STORMES Stories Chapter One Part Two

[FiGiN]

“Change course, 321, all ahead flank!” I bark at the Helmsman.

“Course 321, all ahead flank, aye sir,” she confirms. I notice the slightest shake in her hands as they glide over the controls.

STORMES is down to the last enemy vessel of this fight. I’m bringing the ship about, leaving our stronger starboard shields angled towards them. Our port shields are pretty much toast at this point and we have no power to spare to bring them back up.

“Port shields are now offline, Captain,” says my XO, “Forward shields down to 15%.”

You can cut the tension with a knife. We live for this. Our forward shields are getting hammered by the enemy’s disruptors as we maneuver for the kill shot. I’m standing up now, which is stupid but I don’t really care. A true Captain doesn’t sit at moments like this.

“10 seconds, XO, that’s all we need. Steady course and speed. Prepare for a full quantum spread.”

The seconds tick by. One last disruptor blast … their last dying gasp … they can’t get away from us now.

“FIRE quantum torpedoes!”

It’s almost unfair. With one rather inauspicious press of a button, we unleash enough hell to destroy any 2 ships. The extra few seconds we needed was to close the distance slightly, ensuring all of them found their target. We didn’t have enough time to slug it out safely anymore. It is true that now our port and forward shields are down but this is the last target. All the others have already been destroyed by us or LUSITANIA.

The torps speed away and rip the Klink to shreds. What a beautiful sight. A cheer escapes from the bridge crew and grins can finally sneak back onto our tired and sweaty faces. It has been one hell of a fight but STORMES, ever versatile, ever vigilant, wins again. I look forward to filing this report with Admiral Turner. I’m a shoe in for promotion now and that new Heavy Escort I toured last month over at Starbase 39 might be getting a new owner.

“Casualties?” I inquire of the Chief Duty Officer.

“Minimal, Captain,” he replies, “They never really got through the shields, despite all that pounding.”

“Excellent. Have all sections report damage to your station. Stand down from General Quarters.”

Yet the battle was only half over … we just didn’t know it yet.

I dream the same dream every night now. I don’t want to sleep anymore. I’d even rather write the report for Admiral Turner. The one that was supposed to be my golden ticket to Commander. Now, it could be the one that will get me drummed out of Starfleet altogether.

I slump into my desk chair and start typing. I’m as honest as I can be and give credit where it is due. All in all, I recommend 6 commendations, 5 of them posthumous. I’m sure the Admiral will see to them all.

With yet another inauspicious button press, I transmit the report to LUSITANIA and seal my fate, whatever it may be.