U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“Fate, Fortune & Fire – Part III”
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A sudden vibration softly jostled the bridge. Ramius’s eyes darted upwards as Commander Novada asked for a report.
“It’s the fighters”, the OPS officer shouted. “They’ve locked on to the hull with their tractor beams and are dragging us backwards. Speed is increasing.”
Ramius cracked a tiny smile. “Good thinking Everic”, he muttered as a visual of the fighters appeared on the screen. The four small craft, unable to stop the torpedo, were also doing everything they could to spare the Corsair from near certain destruction.
“Ten seconds to impact”, came the warning. “Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three…”
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[NEODYNE RESEARCH STATION]
The operations officer laughed as he watched the starship struggle to outrun the plasma torpedo. “RUN”, he chanted. “Run like the cowards you are!” Smiling with a renewed sense of confidence the officer made preparations to charge another torpedo in the unlikely event this one failed to finish the job and end the starship’s existence. It was ironic that the station’s forgotten and overlooked torpedo system, deemed an antique by the engineers, would be the rusty sword that would smite the mighty Starfleet vessel and bring its meddling and interference to a swift end. Rusty weapons, despite age or obsolescence, were still capable of killing.
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[ USS CORSAIR ]
With the final seconds ticking down all anyone could do was pray and hope. Silence had filled the bridge. Only the computers and the whine of the struggling engines could be heard. Not even a breath breached the silent veil that had enveloped the room.
“SIR, it’s dissipating! We’re out running it”, a triumphant, but guarded voice resounded throughout the bridge.
All eyes snapped again to the viewscreen as the giant energy ball waivered and slowly lost its cohesion.
A moment later the Corsair was rocked by the impact of the remaining torpedo energies the last of her shields fighting to repel the destructive forces slamming against them. As quickly as the impact had occurred it was gone leaving the officers and crew of the bridge once again silent. Several moments passed as everyone waited to see if the blow had indeed been a mortal hit.
Kusinagi stepped to the railing above the captain’s chair. “Forward shields at one percent efficiency. Emergency forcefields on decks 2-5 are strained, but holding. Repair teams are moving forward to reinforce and seal damaged areas.”
A cheer erupted around the bridge followed by shouts and clapping. Ramius tolerated the outburst for several moments as he allowed himself to relax slightly sinking backwards into his chair whose cushions were damp with his own perspiration.
Breaking through the noise, Ramius stood and quieted his celebratory crew. “Well done chief. Well done everyone”, Ramius replied. He turned to communications and motioned for a channel to the fighters.
“Good work Commander Everic. You saved our bacon back there.”
“Didn’t want to miss out on the fun sir since we’re all having so much of it out here today. I hope you will excuse the improvisation.”
“I think we can work something out later. Regroup and remain on station for further orders while we catch our breath here. Ramius out.”
“Sai”, Ramius said.
“Yes I know sir. Get the shields working!”
Ramius fought the urge to smile. “Damage report.”
“Forward shields are gone sir. Aft shields are at fifteen percent. I’ll need three or four hours to recharge and repair them. I might be able to have fifty percent power in that time, but I can’t make any promises. Decks 2-5 heavily damaged. We have multiple hull breaches. The extent and severity of forward structural damages has yet to be ascertained. Warp drive is offline. We have power failures and damage to internal power systems.”
“Tactical, what is our weapon’s status?”
Lt. Redstone immediately responded. The young, headstrong officer was efficient even in the thick of battle. “Weapons systems are online. Forward phaser banks, one and three are damaged, however all other banks are functional. All torpedo systems are operational.”
Commander Novada leaned in toward the captain. “Sir, are you contemplating another attack?”
“Yes”, Ramius replied. “However, we need not expose the ship to the station’s infernal weaponry.”
Ramius turned and looked at his chief engineer. The man was tired as were they all, but it would be sometime before any of them could rest. “Chief, do we have the power to charge the phaser cannons?”
Kusinagi’s expression nodded. “I believe I can scrape up some power somewhere for that sir.”
“Lt. Redstone. Are you familiar with the system?”
The lieutenant appeared nervous, but quickly hid his expressions. “Yes sir. I understand the basics.”
“Sir, may I remind you that the cannons are experimental. They have only been fired once at short range during the Corsair’s initial shakedown cruise.”
“Yes I am aware of their history lieutenant”, Ramius answered. “Is there a problem?”
“No sir!”
“Very well then, charge the cannons. Target the station when ready. Prepare a full spread of quantum torpedoes and photons. We might be wounded, but we’re certainly not dead yet. If we cannot take the station up close we will bombard it from a safe distance until they decide to see fit to comply with our demands.”
Returning to his seat, Ramius glanced at the viewscreen and then over at his first officer. Novada noticed the captain’s attention and looked up from her console. “Sir?”
“You seem uncomfortable commander.”
“Not at all sir. Only is it wise to reengage in combat operations so soon? Perhaps we should wait until we can assess our damages and better prepare for a second assault?”
“I have considered that”, Ramius said pleased with Novada’s straightforwardness. His first officer didn’t mince words nor did she refrain from speaking her mind. He valued that. She was a check on his more aggressive tendencies. “Perhaps we should take some time to lick our wounds, but inaction may have the same consequences as action. The station may have broken through our jamming and called for help. NeoDyne may have additional assets in the area. In our current condition we are in no shape to engage in ship to ship combat. Additionally, the longer we wait, the longer they have to destroy what we came here in the first place to obtain; evidence of criminal activities. The longer we postpone, the less of a chance our efforts here today will have any meaning. I cannot sit back and wait when so many have sacrificed for a victory here today. We must take the station and do so quickly.”
“Torpedoes locked on target. Phaser cannons will be primed in thirty seconds.”
Ramius nodded and called sickbay for an update. “We’re a little busy down here captain, what can I do for you sir?”
“What is your status Durandel”, Ramius asked his voice firm, but laced with a commander’s concern for his crew.
“Treating the wounded sir. Casualties from the forward decks are still coming in. We have a few severe cases, burns, exposure, etc., but by and large most injuries are minor. Ten deaths have been reported and security informs me that three additional personnel are unaccounted for.”
Ramius took the news in stride. He knew the damage created by the NeoDyne deflector would not go without some toll in lives and injuries however even one death weighed heavily upon him upon hearing the news that ten crewmen had made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Very well doctor. Please keep the bridge apprised of your situation. If you require additional manpower to assist you have my authorization to draft non-essential personnel for medical duty. Ramius out.”
“Captain. The cannons are charged. Awaiting your orders sir”, Lt. Redstone resolutely stated from his position at tactical.
Ramius stood with a determined gaze which was focused on the station. Nearly twice destroyed by the NeoDyne facility he had somehow cheated death, but at a high price. Perhaps the price was too high. Despite his misgivings about his actions and the loss of life under his command, Ramius was still determined to ensure that those lost were not done so in vain.
Gone was his arrogance – in its place was quiet determination.
“Mr. Redstone”, Ramius stated with a calm, stoic voice. “Fire.”
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
Commander Alanis Novada
Executive Officer
Commander Sai Kusinagi
Chief Engineer
Lieutenant Alex RedStone
Chief Tactical Officer
Commander Keith Durandal
Chief Medical Officer
(APB Tav)
