Chapter 67: Anger
March 2415
“Kirina t’Nalah, you are under arrest for war crimes against sentients. Please do not attempt to escape.”
Bajor. The central plaza in the city of Hathon was abuzz with life. Residents and visitors, going about their usual evening routines, oblivious of the events taking place on the small path behind the waterfall. The Republic Subcommander didn’t even wait for a response before firing her weapon.
// THREAT DETECTED : BEARING 87.9 : PLASMA IMPACT IN 0.18 SECONDS //
// CONTERMEASURES … ACTIVE : CAPACITOR CHARGE 82% //
// THREAT NEUTRALIZED //
Kirina didn’t even feel it. The disruptor blast was completely absorbed by the green energy barrier that appeared at her side. She slowly stood and turned to face her old friend. “Did the Senator plan this?”
“… I can’t walk away, you know this.”
“Goodbye forever, Aurelia,” It didn’t matter what else Aurelia said, nor was the ranting of the man beside her worth hearing. Kirina heard all she needed to. With a thought, her transponder activated. A swirl of green later, she was back aboard the Nalae. “It’s time to return to the fleet.”
It wasn’t a long trip, as the fleet had opted to stay close. When they regrouped near the Vlugta Asteroid Field, Kirina found herself somewhat shaken by the news that the Celeris had departed on her own while she was gone. She didn’t have much chance to dwell on that, however, as the remaining Commanders of the fleet had gathered to hear the results of her meeting.
“You spoke with a Senator?”
“From the Empire or the Republic?”
“Are they willing to support our cause?”
“Why has the plan changed?”
“Where’s Commander Mandukar?”
“I suggest we set course for…”
“Enough!” Kirina shouted. None of the gathered ship commanders had ever heard her raise her voice before. It was enough to give them pause. Long enough for her to speak again, “She’s not a Senator anymore. She’s with the Republic, and we can expect no support. The plan hasn’t changed, D’Kera Mandukar is exactly where she wants to be, and you. will. follow. my. instructions. Do you understand?” It was a false confidence, of course, but it was enough to elicit reactions from everyone in the room. One Commander stood up and stormed out. Three looked downright terrified, and the remaining two seemed to be deep in thought. “Move us to Position Six,” Kirina continued after a pause, “I have more tests to run.”
There were no tests. Position Six was the location of a Vauthilai drive experiment, from half a year ago. Two weeks away at top speed. It was meant to have been more than enough time for Kirina to come up with a new plan. It wasn’t. The meeting with her oldest friend and ally weighed heavily on her. She spent countless hours replaying it in her head – what could she have said? How could she have convinced her? The remainder of her time was dedicated once more to D’Kera’s failed plan. No matter how many times she went over that, she couldn’t fathom what had gone wrong. Not that it really mattered, anymore.
When the fleet arrived at Position Six, Kirina was notified over the comm. She acknowledged it, but remained in her quarters, working. She had nothing, and now everyone knew it.
Decks above, there was a heated argument taking place between the Commanders of the Nalae and Spock. As it turned out, Commander Emmiad, the man who stormed out of the meeting weeks ago, had come aboard demanding answers. When there were no answers to be had, he declared that he was taking command of the fleet. When the Nalae’s Commander objected, he found himself with a plasma bolt to the chest. A shocked quiet fell over the bridge of the vessel, as their commander slumped to the floor. By the time someone finally sounded an alarm and went to move against the offending Commander, he had already transported back to his own vessel.
The unprepared ship was rocked by weapons fire against an unshielded hull. Three warbirds in the fleet had opened fire on the flagship. The remaining five warbirds puttered around, unaware of the circumstances of the attack. Some raised their own shields, while others moved out of range. Nalae lost shield capability in the first volley. A disadvantage of being the victim of friendly fire, is your ‘enemy’ always knows exactly how to hurt you. She didn’t stand a chance.
Kirina gathered her things. It didn’t take long for her to realize the situation she was in. She packed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. With a moment’s hesitation, she also picked up a small disruptor, before heading off towards the ship’s shuttle bay. She felt more explosions as she hastily passed through the corridors. The hull had been breached. She could feel it. She had to hurry.
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