Carpathia IV: Episode 24 - Condition Red
Space, Centaurus Void, NCCS Shadowdancer
The lift doors slid open and Adell, Aire, Teren, and Ryuu strode briskly onto the bridge. The others already there were doing their jobs as expected, but Adell took no notice of them, making straight for his chair, addressing Nalma while he examined his own console.
Adell: Bugs, status of Vashta ship.
Nalma: Status unchanged. Their shuttle is now docking.
Adell: Estimates on weapon capabilities?
Nalma tipped his head to the side for a moment while he tapped at his console.
Nalma: Unknown. I've been analyzing this since they got here and all I can say is that they have a lot of surplus energy. It's similar to our new Sentinel class of ships, but I can't say for sure if they could outgun us. On the other hand... it would be best if I just show you.
Nalma stood and waved the others to the holoprojector behind his station. Adell and Aire followed his lead and gathered around it. After Nalma tapped some commands into the console, an image of the Vashta ship appeared.
Nalma: It's an unusual design. These spikes are not here for decoration.
Nalma pointed out the knife-like spike on the bow of the Vashta ship.
Nalma: This is made of a very strong, reinforced alloy that I've never seen before. I have to guess it's basically a can opener, designed to slice open another ship.
Nalma then pointed out the round, serrated device in the rear of the ship.
Nalma: Scans show that, mechanically, this thing should be able to spin if activated, like a sawblade. In short, this ship is designed, at least partly, for actual physical combat.
Adell and Aire both contorted their faces into various looks of horror and disgust.
Aire: What could drive a society to even think like this?
Adell returned to his chair.
Adell: Let's hope we don't find out.
Adell then gave a general order to the bridge crew.
Adell: Projections.
Aire, as first officer, took this as his cue to speak up first.
Aire: We should be prepared for an attack, but I don't think that's the likeliest course of action they will take. Ksenva was adamant that there is a ship out there she needs to find.
Adell nodded.
Adell: I find that likely too, but what about that missing ship? Ryuu, how far away is their homeworld?
Ryuu: Pretty far. It would take this ship at least eight months to get there.
Adell rubbed his temple while Aire wondered if Adell was thinking the same thing he was.
Aire: I don't think we're talking about a lost ship here. Judging from the distance and the evidence of the current political situation, I think it's a ship that doesn't want to be found. That would explain why they're looking for it in a place that inhibits sensor data.
Teren: Captain, if I may?
Adell adjusted himself in his chair so that he could see Teren on at his security station on the platform behind him.
Adell: Go ahead, Teren.
Teren: Ksenva showed a disturbing interest in Aire and Quenya. Even if they decide to leave and continue their search, I think we can assume that they will be back.
Adell: Quite right. We should advise headquarters of that so they can prepare accordingly.
A beep emanated from Kit's console.
Kit: Captain, I am receiving a transmission from the Vashta ship.
Adell stood and turned to face the viewscreen.
Adell: On viewer.
Once again, Ksenva's face appeared on the viewscreen, again at her chaise on what was perhaps her bridge. Upon her face was the same glaring scowl.
Adell: Madam Ksenva, it is a shame you had to leave so earl...
As Adell spoke, Ksenva's lips thinned as she pursed them together.
Ksenva: That's enough, round ears. By order of the Vashta Empire, I hereby require you to hand over all vashtari at once. You will place them on a shuttle and send them to me.
Adell paused, partly to make sure he heard correctly and to carefully consider his response. Aire glanced at Adell, sure that his Captain wouldn't hand him over, but wondering what he would do next. Though Adell maintained his composure, Aire could still read the concern on his face.
Adell: I'm afraid I can't do that, Madam Ksenva. All vashtari aboard our vessel are full citizens of the Commonwealth. I cannot hand them over.
Ksenva drummed her fingers on the top of her chaise. Aire felt that a diplomatic solution was slipping away, though Adell continued to address Ksenva in a polite manner, perhaps still hoping to avoid confrontation.
Ksenva: I will not warn you again. What you consider the citizenship of any vashtari is immaterial. All vashtari are the subjects and property of the mighty and glorious Empress Lazmaedia. If you do not turn them over...
Adell slammed his hand down on his console, terminating communications. Up to now, Ksenva's unreasonable demand and impending threats did not seem to dislodge Adell's cool demeanor, but somehow, the mention of the name of the empress, a name Aire had never heard before, agitated him severely. Adell barked out several orders so quickly that nobody on the bridge had a chance to give an acknowledgement before he moved on to the next one.
Adell: Condition red! Maximum shielding! Send out a distress signal! Charge all weapons and load torpedoes! Set course to intercept the Sentinel at maximum speed and engage on my command! Close all emergency doors! Alert medical and station security in every section!
The lights all around the bridge turned the entire area into a sea of red as the bridge crew carried out their commands.
With no commands to carry out, Aire put one foot on the command platform and instinctively grabbed the console to his side.
Aire: What is it, Captain?
Adell turned suddenly, as though he'd forgotten that Aire was there. Whatever was troubling his captain, it was something beyond this current encounter.
Adell: I'll explain later. Poker face, Commander. We've got one shot to talk our way out of this.
Aire did his best to hide his concern, as did Adell.
Adell: Kit, re-establish communications.
Kit: Yes, Captain.
A moment later, Ksenva's face reappeared on the viewer and this time, her face was decidedly purple and her left eye twitched ominously.
Adell: Apologies, Madam Ksenva. Our communications system...
Ksenva: HOW DARE YOU CUT COMMUNICATIONS WITH ME WHILE I AM GIVING ORDERS! I WILL SEND YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE CREW TO THE...
Adell slapped his console again, though less violently this time, terminating communications again.
Adell: Nevermind that, then. Teek, go!
Teek, already with his hand on the ship's throttle, yanked back on the stick. Immediately, he grabbed the wheel and put it hard left as the ship began to accelerate. So quickly the ship accelerated, in fact, that as the Shadowdancer made its turn, the inertial dampeners struggled to compensate and all on the bridge felt a little of the force of the turn. Adell grabbed his chair and pulled himself into it before he could fall over.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
Jenova87
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
All city pictures from SimCity 4
