Star Trek: Aurora - Episode Five - 'Intolerable Acts'

 Star Trek: Aurora

By Jack D. Elmlinger

Episode Four: ‘Intolerable Acts’ 

Captain’s Log, Stardate 53511.9; 

The Blas Maraug continue to raid and plunder Federation and Khymerian colonies on the Frontier. Most notably was their barbaric sacking of the Federation colony on Pilvao 86AG. Recently, four other colonies have been attacked and there seems to be little that we can do to prevent it. 

Our three ships have been scattered across the frontier colonies, supplying aid and attempting to offer defense but these pirates are cunning and evasive. We’ve managed to engage only a handful of Blas Maraug ships. All of them have either hidden from us or they’ve run to the refuge of the Motaabi Nebula. 

Still, however, we have not been able to make contact with any of the Blas Maraug. The little that we know about their species comes from the small crew that was killed with the Essex retook the USS Bengaluru. 

The Aurora has been on constant alert these days. The crew has become tired and our supplies are low. That is why I have ordered that we put into Erebus Dawn for routine supply and maintenance. 

Captain Bishop walked quickly across the crowded and noisy promenade on the Khymerian space station towards Admiral Thrikkan’s office. He had been summoned to a mission briefing and he was already five minutes late. The station facilities had been unable to accommodate the large crowds of Khymerian Trade Guild crews and the Starfleet officers who were slowing things down to a crawl. He knew that the Admiral would be grateful that some of the station’s traffic would be gone in a few hours when Aurora departed. 

On the other hand, the Essex had just arrived. They had taken heavy damage from a metreon explosion in the outer edges of the nebula. Her crew was not due to leave until their ship was repaired. 

Slipping through a crowd of Khymerians who were studying the cargo manifests that had been posted on a large display wall, Bishop finally reached his destination. The large rounded doors slid open as he entered the office, finding the calmness within more to his liking.

“I’m sorry that I’m late,” he apologized, sitting down on a chair in front of the Admiral’s desk. 

Captain Hadleigh had decided to attend the meeting as well and he was seated on the opposite side, facing Thrikkan. 

“I suppose we can dispense with the court-martial this time,” the Saurian flag officer said, well-aware of the difficulties that having several crews on the station at one time caused. 

“I’m surprised at the number of Khymerian transports operating through the sector,” Hadleigh noted, “Considering the Blas Maraug threat.” 

“Trade amongst the planets and colonies of this region is what had made the Khymerians such a wealthy civilization,” Thrikkan explained to them. “Being able to conduct free trade and commerce with the Federation’s colonies was one of the driving reasons for the Khymerians’ membership and the Trade Guild is willing to take the risk.” 

“So, what’s this all about, Admiral?,” Bishop asked him, anxious to get on with the briefing. 

“We have a mission for you, Captain. Recently, we’ve managed to locate a major base outside of the nebula for the Blas Maraug, deep inside the caves of the moon Kelos. A colonial freighter captain detected the base on one of her cargo runs. Starfleet Intelligence believes it could be a refitting and repair hangar for their commandeered ships.” 

“It’s probably the place where they install their enhanced shields so that their new acquisitions can enter the nebula,” was Hadleigh’s hypothesis. 

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Thrikkan replied. “We need to eliminate this base immediately. Since you decided to drop into the neighborhood at just the right moment, the assignment is yours.” 

“It sounds more fun than playing convoy escort.” 

“The necessary supplies have been transferred aboard for your mission, Scott. We’ve also restocked your payload of quantum torpedoes. You can ship out in an hour.” 

“It sure does sound like fun,” Hadleigh said. “I suppose we’ll have to sit here and wait?” 

“I’m afraid so, Captain Hadleigh. That is, until the engineers can repair the damage to the Essex. Your crew is welcome to the few resources and pleasures this station has to offer.” 

“Well, let’s do it,” Bishop said, standing up from his seat and heading for the doors. “It’s time that we showed the Blas Maraug just who they picked to mess with!”

* * * *

Aurora left Erebus Dawn about an hour after the briefing in Admiral Thrikkan’s office and the Nova class starship was now on course for Kelos at Warp Eight-point-five. Doctor Jakta Lim was sitting in his office in Sickbay, reviewing the personnel transfer. It had been unfortunate at their last encounter with the Blas Maraug in the Lesk’Gor-Alya system that they had only lost three good officers. One of them had been his senior nurse, Ensign Jenny Boyce. While they had been docked at Erebus Dawn, the Bolian had been able to request a replacement for her. 

“Hmm… now this Krel’chek sounds like an interesting person to get to know. Yes, these Khymerians, I don’t know much about them,” Lim said, talking aloud to himself. “I bet he’d make an interesting security officer for Lieutenant ch’Dalvis.” 

He heard the Sickbay doors slide open and a few seconds later, he heard the voice of a young woman at the entrance to his officer. “Doctor Lim?,” she asked. 

Lim looked up from the computer terminal on top of his desk, to see a Draylaxian standing in front of him. Her silver-gray eyes stared anxiously back at him. Her leonine face and long thick strings of honey-colored fur, which were tied nearly behind her head in a bun, were a startling and unusual scene to the doctor who had not seen many of her kind before. 

“Yes?,” he replied, staring at her, intently ignoring her three breasts. 

She smiled at him warmly. “I see you are not used to Draylaxians,” she replied. “That is understandable. There really aren’t many of my people in Starfleet.” 

Lim returned the smile. He wasn’t embarrassed in the least. “Actually, there aren’t all that many Bolians in Starfleet either with a doctor’s degree now that I think about it. There are probably more Bolians in Starfleet who are security officers or engineers. When I was aboard the Surefoot as a cadet, I knew a Bolian named Neraxis…” 

“Yes, of course,” she quickly said, afraid that he might continue on forever. “I am Eslataelytha Nohmir, your new Assistant Chief Medical Officer. I just dropped by to give you my medical files and to check in, as it is the custom, I am told, when being assigned to a new vessel.” 

“Oh, uh, well, welcome to Sickbay, Lieutenant.. Uh,” he said, welcoming her while also trying to remember her name again. 

“Eslataelytha Nohmir, sir,” she repeated. “However, I find that most Humans dislike pronouncing long names and often use ‘nicknames’. I believe it’s to make it easier for them.” 

“That’s true! What an interesting anecdote! I’ve been living among Humans for so many years now and I’ve grown accustomed to many of their unusual traditions. I bet there are many that I have overlooked. I’d be happy to discuss this further with you if you’d like. I’m actually thinking about writing a book about it. Your input would only add to its success -- “

“Yes, of course, Doctor,” she said, interrupting him again. She was a little irritated by his incessant talk. “To avoid such nicknames, I wouldn’t mind if you simply called me ‘Esla’.” 

“All right then. Esla, it is. You know, I once knew a Chalnoth with the name Esla. Now that was a frightful lady if I ever met one. She had these razor sharp teeth and she was close to --” 

“Yes, Doctor,” she interrupted him. “I’m sure it’s an interesting story but I was hoping that I could relax for a little while before I start my duties?” 

“Yes, yes! Rest is something that I constantly recommend for every member of the crew to get a lot of. Very well, Lieutenant, I’ll have your duty shift ready and posted in an hour or so. For now, you’re off-duty so you can go to your quarters and sleep if you want.” 

“Thank you, Doctor,” the Draylaxian replied. “I’ve seen my quarters. They aren’t as large as the ones i used to have aboard the Essex, but they are quite sufficient. I think I'll see the rest of the ship.” 

“Well, if you get bored, you can always stop by and we could talk again --” He heard the doors to Sickbay slide open as another person walked in. 

“I don’t feel so good, Doc,” called out the voice of Lieutenant Jedani Vata as she wandered into Lim’s small office. She was rubbing the temples of her head. 

Lieutenant Esla was on her way out of Sickbay when Vata walked in. She decided instead to stay while the doctor treated her, eager to prove herself to the Bolian. The Draylaxian led the Trill out of the office and towards a biobed. The blue-skinned physician followed them out and as their patient lay down on the bed, Esla handed a medical tricorder to Lim. He opened the tricorder and began scanning her. 

“What seems to be the problem?,” he asked her. 

“Oh… it’s just this damned headache. It’s been coming and going all night. Actually, it’s been there all night but the severity of it has been increasing and decreasing.” 

Lim removed the small high-resolution scanner from the front of his tricorder and ran it over the top of the engineer’s forehead. “When was the last time that you slept?,” he asked her, already aware that it had been too long. 

“Not for awhile, I guess. I was up all night, assisting the engineering teams. We were trying to repair one of the ODN conduits that happened to rupture yesterday. We had to take the warp engines offline for that.” 

“Miss Vata, there’s your problem! You’re exhausted! Your body needs rest. When were you planning on getting some sleep?” 

“Well, i was going to, but the Captain wanted to leave Erebus Dawn at zero-seven hundred hours and I knew that, with the shortage of available engineering teams on that station, they would need my help.” 

“That’s because most of the engineering teams are busy, trying to make repairs to the Essex,” Esla explained. “We took heavy damage.” 

“Well, it’s a good thing that the Essex can spare us some of her medical staff,” Lim said, putting the high-resolution scanner back in his tricorder. “I’m glad that I finally have a replacement for Jenny Boyce. She was a good officer and I’d hate to have to replace her with the EMH program.” 

Esla took the medical tricorder from Lim and placed it back on the tray. 

“You know those Emergency Medical Holograms are miracles of modern technology,” Vata told him. “I feel better, just knowing that there’s a backup around when we need one.” 

“Yes, they sure are something all right,” the Bolian said with a sarcastic tone of voice. “Something that should be thrown out. Do you want to know what I think about them, Lieutenant? I hate them. They’re all the same, rude, arrogant, and unprofessional. I have a mind to write a strongly-worded letter to Doctor Lewis Zimmerman and tell him to remove them or enhance their interaction subroutines. I really don’t think that they deserve the credit that they’re given.” 

“That sounds like the EMH Mark One that you’re talking about. I agree with you there, and so did most of Starfleet. That’s why Aurora is equipped with an EMH Mark Four. They have a much more pleasant personality.” 

“Well,” the Bolian replied,” I suppose I haven't given this ship’s EMH a chance yet, but I had to suffer with a Mark One aboard the Trafalgar, and I tell you, I never want to do it again. I just hope that they never replace the real doctors.” 

“I doubt that,” Vata said, trying to comfort him. “The EMH may be state of the art technology but it isn’t designed to last for long. It’s only been designed as a short-term medical supplement, and Starfleet hasn’t had a lot of success with the Long-Term Medical Hologram.” 

“I suppose you’re right. You know, maybe I should spend some time with this ship’s EMH. Get to know it a little and teach it some proper bedside manners. I think I may enjoy something like that -- “

“Doc?,” Jedani asked, interrupting him. “Can I go now?” 

“Yes, of course. You’re free to go now, Lieutenant,” he told her,” but I want you to get some sleep. I’ll speak to the Captain and make sure that he lets you skip your next duty shift so you get at least ten hours worth.” 

“Thanks, Doc, but I don't think I’ll be able to sleep with this headache. It’s all I can think about.” 

Lim thought for a moment before he went into his office and returned with a small cylindrical vial that he fitted into his hypospray. “I guess I can give you a sedative. That should help you get some rest, but make sure that you go straight to your quarters, and not engineering.” 

“Thanks, Doc,” she said as he pressed the hypospray against her neck, injecting her with the substance. 

Lieutenant Vata slid off of the biobed and headed out of Sickbay. 

* * * *

(Three hours later)

Exiting the turbolift, Captain Bishop walked out onto the Bridge. All of the officers assigned to Alpha Shift were at their posts as they were expected to be. 

“Captain on the Bridge!,” Zagora barked, spotting him walking close by him. 

Scott laughed. After a month and a half together, the young science officer still hadn’t realized that he had not a care for that useless tradition. “Next time, Mister Zagora, save that formality for admirals, please.” 

The science officer’s face went bright red as the rest of the bridge crew chuckled at his misfortune. Bishop walked slowly across the bridge, observing his crew as he headed towards the Ready Room. there were some cargo manifests that he was behind on reading. 

“Captain!,” Lieutenant Commander Clifford Doyle called out from the Ops console. “We’re receiving a distress signal from the Federation colony on Beomia VI. They’re reporting that they’re being raided by several Blas Maraug vessels.” 

“Have any other ships responded to the distress signal?,” Commander Keller asked, walking up the short set of steps to the upper-level of the bridge to see the message that was being sent over subspace. 

“Yes, ma’am. Two colonial freighters are on their way,” Doyle answered to her surprise,” but they’re limited to Warp Seven. They won’t arrive at the colony for two hours. At maximum warp, we can be there in forty-five minutes.” 

“How far off of our course is Beomia VI?,” Bishop asked as he walked over towards the Ops station. 

“It’s actually not that much of a deviation, sir,” Nerrit replied from the helm. “Both star systems are in the same sector. It will only be a small delay of our mission.” 

“A delay that could be long enough for the Blas Maraug to pack up their base and escape if they notice that a Federation starship is nearby,” ch’Dalvis added from Tactical. “It could be a tactical mistake, Captain.” 

As Bishop took a moment to think about their situation and weigh the options in his mind, Keller gave him a concerned glance. She couldn’t believe that he was actually considering not helping the colonists on Beomia VI. 

“No, Nala,” he replied after a moment. “We have a moral obligation to help those colonists. Those freighters won’t arrive in time to help the critically wounded. It’s up to us. Mister Doyle, notify the colony and tell them that we’re on our way. Inform Doctor Lim to prepare Sickbay for heavy casualties.” 

“Aye, sir,” Doyle said, turning back to his console. 

“Ensign Nerrit, set a course for Beomia, maximum warp.” 

* * * *

(Forty-five minutes later)

“Captain we’re approaching Beomia VI,” Ensign Nerrit announced from the helm. On the main viewscreen, the stars slowed down from streaks flying past them to dots. 

“Sensors aren’t detecting any signs that the Blas Maraug are still in the area, Captain,” Doyle reported. 

“Standard orbit, Mister Nerrit,” Bishop ordered, taking the seat beside Commander Keller. “Hail the colony.” 

After a few moments, Doyle turned his head to look at the captain. “I have Governor Franz Keitner for you, sir. Putting him on screen now.” 

The viewscreen switched from a view of the planet to display a middle-aged man with blonde hair. He wore brown civilian clothing and he had been badly burned. Behind him, in the background, was a damaged command center. “It’s about time!,” he exclaimed with an annoyed voice as he saw the Aurora’s bridge. “Our medical facilities are overrun with casualties and the Blas Maraug stole most of our medical supplies. Not to mention our food supplies!” 

“Our medical staff are standing by, Governor. Prepare to transport your critically injured to our sickbay.” 

“Understood. Keitner out!” 

“Well, he’s a delight,” Nala murmured underneath his breath. 

“Captain, we’re receiving the coordinates now,” Doyle informed him. “Initiating transport. Transport complete. We have forty injured civilians aboard.” 

“What’s the status of the colony?,” Keller asked, wondering how much damage has been done to the surface of Beomia VI. 

“Sensors are showing heavy damage to many of the main cities,” Ensign Zagora reported from the science station. He had been conducting sensor scans of the planet. “The damage is consistent with an orbital bombardment. The orbital defenses have all been destroyed and casualty reports from the surface estimate approximately two thousand injured out of a total population of twenty thousand colonists.” 

“Nala, have Security begin organizing damage control teams to assist the colonists,” Bishop said, rising out of his chair and heading off of the bridge. “Keep me apprised of our progress. I’ll be in my Ready Room.” 

“Aye, sir,” was the Andorian’s reply. 

* * * *

Scott Bishop finished reading the latest report from Doctor Lim, who was down on the planet, helping out the uninjured doctors at the colony’s hospitals. Even though most of the colonists had been brought aboard Aurora had been saved, there were still plenty of people down on Beomia VI who were dying. The situation seemed to be pretty grim. He put the PADD down and standing up from the seat behind his desk, he walked over towards the replicator terminal on the other side of his small office. 

“Sweet iced tea, five degrees.” As the replicator began to materialize his selection, his thoughts were interrupted by the call of the communications system. 

“Bridge to Captain Bishop.” It was Commander Keller. 

He tapped his combadge. “Bishop here.” 

“Two colonial freighters, the Jaguar and the Sydney, have arrived, sir. They’re ready to receive injured colonists and transport them to the medical facilities in the Ciria system.” 

“Understood, Commander,” he said, taking a sip of his iced tea. “See to the necessary arrangements.” 

“I also have Governor Keitner on the communicator,” the First Officer added to her report. “He’d like to speak with you.” 

“Inform him that I’m beaming down. He can discuss anything with me when I get down there. Bishop out” 

He took a large drink of his tea, draining the glass halfway before he set it down on his desk and headed out of his ready room for transporter room one. He felt that it was his duty to see the damage that the Blas Maraug had done to the colony and its inhabitants. After all that had happened, he owed them that much, at least. 

“I shouldn’t be more than an hour or so,” he said as he headed off of the bridge and stepped into the turbolift. “I wouldn’t mind some company, though.” 

“Sure thing, Scott,” ch’Dalvis replied from Tactical. He had been coordinating the efforts of his security officers on the surface. 

“Commander Keller, you have the Bridge.” Bishop and ch’Dalvis entered the turbolift, disappearing as the doors slid shut.

* * * *

Captain Bishop and Lieutenant ch’Dalvis found themselves standing in a dusty dirty street in the middle of the colony’s capital city after they had materialized on Beomia VI. The city had once been a very pleasant and modern-looking place, which was standard for most twenty-fourth century Federation colonies but now it looked like the colonists had just survived a civil war. Most of the city’s buildings were intact but they were covered in dust and debris. The street was empty except for a few colonists who were traveling from building to building. Most of the trees had also been knocked down. 

“The Blas Maraug sure did a number on this place!” 

Captain Bishop was shocked at the level of damage that had been done. The city was situated on a hill and they could see smoke rising from the other small cities on the distance. If he remembered correctly, this colony was one of the oldest and proudest of the Federation colonies settled on the Khymerian Frontier. 

He spotted the colony’s governor walking out of one of the larger buildings across the street from them. The man noticed them and began walking towards them with a quick pace as if he had something important on his mind and he was anxious to discuss it with him. Bishop and ch’Dalvis walked leisurely towards him as they approached him. 

“Captain Bishop, is it?,” Keitner asked him, courteously. 

“Yes, Governor. I understand that you wanted to speak with me?” 

“Yes, well,” he began, his face becoming flushed as he attempted to pace himself, thinking over what he wanted to say. “Perhaps, we should… take a walk, Captain?”

Bishop agreed with him. They began walking around the city block, examining the debris. Lieutenant ch’Dalvis wandered closely behind them. 

“I can’t believe what I'm seeing here when I look around. It’s been seven years that this colony has been here, and in all of that time, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.” 

“I must admit that the damage done here had been worse than what i’ve seen on other colony worlds out here. At least, it’s not irreparable. I have great confidence that you and your people will be able to rebuild.” 

“Yes, I do too,” Keitner responded,” but I’m beginning to ask myself what the point in rebuilding would be. The Blas Maraug could easily come back in a few months to destroy it all over again. To plunder our resources that we’ve spent all year working for…” 

The captain, the governor and Lieutenant ch’Dalvis paused as they grew close to a bend in the street. They spotted two of Aurora’s security officers carrying an injured child out of a nearly collapsed residential structure. The child looked like she was six years old as one of the officers laid her carefully down on the ground beside them. She appeared to be either unconscious or dead 

“I don’t think she’s going to make it, sir,” the other security officer replied, taking out her tricorder as she noticed Captain Bishop and Governor Keitner standing near them. “She has massive internal injuries and she’s been buried underneath all of that rubble for several hours.” 

“Ensign Singer to Aurora,” her partner said, tapping his combadge. “I need an emergency site-to-site transport to the hospital.” 

Captain Bishop stared long and hard at the little girl, lying unconscious on the ground before she was swept away in the blue aura of a Federation transporter beam. His eyes shed a tear for her, which he quickly wiped away with his hand. After a few more moments of silence, they began to walk again. 

“She was so young…,” was all that he managed to say. “It just doesn’t seem fair.” 

“It isn’t,” Keitner replied, adamantly. “This incident should have been prevented. It could have been prevented!” 

Bishop glanced oddly at him. “I fail to follow you there, Governor.” 

“Captain, I must say that when I heard that Starfleet was finally going to return starships to patrol the Khymerian Frontier again, I was relieved. I thought that the Federation Council had finally heard our demands and that we would have protection from the Blas Maraug. But over the last five and a half months that your so-called ‘task force’ has been in operation here, we’ve seen no change! The raids still continue! This Starfleet protection of yours is getting us nowhere!” 

“I understand how you feel, Governor,” Bishop explained, calmly. “In light of what just happened here, you have a right to be upset, but we’re doing everything that we can. 

“‘The best you can’?!,” Keitner exclaimed. “You’re Starfleet! You’ve protected Federation citizens from the Klingons, the Romulans, and the Cardassians. You’ve even defeated the Borg and the Dominion, and you’re telling me that this is the best that you can do!” 

The governor’s raised voice was loud enough to get ch’Dalvis’ wandering attention. He had been staring at the wreckage of a distant building which was higher up the hill. Overhearing the heated conversation, the building didn’t seem as interesting as it had been before. The Andorian followed the captain and the governor more closely, listening intently. 

“Governor,” Bishop replied, growing more irritated by the minute, though he tried to repress those feelings,” those are different circumstances. We are doing the best that we can with the resources allocated to us.” 

“I see,” he answered him, seemingly unconvinced by his argument. 

“You do understand the laws of physics, correct? My ship can’t be in two places at once, nor can it simply appear out of thin air when you’re in danger. As far as I’m still aware, Warp Ten is still unachievable!” 

“Why can’t Starfleet send more ships? Surely there can’t be a place in more need than here?” 

“I assure you, Governor, there are,” replied Aurora’s captain. “Starfleet has been badly crippled by the war. It’ll take many years to rebuild the fleet that we once had. In the meantime, the ships that we do have are spread out thinly across Federation space.” 

There was a brief pause as both men thought for a moment about what the other person had said. Then Captain Bishop broke the silence between them. 

“If it will give you any comfort, then know that, in a few hours, I plan on resuming our mission for Kelos. There, you may have heard, is where the Blas Maraug had been refitting transports and freighters with their superior shield modifications so that they can enter the nebula. We intend to destroy it.” 

Keitner shook his head in disgust. “Captain, I know about the base, of course. It was one of our freighters that discovered it. It was a most efficient operation and we relayed the data to Erebus Dawn via subspace, almost immediately after it. However, that was a week ago. By now, I wouldn't be surprised if they had packed up and left. There won’t be anything left to destroy.” 

“You seem quite sure of that.” 

“Not at all, Captain. I just meant… well, I was looking at the pessimistic view, I suppose.” 

“I find that an optimistic view tends to bring on better results, Governor,” Bishop said, smiling. “It works for me, anyways.” 

“Captain, forgive me for being blunt earlier but i felt that it was my duty to warn you,” Keitner said as they walked underneath the overhanging of a nearby building. “The stability of the planets in these sectors are much worse than you seem to believe. The colonists, who have lived here for years, are tired of the constant raids. They want to protect their families and their accomplishments. They are no longer willing to sit by and watch the Blas Maraug take it by force some of them may even go to extraordinary measures if they deem it necessary. Mark my words, Captain, that if you can’t get the Blas Maraug under control, then I’m afraid that they might start taking the law into their own hands.” 

“That sounds like a threat.” 

“Just the truth,” he answered. 

“Could you be more specific as to whom?” 

“Of course not. The Universe isn’t black and white, Captain it’s complex. I have had a hard enough time as it is, just trying to manage this colony here. They come from all walks of life and they all feel that Starfleet isn’t doing enough or it can’t do enough for them.” 

“I see,” Bishop said. “Well, thank you for that, Governor. I’ll certainly keep that in mind.” 

“Good day to you, Captain Bishop,” the Governor said before he walked off towards the nearby public building. 

“That was certainly an interesting talk,” Lieutenant ch’Dalvis remarked after managing to overhear most of it. 

“It certainly was, Nala.” 

* * * *

The Captain leaned his head back against his chair in a feeble attempt to relax. He watched the stars streak past the viewscreen, knowing that Aurora would soon be arriving at the Blas Maraug base momentarily. His conversation with Governor Keitner continued to replay through his mind when they dropped out of warp. He wondered whether or not, they would find a base at all. Not wanting to suffer an embarrassment, he had four hours since leaving Beomia VI. Two of them had been in orbit and two of them had been on their way to the moon. He had an odd feeling that the governor was right and that he knew more about the base than he had let on. 

“Captain,” Nerrit informed him,” we’re not approaching Kelos.” 

“Red Alert. All hands to Battle Stations,” Bishop ordered as the klaxons rang and the bridge lights dimmed to blood-red. “ch’Dalvis, load forward and aft torpedo launchers and arm phaser banks.” 

“Aye, sir,” replied the Andorian, even though he had already done it, a few minutes ago.

There was a shudder as the ship slowed to impulse speed and headed towards the small moon. In a few minutes, Aurora entered close scanning range of the surface. 

“Any sign of Blas Maraug ships?,” Bishop asked, though he found it odd that they hadn’t been intercepted yet.

“No, sir,” Doyle reported, analyzing his sensor data. “Wait… I'm detecting debris in orbit.” 

“Debris?” 

“Yes, Captain. The hull signatures are Blas Maraug, Khymerian, and Federation. There’s enough of it out there to constitute eight ships. All of them completely destroyed” 

“On screen.” 

The moon of Kelos appears on the viewscreen. It was a rough-looking barren world that was much smaller than the other celestial bodies orbiting the planet. It had no atmosphere and it was irregularly shaped, resembling an asteroid than more of a moon. From the viewscreen, the bridge crew could see hundreds of craters and valleys running all across the surface of the moon and orbiting about it, shards of debris, like a small asteroid field. 

“What about the base?,” Keller asked. “Scan the coordinates that Admiral Thrikkan gave us.” 

There was silence on the bridge while everyone waited to hear what Lieutenant Commander Doyle would report. After a moment, he frowned. “I’m not detecting any structuresor caves that could resemble a base of any sort, nor are I am detecting any bio-signs.” 

“There has to be something there!,” Bishop shouted with frustration in his voice. “How could they have evacuated it so quickly?!” 

“I don’t believe that they did, Captain,” was Doyle’s answer. “There appear to be massive impact craters in the vicinity of the coordinates which don’t match the previous scans taken of the planet. The damage done here doesn’t appear to be from any natural phenomenon but the damage is rather consistent with photon torpedo bombardment.” 

“Are you suggesting that someone else is responsible for destroying the Blas Maraug base?,” Keller asked him. 

“That’s what the evidence suggests, Commander.” 

“Could it have been a colony ship?,” Bishop asked, remembering the conversation that he had with Governor Keitner and his warning. 

“Colonial transports don’t carry photon torpedoes,” ch’Dalvis said. “They aren’t built for battle. I can’t see this being the work of the colonists.” 

“Neither can I. there has to be another explanation. Discontinue Red Alert.” 

“Aye, sir,” the Andorian said before the lights resumed their full illumination. 

“Whoever it was, they weren’t here for that long,” Zagora said. “The craters still have traces of residual radiation from the bombardment.

“Captain, we’re receiving un urgent subspace transmission from Tarantulon, a Khymerian colony near the nebula.” 

“Great!,” Bishop said with a sigh. “This day just keeps getting better and better. On screen.” 

The screen changed views from the irregularly-shaped moon of Kelos to a worried Khymerian sitting behind his desk. His piercing red eyes seemed to be fearful and he had an agitated look on his dark grey face. 

“Captain Bishop,” the Khymerian said, addressing Aurora’s commanding officer,” I am Third Viceroy Tizar, representing the Khymerian Trade Guild on Tarantulon.” 

“Yes, Third Viceroy, how can we be of assistance to you?” 

“Captain, we have lost contact with one of our convoys on route to Tarantulon. There were three transports in the convoy and they have all gone missing. I suspect that the Blas Maraug had attacked them. I was hoping that since your ship ios only a few hours away that you could conduct a search for the transports. We have limited resources here and I'm worried that if we send out more ships, then they will  be lost as well. I am transmitting the last known coordinates of the convoy to you.” 

“Our business here seems to be finished,” answered the Captain. “We’ll begin a search pattern as soon as we arrive at the designated coordinates. Just out of curiosity, Third Viceroy, what were the convoys transporting?” 

“Nothing that should be of any interest to the Blas Maraug,” Tizar replied. “Mainly grains and spices from Khymeria  Prime.” 

“I see. Well, we’ll be on our way, Third Viceroy. We’ll get there as soon as possible. Though i can’t guarantee much success because the Blas Maraug can be very evasive. Aurora out.” 

The screen returned to a view of Kelos. 

“Well, this day has been nothing but dull,” Keller remarked. 

“Yes, and the Blas Maraug are sure getting around today,” Bishop agreed with her “Let’s not waste any more time. Mister Nerrit, set a course for Tarantulon, warp nine.” 

“Aye, sir,” the Bajoran helm officer replied as he entered the coordinates and Aurora set off for the Khymerian colony. 

* * * *

Doctor Lim and his small medical team had just finished sterilizing all of their medical equipment after the groups of injured colonists that had beamed aboard from Beomia VI. it had taken them all, nearly two hours to clean up but they were done and the rest of his medical staff had gone to their quarters to rest. 

As he wheeled his tray over to one side of Sickbay and prepare to leave, Ensign Gisbourne, a junior operations officer, walked in, carrying a PADD. 

“Doctor Lim,” she said, smiling happily as she usually did,” I have a communique for you from Starfleet Medical. I believe you have a subscription to the Starfleet Medical Journal?” 

“Yes,” the Bolian replied, anxiously taking the PADD from her. “I’ve been waiting for this issue. They agreed to publish my paper on the Sezori epidemic on Renthar II. you know, it’s been quite an unusual plague. I had the chance to conduct a detailed analysis of it, a month ago, while we delivered vaccines to the colony. You know the interesting thing about that particular epidemic is that patients first suffer from psychological effects before they suffer anything physically. The first sign of the disease is that patients begin to suffer from apparent dementia. They experience hallucinations and make irrational decisions. Then the bodies begin to -- “ 

“If you’ll excuse me, Doctor,” the Ops officer replied, aware of the doctor’s reputation for unrelenting small talk,” I have lots of work to do.” 

“Well, then, I’ll just leave you to your work then,” Lim said, somewhat disheartened that he couldn’t finish explaining the effects of the Sezori to her. 

“Thanks. Goodbye, Doctor,” she said, a look of relief coming over her face as she walked out of Sickbay. 

Doctor Lim had really been looking forward to his next issue of the Starfleet Medical Journal as he had with all of the other issues. Especially because an article that was included with the greatest doctors in Starfleet. He decided to read the medical journal in his office than in his quarters. He went and sat down in his office when the doors opened and Lieutenant Esla walked in. 

“Oh,” the Draylaxian said, realizing that the doctor was in the middle of reading something,” I’m sorry to interrupt you. What is it that you’re reading?” 

“The  Starfleet Medical Journal,” Lim replied. “They’ve been gracious to include an article that I submitted. Can you believe it? Me, along with the great doctors! McCoy, Chapel, Crusher, Bashir, Pulaski, Lense, and Lim!” 

“Oh, yes, I have a few subscriptions to the Journal as well. I especially enjoyed an article, a few years ago, by Doctor Julian Bashir on the Teplan Blight. Maybe when you’re done with it, I could read it too?” 

“I have that article too,” Lim said. “I think I have all of them. I’d be happy to lend it to you. I’ll be done by tonight and I'll drop it off by your quarters if you want. Oh, that reminds me, I was going to tell you the news, in case you hadn’t heard about it yet. Crewman Verzan had convinced the Captain to allow a small party in the Mess Hall while we search for that missing convoy. The party is scheduled to be at nineteen hundred hours.” 

“Yes,” she answered him,” I did hear about it.” 

“Oh, well, you never mentioned it so I assumed that you hadn’t heard. Are you going?” 

“No,” Esla answered him, staring down at the floor. “I’d rather just read instead.” 

“‘Rather just read’? Won’t the gathering be ‘fun’?,” he asked her, unsure if she had used the word correctly. “I’ve overheard many officers talking about it. It’s a chance to socialize more with the crew, which is something that I haven’t had the chance for since we arrived aboard Aurora. I’m going to enjoy getting to know everyone better.” 

“It probably will be,” the Draylaxian said, still not looking at him,” for everyone except me, that is.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that, Lieutenant. I was hoping that you’d go with me since I barely know you and i thought that, maybe, we could get to know each other better. Besides, you don’t know the crew very well yet. Does that seem like a practical idea?” 

Esla looked up at Doctor Lim who was staring intently at her again from his seat behind the desk. The Draylaxian was pleased that he had asked her to go with him, as though he considered her a friend already. She didn’t usually feel comfortable in large crowds and she didn;t care much to interact with the crew. 

“I’m not that comfortable at all in crowds,” she replied to his kind offer. “I don’t really understand Humans and i usually wind up, making a mistake and embarrassing myself and others.” 

“You’ll never learn if you don’t keep trying.” 

“I know, I know,” Esla said,” but I’ll just … end up ruining things.” 

“Nonsense!,” the Bolian said, firmly. “Come to the party. It’ll be good for you!” 

“All right, I guess,” was her reluctant answer, “I’ll be there.” 

* * * *

(Three hours later)

The turbolift arrived on Deck Two and Captain Bishop walked out to see Lieutenant Jedani  Vata coming out of her quarters, farther down the corridor. The Chief Engineer spotted him and waited for him to catch up. 

“How’s that headache?,” he asked her, walking beside her and towards the Mess Hall. 

“Gone,” the Trill answered him. “I had an amazing sleep, thanks to Doctor Lim. Are you heading for the party too?” 

“Of course,” Bishop said. “Verzan and a bunch of the junior officers are supposedly throwing it. It should be interesting to see. I wouldn’t want to miss it.” 

“How’s the search coming?” 

“Nothing yet. We’ve been out here for an hour already. I suppose it’s not surprising, though.” 

“Not really. The Blas Maraug always seems to be one step ahead of us, wherever we are. I’ll bet they’re carrying out another raid, right at this moment.” 

“Bridge to Captain Bishop,” Commander Keller’s voice interrupted them. 

“Bishop here.” 

“Captain, sensors have just revealed the warp signatures of six vessels. Three of them are definitely Khymerian transports, and the other three, we believe, are colonial freighters.” 

“They’re probably commandeered by the Blas Maraug.” 

“That’s what we believe,” she said. “The warp signatures lead to System AK-9825. I’ve had Nerrit set a course and we’ll be arriving in twenty minutes.” 

“Understood, Commander. Have all hands report to Battle Stations. Bishop out.” 

“Well, it looks like the party’s cancelled,” Vata stated as the two of them began walking back towards the turbolift with him. “Darn it, and I was looking forward to it, too!” 

* * * *

Twenty minutes passed by and the crew of the USS Aurora was fully prepared for battle as they entered the star system. The Red Alert klaxon sounded as the captain ordered a sensor sweep.

“Captain, I’m detecting several vessels in orbit around the second planet,” Doyle reported. “I’ve identified eight ships. Three of them are Khymerian Korru class transports and the other five are Federation colonial freighters.” 

“Set a course for that planet, Mister Nerrit, full impulse.” 

“Aye, sir.” 

“I’ve confirmed it, sir. Those three transports bear the registration markings of the missing convoy,” Lieutenant ch’Dalvis stated in his report. 

“At last, some answers,” Bishop exclaimed, happily. “Are all weapons systems armed?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“We’ll be in orbit in two minutes, sir,” Nerrit said as they drew closer to the rocky world

“Can they detect us?,” Keller asked as she observed their distance to the fleet getting tighter. 

“They should be able to, Commander,” Doyle told her,” unless all of their sensors are down.” 

“Then why aren’t they fleeing? That’s not typical tactics for them.” 

“You’re right, Commander. However, it looks as though those ships might be undergoing some kind of repairs. Several of them appear to be docked to each other.” 

“So we caught them unprepared,” Bishop said, his face glowing with pride. He remembered the terrible assault that the Blas Maraug had carried out on Aurora, nearly six months ago when they had been unprepared. “Now they won’t know what it’s like!” 

“Sir, the vessels appear to be disconnecting from each other,” Doyle reported. “It looks like they’re attempting to run.” 

“How soon until we’re within weapons range?” 

“One minutes and twenty seconds,” ch’Dalvis reported from Tactical. 

“Maybe we shouldn’t attack them, sir,” Keller warned the Captain. “After all, there are eight of them and one of us.” 

“I’m not going to give up that easily,” Bishop told her. “Even eight of those ships, so long as they haven’t been refitted, are no match for us. From the way that it lookslike now, they haven’t had the chance to refit them yet. We have to distract them for a little bit. Open hailing frequencies.” 

“Frequencies open.” 

“This is Captain Scott Bishop of the Federation Starship Aurora. You’ve stolen three transport vessels that belong to the Khymerian Trade Guild. I demand that you return them at once and surrender yourselves or I’ll be forced to open fire upon your ships.” 

“Captain…,” Lieutenant Commander Doyle said, amazed,” they’re responding.” 

“Put them on screen,” Bishop ordered, both shocked and excited that he was finally going to make contact with a Blas Maraug ship. 

The main viewscreen, which had been displaying a very close up view of the second planet, changed views to the Bridge of a colonial freighter. He expected to see a crew of aliens that resembled the ones slaughtered aboard the Bengaluru, operating the ship, but to his astonishment, he saw Humans and Khymerians.” 

“Captain Bishop, I am Tomas Chavez, commander of this fleet,” said a Hispanic man with short brown hair. “The vessels that you spoke of are no longer part of the Trade Guild. They have been commandeered by the Grey League and they are now part of our colonial forces.” 

“The what?,” Bishop asked, amazed at what he was hearing. 

“The attack on Boemia VI was the last straw!,” Chavez said. “We have been raided and terrorized for years. Throughout that whole time, Starfleet had done nothing for us. It’s time now to avenge their serious wrongs. We won’t tolerate this for any longer and we intent to eliminate the Blas Maraug threat from the Khymerian Frontier once and for all!” 

“Exactly how do you plan to do that with eight rundown cargo transports?” 

“We have refitted these ‘rundown cargo transports’ with photon torpedo launchers. I assure you, Captain, that we are heavily armed. We plan to attack and destroy the Blas Maraug base on Voloth. It should be a swift victory, considering that we have determined its defenses to be minimal,” Chavez said, noticing Bishop’s astonishment. “Surprised, Captain? I suppose that Starfleet wasn’t even aware that there was a Blas Maraug base on Voloth. Nevertheless, we will destroy it, just like we did the base on the moon of Kelos!” 

“Mister Chavez, those ships are property of the Trade Guild,” the Captain replied, ignoring Chavez’s taunts. “I cannot allow them to be destroyed on some whim of yours. This plan of yours is suicide! If I’m correct, Voloth is located on the edge of the nebula. The base may only have a small complement but the nebula could be crawling with ships and you wouldn’t ever know it.” 

“Captain, our fight is with the Blas Maraug, not with Starfleet,” Chavez warned him. “These ships belong to us now and if you try to interfere, we will cripple your ship. However… if you wish to join our campaign?” 

“I don’t think so.” Bishop was angry now. “Open your eyes, Chavez! The Blas Maraug are more powerful than you’d like to believe! They’ll destroy you!” 

“Very well, then until we meet again, Captain,” Chavez said with a smirk on his face. The view screen went dark and resumed its view of the planet. By now, the Grey League fleet had assumed a non-military formation and started heading out of the star system. 

“Captain, the fleet is going to warp,” Doyle reported as the ship warped away. 

Captain Bishop sat dejectedly back in his command chair. “Cancel Red Alert.” 

“We aren’t going after them, sir?,” Keller asked him as the lights resumed their full intensity. 

“No, we aren’t. We might as well as let them go. I don’t want to risk the lives of my crew in a battle with the people that we’re out here to protect. We’d only be taking the place of the Blas Maraug if we did.” 

“But they’re thieves!,” Keller shouted at him. “We can’t just let them get away with it!” 

“The way I see it, Commander,” Bishop stated, boldly,” we can have either two enemies on the frontier or we can have one and an ally. Which would you prefer?” 

“Captain,” Doyle said, interrupting them,” sensors have just picked up what appears to be five ships emerging from the nebula. They’re Blas Maraug. Two cruisers, two scouts, and one refitted Korru class transport.” 

“Has the colonial fleet spotted them?” 

“Yes, sir, but they’re continuing to hold course. The fleets will intercept each other in five minutes.” 

Captain Bishop let out a sigh as he quickly thought about the decision he would now be forced to make. He didn’t want to get involved in this unnecessary conflict but it was too late. He knew that he had to assist the colonists. 

“Ensign Nerrit, set an intercept course for the Grey League fleet. Commander Doyle, tell them that we’ve had a change of heart and we’ll be joining them in their so-called campaign.” 

“Aye, sir,” replied both officers.

“Red Alert! Rearm all weapons systems and raise shields. Let’s remind the Blas Maraug that they’re infringing on Federation space!” 

* * * *

The two freighters launched a small volley of photon torpedoes at the approaching Blas Maraug cruiser. It was, at least, twice the size of the freighters and much more heavily armed because it returned fire with a barrage of plasma torpedoes that ripped the freighter’s hull apart. The ship exploded, a short time afterwards. 

The Grey League had overestimated their freighters; abilities. They had armed them well with destructive photon torpedoes, which were still used by some Federation starships, but they hadn’t been able to increase the power of their freighters’ shields. As a result, they were easy targets for the Blas Maraug who had now picked off two freighters. As a transport was heavily bombarded by weapons fire from a Blas Maraug scout ship, Aurora flew onto the scene, sliding gracefully out of warp. She fired her phasers directly at the scout’s weapons systems, disabling her tactical systems. 

“Concentrate your fire on that cruiser, Nala,” Bishop ordered the Andorian. “I want it crippled, not destroyed. We may be able to salvage some interesting technology from it.” 

“Especially its shield generator,” spoke up Keller. 

“Aye, sir,” he replied as the phasers burned across the cruiser’s shields.

The ship shook as the cruiser retaliated at them with two plasma torpedoes. 

“Direct hit!,” ch’Dalvis reported. “Shields are down to ninety-one percent.” 

“Sir, two of the Grey League’s transports have just been destroyed,” Doyle reported,” and another freighter is critically damaged.” 

“Lock quantum torpedoes on the cruiser and fire!” 

Aurora flew past the cruiser, launching a full spread of torpedoes that took down the cruiser’s shields and severely damaged its hull as well. The remaining scout began harassing the Federation starship, maneuvering around her like a butterfly, firing shots all over her shields. 

“Shields are down to seventy-five percent,” ch’Dalvis reported as a crashing sound was heard from the scout’s torpedoes. “One of the Blas Maraug ships has been destroyed.” 

“Come on, Nala. Get a lock on that scout.” 

The ship shook violently as the other cruiser fired upon Aurora. 

“We have another ship on our tail now!,” Doyle shouted. 

“Helm, execute evasive maneuver Alpha-Six!”

Aurora attempted to shake the cruiser but she was unsuccessful. The cruiser had its own problems too. It had three freighters in close pursuit off of its stern. After several more attempts, the cruiser succeeded in destroying one of the more damaged freighters, just before Aurora locked onto the scout and destroyed it with a quantum torpedo.

Now the two remaining Grey League freighters and Aurora concentrated their weapons fire on the second cruiser. Their combined efforts brought its shields down and eventually destroy it. 

“Report!,” the captain barked as the cruiser exploded. 

“Shields are down to sixty-five percent. Minor injuries have been reported on Deck Six,” Doyle reported to him. “Other than that, I'd say that we’re okay. There are three Grey Leagues freighters and on transport remaining. The transport, however, is heavily damaged.” 

“What about our Blas Maraug friends?” 

“They have two ships remaining,” ch’Dalvis reported. “A cruiser and a scout and they’re both crippled.” 

“Well, it looks as though we may gain something from this, after all,” the Captain said, happily. “Mister ch’Dalvis, organize some security teams. Prepare to board the Blas Maraug ships.” 

“Aye, sir!,” the Andorian said, eagerly. 

“Captain, the freighters are moving towards the crippled Blas Maraug ships,” Doyle announced, suddenly, from readings that came through to his console. “They’re charging weapons!” 

“Hail them!,” Bishop exclaimed, realizing that the victory of glory was about to be taken away from them. 

“They aren’t responding…” 

“Lock phasers and fire!” It was too late as the freighters fired the last of their photon torpedoes, destroying the scout. “Fools!,” the captain cried out. “Don’t they realize that those ships carry the shield enhancements?!

The cruiser exploded before the freighters could grow close and lock their weapons on it.

“It looks as though the cruiser has self-destructed,” Doyle stated. “The freighters weren’t able to touch it.” The operations officer paused before adding,” They’re going to warp.” 

Captain Bishop let out another sigh. “Let’s round up the remaining transport then. That way we’ll have something, at least, to bring back to the Trade Guild.” 

* * * *

(One hour later)

Aurora transported the seven rebel crew members from the crippled transport to the detention facilities on Tarantulon. The crew had also returned the only remaining Trade Guild ship to its owners. They were now ready to leave orbit of the Khymerian colony world. 

The Captain sat down in his command chair on the Bridge. “At least, Admiral Thrikkan should find my report interesting,” he said, his head turned towards Keller “I doubt he’d be very pleased to hear what happened.” 

“We did eliminate an entire fleet of Blas Maraug ships,” she told him, sympathizing with him. “That’s something to be proud of.” 

“Perhaps. I’m still betting that we haven’t seen the last of this ‘Grey League’ either. Governor Keitner wanted me to know that these radical colonists are from all over the frontier. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of them soon.” 

“When we do,” ch’Dalvis promised,” we’ll be ready.” 

“Look at it on the bright side, sir,” Nerrit explained. “The Grey League is against the Blas Maraug too. That should increase the odds in our favor.” 

“It’s just like the famous saying,’ The enemy of my enemy is my friend’,” Scott quoted. “Yes, it’s certainly going to get interesting around here.” 

“At least,” his First Officer joked,” this day sure had been nothing but dull!” 

The End.