The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 11
"What do you mean ensign Marianne ? Is the Pensylvania firing on our runabout ?"
"That is correct sir. Shields of the Alpha are down now to seventy percent."
Scientist Marianne looked at the sensor results again. Nadine had taken over tactical. She could only confirm what Marianne had just reported. The DS2 computer had no new data. Commander Arthur had a difficult task as it was, but this was not his idea of a change. There had to be an answer. Although Arthur didn't worry about his first officer yet, he had to admit to himself that things were getting out of hand. The type four phaser installed in the runabout was no match for the intrepid class shields. The only way to dissable the Pensylvania, or to get it to flee, was to lure the ship into firing range of Deep Space 2. But then again, the starship would be destroyed with everybody on it.
Major Jan tried to hail the Pensylvania for the last time. Shields were down to sixty percent and the starship was still firing. His evasive actions didn't help much and he knew that returning fire with the type four phaser wouldn't help much. His technical knowledge of the Intrepid Class vessel was not sufficiant to discover a weak spot. The runabout trembled again. He could outrun the Pensylvania any moment, but he would like to wait untill the last moment. He had to know what was going on.
It was also the last time ensign Luke had set foot on the USS Pensylvania. That was something he was very sure of. The two guards stood there, calm, more a bit bored. These were no Starfleet officers. It didn't feel right. The way they stood there. They looked more like ... whatever ... but not Starfleet. Because it was very quiet Luke could here the ship's phasers firing. The guards did not react. What were they firing on ? Why was he in the brig ? Then suddenly he realised that this had to be a rescue mission. To rescue him. He had to signal the rescue party. He just had to.
As the guards were not looking in his direction, Luke opened his comebadge. He couldn't do a lot, but at the academy he had tricked fellow cadets whith his comebadge before. He just had to alter the transceiving frequency so his transmitting would not be intercepted right away. As soon as he was ready, he started whispering.
"This is ensign Luke to whoever is out there. I have been imprissoned on the USS Pensylvania without reason. I suspect the ship has been taken over by ..."
Major Jan had received the message. Ensign Luke, DS2 new chief of communications. And he seemed to be in trouble. If the type four phaser could not hurt, maybe with some precision shots he could make a little hole in the shields. The runabout targetting scanners locked on to were the message was sent from and fired a concentrated burst. The Pensylvania's shields weakened at the exact spot, where the major wanted it. A few more shots would do it. He had to be carefull though. The runabout's shields were also weakening.
The USS Pensylvania shaked. At the moment the two guards jumped ensign Luke, the three of them in the holding cell were thrown on the floor. Luke was the first one to get on his feet and before they knew it the two guards were locked up in the cell behind the forcefield.
"Commander ! The major is returning fire !"
"He must know that his phaser is not going to have a lot of effect."
"He must be up to something."
"I agree Nadine. We better prepare. All hands Battlestations !"
Although Major Jan had a lock on ensign Luke he couldn't initiate transport. Both ships had their shields on. He followed Luke's vital signs. He had discovered a patern in the attack plan of the Pensylvania. It was not a Starfleet patern, but Maquis. What the hell were the Maquis doing here at the other side of the quadrant ? And how did they get hold of a starship ? Apparently the operations manager of the captured starship was not doing a good job. Instead of rerouting power to the shields to protect the little hole, he didn't. The major fired two times. the hole was there. As fast as possible he beamed up the new DS2 communications chief. To DS2, warp 9.9 engage !