Stardate 2357.102/12.11

1.5 A.U.s from Tecra Prime...

A standard-type transport vessel of Earth manufacture is being puruied by pack of four smaller fighters

"Status!" a stiff hardened voice yelled.
"Shields down to 40%," some one said, suddenly jolted by a blast.  "Make that 35%."
Captain Josua Kore wasn't in a happy mood.  Not even thirty-five, in his primest condition, he and his crew of the E.A.S. Aurora were about to face extermination.
"Remodulate the guns and life-support to shields.  I want those protorp launchers ready!" Kore yelled.
"Aye, sir!"
The Aurora was hitted again by the fighters.
"Incoming transmission," first officer Cora Arianne reported.
Before giving the command, an image of a helmeted man appeared in the viewing screen, "To Earth Alliance transport, you are to surrender your ship and selves to the Krellwan Clan."
"In your whiskers!" Kore said and ordered Arianne, "Fire at will!"

Two bright torpedoes quickly impacted two of the fighters, reducing them to useless debris.
"Sir, launchers are jammed!"
Another blast jolted the Aurora.
"We've lost shields," Arriane said.
"Open communications to the Krellwan leader," Kore said, realizing that his cargo and ship is not as worth his crew's lives.
"Channel opened."
"To Krellwan Clan, we are submitting ourselves to you.  We will heave to and prepare to be boarded," Kore said.
The Leader's face appeared again, "Aknowledge, U.E.A transport.  You will pay heavily for our brothers' death."
"Captain, the pirate ship is activating their tractor beams," Arianne said and continued, "But... sir!  I'm picking anomalous readings on our bow, about three hundred klicks."
Truly, something is happening...
The Leader appeared again, "Transport.  Is this your meaning of surrender.  We will surely finish you now!"
Before anything could happen, the anomaly grewed in size, and envelope the three spacecrafts.
 

Stardate 2357.320/05.03
Four months later...

Tecra III
Science colony, population: 34,302.

The shuttle glided to the planet's atmosphere.
"Tecra III control, this lieutenant Grady Hawkins requesting docking," a pilot's voice said.
Seconds later a voice responded, "Affirmitive, lieutenant.  You're cleared at Bay two.  By the way, what took you so long?"
"Hyperspace-jam.  Is the doctor ready?"
"Ready as he is."
As large Tecra III is, the science station only existed in the northern continent.  Being very far from the sun, Tecra III is always engraved with eternal snow.
Grady Hawkins gently glided the shuttle until it was captured by the base' auto landing systems.

[For a complete story please e-mail me at arvincha@hotmail.com]