THE OLD GUARD
STARDATE 06.19.25
SECTOR 50
Like a wounded wolf trapped in its lair, Captain Stephanos Severick positioned his Anti-Grav Wheelchair protectively in front of his former love, Captain Melina Dequest. She had been injured in battle and now lay unconscious. Captain Severick had instructed his Chief Engineer, Pavlos Freeman, to transport Captain Dequest to the Bridge as enemy Boarding Parties closed in on Engineering. Now, Mr. Freeman was sealed inside of Engineering, defending it with only a handful of other Officers.
Captain Severick had successfully saved Captain Dequest, but not without great cost. The Old Guard was battered and beaten, like a boxer who has made it to the last round. Their broken Shields had left them open to Boarding Parties, which have now infested the Old Guard. His Security Chief, Angelica Ursinus, fought a valiant battle against the invaders, making them fight for every inch of the Old Guard. Sadly, there were just too many invaders. Ms. Ursinus and what remains of her team were now holed up in the Bridge, ready to make their last stand.
The double doors leading to the Bridge of the Old Guard melted like lava from enemy Phaser fire. Through the opening poured dark bird-like figures, the Black Flock, who resembled humanoid Crows. A barrage of defensive Phaser fire disintegrated the first of the Black Flock to enter the Bridge, but others followed and soon, the battle came down to hand to hand combat.
Ms. Ursinus, who was as big as a bear, took on two of the Black Flock invaders by herself. She grabbed one by the wing, spun around and then threw it hard into a computer console. The other humanoid Crow tried to grapple with Angelica, but this was a big mistake. The bird-like being was unprepared for her great strength. She lifted the bird man above her head with both hands and then slammed him down hard onto the floor, knocking him unconscious.
The Old Guard’s Tactical Officer, William Schuler, took a more refined approach to combat. A side kick sent a Black Flock invader flying backward ten feet. Mr. Schuler grabbed another Black Flock combatant by the head and performed a circular Aikido like motion, flipping the humanoid Crow into several of his crewmates. A bird man wrapped both wings around Mr. Schuler in an attempt to restrain him, but a backward head butt from the Tactical Officer cracked the enemy’s beak, sending broken fragments into its eyes.
Mister Iblis, the Old Guard’s Science Officer, used one of his abilities which was rarely seen. He opened his mouth wide, sending a cone of deadly fire toward three of the Black Flock invaders. They screamed in agony as they were burned alive. Not only did Mister Iblis look like a Devil, but he possessed some of his traits as well.
Abel Symski, the Communications Officer, Garret Catharnaigh, the Navigator, and Piers Bacchia, the Helmsman, huddled together in one corner of the Bridge, each firing Phasers at any available targets. They were not specialized in hand to hand combat like some of their fellow crew members.
Captain Severick fired his Phaser repeatedly at the enemy Crow invaders, vaporizing one, two, three…four, before he finally missed. Two of the humanoid birds rushed toward him, taking advantage of his inaccuracy. Although physically confined to his Anti-Grav Wheelchair, Captain Severick was more than willing to give his life to shield his old love, Captain Dequest from harm. A blade nearly the length of his arm appeared out of seemingly nowhere. He promised himself it would taste Black Flock blood before this battle was over. And, if that failed, he reminded himself of the Photon Grenade that was hidden under his Anti-Grav Wheelchair for No-Win Situations. He and his Love would enter the Afterlife together…
That was the last thing that Captain Severick remembered before he saw the huge creature on the Old Guard’s View Screen. It was massive, definitely the size of a Dreadnought and possibly even a Battleship. He remembers seeing Plasma-like Whips lashing out, destroying all nearby enemy ships. Then multiple columns of light appeared on the Bridge of the Old Guard.
Transporters.
Reinforcements had arrived at last from an unexpected source.
ANGELS SENT FROM HEAVEN TO SAVE THEM ALL FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH…
