Vortex - Part 18

"CHIEF!" the Admiral commanded. Aaen's spine tingled as he shuddered in his seat, and then looked down at the bridge. His heart rate doubled, watching as the Admiral rushed to the front of the bridge. Main power's still offline. . .and that intruder could be ANYWHERE! HOW COULD YOU LOSE IT? Aaen thought sharply. "Where did it go? Did you see it?" she outstretched her arms sharply, "What happened?"

"It woke up when we were going through the Vortex, and then oozed into the floor. I was going to open fire to stun it again, but it was gone before I could get a shot off. It was gone before I hit the wall."

"Okay. You need to find it. Fast, before it destroys the Station."

"We're on it."

The Admiral started back to her chair. "Do scans, deploy more security, whatever you have to do to find it."

"Chief of ops, how's main power coming along?"

"I'm working with the engineer. We should have it online soon."

"We've got partial main power thanks to Watson! But we're gonna be back on auxiliary power soon and dead in the water unless we can re-energize the main reactor! Damage control teams are deployed! We're working on it!" the enthusiastic assurance in the voice was unmistakable, Aaen noted. The bridge was abuzz with flurries of activity relating to Station repairs, security, and throwing everything this thing had at the Vortex. Whatever was on the other side. . . . The Admiral was frantically trying to find a way to close that Vortex.

Aaen focused his attention on that one missing link. That intruder could be anyone. . .or virtually anything it wants to be. . . Or that it was exposed to. . . Aaen wondered. His gut sank sharply. .and he felt a cold sweat building on his forehead. Shock. If it wanted to do any real damage to the Station, it probably wouldn't keep moving around in a way that would make tracking it that much more easy for the rest of the crew. Would it phasemorph into some kind of creepy monster? Sure, big, scary. .and a huge target that would likely be susceptible to small-arms fire. In order to hold that shape, that's one thing that it would have to account for: vulnerability to Station defenses. A fortress like this—

Aaen was handed a document by the chief of operations. He read the document quickly to learn that it required him to power down the translight coils to minimize the radiation on several key decks of the Station so the cannons could be repaired and brought back online. The Admiral's scared, Aaen grinned lightly, she wants to hit that thing with everything this Station's got if that's what it takes. . . He followed the instructions quickly and methodically, signed the document, and then the chief of operations rushed it to another area of the bridge. That was a near paper cut, thank you! Aaen thought to himself—

It wouldn't last very long. With the Doctor's medical scanner data being fed to the Main Computer, it was only a matter of time. . . Or was it? Aaen thought deeply, it could turn into a puddle of goo and go anywhere it wanted to. .at any time. . But would it? Why?— Aaen was wide-eyed at the possibilities scoring his thoughts. What could it possibly be doing on the Station? Why, would it be here? He went over the events in his mind, since the point the Vortex was opened. Then another thought crossed his mind—one that made him want to request a sidearm. His rifle was less than arms length from him, and the flashlight was still on. He switched the attachment off, and then pulled the rifle by the grip closer to him, almost next to the main control interface to his computers. It's not far away. It's here for a reason. Could it have been hired by someone? Who? The Rotelans? HA! This activity is highly classified. They wouldn't know to look anywhere near this region of space. They probably don't even know about this region of space, much less be stupid enough to try to sneak even a—nah!—even a scout ship would be easily detected by Magellan's short range sensors. . . They might be able to get away at long-range— Okay, maybe they could get a scout ship close enough for some vague scans at that range. But why would they be interested in this, even if they knew about it? Forget the Romulans. They're not the only ones who might be interested in what's going on here, much less have the guts to try to pull any kind of stunt. But they wouldn't dare risk an intergalactic incident. Progress was being made on other parts of the bridge, Aaen noticed to his left. Maybe they hired a gambit to do their dirty work for them at a price? They're bolder than that, Aaen reminded himself, recalling their history with The Union. He recalled one alien creature The Union had encountered. . . They would be more interested in crippling—or even destroying—any Union presence and taking whatever they thing would give them a strategic, technological advantage over their adversary. . .if they thought there was a good enough chance that they could get away with it while keeping the intergalactic conflict bell as unrung as possible. But what if the Rotelans weren't involved at all? What would one phasemorpher have to gain by invading a Union Space Station during a test of what could be a—This would be too risky, even for the Rotelan!. . . There are no indications of any cloaked ships anywhere within Magellan's sensor range so. . . Aaen found himself looking wide-eyed at the main viewscreen— What a minute!—

"ADMIRAL!" the chief of operations yelled across the bridge. Nearly all attention was on the top level of the left-wing.

"What is it? What have you found?" the captain asked directly.

"I'm detecting unauthorized access to a computer node on deck nine!"

Deck nine? Aaen wondered, displaying a puzzled look.

"I'm trying to figure out who it is, but they're downloading a HUGE amount of data!"

"What data?" Aaen asked.

"It's the sensor data about the Vortex!"

This was never about Magellan! Never! Aaen felt anxious, like his hunch was being proven as the bridge crew was working to restore main power. Judging by the activity on the lower two levels of the bridge on both wings, that was close to coming to fruition! C'mon, Security! Get 'em! Aaen determinedly gritted his teeth.

"Deploy security to that deck! Hurry!" the captain commanded.

"Where's that terminal?" the chief of security asked. The chief of operations relayed the terminal's location.

The chief of security stood up and looked left, "I've got fifteen guards headed there right now, Admiral!"

"The download's almost finished!"

"Lock it out!" the Admiral demanded.

"I'm trying! It's using some kind of algorithm to redirect my commands to that terminal!"

"Security! You're going to have to tell those guards to blow the door to the room where that terminal's at and stun everything and everyone inside, and do it FAST!"

"We're working on it!"

The chief of operations stood up, "Hurry, Security!"

"—The security team's arrived!"

"Can you open a channel to that security team?" the Admiral asked division communications directly.

"Yeah!"

Do it! Aaen thought.

"Channel open!"

"—This is security team leader Lieutenant Mason."

"This is the Admiral. Get into that room and stop the download, now!"

"Working on that now, Admiral. Standby. Confirm breach and clear order."

The chief of security quickly responded, "Confirmed! Take the intruder alive!"

"Understood. Placing breaching charge. Breach-breach-breach."

The sound of a loud explosion filled the bridge and was quickly followed by, "Go! Go! Go!"

—And then there was silence.

"Security team: report!' the captain demanded. 

*****

Steve H. told Jordan Foutin, "You are the next Tom Clancy. You really are a gifted writer."

DANIEL STORM, a Jordan Foutin eBook, is available for $8.99 at any of these fine online retailers: 

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Vortex - Part 17

The bridge was dark. Aaen gradually lifted himself upright in his chair as he eyed the stars on the main viewscreen. He felt a sudden sense of concern for the rest of the bridge crew, noticing the standard black-and-red error message on all of the right-wing identifying the computer stations being offline. But why? What the heck happened? His computer trio displayed the same message under the black plastic coverings. He looked to his right to see some of the computer screens were flashing. Why is the air getting colder? Has the Station sustained damage? Did the damage affect environmental control throughout the Station?

There was a heavy gasp to Aaen's left as though from someone who had taken a fall and landed hard. "Is everyone alright?. . . Is everyone okay?" It was the Admiral.

More computer stations throughout flashed without any particular pattern, Aaen noted. Oh my gosh! He reasoned the Station was badly damaged for the bridge to be dark and the computers behaving like they are. His mind raced with possibilities, but the lack of readings left him unsure about what was going on outside the bridge. Hang in there, Magellan! He eyed the stars subtly shifting on the main viewscreen. Is the Station rolling?. . . He thought anxiously, Something's happened to the Station, looking to his left and down toward the front of the bridge.

 "Security? Aaen!" the captain called. Aaen scanned his computers and then looked to his left.

"I've got nothin' over here, captain! Right-wing's down!"

"Security!" the Admiral commanded.

"Nothing!"

"Chief of Operations?—Does anyone know what's happened?"

The bridge speakers began to crackle.

"Chief? Is that you?" Aaen asked.

"Chief!" the Admiral called.

"Uh. . .Yeah, 'er, Admiral! This is Chief Watson, I'm down 'ere in main engineering. Is everyone alright up there on the bridge?"

"Yes! We're alright! Are you okay?"

"Everyone's fine down 'ere as far as I can tell, Admiral. My team down 'ere's trying to get back to their duty stations so we can work on figuring out what just happened. Just a lotta bumps and bruises, mostly. We did have one crewmember hit the wall kinda hard when everything started stuttering like when we first went through the Vortex. Got the wind knocked outta 'im, but I think he'll pull through okay. It probably wouldn't hurt to send a medical team down here just to be safe."

"I'd be happy to do that, but we've got no computers working and only the main viewscreen, life support apparently, and the intercom online."

"You guys don't have any power up there?"

The bridge filled with loud, resounding 'no's'.

"Alright, I'll get on that and try to get you whatever power we can, Admiral. The main reactor isn't working at the moment, so it looks like we're running on auxiliary batteries for the time being."

"Chief Engineer Watson! How long can the Station run on auxiliary power?"

"Uh, who is this?"

Aaen stood and then replied, "This is Flight Control: Commander Aaen."

"Oh! Hey there, Commander. Yeah, the Station's got about a day's worth of auxiliary power in case of a massive power outage like this. We'll be alright, sir. Don't worry! We'll have main power back online soon!" Aaen noted Watson was trying to be reassuring. Aaen sat down, inched closer to his desk and then leaned on his elbows.

. . .The bridge lit up with blue, black and grey readings on the computer stations.

"Can you give us lights, Watson?" the Admiral asked.

"Workin' on that, Admiral. Things are really messed up down here! I've got my people working on restoring main power right now. It could be back online anytime now."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Thanks, Watson!"

"Yeah, no problem, bridge! Watson out." the line disconnected with a beep.

"Okay, we need to start damage control and begin repairing any damage to the Station," the Admiral continued with a series of orders intended to get the lights back online and restore main power, and then she looked at Aaen and approached him. "Where are we right now, Commander?"

Aaen was already working on figuring out the answer. He checked each of his computers quickly, focusing on the Station's navigational data, and then responded, "We're at our original coordinates before the Vortex pulled us in. We're not moving."

"Do we have any engines? Anything?"

Aaen scanned his computer screens and then turned his head. The lighting from the main viewscreen and the computer stations on the bridge was negligible at best, but Aaen didn't care. He turned his head as he answered, "The only power is on the stabilization thrusters. Maneuvering thrusters and translight are offline. We're not going anywhere until we have main power back online."

The Admiral gasped and then carefully returned to her chair. "I'm not getting any readings on my computer. How long until we have main power back online?" she asked aloud.

"Not sure, Admiral! I'm checking in with my damage control teams to see what, if any, damage to there was to the Station."

"Executive Officer, is the Vortex still open?"

"Scanning. . . Yes! It's still open!"

"We should probably close it so those aliens don't get into our space!"

"How?" the Captain asked.

"What about a direct cannon and torpedo barrage?" Aaen quipped.

"But we don't have weapons." said the Strategic Operations Officer, disappointingly.

The Captain looked at the Executive Officer, "Are you detecting any ships coming through the Vortex?"

"There's some kind of solid metallic mass on the other side, but I can't tell if it's a space rock or a ship. There's too much interference from the Vortex."

"Does anyone have any ideas on how to close the Vortex?" the Admiral asked with a tone that suggested puzzlement. Aaen grinned—

"What about the Ranger?"

"What?" the Captain asked.

"The Ranger!"

"What about it?" the Executive Officer asked.

"Does the Ranger have power?" he paused, noticing a silence on the bridge. "It should still be docked with the Station. It has its own translight core and may not have sustained damage or a power failure from passing through the Vortex. Do we still have Ranger launch capability?"

The Ranger's a Defiant-class, Aaen grinned, ablative hull armor. . . Regenerative shields. . . a class—ten?—translight core, and armed up to. . . Aaen gasped through his nose . . .It's a freaking warship! No match for the Station, but it's armed enough that it could—

"Yes! We do! The docking clamps are still functioning, Admiral!" the Captain announced.

She rushed to the captain, "How fast can we launch the Ranger?" she asked frantically. The answer was pointed out.

"Do it!"

"I'm on it!"

Strategic Operations looked forward, and then around the bridge frantically, "Where's the intruder?" 

*****

Steve H. told Jordan Foutin, "You are the next Tom Clancy. You really are a gifted writer."

DANIEL STORM, a Jordan Foutin eBook, is available for $8.99 at any of these fine online retailers: 

smashwords.com (Remember to like and share!)

apple iBooks (This link is best viewed on iPhone or iPad)

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Vortex - Part 16

The bridge crew rushed to take their positions on the bridge.

"I need the main viewscreen on—" the image on the screen cleared, and the red lights became brighter.

"Uh, this is chief engineer Watson down here in main engineering, Admiral! I'm not exactly sure what happened just now—but we have 85 percent of main power at your disposal!" he said with a tone indicating surprise and a cheerful outlook on getting back to Union space. Aaen sensed the sum of the emotional atmosphere meant the bridge crew and surely on the rest of the Station were on their toes.

"Admiral! That other ship's gone! They just vanished!" announced the Executive Officer. Aaen admired the Shadows' cunning.

"I'm getting total subspace and long-range communication silence on all frequencies! Someone is jamming our communications!" said Division Communications Officer.

It's them! Aaen reasoned. "Admiral, I think it's time we got outta here!"

"I agree!" declared the Executive Officer.

The deck plating abruptly shuddered sharply and the lights dimmed for several seconds as though the Station had nearly taken a direct hit that would have rendered the Station powerless. Aaen braced against this station and observed the same from the rest of the bridge crew.

"Report!" the Admiral demanded, struggling to sit back in her chair.

"Weapon fire! Unknown origin or direction!"

"Shields down to forty percent!" declared Strategic Operations, frantically.

"Aaen! Get us out of here!"

"Back through the Vortex!" the Captain ordered.

"Aye! Engaging maneuvering thrusters!"

"I've got no readings as to the origin of the—" the deck shuddered again this time more sharply—and then again several times.

Aaen was frantic with his flight controls, frequently alternating his attention to his computer stations and the main viewscreen. The subtle, flooding rumble of the maneuvering thrusters filled the bridge as the stars gradually shifted off the screen. Within seconds, the bright white Vortex was nearly centered. Aaen corrected for inertia.

Another shudder.

"Hostile fire is tearing through our shields like they weren't even raised! Our shields are barely slowing their weapons down, much less stopping them!' said Strategic Operations.

"Hull breach on deck fifteen!" said the chief of operations.

"Confirmed!" said the bridge engineer.

"Casualties?" the Executive Officer asked.

"No reports yet!"

"Strategic Operations! Where are the weapons?" the Admiral asked directly.

"Charging cannons and arming torpedo launcher batteries! I've got nothing on targeting scanners to fire on, Admiral!"

"Try remodulating shield frequencies! Maybe that'll help?"

"Do it!" the Admiral agreed, pointing at Strategic Operations.

Aaen looked to his right, noticing the chief of security saying something to the deputy, who quickly returned to his station. The chief of security held both of their rifles and kept them trained on the intruder. The intruder was starting to come out of the stun. Aaen started to feel worried. Would two particle rifles be enough to keep that thing contained outside of a brig? He started having doubts.

"Exec!—" another sharp shudder, and then the sound of a series of distant explosions. "Keeping scanning for anything! Find me a target!"

"Power conduit ruptured on decks six through eight! Minor injuries reported!" said the deputy.

"Doctor!" the Admiral demanded. The Doctor rushed off the bridge.

"Whoever's shooting at us—whatever they're shooting at us with, it's going almost right through our hull!" announced the Executive Officer. "I still can't get a fix on where they're at!"

"Aaen! How long until we get through the Vortex?" the Admiral asked.

"Every weapon impact keeps knocking us off course! I'm going to have the main computer calculate a course to the Vortex and then use the maneuvering thrusters—" another series of shudders knocked the bridge crew off their seats and off their feet; Aaen was thrown to his right for a few feet near the main bridge entrance. Aaen pulled himself back up to his station and watched as sparks shot from near some of the bridge computer screens. The lights flickered and flashed violently and erratically. "Calculating course!—" the numbers rotated seemingly at random until a set of 'X', 'Y' and 'Z' coordinates appeared. Aaen frantically entered the coordinates, struggling against the bridge shaking from whatever had just hit the Station. Aaen's left computer indicated the Station was tilting and spinning like an unbalanced spinning top! Aaen struggled to hold himself upright as he observed the Vortex gradually angled on the main viewscreen.

—Done! "Course entered!" Aaen announced. The Station's directional thrusters fired and the bassy sound flooded the bridge as the Vortex gradually centered on the main viewscreen.

"Aaen?" the Captain asked fearfully.

"Fifteen seconds!"

"Admiral! I just got a printed message from another ship!"

"I thought you said all communications were jammed?" the Executive Officer asked directly.

"Well, someone managed to get a message through!"

The Admiral walked to the middle of the bridge and looked to her right. "What does it say?"

". . .'We'll give you cover! Good luck, Magellan!'"

Whoever was shooting at us, there wasn't even an alert warning of a weapons lock on the Station. . . Aaen gasped heavily, alarmed. Whoever that was that was shooting at us— He eyed the navigational readings on his left computer. "Ten seconds to Union space!" Aaen announced cheerfully.

The Vortex became brighter as the Station drew near. Aaen kept his right hand on his computer control for the Station's maneuvering thrusters to maintain momentum toward their destination. C'mon. .C'mon! Aaen thought determinedly.

The main viewscreen turned a bright white as turbulence gradually, dramatically increased. . .time seemed to slow even to an intermittent stutter. . . Aaen tried to remain focused on the main viewscreen but gradually looked forward at the front of the bridge, pivoted his head left, and then forward again, watching as the chief of security lost his sense of balance and tumbled backward against a wall. The bridge seemed to stretch forward and Aaen began to feel dizzy and disoriented—

The effects gradually stopped as the stars appeared.

*****

Steve H. told Jordan Foutin, "You are the next Tom Clancy. You really are a gifted writer."

DANIEL STORM, a Jordan Foutin eBook, is available for $8.99 at any of these fine online retailers: 

smashwords.com (Remember to like and share!)

apple iBooks (This link is best viewed on iPhone or iPad)

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Vortex - Part 15

Aaen's pulse was so strong he could feel the veins in his head thumping. He realized he was in a state of shock. His hands were so clammy he found himself struggling to hold his rifle, much less steady. It's so hot in here all a sudden, he realized. Sweat was inching from the top and around the edge of his head down his face and neck; it felt like an annoying insect looking for a place to bite. Where's the intruder? He thought frantically. WHERE? He looked to his left around the corner, facing forward, putting his weight on his left shoulder as he remained crouched with the back of his rifle tucked into his right elbow; the rifle was de facto aimed at an angle toward the top of a bulkhead across the way adjacent to the spiral staircase. His breathing indicated he was panicking, but that emotion was quickly shoveled into the back of his mind as he focused on the huge. . .something!. . .that his instincts told him was only feet away! His eyes widened in anticipation of the intruder walking around the corner. Was it headed for the bridge?. . .For me? He wondered, clenching his rifle's grip and raising the barrel to the ceiling. He chest felt heavy, and he started to feel tempted to do something heroic—but something told him the intruder may be aware of the fact he was hiding where he was, and for all he knew, it could be several times stronger than he. A physical confrontation. . . No, he decided. So what should I do? He asked himself. He wasn't sure if there were any viable escape routes beyond the doorways—

A footstep mildly rattled the deck plating.

Oh crap! Aaen thought. The intruder's gotta be. . .maybe ten feet away! He looked to his right and up at an angle: the spiral staircase was only a fraction of that distance away. . . But it's so dark, Aaen thought terrified. Aaen could barely see two or three feet in front of him. There was a bright green ceiling-mounted emergency light over his shoulder, but there was still profound darkness in front of him. His breathing became heavier from shock.

"Aaen!" the Admiral whispered from in front of him and above him; Aaen reasoned she was calling to him from the top of the spiral staircase.

A glowing bolt shot at the spiral staircase from far to Aaen's left. He watched the Admiral recoil, and then gradually inch forward to see him. Aaen's eyes had adjusted to the darkness—he could just see the Admiral with a wide-eyed concerned look on her face. He reasoned she could see him about as clearly. Aaen looked straight and guessed the distance between him and the spiral staircase was about five or six feet—give or take. Looking left, the intruder sounded like it was at least ten feet away. . .maybe more, Aaen admitted to the possibility. Could I make it back to the upper deck? He wondered. He looked at her and turned his head as he raised his rifle straight at the ceiling.

"He can't get back up here! The intruder's got 'im pinned down down there with the chief of security!" the Admiral whispered behind him.

Just get down here! HURRY! Aaen thought silently—

Another footstep from far to the left. Aaen heard more whispering from above, and then the sound of muffled footsteps in different directions on the upper deck. Aaen started to wonder what they were planning, then he made a decision.

C'mon! Aaen inched forward, aiming the rifle in front of him as he neared the corner, and then stopped. The rifle had just as much exposure around the corner as his right eye and nose—he squeezed the trigger six times in rapid succession. The bright red bolts sparked against the opposite wall, narrowly missing the pathway to Sickbay. The countertop sparked from the returned fire. Judging by the angle, Aaen reasoned, the intruder retreated a few feet after he fired! He grinned and then fired three more shots around the corner. The edge of the rifle brushed against the countertop corner. Multiple shots hummed against the countertop.

Well, it apparently can't see me any more than I can see it. Aaen grinned. Where's a grenade when you need it! Blind the sucker while I make a run for it!—

He looked at the top of the spiral staircase to see a rushing stampede racing down to the lower deck, pulse particle fire blaring!

Aaen joined in! It started getting a little cooler down here.

Their fire was quickly returned. Two crew members were struck by bright green particle energy bolts and collapsed in front of the Sickbay. Aaen was careful not to shoot his crewmates, especially as five more came racing down. All of the exchanges of fire made the intruder just visible enough to establish a clear target. Aaen smiled as the intruder started back up the far staircase. He stood up, assumed a tactical stance, and kept pulling the trigger. The sparks from his crewmates' missed shots didn't help keep the intruder visible, but he kept firing.

The Doctor rushed behind him to the chief of security and started scanning him with her tricorder. "Hold still! You'll be okay!"

Aaen crouched in an effort to dodge incoming fire. Two bolts missed him by inches, hissing against the wall behind him.

"Watch out, Commander!" the Doctor warned.

Aaen watched the intruder ducking and crouching as it tried to get back up the staircase. Two crew members occupied the way to Sickbay, the rest of those that made it down were taking cover behind the countertop next to Aaen.

That's it! We're going home! Aaen decided as he assumed a tactical stance and then rushed the staircase, repeatedly squeezing his rifle's trigger.

The closer he got, the more accurate he was and quickly was looking the intruder in the eye. More sidearm fire narrowly missed both him and the intruder.

A narrow miss by a crew member shined on the intruder's face. Woah! Ugly! Aaen thought. He noticed the intruder had taken hits to its left arm and its left legs; it was limping to the top of the staircase.

Aaen aimed for what he guessed was a possible weak spot and fired. The intruder growled and covered its face as it collapsed to the deck.

"Intruder down!" Aaen declared, gesturing for the rest of the crew to follow him.

"Good work, Aaen! Chief!" the Admiral called. He rushed to the intruder. "Take the intruder to the brig. On the double."

"Got it. Deputy!" Aaen stood aside as they picked the intruder up by its arms.

"The brig may not have power, Admiral," Aaen said.

"Then we'll bring it to the bridge until the brig is brought back online."

The Admiral's communicator beeped. She retrieved the device and then opened it. "This is the Admiral, go ahead."

"Admiral, we've got company! You're needed back on the bridge!"

"Understood. Out." she closed her communicator and then replaced it. "Everyone! Back to the bridge! We need to hurry! Pick up any crew members that were stunned and help them back to the bridge. Let's go!"

The order was carried out quickly. The away team retraced their steps and found their way back to the main bridge.

"Report!" the Admiral demanded. The bridge was quickly busy with gathering data while the chief of security and deputy let the intruder down on the foot of the bridge and then watched it with sidearms trained.

"Main power's now at sixty percent and climbing!" said the Bridge Engineer.

"Alien contact is now one-point-five million kilometers from our position and closing!" announced the Executive Officer.

*****

Steve H. told Jordan Foutin, "You are the next Tom Clancy. You really are a gifted writer."

DANIEL STORM, a Jordan Foutin eBook, is available for $8.99 at any of these fine online retailers: 

smashwords.com (Remember to like and share!)

apple iBooks (This link is best viewed on iPhone or iPad)

barnesandnoble.com 

scribd.com 

kobo.com

blio.com

Make sure to buy your copy today, and like and share!

Make sure to like the official StormTeam Simulations Facebook page for the latest, including when DANIEL STORM will be available on Amazon.com for Kindle eBook and softcover! Coming soon!