CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I

It was time.

Josiah had been correct. It was well past the moment when Chris Larabee had to forget his insecurities as a new Captain and remember what it was that made Starfleet promote him. He had earned the right to wear Captain’s gold and whatever happened from this point onward, it would happen without him doubting himself. He was taking Josiah’s advice to conduct himself as he always had, from the gut, with no hesitation or regrets. The crisis ahead called for something innovative and no quarter for self-recrimination. His crew needed to know that he had some kind of plan no matter how desperate the situation became.

He sat on his bridge, allowing confidence to seep back into his bones for the first time since this whole thing had began. Chris forced his caution and fear for his crew into a place reserved for when the time was appropriate. All that could be done at Colony 4 had been accomplished. As expected, there was no other survivors’ left to find. All that was left of Omega 6’s inhabitants were the handful of emaciated miners in SickBay.

"Ezra." Chris spoke. "I want you to send a communication to Deep Space 5 attention Captain Krista on security frequency."

"Yes Sir." Ezra returned promptly.

Chris took a deep breath and focused on what he wished to say. "Inform DS5 that there we have found Colony 1 and 4 destroyed by an unknown force that uses a weapon that leaves severe berthol poisoning in its wake. We have reason believe that Colony 9 may have similarly been destroyed and that Captain Krista should make an immediate investigation of any colony in this sector that has not made its monthly status reports. Tell her, we are unable to make an investigation ourselves as we have detected transwarp signatures of an unknown origin and are pursuing to investigate."

There was a moment of silence on the bridge as the news sunk into everyone. Only Buck seemed unaffected by the Captain’s decision. "Alex," he said calmly glancing over his shoulder. "Begin a wide beam scan for transwarp signatures and relay your findings to helm control."

"Aye Sir." Alex answered coolly.

Chris could understand the apprehension on his bridge. The Dominion, the Cardassians and the Klingons were threats that Starfleet could cope with. They had never been able to truly manage a Borg assault. Victory had come mostly through luck and the intimate knowledge of the Collective possessed by Jean Luc Picard. If these intruders were at the same technological level as Borg as Chris suspected they were then everyone had good reason to be afraid.

"Are we telling Starfleet command what we’re doing?" Buck inquired quietly.

"Not yet." He answered. "I’d like something more concrete than a transwarp signature to identify the intruders. We’ll transmit the moment we have more information."

"It is likely they would have moved out of this sector by now." Vin remarked. "The attack here was several weeks ago. That is sufficient time to distance themselves from this area."

"I agree." Chris nodded in consideration. "However, I think they’re still here. Their strategy tells me they have not found what they are looking for yet."

"I agree." Buck nodded please to hear from Vin. The young man was slowly coming out of his shell of course, being kissed in public by one of the most beautiful and inaccessible women on the ship could do much for a person’s ego.

"They have no reason to fear us Lieutenant," Chris stated for Vin’s benefit. "After what they’ve been able to do in our space, I think that it is a foregone conclusion that we are not much of a threat to them. However, they’ve nonetheless attacked our most remote colonies, where distress signals could take days to reach the nearest starbase or chanced upon by a passing ship. It poses the question of why would they need to take such precautions?"

"I must admit a certain amount of confusion on that point as well." Ezra confessed.

"I think Alex is correct in her theory that what happened on all the colonies is some twisted science experiment. That is why they have attacked only remote colonies, not because they’re worried about us coming after them but because they want time to be able to make a comprehensive study without their potential subjects being alerted to their presence."

"Maintaining scientific purity." Alex nodded understanding the premise completely.
They want to observe their specimens in their natural environment without the contamination of their presence to alter results." She paused a moment to consider the possibilities. "You think that they are still here because they have risked their experiment by downloading the contents of Deep Space Five’s main computer."

"This sector of space is their laboratory,." Chris explained now that everyone was attuned to what he was thinking. "They attacked the colonies only after downloading all data the colony computers and after a live specimen was taken for study. Unfortunately, this was not sufficient to provide the results expected so they moved on to another colony and possibly all the settlements in this area." Chris seriously hoped that was a worse case scenario. He was hoping only Colony 1, 4 and 9 had been effected.

"I understand," Vin replied. "The volume of data on a colony computer can be limited Captain with extended periods between upgrades. All information is in some way related to the science required for survival."

"Exactly," the captain smiled once again given proof that Vin and he had some symbiotic connection that allowed the youthful Vulcan to pick up his thoughts easily. "However, colony computer information does not contain specific information. You can go to any starbase’s computer and get the complete history of Federation starting from Zefram Cochrane’s launch until the minutes of the last meeting of the Federation Council. Everything we are is in a starbase computer. I think our intruder were looking for something specific and did not find it despite at the colonies."

"Having downloaded the entire contents of DS5, it’s possible that they have their answer." Buck reminded the Captain.

"That is a possibility." Chris replied honestly. "There is a part of me that hopes that they found what they needed and have returned wherever they came so that some other captain can deal with this at another time. However, my gut instincts say no." He saw that Buck was looking at him sceptically and allowed a faint smile to steal across his face. "Let’s just say that I have an intuition that they are still around and we need to find them before they go home. If weakness is what their experiments were meant to prove then I don’t think their next encounter with us will be as controlled."

"Agreed." Even Buck had to admit that while the question of the intruder’s continued presence in the sector might be in doubt, the results following their return home would not. "Vin’s right, we can’t show ourselves to be any weaker than we already have."

Anything Chris was going to say in response to that statement was lost when Alex broke into their conversation. "Captain, I’ve located a partial trail emanating from the transwarp signature around the planet."

"Good," Chris nodded. "Vin, lock onto those readings and proceed at Warp 2."

"Ezra, inform the crew, we are now preparing to leave orbit." Buck instructed the security officer. "Recommend that we go to yellow alert, Captain."

It seems as if they were forever at yellow alert lately, Chris sighed but his first officer’s recommendation was a correct one. The situation certainly warranted it. "Good idea." He replied. "Do it."

Buck moved out of ear shot as Chris concentrated on the viewer before him. The ship had started to veer away from Omega 6 and the parting shot of the planet saddened him to the core. All the promise of its future had ended with the black stain of charred earth against its polished yellow surface. It was an awful tombstone for the brave people who had tried unsuccessful to tame this world so far from civilisation. As the Maverick kicked into warp, Chris made himself a silent promise that this was not going to be the beginning of things to come for the Federation.

The intruder had dropped a gauntlet in front of him. Captain Chris Larabee was going to pick it up and he was going to die before allowing it to be thrown at anyone else.

II

The transwarp trail was weak. They had expected that much. As the ship moved farther and farther away from Omega Prime, Chris was struck by the tale of Hansel and Gretel, forced to follow a trail of breadcrumbs to find their way home. As expected, the outermost colonies had been struck first because the trail led back to Kalendra 2. Having nothing else but that scant evidence to go on, Chris had no choice but to back track in their pursuit of the intruder.

In the meantime, there was nothing to do but wait. Buck and Ezra were running the bridge crew through simulated battle drills, an action Chris fully approved. Within days of the first attempt, the crew had attained an almost perfect efficiency rating. All across the ship, each department was preparing themselves for battle. He knew from Buck’s reports on crew evaluation that Julia Pemberton was pushing herself and her Engineering crew to the point of revolt. Every system had to be checked and then rechecked. Her determination to ensure that Engineering be prepared, almost had a quality of human stubbornness to it.

The Counsellor informed him that the civilians on board were starting to fear the worst. While Chris could not blame them for being afraid, he did not intend to initiate a premature saucer separation before time. There was not much he could do about that problem except to project the image that they were far from being outgunned. He made special visits to the school where he answered the questions of the younger members of his crew. Their questions were the questions of children and Chris tried to be as honest as possible without being patronising or having to lie. At the Counsellor’s behest, he showed everyone including the Starfleet personnel that he was at least, was unafraid of what lay ahead.

Unfortunately, while the problems with the crew seemed abated for the moment, Chris was faced with some very realistic conclusions regarding the enemy. If the intruders were travelling at transwarp speed, then their pursuit was going to be a slow process of never reaching enough velocity to catch up unless the intruder slowed to standard warp. The likelihood of that occurring was remote. Somehow, the Maverick had to find a way to get the intruder’s attention, long enough for them to stop and look, allowing the ship to close the distance.

"I say we try something radical." Chris declared at briefing for the senior staff a few days after they took up the chase.

"Radical Sir?" Buck stared at him and immediately felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Radical and Chris Larabee were a dangerous combination.

"Yes." He nodded, letting his gaze sweep across the faces before him. Only Josiah seemed unsurprised by what he was about to say and had the good grace to keep it to himself. "At the moment we are faced with the problem of an enemy that we will not be able to catch up to because they are travelling at speeds far greater than us. True, the transwarp signature will take us where the intruder has been but not to a face to face confrontation. While some might argue the sensibility of meeting them in open combat, until we see them face to face, we cannot possibly understand what we are fighting or devise a way to win. All the information we have is speculative at the moment. We do not know what their intentions are or if their technology is as formidable as it appears. Therefore, we need to slow them down."

"Considering that we do not even know where they is going to make it difficult." Ezra replied.

"Let’s work on the assumption that they are in this sector of space still." Chris responded. "It’s a place to begin. Now they’ve been operating under a silent running and taking great pains to hide themselves from us. What if we send out a subspace signal on all frequencies and bands that we are tracking a possible invasion force from unknown alien species. This species possesses weapons capable of molecular destabilisation and is responsible for the destruction of all our colonies in this sector of space. We will put out a general alert rallying all Starfleet vessels in this area to rendezvous with us before we continue our pursuit. In the meantime, we will also advise all non Starfleet ships to vacate until things are safe."

"Captain, are we really intending summon all those ships?" Mary exclaimed in surprise. Apparently, she was the only one willing to voice it at that moment.

"Of course not." He said quickly. "We will also send a coded transmission to Starfleet Command to inform them what we are planning."

"So we wait for them to come find us?" Ezra asked sceptically. "Captain, with all due respect, we have no idea we are any match for the intruder when it arrives. Is it wise baiting them like this?"

Chris understood his concerns and knew that his question was on everyone’s mind at the moment. However, he had spent a great deal of time on this plan and knew the risks involved. Most of that time had been expended on devising a scenario in which they would escape with their lives as well as defeating the intruder. "No it is not wise," he answered her truthfully. "Unfortunately, we have no choice. This is the only way we can meet them face to face. However, I am not prepared to sacrifice this ship is any kind of heroic gesture so if you give me a chance to explain, I’ll tell you what we will do."

Ezra fell silent. "I apologise if I spoke out of turn Captain."

"No apology necessary," Chris said quickly. "I expect my senior staff to point out matters of concern. In this case however, I am aware of the danger."

"Then you have a plan Chris?" Buck asked, hoping to hell it was a good one or a lot of lives were going to be lost.

"We will move to these co-ordinates." Chris picked up his data pad and handed it to Buck.

The first officer took a moment to study the information before him before his right brow raised and he nodded in understanding. "An interesting choice." He answered after a moment. "You want to take us to the edge of Vikaris Quasar?"

"Because the quasar has high intensity energy fields surrounding the stellar mass and should be capable of disrupting sensors to extremes?" Vin spoke, venturing a guess at the captain’s intention since he did not think Chris would knowingly play a hand where he was at a disadvantage.

"Even that of the intruder." The Captain said with a smile at Vin’s acumen. "It may be enough for us to make a quick get away if necessary."

"It could work," Buck agreed. "It could be highly dangerous for them to use their weapon in this area in the event that stray fire could have adverse effects on the quasar itself."

Chris had to confess he did not think of that possibility but was glad that his first officer had reinforced his decision to take this course of action with that point.

"Captain," Alex spoke up. "I may have a suggestion as well."

"Any suggestions at this time are welcome." Chris replied, eager to hear what Alex had to say.

"I think I may have an answer as to why they were able to reach Deep Space Five without being detected by sensors or bypassing all security protocols." Alex said slowly. "I was reading all the literature on cloaking devices and all forms of cloak effect the physical environment in some way, even if they are not immediately detected. However, there were no such effects reported with DS5."

"Yes, that’s right." Chris answered wondering where this was going.

"I think I know what you’re talking about, Commander." Julia suddenly declared. "You are speaking of a cloak that does not operate using physical laws that we know of."

"Yes Sir," Alex nodded, grateful that someone understood the point that she was making. "A few years ago, the Enterprise D reported the Romulans had been experimenting with a kind of cloak that uses phase shifts instead of standard light and energy refracting methods."

"I remember the report." Julia added her support. "Captain, every object that we know of in the universe operates on a specific atomic frequency, whether animate, inanimate, organic or inorganic. If the phase frequency of an object is altered for any reason, it is no longer in phase with the rest of the universe. Therefore it is capable of moving through an object without those of us in the normal frequency being aware of it."

"You’re saying this ship could have parked itself next to the station and did whatever it wanted to before leaving again and all without any sensor registering its presence?" Chris asked.

"Absolutely," Alex said flashing Julia a wry smile. "The Enterprise almost lost two of its officers when they were out of phase like this. They were only able to get them back by flooding the local area with high intensity radiation which brought them back into phase."

"Our engines are capable of venting similar radiation into space on a rotating basis while we are awaiting for the intruder to arrive." Julia offered.

"I see what you mean." Ezra declared. "We could create a buffer zone between the intruder and the ship. The moment, they enter the zone, they will become visible to our sensors enough for a target lock."

Chris eased back into his seat feeling pleased with his staff’s performance. For the first time since coming on board, he could see bonds being forged between them and comraderie being formed. He met Josiah’s gaze and although he had not much to offer during this meeting, he too was pleased at the result. "Well Captain," Josiah replied after a moment. "I think we have a plan."

"I agree." He returned her radiant smile. "Commander," he looked at Alex. "I think you should assist Julia with your plan down in engineering. We need to get this buffer zone operating as soon as possible. It may be our once chance at taking them down."

Chris hoped it would be enough.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I

Sitting at the Captain’s table in Four Corners, Chris was given a panoramic view of the Vikaris Quasar. It hung beyond the starboard side of the ship, emblazoning the dark sky with turbulent swirls of white and amber tongues of energy, culminating in a maelstrom of cosmic proportions. From this distance, the illumination from the stellar mass lit up the room as if it was daylight. The Maverick sat beyond the event horizon of the immense gravitational pull of the dense stellar body. From this distance, the electromagnetic energy level coming from the star was almost off scale. All sensors and scanning devices on board the ship had increased gain in order to function. Chris had selected the region for the reason specifically.

The Vikaris Quasar had been named after the explorer whom first charted the area. Unfortunately, Vikaris also became the first known casualty of his discovery when his ship became ensnared in the powerful gravitational field of the spacial phenomenon. The Vikaris Quasar was so massive that it filled an area of space that could normally accommodate a thousand suns. It radiated such powerful electromagnetic fields that sensors would be completely useless to any ship trying to scan it. For all these factors, Chris had brought his ship here. The Vikaris Quasar could very well end up saving all their lives.

The captain had no illusions about the Maverick chances with the intruder. By all accounts, speculative or not, the ship that was capable of reducing a single colony to utter destruction was more than a match for a galaxy class starship. However, he was not about to let their murder go away unpunished neither was he going to let them believe that the Federation was incapable of fighting back. The battle to be waged had far deep implications than simply destroying the enemy. This was a fight for survival for the Federation and possibly the entire Alpha Quadrant.

However, to win he had to be realistic and understand the limitations of his ship. He had brought the Maverick here because if the intruder overwhelmed them with its weapons, they could lose themselves in area thanks to the Quasar. He knew it was a risky assumption, believing that the intruder would not be capable of scanning for them with all the interference from the mass but it was all he had to go with. If they needed to recuperate after the encounter, there was no better place for it.

Chris noticed that many crewmembers had come to Four Corners to take in the view and Chris could not blame them for that. While he could not admit to sharing any of the excitement held by the crew at viewing the stellar mass, he could not deny that it was indeed an awesome spacial display. Normally, he would appreciate the sight to its fullest, however, on this day, his mind and body were too focussed on the attack he knew would come.

The light atmosphere around him was a thin disguise hiding the fact that the ship was poised on battle alert. Even though the numbers in the recreational lounge kept the bartenders and servers busy, none of these were civilians. Families and non-Starfleet personnel were restricted to their quarters until further notice.

After a few moments of star gazing, he returned to the data pads before him, reading Buck’s up to date department status reports. So far, it appeared that the Maverick was ready for whatever was coming at them. Taking another sip of his rapidly cooling black coffee, Chris was pleased to note that Engineering had installed the cloaking device. Technically the use of the device was only permissible if they engaged the Borg but he fully intended to use it if it meant saving his crew from an equally formidable enemy.

Besides, who was to say that the threat posed by the intruder only affected Federation space? There was no evidence to support the notion that the rest of the Romulans was any safer than they were.

He reminded himself to put in a note of commendation in Alex’s permanent record because her performance to date certainly earned such credit. From what he understood from Buck’s report, the anti-phase buffer was already on line, thanks largely to Alex’s tireless efforts and meticulous design. Even Julia had made comment of her efficiency.

"You seem much better in spirit." Inez remarked, announcing his presence.

"I am a little." Chris admitted. "We are as ready as we will ever be for the intruder. The department heads have outdone themselves in getting us to this point. I am proud of my crew." He confessed.

"You have to take some credit in all that you know." The sultry woman remarked.

"I don’t think so." He shook his head. "There are good people in charge of those departments and they know their jobs. I had very little to do with their performance."

"I think you are being somewhat modest Captain," She retorted. "A good captain knows when to pull back and let his people prove themselves. The talk I’ve been hearing around the room about you has been very promising. People are starting to place a great deal of faith in you simply because of that."

Chris rolled his eyes in disbelief. "I fail to see why. We’ve hardly come under fire yet and I have been guilty of being so cautious lately, I can hardly see straight."

"Well no one said you were perfect," the bartender smiled warmly. "Just promising."

Chris started to laugh a little when suddenly, the lighting inside Four Corners changed to a bright crimson shade that made everyone stop what they were doing instantly and pay attention. Less than a millisecond had passed when the inevitable sound of emergency klaxons began their shrill cry across the room and throughout the ship.

The ship was on red alert.

Chris put down his coffee and jumped to his feet. Any memory of their previous conversation was quickly forgotten as he turned to Inez. "Get to your quarters." He ordered tautly and then hurried past the woman, joining made the exodus out of Four Corners with the rest of the crew. Within minutes, Four Corners seemed like a ghost town with half empty glasses of beverages and forgotten data pads, replacing the tumbleweeds and dust blown street devoid of life.

Chris was striding forcefully towards the nearest turbo lift when he tapped his com badge. "Larabee here, what’s going on?"

"The buffer has been breached Chris." Buck’s voice betrayed the tension of the moment. Chris could well understand that, who could remain calm at a time like this?

"I’ll be there shortly."

The door to the turbo lift slid open just as he made his approach and he joined the other crew men inside who were rushing to their place on the ship. Their faces showed their fear and for that Chris felt somewhat gratified. He did not like to think that he was the only one who felt fear even if he was the one person on the ship who could not show it.

II

When he arrived on the bridge the klaxons had become silent although the angry red glow of the alert still blinked on and off under their panels. As the first officer sighted him, Chris saw Buck immediately vacating the Captain’s chair and taking the first officer’s seat alongside it. The bridge seemed to be the epicentre of all the excitement. The tension present was as sharp as a razor’s edge and everyone present seemed to be walking on it.

All senior bridge officers were present at their posts, with gazes that alternated from the view screen before them and the consoles at their individual stations. As Chris looked at the viewer, he could understand their fixation. Although the energy field projected by the ship was invisible to the naked eye, it was clear that something had entered its web. Strands of energy were cackling across the space as an image of something trapped within it began fading in and out of existence. While these flashes were too rapid for him to make out exactly what they were seeing, the ship’s computer was no doubt recording the event and that would be useful for analysis at later time.

He had taken no more than a few steps onto the bridge when Buck who was eager to deliver his report on the present situation greeted Chris. "What’s happening?" the captain demanded, wasting no time as he placed himself in his chair.

"The intruder penetrated the energy field approximately 67 seconds ago. Unfortunately, the method used to shift phase is extremely effective, it is still maintaining the integrity of its cloak. Our attempts to scan the vessel has been ineffective at this point.. However, I don’t believe they consider us a threat yet. It has not withdrawn from the buffer zone. We do detect low level energy readings consistent with sensor beams. I think they are trying to analyse how we are generating it. "

"They’re holding position." Chris observed. "That’s a sign of a great deal of confidence."

"Captain," Buck spoke again. "I recommend we intensify the field. It appears that we’ve succeeded in weakening their cloak, we should continue doing so."

Chris disagreed with that. Although the intruder was still hidden by its cloak, the Maverick sensors were capable of locking onto its position with the brief images they had since the ship was holding position. Even as Buck was speaking, he could see shades of grey flash into existence before their eyes. The ship was larger than anything he had ever seen. While much of it remained concealed, Chris could see that its size easily eclipsed that of a Borg vessel nor did it have an unimaginative cube design. The bursts of static energy became more frenzied and with each eruption, more of the alien vessel began to appear.

"I don’t think so, Commander." Chris said firmly. "If their cloak is completely compromised, then their shields will go up. At this moment, we are in the best position we will ever be to neutralise them. I say we don’t waste the chance." At that he turned to Ezra. "Security, get a target lock on them immediately."

Ezra nodded and let his fingers fly over the security console to comply with the order. "Target acquired Sir." He called out after a moment. Alex had adjusted their phasers to emit the same kind of energy that the buffer was using in order to cut through the intruder’s cloak and bring the ship back to normal phase during detonation. If they had the chance to utilise either the phasers or the quantum torpedoes with this adjustment then it was possible for them to strike a serious blow to the enemy despite its cloaking system.

"Charge all weapons." Chris instructed. "We may only get one shot at this."

"Captain, recommend that we make an attempt at communication." Mary suggested. "We should at least offer a greeting or even a warning of some kind."

"I’m sorry Mary." Chris said abruptly. "Under normal circumstances, I would be the first to agree with you but we’ve already shown too much weakness. We have them in the open, we may never get another opportunity."

"Understood Sir." She said compliantly. Despite her abhorrence to violence, Mary could not deny the realities of this situation. The intruder was here and it was vulnerable. After the destruction of Colonies 1 and 4 and who knows how many others, first blood had already been drawn. The time for civilised behaviour had passed. In truth, the very notion of war was an atrocity in itself. Attaching a set of rules to that kind of behaviour seemed pointless. Besides, no matter how much she tried not think about it, her son was on this ship.

"Lock on photon torpedoes and fire at will, Ezra." Chris ordered. His eyes were firmly fixed on the image of the vessel in his view screen. The security chief was similarly focussed on the security console panel and moved swiftly complete his demand. Like Chris, he too felt the need to attack now was imperative. Ezra did not believe their advantage, if it was that at all, would last very long. However, as he studied the readings on her console he was forced to re-evaluate that estimation drastically.

"Captain!" Ezra exclaimed. "I’m reading a large energy build up. I think they’re charging some sort of weapon."

Chris looked up sharply in time to catch the emergence of a silvery bolt of energy escaping from the intruder’s unseen weapons array. "Evasive pattern Delta!" The captain shouted.

Vin knew the reference and immediately, reversed thrusters at maximum warp just the energy bolt reached them. His skills though excellent were not enough to keep them from taking the brunt of the energy blast. The Maverick was flung backwards as if a child had swatted it away like an unwanted toy. Across the saucer section of the ship, the blast triggered a series of eruptions under the duranium plate shielding of the ship. Bulkheads ruptured and emergency containment force fields fell into place.

Everything that was not bolted down on the bridge went flying in all directions. Chris had only managed to stay in his chair by holding on to its arms as tightly as possible. In the background, he could see every console on the bridge coming alive with warning lights. As the science station began to hiss with tendrils of smoke and bursts of static energy, Ezra tore Alex away from her console just as it shattered beneath her. The blast sent pieces of glass upward like the spray from a geyser. Chris did not even want to think what would have happened if she had caught the shrapnel in the face.

He saw Buck on the floor where the first office had been thrown. A streak of blood was escaping from the cut on his right ear where he had been cut by the spray of glass. Chris himself was all right but judging from the angle of space before him, it was obvious that they were no longer moving and one of their thrusters had been damaged.

Mary was at his feet and he immediately reached for her to help her up. She appeared dazed and her hair was tousled over her face but she seemed unharmed.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly as he helped her back into her chair next to him.

"Yes," she answered, brushing her hair back, clearly afraid but trying her best to hide it. "I’m fine." She said with a smile and gave him leave to see to the rest of his crew with a look. Chris nodded in understanding and returned his attention to his ship and the rest of his crew.

"Damage report!" He demanded.

A response took a moment but eventually it came. "Science station is destroyed." Alex answered breathlessly trying to control the pain she was in. "We absorbed enough energy to short out every overload circuit on the Maverick. We are lucky that most of the bridge systems are still on line."

Chris did not think they were that fortunate. As he looked at the viewer before him, he could see the intruder’s ship had disappeared once again. No doubt, this initial attack was to keep the Maverick from intensifying the energy field and rendering their cloak ineffective. However, now that their cloak was fully operational again, it meant the intruder could be anywhere.

"Engineering, damage report."

His words hung in the air and Ezra felt his chest pounding, praying that Julia was all right even though he should be focussed on the rest of the ship. He could not help it, she was becoming more to him than Ezra had thought any woman could possibly be in his heart. He did not want to imagine the possibility that she was hurt.

There was no answer. For a few terrible seconds, Chris wondered if anyone was still alive in engineering. He was struck with the awful though that everyone was dead and he did not like one bit how such a possibility felt to him. "Engineering, please respond." Chris repeated himself and raised his eyes to meet Buck. Neither man wanted to say the worst out loud but it hung in the air like a pregnant drop of water, waiting to fall.

"Lieutenant Pemberton here Sir." Her voice was heard after what seemed like an eternity.

Everyone on the bridge seemed to let out a visible sigh of relief. Although Ezra was hiding the true extent of his pleasure at hearing her voice, he was nonetheless extremely grateful that she was alive and well.

"Glad you’re still with us," Chris said quickly, wanting to waste no time by expressing his feelings on her state of health. "What’s our status?"

"The warp engine is off line. The energy burst was meant only to disable main power so that we would be forced to disengage the buffer field we were using to disrupt their cloak." She explained quickly. "We have impulse speed but our long range sensors are down and we are utilising reserves and battery power until we are able to bring the warp engines back on line."

That did not sound good. "Do we at least have phaser power?" Chris asked.

"I can provide you with ten minutes of power to the phasers before we are forced to disengage. Extended use will endanger our energy reserves. We will be floating dead in space."

It was better than nothing and at least they would be able to get out of here alive. "Understood but we need thruster control immediately Lieutenant."

"I already have a team working on it Sir. Thrusters should be functioning in approximately two minutes.

"We may not have two minutes." He retorted. "We’re hanging dead and easy prey. Get it done now. Larabee out."

"Ezra," Chris turned to the security chief. "Can we get re-establish that torpedo lock on the intruder at all?"

Ezra did not answer but it was obvious that he would try no matter how much the odds were against it. "I will see what I can do Sir." He had been tending to the cuts and bruises on Alex and JD but hurried back to his console. Chris saw his brow furrow in frustration as he tried to make some light of the readings before him. "I am sorry Captain but the long range sensors are down. The hostile would have get pretty close before a perimeter alert is sounded. I will attempt to boost the gain to our short range scanners."

"Without the buffer field, our sensors are ineffective Captain." Alex groaned. "They’re probably under cloak again."

"Which means their shields are still down." Chris retorted and thought quickly. They still the advantage of the enemy ship not being able to use its shield until its cloak was disengaged. No matter how powerful they were, the intruder would not be able to raise its shields until the cloak was fully disengaged. It was not much of an advantage but it was the only one they had.

"Captain," Vin called out. The Vulcan was fighting the urge to go to Alex but knew their survival depended upon his remaining at his post. "Thruster control just came back online."

"Ezra, how are we going on locating the intruder?" Chris asked again.

"I am still not detecting anything Captain." Ezra answered. Even with Buck at his side working to increase their signal gain on the short-range sensors, he could find nothing tangible at which they could aim.

"Vin." Chris said quickly. "Take us towards the Vikaris Quasar. Evasive pattern Beta."

"Yes Sir." The helmsman nodded and fed the order into his console. The Maverick began moving immediately at full impulse speed, zig zagging throughout space as it tried to avoid giving its invisible opponent a target at which to fire.

"Incoming!" Ezra suddenly shouted as he saw the high energy burst appear on the console screen before him.

The Maverick banked hard as a bolt of energy streaked past her bow so closely that Chris could almost feel it graze their hind quarter. The ship lurched forward slightly but suffered no other ill effects as it continued its hasty departure towards the Quasar.

"Target the phasers in the direction of that last blast and fire in a full spread!" Chris ordered again. "That ought to keep them off balance long enough for us to get to the Quasar! Vin, I want to swing around the mass’s circumference and skim as close enough so that the electromagnetic interference obscures the intruder’s sensors." The manoeuvre was tricky but Vin was without question the finest helmsman that Chris had ever seen and if anyone could get this ship to do what it needed to save all their lives, Chris was sure it would the Vulcan.

"I’m on it." Vin said confidently, none of the insecurities that dogged him present in his voice as he moved the great ship.

The Maverick made a sharp turn and started flying directly for the huge stellar mass. The sheer size of it soon eclipsed the viewer until all they could see was a radiating screen of power white light. The ship heaved as the phasers were fired.

"Give us a rear view." Chris said to no one in particular. In a moment, the image of the view screen revealed the phaser blast travelling away from the Maverick in an expanding web. As they detonated in succession, Chris saw a shimmer of energy in one particular spot. He let out a sigh of relief realising that Alex’s idea to outfit the phasers and the torpedoes to penetrate the cloak had worked. The hull of the intruder's ship became visible for a moment. "Ezra, lock on quantum torpedoes to that location and fire!" He ordered again.

The quantum torpedoes exploded from the ship in rapid succession striking that area where that image had faded in and out of existence again.. The first and second impacted nothing but the last two reached their target and Chris saw a flare in the darkness. Immediately, the hull of the intruder’s vessel became visible again. Judging from the charred marks across its surface, Chris estimated they had managed to do some damage.

"Should we fire again Sir?" Ezra asked even though the urge to park fifty torpedoes down the enemy’s gullet was very tempting.

"No." Chris said after a moment. "We’ve got the chance to make a getaway, let’s not waste it. We need to be in better shape then we are now before we force another confrontation. If they put up their shields and come after us, we’re finished. Stand down for now, Lieutenant."

Ezra nodded in understanding. The Maverick was not just a Starfleet ship. She carried the families of almost everyone on board. The Captain was not willing to risk their lives when the odds were stacked against them and Ezra agreed with that assertion. "Aye Sir."

"Captain, we are entering the event horizon of the quasar," Buck announced.

"Good," Chris nodded. "I take it that sensors are now ineffective?"

"Yes Sir," the navigation officer answered. "We are operating on pre-programmed co-ordinates."

Prior to the engagement, JD had entered the co-ordinates on how close they could approach the quasar to remain hidden but keep from frying themselves in the process. Since they could not rely on their sensors to guide them, Vin would have to fly the ship using the guidance of the ship’s navigational computers. On the viewer, Chris could see nothing but static as the electromagnetic fields generated by the quasar had rendered it effective, neither could they tell if the intruder was in pursuit or not. Since they were still in one piece, Chris assumed that for now they were safe.

Taking a deep breath, Chris rose from his chair to assess how much damage had been done to the bridge. There was shattered glass everywhere, live wires hanging from open conduits and damaged panels. The red emergency light was flashing although no one was taking any interest in it. For a moment, he was struck by the image of the Rutherford during those last few minutes prior to her demise. Chris sincerely hoped the Maverick would not meet its fate the same way. He had barely the opportunity to get to know this ship and his people and was determined not to lose either.

Ezra was kneeling over Alex who was resting against the wall opposite her damage station. Judging from the scorched marks on the skin of her arms and the redness on her face, the woman had suffered some severe injuries. JD was nursing an awful cut on his forehead, that was kept from gushing only because he was holding the sleeve of his uniform against the wound.

Chris went to Buck and saw his old friend wipe a smear of blood from his cut ear. "That could have gone better." He remarked.

"We’re alive Captain," Darien answered. "And I believe we gave them something to think about as well."

"Not that we could tell." Chris sighed. "Still, we survived our first round and we have some useful data about their ship."

"Chris," Buck replied. "The odds weren’t in our favour to survive the first encounter so we’ve done okay by any standard."

"Chris looked at Buck with a faint smile. "You’re such an optimist."

Buck let out a weary sigh as if it this was one of those things that he had to put up with when dealing with Chris. "I’m just calling it as I see it."

"Right," the captain retorted mischievously. "Now, go away and do your first officer stuff."

Buck rolled his eyes and went to get Alex to the SickBay, leaving Chris alone for a moment. He turned to Mary who was watching the view screen, mesmerised by the approaching quasar as Vin brought the Maverick closer to the stellar phenomenon. "You alright?" He asked tenderly.

She turned to him and nodded. "Is it always this exciting on a starship?" She asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"Oh yeah," he said feigning nonchalance. "This is quiet. You ought to be around when the action really heats up."

Mary chuckled slightly and replied. "Ooh I can’t wait."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I

"I will say this for them, they are persistent!" Chris spoke over the sound of the thundering reverberating shaking his ship. It had been almost a day since their encounter with the intruder’s vessel. During that time, the Maverick had been periodically altering its position across the event horizon of the quasar in order to avoid the concussion blasts being hurled at them. As the electromagnetic interference from the Vikaris Quasar obscured sensor capabilities of both ships, the intruder, determined not to let them escape started using a different tactic to draw them from their hiding place. Utilising concussion charges, they had been bombarding the area mercilessly for the past twenty hours. Fortunately, the sheer size of the stellar mass made it impossible for them to cause any real damage aside from the incessant noise moving through the hull of the Maverick.

"Captain," Buck said trying to sound unperturbed in the face of the constant pounding to which the ship was being subjected. "I advise we move the ship again. Judging from the internal sensors, the last detonation was 20 kilometres from our port bow."

"Carry on commander." Chris agreed.

"Vin," Buck walked up to helm control, having decided against trying to compete with the noise to be heard. "Thrusters only, proceed 26 degrees to vector 8 for precisely ten minutes."

Although nothing could see seen on the viewer in front of him, Chris had become accustomed to his ship to know the sounds its engines made. He could feel it when the ship was moving, recognise the change of tone when she came to a standstill or when she slipped into warp. Technically, inertial dampeners were supposed to prevent him from feeling anything but Chris did not believe any amount of technology could sever the bond between a captain and his vessel. Even now, he could feel the thrusters being ignited as they slowly glided forward..

Despite the chaos around them, the Maverick was holding up well. At the moment, members of the engineering staff were scattered across the bridge, repairing consoles and getting vital bridge systems back online. All overload circuits had to be replaced and then enhanced considerably to avoid a repeat performance should they come under similar fire again. Most of the bridge crew present were junior officers. Chris had sent most of his senior officers to get some well-needed rest. However, Buck had declined the offer citing the first officer’s place was on the bridge with his captain. Chris did not even try to argue that statement since Buck would have found some way to remain on the bridge no matter what.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured during the attack. Although third degree burns could be considered severe, most of the injuries sustained were superficial, being cuts, bruises and burns. Alex was still in SickBay, being treated for her injuries. She had sustained third degree burns to her hands and Nathan did not want to release her prematurely, despite Alex’s vehement insistent at returning to duty. Chris had acquiesced enough to allow her to attend the staff meeting later.

In the meantime, Josiah was hard at work, providing counselling to the families and children on board whom no doubt were having anxieties about their present situation. However, for most part, crew morale seemed better than he expected. Although they had been forced to withdraw from the engagement, they managed to do so in light of their opponents' abilities was reason enough to feel some measure of pride at their durability.

"Hold position, Vin." Buck’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Suddenly, the reverberations rocking the ship seem to ebb away into the distance. In Chris’s estimation, the respite would not be for long. After all, he had to be realistic. They had been playing this game with the enemy for some time now. It would not take long for the intruder to realise that they had slipped from under the net of concussion charges again. Like before, the intruder would recalibrate its target area and the game would resume once more.

"Well." Chris let out a sigh as Buck returned to his seat next to the Captain’s chair. "At least it will be quiet when the senior staff meeting begins. I wonder how long they will keep this up."

"As long as it takes to locate us." Buck returned automatically. "Chris, you realise the moment we emerge from the shadow of this quasar, they’ll find us."

"I am aware of that." Chris said tautly. "Unfortunately, we don’t seem to have a great deal of options. We have to face them."

"I agree," Buck nodded. "However, perhaps we should think about calling n reinforcements Chris."

Chris looked at him sharply, disliking that idea immediately.

He knew his reasons were partially selfish but he could not help it. This was his first true test as Captain of the Maverick. Although he tried not be swayed by feelings of inadequacy by asking for help so soon after his promotion, Chris could not bring himself to take that course of action yet. Aside from his own self-interests, there was also another issue to be considered. The intruder was one ship. The point of all this beyond stopping the intruder’s incursions into Federation space was to provide a convincing deterrent should this be a prelude to invasion. Somehow, summoning a fleet of starships to deal with one enemy vessel was a declaration of weakness they could ill afford to make. This was a test of strength and he knew it. Chris was convinced facing them in equal numbers was the only way to ensure the future safety of the Federation.

"Not just yet." Chris answered after a few seconds' deliberations. "The time may come when I will be forced to take that course of action but for now, I rather us be the only one in the line of fire."

"Even if we are destroyed?" Buck asked again.

Chris wondered if he was being intentionally brutal or was it simply realism. For the sake of their cohesion, he decided it was the latter. "If we are destroyed, none of this debate will matter." He responded. "If invasion is their goal then our dying will prove they are more than a match for any Starfleet vessel. I prefer to give them a good fight before that happens. However, we have proved that ingenuity can hurt them. We beat the Borg by being innovative, I have to believe we can do the same here."

"We need more information on what they are." Buck mused out loud. "While all evidence seems to indicate an invasion of the Federation, there are elements that just don’t fit."

"Explain." Chris asked Buck to elaborate. Although he understood those curious elements his first officer was alluding to, Chris wanted Buck’s input on them. If there was one thing that Chris had learnt in the short time he had served with Buck, their difference worked and now more than ever, that method of deduction was absolutely essential.

"If this was an invasion, why such unusual targets?" Buck asked. "There are far more sensible targets for an invasion force to test themselves against then defenceless Federation colonies. Deep Space Five is less than ten lights years away. That has got to be a more reasonable target. During the Romulan incursions into our space in the last century, they tested themselves against a starbase. Even the Cardassians and the Dominion have been reluctant to engage colonies until actual declarations of war were made. While I still think that this is an elaborate experiment, I can’t understand why." He confessed.

"Perhaps, there is no rationale to their behaviour, Buck." Chris countered. "We assume that they operate under logical codes of behaviour but their reasons my be so alien to what we know that we would never have considered it. Until we met the Borg, it was beyond our belief that a civilisation could function the way they do."

"That is true but we’re missing the crucial element to this situation and it is vital for our well being."

Chris did not doubt that one bit, but like Buck he was at a loss to guess what that could be. Instead, he eased back into his chair and tried to focus on something else for a change. A clear mind was as important as good health, Josiah always said. He had been thinking of nothing else but the intruder the past few days and he was sure that Buck was doing the same as well. Perhaps a change of subject might be in order. Standing up, he walked over to the helm station to see how Vin was doing. The Vulcan appeared to be in deep thought as he maintained the ship’s position next to the quasar. "How are you doing Vin?" He asked.

Vin met his gaze immediately. The question had taken the Vulcan by complete surprise and his expression showed. "I’m doing okay Chris." Vin replied, aware that the Captain did not mind being called by his first name when they were speaking privately.

Chris had read Vin’s personal record and knew that his parents had died when he was five years old. His foster family was on their way back to the Federation when they crashed into an uncharted world and were marooned there for many years until they were eventually rescued. Vin had then been transported back to Earth with his family and had resided at their ranch in Texas. Since it was almost impossible to identify his Vulcan parents, no attempt had been made and the boy had become something of a problem to Vulcan authorities since he was too old to adopt their disciplines or live according to their harsh way of life. If Vin had any Vulcan left within him, it was existed in only the slightest degree

"You did good Vin," Chris commended. "No one could have gotten us out there any faster."

"Thank you," the young man answered trying not to become affected by the captain’s praise. "Is Alex gonna be okay?" He asked after a moment. He had been at this station ever since the attack and had not much chance to see about her welfare. When he had stopped in on SickBay, Nathan had explained that she was still undergoing treatment.

"According to Doctor Jackson, she driving them crazy to let her out of sick bay." Chris explained. Buck had told him about the incident in Four Corners that had the ship buzzing with the rumour that the Vulcan was having a relationship with Alex. Inez who had witnessed the scene had set people straight but it was obvious that the kiss had a profound effect on Vin.

"Good." He nodded, please to know that she was alright before he returned his gaze to the console before him.

"You’re from Texas aren’t you?" Chris asked.

"Yeah." Vin replied. "My parents had a horse ranch up there."

"It’s a lot like Vulcan there you know." Chris revealed, aware that Vin had never visited his home world. "Hot and dry. I’ve never been there myself. I’m from Boston originally."

"Your father was an English Professor." Vin stated.

Obviously, he had done a little investigation on his captain as well, Chris thought with a faint smile. Well, that was fair. "Yes, I spent most of my childhood in his campus library at Harvard University. Dad believed no data pad could enhance the reading experience like traditional leather bound books."

Vin considered that point before responding. "My mother was a xenobiologist at the Academy of Science and she liked keeping her records on paper. I still have a lot of her books."

For a moment, Chris saw something that was akin to deep affection in the Vulcan’s expression. Chris knew then without even asking that Vin and his mother had an extremely close relationship. Perhaps as close as he and his own father had been. "I would never get rid of them myself." Chris commented.

"You’ve been to Vulcan?" Vin asked.

"A long time ago," Chris replied. "I had a furlough there."

He remembered visiting the famous Vulcan landmark when he was an ensign. Seleya was majestic mountain covered in red earth that seemed to be holding the amber sky on its shoulders. Chris recalled thinking that only a planet full of logicians could produce one of the most mystical places in the galaxy. Seleya held the spirit of Vulcan history in every grain of red sand and rock on its mantle. Only Ulluru in the Australian Outback could possibly match it for sheer spiritual mystery.

"Perhaps you should go for a visit on the holo-deck." He suggested.

"I don’t know." Vin replied.

"I tell you what, permitting we survive this week. I’ll go with you." Chris offered.

"That is not necessary." Vin retorted.

"Nonsense," Chris replied deciding he was not taking no for an answer. "It will be my pleasure."

Anything else Vin might have said in protest remained unspoken at the sudden opening of the turbo lifts doors. Julia made her appearance with Nathan and Alex for their scheduled meeting.

Chris let out a sigh as he turned to Buck. "I’m afraid we’ll have to continue this later Vin. Buck. Its time to rally the troops."

II

"All in all captain, the civilian crew members are holding up well." Josiah completed his brief summary on the emotional state of the crew. "They seem to believe that if the situation was truly critical you would have separated the ship by now. As you haven’t done that yet, it is proving to be a measure of your confidence that we will come out of this safe."

Chris listed to Josiah’s report and wondered if the Counsellor had any idea how close he had come to making the decision to separate the saucer section. If he had this day to live over again, he was uncertain whether or not he would have kept from giving that order. While he had planned their strategy on using the quasar as their safety net should they need a place to hide, even he had to acknowledge that the Vikaris Quasar was only a temporary measure. Chris could not deny that the issue of saucer separation had been in mind since escaping into the sphere of the quasar.

"Thank you Counsellor," Chris said in return. "Your efforts to bolster confidence have been exemplary." At that, he looked to Buck. "What’s next?"

"Engineering." Buck answered.

"Right," he nodded and faced Julia. "What is the status of the warp engines at this point?"

"The warp engines are online, however, I require another three hours for my engineering team to complete work on reinforcing all our overload circuitry. Should we encounter the intruder again, I would like to prevent the same damage from recurring."

Chris could not disagree with that statement. "A wise precaution." He nodded. "I think we can hold position for that amount of time. However, we need to strengthen our shielding considerably. Their weapon came straight through us."

"We are attempting to divert more energy to the shields." Julia replied automatically as if she had expected that response. "However, our shields were barely capable of preventing the weapon from completely destroying us. It may be a case of our shields being unable to compete with that amount of power." She retorted.

"Captain," Ezra spoke up after a moment. "Alex and I have been working on an idea after our analysis of their weapon." He glanced at the injured science officer before returning his gaze to the captain.

"I am open to suggestions." Chris replied.

"Despite our last encounter with the intruder," Ezra began, "we did have the opportunity to observe this weapon of theirs. As we knew before hand, their weapon works on destabilising the atomic bonds of all forms of matter, be it energy or solid objects. That is why, they were able to obliterate Colony 1 and 4 so completely and why our shields were almost powerless against it."

He was not saying anything that none of them were unaware of but Chris allowed him to continue anyway, confident that this summary was only a prelude to the idea he and Alex had developed.

"Go on." He urged however, reminding Ezra subtlety that time did not allow for overly lengthy explanations.

Ezra was wise enough to catch the hidden meaning and came quickly to the point. "Alex and I believe that it is possible for us to develop a defence against this weapon. Since our phasers already work on a modulating frequency which adjust phaser power to penetrate Borg shielding, I do not see why we cannot adapt our shields in the same manner."

"You mean to adapt our shields to function as Borg shields?" Julia declared.

"No," Alex spoke up instead, knowing that she was better able to take up this part of the explanation than Ezra was. "I mean adapting our shield using the same principle if not the method. This weapon destabilises atomic bonds. What if we keep rotating the shield modulation continuously, so their weapon is unable to get a fix on our shield frequency long enough to effect its subatomic structure. Our shields are energy based and are created on the basis of altering the phase mode of energy particles. It too has an individual frequency the intruder’s weapons have to define before it can be destabilise. If our computers can keep altering the frequency at short, random intervals, we may be able to keep their weapon from damaging us as substantially as before."

"It will be a tremendous drain on our power reserves." Julia stated firmly.

"I agree," Ezra argued. "However, it’s better than no defence at all. They crippled us from just one blast. Any advantage we can get is better than nothing at all. Each time they have to recalibrate their weapons to penetrate our shields, is time we have to attack or if necessary escape."

"That’s a good point." Chris spoke up, impressed with the duo’s work. "How soon can you get the shields adapted for this?"

Alex looked at Ezra before speaking. "With Ezra’s help and an extra pair of hands from Engineering, we can get it online in five hours."

"Is that acceptable to you Lieutenant?" Chris looked at Julia. "Can you spare a member of your team?"

"No problem that." The engineer remarked neutrally.

"I do see a problem." Nathan who had been quietly listening until now spoke. He was eyeing Alex sharply. "Alex, you ought to be resting. You are still not completely recovered from your injuries."

"I feel fine." She protested grumbled.

"I wouldn’t argue with the doctor if I were you." Chris offered Alex that sympathetic piece of advice.. "Besides, I have to agree with the Doctor. Five hours of the kind of work you intend may be pushing it a little. Dermal regeneration if I am not mistaken works only if the patient is sensible enough to get some rest."

"Precisely." Nathan retorted.

"Buck," Chris turned to Buck "Is there any reason why you can’t assist Ezra with this work if Mr Alex gave you her specs?"

Buck shrugged, meeting Ezra’s gaze and then Alex’s. "None whatsoever Captain. I’m sure Commander Styles has done considerable research and calculations into the shield modulation and I don’t see any difficult in working from her specs."

At that, Alex seemed a little happier. Chris knew that compromise would appease the doctor and his science officer. "Since we are all agreed on that, let’s move on." Chris announced. "Now, we need to seriously discuss the possibility of separating the ship."

At that, the room went deadly silent. A moment ago, the talk in the room was filled with the possibility of showing the intruder that they were a force to be reckoned with. However, now it appeared that the Captain was not as confident as he appeared to be at all regarding their chances. Chris noticed the sudden silence in the room and realised immediately what was going through their heads.

"Look," he said quickly. "Don’t look so shocked. I’m not admitting defeat in any case however, we should be prepared if we are forced to exercise that option. Separating the ship is going to be a last resort that I am far from contemplating at the moment."

After making that announcement, he saw his staff release a sigh of relief knowing that this was merely a precautionary discussion and not a fatalistic one. "Now," Chris began again once he had their undivided attention. "Ensign Dunne, I believe you have a command level training?"

JD nodded mutely. "Yes I have," he answered. Obviously, it was not a request often made of him.

"Good," he replied without missing a beat. "In the event of separation, you will join the saucer section."

He looked as if he might protest but did not when he realised that the command was the correct one. If the saucer section were to separate, then they needed one of the bridge officers to take command. JD did not like having to leave but understood why the Captain was making the order. "Yes Sir."

"That goes for you too Nathan." Chris said quickly.

"You’ll need a doctor." Nathan objected as Chris knew he would.

"The EMH program will do in a pinch and you’re needed on saucer section where the bulk of the crew will be." Chris replied, preparing himself to do battle with the doctor on this issue.

"Those damn things are not a real doctor!" Nathan retorted. "If the program is damaged in any way, you will be without medical assistance. I have plenty of junior doctors under my command who can provide medical support to the saucer section. I should remain on board."

"Captain," Buck spoke up suddenly. "He ‘s right."

Nathan seemed genuinely surprise to receive support from such an unexpected quarter but he did not question it.

"All right," Chris conceded. "You can stay." However, nothing was changing Chris’ next decision. "Josiah, you’re going though."

"But...." the Counsellor started to protest.

"I’m sorry but there will be a lot of frightened people on the saucer section, you need to be there to deal with them." Chris said firmly.

The look on Chris face told Josiah that the Captain would be unmoveable on this particular subject. Although Josiah did not want his first assignment on a ship to be his last, he started to realise that it was not his decision to make. These were risks Josiah was very aware of when he signed on board and that included obeying the Captain’s orders no matter what their personal relationship.

"If you think its best." He nodded in agreement.

"I do.’ Chris replied, glad that Josiah understood his reasoning. This exchange went unnoticed by the rest of the crew and Chris’s only indication to Josiah was a slight nod of acknowledgement.

"All right," Chris said after a moment. "If that’s all there is, you’re all dismissed."

After all, they could not waste time preparing themselves for Round Two.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I

Although it was good to see the stars once again, Chris knew this feeling was only temporary. The viewer displayed a dazzling array of stars that was a welcome sight after being able to see nothing but the blinding white light emanating from the Vikaris Quasar. Once the repairs on the ship were finally completed and the shields were adapted to combat the intruder, Chris knew there was no more reason to delay their emergence from the shadow of the phenomenon. He knew that the intruder was waiting for them because the past five hours had seen the resumption of the concussion charges. While they were never in danger of actually being hit, Chris knew the anxiety of the crew had surged upon hearing the ship shudder from the force of multiple shock waves once again.

Now there was nothing beyond space but silence and to him, that silence was almost as disconcerting as the sound of those concussions blasts. The sounds he could hear were familiar to him. The beeping of instrument panels and computer consoles that sang with each activation of its touch sensitive controls. No one seemed to be speaking because everyone was focussed on their job. Ezra Standish was at his security station. Chris noticed that he seemed to be devoid of all expression when he was singularly focussed on something. Chris could see his sea-coloured eyes studying the devices at his station with razor sharp precision. Alex was still recuperating in sickbay with Nathan so Buck was taking up post at the science station. The first officer was scanning for the intruder. Chris did not even have to ask to know that.

Julia was the newest addition to the bridge crew. Normally, she would be in her domain in Engineering. However, in light of all the extra modifications the ship had made to itself in order to combat the intruder, the Chief Engineer had chosen to take up the engineering station on the bridge. As her fingers glided across the lit panel, Chris could tell that she was tired. Her efforts to get the ship back to fully operating status meant that she had been awake since their entry into Vikaris almost a day and half ago. He actually considered telling her to get some sleep but knew she would not take it well.

"Any signs of the intruder yet?" Chris asked, perhaps realising the silence needed to be broken for it kept the mood of the bridge grim and tense.

"Not at this time." Buck replied automatically. "However, if they’ve gone to cloak, it is likely we won’t detect them until they penetrate the aniotic field again."

Chris considered his option and then spoke out. "Helm, proceed at Warp 4 to Deep Space Five."

"Aye Sir." Vin replied in his cool laconic voice.

"Let’s see what the intruder will do if they think we’re heading home." Chris said to Buck.

"Is it wise forcing their hand Sir?" Ezra inquired.

"We’ve got to face them sometime." He answered as he rose from the captain’s chair and started pacing the narrow passage between the helm and navigation station. The stars in the viewer suddenly leapt towards the bridge as the Maverick slipped effortlessly into warp. The powerful hum of the warp nacelles vibrated throughout the ship, propelling them further and further away from the quasar.

Satisfied, he returned to the captain’s chair even though he knew that they would not reach Deep Space Five as planned. The intruder was determined to catch the Maverick. Chris did not believe the situation had not altered in any way during these past hours to force them into giving up their pursuit. As he nestled himself back in the seat of his command, Chris waited. A breath of anticipation was ready to escape his lungs at the earliest provocation. After a moment of staring at the quasar that was rapidly shrinking in the view screen before him, he closed his eyes and allowed his thoughts to pool into a well inside his head.

It would not be long now.

Chris had developed an almost mystical sense about the intruders. He knew what was coming as surely as he imagined he heard the intruder’s engines bringing them closer to the Maverick through the vacuum of space.

"Captain," Buck spoke.

Chris opened his eyes. This was it.

"Yes Commander?" He responded without looking at the first officer.

"My long range scanners pick up a high concentration of chromaton particles. It is moving at transwarp speed."

The surprise the Captain expected him to show, never came because Chris Larabee had expected this. It had only been a matter of time. "How long until intercepts?"

"Judging from the proximity of the transwarp signature, in precisely 2 minutes and thirty five seconds." The commander replied with no traces of apprehension in his voice. Chris admired his ability to keep so calm.

"Red alert." Chris declared rising to his feet. "Security, arm all phasers banks and quantum torpedoes. Prepare for the aniotic bursts."

"Aye Sir." Ezra answered just as the alert panel lights and the emergency klaxons started flashing and screaming in shades of angry red.

"Commander, its time to see if our shield works."

In the viewer, they could see nothing of the intruder but Chris knew they were out there somewhere. The ship was no doubt fully cloaked, having repaired itself after the damage inflicted by the high intensity burst of aniotic radiation that allowed their phasers and torpedoes to penetrate its formidable cloak. It was an advantage that Chris was not giving up so easily even though the surprise factor was now gone. All phasers and torpedoes were now programmed to first emit the aniotic burst to force the intruder back to normal space where they would be vulnerable to conventional weapons. At least until the intruder raised its shields. If the Maverick was going to her death, then she would do so seeing her killer.

Presently however, they could still see nothing in the view screen. Chris was nonetheless confident that the second the intruder penetrated the aniotic field generated by the ship, everyone on board would be alerted of it. Behind him, he was aware that Ezra had signalled the readiness of the torpedoes and phasers. All that was now required, was him to give the command.

"Fire at will, Lieutenant." He ordered.

"Aye Sir." Ezra said with such calm that for a moment that Chris was not surprised he was unbeatable in poker or any other game where bluffing was required.

In the viewer, he could see the aniotic bursts of the programmed phasers and torpedoes. Flashes of energy cackled throughout the air, finding its target easily. Through the mass eruptions of aniotic energy and the following phaser blasts and torpedo detonations, Chris was able to make out the vague shape of the intruder’s vessel. It was difficult to define an exact description of the vessel. It moved across the bow of the Maverick, having slowed to warp speed in order to engage them. As it was bombarded by phaser energy and quantum torpedoes, it writhed as if a great behemoth attacked by a swarm of insignificant flies.

"The torpedoes are working!" Ezra exclaimed as another detonation from a quantum torpedo struck the hull inciting an explosion of dramatic colour.

"Repeat spread!" Chris ordered, unwilling to give up their momentary advantage until they had exploited every possible second of it.

As more and more of the ship became visible, the Maverick finally started to attain a complete if somewhat piece meal image of their attacker. The ship if it could be call that was more like a space station. It had an outer ring that appeared to control its primary propulsion and weapons systems. Within that initial ring was a solid sphere that was connected by a series of pylons and appeared to have no visible function other than one of balance. It looked like an enormous gyroscope and Chris wondered if this unusual shape controlled their method of propulsion. He could see what he thought was the front nose of the ship. That area was defined by little more than a slight protrusion on its perfect tubular outer ring. It was hard to make out the exact picture in his head. As quickly as the aniotic bursts brought them back into normal space, auxiliary systems forced the intruder back into its cloak once again to avoid providing the Maverick with a further target locks.

"Incoming!" Ezra announced as a volley of energy bolts escaped from the intruder’s gunnery ports.

"Brace for impact." Chris ordered and dug his fingers into the armrest of his chair. He glanced at Mary next to him and saw her fingers clenching the armrest of her chair with the same precaution. He cursed himself for allowing her to remain on the bridge, he should have sent her to the saucer section with her son.

The first blasts rock the Maverick dangerously. Some crewmembers lost their grip and hit the ground while others slammed into walls and into other stations.

"Shields holding." Buck replied over the chaos.

"Main power has decreased by 15 per cent." Julia added.

"They’re coming around for another pass!" Someone shouted and Chris thought it was Ezra.

"Fire quantum torpedoes!" Chris shouted deciding not to waste their phaser power. All other considerations could wait.

The second blast was just as potent as the first and Chris fell out of his chair, landing on his knee hard. Ignoring the flaring pain, he scrambled of the floor and return to his chair to see his crew doing the same. Buck was picking himself off the floor where he had fallen as well. Julia was still at her station but he could see by the positioning of her feet that she had fought hard to remain there. Ezra too, was firmly rooted to the spot. As security chief, he knew that it was next to paramount that he remained at his station no matter what calamity befell the ship.

Suddenly, he saw the ship bank hard to make another pass. As it did so, it appeared in normal space in all its entirety.

"Captain, we are getting full readings of the ship now. She is back in normal space." Buck retorted.

Chris’s heart sank because he knew what this meant.

"She has raised her shields." Buck spoke confirming Chris’s worst suspicions.

What kind of shield strength do they have?"

Buck decided to spare the Captain the technological specification of his sensor readings because it would avail them nothing. "Their shield strength is quadruple to ours. It is a highly dense energy field that our phasers or torpedoes will not be able to penetrate."

"Recommend that we do not make the attempt." Julia interjected after studying the readings herself. "Captain, we would place phaser power in jeopardy if we attempt to penetrate it."

Chris knew when a withdrawal was necessary. The quasar was still in approach distance. It had saved them once before. It would do so again. "Turn the ship around and take us back to the quasar!" He shouted at Vin.

Vin did not waste any time and let his fingers work the console even before the thought had been sent to his hands. The Maverick dipped sharply to its starboard side and fired all thrusters, forcing the ship into a tight loop away from the fully visible enemy. The intruder’s vessel took up the pursuit almost immediately.

"Chris, they’re in pursuit." Buck answered.

"Maximum warp." Chris retorted.

The hum of the warp engines grew louder until every surface of the ship was trembling with the use of so much power. Before them, the stars were just a blur.

"The intruder is matching our speed." He responded again.

"What speed are we travelling at." Chris asked. He knew maximum warp meant Warp 9 but if they were to escape, they had to be travelling even faster.

"Warp 9.3" Vin answered.

"Increase to Warp 9.5." He said taking a deep breath.

"Aye Sir." Vin nodded.

"Sir, they are directing an energy beam at us!" Ezra declared.

"Brace for impact!" Chris warned again.

"Captain, the configuration of this energy beam is different." Buck spoke.

"It is not a weapon." Julia chimed in as ball of bluish light suddenly appeared on the bridge. Everyone froze for a second as the energy beam moved across the bridge like a dancing ray of light.

"What is it?" Ezra retorted, pulling his phaser out to fire.

"Hold your fire!" Chris ordered, realising he was ready to shoot the thing. It had moved the helm and navigation, resting momentarily on Vin, who was trying to remain calm although the concern in his face was evident even though he did not appear to be afraid yet. Chris saw the young man ignoring the beam in order to concentrate on piloting the ship as the blue beam moved across her face and then her console. After a split second, it left him and the moved to Mary where it repeated the same manoeuvre.

"Captain, I believe it’s a probe." Julia announced.

Buck hurried next to her at her station and examined her readings. The energy configuration seemed right for such a function. "They’re taking a closer look at us." Somehow, that bothered him greatly.

The beam was moving through the bridge, taking stock of every piece of machinery and all crewmembers.

"Can we lock them out?" Chris demanded.

"Captain, we don’t even know how it is they are doing this, let alone stop it." Buck answered for the others.

"Vin, increase power to Warp 9.7" Chris ordered. "If we can’t destroy it, maybe we can escape from right under it."

"Sir, that is inadvisable." Julia spoke up. "Main power is already sustaining many systems beyond safety requirements, this could cause us irreparable damage."

"I am aware of that." Chris retorted without looking at her. His attention was focussed on the beam that had now nestled itself on the main computer. "Do it, Vin."

"Captain," Ezra looked up from her security station. "It is downloading our personnel files!"

"Our personnel files?" Chris looked at Buck with genuine puzzlement. "What the hell do they want with that?"

"Perhaps a name to put with their sensor scans of us." Buck ventured a guess and appeared just as troubled as he did.

"The intruder is adjusting its speed and course to match ours." Vin declared having taken over the navigation functions, while JD was on the saucer section. "They will intercept us in approximately 2 minutes."

It was starting to become apparently clear that they were not going to be able to escape the intruder and Chris was forced to face the possibility he least wanted to entertain. Capture. Taking a deep breath, he considered his rapidly decreasing options. However, his attention was momentarily distracted by the sudden disappearance of the probe.

"Where did it go?" Chris demanded.

Buck was already attempting to find out. Reports began coming in from other decks of the ship at the probe's appearance. "It is moving through the saucer section."

Meanwhile, Ezra was attempting quite hopelessly to lock out the data in the main computer from the probe who was simultaneously down loading information and conducting its investigation throughout the rest of the ship. Personnel files had been the first to be violated but soon other files were breached. He watched in rising anger as security files, engine specifications and every terabyte of information was torn from the main computer and down loaded to the enemy ship. "Captain, I cannot prevent the download. They are taking everything in the main computer."

That did it for Chris.

Chris took a deep breath and gave the order he did not want to. "All hands, prepare for emergency saucer separation. Repeat, all hands prepare for saucer separation."

"Captain, it is not advisable to separate the ship at this speed." Julia spoke up. Normally, she would not take such an adversarial position but the course of action he was attempting was dangerous beyond all calculation.

"Then you’re going to like what I’m about to do even less." He muttered. "Helm, increase speed to Warp 9.99. Push us as far as we can go, Vin."

Vin glanced over his shoulder. "Yes Sir."

"Captain, separating the ship at that velocity...." Julia started to say.

"Is possible and has been done before." Chris declared. "Lieutenant, I want you to monitor the separation process closely. While this can be done at Warp 9.9, there can be absolutely no margin for error."

"Lieutenant, carry out the order." Buck said firmly. It was not seemingly for her to question the captain in this way at a time like this. Buck had reached the same conclusion as the Captain as to the intruder’s intentions now and realised that it was imperative that they act now, whatever the consequences.

However dangerous saucer separation was at this speed, allowing the bulk of the crew to remain under these circumstances was far worse.

II

Chris had wished that the christening of the battle bridge would have come under less dire circumstances but knew that such a thought was a ludicrous one any way. After all, the battle bridge would only be utilised in the event of saucer separation and this did not occur unless the situation was extreme, which it was in this case. Chris had not wish to initiate saucer separation but circumstances had deteriorated to such a state that he was unwilling to risk the bulk of his crew any further. With their shields fully raised, the intruder who was having no trouble keeping up with them had not attacked with their formidable arsenal. Instead, they were keeping in close pursuit and had sent a probe to assess the inhabitants of the Maverick. Chris believed that the intruder might now have a scientific interest in catching up to them.

He was not about to allow the intruder the opportunity to turn his crew into laboratory rats.

With the bridge crew having vacated the main bridge and having relocated to the untested battle bridge. The battle bridge, located in the starboard section of the Maverick, was smaller and more compact. It was not ergonomically designed like the main bridge and its appearance was similar in design to the constitution class ships of a century before. Its design had been geared for functionality as opposed to aesthetics. Chris seated himself in his command chair and decided immediately, that it left a lot to be desired for comfort. After a second of trying to get himself nestled in, he gave up altogether and stood up.

"The intruder is matching our speed at 9.99." Ezra stated, forcing all of them to push aside their unfamiliarity of the new environment to the problem at hand.

"I knew they would." Chris mumbled to himself as he strode towards Buck. "How long until saucer separation can be ignited." He asked as he approached his first officer.

"Precisely one minute and twenty seconds." Buck replied automatically.

A red light started flashing on Julia’s console which captured her attention immediately. "Our primary stabiliser is starting to weaken."

"Divert whatever you need to keep it at strength." Chris ordered and hoped it was enough. Mary had insisted on staying and he was uncertain why he had let her. In the event, that they did encounter the life forms on that ship, her value as cultural anthropologist might be all that kept them from being killed.

"I can affect repairs from this station," Julia informed him. "Continue with the separation process."

"Captain!" Ezra called out. "They are sending another beam at us!"

"Rear view." Chris cried out.

The viewer immediately displayed the image of the intruder’s vessel bearing down on the Maverick. The streak of energy emanating from the intruder was not like the previous beam that had probed the crew and downloaded their contents of their computer core. Chris did not need to look at the sensor readings to know that it was difference. He had done a tenure in engineering in the past to know the difference.

"Chris, this is a highly focused energy beam." Buck replied, looking up after a moment. "I don’t think its another probe."

"Can we outrun it?" Chris asked knowing that it was a futile hope.

"We are at maximum acceleration." Julia retorted promptly and put that question to rest. "We will have structural collapse if we attempt to accelerate any further."

"Lieutenant," he looked at Ezra. "I want you vent all plasma and fire a photon torpedo to ignite it on detonation. That might be enough to disrupt it until we can get the saucer section away."

"Aye Sir." The security chief nodded and went to fulfil that particular order.

The space between themselves and the intruder’s vessel became filled with a cloud of green as plasma was ejected from all venting apparatus on the Maverick. For a moment, the intruder almost disappeared from the screen along with the beam of energy that was pursuing them with almost equal speed. Suddenly, the sparkle of a photon torpedo entered the scene and flared with a pinprick of light. As it ignited, the plasma came alive with fury of a dying star. Every corner of the bridge was filled with the powerful explosion. The ship shuddered slightly from the shock wave.

They held their breath as the screen cleared, hoping that if the intruder had survived then at least the pulse of energy chasing them would have been dispersed. However, as the residue from the plasma explosion faded away, the streak of energy was still there following closely and about to reach the hull of the ship.

"Damn!" Chris swore under his breath.

"The energy beam has penetrated the outer hull." Buck declared.

The beam of energy appeared once again on the bridge. This time, its appearance did not have the nonchalance of a probe. It moved straight across the bridge in search of a goal only it was privy to.

"Sir," Julia looked up from her console. "That is definitely not a probe."

Chris was still mesmerised by the beam moving across his bridge swiftly. Everyone was backing away from it not that the beam seemed terribly interested in them. It moved forward purposefully, bypassing Vin and Mary before heading towards his command chair.

"Captain, I think it may be some form of matter transference medium." Julia replied.

"A transporter beam?" Ezra was the one who voiced it first.

At that point, events slowed to a crawl until they seemed to be moving outside time. Ezra went for his phaser in a desperate hope to destroy the beam before it reached its prey. As it passed over the command chair, it seemed to decide whom it wanted.

Chris Larabee had little chance to react as the beam enveloped him. Ezra swore loudly, unable to fire once that had happened. He saw Mary reaching into the beam, in a vain attempt to pull him out of it. Buck was two steps away from both of them when suddenly, with a final flash of light, both disappeared. When glitter vanished from their eyes, all that remain in the place where Mary and Chris had been were two com badges, strewn about on the carpeted floor.

The Captain and Lieutenant Travis were gone.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I

At first, no one knew what to do. Everyone was still trapped in their astonishment over the abduction of Captain and Lieutenant Travis off their own bridge. When the moment had faded, the first person to recover his senses was naturally Buck Wilmington. Buck bent over and picked up the two com badges on the floor. He stared at the objects briefly, the shock in his face as visible as it was on every person presently on the bridge. After a short period of reflection, he returned to his science station and placed the two com badges on the panel as if they would guide his actions somehow. His movement prompted the others back to mobility and they too, remembered their situation.

"Ezra, try to scan for the Captain and the Lieutenant’s life signs on board that the enemy vessel." Buck ordered, breaking the silence that threatened to overwhelm them all.

The security chief nodded mutely. Ezra, equally stunned by what had taken place, was quickly moving to recovery. Years of professionalism return to him in seconds and when it did, so did the tough Starfleet persona he wore like a shield for moments such as these. He hurried back to his station and quickly keyed his instructions into the panel. Buck watched his face as it twisted into a grimace of defeat after a few moments.

"I cannot locate them." He declared through ground teeth frustrated at being so helpless. "The intruder’s shields are too powerful for us to penetrate. I cannot even trace any life signs!"

"Calm down." Buck ordered, wanting no one to come unhinged at a time like this. However, he understood the man’s anxiety. Despite himself, he confessed to feeling some of it himself, although in theory he was meant to be in better control of it than anyone else. Unfortunately, it was hard to keep the persona of first officer intact when his oldest friend had been spirited away right in front of his eyes.

"Commander," Ezra spoke up. "JD is signalling from the main bridge. He is requesting the status of the saucer separation."

"Inform JD to stand by." Buck said coolly.

"Commander," Ezra’s voice cut though his thoughts to add anything further. "The enemy vessel is changing course."

Buck though quickly trying to decide what to do. Sensibly, it was prudent to return to Deep Space Five and call in reinforcements. The intruder had proved twice they were more than a match for Starfleet technology. It would be logical to wait for other starships with far more experienced captains to handle this situation instead of him. He was untried first officer who had no business taking on the intruder himself. It endangered the ship and his crew mates. However, even as Buck held that thought in his mind, another voice made itself heard, a voice that had nothing to do with probabilities of failure, the limitations of his experience and the safety of logic.

For once, Buck agreed with it.

"Vin," he said finally and made peace with himself that whatever would happen, would happen. He would deal with the consequences later. "You will change our course and follow the intruder."

Yes!

Ezra Standish exclaimed inwardly. There had been a brief instance when he almost believed that Buck would order them back to Federation space, abandoning the Captain and Lieutenant Travis. Ezra was grateful that he was not forced to act in event of that possibility. He knew they were incapable of doing nothing while the intruder put more distance between their two ships. Unfortunately, whatever elation he had was short lived when he noticed the sensor readings emerging from his continuous scan of the enemy ship. The power build up was unmistakable, even through its super efficient shield. The configuration of the warp field being generated was unmistakable.

"Commander, they’re going to transwarp!"

No sooner than the words had left his lips, Ezra saw the explosion of power that propelled the intruder’s ship into nothingness. Within the blink of an eye, there was nothing behind them but the empty space. There was a slight stillness in the blanket of stars behind the Maverick, when a final flare of light signalled the intruder’s escape with its transwarp speed.

For the second time in the hour, no one could say anything. Each one of them knew the reality of the situation The chance of catching up to the intruder now was next to impossible. Even forcing the ship to follow at maximum warp would leave them days behind in a matter of hours. Buck said nothing, yet his stony features seemed affected just the same. Julia was holding her hand against her lips, covering her open mouth. Ezra could not see Vin’s face but he could see the slackening in the helm officer’s posture followed by his clenched fists against the helm console Ezra could understand his frustration.

"Commander, what do we do?" He asked finally, because no one else had the heart to. "Do we maintain pursuit?"

Buck did not answer. He seemed to be concentrating hard on trying to produce an answer. When he released a loud, weary sigh, he knew he had found none. "We will drop to Warp 8 and maintain pursuit. We can still track the enemy vessel by its transwarp signature."

"Sir," Ezra spoke softly. For the moment, he almost hesitated saying what he knew was his duty to say. Unfortunately, their personal feelings did not alter the circumstances of the present situation. He and Buck were Starfleet officers and at the moment, it appeared the senior officers as well. It was his duty to speak, no matter how much he disliked bringing this point to the first officer. "We may be able to track them but we will be capable of doing little else. We have no real hope of catching them."

Buck faced him. "I do not believe in hope Commander and I am well aware that the possibility of retrieving the Captain and Lieutenant Travis is slight. However, while we are able to track them, there is still a chance that the Captain may be able to assist his own escape. I intend to give him every chance to save himself. We will maintain this course."

Even Buck had to know impossible illogical that sounded, Ezra thought. However, he was pleased Buck had said that. As Buck made that declaration, Ezra saw that Buck’s words gave hope to the rest of the bridge crew that the situation was not as bleak as it appeared. "Understood Sir." Ezra answered.

Having said that, Buck walked towards the command chair. He stared at it for a moment, deciding that he did not feel inclined to sit in it even if the Captain was no longer aboard. Finally, he took his place at the first officer’s seat beside the Captain’s chair. Protocol or not, he was not prepared to fill that role in any capacity other than what was necessary for the moment.

"Julia," Buck responded. He did not look at her when he spoke. The engineer was acting as communications officer while JD was on the saucer section. "Please inform JD that we will be aborting the saucer separation. We’re also standing down from red alert. We’ll remain in yellow alert for the time being"

"Aye Sir," the engineer nodded slowly and then reacted to fulfil that order.

Buck was aware of the mood on the bridge at the moment. He wished more than the ever that emotional distress caused by the Captain’s and Lieutenant Travis capture could be kept to a minimum. "Ezra, get Alex up here. Inform her that for the moment, she is acting first officer until we retrieve the Captain."

"Yes Sir." He replied briskly.

"Inform all departments that I would like a status report within the next half hour and I need a meeting of the senior staff half hour following that."

"Yes Commander." He said quietly.

"Julia," Buck continued dispensing orders. "Send a priority one transmission to Starfleet Command, attention Admiral Wellington. Inform the admiral that Captain Larabee and Lieutenant Travis have been abducted by the intruder. We are currently in pursuit and will be travelling beyond communication for the next twelve hours. Relay to the admiral that we believe the intruder capable of monitoring all our transmissions and we will attempt to communicate when we are able."

"Yes Sir." Julia replied although she seemed somewhat confused by Buck’s statement. "Sir," she spoke up after a moment. "I was not aware that our transmission were being monitored."

"Transmit the message as I have requested." Buck said firmly.

Ezra left her station and approached Buck. "Commander, I do not recall our communications being monitored." He asked the question in a softer voice because Julia had brought up a very valid statement. As security officer, he had not detected any signs of monitoring and he would be the only one who would be able to make the determination if there were.

"There is always that possibility." Buck retorted. "However, if the Admiral might form the opinion that we should return to Deep Space Five immediately, then twelve hours is all we have to get the Captain back."

"I see." He said mildly surprised. "I could be wrong here but does that not interpret as a lie?"

Buck cleared his throat and looked decidedly uncomfortable. "Unfortunately yes. I will pay for this later."

Hopefully when they got the Captain back.

II

The mood at the senior staff meeting was grim. When he entered the briefing room, he noticed that Ezra had assembled everyone already. There was no talking or hushed voices as everyone seemed to be deep in thought. The first officer took his usual place next to the Captain’s chair. Buck tried to ignore the empty space at the head of the table. The unoccupied seat belonging to the Captain was a stark reminder of their loss. Despite their attempts to carry on as usual, he noticed everyone present inevitably shifting their gaze to and from that empty seat.

"As you undoubtedly know by now, the Captain and Lieutenant Travis were transported off the bridge during the course of our encounter with the intruder." Buck announced, deciding it was best to get all questions on the table immediately.

"Are they still alive?" Nathan Jackson asked first of all. His tone indicated he wanted no attempts at sparing their feelings. What he required and what Buck believed they all did, was the unabashed truth.

"I think they are." He answered honestly.

"I don’t understand," JD exclaimed. "Why would they take the Captain and Lieutenant Travis? What possible reason could there be for their abduction?"

"I don’t think they wanted Mary." Ezra replied. "When the transporter beam enveloped the Captain, she instinctively reached for him and was beamed away as well. I think taking her was an accident."

"I agree with Ezra," Buck added. "I believe that the object of the abduction was the Captain. It was chance that Mary was taken as well."

"Which is not a good situation in any case." Alex added further. "If they abducted the Captain, they must have some use for him. Unfortunately, they may not have the same for Lieutenant Travis. She may be a complication they are not prepared to deal with."

"You mean they might kill her?" Julia exclaimed, fearful for the blond woman with whom she had become fast friends since arriving on the ship.

No one liked that idea very much but what Alex said made a certain amount of sense. It was a truth no one preferred to believe but they had to face it and unfortunately, Buck could not discount it. "We have to consider that possibility." Buck said after a moment.

"We’ve got to do something." Nathan said heatedly. "We can’t just let those monsters kill them! I’ve got a full Sick Bay of people who can attest to their barbarity!"

"Nathan, we are all worried about Captain Larabee and Lieutenant Travis." Josiah intervened before the doctor became any more upset. "The Captain would not want us to come apart at a time like this."

His words placated Doctor Jackson momentarily but not for long, Buck estimated. The doctor became very personal about those he served with.

"Doctor I assure you, that everything that can be done is being done." Ezra said gently. "We are keeping track of their transwarp signature and are maintaining the pursuit."

"I realise that," Nathan retorted. "However, is not true that if the intruder does not drop to warp speed we may never catch up with them?"

"Doctor," Buck broke in. "We’re maintaining pursuit and we will continue to do so until the situation changes. We’re not abandoning the Captain or Mary under any circumstances. However, you have to understand that there are limitations to what we can do. The bridge crew is doing its very best to resolve this situation."

"Why do they want the Captain though?" Vin mused, focusing on an issue no one had mentioned in all their discussions.

"We know intruder’s purpose into this quadrant is scientific," Buck explained. "Their behaviour certainly indicates that they are conducting intensive studies of some sort. They kidnapped people on Colony 1 for a number of hours and raided their computer core prior to its destruction This was repeated on Deep Space Five although no one was abducted then. Their action demonstrates their need for information, although to what end we cannot be sure. Before the Captain was taken, the intruder changed its attack strategy."

"I noticed that." Ezra declared, remembering the sequence of events. "One minute they were firing away at us and then suddenly, they sent that probe. It was like they realised that we might be worth closer evaluation."

"Exactly," Buck answered. "Once their probe gathered its information including the personnel records of everyone on board, it withdrew. Most likely to assess the data accumulated in order to plan their next action."

"Abducting the Captain." Josiah answered.

"And Lieutenant Travis as well." Julia reminded.

"This sounds even worse," the doctor confessed staring at Buck as an edge of horror crept into his face. "If everything that you say is true, what in the name of hell are they doing to Chris and Mary?"

Not even Buck was capable of giving him an answer.

PART FOUR

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