U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“Teeth of the Chimera – Part III”
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(Aboard the NeoDyne Ship Chimera)
“Sensors indicate the ship has extensive hull damage to its saucer section and its shields are below fifty percent capacity.”
“It appears the station did not go down without a fight”, the executive officer commented as the Chimera closed in on its prey.
“Be that as it may, a wounded animal is apt to be more dangerous not less”, the captain replied with cool confidence. “We will remove its teeth to soften its bite.”
“Now entering firing range sir.”
“Lock a single torpedo on the ship’s engine nacelle. We will fire several shots to ascertain whether or not this vessel can detect us given the high radiation profile of this area which should work to our advantage.”
“Target acquired and locked.”
“Fire.”
[ Sometime Later ]
“We have a positive ID of the ship however it still does not appear in Starfleet manifests.”
“What is its name”, Merikai calmly asked the captain.
“Name and Registry?”
“USS Corsair. NX-011979”
“Experimental? Starfleet would never risk such a ship on a mission. It has to be a deception.”
“No deception captain”, the NeoDyne president interjected from his chair. “Starfleet would not send a prototype here, but there are many other divisions of the fleet. Starfleet Intelligence, however, might be so inclined given adequate provocation. It would seem the eyes of the Federation are more focused on our activities than we had believed. If it is indeed a prototype then it may be equipped with technologies of which we are unaware. If so it becomes even more reason to capture this ship intact.”
“The Corsair is shifting course and accelerating toward the edge of asteroid field at a high rate of speed.”
“They may be trying to locate a break in the rocks to attempt an escape.”
Merikai frowned. Losing this ship was not an option.
“Captain, use whatever force you must to stop that ship! We cannot permit it to escape or for use to lose track of it. If we cannot stop it then it must be destroyed!”
“Yes sir”, the captain replied. “Helm, set pursuit course and engage. Tactical once we are aft of the vessel concentrate your fire on the engines. Sensors show their shields are near collapse.”
[ Moments Later ]
“Sir, its shields are almost gone. Another shot or two and its aft sections will be completely exposed to our weapons. It will have no choice but to stop to protect itself.”
“Maintain fire.”
“SIR! They are firing!”
“WHAT”, the captain shouted standing from his seat. The giant screen suddenly flashed with light as the starship fired several volleys of weapons fire not in the direction of the Chimera, but at the nearby asteroid field.
“What are they doing”, the executive officer asked his words imparting curiosity and odd surprise.
Merikai sat with an anxious curiosity of his own. He had no knowledge of starship operations or tactics. For the moment all he could do was watch.
“Incoming debris field! Weapons fire from the Starfleet ship has detonated and is creating a plume of rocky debris in our path.”
“Our shields?”
“Nothing we cannot handle captain”, came the reply. “The debris is too fine and scattered to be of any threat”, the executive officer reported leaning over the command deck railing to supervise the readings in the sensor pit. “It appears this is a desperate measure by a desperate captain.”
“Perhaps, however…”
“Incoming weapons fire!”
“More? At the asteroids?”
“No! They are targeting us!”
“Impossible”, the executive officer shouted in disbelief.
“You fools”, Merikai roared from his chair as he leapt to his feet. He could see what was happening even if his officers could not. “The debris field is exposing our location. The rocks are not meant to injure us! They are designed to defeat the cloaking device!”
“Veer off”, the captain shouted. “Evasive action.”
“Too late!”
Merikai lost his balance and fell backwards into his chair as the Chimera violently shook from the impact of several quantum torpedoes and concentrated phaser fire on its powerful shields.
“DAMAGE REPORT!”
“Minor damage to forward shields.”
“Incoming!”
Again the Chimera shook as a second volley of weapons slammed into the ship. “We are losing our cloaking shields! Engineering reporting the power drain is becoming unsustainable.”
Merikai was positively fuming now. “Captain, drop our cloaking screen and hail that ship. Target its bridge with all available weapons! That should get its attention!”
The captain turned to look at the executive whose expression did not bode well for his future. “Lock weapons, lower our cloak, and hail the ship”, came the captain’s muted orders.
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President Alistair Merikai
NeoDyne Defense Corporation
Aboard the NeoDyne Ship: NDC-Chimera
