Dark Echoes - Part 19

They’re acting like they’re almost ignoring us, Wilson noted, watching as the sublight engines heat up as fast as a kitchen’s electric stove—and the coolant levels were dropping at about the same speed. Shoot. Are we gonna shoot at them, or what? He wondered in silence.

Hold on, Away Team! Smith thought to himself, glaring at the sensors’ computer screen. “Are we getting any bio readings from the away team?”

Jones read the data on her screen, then looked up and replied, “All but the captain,”

OH, SHOOT! Smith thought in shock, but seemed to be hiding it well enough for the crew not to notice, he reasoned. Anything happens to the Captain, I’m screwed.

“Find us a way through their defensive matrix, Jones,” Smith commanded quietly.

Jones gasped, “Aye, sir,” this was going to be a fun nut to crack, Jones mused, watching the away team’s life signs fluctuate—it was like they were running a marathon, but they kept alternating between running and walking fast. . . Jones figured they were probably trying to avoid being seen, which would be an anxious process—or they’ve been seen, and they’re under fire. If that’s the case, they’re doing a pretty good job of keeping their cool. . . The readings changed again—oh crap. Her heart sank.

“Commander Smith!” Jorgensen called from the engineering compartment. He got Smith’s attention sharply.

“What is it?” Smith asked.

“The Valiant is back online. They should have fully-mission-ready in about two minutes,”

Hayes turned around and declared, “Confirmed!”

Smith looked at the viewscreen, “Connors—standby to bring our people back,” If we can get through that thing’s defensive matrix, that is. . .but there was still the question of whether or not a confrontation would be enough—maybe with the Valiant, we might have a chance to disable that thing. But then there was the question of what to do with it and its crew. . .? His first thought was to arrest their captain, and then force him to order the mother ship to stand down. That would require the successful disabling of the mother ship—easier said than done, and the odds weren’t strictly in their favor—then capturing their captain. . .?

“Hayes! Send a message to the Valiant—tell them to standby to engage the mother ship,”

Hayes acknowledged the order.

Smith decided Odyssey was to maintain red alert—let’s do this.

“Mr. Sandberg: put all weapons on standby. When I give the order—hit ‘em with everything we’ve got.”

Sandberg nodded, immediately arming every weapon Odyssey had left. 

*****

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