Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [87]
"Maintain red alert," Tuvok said. "Prepare for evasive maneuvers."
"Aye, sir," Paris answered, "but--" "Cruiser closing to two hundred thousand kilometers," Rollins said. "Their weapons systems are powered up, and they have raised shields."
"On-screen," Tuvok said. "Mr. Paris, bring us about. Mr. Rollins, arm forward photons."
"Tuvok," B'Elanna said, looking up from the engineering station displays. "I recommend we avoid another firefight if possible.
Our shields will not withstand another encounter like the one we just had."
Paris couldn't resist giving her a sidelong look. That wasn't the kind of statement B'Elanna was known for, and she knew as well as he did what the alternatives meant. Paris took that as a bad sign.
"I appreciate the advice, Lieutenant," Tuvok replied, "but that may not be an option."
"Lieutenant," Rollins said, "the cruiser is now within range, but they're no longer closing. They're holding position, matching orbits with us."
"I think you should listen to B'Elanna," Neelix said. "We may be able to come back around."
His expression was not one of fear, Paris decided, but of concern.
Neelix had never been burdened by the need to make command decisions of the sort that Tuvok now faced, but he had managed to survive on his own in this part of the galaxy for many years, and he had exhibited no lack of loyalty--either to Kes or to the captain and crew of Voyager. It was not self-preservation that motivated him now; it was group preservation. Paris didn't have a problem with that.
"I'm reading a substantial power buildup in their forward shields," Rollins added, "but..."
Tuvok looked up. "Yes?"
"The energy matrix pattern isn't familiar."
Tuvok stood up again and moved to the aft area of the bridge's upper level. He stepped into the tactical station bay and stood over Rollins's shoulder, examining the data for himself.
"Lieutenant Torres, what would you make of this?" He reached past Rollins to work the short-range sensor controls; then he tapped once more, and the data appeared on a screen at the engineering station.
B'Elanna quickly analyzed it.
"They're using an overlay pattern of some kind," she said after just a moment. "They appear to be loading their forward shields by systematically depleting all the others."
"Then they have made a foolish mistake," Neelix said. "We can attack them from behind."
"We can't maneuver fast enough for that," Paris told him.
"Agreed," Tuvok said. "It is logical to assume that this commander is aware of the fate of the first cruiser, and is determined to compensate. Their shields are apparently quite sophisticated. I believe they are attempting to provide an adequate defense against our photon torpedoes."
"They're still reinforcing, layering their forward shields," B'Elanna continued, looking down, her fingers working the controls. "If they can keep the bow facing our attacks, I think they can hold us off for quite a while."
"Which is probably why they aren't getting too close," Paris guessed.
"Agreed," Tuvok said.
"And by maintaining distance," B'Elanna added, "they can fire their energy weapons at us while maximizing their chances of avoiding a direct torpedo hit."
Tuvok came as close to frowning as a Vulcan could. "Helm, hold position until I say otherwise. Mr. Rollins, try hailing the cruiser.
I would like to attempt negotiations one more time. I cannot believe such a successful race would abandon all reason when given an opportunity to--" "They are firing," Stephens said.
"Confirmed," said Rollins. "Photon pulse and phaser fire."
"Believe it, Mr. Tuvok," Neelix moaned.
His words were punctuated by a series of shock waves that pounded Voyager with a nearly deafening roar--an experience with which the entire crew was already too familiar.
"Commander!" Stephens said, shouting after Tuvok as he headed back toward the bridge's lower