Genesis18

Before K’Tesh could fire again, the Explorer had managed to come back and fire on the Valentine. K’Tesh braced himself as his ship rocked from the impact. He hurried to shoot off another salvo of missiles, which hit the Explorer broadside.

“Shields down to eighty-two percent, sir,” announced Lieutenant Commander Lamb from Tactical.

“Decks four and five report damage, sir,” Lieutenant Hardy added.

Mansel gestured to K’Tesh’s ship on the viewscreen. “Fire up the ship again, Lamb. Disabling phasers.”

Somewhat disappointed that he had to use disabling phasers instead of the real thing, Lamb shook his head. “Aye sir. Firing disabling phasers.” Blue lances of fire shot out from the Explorer’s phaser banks again and again, pounding the Valentine.

“Lieutenant Hardy, hail the Valentine,” said Mansel. After a few seconds of trying, Lieutenant Hardy had nothing to report.

“He’s not responding, sir.”

“Very well then,” said Mansel. “Continue firing disabling phasers.”

“Target his shield generator,” Commander Vaughn added from Mansel’s left. He gripped the chair as the Explorer rocked again. “Shield status?”

“Shields are at seventy percent, sir,” said Lamb from above Commander Vaughn.

“Lieutenant Talaj, can you give me the status of their ship?” Mansel asked his Science Officer.

Lieutenant Talaj scanned K’Tesh’s ship. “His shields are at seventy-five percent, sir.” She reported.

“Whatever he’s using, it’s packing more of a wallop than we are,” Lieutenant Commander Lamb observed. “I suggest we revert back to regular phasers.”

“No,” said Mansel, pausing as the Explorer shook again. “It’s too risky. I’d prefer the ambassador be brought back alive.”

“Right,” agreed Commander Vaughn. “Are there any weak points on K’Tesh’s ship?” he asked Lieutenant Talaj.

She replied affirmative. “There’s a spot right near his sublight engines. A well-placed torpedo could take out his shields without destroying the ship.”

“Ready proton torpedo,” Captain Mansel called. “Prepare to fire on my mark.” He turned to Lieutenant Hardy. “Lieutenant, hail K’Tesh one more time. Tell him to release the ambassador and no harm will come to him or his ship.”

As Lieutenant Hardy relayed the message, Lieutenant Commander Lamb filled torpedo bay one with a single proton torpedo and waited for his commanding officer’s signal.

To everyone’s surprise K’Tesh responded. One the viewscreen was ambassador Wilson, bound and sitting in a chair in the middle of the bridge. He looked worse than Mansel had imagined. He guessed that hostages didn’t get treated as well as he thought.

He rose out of the command chair and opened his mouth to announce who he was. Ambassador Wilson, however, was the first to speak.

“Please,” he begged. “Don’t fire on the ship again. He said next time you do, he’ll kill me.”

“Don’t worry ambassador,” Mansel soothed. “Just try to stay calm.” He had no idea whether or not he was calming the man down, but he kept talking. “Where is K’Tesh now?”

“Right here, captain,” came the voice of K’Tesh from off screen. “What is it that you want?”

“First of all, I’d like to see whom I’m talking to,” said Mansel, still standing in front of his chair. He decided to remain standing.

“I’m sorry, captain, but that can’t be arranged,” came K’Tesh’s reply.

To his left, Mansel noticed that Commander Vaughn was quietly and quickly talking into the minuscule communicator installed in his chair. Mansel thought that it might be wise to buy some more time for whatever scheme Commander Vaughn was cooking up. “How can I negotiate with someone I can’t see?” he asked, putting his hands behind his back.

“There is no need for negotiations, captain,” said the faceless terrorist. “Only demand and comply. Do you comply?”

“Fine,” said Mansel, after considering it for a few seconds. He returned to his chair. “What are your demands, K’Tesh?”

“First of all, I want full assurance that no more UNSF ships will pursue me.”

Mansel shook his head. “Sorry, K’Tesh. Can’t comply with you on that one. You’re a wanted man. Nothing’s going to stop the UNSF from hunting you down.”

“Second of all,” K’Tesh continued as if he hadn’t even heard Mansel. “I require a small planet.”