Flying Blind: Act 2

Stronin wrote:Part 4

-Back onboard the Andromeda-

Les'Non, the chief engineer claped his hands together.
"Alright we have basic helm control, Warp 1 and short range sensors. Well, ok, the sensors are a bit spotty, but at least now we can detect things we're going to hit, before we hit them."

John chuckled. "Well that'll be good if we happen to pass any planets on our way back. How are we going to go to warp without long range scanners though?"

Les'Non nodded, forseeing the question. "We're going to have to go in bursts Captain. We can't maintain warp for more that 3 minutes before dropping to sublight again to check our position. Look, I know it isn't the prettiest solution, but its the best I can give you till we're back at base."

John nodded. "The fact you got us warp at all is amazing Les', good work.
The Captain glanced down at the front most console. "Helm how long will it take us to get to Serenity Station with those limitations?"

The young ensign tapped on the console. "Approximately 16 hours captain."

John nodded. "It would appear we're in for a long haul thank you Ensign. Tactical, what about that Gorn vessel?"

Ryan Plank frowned. "That's going to be the big concern, weapons are completely offline, and we only have navigational shields."

John didn't like the feeling of being virtually a sitting duck. "Try to see if theres anything that can be done about that, I'd like us to at least have something to scare off raiders with." John stared out of the viewscreen for a moment. "For now, I'm betting Mark and the away team will be able to deal with the Gorn" John silently added to himself, since thats our only way to get out of here in one piece...

Stronin wrote:Part 5

-Back onboard the Harrison-

Mark Ipsen, helm officer, had not planned to be onboard a derilect vessel, crawling through Jefferies tubes in an effort to evade Gorn soldiers, that for some unearthly reason were trying to steal a Federation starship. When he woke up he had eaten some breakfast and expected the start of a boring 3 month patrol route, with him taking the ship in straight lines most of the time.

This is not how the day had progressed.

"Gorram Heck" He muttered. "How are you guys doing back there?" He glanced behind him, the trio of officers following slowly behind.

Loren, the assistant chief engineer was the first to speak up. "Well so far we havn't been caught. I think thats progress anyway. My right knee's totally acting up though."

Mark nodded, adding somewhat tiredly, "Hold in there, were almost at the access hatch...I think."

A sudden noise from the grey door Mark was about to open made everyone freeze.

Mark glanced at his scanner and waved it at the door. Nothing was showing up. "Anyone know whether the Gorn have any ways of fooling tricorder readings?"

The slience said enough. "Right well..," Mark pulled out the compression rifle, "guess it's time to join the party."

He ripped open the door and prepared to fire when...

"STOP! We're one of you!"

Mark blinked noticing that the individual in front of him was, in fact, human, not Gorn, and wearing a Federation uniform. "Who the heck are you?! I almost shot you in the head!"

The girl suddenly annoyed shouted back in a whisper. "First off be quiet! and second off, I could ask you the same question. And why are you trying to blow up our ship with us on it?!"

Mark, with adrenaline slowling rubbed his face. "We didn't detect any lifesigns. We thought the crew deserted."

The girl put her palms out, "Don't you think we know how to fool scanners? Thats academy training 101 buddy. Look, you're mostly right, we were running on a skeleton crew anyway, and most of them got on shuttles and got out of here to get help. 5 of us, including our captain stayed to try and make repairs."

Howard the ensign engineer spoke up. "So how did your vessel get infected by a virus? The Gorn ship didn't arrive till after we'd gotten here."

The girl nodded. "We were scanned by a warp capable probe, it transmitted a message to us, and the virus piggybacked on i..."

Mark getting annoyed by their lack of movement cut her off. "Look no offence but we need to get off this ship. We have... 5 minutes to back on the Andromeda and a safe distance away."

The girl nodded, as her 4 comrades emerged from the jefferies tube.

The Captain of the Harrison, Adam Rhode nodded at Mark, somewhat sternly.

Mark stared for a second, almost feeling a sense of guilt, but it quickly vanished as the sound of incoming enemy soldiers echoed off the access doors. "Captain I recommend we make haste to our shuttle craft, at this point I think it's the only option."

Adam nodded, annoyance creeping into his voice. "Yes, it would seem so...lead the way."