Star Trek The Laredo Crystal Part 2

Chapter 2

Just outside the Solar System of Earth...

“Report!?!”

Captain Reyes is puzzled.
She knows that the Klingons has just fired on her ship yet it seems as if they have missed.
Klingons never miss!

Lieutenant Sims the Tactical and Weapons officer responds..,

“Yes captain. Klingon Battle Cruiser has fired on us three times. Shields are holding and their is no disruption in the Static Warp Shell.”

Just then, the Chief Engineer and Science Officer, Lieutenant Commander Vorkel emerges from the turbo lift. He immediately begins to speak..,

“I have a theory captain. We are using the S.D. Fragment to power our ship. We are also in somewhat close proximity of the S.D. Crystal attempting to use our shields, warp engines and the energy emitted from the Crystal itself to create a Static Warp Shell that will cause the Crystal to reverse course. I believe that 80 - 90% of the power of the Klingon weapons fired upon us is being consumed by all the energy transferring, before impact with our shields.”

Just then tactical sensors detect a Romulan Warbird Decloaking directly behind the Laredo.

Sims yells..,

“Romulans on our tail!”

The Xenolinguistics Officer, Fabyana then says..,

“And they are hailing us! Should we ignore them? I'm really tired of Romulans, Klingons and Andorians today!”

“No Fabie!” Orders Reyes..,
“Put them on screen!”

Commander Tovin, on board the Romulan War bird appears on the view screen. She has a very relaxed and confident demeanour as most Warbird commanders.

“We have been monitoring your internal communications”,
Tovin says with a grin..,
“From this distance our weapons will not burn out as did the Klingons, but have direct impact on your Shields. Eventually your shields will buckle and you will be ours.”

Vorkel on the Laredo interrupts saying.., “That would be unwise. You have no...”

“Shut up Vulcan!” Barks the Romulan Commander..,
“Its hard to believe our races come from the same roots! As I was saying..,”

But before the Romulan commander can continue the Klingons open fire on the Romulans!

Renner' piloting the Laredo says..,
“The Klingons must not be in a sharing mood. Ok people its like the Captain said we got one crack at this. The Romulans interference has bought us some time so lets get it right!”

Then Reyes says..,

“We need to accomplish this a lot faster than we planned people! Vorkel, I need you back in engineering. We need all the juice we can get from the Fragment.
Fabie, we are done conversing with folks, take over tactical.
Sims, I want you doing nothing but watching the dog fight between the Klingons and the Romulans. Blow the winner right out space with 10 photon torpedoes!”

She sits back in her chair. Takes a deep breath and says..,
“Everybody else, get ready for a bumpy ride..!”

10 Days Earlier...

Romulan Proconsul Hall on Romulus

The Hall is nearly empty and the lighting is very low. Among the many vacant chairs only two are occupied, each silhouetted figure sitting on opposite sides of the semi circle seating arrangement. The entrance doors open and a female Romulan officer steps in. Her pace is slow due to the poor lighting inside the room. She is the average height and athletic build of a Romulan officer and her posture is common among those officers of high rank. Her name is Commander Tovin and this is the first time she has been summoned to the Romulan Proconsul under these circumstances.

“Greetings Senators.” she says in a projected voice.,
“Am I to assume my five year request to become a member of the Tal Shiar has been accepted?”

“If you want to live you should assume nothing” the male voice says to her left, “you will also only be told once never to mention the name of that group ever in the Proconsul Hall.”

Then the female voice to her right says, “Later today you will receive your new command aboard one of our newer Warbird Battle Cruisers. We have arrange this and we expect you to show your gratitude and loyalty.”

“I will certainly do so.” She says,
“What is it that you wish me to do?”

The male voice speaks.., “The Federation has obtained a very small but unique quantity of rare dilithium. This dilithium, resonates energy as if it had a warp core reactor was inside of it. Its radiation levels are very high and toxic. It is obviously a source of raw power!”

The female voice then speaks.., “Your ‘official’ mission is to track and shadow the Starfleet Federation ship Laredo. Gather data on what they have obtained and return and report all to the High Command.”

“What is my real mission?” She inquires.

The male voice then says,

“Once the Laredo has obtained a sample of this crystal, you, take it from them and destroy their ship! Then hand the crystal over to us! But you will report to the High Command that the Captain of the Laredo ordered a self Destruct and that the crystal was lost in the explosion!”

With only a slight bow to these ‘senators’ she exits the Hall quickly without another word being spoken.

Federation Space Doc 1. Near Earth

Sitting quietly on board the USS Laredo, Captain Rosalind Reyes has received her orders to Command the USS Laredo. In the captains ready room, her smile and posture reflect a very confident and accomplished officer. She is the first woman to receive such a command. She will also be the last for a very very long time. As she sits at her desk pouring over data dealing with the ships engines, her friend and First Officer, Commander Brooklyn Renner enters the room.

Renner Says..,

“Aren't you the picture of pride and poise?”

“I should be Brooke. I’m the first woman to command a Constitutional Class Starship, I got my best friend for a First officer. Best of all, I broke up with Jim. For Good!”

“Roz? No you didn't?”

The captain only gives her a ‘I’m not kidding’ look as a reply.

Renner than says.,

“What happened?”

Reyes replies.,

“Caught him with that Orion slut again. Ugh! He loves those green chicks!”

Renner than says.,

“Good riddance! He was only dating you cause you look like Nyota! Anyway, if I were you I wouldn't feel so proud and victorious. I think you're being set up for failure. I think the ‘all boys’ club in starfleet is trying to pull a fast one. Here take a look at the ships company and crew manifest...”

Renner hands Reyes the hand held computer that has the ships manifest.

Reyes begins to read the names out loud giving approval for some of them, and acknowledging those she knows personally, when it finally hits her and she says..,

“Over 75% of the Officers and crew are women? This can’t be right. There has to be some crossed communication..”

“Oh its Right Captain.," Renner says., "I've checked it against Starfleet HQ computers and our main computer on the ship, its correct.”

Reyes loses her look complete composer, leans her head back on the head rest, and now looks like an officer completely out of energy.

Then she says.,

“We launch in 24 hours to do surveys just outside one of the most dangerous sector in space as a maiden voyage. Topping it off, my crew consist of a hand full of demoted male Space Fleet officers and a pack of under appreciated and competitive Starfleet females!?! You have got to be kidding me?!”