ON
Lukas sat in the command seat and listened as his oficers reported the
readiness of each department in the Yellow Alert status. He smiled
inwardly at the efficiency of his crew. The dors of the turbo-lift
could be heard opening. Lukas turned to see his adopted son, Malachi,
and hos acting XO, Lt. Borek enter the bridge. Malachi moved to the
science station and Borek came directly to the command arena.
Mal saw that Ensign Gibson was seated at the science
station. He was fully prepared to sit at the auxilary station,and
assist, but it was Gibbson who moved to the auxilary station.
"We want you to get the most experience you can, kid," Gibson said with
a smile. "I'll back you up."
"Thank you, sir," Malachi said taking Josie Tracy's
usual spot. He almost wished Max would appear on the monitor. A lot
of the officers did not like the AI, but Mal enjoyed Max. He checked
all systems and saw extensive scans were still being conducted.
"Captain," came the voice of Ensign Harriman at OPS. "I am receiving a
transmission from the Horse, sir, on the trader frequencies. They say
the quarry is on the move and the Eagle could be prey."
"Send a simple acknoldgement blip, Ensign," Lukas said. He looked to
the science station. He smiled when he saw Mal diligently working the
science scanners and Gibson working alongside him.
"Are we going to try and take Chekov, sir," Borek asked.
"if Ah cain avoid an open conflict with them, lt, Ah will," Lukas told
the one. "They have a definite advantage with the cloak, and if they
can't take us they'll just go back in hahding. Mah guess is Gladaham
will trah and take Eagle lahke he did the Chekov."
"You think they have the codes, sir," Borek asked.
"If they're headed our way, Lt., you cain count on it," Lukas said
calmly "At least the old codes."
"Of course, sir," theone said. "I should have guessed you would
anticipate this."
"You're learning, Lt." Lukas said with a smile. He resisted the urge
to ask Malachi if he had spotted anything yet. Lukas knew both the
officers at the science stations were doing their best.
Malachi
was half listening to the conversation going on between the CO and XO.
his heart filled with pride when Lukas had so sooly answered the
question about the Chekov getting their codes. Malachi knew that kind
of information would have made his heart drop in fear, but it was
comforting to know his father had already anticipated it. Suddenly his
attention was drawn to his console as he noticed a sensor blip.
"I
have them, sir," Malachi called out. Gibbson looked startled at
Malachi, and then checked his console again. Sure enough, there they
were. The impulse exhaust was showing up like a road on a roadmap.
"Heading 357, Mark 1. They're coming in real slow."
"What is the location of the Trojan Horse," Lukas asked.
"They're
about five minutes out, sir," Malachi reported. "They're traveling via
one of the more popular trader routes."
"Helm," Lukas ordered. "Make a slow turn towards the trader lane.
Let's give the Horse all the oportunity to get as close as they can to
the Chekov." He called out to the OPS officer. "Mr Harriman. Monitor
frequencies carefully. They will atempt to take control of us. Make
certain they don't get the new codes. They will trah for them. As the
trader ship gets nearer, we'll also hail them as if we have no ahdea
who they are, and warn them outta the area. Hopefully Gladaham will be
listening."
"Aye, sir," Ensign Harriman acknowledged.
"Okay crew," Lukas said to everyone in general. "Let's give Commander
Marqusa a chance to complete her mission. Tactical be on stand-bah.
We will destroy the Chekov if we have to."
OFF
Commodore Lukas Fyrstk
Commanding Officer
Malachi Fyrstk
Acting Science officer
