Test Drive

 Episode Name:  Test Drive
   Written By:  Shaft
         Cast:  Cristobal, Havaris, Leah, Medes, Shaft, Va'tol and Zian.
  Produced By:  Starfleet
  Directed By:  Shaft
     Aired On:  Mon Jan 06 01:03:47 2003
     Stardate:  52905.3

Time: Sun Jan 05 20:24:14 2003

Stardate: 52904.8

SCENE: The crew is gathered in the Shuttle Bay for the further test flights of the Shoemaker and the Leavy, experimental Type X Combat Shuttles, modified with the newest Federation technology relevant to their design. The shuttles are a pristine sheen of polished duranium, their darkened viewports glistening with a mirror sheen. They contain the standard markings, save that their running stripes and accents are blue, rather than red, and their standard designations have been changed to 'CS-P1' and 'CS-P2'. Combat Shuttle - Prototypes One and Two. Although Ensign Medes will be in command, it is Lt. JG Havaris that briefs the mission crew, as he was made responsible for these craft and all orders pursuant to their use by Sector Command.

The Diminutive Bajoran regards the crew impassively, eyes inspecting each in turn before he speaks.

"Gentlemen. Behind me are the newest models of the Type X combat shuttle. Their impulse guidance, shield optimization, tactical controls, warp drives, and weapons systems are all an improvement over their previous model. The majority of their systems received an early test this week in defense of the Station. All the same, we will now undertake a supervised and observed test of these craft. We will be flying at maximum warp -- 5.2 -- away from the station towards Fimdari. Along the way we will encounter the debris field of the Asteroid that was destroyed earlier this week by these same shuttles. Once there we will undertake a weapon systems evaluation and shield management evaluation with myself as the test pilot. I will be flying the Shoemaker, the rest of you will be manning the Levy in an advisory capacity. These craft are highly prized and represent the finest in experimental technologies currently available to our Engineers and Scientists at Utopia Planetia. That said, I expect you to treat these craft as you would your children. Are there any questions before we begin?"

--ACTION!--

As if there was any question as to whether or not Medes would treat these brand new shuttles like anything other than Her Babies? Heh. her hands, folded behind her back, hold on to her PADD, and she listens rather impassively, her shaved head canted slightly to one side. "Yes. Do we already have preliminary sensor information on the debris field, or will it be necessary to gather that as we approach?"

Va'tol can be spotted in the corner of the room, standing in front of the large Shuttle Bay console on his usual formal stance, listening intently to the Lieutenant's words. He remains silent after the explanation, having nothing to ask at the moment.

Cristobal, standing stiffly in parade-rest, is also silent. A light smile creeps onto his face briefly, before disappearing quickly.

Zian's dark eyes turn to Medes as she asks her question, then back to Kusto. She shakes her head slightly. "That was my question." she says with a hint of a smile.

Leah is standing a little more loosely than the others, for her own comfort... Hey, pregnant over here. Still, Havaris has all her attention and she nods her understanding of the orders, gaze drifting over to the Levy and a bright smile appears on her lips.

. o O Zian thinks "Finally, an assignment that isn't likely to end up in a disaster. I -can- handle this assignment..."

Havaris glances about the assembled, zeroing in on Medes since she is the only officer with a question to ask. He nods, regarding his PADD for a moment. "We will be making for a cluster of stable debris -- stable as of Mission Hour. This means that none of the debris has collided with other debris in the area, or will collide by the time we are due to arrive. Your Tactical and Guideance consoles will have the current expected trajectory of all objects in the area. We anticipate no trouble from the debris cluster. If that's all, gentlemen, man your posts aboard the Levy. Mister Medes, your team. Permission to man my post."

Medes nods after Havaris' explanation, clicking her tongue once against the roof of her mouth as the information's absorbed. "Very well. Thank you, Lieutenant." A pause, and brief ghost of an expression crosses her face before she nods. "Permission granted, sir." It's then impossible for her to keep the glint out of her eyes as she inspects the new shuttles. "Gentlemen." This last is addressed to the rest before she turns and starts for the co-pilot's chair in the Levy. Time. To. Go. ZOOM.

Va'tol starts moving his fingers across the console, sealing the room for the time being and adding this historical moment to the Shuttle Bay log. He also puts on the ship's status on his screen, as expected. From there on, he stands straight, waiting for further orders..

Va'tol leaves his post and starts walking calmly towards the Levy, with his PADD on hand. As you expect from a Vulcan, Va'tol doesn't seem excited like most crewmen would be.

"Aye-aye," Cristobal says, following along as the other officers head towards the shuttlecraft. He's not quite bubbling over with excitement, but getting out of the security office once in awhile is good for anyone, and is reflected by the smile he just can't stifle.

Zian blinks at the rapid dispersal of the team, and holds up one hand. "Er, one last, quick question before we go, sir..." she says, looking from Havaris to Medes. "Is there anything specific that I need to be keeping an eye out for, while I'm monitoring things? Or am I just here to watch and verify that everything's working the way it's supposed to?"

Leah follows after Medes, almost as eager as the smaller woman... Except she hasn't already seen the insides of the combat shuttles, so she slows a bit to look as she goes. She whistles her approval, making her way to the pilot's chair.

Havaris glances from Zian to Medes, to Zian again. He simply nods his head to Zian in silence, deferring to his mission commander now. He disappears into the belly of the Shoemaker, pressing the controls to close the crew hatch on his way to settle in at the controls of the Shoemaker and strap himself in.

Motioning for Zian to follow her as she speaks, Medes explains, "I'll need you to keep an eye on the debris and outlying space. In addition, you'll need to monitor the Shoemaker's exterior. Ensign Va'tol will have a direct relay to the Shoemaker's internal systems, and will be monitoring those, but if for some reason there's a problem they don't detect, you'll need to be the one to catch it." All of this talking takes up the time between the shuttle bay and the co-pilot's chair, and she settles herself in. The tiny Ensign reaches up and flips on the com so that her words carry to the Shoemaker. "Take a moment to acquaint yourself with your consoles, gentlemen, since there may be slight modifications from what you're used to, and let me know when you're ready to disembark." Ounce of prevention, etc.

"Yes Sir.." he says, nodding in reply and moving towards the available Ops chair. The Vulcan sits and takes his time to study the Levy's interior. He can see a few differences here and there, but hopes this ship is as good as he heard of. His fingers dance across the console as he introduces himself to the ship..

Cristobal seats himself at the auxiliary tactical position, behind the pilots. He activates the tactical console, looking it up and down, making mental note of the specific alterations. Actual combat isn't highly probable, but in the event of tests of the weapons systems, it would be best to know which button is "fire".

Zian nods shortly, easily keeping pace with the diminuitive ensign as she receives her orders. "Understood." Zian responds, entering the shuttle and taking her position at Sciences. She runs her fingers over the console, familiarizing herself with the controls, then nods, satisfied with what she sees. "Sciences is ready when you are."

Leah settles herself in the pilot's chair of the Levy, strapping herself in carefully. Then onward to the console perusal. She's quiet for a half minute or so, then nods and looks behind her to make sure everyone is aboard. Once they are, she keys the hatch shut and then awaits further instruction from the Littlest Engineer, prompting with a, "Pilot, ready."

Safe inside of the Shoemaker, Havaris adjusts his straps across his shoulders and middle and activates his own com terminal to catch the chatter aboard the Levy. "Levy, this is the Shoemaker, how do you find me? Levy, I'm forwarding operations oversight protocols to your Operations terminal. You should be able to monitor from there. I'll take the lead out." Havaris then switches his terminal to Flight Deck Control. "Flight Deck Control, this is Flight Mission 218-2, CS-P1 Shoemaker requesting permission to debark with CS-P2 Levy."

"Roger Shoemaker, cleared for launch. Levy, awaiting your green."

"Five by five, Lieutenant. Operations, this is the Levy. We are ready to debark." Medes places her hands on her console, stubby fingers sliding over its controls with perhaps a bit more familiarity than everyone else concerned. Not that she's been using her ability to sit in here and stare at the consoles or anything. No. Of course not. Anyway. "Lead on, Shoemaker."

Va'tol keeps his eye on the screen, waiting as the Shoemaker establishes a channel to the Levy. He acknowledges the information being received and nods to himself. "Operations protocols received, Shoemaker" he says over Com to Havaris as well as Medes, never turning his face away.

"Tactical checklist complete," Cristobal says, "Navigational shields are charged and engaged. Deflector shields, phaser arrays and torpedo launcher are standing by. All systems are in the green."

Zian reports, "Sensors online and operational, sciences ready and standing by."

Leah goes down a quick mental checklist before she starts the preflight cycle, looking over to Medes as she communicates with the Flight Deck Controller. Satisfied that everything is alright, she awaits the permission granted signal and the takeoff of the Shoemaker. "Helm Control is green. Impulse and warp engines online, and thrusters are green. This bird is ready to fly, ma'am, on your order."

"Roger, Levy. Proceed on a course heading and speed to match the Shoemaker. She'll take you out of our flight pattern. Flight Mission 218-2 you are cleared for launch. Goodspeed, Flight Mission 218-2, and good luck. Station 419 Flight Control over and out."

"Roger, Levy. Taking lead." Havaris then powers up the Shoemaker as the shuttle bay doors begin to open, klaxons wailing and warning lights flashing across the deck as the bay crew begin heading to safe areas. Once the deck is clear, the bay is cleared of atmosphere and the Shoemaker eases from the flight deck and out of the lowered shields, into the void of space without the station.

The Levy follows suit, trailing the Shoemaker at a safe distance. Once cleared of Station Space and flight plans, Havaris returns to the com. "Set course and heading to match my read. Engage to Warp 5.2 on my mark." There is a pause as Havaris calibrates his flight plan according to expectations. "Mark in three. Two. One. Mark."

There is a whine of energy, a flash of light, and an elongation of the Shoemaker as it begins to speed off as fast as its little nacelles will carry it.

Nodding in a rather satisfied fashion, Thea replies, "Roger, Shoemaker. Prophets guide you. Ensign?" She doesn't repeat the command to Leah, 'cause, well, she heard it, simply glances aside to Leah for confirmation.

Va'tol types rapidly on his console, making sure the Com is up and the sensors are running properly, on the Levy and on the Shoemaker.

. o O Cristobal thinks "Try for levity? Sure"

Cristobal says, "Tactical situation is nominal." With a quirk of his lips he adds, "Four-one-nine does not appear to be hostile."

Zian chuckles as she glances from her science console over toward the tactical officer. "Confirmed. I sense no hostile intents from the space station directly aft of us. And what a relief that is." With a grin and a slight shake of her head, she returns her attention to the systems she's supposed to be monitoring.

Can we say, 'She likes it!" Leah's in love with the little shuttle already, and all she's used are the thrusters and the impulse drive. Smiling, she looks over to Medes before returning her gaze to the controls. "Ma'am, I'm setting course and heading to match Shoemaker, pursuit course. Speed, Warp 5.2. Engaging in three, two, one, mark."

There's another whine of energy, a flash of light, and the Levy elongates in faster than light speed travel.

ACT II Scene: The Shoemaker and the Levy test their warp drives to their utmost, running at full power and full speed for a solid hour before they begin to near the debris field. Havaris' image pops up onto the viewscreen, looking more bored than energetic. Long flights do that to Security Officers with no special love of Shuttlecraft. "Levy, this is the Shoemaker. We'll drop out of warp one minute from the debris field at 3/4 impulse. I think the Levy has enough data on the warp drive. The drop should be automated-- yes. There it is." Havaris taps at a notification marker on his terminal and both shuttles drop out of warp.

In space, the streaking forms of the Shoemaker and the Levy ease into their regular shape, making for the floating debris field backlit by a field of stars.

-- ACTION --

Ensign Medes, on the other hand, seems about ready to hop out of her chair and do a little tapdance, except not, because that would be terribly unofficerial of her. If that's a word. It's likely that there's a little New Shuttle Boogie going on in her brainpan at the moment. At any rate, she's grinning wolfily when Havaris' image pops up on the viewscreen. "Roger, Shoemaker." As the shuttles drop out of warp, Medes notes, "Lt. Zian, please update our sensor data on the debris field and relay your findings to the Shoemaker. Ops, Tactical, what is our status?" A glance aside at Leah, then, and she queries, "How's she handling, Ensign?" Status checks for all!

<CONTEST> Zian contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Va'tol casts the occasional glance on the screen, but has most of his attention on Ops. It was a rather calm trip, leaving Va'tol enough time to familiarize himself to the Levy and the Shoemaker's designs and systems. Unless spoken to, the Vulcan stood silent at the entire trip, not showing any signs of boredom, tiredness or thrill. As they drop out of warp, Va'tol returns to his readings, "Com channel remains stable, internal sensors are operational. Shoemaker and Levy's systems are green." he says.

Cristobal says, "Getting a bit more dust, mostly microscopic. Fringe effects from the debris field, from the looks of it. Navigational shielding is performing within tolerances, though if it gets too much heavier, we may want to raise deflector shields. All weapons systems appear to be functional, and are standing by."

<CONTEST> Va'tol contests his Shipboard Systems (Operations) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Zian's fingers dance across the console as she performs a sensor sweep of the area, then reports, "Sensors show that everything seems to be right where it should be, sir, transmitting readings to the Shoemaker now." With a tap of a key and a florish of the wrist, the data is sent over Havaris' way.

"Beautifully," Leah replies dreamily, caressing the console rather than jabbing it with rough overly familiar pokes. "Matching Shoemaker's speed and course."

Havaris glances down at his terminal for a moment, still visible on the viewscreen. He nods his head, apparently having assumed this would be the case. "Roger, Levy. I've got your sensor data. Looks good. Ensign Medes, I await your permission to begin my weapon tes--"

Without warning, the image of a -- relatively speaking -- massive craft drifts out from behind one of the larger pieces of the debris field. Like some malformed beetle, a probiscus is withdrawing into the vetral plating of the ship, possibly a core sampler or mining arm. Of indeterminant manufacture and obvious capability, it swings out of the debris field in a gentle turn, drifting to intercept the shuttles and come between them and the debris. The hailing beacon aboard the Levy's ops panel begins flashing while the tactical counsels of both shuttles flash a warning of active scanning.

Cristobal checks his Type I Phaser.

"Ops, Science, restrict yourself to passive scans for the moment. Tactical, deflector shields should remain at standby, get me an analysis of the vessel. Ops, open the channel." Thea's happy happy joy joy mental dance disappears, fading into All Business Medes, a much more commonly-seen facial expression for the little Engineer. Once the hail's been answered, she identifies herself. "This is Ensign Alethea Medes of the United Federation of Planets, currently in command of this operation. To whom am I speaking?"

Va'tol nods, opening a channel to the unknown vessel, priority one.

<CONTEST> Cristobal contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Not that's it highly useful right now, but for some reason the presence of the tiny phaser at Cristobal's hip reassures him. His fingers skim over the console as he tries to analyze the ship's capabilities without actively scanning the vessel.

Zian swiftly shuts down all active scans, her dark eyes wide as she sees the vessel coming at them on the viewscreen. "Where the hell did that come from?!" she wonders aloud, not really expecting an answer.

. o O Cristobal thinks "Number three on the list of things you don't want to hear from your Science Officer"

Leah speaks up softly, "Helm slowing, coming to full stop, ma'am." She plots an escape route in the meantime... no sense being unprepared if they have to run.

The image of Havaris on the viewscreen -- now rapidly working his controls -- winks out, replaced by the image of the bridge of the approaching craft. Standing in the center of the screen is a towering Nausicaan, its skull-like face displayed prominently due to the braids tied into the creature's coarse hair. Its mandibles click and flicker as the creature offers a 'calming' hiss in response to the greeting. "Shtahr Flheets! I am Grak'tahn'mo of tshe Gilmar'gek! You are fiolating OUR mining claimsh!" The creature's beady eyes widen at the gutteral sounds coming from one of his bridge officers. The look he returns to the screen is sharp and nothing short of shrewd. "Nishe shuttles... Enshin, wash it?" That sound coming from him may well be a laugh.

GAME: Medes spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Medes (claiming advantage) contests her Diplomacy (Intergalactic Law) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

"Greetings, Grak'tahn'mo of the Gilmar'gek. Yes, it was Ensign, and you have my apologies on behalf of Starfleet for inadvertently violating your mining claims. We are aware that you've the right to claim this free-floating debris for mining, and were unaware of your presence when we set out. We'll withdraw, and leave you to your claims." Thea's fingers work her console briefly, sending the following TEXT MESSAGE to all consoles, including Havaris' over at the Levy. 'Prepare to withdraw immediately. Hostilities seem extremely likely.' Cristobal's console pops up with an additional message: 'What did you find? Please relay via text immediately.' --direct--

Cristobal's has already prepared the text report. Six phaser arrays and two torpedo tubes, photon torps, most likely. Shielding is poor by Starfleet standards for a vessel that size, but we're still outgunned.

Medes's eyes skim over the text report briefly, and she turns her eyes back to the viewscreen. "Again, we apologize for any interruption to your operation, and wish you luck with your mining. Shuttles, prepare to withdraw. Medes out." Once the communication is cut off, she slumps back in her chair a bit and commands, "Havaris, Leah, let's get out of here." And because her player just can't resist, she mutters, "I've got a bad feeling about this" under her breath.

As Cristobal's hands fly across the console, he says "Recommend we raise shields. As we are withdrawing, it cannot possibly be taken as a hostile act." He frowns and shakes his head.

Zian snorts softly, responding to Medes, equally softly, "...and /you've/ never even been kidnapped by 'em." If anyone has taken their eyes away from their consoles long enough to glance over at Zian, they'd notice that she's had a distinct expression of dislike on her face ever since the Nausicaan appeared on the viewscreen. Thea's not the only one with a bad feeling, evidently.

GAME: Leah spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Leah (claiming advantage) contests her Vehicle Operations (Shuttlecraft) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

. o O Cristobal thinks "If I could just scan them, find a weak point and target it, this would be so much easier than pretending that they aren't hostile."

Leah is suddenly glad she's plotted that escape course as she quickly reads the text and looks over to Medes. She nods and begins laying in the escape course she plotted, "Course laid in, bringing us about... " Uh-oh, frown. The seconds seem to stretch before she says, "There... Had to navigate some debris.... Damn..."

Grak has other ideas it would appear. He 'sneers' at Medes, which comes across as more of a twitching of mandibles and a widening of his eyes. His laughter only increases as he watches the crew tap at their consoles more urgently. His laughter is abruptly ended when the hail is ended on his end. The image of Havaris returns to the screen, franticly tapping his console. A short moment later, the Nausicaan craft is veering towards the Shoemaker which -- according to orders -- is now turning tail to run. Before it has a chance to come about for warp, the tractor beam of the nausicaan craft lashes out at takes hold of the shuttle, drawing it towards the now obvious enemy.

"Prophets! They've got me, Levy. I need permission to fire--"

His speech is cut off by the whine of a transporter in the cabin of his craft. Stuck strapped into his pilot seat, he can only grab his Phaser and turn in his chair as much as he is able to fire over his shoulder. There's a sound of shrieking from the cabin, followed by the sound of thumping feet. Rather shortly, there's a rifle barrel resting square with the Bajoran's nose, his own Type I pointing at his assailant. A second Nausicaan approaches him from behind, placing a blade at the Bajoran's throat, tugging his head back and around to face into the viewscreen, the rifle now at his temple, rather than his nose. Havaris' expression is nothing short of withdrawn. This isn't happening. The Bajoran's phaser is plucked gingerly from his grasp prior to the blade wielding Nausicaan stepping away, allowing the rifle carrier to deliver a rifle stock to the back of Kusto's skull which sends his face slamming onto the terminal, ending transmission.

GAME: Cristobal spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Cristobal contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

GAME: Va'tol spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Va'tol (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

...With a whine of energy, Havaris materializes on the transporter pad, slumped on his side, curled up like a kicked dog, entirely unconscious.

Her jaw... just... drops... but, contrary to predictions, Ensign Medes simply goes utterly cold. Her voice is tense and clipped, the motions of her hands crisp over the console before her after a momentary pause to rub at the inside of her left wrist. "Ops, get Lt. Havaris off that ship and then put up a distress signal. Science, once Lt. Havaris is aboard, I'll need you to check his condition. Tactical, raise shields and power up the weapons. If we can't prevent the theft, blow the damn thing up. Better that than that they steal the tech. Should it come to that, Pilot, have us ready to hightail it out of here thereafter. Maximum warp." Breathing out a sigh, she hails the Nausicaan vessel. Assuming they answer, she'll start in directly with, "You have exactly thirty seconds to have your crewmembers vacate that shuttle, or we will we destroy it," and cut the transmission off immediately thereafter. If not, well. She won't.

Va'tol quickly puts the sensors to use, and is able to lock on the unconscious pilot with some effort. "Sir, I have Lt. Havaris.." he states in a hurried tone, laying a finger on the console and sliding it upwards, transporting him to the Levy. He then proceeds to send a distress call to the nearest Starfleet ship or base, or at least find a Federation member near enough to aid them.

Cristobal's fingers fly across the console. "Shields engaged. Phasers on-line. Mini-torps are loaded. Ensign, the mining tube on that barge of theirs must've been a recent addition, as it seems to be causing a disturbance in the vessel's shield harmonics. I suggest targetting that area, it may be a weak point."

Zian tenses, her jaw tightening as she watches the viewscreen, aghast. "Son of a--" her mutter is cut off at she recieves her orders, not even really needing to be told. As soon as Va'tol was told to beam Havaris over, Zian was already rummaging around for a medkid with one hand as she pulls out her tricorder with the other.

Leah 's jaw drops as she sees Havaris get clonked in the head. "Oh my god...." Her fingers begin to work already as she saves the escape plot, then starts working on a different plan, and in the opposite direction too. Over her shoulder, she says, "If you need any assistance, Lieutenant... Once we're out of danger, I can help... I have medical training."

The Nausicaan vessel accepts the hail, thoug Grak is simply laughing the whole time, mandibles stretched wide with his resonant barks of amusement. Apparently he cares exactly two bits for Medes' threat and even less for the shuttle and the men on it. When the screen closes, the Shoemaker appears to be under the command of the Nausicaans. Its shields are raised and it begins moving towards the Nausicaan vessel under its own power. Which frees the Nausicaan vessel to deal with the Levy. The Ops terminal winks alive, displaying Grak.

"I haf a beshter idea, Shtar Flheet. You haf thirshty seconds to run scared, or I kill you all."

One brief wave of Medes' hand signals Va'tol to simply cut off the communications. Apparently the time for diplomacy has passed. "Ops, take control of the Shoemaker and lower their shields, then start her away from the conflict at maximum impulse. I'll beam those Nausicaans into space. Tactical, get a lock on the vulnerable portion indicated, and stand ready. Fire /immediately/ if fired upon. Lt. Zian, what's Havaris's status? Ops, once we're out of this mess, I'm going to put you in the co-pilot seat, and I'll take her home. Be ready, if this all works, to beam me over there and jump up into this chair. Figuratively speaking." -- direct to Va'tol --

GAME: Zian spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Zian (claiming advantage) contests her Medical Sciences skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

GAME: Cristobal spends a courage point.

After closing the communications with the Nausicaan ship, Va'tol's fingers continue to dance across the console, this time trying to gain access to the Shoemaker's systems. Lowering it's shields and putting it on max impulse would be the following step. "Yes Sir.." yet another quick reply at Medes' instructions.

<CONTEST> Va'tol (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Operations) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

"Damn!" Cristobal says, "I can't get a solid lock. There's too much interference from the debris. I'll have to target manually."

GAME: Medes spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Medes (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Leah (claiming advantage) contests her Vehicle Operations (Shuttlecraft) skill vs Shaft's Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill and Succeeds!

Zian scans Havaris, breathing a sigh of relief. "It could have been a lot worse, sir. He's unconscious, and he's got a concussion and a cut on his head... but it's nothing I can't fix. He'll be just fine."

One, one depressurized Nausicaan, bwa ha ha! Two, two depressurized Nausicaans, bwa ha ha! Three, three depressurized Nausicaans, bwa ha ha! Ew. Icky. Medes beams all three boarders off of the Shoemaker and mutters through gritted teeth, "Glad to hear it, Lt. Leah, get us out of here. Maximum impulse."

"Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh," Leah repeats softly, frowning as she notes the enemy... and the fact that he's firing at the Levy now. "Awww.... crap... son of a... trying to... hit... this... pretty... ship... ... not a chance... if I have anything.... to do with it...." Her mutterings are interspersed with jukes and dodges of the shuttlecraft, and not one blast lands on the shields, booyeah.

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

The Shoemaker comes about, accelerating to maximum impulse, weaving its way through the explosively decompressed bodies of its former boarders. The craft rapidly extends its distance away from the Nausicaan vessel, no match for the Combat Shuttle's increased performance envelope and maneuverability at impulse. Even while on remote control.

Meanwhile, the Levy weaves a subtle dance into and out of the streaks of fire coming in pairs from the Nausicaan vessel. First one, then another, then another. It's as though these craft were simply built by the hands of the divine and are above such things as combat.

They're not out of the thick of it yet, however. The Nausicaan vessel is still within weapon range, and can likely give the shuttles a run for their money at warp.

"Ops, raise shields on the Shoemaker again, and put us both to maximum warp. We may be running scared, but we'll take our ship with us. Mark a course directly to 419. Tactical, return fire as ordered. Good work, Leah, keep it up!" In order to take some of the work off of Va'tol's hands, Medes opens a sub-space link to 419. "Levy to Ops, this is Ensign Medes requesting immediate assistance. We are headed back to 419 after aborting our evaluation exercise with a Nausicaan vessel in pursuit and presently firing on us. I am sending along our present coordinates and flight plan, and will require an emergency beam-out of Lt. Havaris from the Levy to the Infirmary upon our return. The Shoemaker is unmanned and presently under the Levy's control."

"Roger, Flight Mission 218-2. Dispatching the USS Cape Fear. The Aegis is currently on maneuvers with the Amazon aboard. The Thomas Paine is still in dock, and two of our Type VI are still out of commission. At maximum warp they can be there in a little under six minutes. Try to hold out as long as you can. 419 out."

"Acknowledged.." The Vulcan rises the shield of the Shoemaker on a few touches on the console. The maximun of Warp 5.2 is set on both vessels. He only hopes the ships are ready to that sort of pressure.

"Returning fire. Cristobal's face screws up in concentration as he holds the targetting the best he can while the ship dodges the incoming fire. When the ship's orientation is near-perpendicular to the Nausicaan's, the port phaser array fires, hitting the mark. "Yes!" he exclaims. "That blew the mining arm right off. Ore is spilling out of the vessel...Also nitrogen-oxygen gas. Looks like I busted 'em open."

Zian loads up a hypospray and presses it gently against Kusto's neck, administering a painkiller. She then pulls out a dermal regenerator and begins to work on healing that cut on his forehead. The concussion may have to wait until they get back to the station, but Zian's certainly not going to just sit here and do nothing for him in the meantime...

<CONTEST> Leah (claiming advantage) contests her Vehicle Operations (Shuttlecraft) skill vs Shaft's Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill and Succeeds!

"Like a piniata," Leah chimes in as she manages to keep the Levy from getting hit by any fire. "They're not giving up, ma'am..." As predicted, at warp the Nausicaans are still giving the shuttles a good chase.

A chase which, given the damage to their craft, they're thinking twice about pursuing. Especially with two volleys netting them little more than empty air and an enraged ship Captain. After only a few seconds of warp pursuit, the Nausicaan vessel fades away on the viewscreen, dropping from warp and abandoning the chase. The ore they'd come for is leaking along with their air, they've lost three crew and their mining arm. As profit based ventures go, this one was a losing enterprise.

. o O Cristobal thinks "Ye-ah! Who da man?"

"Excellent work, everyone. Ops, open a channel to 419 again." Assuming that Va'tol does so, Medes addresses the station's Ops once more. "Flight Mission 218-2 to Ops. This is Ensign Medes again. We are no longer being pursued, the Nausicaan vehicle has dropped the chase. It would appear that we no longer need assistance from the Cape Fear. Lieutenant Zian, do we require an emergency beam-out to the Infirmary for Lt. Havaris, still?" -- direct to Zian --

Zian purses her lips as she looks down at her patient. "I don't think so. He's coming around... With assistance he can make it to the infirmary on his own two feet." She smiles slightly down at Kusto, brushing a stray bit of hair to the side as she inspects his forehead, nodding her satisfaction at how well the cut healed. "Right Kusto?"

Kusto, by way of answer, releases a groan of complaint, but that's about it. Lovely sedatives. "Stand on a bridge, get knocked into a terminal. Strap into a shuttle, get knocked into a terminal..."

Va'tol contacts the Station, leaving Medes to the Operations crew while he keeps a tab on the Shoemaker.

Cristobal says, "Sir, have you considered replicating a helmet?"

Zian laughs softly. She can do that, now that the danger's past. "Hey. At least they didn't manage to kidnap you and strip you naked. Though we can still do that, if it'd make you feel better about the whole situation."

Medes breathes out a long sigh of relief once she hears Zian's reply and Kusto's voice. "And it would appear that we no longer require an emergency beam-out to the infirmary, either." She glances aside at Zian briefly and blinks twice before turning her attention back to the viewscreen.

. o O Cristobal thinks "You and stripping naked just go hand-in-hand, don't they?"

. o O Medes is not, apparently, amused. Maybe just a liiiiittle tense right now? Yes.

Leah makes sure the shuttle is zoom-zooming towards the Station and slips into just double checking her course. Oooo. Hard. Straight line. "I really do love this ship... I want one for my birthday. Sans weapons.... Maybe when I retire." Groan. Prepare for /this/ prattling all the way home folks, she's in love.

Cristobal says, "Can I have the weapons?"

Havaris places a hand over his eyes and releases an entirely unamused sigh at Cristobal's suggestion. "I have a helmet. They don't let me wear it. It's out of regs. And as for stripping me naked...? I think I'll pass. That would involve rolling over." He winds up flopping an arm over his eyes and relaxing more fully. "Would have had them if I hadn't been strapped into that chair..." Mutter. Complain. Complain. Mutter.

"Lieutenant Cristobal, you try to detatch the weapons from this ship and I'll detatch your weapon before you can blink, rank or no rank," replies Medes flatly. Okay. So maybe she's in the mood for somewhat witty banter. She's kidding, too. Ha. Ha! Lighthearted joking! Honest! Really! "She is a great ship, Ensign. Lieutenant Havaris, could you please define irony for me?" Anything, apparently, to keep him distracted.

In retrospect the only aspect of their trial not tested is that of the shields of the craft. And that has everything to do with the helm of the shuttle and the skill of its pilot. Once more at maximum warp, the Shoemaker and the Levy speed through space for rendezvous and escort home by the Cape Fear.

Havaris answers rather lamely from the deck, "My after action reports will be full of it."

Irony that is.

-- CUT --