The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 93
Sarah climbed into the command chair on the bridge for a better
view, Ernie flying repeatedly over her head both back and forth... And asking him, mentally, what was he doing -- the little guy
driving her crazy -- Ernie likewise informed her that, when they
were on Earth, he'd "heard" mentally that, when a change in military
took place there, there was also a fly-by in formation conducted
overhead in honor of the occasion: Ernie just trying to honour her
in connection with her new command. So telling him instead to just come sit on her shoulder... telling him as well that he could serve as "temporary" personal bodyguard to the "temporary" commander... Ernie came swooping down, landing on the back of the stately command chair situated on Starchild's bridge -- wings outstretched -- proceeding right after that to walk back and forth along its broad, high, back... Again Sarah asked him what he was doing, Ernie telling her in reply that he was "patrolling", trying to look as menacing as possible in order to protect her from any nearby enemies lurking about... So telling him instead that, if he were to come and curl up on her shoulder, he could pretend to be cuddly -- luring any enemies that might be lurking about, catching them off-guard by his innocent
appearance... And just to make sure he'd indeed behave himself, Sarah took a gummy worm out of her satchel in order to keep him quite occupied -- Ernie asking her not long after that what "phone books" and "booster chairs" were, nibbling away at the very same time at the sweet treat Sarah just gave him... Yet puzzled instead by Ernie's question, Sarah and asked him instead for further explanation, Ernie telling her that he heard someone joking back on DS-2 how she'd need either a booster chair, or at least a couple of phone books to sit on in order for others to actually see her at all sitting in Admiral Straker's command chair!
At that Sarah asked Maccs (the ship) to please adjust the height of
the command chair! -- Maccs likewise telling her not to worry, that
that many starship captains... even "temporary" ones... experienced
at least once in their life time some small problem or another with
a new command chair...
"At least your the right gender for it", Maccs laughed, good-
naturedly... explaining after she asked for further clarification
that only women were allowed back home to serve aboard active-duty
starships, much less command one.
Yet... before Sarah proved able to request an even more in-depth
description of Womankind's sexual politics and policies back in the
universe both he, Frances, and Lt. Katz came from... it was then
that Maccs informed her that they'd reached their final destination:
the scene of combat between the USS Alice Cooper-B and its three
mighty opponents. And informing Sarah which of the four vessels ahead was the Alice Cooper-B, having come across references to the ship in the DS-2's public archives -- noting as well that the forward saucer section seemed to be a Federation design preference in this universe the same way Womankind preferred a more avian, organic, design back in the Commonwealth -- it was also evident from the scene before them
that the Alice Cooper-B was both outnumbered, outgunned, and outclassed by her three assailants -- the Federation Starship
clearly losing the battle despite its valiant attempts at self-defense.
Nor did it seem that the attacking ships were at all content to
limit their violent efforts to just an all-out external attack
against the beleaguered Alice Cooper-B -- Maccs informing Sarah that
one of the three alien assault craft. the one just off to the Alice
Cooper-B's immediate right. was likewise engaged in teleporting
aboard the Alice Cooper-B an armed riding party already engaged in
heavy combat with those aboard the Federation vessel defending her
from the inside as well.And sending a similar message to both Admiral Arthur aboard the USS Strike, and Admiral Straker aboard Karn's "Warbird", Maccs also suggested to Sarah that he use his onboard M/AM torpedoes when defending the Alice Cooper-B against the unknown enemy dead ahead. "Not quite sure if my onboard laser cannons will prove all that effective going up against those three alien bogies", Maccs
explained even further the very same moment Sarah asked why -- both
the USS Strike and Warbird now breaking formation, engaging instead
the enemy ahead -- Prince Roshi likewise leaving Starchild's hangar
bay aboard Guardian1, headed as well into battle.
"It appears that the Commonwealth back home is more advanced than
the Federation when it comes to both computer technology,
miniaturization, the overall development of synthetic A.I. intelligences, and certain other medical sciences", Maccs added upon
Sarah's request; "while Womankind and its immediate contemporaries
in this universe seem to be more advanced in the area of both
weapons technology, deep space exploration, duplicators and
teleportation, as well as certain forms of metallurgy in the
construction of deep space star craft.
"In short, I'm not sure my laser cannons would prove all that
effective against either the materials or shields the people here
seem to employ in starship construction", Maccs appeared willing to
confess albeit rather reluctant to do so.
"Your orders, Sa. Ma'am", he then concluded; the ball now in Sarah's
court concerning how to proceed against those three enemy craft both
the USS Strike, Warbird, and Guardian1 likewise engaged now in
battle.
On the bridge of USS Strike, Admiral Arthur knew he had no choice. One of the fellow Federation starships was in trouble and would not last for very much longer. If the small fleet assisting USS Alice Cooper-B, would not be able to have the enemy withdraw or destroy them, this would be a painful embarassment.
"Lieutenant, where is the USS Ajax ?"
"Still 6 minutes away sir."
"They are going to miss all the fun. Haha. Communications. Open a channel."
"Chanel open sir."
"This is Admiral Arthur of the Federation battleship USS Strike. You have invaded Federation space and you are attacking a Federation vessel. You will abort your attack and retreat out of Federation space immediately. If you do not, you will be destroyed. This is your only and final warning."
The communications channel was closed. Arthur didn't really expect an answer.
"There is no answer Admiral. Sir, There are enemy troops transported aboard the USS Alice Cooper-B sir."
"Understood. Have all security droids stand ready to receive enemy troops. Tactical, attack pattern alpha. Take the enemy ship which has sustained the most damage already. Execute."
The USS Strike took the turn, followed by the Warbird. When in firing range firing twenty torpedoes in five seconds. The torpedoes hit the shields of the enemy ship, causing moderate damage to the dorsal and port shields. Arthur made a fast calculation, but was interupted by the shaking ship itself. The USS Strike was hit.
"We are OK sir. Shields are holding at 82 percent. The enemy ship is hit, with another attack run we can destroy it. Sir, I don't think the Alice Cooper-B is going to make it if we don't get help fast."