OOC:
By the way, don't hesitate in destroying the Adelaide with the nanopaste. Since Deep Space Five is only 30 light years away, it won't take long (maybe half a day) for the Federation to be back, in force!
IC:
The Adelaide rocked ominously as an energy beam from the Infernal Mist landed and attempted to cut its way through the Federation ship's weakening shields...
"Forward shields are down to 57%!" yelled Tabatha.
"Divert emergency power to shield generators one through six!" Henry snapped right back.
"Our photons have blown several holes in their shield grid, sir!" Kevin reported.
"Keep launching them!" ordered Henry.
"You mean you can't shut this thing off!?"
Lieutenant Vincent Paykel was pissed, mightily pissed... Not only had he let these two managed to pass right by him with a device that could destroy the entire ship, but he was sure he had forever lost the respect of his captain. Of course, this wasn't true, but trying to tell that to the lieutenant at that moment would have been about as effective as tapping an oak tree with a plastic spoon and expecting it to come crashing down. He grabbed Grigor by the collar and hauled the man to his feat, struggling to fight the urge not to punch the man's teeth out.
"You better tell me where that device is!" he bellowed. "Or I swear I
wont be held responsible for what I'll do!!!"
"Oy! Calm down!"
Incredibly, it was the Tellarite crewman that was trying to be the voice of reason. He had his phaser cautiously trained on Lashee after what Grigor had just said, as did the ensign standing next to him, both phasers set to maximum stun.
"Shut up, pig face!" Vincent spat.
The ensign noticed the Tellarite gripping his phaser slightly more tightly. He knew he probably had seconds to defuse the situation...
"Why don't we all shut up?" he wondered loudly, drawing their focus to him. "I mean, we're
all in danger here, right? Honestly, Vince, what's gotten into you?"
At that point, Vincent slowly released his grip on Grigor's collar and took a step back, suddenly shocked as his own actions.
"Look, I know how bad it feels to feel like you've failed your captain," he assured the stunned man. "But taking it out on him," he indicated Grigor, "isn't going to help us find that device, now is it?"
Vincent merely bowed his head in shame. Such behavior from a Starfleet officer was out of character at best and unconscionable at worst.
"Now then, Mr. Grigor..." the ensign said, turning to face the envoy. "I suggest you tell us where that device is..."
Meanwhile, Kevin watched curiously as a boarding craft departed from the Column of Nuclear Winter and headed back for the Mist, at which point many of the fighters broke off from their attacks and formed a tight protecting sphere around the ship.
"What
are they doing?" Tabatha wondered aloud...
"Sir, incoming transmission from the Column," Albert reported.
"Attention all ships. This is *cough* *cough* the Column's Weapon's Officer, Lieutenant Commander Michael Harrier! *cough* Do not fire upon the boarding craft guarded by the fighter swarm. Do not intervene or try and bring it onboard your ships. Captain Dragonhelper is on that vessel and I don't think Debra is playing around *cough*. From what I know, the Nanopaste is connected to the Captain somehow and his death might result in the activation of the Military Grade Nanopaste. Also, our ship's AI is onboard that vessel! *cough* If any of you can hear this, please do not put our Captain or AI at risk of being destroyed"
"Oh . .. .. .. ...." Dante groaned.
"You took the words right out of my mouth, lieutenant," Henry agreed. "Bridge to lieutenant Paykel, be advised captain Dragonhelper has been captured, I repeat, the Column of Nuclear Winter's captain
has been captured! he was one of two people with access to the nanopaste..."
"Oh . .. .. .. ...." the ensign replied for Vincent dumbly.
"I know! Mr. Keating had the exact same reaction ensign, just do something!" Henry insisted. "Find that device!"
"Aye sir!" the ensign almost shouted back. "Well, Mr. Grigor, now I
strongly suggest you tell us where that device is, looks like you're in the same boat as us now..."
Meanwhile, just one deck below them, a battle continued to rage between the Adelaide's marines and the enemy soldiers. Their attacks had slowed up and the marines were beginning to force the soldiers back. They hadn't been completely prepared for the suicide tactics of the soldiers, but they had adapted quickly...
"Longstreet to bridge..." an older marine called, tapping his com badge.
"Baker here..." Henry replied.
"Sir, the enemy's running out of soldiers, we're forcing them back..."
"Good, but inform all marine squadrons
not to take unnecessary risks..." Henry insisted.
"Will do sir," the marine replied. "Longstreet out..."
