The Last Chance flashed into existence above the blue and white ball of the Omega Colony. Governors Station floated just above the horizon, a sanctuary just out of reach. There were no other ships in view and Marcus took over control of the ship from the AI and tagged the Station flight control.
“Last Chance requesting immediate clearance for docking.”
The reply came instantly. “Last Chance, you have two Klingon Battle Cruisers at your six. Station is on Red Alert. You are clear for emergency landing bay doors 3!”
At the same moment the AI brought up the ships shields and sounded an alarm. “Two Klingon Warships at 180 mark 25, Weapons systems are up.”
Veronica came up, sat in the jump seat, a look of terror in her face. “Oh my God Marcus!”
“Hang on. We’re going to make it.”
The air around them crackled and a green sheen enveloped the ship. “We are receiving phaser fire.” the AI Reported. “Shields at 80%.”
Marcus hit the impulse engines to half speed and the station started growing larger by the second. The ship was hit again and this time they were nearly shaken from their seats.
Looking out the forward window they watched as one of the Klingon cruisers broke off the attack. In a second they saw why with the Wrath of Prometheus in pursuit, firing photon torpedoes in a wide spread. But one ship was still on their tail. The Last Chance shook violently again as it was struck by a torpedo. The Shields absorbed most of the blast, but the computer called out. “Warp Drive is disabled, Impulse power down to 75%.”
“We’re not going to make it…..are we?” Veronica said, her voice choking with emotion.
“Don’t give up on me just yet.” Marcus smiled as he coolly prepared to jettison his warp core. He opened a channel and hailed the Prometheus. “Appreciate the help Captain Warren. Do you remember Chapter 56 of the Academy lost cause battle scenarios?”
Captain Warren came back in less than a second. “Wish we could do more Mr. Dinn. Your message is understood.” and the channel closed.
Marcus and Veronica watched the tactical display as the Prometheus veered away from the second ship and accelerated, putting more distance between them.
“Where are they going?” Veronica nearly screamed.
“Just watch.” and Marcus jettisoned his warp core and fired a barrage of torpedoes at once toward the Klingon ship in pursuit.
The warp core was indistinguishable from the torpedoes as they hit the Klingon shields. The explosion could be seen from the planet surface as the forward hull of the Klingon Cruiser burst into thousands of fragments. A large chunk of hull spun off and smashed into the second Klingon ship, the kinetic energy enough to collapse its shields and it turned and speed off from the first engagement.
The force of the blast pushed the Last Chance at twice the safe speed toward the Station and Marcus was barely able to control his entry into the docking bays.
The Prometheus swung around and the tactical officer looked up from his readings to the Captain. “Sir… the remains of the Klingon Cruiser, if we don’t do anything they are going to hit the colony.”
Warren jumped from his chair and looked over the officers shoulders. He ran some numbers thru the computer and then called out to the weapons officer.
“Fire Phasers at that piece of junk, but at only one quarter power, for 3 seconds.”
The officer looked around. “Sir?’
‘Just do it!”
With phasers locked the Prometheus pushed the wreckage toward the planet surface even faster.
“Now watch gentlemen.” Warren smiled.
On the surface all of the cities of the colony could see the streaks of burning fuselage as the ship came down toward them. It crossed over them all as it headed north toward City of Kalama. With a deafing roar it fell and blasted a hole in the middle of the primary road into the city. The Klingons looked on in stunned silence.
“Eat that you bastards.” Warren said as he watched from his command chair.
**
A crew of mechanics swarmed over the Last Chance as Marcus and Veronica emerged from the ship. Looking over his shoulder Marcus could see dozens of seared hull plates where the Klingon Phaser blasts had almost broken thru.
“Come on. Lets find out what the hell is going on.” He said taking Veronica by the shoulder.
Off:
Marcus Dinn
Owner of RICKS and Oz
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Veronica Harringer
Widow of Mathew Harringer
CEO Dexter Industries
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
