MERLIN
STARDATE 07.01.21
PRIME SECTOR
Captain Elizabeth waited for the Turbolift to reach the Bridge. She felt tense, anticipating what was to come. Elizabeth pushed her long blonde hair back behind her shoulders and adjusted her white uniform. The Door to the Bridge opened.
Delphi and Dr. Sap were waiting for her by her seat. Lovecraft was already in his seat, which was right next to the Captain’s Chair. Quickly, Captain Elizabeth took her Chair.
“Report.”
“It’s the Stumgeschutz, Elizabeth,” Una reported. The majestic Fair Folk Science Officer stood calm and relaxed. Her long white hair seemed to drift in an unseen breeze. “She’s on an attack course for Outpost Colchester.”
“Again?” Captain Elizabeth answered, visibly annoyed. “How many times do we have to play this cat and mouse game with them?”
“Recommend that we prep a Scatterpack,” Morgause stated from her station behind the Captain and off to the right. Morgause, the Tactical Officer, was a Guardian Knight. She wore ceremonial white armor full of symbols, carried a sword at her hip, and a shield on her back. “We should also reinforce the forward shield, Elizabeth.”
“Do it,” Captain Elizabeth answered without hesitation. She trusted her Tactical Officer’s advice without question. “Go to Red Alert. Arm the Photon Torpedoes. Charge Phasers. Load the Short Range Cannons. Prepare an Ultra Warp Missile for Launch.”
A Red Triangle began to flash brightly on the Bridge of the Merlin. Powerful fields of energy surrounded the Merlin as she raised her Shields. Crewmen ran throughout the hallways to prepare for the upcoming battle.
“Elizabeth,” Delphi said as she placed her hand lightly on the Captain’s arm. Her milky white eyes stared straight ahead, for the Seer was completely blind. Or was she? “I foresee the Stumgeschutz is going to launch a Scatterpack of their own. That will be the crucial moment of the battle. Beware, for their Drones can devastate the Merlin. We have to be prepared. And there’s something else…hidden…but I cannot see it…the future is cloudy…”
Captain Elizabeth looked at her Counselor. Her precognitive insight was invaluable. Elizabeth had learned by now to carefully consider every word that Delphi utters. Elizabeth activated the Intercom to Engineering with a push of a button.
“Daedalus, I’’m going to need full Reserve Power. How are the Warp Engines?”
“Humming like a dream,” the old Clockwork Tinker answered. He smoked the mechanical cigar that was always in his mouth. Smoke puffed out of the smoke stack that came out of his back. “But don’t push them too hard, Elizabeth. We don’t want to breakdown. Reserve Power is all ready to go.”
“Prepare a Wild Weasel, Daedalus. I want to be ready for a swarm of Drones.”
Captain Elizabeth closed the Intercom and stared at the View Screen with her deep blue eyes. The Stumgeschutz was tiny due to the distance. But she was getting bigger with every passing second. Captain Elizabeth glanced at her Communications Officer.
Brimstone was a stunningly beautiful Butterfly Woman with large green wings that resembled leaves. Her sleek slender body was light green. A large mechanical earpiece stuck out of one of her ears.
“Brim, any response to hails?”
Brimstone shook her head. “I’m sorry, Captain. Nothing. I’ll keep trying.”
Captain Elizabeth glared at the Stumgeschutz with determination. What’s your game this time? Are we going to fire a few shots before you turn away, as usual? Delphi seems to foretell something different happening this time around. But what…?
“How far away is the Lionheart?”
“Three days at maximum warp,” Lovecraft answered softly from his seat beside the Captain. The humanoid Vampire Squid had crimson skin like blood. Blue Orbs blinked on both sides of his long oval head. “Too late to aid us, Elizabeth. We are alone in this fight.”
“Captain, the Stumgeschutz has altered its course,” Ignis stated in a strange voice that echoed. The Will O Wisp was a floating ball of light that disappeared and reappeared from time to time. Ignis was the Navigator on board the Merlin. “She’s headed straight for us now!”
Captain Elizabeth watched the Death Cult Battlecruiser get larger and larger on the View Screen. Her heart began to beat faster.
It’s us or them. One on one. This is why I joined the Alliance of Lords. To protect the innocent. To save lives. To fend off evil. Thousands of people at Outpost Colchester will suffer if I fail.
“Fine. You want a Fight?”
“YOU’VE GOT ONE.”
