"Executive Tension"
Previous Post: "Breaking free, Pt. I"
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Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
Hanging on with all of her strength as the HATHOR was
made to rapidly turn, pivot and bank in order to sty
ahead of the many IMPs now on an intercept course the
Romulan/Terran hybrid kept reminding herself that the
situation could have been worse. Imagining that her
ship could be swarming with Imperian droids, the CO
had become increasingly thankful for Ens. Stormwind's
skills at the helm.
Keeping a close watch on the actual distance of the
swarm which had been sent against them, the Hirogen
seemed unimpressed that he, along with every other
member of the crew, had been placed on the wrong side
of this hunt. Playing *prey* instead of *predator*
had visibly not been Uxtar's preferred role.
Following the latest firing of the aft pulse cannon,
the S/TAC officer made his report. "Weapons have no
effect on them. Those that we have hit simply fall
back behind the others and continue the chase. We
need to find some way to deal with these IMPs, one
that does not require us running from them."
Responding to the report made by his fellow shipmate,
the half Vulcan FCO actually took a moment to look
back at the Hirogen as he spoke. "I could lose those
pods in a few seconds. They may be persistent but
their manoeuvrability is exceptionally limited and
that does not even cover their lack of high speed.
The real problem is that if we lose them, they'll
likely just regroup back with the sphere and continue
on their way to SURIAL III and the ANUBIS."
Seeing the expression on the face of the
Romulan/Terran hybrid, Ens. Stormwind quickly returned
to his piloting of the HATHOR and keeping it one step
ahead of the Imperian probes. Turning to face the
Hirogen, the CO pointed out an aspect of their current
situation that the S/TAC might not have considered.
"Although it may not appear that way, we are actually
in the position of advantage here. As long as we stay
ahead of the Imperians, all they can do is follow. We
can keep this up for as long as is needed which should
give the ANUBIS all of the time they need."
Playing the role of Devil's Advocate, the XO/CEO chimed in with his own observations of the situation, one that did not entirely coincide with what the Romulan/Terran hybrid had just voiced. "We know very little about the Imperians, and we know even less about their methods of engaging an opponent. Therefore it would be wise for us not to assume superiority for the time being, for all we know they might be like the Borg and are using this time to figure out a way to *adapt* to our current course of action."
Glaring at her former Academy classmate, the
Romulan/Terran hybrid actually displayed for a brief
moment surprise, not because what David had said had
been accurate but because the words of wisdom spoken
had actually come out of his lips. Knowing the CEO as
she did, Serenna had never expected the large engineer
to sound like one of their instructors having always
imagined Dawson as the type to knock something over
first and figure out what to do next afterwards.
Rejoining the ongoing conversation about the Imperians and their ways, the Hirogen offered his tactical observations of the robotic race that had but a single goal; to see all biological life in the galaxy exterminated. "The Imperians might be trying to adapt their methods to be more effective against our current evasive patterns, but so far nothing I have seen points to them being anywhere close to the Borg in their adaptability. The probes and the sphere have perfectly matched each and every course change that we have made. At no time have they tried to anticipate or even counter any of our moves. As sophisticated as they may be technologically, it would appear that their base tactical programming may be lacking."
Turning away from the flight controls once again, the FCO glanced at the Hirogen for a moment before turning a little more to look at the hybrid CO sitting in the middle of the bridge. "There is some logic in that. Why use battle tactics when you have both the technological and number superiority? I realize that this is only a guess, but it could explain what we have found so far. Instead of trying to outmanoeuvre an adversary the Imperians might be just the type to walk right in and sweep the floor clean. After all their one and only objective is to *kill* any and all like."
Appearing supportive of the conclusion reached by
the half Vulcan FCO, the Romulan/Terran hybrid
considered all that had been said and observed about
the newest threat to have been encountered. Not yet
willing to accept anything as being an absolute fact,
the CO decided to have the HATHOR continue on as they
had and gather more information on the Imperians and
their methods of engagement which could prove to be
invaluable data at a later time.
Looking at Ens. Stormwind, the Romulan/Terran hybrid
updated her orders to the FCO and the rest of the
HATHOR's senior staff. "Let's not take any chances
and continue with the evasive manoeuvres, in the
meantime though let's also try to find a way to break
through the communication and sensor interference. It
would be nice to know if the ANUBIS had been
successful in getting Lt. Cmdr. Enaii back and if they
are on their way to help us or if they are in orbit
waiting for us to regroup."
Nodding his understanding the XO/CEO turned back to
face the engineering panel and doubled his efforts to
pierce the electromagnetic cloud which had been cast
over them by the Imperians which had rendered their
ship-to-ship communications and sensors completely
inoperative.
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Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2006 post #118
Stardate: 60342.1015
Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Commanding Officer
USS HATHOR
