The Children of Hamlin - Carmen Carter [7]
“Maintain phaser fire.”
Throughout the barrage, Data announced the rapidly closing distance between the two ships. “Ten kilometers, five kilometers, one kilometer.” His chant stopped. “One kilometer.”
“Too close for our photon torpedoes,” declared Yar. “At this range the explosions could damage the Enterprise as well as the target.”
If we move any farther away, the Ferrel will be vulnerable to a renewed attack,” said Picard bitterly as he studied the alien ship. Time for counteraction was quickly running out.
And then it was gone. Having finally met some unknown parameter, the purple sphere whipped away from the spinning main cluster.
“It’s coming directly toward us,” warned Data. “Prepare for impact.”
An explosion of violet light seared the crew’s eyes, but there was no accompanying jolt, only a faint trembling that could be felt on the consoles and in the deck beneath their feet. Rivers of pale blue crackled over the main viewer.
Data relayed the information from his sensors. “The energy field covers the entire outer surface of the saucer section.”
“It’s a net,” exclaimed Geordi, and Picard knew he was describing his unique view of the field. “A matrix that’s been woven out of charged filaments; I can see the separate strands. And one thin umbilical current is still attached to the mother ship.”
Yar studied the tactical console closely. “Shields holding without strain. The power output of this net is not very high.”
Picard frowned. “Then why is the Ferrel so badly damaged?”
A low-pitched hum was added to the vibration.
“The field is contracting, increasing pressure on hull defenses,” announced Data. He blinked, making a quick mental calculation. “Assuming a constant rate of contraction, we can withstand the effects for two point six days before ship’s power reserves are exhausted. At that time, without shields, we will be vulnerable to structural damage.”
Riker stepped up to the aft deck environment console to monitor incoming signals from each section of the starship. “Captain, current status reports from all stations indicate minor short circuits in electrical systems near the outer hull. No major damage,”
“But our passengers are undergoing major trauma,” said Lieutenant Yar. “I’ve logged a dozen calls to my communications board from the Farmers’ quarters since the start of Red Alert.”
“Contact Counselor Troi,” suggested Riker. “Have her calm them down. We may be here for quite a while.”
“But not for two days,” said Picard, falling back into the captain’s chair. “Not for two hours if it can be helped. There must be a way to penetrate their defenses.”
Hands braced on the railing of the aft deck, Riker studied the alien ship’s unusual construction. Blue haze blurred the image of the bubble ship on the viewer. “Those spheres look just like a bunch of balloons. All we need is a needle to pop them with.”
“An interesting analogy, Number One,” said the captain approvingly. “Let’s give it a try, shall we?”
Worf eagerly reprogrammed the weapons console to Riker’s specifications. The spread of phaser fire was reduced to the minimum recommended by Starfleet guidelines. With a little extra work and creative juggling of the controlling parameters, the beam was narrowed even farther. When Riker pronounced himself satisfied, Worf triggered a test shot.
Despite its reduced intensity, the resulting pinpoint ray drilled straight through its target. A single sphere on the outermost layer of the cluster exploded, releasing a viscous glob of matter into space. Tattered remains of the exterior shell dangled limply from the core group.
“Way to go, Worf,” exclaimed Geordi.
“Try another,” Picard ordered. “If necessary, we’ll take that ship apart section by section.” He was determined to continue the assault until his ship was out of danger.
The second explosion was the last.
“Energy field dissipating,” announced Data as the viewscreen cleared. “And the enemy is pulling away.”
Picard responded immediately. “Tractor beam, Lieutenant Worf. Let’s give them a taste of