Fic: The Odyssey, xv. action
--
“Comms blacked out, Captain. Disguising our signal.”
“Ready, Mr. Sulu?” “Lt. Chekhov’s still inputting the course.”
“Expect anything. If they fire, punch it.” “Got it, Captain.”
“Scotty? How’s the engines?” “The engines are fine--
they’re not what I’m worried about, Jim.” “Got it. Keep me posted.”
“Bones, why are you always on the bridge when shit happens?
Shouldn’t you be in Sickbay with Chapel?” “Of course not.
Who else is gonna keep your head on your shoulders?
I’ve always been up here to keep you on course.”
“Lt. Chekhov, Mr. 0718?” “Still calculating final approach, Keptan.”
“They will be inputted by 0753.” “Lt. Marcus, how’s your jammer?”
“Functioning beautifully. It ought to send a large blast radius
that will cover our entrance. When you give the signal
I’ll initiate the sequence.” “Nurse Chapel, things quiet?”
“Nothing unusual. I hope to keep it that way, Captain.”
“I’ll do my best up here. Where’s Spock?”
“Here, Jim.” “Sensor’s good? Qo’NoS quiet?”
“Affirmative on both counts. If we approach carefully,
they should have no awareness of our presence, Captain.”
“How long’s this going to take?” “It will depend on maneuvers,
ideally it will take less than eight hours to complete.”
“‘Ideally’-- you jinxed us.” “Captain.” “Spock.” “Will you two stop it?!
We’re about to hurl into enemy space and you’re bickering.”
“Spock, just don’t say ‘ideally.’” “Our plans are sound, Captain.
We have considered contingencies and most exigencies.
Our only difficulty will be locating lhedaS-- on this point
I cannot offer reassurance.” “Lt. Uhura, did your department
find anything to help us?” “We’ve pored through the maps
but there’s nothing there. It sounds like slang, Captain,
or some forbidden word. We went through our comms
but no mention anywhere.” “Do you think it’s the center or periphery?”
“I don’t know, Jim.” “Use your instincts. You know tlhIngan Hol
better than Spock.” “I think it’s the edge. Somewhere old and neglected.
lhedaS is an archaic name.” “Lt. Uhura-- do our databases have
any old maps of tlhIngan? When the new regime conquered--”
“They renamed all the cities! That’s brilliant, Commander.
I’ll notify my department immediately.” “How’re the shuttles, Giotto?”
“They’re all prepared, Captain. We’re standing by if you need them.”
“Standby on that-- we might be able to beam down direct.
I’ll have the transporter room forward you any coordinates
in case you’ll need to fly the shuttles to get us.”
“Captain.” “Commander.” “The Away Team rosters--”
“I’m taking all my core crew.” “Your instincts?” “Yeah, I know.
But this is important. The assistant heads will see this through.”
“An inopportune moment to test their readiness.”
“It’s that important.” “We may all be killed, and the ship--” “Spock.”
“Jim.” “Do you trust me?” “With my life.” “But with the life of the crew?”
“I admit I am cautious.” “Good-- I need your caution. But you trust me?”
“Yes, Captain. I do.” “Keptan. We haf finished inputting.” “Great.
Lt. Uhura, anything from comms?” “Nothing yet, sir. I’ll inform you
as soon as we have a something.” “Everyone ready?
Ship-wide, Lieutenant.” “Done.” “Attention all crewmembers.
We’re about to go into tlhIngan space. Comms are blacked out,
and everyone has their orders. I can’t say what we’ll find
on this mission, but it’s strictly a mission of contact,
not war or intelligence. We go in peace, even if they come shooting.
So keep that in mind if things start to go down.
Everyone knows their part, everyone has their duty
Beamdown is in eight hours, so let’s get this done. Kirk out.”
“Ready, Mr. Sulu? Punch it.”
They warped out.
Bridge was quiet, but ship continued all activities.
When they reached the Neutral Zone’s edge, they dropped to sublight
and calmly maneuvered-- a few tense moments with sensors
but the Enterprise slipped past tlhIngan’s defense net silently
professional, deadly in their competence, practical, military.
The engine had a hiccup when they parked in the moon’s shatters
The comms department found an old map showing
lhedaS. They beamed down. Were soon found.
Jim mentioned Cirqce and SeplH’ne.
Requested an audience.
Using terms for peace.
--
“Comms blacked out, Captain. Disguising our signal.”
“Ready, Mr. Sulu?” “Lt. Chekhov’s still inputting the course.”
“Expect anything. If they fire, punch it.” “Got it, Captain.”
“Scotty? How’s the engines?” “The engines are fine--
they’re not what I’m worried about, Jim.” “Got it. Keep me posted.”
“Bones, why are you always on the bridge when shit happens?
Shouldn’t you be in Sickbay with Chapel?” “Of course not.
Who else is gonna keep your head on your shoulders?
I’ve always been up here to keep you on course.”
“Lt. Chekhov, Mr. 0718?” “Still calculating final approach, Keptan.”
“They will be inputted by 0753.” “Lt. Marcus, how’s your jammer?”
“Functioning beautifully. It ought to send a large blast radius
that will cover our entrance. When you give the signal
I’ll initiate the sequence.” “Nurse Chapel, things quiet?”
“Nothing unusual. I hope to keep it that way, Captain.”
“I’ll do my best up here. Where’s Spock?”
“Here, Jim.” “Sensor’s good? Qo’NoS quiet?”
“Affirmative on both counts. If we approach carefully,
they should have no awareness of our presence, Captain.”
“How long’s this going to take?” “It will depend on maneuvers,
ideally it will take less than eight hours to complete.”
“‘Ideally’-- you jinxed us.” “Captain.” “Spock.” “Will you two stop it?!
We’re about to hurl into enemy space and you’re bickering.”
“Spock, just don’t say ‘ideally.’” “Our plans are sound, Captain.
We have considered contingencies and most exigencies.
Our only difficulty will be locating lhedaS-- on this point
I cannot offer reassurance.” “Lt. Uhura, did your department
find anything to help us?” “We’ve pored through the maps
but there’s nothing there. It sounds like slang, Captain,
or some forbidden word. We went through our comms
but no mention anywhere.” “Do you think it’s the center or periphery?”
“I don’t know, Jim.” “Use your instincts. You know tlhIngan Hol
better than Spock.” “I think it’s the edge. Somewhere old and neglected.
lhedaS is an archaic name.” “Lt. Uhura-- do our databases have
any old maps of tlhIngan? When the new regime conquered--”
“They renamed all the cities! That’s brilliant, Commander.
I’ll notify my department immediately.” “How’re the shuttles, Giotto?”
“They’re all prepared, Captain. We’re standing by if you need them.”
“Standby on that-- we might be able to beam down direct.
I’ll have the transporter room forward you any coordinates
in case you’ll need to fly the shuttles to get us.”
“Captain.” “Commander.” “The Away Team rosters--”
“I’m taking all my core crew.” “Your instincts?” “Yeah, I know.
But this is important. The assistant heads will see this through.”
“An inopportune moment to test their readiness.”
“It’s that important.” “We may all be killed, and the ship--” “Spock.”
“Jim.” “Do you trust me?” “With my life.” “But with the life of the crew?”
“I admit I am cautious.” “Good-- I need your caution. But you trust me?”
“Yes, Captain. I do.” “Keptan. We haf finished inputting.” “Great.
Lt. Uhura, anything from comms?” “Nothing yet, sir. I’ll inform you
as soon as we have a something.” “Everyone ready?
Ship-wide, Lieutenant.” “Done.” “Attention all crewmembers.
We’re about to go into tlhIngan space. Comms are blacked out,
and everyone has their orders. I can’t say what we’ll find
on this mission, but it’s strictly a mission of contact,
not war or intelligence. We go in peace, even if they come shooting.
So keep that in mind if things start to go down.
Everyone knows their part, everyone has their duty
Beamdown is in eight hours, so let’s get this done. Kirk out.”
“Ready, Mr. Sulu? Punch it.”
They warped out.
Bridge was quiet, but ship continued all activities.
When they reached the Neutral Zone’s edge, they dropped to sublight
and calmly maneuvered-- a few tense moments with sensors
but the Enterprise slipped past tlhIngan’s defense net silently
professional, deadly in their competence, practical, military.
The engine had a hiccup when they parked in the moon’s shatters
The comms department found an old map showing
lhedaS. They beamed down. Were soon found.
Jim mentioned Cirqce and SeplH’ne.
Requested an audience.
Using terms for peace.
--