COLUMBIAD
STARDATE 12.05.21
PRE-HISTORY YEARS
“OH AINE, MEH LASS, YEH REALLY BIT THE TAIL OFF THE DONKEY THIS TIME!!”
The Shuttlecraft bucked and veered erratically like a wild bull. Right behind it, the hungry circular jaw of the Star Lamprey followed, intent on devouring its next meal.
The Columbiad tried to follow the Monster and the Shuttle, but the larger Terra Reserve starship was not as swift as the smaller entities.
“Stay with them, Mister Wallabig,” Captain Dounia said in a calm, but stern voice. Her red and yellow uniform covered her entire body. “Aine O’Clery’s life depends on it.”
“Oim doin’ meh best, Ma’am!” the handsome Australian Navigator replied in a loud, overly stressed voice. He was covering the Helm while Aine piloted the Shuttlecraft. Walker Wallabig could fly the Columbiad, but nowhere near as well as Aine O’Clery. His eyes bulged as he gripped the controls with both hands.
“I can’t get a clear shot!” Makeba Impi yelled. The African Master Gunner knew that she had to kill the Star Lamprey with the Columbiad’s Photon Torpedoes. But she would only get one chance. If she missed, Aine O’Clery was as good as dead.
“Stay calm, everyone,” Captain Adeena Dounia instructed in a reassuring voice. “Together we will succeed.” She activated the Intercom to Engineering.
“Argus, we need all the speed we can get. Divert all available Warp Power and Reserve Power.”
The Old Greek Engineer responded in an excited and overworked voice. “I’m giving her all she’s got, Captain! That bloody beast drained our Shields, but good. Reserve Power is depleted, its recharging now. We’ll have to make do with what we’ve got!”
Liling Zhao, the Columbiad’s Communications Officer, watched the View Screen with concerned eyes.
The Columbiad’s engines roared loudly from the strain of the chase.
“Captain, I have an idea,” Makebi said as she stared at the real time results flashing on her Work Station. A huge scar ran across one of her cheeks. “If I can hit the Star Lamprey with our Phasers, it might turn around to face us. The Phasers won’t do any real damage to the Monster, but I can kill it with our Photon Torpedoes while its turning around.”
Captain Dounia immediately did not like the idea. With the Shuttle and Star Lamprey’s turbulent movement, the Columbiad could accidentally hit Aine O’Clery with its Phasers. But if the Columbiad didn’t act quickly, she was going to be eaten alive. Adeena had no choice but to trust the aim and accuracy of her Master Gunner. After all, that’s why Adeena chose her for the position.
“Ms. Impi…Fire.”
There were three seconds of silence that passed before Makebi activated the controls to fire the Forward Phasers. Then red beams of light shot out of the Columbiad, striking the Star Lamprey in the tail. Furious, the Creature turned around to face the Columbiad. The Shuttle carrying Aine O’Clery rushed to a safe distance.
“Well done, Makebi!” Captain Dounia exclaimed, letting her emotions out, which she rarely did. “Now Fire Photon Torpedoes!!!”
Makebi Impi activated the Photon Torpedoes, well aware of the fact that she could not miss. Not only would Aine O’Clery be killed by the Star Lamprey, but everyone on the Columbiad would be as well.
Two bolts of white light flew out of the Columbiad. They struck the Star Lamprey directly in the center of its long body. The Monster let out a screeching death cry and then perished.
After a brief cheer from the Bridge Crew, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“Excellent work, Ms. Impi. You just saved all of our lives, including Aine O’Clery.”
The Captain pushed a button allowing her to talk to the Shuttlecraft.
“Aine, you may return to the Columbiad. You risked your life to save all of us. We are in your debt. I will be sure to enter Commendations for you and Makebi in my Starlog.”
Captain Dounia looked around at everyone on the Bridge. She was overwhelmed with thankfulness that they were all alive. Adeena closed her eyes and silently uttered a prayer to Allah.
So the Columbiad survives her first challenge, Captain Dounia thought to herself. This is a true blessing. Adeena was confident, now more than ever, that their long mission of exploration would be meaningful and fruitful.
Captain Dounia activated the Intercom, allowing her to speak shipwide so that everyone in the crew could hear her.
“The Columbiad has overcome her first obstacle in deep space. But she could not have done it without the coordinated actions of her brave crew. Take a moment to praise yourselves for what you have achieved. Be thankful for everyone around you. And always remember…”
TOGETHER WE WILL SUCCEED.
