Survivors - Jean Lorrah [39]
“We must prepare for any eventuality. You have your orders, Ensign.”
What happened in the next hour would always have for Tasha Yar the quality of nightmare, far more so than the induced illusion of the Priam IV test. The Starbound was a small training vessel, not a battleship. Even though Dare’s suspicions proved unfounded, and the external weapons worked perfectly, Starbound’s armament was intended as a deterrent only for such slight dangers as were occasionally met within Federation space. Despite a generation of peace and plenty, political or religious disputes still occasionally erupted into war or terrorism-although Starbound’s itinerary kept her well away from disputed territories.
Then there were the smugglers of contraband-forbid something on one planet, and someone would bring it in from another. “Free traders,” of course, could be found anywhere, but as they used very small, very fast ships, they could not carry armament to attack a Starfleet vessel, even a small training ship.
So, there ought to be nothing in this area of space hostile to the Starbound. When they had loaded the dilithium a month ago, Starfleet Security had assured them that no one could even know about their precious cargo. But what, then, was a deep-space vessel doing on an intercept course with them at warp speed, refusing to answer their requests for identification?
When Jarvis and Yar reached the bridge, the young crew were already nervous. Jarvis took the central chair, to the obvious relief of the trainee holding the position. Yar went to the Security post. Jack Henderson stepped back gladly to give her room to study the board, saying, “D’you think we should call for Mr. Adin?”
“He’s busy in the Weapons Room,” Yar replied. “Here-I brought yours.”
He stared at it. “He thinks we might need-?”
“Be prepared,” Yar replied. The board before her showed the identification request broadcast to the oncoming vessel on all frequencies, translator circuits on so that it would be picked up in virtually any language. “No response on any frequency, Captain,” she reported.
On another screen, sensor readings of the oncoming vessel were displayed in three dimensions, detail increasing as the distance between them decreased.
“Their communications may be out,” Jarvis said calmly. “Helm, change course to zero zero seven, mark six.”
“Course locked in.”
“Oncoming vessel has changed course to compensate,” Yar reported as the information came up on her screens. “Still on intercept course.”
“Can you identify?” the Captain asked.
“No identity beacon,” Yar replied. “Shape indicates a standard deep-space vehicle, approximately three times the size of Starbound. No visible characteristics identify origin. Ms. Sethan,” she said to the tiny Hemanite Science Officer, “can you get life-form readings?”
“Numerous life forms,” Sethan reported. “At this distance the instruments cannot yet distinguish-“
“They’re firing at us!”
The shout came from the helmsman.
“Shields up,” said Captain Jarvis. “Arm photon torpedoes. Send out a distress call to any Starfleet vessel within range: Training ship Starbound under attack from unidentified vessel.”
Yar got out “Message sent,” just before the first shot hit them.
The ship rocked with the blow, but the shields held-for three volleys.
Starbound fired back, but its torpedoes spent themselves futilely against the attacker’s shields.
“Captain,” Yar reported, “they’re jamming subspace radio!”
“Just keep sending the message, Ensign,” Jarvis said calmly.
Yar left the signal on automatic. “Front starboard shield thirty-five percent functional,” she advised.
“Change course,” ordered the Captain. “One zero three mark seventeen, warp three. Let’s see if we can outrun them.”
The maneuver placed the undamaged aft shields between the Starbound and her attacker. However, the enemy ship pursued, easily matching their speed through warp four … five … five point eight-
“Warp engine overload!” came the warning from Nichols at the Engineering console. “Bosinney, what the hell’re you-?”
“Bosinney’s in the Weapons Room, sir,” Yar