"This is Powder River requesting permission to disembark," Kelly said from the helm control of the Runabout.
[This is SB901 you are clear for departure. Good luck.]
The runabout left it's berth and once cleared the station it went into warp factor 3.
Vince then turned towards Petty Officer Murphy, and saw he was not carrying a side arm. "All of you need a side arm. I don't know what to expect so please be careful. Don't alarm the colonists."
Murphy went to area where the weapons were stored. He pulled out a type 2 phaser and then placed on his left hip. "Very well. If I run into any trouble Commander I'll hail you first," Murphy said putting some information on a PADD.
The next 10 hours were quite. Commander Kelly beamed Murphy to New Canada's surface along with some supplies. Kelly then turned the runabout to section 008 a area where the Hood was attacked 2 months earlier.
"Nothing Commander." Ensign Parker said as he scanned the area for 20 minutes.
"Very well lets check out sector 130, about 29 minutes from here," Kelly said walking back from the runabout's operations panel.
"Sir that's the Ba'ku planet."
"Yeah I know, if the Son'a are around that's where they are. Inform Captain Wallace."
Parker was a little uneasy and wasn't affraid to show it. "Sir, if we are attacked, it will take 4 hours for our message to get there and another 10 hours before rescue or help can get here."
"Ensign we have job, now get to it," Kelly said taking his seat at the helm. He then went to warp 4.3
The runabout came to it's destination and saw what they had come for.
The Son'a had 8 ships around the Ba'ku planet a ship building station not far from the rings.
"Alright lets send this back to the Station," Kelly said.
Then a Son'a attack craft spotted the Runabout and hailed the ship.
[You are in Son'a space you have 1 minute to leave or you will be destroyed.]
Vince tried to bluff his way out it but it didn't work. "Listen we are on a Science mission."
Then the Son'a ship fired, hitting the Runabout in the crew cabin area, causing very little damage.
"Hey it's not even a minute!" Kelly yelled in response.
Another blast struck the runabout in the sensor pod, knocking out communications, and weapons. Kelly quickly saw the battle wasn't going good, and that the Runabout wouldn't last in fire fight, she was out gunned. "Ensign reroute all power to shields and helm."
"Aye Aye sir, are we running back to the station?"
"Sorry we are going to land on the planet and try and see if we can get some repairs done."
"Sir but the Son'a are down there."
"We will land in the mountains tough for them to fly around there and track us." Parker wasn't sure what was Kelly doing but trusted him best he could. The runabout was about ready to enter orbit when a blast hit the starboard nacelle. The cockpit had a few explosions and Kelly seemed unphased.
The runabout came into the planet and Kelly tried to compansate for the atmospheric conditions. He then saw that he wouldn't be able to do a smooth landing as planned. He then saw a lake and planned to ditch in the lake as the Son'a attack ship followed and fired three more blast, causing more damage to the ship. The Runabout made contact with the water,first by skiming the surface, and tearing pieces of hull off. The runabout then sank nose first. The ship sank like a rock some 70 feet to bottom of the lake. Inside most of the power went off, including the ship's computer and life support. It also began to leak in certain areas.
Vince stood up and went and pulled out a couple phaser rifles and tricorders, along with two field packs. As he handed it to the Ensign he again showed his uneasy nature.
"Can't we stay here?"
"Man, this thing is no longer space worthy, power is failing, our best bet is to get to the top and try and find a way to make contact."
The two officers loaded up, and knew the swim would be hard, but not impossiable. Kelly went to the hatch and took a deep breath as he opened it up, and as cold water came rushing in. The swim to the top took what seemed like forever. Kelly broke the surface first and took a deep breath of air as he came to the top. He then saw the shore was only three hundred yards away and swam towards the shore. He was then followed by Parker. The two laid on the shore to gather some air and bask in the warm sun. For the water was cold.
Vince then pulled out his tricorder, and scaned the area. "Come on there is a cave just about 100 yards from here. I don't see anyone, we can get some sort of an idea on what to do, there."