The heavens blurred as the massive starship barreled though space. The appearance of this ship would have turn more then a few heads, for though she was definitely a federation design, she was like no other.
Unlike most Federation ships she was jet black instead of the normal gray. She closely resembled an Intrepid class vessel except that she was a fair bit longer, and she had a second hull reaching from the tip of her saucer, up, and stretching back to the end of the nacelles, making her look as if she was wearing a hood.
She was of a class of her own, one of a kind. This strange vessel was the USS Ranger. While she kept up the Federations trend of versatility, her primary function was that of a warship, not explorer. While alone the Ranger go toe to toe with almost any known starship she was also a fighter carrier. Between her two nacelles she nurtured nineteen craft.
Designed to fight against the Dominion the Ranger flew towards her new posting, Starbase 301 and the Argolis Cluster.
************
"Bridge to engineering, how long until we can break Warp 6?" Inquired the dignified officer in the command chair.
"We should be able on full power in about twenty minutes, captain." Reported Lieutenant Jacqueline Price.
"Captain, we are getting a distress call from a Federation vessel, the USS Mercy. They are being attacked by an unknown vessel. They haven't sustained much damage yet, but they are unable to shake the other ship." Reported David Nelson.
"Lieutenant commander Norvik. Are there any other vessels in the area."
"No Captain, and the Mercy is an Oberth Class vessel."
"Damn, engineering we need at least one of the main Phasers on line, take people off the engines if you need to. How long until we reach the Mercy."
"At current speed, twenty minutes."
"Very well, all hands to battle stations. Prepare the fighters for launch. Helm set in a course for the Mercy and engage. Commander Bishop, you have the bridge."
************
"Captain to the Bridge. The Mercy is in sensor range"
"On my way. Can we get a visual of the attacking ship."
"Yes Captain."
The main viewer winked on showing the battle. It looked as if the Oberth Class vessel was being attacked by a giant wedge of chase.
"My god, that thing is over as kilometer long, what is it?" Exclaimed Bishop.
"That, is a Star Destroyer. Helm as soon as soon as we are within range drop out of Warp.
Norvik, signal the fighters to launch as soon as we drop our Warp field, Red and Blue Squads
are to prepare to attack that ship, Black Squad is to hang back to defend the Ranger and White is
to stead by. Engineering, what is the status of that Phaser."
"We need another five minutes, until then you'll have to make dew with the Secondary Phasers and the Torpedoes."
Just then the stars stopped streaking by the dome on the top bridge.
"We are within weapons range, and the fighters have launched, Captain."
"Hail the Imperial ship."
"Imperial Star Destroyer. This is Captain Chris Doiron of the Federation Starship Ranger. If do not cease your assault on the USS Mercy we will be forced to open fire!"
"No response, Captain."
"I didn't think there would be. Damn, at least Ben got to finish building the Inflexible before he took her into battle." Sighed Chris.
"Ranger to Red and Blue One, commence attack on the Star Destroyer, Helm take us in to the Mercy. Norvik, what is our shield status."
"Shields are currently at forty percent." Reported the stoic Vulcan.
"Great. Engineering, do you think you could get the shields up just a little bit."
"Yes Captain, But we have to take some people off the warp engines."
"Just do it."
"Captain, the Star Destroyer has just deployed several squadrons of fighters, and they are coming towards the Ranger."
"Ready the secondary Phasers."
**************
"Red and Blue Squads, concentrate your fire on the bridge section." Commanded Commander Rick Malcolm, pilot of Red One.
As the ten Peregrines the Star destroyer opened up with a massive barrage of laser fire. Several of the fighter took multiple hits, but none of them take any serious damage.
Then the Peregrines opened up Phaser Blast after Phaser blast struck the shields around the massive bridge, creating waves along the barriers surface before they winked out of existence.
Before the first blast stuck the leviathan the Star Destroyer had already fire a second volley, this time with Ion Cannons.
"Blue One to Red One, Blue Two has lost weapons control and blue Five is losing Warp power."
"Red One to all fighters, that things turrets can't fire at close range. Get close enough so that they can't fire without risking there own ship."
************
"Captain some of the fighters have sustained heavy damage." Report Norvik.
"Black Squad, intercept those fighters."
"Captain, three enemy squadrons are intercepting Black Squad. The forth are coming for us. They are different form the other fighters. Their wing design is the same but instead of a spherical hull like the others they have an elongated fuselage."
"Helm evasive maneuvers. Norvik, fire the secondary Phasers at will. What is the status of tng scanners are still off line. We would have to get close enough for the shockwave to hit us."
"I know. All available power to the forward shields."
The ship lurched again as the star destroyer fire Ion Cannons at the approaching starship. A consol erupted into flames at back of the bridge, sending a crewman flying thought the air."
"Computer activate the EMH."
"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."
"How about the guy with third degree plasma burns lying in front of you."
"Torpedoes away Captain."
"All hands brace for impact."
The Ranger pitched as the other massive ship flared into a colossal ball of flame."
"Captain we have hull breaches on deck two though seven."
"Engineering to the bridge, we have one of the saucer arrays online."
"You're a little late. Deploy repair crews. Once the enemy fighters are taken care of have our fighters return to the ship, the most heavily damaged are to report to the repair bay. Stand down red alert. Commander you have the bridge. Contact the Mercy, if they need any more help see to it, otherwise, once the fighters are on board, resume corse to the rendezvousing point. I'll be in my Ready Room."
************
The Ready Room was not what you would have expected of a Federation captain. One of the spacious room's walls was covered with a variety a swords, ranging from massive flamberges, graceful katanas, to slender rapiers. There were even some more exotic weapons such as Klingon batlets. An adjacent wall housed a display case filled with models of tall ships and navigational equipment.
The captain lounged behind the large desk with his feet propped up beside a half finished model of an eighteenth century, Earth, first-rater, closely resembling the H.M.S. Victory. He was mulling a P.A.D.D. as the door chime rang out.
"Come in." He replied, not even looking up from his reading.
"The damage reports are in Captain, Jacqueline will have to replace a slew of Gellpacks all over the ship, and the one of the secondary core is off line." Reported Bishop, placing another P.A.D.D. becide the meter long model. "You know, it is a good thing you don't have a smaller desk, otherwise you wouldn't have room for anything besides that model."
"How long until we reach the rendezvous point. I want to get the Ranger to Starbase 301 so we can finish building her. I don't think we could take another battle without major casualties." Smiled Chris, not minding the barb in the least.
"It won't be long now."
"Bridge to the Captain. The rendezvous point is on long range sensors."
"On my way, Commander, after you."
"David, are there any ships at the rendezvous point."
"Yes Captain, a modified Peregrine. A Miranda is dropping out warp and hailing the Peregrine."
"I guess we are right on time, lets hear it and Mr Zor, drop out of warp when we reach the rendezvous point."
The image of Captain Jason Peck appeared on the Monitor. "This is Pimp Daddy Peck of the Starship Bootycall!" he said.
"We are dropping out of warp Captain." Reported David
"Hail the Peregrine and the Pacific."
"Hailing frequency is open."
"So A.J., what is this about you having a party and not inviting us."
************
Four Starfleet captains wandered around the battered Ranger's corridors.
"I didn't know they made new starships with holes in them." Baited Jason.
"I have the Empire to thank for those, we had a run in with one of those Star Destroyers." Explained Chris.
"What, the Ranger wasn't able to stand up to a little old Star Destroyer." Replied A.J., unable to not join in on the friendly bantering.
"We would have faired better if the good Admiral had let us finish construction. But, he wanted Eagle Squadron here and battle ready at least. Besides, he felt you needed someone to bail you out." Replied Chris, with a barb of his own.
"So what is the Ranger's role here." Asked Ben, giving the conversation a serious turn.
"Until the ship is repaired our fighters are to remain at the Starbase unless they are needed. Then, once the Ranger is completed we are to act as a heavy support vessel, a very heavy support vessel."
"Well, I can't wait to see what this whale can do. I'm surprised your barge of a ship can actually turn." Joked Jason.
During the uproar of laughter Chris turned to A.J. "I almost forgot, I don't suppose you'll let me copy that new sword of yours..........."