The Quiet Time

Suddenly from the Nile's position a large flash was seen. The waves of the antimatter explosion incorporated the fighters and the unfortunate capital ship. The shockwave buckled the hull resulting in a compromise of their own engine. The capital ship exploded.

"What happened ?"

"Lieutenant Savage set the engines to overload. Anything within five thousand metres didn't stand a chance." Devore said. "Open a channel to the Jeorri. The ball has been hiked."

"We've got the subspace communications back on-line and with the Barien cruiser gone, our signals should no longer be jammed. However, the explosion has caused some interference in subspace. It'll probably take a minute for everything to settle back down and we can get a signal to the Jeorri." Lieutenant MacLeod explained from the one remaining operational Ops console.

"OK, Lieutenant keep trying." Devore said.

With a lull in the battle, the Captain ordered everyone to relax. A couple of medics arrived from the rear turbolift and started to take care of the injuries of the Bridge crew. The Captain looked around the remains of the Bridge, several stations were still smouldering, but the crew was taking care of the situation. As he continued to 'scan' his eyes fell on the female Naun Ambassador and a thought occurred to him.

"Ambassador, are your fighters equal to those of the Bariens." Devore asked.

"Over the years Captain, we've developed and modified our fighters to combat the Bariens. However, as you know our resources are limited and our fighters are no real match for the Bariens one on one, we don't have the manoeuvrability or speed. Our shields and hull plating are however much stronger to compensate. Our fighter pilots are usually the best fliers we have. As a team, our fighter squadrons can be a formidable foe." The Ambassador explained.

"Just how many fighters do you have here, Ambassador." Devore asked.

"These few were launched from one of our few remaining transports, around sixteen fighters. We have another two transports enroute, with another thirty to forty fighter onboard, that's about two thirds of our stock of fighters, including the one's already here. I am just so sorry that our transports are slow. The sacrifice that your crew just made might not have been necessary if our fighters could have reached here earlier." The Ambassador expressed.

"That is not your fault Ambassador, you have nothing to be sorry about. Your ships are here now and you have probably just increased the odds in our favour. Lieutenant MacLeod, how are we doing with contacting the Jeorri ?" The Captain asked.

"The interference is clearing sir." Macleod replied "We should be able to get a clear signal in about thirty seconds."

"Ambassador, how far away are your transports ?" Devore asked the Ambassador.

"About half a light year, approaching at warp two, I can give your helm officer their exact flight path."

"If you would Ambassador. Once we've signalled the Jeorri. We'll take onboard your fighters here and rendezvous with the other transports. We've got the capability to hold all of your fighters and can rapidly launch them again, so let's use our capabilities to the full." The Captain said.

"Captain, I have the Jeorri Commander now." Macleod announced.

"Put him on the main screen." Devore said, turning towards the view screen and taking a step forward.