"Heading Home"
[Previous post: "Dragged Into Action"]
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Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
The Hirogen Sec/Tac Officer did not dare to blink for fear of missing
something on the tactical sensors. The ANUBIS had taken point which
had left the HATHOR to bring up the rear and insure that none had followed
the two Federation ships as they headed back home.
Uxtar's concerns were not that the Cardassian would follow them; since
they had been more than busy with the Imperians, but instead that the
robotic race had taken a liking to them. Their inability to get any
sort of sensor lock on any of the Imperian ships had made the Sec/Tac
nervous since he had no real way of knowing if they had been out there
following them or not.
"You might want to relax a little," the FCO said, Ens. Stormwind having
decided to take a short break from his station to stretch his legs.
"You look like your head is about to explode."
"It is unwise to underestimate a prey," the Hirogan said letting it
clearly known that his ways as a hunter had never been far behind him,
"Especially one as ruthless as the Imperians. Even after we have
crossed back into Federation space it would be prudent for us to keep a
heightened alert status."
"I wouldn't worry all that much about those overgrown tin cans," the
Vulcan hybrid chuckled while openly displaying his human side. "The
way they bounced off the ANUBIS's armor I would guess that we won't be
seeing them for a while. Personally I would be more concerned about
whoever that person was they found onboard the Cardassian freighter."
"There is nothing to worry about her," Uxtar said having checked with
the ANUBIS' Sec/Tac about this very subject. "She's human and a
Starfleet Ensign."
The FCO became motionless for a moment as he processed the information
given by the Hirogen. "So you find nothing strange about a *Starfleet*
officer having been found onboard a *Cardassian* ship? She could have
been a spy waiting to be introduced into Federation space or maybe
she's a plant left behind by the Imperians."
The Hirogen shook his head at his friend never having expected such a paranoid streak from the FCO. "The Imperians have not displayed any indications to be a race that subscribed to deception along the line you have suggested. They favor destroying an opponent out in the open over trying to undermine their way of life. As for the rest of your argument, I have confidence in Lt. Pravat to keep an eye on whoever the woman is. I am sure that there is a perfectly logical reason to explain her presence onboard that freighter."
Derek smiled at Uxtar surprised by the Hirogen using the word *logic*.
The FCO had been about to say something more when he noticed a strange
glare directed at him from the woman sitting in the central chair. It
did not take Ens. Stormwind long to realize that the CO had wanted him
to return to his station regardless of how boring the flight might have
been. At least Derek had displayed his skills as a pilot and proven
that he could perform while under pressure.
While the FCO returned to the HATHOR's helm, the Sec/Tac resumed his scanning of the space behind them still not entirely convinced that the Imperians would give up as easily as Derek had suggested. The more the hunter thought about this though, the more he had to agree that there had been a great amount of logic in what had been said. The Imperians were probably unaccustomed to failing in their conquests and the result of their encounter with the ANUBIS had very likely caused them to retreat and reevaluate their strategies and the strengths of their adversaries.
All that Uxtar could hope for was that this retreat, if indeed that had
been the case, would give the Federation time to develop a more
effective defense and way to combat the Imperians.
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[Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.] 2006 post #129
Stardate: 60342.1300
Mark Hutchings {h172mark16@fastmail.us}
Ensign Uxtar
Chief Security Officer
USS HATHOR
