Chapter 31
Tapping his Comm “Lieutenant Herrick there is a freighter with engine problems please assemble a three man team the effect repairs. Send your Assistant along with two other engineers. Commander Roan will be to you shortly with a Security team. They’ll accompany your Engineering team while on the freighter. Keep me apprised of the situation over there” James ordered.
“Understood Captain; we’ll be ready when the Commander arrives. Herrick out” came the response.
Looking towards Maria “Lieutenant SanChez please send the Freighter’s coordinates to the Transporter Room” James ordered.
“Aye Captain, sending coordinates now” Maria replied with a smile happy to be staying abroad ship.
Tapping his chair comm once again “Transporter Room this is the Captain. Six of the Crew are coming to you to be transported over to a Freighter who needs our help, Lake out” James ordered hoping the Away Team would be safe.
“Understood Captain and I just received the coordinates so we’re all set to go” the Operator responded.
Turning to Racheal “Commander looks like now we wait while our people do their jobs” James stated with a smile.
“Looks that way” Racheal replied returning his smile.
[ Freighter ]
The Away Team materialized aboard the Freighter as Roan took the lead. Seeing an older gentleman standing in the Transporter Room “I am Commander Roan here with a work detail. If you could let your Captain know we have arrived to effect your repairs” he stated rather stone faced.
“Welcome aboard. I’m Captain Johnson and thank you for coming. Now if your team will follow me I’ll escort you to Engineering” he replied with a smile then turned and led the way.
As they proceeded Roan addressed Security a low voice “Keep your wits about you, I do not want any surprises” he ordered as both Crewman gave a nod of understanding.
Once they arrived at Engineering Roan had the other two Security people post up just inside the door to secure the area. Captain Johnson looked to the Team “Well here’s the problem…..see what you can do to get us back up and running” he commented “I’ll leave you to it” as Johnson turned and headed back to the Bridge.
The ACEO officer started looking the situation over when he soon discovered something that he wished wasn’t true. Looking towards Roan “Commander a word please” as he double checked the problem to make sure he was indeed correct.
Walking over Roan inquired “What seems to be the problem Lieutenant.”
Lowering his voice so as not to be overheard by the freighters crew “Commander it looks like the engine has been purposely sabotaged from what I can tell Sir.”
Roan could feel his Klingon blood starting to boil as he stated in a loud voice “They what?”
A nearby Crew mate figured out what was happening as he tapped his comm “Captain Johnson, we’ve been found out” he stated with some concern in his voice especially seeing how the Klingon reacted.
“I’ll send help” Johnson stated then tapping his comm “All Crew report to engineering immediately….weapons drawn” he ordered then took off for engineering himself.
Minutes later Johnson entered engineering with his phaser drawn “I see you’ve found us out….you’re to smart for you own good” he commented “Disarm them all.”
As the Freighter Crew disarmed the Away Team, Roans fist thought was to extract the hidden Klingon knife from the side of his boot and make these dogs pay for their actions; but thought better of it since he had promised the Captain everyone would return safely.
“Take them to the Brig and lock them up. Now I’ll deal with their Captain” Johnson ordered then left for the Bridge to have a chat with Lake.
[ Vigilant ]
Captain Lake was sitting at the Conn having a conversation with Commander Reese when Comms informed them “Captain, the Freighter is hailing us Sir” Ensign Mc Doogle stated.
“On Screen” Lake ordered then stood and walked up behind Helm “Captain Johnson how are the repairs coming along” he inquired with a smile.
With a smirk “Well, I tell you Captain Lake, I’m not really concerned about the repairs” then he paused a moment “But I do have your Away Team locked up in the Brig. So this is how this is going to play out…..you’re going to relinquish your Ship to me or your Team will suffer the consequences when they get blown out of the airlocks. Is that understood Captain…..do not test me on this or you will suffer the consequences of your actions; you have one hour to comply.”
Captain Lake’s demeanor suddenly changed at the news as he became very stoic while his mind was racing to come up with a way out of this situation that he now found himself and some of his Crew in “Understood” James simply replied then gave Heidi the hand gesture to cut the transmission.
Looking over at his Number One, Racheal figured what James’ next move would be as she simply nodded at her Captain. Tapping his Comm “Ensign Benna, Lieutenant Nox report to my Ready Room immediately. Turning to Racheal “You have the Conn” as James left for his office.
Minutes later Mark and Nox hustled to see their Captain “You wanted to see us Sir…..it sounds important” Nox commented as James gestured for them both to take a seat.
“It is. Our Away Team has been taken prisoner by the Freighter Captain. He wants the Vigilant in exchange for their lives” James explained “How soon can you get your things together and extract them from the Brig.”
Mark looked to Nox then back to the Captain “We can be ready in ten…..then we’ll get our people back” as Nox nodded in agreement.
“Excellent” he replied “Be careful, you don’t know what you’re walking into….I want all of you back safely and that’s an order. Contact me when you’ve returned.”
“Understood Captain” Nox replied as the Infiltration Specialists hustled to get their equipment together so they could leave as soon as possible.
Ten minutes later the Team walked into the Transporter Room as Mark looked to Nox “Just like old times eh” as the duo stepped onto the pads ready for what lie ahead “Energize.”
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