dynasty was so important. Operations Chief Ensign Fonn interrupted. The Bajoran's voice was raised in alarm. "Sir. Sensors just picked up two signatures coming from around the planet's curvature."

Aegle narrowed his eyes at the man. "Hostile?" They hadn't been expecting company - friendly, or not.

"Sensor readings are consistant with pirate raiders. They will be in weapons range in less than two minutes."

"Red Alert - hold shields on my order. Transporter Room, this is the captain. Start beaming our people up."

"Sir, Doctor-"

"Now, Chief." Aegle was no longer in the mood for Doctor Hasslemere's delays. "We got 90 seconds. Get on it."

"Sir, the two vessels are separating out, and attempting to flank us. They're staying outside of weapons range for the time being."

Aegle stared at the tactical display being duplicated on his arm rest. The raiders were getting closer. Maybe they thought the Vaultera would be an easy mark. Not while he was around, Aegle mused. "Transporter Room. Status?"

"Three teams still down on the planet. I need about thirty more seconds."

Aegle swore silently he'd tear Hasslemere a new one if any of his crew were injured. "Understood, let me know the instant we can leave." His voice stayed cool, and calm. It wouldn't do for the bridge crew to see the captain getting excited.

Fonn kept his eyes on the sensor data as it came in. "The two raisers have taken up position - they've blocked off our escape. What are they waiting for?"

Aegle was wondering the same thing. "Maybe for us to make the first move? They cut us off, and wait to see what we do?"

"Bridge, all survey teams aboard."

"Sheidls up! Helm, best course out of here?"

The Trill lieutenant had already been trying to plot courses around both ships. She shook her head in frustration. "No clear route. We gotta go through them. Or into the atmosphere, and out past them."

Aegle didn't like the idea of either one, but made a choice. "Alright. Swing us around, play chicken with the one on our tail, and dart into the atmosphere to try and lose them. Tactical, I want phaser spread as we turn broadside. Let's scare the crap out of them."

With orders given, the starship arced away from her current course, turning in a tight circle on herself. The raiders had not been expecting that move, and the forward-most vessel took too long to respond.

By the time the Vaultera had swept past the second pirate ship, orange beams of energy lanced out. Hits impacted the raider's shields, but didn't seem to do anything but superficial damage. The Starfleet vessel curved away, nosing toward the planet. Return fire rocked into the aft shields as the vessel plunged into the planet's upper atmosphere.

"Shields down to 87%."

"They're still pacing us. They're staying above our position, keeping us directly between them and the planet. We can't get a good course out."

Another barrage rocked the bridge. "Shields at 81%."

"I'm open to ideas." Aegle said, just an edge of frustration on his voice.

"Sir! Another vessel in-bound. It's B'rel-class!"

Out of the nothingness of space, the familiar shape of the bird-of-pray shimmered into view as it dropped its cloak. Wings already lowered in attack position, it opened fire, unleashing a flurry of disruptor bolts from its mounted cannons. These streaked across the open space until they came into contact with their target. One volley. Then, a second.

By the third, the raider's shields were overwhelmed. They collapsed and the green energy struck directly against the hull. Plating buckled. White-hot plasma erupted from within. Moments later, the entire craft was consumed in an explosion.


[[Main Bridge, IKS Ho'Qn]]


"Qapla'," roared Drozh, delighted by the view on the forward screen. They had managed to catch the enemy by surprise and, already, had one kill to show for it. That left only one more to achieve victory. "Target the second ship!"

"Ready," his weapons officer replied.

"Fire!"

Upon his command, another hail of disruptor bolts issued forth. They struck the second raider on the port quarter, but the element of surprise was gone, and their enemy had already started to bank away. Though the shields rippled with energy, the volleys failed to break through.

Almost immediately, the raider fired back. Their beam went wide and missed. They fired another shot. Missed again. Then, they peeled off completely and jumped to warp.

"Shall we pursue, captain," the helmsman asked.

For the briefest of moments, Drozh was tempted to say 'yes'. But, just as quickly, the moment passed. There were more important matters to attend to, and failure to deal with those would undoubtedly bring more immediate dishonor.

"No," he said, "we will not. Hail the Starfleet vessel."


[[Main Bridge, USS Vaultera]]


“On screen.”

The Vaultera was rising out of the upper atmosphere as the order was given. The view screen changed to the bridge of a Klingon Bird if Prey.

“Captain Drozh. We appreciate the assistance. Just in the neighborhood?” Aegle doubted it was that simple.

”Ha! Your Commander Howel wanted to ensure you would be at the ceremony.” He grinned at them on the screen. ”Would you care for an escort, Lieutenant Commander?”

If Aegle had been dealing with anyone else, he’d think he was being patronised. Especially after Evelyn Howel had been referred to simply as ‘Commander.’ Yet, it wasn't worth getting into.

“I think that would be a good idea, Captain. Helm, bring us alongside, and lay in a course for Carina, Warp 6.”

“Aye. Coming into position now, course laid in and ready.”

“We’ll see you back at the station, Captain. Vaultera out.”

The screen switched back to the star field, the Klingon vessel just barely visible.

“Engage “

The ship jumped to Warp, and Aegle let out a silent breath.

“Wonder why she sent the Klingons, and not the Takamori.” Lieutenant Th'kevok slid into the XO’s seat.

“A damn good question.”

The turnolift doors opened, and a familiar figure bustled out. “Now, really! What was to be gained from yanking us all up like that?”

Aegle had to suppress the urge to roll his eyes. “Dr. Hasslemere, I do not recall inviting you to the Bridge.”

OFF

 

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