Tail

Posted on Fri Sep 4th, 2020 @ 11:45pm by Civilian Chomei & Commander Nathan Hawkins & Secretary Jonathan Grayson of United Earth & Captain Ryan Walsh
Edited on on Sat Sep 5th, 2020 @ 1:23am

1,211 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Exodus
Location: Main Deck, Lady Luck
Timeline: 2430-01-10, 11:00

Captain Chomei sat alone on the Bridge of the Kaplan F17 Speed Freighter Lady Luck adjusting indicators on the holographic display hovering above her chair. She had been a two dimensional kinda girl for the longest time, but the three dimensional controls were growing on her. The displays gave her better access to data, more information, and allowed her quicker decision making ability. It looked a lot weirder though as she moved her hands through the air in a really strange looking dance. She could always have turned on the holograms and let them handle all this, but this kept her more connected at least.

In the distance behind her she heard the transporter pad at the rear of the ship awaken. Turning in her chair she waved as the newcomers appeared on the pad from the Spock, "Welcome to my parlor said the spider to the fly." That was the stupidest thing she could have ever said. They were probably going to raid the armory next to the platform now thinking she was going to go to war with them.

Jonathan stepped off the platform looking around at their surroundings before addressing the speaker, "Um, thank you." Then much lower tone added "I think."

"Maybe we should have bought back up," Hawkins joked as they drew closer to Chomei. The human eyed her set up with curiosity.

The Rigelian smiled, "My bark is worse than my bite." She turned back toward the window and the stars flying passed. "Let's hope our new friend can stay the same." She typed on controls hovering above her chair and the window switched to an aft view "I think your friend is back."

Stepping closer Nathan studied the vessel with a hint of dread. Should it open fire upon them even if half the ferocity as before they'd be unable to withstand the punishment or fire back. Having been unable to identify their attackers they couldn't be sure if this shadow was friend of foe. "How long has it been following us?" he asked. "Any attempts of communication?"

Ryan headed over as well and took a look. “What is it they are after?” He knew no one had the answer but it was bugging him.

It was a good question Nathan recognised but not one that could be answered just yet. The obvious target was the President, but why and how their attacker knew he was aboard the Spock was concerning, it wasn't common knowledge.

"I don't think they know we've detected them yet," she answered from her chair. "Let's just say I have a refurbished sensor array a little beyond the base specs for this type of freighter. They would've been outside the typical sensor range. It's clear that they're following us though, not like the Klingons."

"What do the sensor logs say about our tail?" Hawkins asked not openly recognising the vessel at this distance.

"Not much," the Rigelian reported. "If I do an active scan they'll know we're on to them. If it's a Klingon Bird of Prey like I think then we'll be no match for them."

The human Captain nodded in mute agreement. Neither vessel would be able to retaliate against such a nibble and armoured vessel with deadly weapons, it seemed once again they were on borrowed time. "How long till we reach the Sol system?" he asked.

She maneuvered the holos around with quick grace, "Let's just say a while. Even though we're in space your vessel takes a lot of power to pull, which means we go slower. We're still roughly 30 light-years away." She paused, "If we evacuate your crew, set your ship adrift or even scuttle it, we could go a lot faster. We'd tip off our friend though. If it is a Klingon Bird of Prey they could overtake us even at maximum warp."

Considering the hours spent stabilising the Spock Hawkins was still reluctant in leaving her behind, the dead weight however had slowed them considerable, more than he'd initially thought. Perhaps he'd been wrong to try and save the small vessel as this unknown ship began to bear down upon them with unknown intent. They'd would have been home and dry now if he'd opted to abandon ship in the first place.

He turned to Grayson and Ryan: "What do you two think?"

Jonathan looked at the other two, "Perhaps a bit of subterfuge? Misdirection? Let our tail think one thing and we do another?" He offered.

"Go on," Hawkins prompted interested to hear how the Secretary would pull this off.

Chomei shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she listened to the proposal.

"Well, it's simple really." Jonathan replied. "Whomever our tail is they, think we're hurt but they don't know how bad. What if we make it seem that we aren't hurt? That we're stronger then we actually are. Is there a way to do that? Place false sensor readings on the Spock?"

The Captain pondered the idea, it was a possibility he considered though he'd need to pull Snoden or Blake away from repairs to make the modifications. He nodded slowly: "Its plausible, however if they see through it..." he left the sentence unfinished as it wasn't necessary to spell things out.

"Or it could lead them to come back after you," the Rigelian played Devil's Advocate. "They attacked when you had three ships, they may decide to go to war with us again over it. This little freighter isn't a match for a Klingon Bird of Prey if they attack us."

That was always going to be a risk, even right now as they discussed tactics Hawkins noted wishing he could offer the civilian reassurances. Maybe he should have consulted Luzol he reflected with hindsight, she'd have some interesting suggestions for sure. "Walsh?" Nathan turned to the second man. "You're awfully quiet."

"I was listening," Ryan replied. He looked at Nathan. "If they really wanted to destroy us and they think we are injured then why not just do it? I lean towards the idea of appearing like we are undamaged."

Another good question, one that been prying on Hawkins mind since the initial attack.

"I can keep an eye on them," the Lady Luck's Captain answered. "If they change position or stance I'll let you know. Is there any chance of getting your ship back to fighting shape?"

"Thank you Chomei, keep us posted," Hawkins replied. "I'll have our repair teams switch priorities, see if can create something or least the illusion we can fight back."

“Anything I can do to help out?” Ryan asked him. He figured he might as well volunteer.

"Know any strategies we can use if we do get into a fight?" The Rigelian interrupted.

“I used to be a security officer,” Ryan replied. “I have been known to come up with a plan or two.”

The Rigellian grinned, "I'm sure of that. I would suggest that we hurry though. We have no idea if, or when, the enemy will strike. If they get cornered though who knows what'll come of it."

"Come, on," Hawkins beckoned them back over to the transporter. Chomei was right - time was against them, they needed to return to the Spock and draw up plan and contingency quickly.

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