U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“Teeth of the Chimera – Part II”
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NeoDyne President Alistair Merikai stood quietly as the steel door leading to the Chimera’s bridge slid open with effortless ease. He passed beyond the door as its slid closed quietly behind him. Surrounding the corporate executive was the nerve center of the finest modern battleship money could purchase. Its black and grey interior was broken up by the occasional splash of gold denoting the crest of the NeoDyne Defense Corporation.
Merikai took several steps down the long narrow walkway which extended out into the dual level room giving a commanding view of all operations. Below him were dozens of officers and crewmen which could all be observed from the command deck several feet above. The lower deck held most of the ship’s operation stations including the all important CIC (Combat Information Center), communications, weapons, navigation, and other vital functions. He placed a hand on the cool metal rail of the command deck and peered downwards into the CIC. On a large screen he could make out a starmap which showed the position of the Chimera and the asteroid field that served to hide and defend one of his many clandestine research facilities.
Turning his gaze forward his eyes looked into the giant viewing screen which filled the entire forward room. The last rocky layers of the asteroid field parted as the Chimera emerged into open, clear space.
At the end of the platform sat the captain of the Chimera. Merikai made his way forward to the command area and took a seat in a nearby chair adjusting his suit and tie. Quietly watching his efficient and well trained crew, Merikai leaned back in the black leather chair waiting and watching behind narrow eyes.
“Captain, we have cleared the asteroid field”, reported the executive officer. “All systems and stations report nominal sir.”
“Very well. Signal the research station and inform Dr. Ballentine of our arrival.”
“SIR”, a passionate cry from a junior sensor operator assaulted the ears of the Chimera’s commanders. “Federation Starship detected at 114 mark 46!”
Merikai’s eyebrow lifted ever so slightly at the sudden news.
“Engage our cloaking device. Have they detected us?”
“Unlikely at this range sir.” The executive officer turned toward the captain. “Cloaking system is coming online now.”
Merikai did nothing but quietly listen and watch. The appearance of a Starfleet ship was unwelcome and unfortunate. His suspicions about Starfleet and their meddling in NeoDyne affairs were now confirmed. Doctor Ballentine’s carelessness had no doubt attracted the eyes of the intelligence community. It now appeared Starfleet was concerned enough to have dispatched a ship in violation of its treaty obligations with the Klingon and Romulan empires to investigate. Without a doubt NeoDyne was again on their sensor screens. Merikai’s hand had unconsciously formed a fist on the arm rest of his chair. With a sigh he released a silent breath of anger. Sitting on the screen like an annoying fly, Merikai wished he could simply swat this starship away, but that was the trouble with such pests. Fresh blood would only attract more of its kind. This one had to be captured and dispatched quickly and quietly as he could not afford to leave any traces behind for scavengers to locate. The dead could talk just as easily as the living when one knew where to look and how to listen.
“Set course for the station and maintain our distance from the Starfleet ship. I want a full passive sensor scan of that ship. Inform the first officer when we have identified the target.“
“Captain, long range sensors are unable to locate our facility sir. Detecting a large metallic debris field above the planet in addition to energy signatures consistent with weapons fire. The station appears to have been destroyed.”
The captain flashed a quick glance at President Merikai who said nothing his face partially obscured behind steepled fingers.
“What about the planet surface?”
“Our surface facility appears intact. Shall we break radio silence and attempt to contact them?”
“No”, the captain quickly answered. “We must deal with this Starfleet threat before exposing ourselves. Maintain communications blackout.”
“Well captain”, Merikai said from his seat, “It would appear Starfleet has made a mess of things here. I feel it is only proper to repay them in kind with a demonstration of our capabilities. We cannot conduct search and rescue until that ship has been neutralized. I have important business to attend to elsewhere and I cannot afford to play here for too long.” A tiny smile formed on the President’s thin lips. “However. I want that ship and its captain. Dr. Ballentine should be alive and well on the planet. That old fox is far too clever to have fallen into Starfleet’s hands. You may indulge yourself in dispatching our uninvited guests. We shall deal with them first and circle back to retrieve the doctor.”
“General Quarters! All Hands to Battle Stations”, the executive officer quickly ordered shouting down to the crewmen and officers below. “Helm, bring us about forty degrees. Stand by photon and quantum torpedoes.”
“Do we have any intelligence on that ship”, Merikai asked as the crew around him scrambled to their actions stations.
“No sir”, the captain answered. “This ship does not register in our database. Its configuration is similar to a Nebula Class Heavy Cruiser however its hull configuration is not an exact match. Offensive and defensive capabilities are unknown. The only data we have is that this ship appears to match the same configuration of the one recorded in orbit above the Astate Colony shortly after the loss of our facility there.”
Merikai was silent for a time as his eyes carefully scanned the hull of the unknown starship on the giant screen before him. “Indeed”, he said quietly. “If this is so then we must take this ship and her captain. I believe there is someone of my acquaintance onboard and I am quite interested in catching up with them.”
“Yes sir. We’ll get them. Helm, lay in an intercept course and engage at full impulse. Tactical, target the ship’s engines and engineering sections. Our goal is to disable them, not destroy them. Is that clear?”
“Perfectly sir.”
(To Be Continued…)
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President Alistair Merikai
Neodyne Defense Corporation
