The ship was rocked by the blasts from the Kirusan convoys. The new shields blocked off some of the attack, but not all. Newly promoted Lieutenant JG K'Lara tried to keep the Virgo from being hit as much as possible. It was difficult with all three enemy ships attacking at once. She growled in frustrating as another hit shook the ship.
"Return fire!" Commander Surok shouted over the red alert klaxons. His Vulcan demeanor was unwavering, even amongst the chaos.
K'Lara watched as the phaser fire shot out from the Virgo. She smiled as it took a direct hit. She moved the ship for a better attack position and watched as another enemy ship was hit. Then all hell broke loose.
One of the Kirusan vessels fired on the Virgo. The ship rocked and the lights went out. Everything quit working.
"Bridge to Engineering." The Commander said. Nothing. He turned to the Ops station and said, "What's going on?"
The Ensign looked at his console and shook his head, "We have a blackout, sir. That last hit took out all the consoles on the Bridge. Communications must also be out."
The Vulcan almost sneered, but his training held fast, "Fix it, Ensign. I want to know what's going on."
An hour later, the viewscreen was able to show them that the convoy was gone. Surok lifted an eyebrow.
"Why didn't they finish us off? We were dead in the water!"
That question remained on everyone's mind. K'Lara believed them to be cowards, leaving their victim to die in a barely known part of the galaxy. She snarled and cursed them to a coward's death.
Earthdate: January 15, 2382
It was January 15, and the USS Virgo was able to move again at warp five. Communications were back online, but the turbolifts were not working. Captain Maruu was still stuck on his deck.
[How are the repairs coming?] The Captain asked from his quarters. He was able to manually open the doors to his quarters. He just wished the turbolifts were as easy to fix.
"Engineering reported in saying that they are working on getting the turbolifts back in order. The doors to crew's quarters should work again within the hour."
[Good. How long before the turbolifts are working again?]
"Three more hours at the most, Captain," Surok said, staring at a spot on the wall.
[Excellent. See you in three. Captain out.]
Surok sighed and sat back down in the Captain's chair. He was ready to hand the chair over now, but repairs stood in the way. The lights haven't even come back on, yet. A problem with the Environmental controls. At least it wasn't hot on the Bridge.
K'Lara was almost asleep. Flying in a straight line with the lights off was not a good idea. Her mind wandered and she had to jerk herself in order to wake up. She nodded off twice and she was grateful that the Commander didn't say anything. She resigned to blinking her eyes constantly in order to stay awake. She almost wished for another attack. Almost.
Two hours later, the lights came back on and the turbolift doors opened and Captain Maruu stepped onto the Bridge. She swore she heard the Commander say, "About time," under his breath.
"Captain Maruu, it is good to have you back," Surok stated, getting out of the chair. He looked almost grateful to be handing the chair over.
"Thank you, Commander. It is good to be back." Maruu sat in his chair then said, "Bridge to Engineering. How go the repairs."
[Turbolifts are back online. Environmental controls are functioning within normal parameters. The crew's quarters' doors will take time to get working again.]
"Thanks for the update. Keep me informed. Captain out."
"I'd say that was quite an adventure," Maruu stated to his Bridge crew. "I believe this calls for a break. I expect all of you to be back at your posts by 1300 two days from now. Dismissed."
K'Lara informed her relief pilot of the problems she was having with the console. She had fixed a couple of the glitches, but some still remained. She attributed it to the cowardly attack by the Kirusan convoys. She got out of her chair and headed for the turbolift.
Recently promoted Lt. Lataro hurried after her and stepped into the lift with her. K'Lara stated her destination and when Lataro didn't state his, she turned to him.
"Going to the Mess Hall as well?" she asked.
"Why, yes." Lataro answered, "I'm quite famished. I'm sure everybody is. I doubt even the replicators were working during the blackout."
"Ah, yes. I forgot about the replicators. I was too busy trying to concentrate on flying the ship to worry about such things."
Lataro looked at her. Such dicipline for a Klingon. He had seen her fly the ship during a battle and when flying in a straight line. He knew it could get tedious flying in a straight line with nothing to do but stare at the stars passing by.
The lift doors opened and they stepped out. They headed for the Mess Hall not seeing the stares they were getting as they walked side by side down the hall. The doors to the Mess Hall opened and they headed for the replicator.
"Let's see if this thing is working," K'Lara said as she made her order, "Raktajino."
There was a hum and the drink appeared. She turned and saw Lataro's raised eyebrows.
"What?"
"Is that all your going to eat?" He asked, amazed. They hadn't eaten since the attack. The only replicator was in the Captain's office and the doors couldn't be opened.
"Yes. I'm not in the mood to eat."
K'Lara headed for a table on the far side of the Mess Hall. Lataro stared after her. He then shrugged his shoulders and order his meal. He then headed toward her table. He sat down without asking first.
K'Lara stared at him, "Getting used to you new rank, Lieutenant?"
Lataro smiled. Much better from the day they bumped into each other. On that day, she was acting like a scared ensign. Today, she seemed like a Klingon.
"Of course. What is rank if you can't use it?"
K'Lara rolled her eyes. She sipped her coffee not taking her eyes off him. She figured he was playing Mr. Arrogant for a reason. He sure didn't do that on duty. Then she realized suddenly what he was doing and her eyes opened wide. She almost choked on her drink she was so surprised.
"Are you all right?" Lataro asked, getting out of his chair.
K'Lara's eyes flashed blue. He stepped back startled.
"Ah ha! Caught you!" K'Lara laughed then. She practically fell out of her chair.
"Nothing gets by you, does it?" Lataro asked, sitting beside her.
"I wouldn't say that. A little advice, though."
"What?"
K'Lara smiled and stroked his cheek, "If you want to court me, remember you are courting a woman. I might be Klingon, but a woman nonetheless."
She then stood up and headed for the door, leaving Lt. Lataro with his mouth hanging open.
Earthdate: January 20, 2382
It was January 20, and the USS Virgo was back to working condition by around 1400 that day. Lt. K'Lara was on her way out the door of her quarters when she noticed a message waiting for her on her terminal. Curious, she tapped a button and a short message popped on the screen. Her eyes opened wide at the contents of the message. It was a poem. First it was written in Klingon then in English. She was amazed and impressed at the same time. She was also touched. She smiled and saved the message to her files. She then headed out the door. She jumped when her foot stepped on something. She looked down and saw a dark colored flower on the deck. She bent down and picked it up.
"Does he even know what he's getting into?" K'Lara asked herself as she smelled the flower. She shrugged. Nothing was more fun than finding out.