…OF
TORBUCK AND THE STAR FORCE
Chapter 33 of
Starfighter! The Iconoclast
By: Tom Sczepkowski
With editing and clean-up by: Frederick P. Kopetz
And with inspiration and aid by:
Copyrights: STAR TREK is © 2004 by Paramount Pictures, Inc.
STAR BLAZERS is © 2004 by Voyager International, and, STAR WARS is © 2004 by
Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is © 2004 by Disney Entertainment. The Technomugar
Empire is © 2004 by Frederick P. Kopetz and is mentioned here by the author's
permission. All original elements of this tale are © 2004 by Tom Sczepkowski.
All rights reserved, not to be copied without the author's
permission.
Homer walked into the hangar bay and walked over to Inferno. He had realized that he had
never seen the fighter up close before and was impressed with what he saw. Even
for that day and age Inferno seemed
like something straight out of a science fiction movie.
Homer, who was now distracted by the sleek craft, made his
way up the steps of a gantry platform which was rolled next to the cockpit for
easy access. There he saw some components lying on the platform steps. Homer
was careful not to step on them as he looked inside Inferno’s elaborate cockpit.
“Bugger me.” Homer said aloud as a loud alarm suddenly went
off.
”Intruder……Alert…Intruder……Alert… Intruder……Alert”
“Shaddap!” came a
voice from underneath the hanger bay as the sound of Royster’s footsteps
sounded through the hanger deck. The computer stopped instantly.
“Just like a barking dog,” Royster said as Homer walked down
the platform steps.
“I guess I shouldn’t have been up there,” Homer said.
Royster didn’t respond as Homer looked at him. For a moment,
Royster was out of breath and was red-faced.
“You alright?” Homer
asked starting to go to the ship’s intercom to call for Dr Sane.
Royster looked at him not knowing what he was talking about,
“I just shot up the stairs quick when I heard the alarm.”
“Allright,” Homer said. “Where do you want to begin?”
Royster gestured to Homer to follow him as they walked back
down the set of stairs that Royster ran up. The stairs led to a small passage
containing two medium-sized compartments.
Homer saw that Royster wasted no time in utilizing the
rooms. The first room was used as a workshop of sorts that had numerous
components on the workbenches. The next room even looked more like something
out of a sci-fi movie.
“You’ve been busy ….Sandor would have a field day down
here,” Homer said.
“He’d kick my ass most likely, followed by the Skipper,”
Royster said. “No one knows I’m down here.”
“I’m not going to say anything,” Homer said. “Where did you
get all this?”
Royster sat in a large high back chair and started typing on
one of the laptops. “I replicated them with Inferno
with the stuff dat I needed an walla.”
Homer pulled up a small stool and gestured to one of the
keyboards asking for permission to use it
“My cassa you cassa,” Royster said with a nod.
Nova walked along the corridors of the Argo when a pack of running and screaming Space Marines almost
crashed into her while scurrying into their barracks cabins.
“Now what?” Nova asked Knox who came from around the corner.
“What in heck is going on?”
“We never did a space warp before,” Knox said with a nod.
“You should be in your quarters,” Nova said sharply
“So what?” Knox said moving closer to Nova. “It’s no big
deal, I hear. Maybe you and I should go through it together,” Knox said with a
laugh.
Nova gritted her teeth and growled, almost sounding like a
cheetah, her eyes glowed slightly as Knox instinctively took a step back…..He
began to choke grabbing his throat.
Nova realized that she was losing her control and
immediately gained her composure. Knox breathed again.
“On second thought…perhaps you should go through the Space
Warp with your guys.” Nova said gently while waving two fingers in front of
him.
“On second thought I
think I should go through the space warp with my guys,” Knox said weakly.
“Perhaps you should return to your quarters now,” said Nova.
“Perhaps I should return to my quarters now,” said Knox with
a glazed voice and glassy eyes.
Nova nodded at that. Knox continued down the corridor and
Nova stood there clenching her fists while she closed her eyes and took in a
deep breath. Then, she turned her head.
Vaught was standing right there.
“Oh! How long were you standing there, Vaught?” Nova said
turning around to him.
“Long enough to see you prevent a mistake,” Vaught said as the
two walked down the hall. “You were about to kill him…..again. Luckily for you,
he proved to be somewhat weak-minded. But he would have done you no harm.”
“Oh please,” Nova
said as a number of thoughts ran through her mind in rapid succession. “He’s like…”
“You can say what you want about Knox and I could say
plenty,” Vaught began. “But he does
have a sense of honor where
Nova stopped immediately. “How did you know I was thinking
about him?”
Vaught chuckled “You can’t hide
“
“You spoke about this in confession with your Father Likanski?”
Vaught asked
“Captain Avatar stopped me.” Nova said
“Why?”
Nova looked down towards the floor, “He said it was
justified.”
Vaught shook his head slightly pointing at Nova, “That was
not justice…you are still alive.”
“I thought falling to the radioactive sleeping gas was God’s
punishment for killing those men.”
Vaught nodded “Then perhaps in the future you’ll think twice
before you before losing your temper.”
Nova looked up at him.
“Is that the answer that you were looking for?” Vaught asked
“Yes?” Nova asked. “What do you want me to do?”
“Move on,” Vaught said
“Look I’ve already come to terms with what happened on
“And what does Knox have to go back to?” Vaught asked “Have
you ever thought of that?”
“He will be thinking of that sooner or later!” Nova said
“The next time that happens…the next time he tries to put his damned paws on
me, he might just be floating home, because maybe I’ll put him out a damn
airlock!”
“No,” Vaught said “You’re dead wrong…..Knox is a warrior
with a sense of honor, so he will not harm
you.”
“And if you’re wrong?” Nova said. “You could be wrong.”
“Then I will kill
him before you would even know what was going on,” Vaught growled with his
fangs growing visible momentarily.
“That is not justice…I would still be alive,” Nova said
mimicking his accent.
“My definition of
justice is not as forgiving as yours,” Vaught said.
“Life with Father must have been a blast for Starsha,” Nova
said.
“Perhaps,” Vaught said as they continued walking up to the
storage unit which acted as Vaught’s quarters. Then Vaught paused and said,
“But then again Starsha wouldn’t have been so stupid to go fall for
“Did I do something to offend you?” Nova asked.
“I’m not going to hold your hand, Nova,” Vaught said “My
goal is to prepare you, for the next time someone thinks like
“I don’t want people to be fearful of me!” Nova said.
“Perhaps you would be wise to start,” Vaught said in an even
tone.
Nova sighed wanting to change the subject.
“You’re not going to the bridge?”
Vaught shook his head “I want to play for a bit… clear my
head…..That last time took us for a ride into never, never land.”
“May I join you?” Nova said “My violin is still in there.”
“By all means.” Vaught said as he gestured for her to enter.
Royster and Homer were finishing up programming the wireless
link between the radio console and Inferno’s
sensor array when there was a beeping sound coming from the laptop that Royster
was using .
“Go ahead, Skipper,” Royster said while still typing.
Wildstar grumbled under his breath as Royster and Homer suppressed
the urge to laugh
“We’re ready for the Space Warp, Gilligan.” Wildstar snapped. At that, Royster and Homer burst into
laughter.
“I’m hooked into the radio from here, Captain… I’ll bring
the EDF up to speed,” Homer said.
He began typing again when there was a beeping sound coming
from the laptop to their right.
“Rock’s in the sock,” Royster said.
Homer nodded as he called the
“I got it,” Venture said over the intercom as Homer shook
his head.
“Of course you do,” Homer said.
“What was that about?”
Royster asked.
“Venture has a thing for this Trelaina lady,” Homer said.
“Thing?” Royster
asked “You’ve gotta to be shittin’ me…we just found out that da broad speaks
English.”
“That’s Venture, you either love him or hate him……I hate
him,” Homer said.
“Sounds like a real Cheese Whiz,” Royster said.
There was a heavy crackling on the transmission.
“There
is great danger,” sounded Trelaina’s voice.
“No shit, Sherlock,” Royster said.
“She’s frightened, almost panicking,” Venture said almost
defending her.
“Yeah, thanks for the hot tip there, Captain Obvious,” Royster said drawing a laugh from Homer.
“Star Force…hurry on,” Trelaina said in a quivering voice.
“Oh, Margaret,” Royster said as Homer hit a key which
enabled him to transmit from his location.
“Lady, please, williya?!” Royster shouted not knowing the
mike was active. “Work wit us here…..Tired of hearin the danger crap….lemmie
know how my Yankees are doin’ or something else.”
“Royster, she can hear you!” Homer said.
“Good,” Royster replied.
The transmission was again overwhelmed by static.
“God damn it,” Royster said as he still was still typing.
“We’re about to warp, you know,” Homer said.
“I think I can take it from here,” Royster said. “Thanks,
Homer.”
“So you’ve space warped before?” Homer asked.
“No, how bad could it be?”
Homer smiled slightly, “Good luck.” he said as he left the
room and walked back up the stairs.
The remark bothered Royster slightly as he locked the wheels
on his chair. He removed his over shirt making a rough belt, and then he tied
it around him and the chair making sure it was snug.
On the Bridge Orion’s engineering panel was flashing.
“Flight, Engineering Wave Engine 5 by 5,” Orion said.
“Stand by… pre-warp checklist.” Wildstar said as he and
Venture pulled out laminated cards
“Auxiliary engines?” Wildstar asked.
“Set to stand by,” Venture said.
“Nav con?” Wildstar said.
Venture turned a small dial on his instrument panel.
“Set to Command,” Venture said.
“One minute to warp…..Restraints?” Wildstar called out,
“Sound off!”
Each one sounded off informing them that their belts were
fastened.
“Anti-collision?” Wildstar asked.
“Set to armed,” Venture said flipping the toggle switch.
“Flight management?” Wildstar said.
Venture flipped another switch waited a second then took his
hands off the yoke.
“Set to command….George has the stick.”
Wildstar chuckled every time Venture said had made that
statement right before they warped.
Venture smiled.
Nova sat at the piano as Vaught checked the locks on the
wheels.
“Uh, Vaught?” Nova asked as she tied herself to the piano
bench with some rope.
Vaught sat at the piano and began playing an up-beat piece.
Nova listened for a bit than began to accompany him on her violin.
“Wave Motion Hyper Throttle?” Wildstar said.
Venture turned another knob as a lever to his left popped up
slowly as he twisted it and extended it to himself.
“Armed and locked,” Venture said as they looked at the
Navcon computer.
“Checklist Complete,” Wildstar said “10 seconds from my
mark.”
Venture then said, “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ZERO…”
“Ready for throttle up.” Venture said after a pause.
“Throttle up!” Wildstar said. “WARP!”
“WARP!” snapped Venture as he pulled back the throttle.
The Argo slammed
out of normal space and floated into the strange world of hyperspace.
Around Vaught and Nova, space distorted and made their
playing turn strange. They could hear colors and see sounds in the strangeness
with space all around them as butterflies danced in their stomachs.
The Space Marines were also having a rough time with the
warp. As the whole room seemed to bend and twist, they all groaned as if they
were going to be sick. Knox just laid there on the deck and closed his eyes
praying for the effect to go away.
For Royster the effects of the space warp didn’t affect him
as adversely. He just stopped typing and took in what his senses were telling
him, as the computers disappeared and all he could see was stars and space. He
enjoyed the sensation as he closed his eyes as the room seemed to spin then it
slowly came to a stop as he could feel all the aspects of the room returning to
normal.
The distorted music took Vaught again deep into the Force
again as the effects of the space warp wore away to leave Vaught alone, he
could sense a presence but not Nova’s.
Vaught turned around to see the face of a man whom he was
never supposed to meet.
“You’re interrupting my playing,” Vaught said as his piano
jangled to a discordant silence.
The old man said nothing to him…He sat down next to Vaught and
just smiled again, and then he nodded.
However Vaught was annoyed.
“Keep moving, Pop,” Vaught said.
The old man said, “The answers are in the dream.”
“No.” Vaught snapped, “Sir, neither I nor the Captain are in
need of your or anyone else’s divine intervention.”
The old man was silent as he smiled. “Good,” said the old
man as he patted him on the shoulder and then got up and started to walk away.
Vaught spun around quickly “Hey!” he shouted after him.
The old man turned slightly, leaning on his walking stick.
“I’m serious,” Vaught said sternly “If I find out that the
Captain has been visited in any way by anyone’s spirit I’m going to do
something about it. He doesn’t need spirits of the dead to show him the path of
the living….That’s what he has the Star Force for.”
“And you,” The old man said. “He has you…..just don’t let
him grow that stupid beard in the future.”
“What?”
“You’ll see that it doesn’t do him justice.”
Avatar turned around and looked into Vaught’s eyes. Vaught thought
for a moment.
“They don’t need me for this mission.” Vaught said
“No, but the destination must be changed…” The old man said as he turned and began to
walk away.
Vaught didn’t understand.
“Search your feelings, Lord Hawk,” The old man said. “You
will know what to do.”
“Emergency
alert!” Inferno’s
computer warned through the remote connection to Royster’s laptop. “Negative control at Argo helm.”
Royster was about to call the bridge when the ship lurched
uncontrollably.
“What the hell?” Venture said as he grabbed the controls as
asteroids and space debris shot past the Argo.
“We materialized into this space storm! Get us out of here!”
Wildstar said.
“We have to stay on this course,” Venture said, “If we
divert, we’ll lose too much time.”
Wildstar turned as he saw Vaught and Nova entering the
bridge off balance.
“I left you alone for five minutes,” Vaught said taking his
seat, “And look what happens…”
“Orion,” Venture said. “I need more power!”
“Power’s already up to full!” Orion said.
The Argo rocked
and lurched as it fought to navigate the heavy gravitational forces of the
Space Cyclone. Venture fought the controls as the control yoke vibrated
heavily.
“She’s singing again,” Royster said over the speaker. “The
Trelaina dame, that is!”
“Where the hell are they!?” Wildstar demanded.
“I don’t think it’s very far,” Homer said.
“Calibrations are almost complete,” Royster said.
“Hey guys I need precise information!” Venture said. “I’d do
it myself, but I’m a little busy
right now.”
“You touch my computers, and I’ll beat the crap out of ya,”
Royster said. “I think I’ll beat the crap out of you anyway.”
Wildstar looked at Vaught who just chuckled as Royster could
be heard shouting at Trelaina. This was much to Venture’s disapproval
“You tell her, Royster,” Sandor said.
“Hey!” Venture said.
“If he didn’t, I would have.” Sandor said “Am I the only one
that doesn’t like whats going on here? Hmmm?”
Royster’s voice could be heard on the bridge speakers a
moment later.
“TA-DA! GOT IT!” he yelled. “Homer, 331 mark 22 seven grand
double M’s ahead!”
Homer spun around to Wildstar. “Captain, Royster reports
that Telezart is seven thousand megameters directly ahead.”
“All yours,” Wildstar said to Venture.
“Telezart, here we come,” Venture said as the Argo accelerated through the graviton
storm.
Then as quickly as the violent rocking began….it stopped.
“Radar contact,” Nova said. “The object is directly ahead of
us!”
“On screen,” Vaught said.
“What the hell is that…thing?”
Eager exclaimed.
“Whatever it is, it had to be here for quite some time,”
Sandor said.
Royster was busy typing on the keyboard at his station when Inferno’s klaxons came on from one of
the monitors set to monitor her. There was a buzzing sound as Inferno’s shields automatically
raised…including those that were surrounding Royster’s compartment.
“What the hell?” Royster asked as he tapped the comm-badge
that Vaught gave him. “Hey boss, Inferno’s
shields just went up, and they took me with them.”
Venture looked at Wildstar as the Argo began spinning slowly and then began moving faster and faster.
“I have a very bad feeling about this,” Royster said.
“Turn the ship around,” Vaught said barely above a whisper.
“I think you’re right,” Wildstar said. “Ventch…full
reverse.”
Venture was not pleased with Wildstar’s order, but not
arguing, he pulled two small throttles towards him. Then, the Argo’s bow thrusters whined, but to no
avail.
“The controls are jammed…I’ve got nothing,” Venture said
while straining at the controls.
“Vaught,” Wildstar said motioning, to the Navigation yoke as
both of them got up, grabbed the yoke, and tried to help Venture keep the yoke
straight.
“We’re not going to get out this way,” Venture said.
“Ya think?” Wildstar shouted sarcastically.
“Go to 105 on the generators,” Orion said, calling down to
Engineering.
“Full ahead,” Wildstar said.
“We’re at full
ahead,” Venture said.
“Homer,” Wildstar snapped. “Contact Telezart! Tell Trelaina
of our situation and ask for assistance!”
“I can’t, Captain! The radio is out,” Homer said throwing
off his headset and opening the circuitry panel.
“Make it work, Homer,” Venture yelled.
Homer looked up at him, “Why don’t you worry about not
getting us all killed there, Sky King?”
Venture looked over at him, “Shut up, smart ass!” He said as Wildstar smacked him lightly in
the back of the head.
“Venture, cut the crap and keep your goo-goo eyes on the
road,” Wildstar said as the three of them continued to struggle with the
controls……..
Donna Gideon was rushing around the house trying to clean up
before her husband got home. As she
stuffed papers away, she had not noticed him standing there quietly amused by
her actions when she turned around and let out a small yelp.
“I’m home,” Gideon said sarcastically.
“I hate it when you do that,” Donna said while kissing him.
“It’s been all over the news, by the way.”
“They’re listed as on an authorized mission,” Gideon said
hanging his hat on a small hat tree and removing his coat. “After rescuing
those Marines, there couldn’t be any other choice.”
“Don’t get too comfortable…we’re having company tonight.”
Gideon sighed “Who?”
“Karl and Teri Forrester,” Donna said. “And a friend of
theirs.”
“We haven’t seen them in a long time,” Gideon said.
“I think they’re worried about their daughter Nova. She
seemed pretty upset.”
“Who’s their friend?”
“All Teri said was that it was someone from out of town.”
“Wonderful,” Gideon said walking into the bathroom and
closing the door behind him
Vaught was concerned about the Marines. There were reports
coming in saying that there was some slight panic when they saw the derelict
ship. Vaught called Sergeant Knox to the bridge. When he got there, he saw
Vaught talking to Doctor Sane. To see them together was almost funny, with
Vaught being almost three feet taller than the Doctor. Sane was nodding in agreement. With their conversation now ended, Vaught
motioned for Knox.
“Colonel?” Knox asked standing at attention, surprising
everyone on the bridge.
“At ease,” Vaught said. “How are the men?”
“We’re all right,” Knox said, looking cautiously at Doctor
Sane. “Just a little jumpy.”
“A little?” Sane said as Vaught chuckled.
“Sergeant, I think your men need to “Un-plug”,” said Vaught.
“So I want you to assemble your Marines on Deck 14. Doctor Sane will instruct
you from there.”
“Yes, sir,” Knox said as Sane gestured to Knox. They left
the bridge as Venture and Wildstar looked over at Corsair curiously.
“I have an ulterior motive. Do you want them running around
while we’re stuck here?” Vaught asked.
“No,” Wildstar said.
“At least in the holo theatre they can be occupied...”
Vaught said as a gasping Nova cried out, “Look
what’s happening to my uniform!” as threw her arms around her breasts…where
her uniform used to be.
In fact, all their uniforms started to disintegrate at that
same moment.
“It’s the area of space we’re in,” Sandor said. “It’s some
type of accelerated time-stream… the entire ship is being affected.”
Wildstar looked at Orion. “Orion, bring up the
engines…Venture, get us out of here!”
“Power isn’t building up,” Orion said. “I can’t bring up
anything!”
Vaught was quick to act. “Royster, extend Infernos’ shields around Argo now!”
Within a few moments there was a small flash of light and the
adverse affects stopped (just as Nova felt her boots ripping a bit).
“What happened?” Wildstar said.
“Inferno’s shields
are protecting us.” Sandor said
“Ain’t gonna last long,” Royster said over the intercom “We’d
better figure out where we’re at and work on not being at here.”
On his Cometine flagship, Torbuck growled at the viewscreen.
“It’s Starfleet’s hand… is it?”
“The shield generators are modulating on a Starfleet bandwidth,
sir. They’ll be safe for the moment, however the mass of the Argo is too great for the Inferno’s shields to hold indefinitely,”
the first officer said.
“Then let’s speed up the process,” Torbuck said with a
vicious grin.” Stand by, all main batteries….Destroy the Argo.”
Royster walked onto the bridge. His clothes were unaffected
because of the aftereffect of Inferno’s
shields were protecting him. He looked around and saw the entire bridge crew’s
uniforms torn to shreds, as he took off his over-shirt and not even looking at
Nova, tossed it to her.
“Thanks,” She said as she quickly put it on and felt a
little more at ease, since her whole one-piece uniform had been very close to
turning into a few ribbons of cloth and falling off when the shields had gone
up.
“The Amazon jungle has nothing on the hydroponics garden
now…this time effect is too damned weird, Boss,” Royster said walking up to
Vaught.
“We’ve got to get out of here…STAT,” Vaught said. “What have
you done?”
“I put everything including the kitchen sink into the
shields, Boss.”
“Meaning none of the navigation components are working,”
Vaught said.
“Even if they were, we have no engine power to move…not even
a centimeter,” Wildstar said with his arms over his chest in disgust.
“Maybe we don’t need engine power to move….there are alternatives.” Vaught said as he
stood up from his station as Wildstar grabbed his arm.
“You’re nuts.” Wildstar said.
Vaught just looked at him with hard eyes. Wildstar slowly
released his grip and Vaught left the bridge a moment later.
Nova stood up to follow.
“Stay there, Lieutenant Forrester!” Wildstar snapped as Nova
shot him an angry glance. “It’s an order!”
Nova glanced at Derek with anger in her eyes. For a moment,
just a second, she had an impulse to strangle him with this odd power that had been growing in her. Then,
horrified at the depths her anger was taking her to, she cast her eyes
downwards and sat down, concentrating very hard on her radar as a strange sound
resounded in the corridors of her mind….it sounded like mechanical breathing.
It sounded much like Vaught’s exo-suit, as a matter of fact, but far slower,
deeper, and more ominous.
She
passed into the Force for a moment, and she saw a strange vision….
She was
on some planet, a world that was burning with fire and lava…and she was robed
all in black.
She
was arguing with Derek, and she was strangling him with her power, as rage
flowed through her like a storm. It felt horrible, killing the one she loved,
but it felt right…it felt….
I
can’t…thought Nova in fear as she came
back to herself. I can’t let Derek die…or
anyone else I care about…and…what is happening to me? What is the Force doing
to me?
“Then
perhaps in the future you’ll think twice before you before losing your
temper!!” Vaught’s voice boomed in her head.
She began to understand.
Trelaina felt what Vaught was planning through the Force…She
knew his logic, and she saw him in her mind as he reached the Argo’s observation deck as he bent down
on one knee and closed his eyes.
In his mind she felt his confidence in the Force….He knew he
could move the ship but he only question was where he was going to move the
ship to.
The answer came to him from Trelaina as Vaught cleared his
mind and felt the Force flow through him as the Argo shuddered and began to move slowly.
She knew of the small channel that a vessel could pass
safely through without causing harm to a vessel and the Argo was not far from it. However as an added obstacle they felt
the Argo rock from an explosion…….
Missiles.
It was missiles.
Vaught kept his mind clear, taking and exhaling deep
breaths. He was remembering what Master Nokkar had told him.
“The Force is not bound
by what is logical it is not binding to physical law. Break free of the
physical laws in your mind or as my master observed “Unlearn what you have
learned.”
The words echoed in Vaught’s head and Trelaina heard them as
well, as the Argo kept moving.
They were, indeed, moving.
“We’re moving?” said Venture.
“Sensors conform it,” said Nova in a shaky voice that Derek
thought resulted from the fact that she was now sitting there clad in only
Royster’s large over shirt and her boots…he could see the remnants of her
uniform all over the deck near her chair…and when he had been standing over her
for a bit, it looked as if she essentially had on a very short mini-dress.
“All right, if there’s no power how are we even moving?”
Venture said.
Royster looked back to Nova.
“I think I have an idea” Royster said
At first Nova didn’t register what Royster was saying, but
after another missile attack rocked the Argo
then it dawned on her.
“He couldn’t,” Nova said. “He’s not that powerful!”
“Which means you think he wouldn’t try?” Royster said.
“Oh my God,” Nova said “Derek!”
“I know it.” Wildstar said “Let it go, Nova.”
“It could kill him!” Nova said while getting up.
“Okay. If you have any alternatives, let’s hear them,”
Wildstar said.
“Wildstar,” Sandor said. “If he’s even able to move this
ship with his mind it could strain him to the point of brain damage.”
“And if he doesn’t do anything about it we’re all dust in
less than ten minutes,” Wildstar said as he looked out the bridge windows.
Vaught…
he thought …If I find out there was another way……
“Maybe there is,” Wildstar said to himself.
“Neville, Sandor,” Wildstar said.
“Yo?” Royster replied as Sandor walked over.
“Status?” Wildstar said.
“We’re in da shit house …dat’s our status, Skipper,” Royster
said as another missile struck the Argo.
Royster went over to Vaught’s station and typed on the
keyboard.
“Shields down to 57, guys,” Royster said. “Another couple
hits and they’re butt &$&*ed!”
Royster immediately turned to Nova “Sorry.”
“Sandor?” Wildstar asked.
“Were in a Null-energy dampening field,” Sandor said.
“That’s why the Argo has no engine
power.”
“Inferno works
because her shields automatically went up when we entered the zone,” Wildstar
said.
“Right,” Royster said. “They’re set up that way.”
“So the shields are keeping the environment stable around
the ship?” Wildstar said.
“That’s why the ship stopped being affected by the zone.”
Sandor said.
“What are ya thinking, Skip?” Royster said.
“Drop the shields around the ship and divert them to
Engineering,” Wildstar said. “With the stable environment, we should then
generate enough power to push us out of here.”
Royster sat at Vaught’s console and began tapping keys.
When he was done he nodded towards Wildstar.
Just was Wildstar was about to tell Royster to execute the
plan there was a chirping from the console.
Royster spun around to look at it.
“What?” Wildstar said.
“We’re out of the zone,” Sandor said, “And we’re into what
looks like some sort of channel.”
Then in an instant the Astro Compass in the middle of the Argo’s bridge began to spin and glow.
“If the Astro Compass is working, then the radio has to be
working!” Venture said as he stood up and began to walk over to the radio.
“SIDDOWN!” The entire bridge
roared at Venture…who meekly took his seat.
“’Scuse me,” Royster said, while crawling under Homer’s
feet, opening a panel and pulling out wires.
“You break it, you bought it.” Homer said.
“Try it now,” Royster replied.
There was a chirping sound as Trelaina’s voice crackled over
the radio speakers.
“Star Force… follow
your astro compass… I have programmed it to guide you through the narrow
channel that will lead you out of the Null energy field…”
“Thank you, Trelaina,” Wildstar said as he motioned to
Venture.
“It seems familiar, doesn’t it, Derek?” said Nova. “Remember
when Starsha did the same thing with the astro-compass to help save us from the
Gamilons during the journey to Iscandar?”
“I remember,” said Wildstar. “But we aren’t out of the
woods, yet, Nova.”
“We sure aren’t,” she replied. “Another wave of
missiles…approaching!”
“We’ve been out of the null field long enough for the engine
power to come back, so we can take off any time,” Orion said.
“We’re still a target for those missiles,” Sandor said as he
got up and looked over Nova’s shoulder at the radar. “They’re coming in fast.”
“Punch it, Venture!” Wildstar said as Venture pushed the
throttle forward and the Argo came to
life. But then another salvo of missiles struck the Argo.
Eager took off his headset and walked over to Wildstar with
concern in his eyes.
“Wildstar, that last strike hit the aft observation deck……I
think that’s where the Colonel was headed.”
Wildstar looked at Nova; but he knew nothing could stop her
from going to him even as she got up and secured her station.
He let her go.
Venture kept looking behind him at the Astro Compass to make
sure that he was staying within the narrow channel.
“Feeling a little humbled?” Sandor said standing behind him.
“He couldn’t have moved this ship just by thinking about
it,” Venture muttered. “There has to be another explanation.”
Royster who was now back at Vaught’s station never looked up
from the display
“Stop making this a Red Sox/Yankees thing, Venture!” Royster
said.
“That’s enough out of everybody!” Wildstar said as everyone
turned back to their stations.
Torbuck spun in surprise when his First Officer blurted out
that the Argo was moving again
He saw the Argo
again moving on his Video Panel.
“Trelania,” Torbuck hissed to his first officer “….who appears with the tedious inevitability
of an unloved season………….”
Nova ran as fast as she could down the corridor….with only one
thing on her mind. As she made the turn, she felt as if she crashed into a
brick wall, knocking her to the ground.
She shook her head and then looked up, noticing Vaught
standing in front of her.
“Eager said the observation deck was hit,” Nova said as
Vaught helped her to her feet.
“Yes I know,” Vaught said. “I managed to escape in enough
time…..shouldn’t you be on the bridge at your post?”
Nova looked at him with annoyance.
“I thought you might have been hurt,” Nova said.
“Your concern for my well being is somewhat misplaced,”
Vaught said as they walked at a fast pace to the bridge.
“Hmmph! Get used to it,” Nova said with a snide
little smile.
Venture struggled with the controls as the Argo fought her way out of the Space
Cyclone while the bridge doors opened revealing Vaught and Nova. Wildstar
smiled. Nova smiled back, running over to muss Derek’s hair with affection for
a moment before she ran back to her post.
I don’t feel like killing him now, she thought, even though maybe, he feels like killing me? But she knew he didn’t
from the way he smiled at her.
“Orders, sir?” Vaught said as Nova took her station.
“Are you all right?” Wildstar asked.
Vaught looked at him with confusion almost not understanding
the question.
“Of course, Captain,” Vaught retorted quickly.
The Argo suddenly
stopped shaking and shuddering resuming her cruise in normal space ……….right in
front of the Cometine fleet.
“Now they should now better then that,” Eager said.
“That they should, Eager,” Wildstar said as he looked at
Vaught then smiled.
Vaught knew why Wildstar was looking at him……This was a test
for him…a trial by fire. As Vaught looked at the video panel, he stood in deep
thought.
“It has been so long,” Vaught said.
“Just like riding a bike,” Wildstar said,
Vaught didn’t respond to him he just stood there in the
middle of the bridge and folded his arms.
“Maintain speed, Mr. Venture,” Vaught said with confidence.
“Aye, sir.”
“Mr.
As the Argo
positioned her guns the ships of the Cometime fleet fired more missiles at the Argo.
“Gentleman, let’s clear the road, fire as your guns bear,”
Vaught said.
As the small Stinger missiles from the Cometime fleet hit
the Argo, the Argo while keeping her course, majestically fired her main guns.
The shock cannons were of some interest to Vaught being much more powerful then
the standard phaser banks. Some of the enemy ships were blown apart right then
and there as they took direct hits from the Argo.
As the remaining ships scattered while still firing their Stinger missiles, the
Argo cleared a path and continued on
her course. As Torbuck’s ship came up behind her, Torbuck just looked at the
view screen pondering the next move.
“They’re getting away!” Torbuck’s first officer said.
“I can see that,” Torbuck said. “We’re not going to lose sight
of the Star Force. Executive Officer, find our closest supply station……I want
the ship fitted with our latest version of anti- matter missiles!”
At that, Torbuck’s fleet retired from the battle for this
day. But, they would be back.
Trelaina breathed a sigh of relief as the Argo re-appeared on her monitors.
“He did it,” she whispered to herself as she opened a
channel. There was silence on the other end…she knew by the silence that he was
there, not knowing what to say to her.
“We
are running on Night operations,”
Vaught’s voice said.
“The Force is strong with you,” she said.
“I am just its
instrument,” came the reply. “To
serve my Captain.”
She heard him mutter to someone to get Venture whom she
realized, was the frustrated young man that she was talking to.
“I’m sure that he regards you more then that,” Trelaina
said.
“He is
young,” Vaught replied.
“You have not served long with him?”
There was a few seconds of silence as Mark Venture’s voice
boomed over the speakers, “Hello? Are you there?”
“I can hear you,” Trelaina said as she rubbed her ears.
“Oh sorry about that,”
Venture said. “Our XO said your name was
Trelaina?”
Trelaina answered. “Yes, I am Trelaina…Trelaina of
Telezart.”
“My name is Mark Venture,” replied Mark. “I’m from Earth…I
wonder if you’re as wonderful in person as you sound, Trelaina? Could you tell
us where we are?”
Nova had received permission from Wildstar to leave the
bridge for a moment (to put on a new uniform and boots…due to their time in the
time field, her boots now looked as if they belonged to a hobo with her toes
sticking out) and, as she walked past Homer, who was standing near the bridge
doors while Venture used the comm panel, she heard him muttering, “Oh,
brother,” at Venture’s conversation with Trelaina.
“Homer?” she asked. “Haven’t you ever been attracted to
someone?”
“He’s actin’ like an idiot, Nova. A bloomin’ idiot!”
“Homer, people of all sorts fall for each other. Don’t mock
it if you’ve never been there.”
“He’s acting like an idiot.”
“And you look like an idiot, Homer,” said Nova while
suppressing a giggle.
“Why?”
“What is left of your pants is about to fall off. You’d
better go get changed.”
“Oh…I’ll do it...later on…”
“Suit yourself,” said Nova as she left.
As Mark and Trelaina spoke more, there was something calming
to Trelaina in Venture’s voice…something attracting. Trelaina relaxed. Due to
their conversation, she hadn’t realized that she was actually sitting with her
feet up on the console twisting her hair smiling at the banter going on between
them….That is, until they were met with heavy static.
“Oh, no, not again!”
Trelaina said as the transmission ended.
“Someone is sending out a super jamming wave!” Homer said to
Wildstar as he ran over holding up what remained of his pants.
Venture turned around to see that the whole bridge crew was
now there (except for Nova, of course)
“How long?” Venture asked to Homer.
“Six hours 42 minutes,” Vaught said.
He looked over at Vaught.
“Sorry,” he said.
Vaught looked at Wildstar as Venture took his station
“Did you find out anything?” Wildstar asked as he heard the
bridge doors opening again; Nova appeared, looking fully military again in a
fresh uniform and boots.
“Nothing militarily,” Venture said. “She asked a little bit
about our XO…..But I confirmed Royster’s and Homer’s coordinates with her and
they match up.”
Vaught didn’t respond to the comment, as Wildstar sat down
next to him.
“Ready?” he asked Vaught sarcastically.
The Argo continued
on her course.
Next Chapter: “ANOTHER TEST”
To Return to the Introduction to Starfighter: The Iconoclast, click here