Second Meetings : Part One

"Sir, it appeared that there was something on the sensors for a second or two,” Lieutenant JG Stirrak told Commander Joel Palatio.

“Where ?” Commander Joel Palatio got out of his chair and walked over to the pilot’s chair. He stood over the view screen for a moment looking at it intently.

“I do not have facts sir, but for a second I thought I saw a ship pass us by, over head.”

“Do the sensors confirm this ?” The Commander sat on the co-pilot’s chair and looked out the front window.

“No sir. The sensors do not confirm this.” Stirrak raised one eyebrow in complete puzzlement.

“Tell the Squadron to assume Delta formation,” Commander Joel Palatio crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t like this at all.”

“Yes sir.”

“Lieutenant JG Stirrak open a secured communication channel with the squadron. This is Stirrak, go to Delta Formation now.”

<This is Commander Ball. Is there any trouble ?>

The Lieutenant Commander and squadron leader, aboard the Screamer a Banshee, asked with concern.

“No facts at the moment but keep alert. Over and out.” Stirrak turn off communications.

“Has the Federation scout detected us?” Captain Kiok asked his commander.

“No sir,” Commander John Daza smiled. “Not unless they looked out a window.”

“Are we still in stealth mode ?”

“Affirmative sir.” Ensign Leo Smill the weapons officer on duty replied.

“Good. Bring us behind them,” Kiok leaned back in his chair.

“Should I arm weapons and lock on target?” Ensign Leo Smill asked.

“Don’t be a fool.” Kiok looked at the Ensign sternly, “We are at peace with the Federation.”

“A broken peace that is.” Commander John Daza smiled.

“Not broken, uneasy.” Kiok looked back at the screen. “It appears that we have been detected somehow.”

“Why do you say that sir?” Commander John Daza approached Kiok’s chair.

“The fighter’s have assumed a fighting formation,” Kiok turned toward the weapons officer. “Check the stealth mode again Ensign.”

“It is operating sir.” The Ensign said after he checked his console.

“Good,” Kiok looked at the small scout and the six fighters in a diamond formation around the bigger ship.

“Sir there are multiple ships dropping out of warp.” Stirrak told Commander Joel Palatio.

“What ?” Commander Joel Palatio got up out of his chair. “What kind of ships?”

“Three Orion ships….” Stirrak looked closely at his screen. “…..a cruiser and two scouts sir.”

“Can you identify where they are from ?”

“No sir. Their transponders are off,” Stirrak looked at the Commander.

“That is not good.” He sat back down. “Alert the squadron. Tell them to prepare for conflict.”

“Right away sir,” Stirrak went to work and prepared the squadron.

“Open a hailing frequency.” Commander Joel Palatio looked into the darkness of space to see the fast approaching craft.

“This is Captain Palatio of the Federation starship USS Boone. You are entering Federation space, identify yourselves ?”

In answer to his question a photon torpedo was fired from the lead ship.

“Taking evasive action sir,” Stirrak moved the ship out of the way. The Photon passed within inches of the ship.

“Order the squadron to attack,” Commander Joel Palatio took over the weapons on the ship. He armed the micro-torpedo tubes and the pulse phaser cannons.

“They are attacking sir,” Stirrak turned to look at the Commander. “Sir if I may point out that the enemy ships out-gun us.”

“I understand. Contact any Starfleet vessel in the sector, we may require assistance.”

“Yes sir.” Stirrak contacted any Starfleet vessel he could find. “Sir, the USS Sutherland is the closest ship. They say that they will come at once.”

“That’s great,” Commander Joel Palatio smiled.

“Unfortunately they will not arrive for twelve point six hours sir.”

“Oh…” Commander Joel Palatio’s smiled faded. “……….by that time we may be ashes.”