Raid Response

Chapter 21

    Commodore Rebecca Chi was on the Bridge of the Divergent when the Vigilant’s message hit the Communications Station. Reading over the message the Officer looked up “Commodore we just received an Alpha Priority One message from the Vigilant; you may want to take a look at this Ma’am” he suggested.

    Hearing the Officer Chi walked briskly over to the Comm’s Station and read the message “Damn; they’re not going to take another one of our Ships and Crew. This ends today!” she stated as she redirected herself to Helm “Lieutenant at maximum warp, how long until we reach the Vigilant’s current position” she inquired.

    Checking her Screen the Lieutenant turned to look at her superior “Two hours Ma’am at maximum warp.”

    Thinking out loud “I doubt they have that much time left” as Rebecca looked to her next in command “Captain D’Nor, what would you do in this situation” she asked her long time Vulcan friend who she had served with for years as her First Officer and now as Captain of the Divergent.

    “Logically there is only one way to get to the Vigilant in time” he replied in his usual Vulcan manner knowing the Commodore would understand his meaning. 

    “That’s what I was thinking as well Captain” then tapping her Comm “Commander Jefferson how soon can you get the Quantum Slipstream Drive online” she inquired having one of the best Chief Engineers in Star Fleet.

    “Give me there minutes Commodore then you’ll have the Drive at your disposal” Jefferson replied then began barking out orders to his Crew.

    “Excellent Commander” then Chi turned towards Communications “Lieutenant open a ship wide please” she ordered and moments later received a thumbs up “Divergent Crew, we need to execute the Hyper Slip Stream drive momentarily for the rescue of the Vigilant so hang onto something. Chi out. 

“Helm using Slipstream how long before we reach the Vigilant” Chi inquired. Twenty minutes Ma’am; give or take.

“Much better” she replied, now with a glimmer of hope for success “ Lieutenant send a message to Captain Lake letting him know we’ll be there in twenty.”

    “As you wish Commodore” the Lieutenant responded already typing out the requested  message “Message sent Ma’am.”

    Moments later Helm acknowledged “Commodore, the Drive just came on line and the coordinates for the Vigilant are locked in……awaiting your order Ma’am.

    Sitting in a command seat “Initiate Helm” Chi ordered as the Divergent suddenly became longer and the view screen became a white fog of stars streaking by the Ship.

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Meanwhile on the Vigilant

    Lieutenant SanChez spoke up with enthusiasm in her voice “Captain we just received a response from the Divergent, they’ll be here in twenty minutes.”

    “That is good news Lieutenant” as James looked at a timer that he had set to thirty minutes when all of this started “It’ll be close but I think we can stall for a few minutes to give them a cushion” he stated then continued “Ms. SanChez if they hail us at the end of the allotted time, ignore it for a couple of minutes and let them hail us three times before  we reply; I’ll just tell them we’re having communications problems which I hope will buy us a little more time.”

    Turning towards Racheal “Commander please go to the Auxiliary Station and bring up a Tactical Screen; let me know as soon as the Divergent is within range” James ordered.

    “No problem Sir” as Racheal slid over to the empty Station as did as requested with finger’s crossed help would be here on time.

    Just in case things didn’t work out the Captain brought up the self destruct protocols to refresh his memory hoping upon hope that wouldn’t be necessary. As the minutes ticked on by James was trying to bring himself to the realization that this may be the end of his life. Looking over towards Racheal he suddenly felt a real sense of loss never being able to explore their relationship any further than it had ready progressed. Mentally slapping himself in the face he focused on the reality of their situation as any good Captain would.

    Starring at her Screen a smile suddenly came across the Commander’s face “Captain the Divergent just dropped out of warp; they’re almost to our current position” she commented with excitement and a sense of relief in her voice.

    Before James could respond Maria informed him “Captain the Divergent is hailing us Sir.”

    “Send it my Screen” came the order as Maria happily made the transfer. A smiling James stated “Man, are we ever happy to see you Commodore……so what’s the plan.”

        “We’re positioning our Ship between you and our enemy……as soon as we’re in position I want you to cloak, adjust course bearing seven point seven at warp eight point five for several minutes; that should get you far enough away from the Herodians. Then readjust course again and head back to DS7…..warp  nine the rest of the way home. Is that understood Captain Lake.”

    James was a little surprised but this was one order he would gladly follow “As you wish Commodore…..let us know when.”

    Moments later “Captain we’re in position so cloak and get out of here…..we’ll deal with this lot and I’ll see you back at the Base, Chi out.”

    James looked to his left as T’Sol informed him “Course already laid in…..awaiting your order Captain.”

    “Make it happen Lieutenant” Lake ordered then tapped his Comm “You can rest easy people……the Divergent is here and as per the Commodore’s orders we’re heading home, Lake out” as he could just imagine the relief that everyone was feeling…..he knew he did as he turned and made eye contact with Racheal who was all smiles at the moment.

    Standing James stretched then addressed the entire Bridge “Great job everyone……you all conducted yourselves professionally which greatly increased our chances of success” then he paused “And of course the Divergent played an important role in this as well” he stated very proud of his fine Crew.

    The next few hours flew by as Helm informed the Captain “Sir we’re approaching DS7” T’Sol stated “Dropping out of warp.”

    “Excellent Lieutenant….take us in” James ordered more than happy to be back safe and sound.

Editor's Note: DS9 has been changed to DS7 and Section 31 to Section 42 permanently.