The Murdered Sun - Christie Golden [15]
"Captain." Chakotay's voice caused Janeway to turn around.
"We've got more trouble."
A second ship, malevolent sister to the one now firing upon the little vessel, emerged from the concavity. It hastened to catch up with its twin. The two ships moved with grim determination, the second one curving around in a clear attempt to corner the scout between them.
Chakotay now spoke up, directing his query to Kim. "Ensign, how many life-forms aboard the smaller vessel?"
The young man shook his head in frustration. "Hard to tell, sir.
As Tuvok said, all this intense graviton activity is wreaking havoc with our sensors. Attempting to compensate." His golden fingers flew over the controls. "Best estimate is six, sir. But that's just a guess. There could be more."
Chakotay was flooded with empathy. Not so very long ago, he was in that same position--in a vastly inferior ship fleeing from a dreadful enemy that had every possible advantage. And for the smaller vessel, there was no Badlands in which it could hope to seek refuge.
"The engines of the smaller ship are overheating, Captain," reported Kim, anxiety creeping into his voice. "They're not going to last much long--" The second big ship fired. Again the space between the Akerian vessel and the Verunan scout ship shuddered. This time, though, the scout's quickness saved it. It whirled to port, turning wildly but evading the damaging wave.
"It may be primitive," said Paris, admiration creeping into his voice, "but whoever's flying that thing is one hell of a good pilot."
"Captain." Kim's voice was tense. "I'm picking up a message from the smaller ship directed toward the planet."
"Let's hear it," replied Janeway. "On speakers."
A taut, frightened male voice blared through the bridge. "--was successful, Viha. I'm going ahead and transmitting information about the Akerian base to you now. I don't--I don't think we'll be able to deliver it to you personally."
"Base?" said Paris. "They've got a base in that thing?"
"Ensign, are you getting this information?" demanded Janeway, her body stiff and tense.
"Already on it, Captain," Kim answered.
The first Akerian vessel fired again. The little scout managed to dodge a direct shot but clearly took some damage.
"The scout vessel's shields are down thirty-two percent," reported Tuvok.
"This has gone far enough. Ensign," ordered Janeway, "open a hailing frequency to the Akerian ships." She waited for his nod, then proceeded. "Attention, Akerian vessels. We do not wish to interfere in your politics, but we cannot tolerate this sort of violence. Break off your attack. Repeat, break off your attack."
A tense few seconds ticked by. "No response, Captain," said Kim.
"Damn it," said Janeway softly.
The first Akerian ship fired again, this time landing a square shot.
"Shields on the Verunan scout vessel down seventy-two percent," intoned Tuvok.
Chakotay couldn't take it any longer. He slapped his comm badge.
"Chakotay to transporter room. Lock onto the life-forms aboard the smaller ship and prepare to--" "Belay that order, transporter room," interrupted Janeway. Her eyes narrowed.
"Captain," exploded Chakotay, "the Akerians clearly don't give a damn about our request, and if we don't do something, those people are going to die! They won't be able to take another hit!" He was aware how angry and tense his voice sounded, but he couldn't help it. He was angry and tense, damn it.
Janeway hesitated, then nodded ever so slightly. "Bridge to transporter room. Beam those people aboard now."
"I'm having problems locking onto them," came the disembodied voice of the transporter operator. "The spatial distortion around the vessel--" The Akerians, ignoring the Voyager completely, had been steadily maneuvering into a perfect position. The scout ship was positioned directly between them. Frantically, it tried to pull up. At that moment, both Akerian ships fired again.
It was a square hit; it could have