"Bigger And Bader"
[Previous post: "Hopes"]
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Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
There were no doubts; the pitch black sphere had been Imperian, the
sensor sweep used by the larger ship matching perfectly what the
smaller IMPs used. All that remained to be answered was 'what was inside the
sphere?'
The Hirogen's mind filled with vision of the inside of a Borg ship with
hundreds of drones waiting to assimilate whatever they encountered.
The only difference had been that the Imperians were not interested in
assimilation and were more than content to just vanquish whatever life
stumbled across their path.
"We will be in weapons' range in 45 seconds," Uxtar said thinking that
he and the others had that long to come up with a way of dealing with
the Imperian Sphere. At least Borg ships could be affected by certain
modified weapons but so far all attempts to attack an Imperian ship had
resulted in a less than glorious outcome.
"That sphere is made of the same material as the IMPs," Dawson said
with a deep sigh.
"Were you able to get a sensor lock on them?" the CO asked surprised
that her ExO had managed to confirm this without anyone else on the
Bridge having made any sort of comment about the sensors having
penetrated the *void*.
"Logical deduction," Derek chirped sounding as much as a Vulcan as any
other pointed ear, green blooded, emotionless being. "Since our
sensors are acting in the exact same manner as with the IMPs, it was the only
conclusion that could be reached."
David glared at the FCO for a brief moment looking less than happy at
having been compared to a Vulcan. Logic and emotional control would
not save them at this point in time, at least not against something as
inhuman as the Imperians. "I also doubt that we have the available
resources onboard the HATHOR to create an energy pulse powerful enough
to knock that thing out."
Uxtar nodded despite himself. Dawson had been correct, although the
HATHOR was a very powerful little ship, the battle systems had been
designed to go up against more conventional opponents, ones with
shields that could be disabled and hulls that could be destroyed. "30 seconds
to minimum intercept range," the Hirogen said hoping that someone would
come up with something before the counter reached zero.
"We have to buy the ANUBIS time," the hybrid CO said, "and I am willing
to entertain any and all suggestions on how we can accomplish this
without us being destroyed."
It was obvious that Serenna had hoped someone would say something but
instead the Bridge fell into an absolute stillness.
"Looks like there is only one way for us to do this," Dawson mumbled
under his breath as he moved closer to the CO. "We have to make
ourselves to be enough of a nuisance that it will follow us instead of
continue on course for SURIAL III and the ANUBIS."
"In other words you would like for us to become bait," Uxtar said from
the Tactical station not at all sounding pleased with the suggested
course of action. As a Hirogen Uxtar liked to be the hunter and not
the prey but given their situation and that of the other ship the Sec/Tac
officer reluctantly agreed that there had been little other choice.
"We could launch everything we have at it and try to lure the sphere away.
We will be in minimum weapons' range in 15 seconds."
"Well you did say to Lea and Susan that this would be a bumpy ride,"
Dawson dryly chuckled to Serenna as he returned to his station and
prepared himself and the HATHOR for what was to come.
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[Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.] 2006 post #111
Stardate: 60342.0915
Mark Hutchings {h172mark16@fastmail.us}
Ensign Uxtar
Chief Security Officer
USS HATHOR
