Star Trek: The Next Generation - 119 - Armageddon's Arrow (28 page)

Behind Chen, Konya said, “For the record, I think you and Jodis are both out of your damned minds.”

Looking past Bnira, Chen watched as Jodis continued to enter commands to the console. Something about what he was doing did not seem right, and it took her an extra moment to comprehend what she was seeing.

“Damn it,” she said, turning to exchange glances first with her shipmates. “He’s not just targeting the Golvonek ships. He’s going after
everything
.”

28

Red alert indicators flashed at every bridge station, and the audible alarm wailed loud enough to make Picard wince. Before he could order it silenced, Worf already was tapping a control on his console to terminate the klaxon.

Standing just behind the conn and ops stations, Picard studied the
Arrow
and noted the presence of new lights and other power sources activating all along its massive hull. Where before it had appeared dark and lifeless, now it seemed to pulse with new vitality and purpose. A sleeping leviathan was rousing from slumber.

“Report.”

“All of the
Arrow
’s weapons are activating, sir,” replied Worf from where he now manned the tactical station. “They appear to still be in standby mode, but sensors are detecting the ship’s targeting scanners have been enabled. Also, its main propulsion system is increasing to full power, and readings also show activation of its maneuvering thrusters.”

Seated at the conn station, Lieutenant Joanna Faur asked, “Where do they think they’re going to go?”

“Any luck getting through to Doctor Crusher or the others?” Picard asked.

Worf replied, “Negative. Still no response on any frequency, and I am detecting what appears to be a moderate-level jamming field. I am attempting to compensate.”

Sitting next to Faur at the ops station, Glinn Dygan said, “Captain, the Golvonek ships are breaking formation and appear to be taking evasive action.”

Picard frowned. “Are they attempting simple escape, or engaging the Raqilan ships?”

“Neither, sir,” replied the Cardassian. “It would appear they are regrouping, possibly in preparation for defensive action against the
Arrow
.”

On the viewscreen, Picard watched as all of the Golvonek towing vessels, still being harassed by the Raqilan fighter craft and even heavier weapons fire from the larger support vessels, began to distance themselves from the
Arrow
. As for the Raqilan ships, they seemed content to press their attack, paying the former derelict no heed as they continued their strafing runs.

“The Raqilan certainly seem to have no problem with this latest development,” Worf said.

“What the hell is going on over there?” Picard asked. Had Mynlara ordered her people to deploy the
Arrow
against the Raqilan? Or, was it possible that Jodis and his shipmate, Bnira, had somehow acquired control of the weapon ship? Given what would have to be an extensive knowledge of the vessel and its every operation, Picard considered it more than reasonable that even two people possessing such expertise could seize the vessel from their Golvonek captors.

Worf reported, “Captain, we are being hailed by Fleet Legate Mynlara.”

“On screen.”

The Golvonek’s visage filled the image, her expression one of near panic.
“Captain Picard, you must help us!”

“I don’t understand,” Picard said, maintaining his composure. “You told us that you were taking control of the ship.”

“The vessel is not under our control!”
Mynlara snapped.
“Our desire was only to move the ship to one of our bases, but Jodis has somehow seized it. He is the one responsible for these new attacks, both on my ships as well as those of the Raqilan
.
”

Picard stepped toward the screen. “I still have people on that ship, Fleet Legate. Where are they? Does Jodis have them?”

Shaking her head, Mynlara replied,
“I do not know
.
”

“Captain,” Worf called out, “the
Arrow
has just disabled two more Raqilan ships, as well as another of the Golvonek tow vessels.”

“Can you not see that we require your assistance?”
Mynlara’s voice was rising, almost with every word.
“One of my ships is functioning on emergency power. Its life-support systems will not be able to sustain its crew
.”

“Assuming Jodis is in control of the ship,” Picard said, “why has he not destroyed your ships? It’s certainly within his power to do so.”

Mynlara’s eyes narrowed.
“How am I to understand what thoughts drive someone like Jodis? It seems apparent to me that his mental faculties are defective, perhaps as a consequence of his long hibernation
.
”

Before Picard could respond, Worf said, “Captain, the
Arrow
is getting under way, and sensors are detecting its targeting systems are active. Power readings are increasing across the ship, with definite surges in the weapons systems.”

“They’re going on the offensive,” Picard said, turning from the screen. “We’ll have to continue this discussion later, Fleet Legate.” He gestured for the communication to be severed even as the Golvonek was preparing to protest. The Golvonek’s image disappeared from the viewscreen, replaced once more by the
Arrow
. “Conn, increase our distance, and maintain full power to the shields.”

Lieutenant Faur was in the midst of acknowledging the order when the captain saw the first barrage of weapons fire explode from ports along the
Arrow
’s port hull. Streaks of red-white energy lanced forth from multiple locations, crossing space and seeking targets with deadly precision. On the viewscreen, three Raqilan ships were struck in rapid succession, the impacts tearing into each vessel’s hull as they scrambled to maneuver out of the line of fire.

Why the Raqilan ships?
Even as the question formed in his mind, Picard watched new salvos reach across space, tracking after the Golvonek tug ships and inflicting similar damage as they, too, attempted to flee.

“What are they doing?” Turning to Worf, Picard said, “Open a channel to the
Arrow
, Number One.”

The Klingon nodded. “Aye, sir.”

Waiting for acknowledgment that the frequency had been enabled, Picard once more approached the main viewscreen. “Jodis, this is Captain Picard aboard the
Enterprise
. Your attack on the Raqilan and Golvonek vessels is unprovoked and unnecessary. I urge you to reconsider this course of action, and I request to speak with my people who are still aboard your ship.”

“They
are
receiving us, Captain,” Worf reported.

“Sir!” Faur called out. The lieutenant was pointing at the screen, and Picard looked up to see the
Arrow
’s course shifting, pulses of energy visible along its flank as maneuvering thrusters flared to life. The vessel moved with a grace and speed that belied its size, continuing to unleash weapons fire from multiple points as it pivoted on its axis.

Worf said, “Sensors show its primary particle weapon is online, and I am reading indications of scanners locking on to multiple targets.” A second later, he added, “Including us.”

“Conn, keep us out of its path,” Picard said, returning to his command chair. “Number One, ready phasers and target any of those weapons ports you can.” He had not wanted to take direct action against the
Arrow
, but Jodis was leaving him with precious few options.

“Aye, sir,” replied Worf. “Still no response to our hails.”

The
Arrow
fired yet again, unleashing another volley of blasts from various particle cannons, each seeking a different target and scoring hits on both Raqilan and Golvonek vessels. The Raqilan fighters and their support craft now were turning tail, seeking escape, while the Golvonek tugs, far slower and less maneuverable, were no match for the weapon ship’s tracking systems. Those ships better able to defend themselves were turning toward the attack, breaking formation and firing on the
Arrow
in a series of rapid hit-and-run strikes.

“Their counterattacks are having an effect,” reported Glinn Dygan. “Sensors are showing widespread damage across the
Arrow
’s surface, along with some weapons ports and other components.”

Worf added, “There are definite power fluctuations, sir, as well as what appear to be attempts to reroute. It could be the onboard computer working to compensate.”

How much damage could an attack of this sort inflict? While it had been determined that the
Arrow
might be susceptible to injury after any prolonged battle, Picard reasoned that the odds still were in its favor to disable or destroy most if not all of the vessels around it.

“I am reading a new energy surge,” said Dygan. The Cardassian turned in his seat. “It’s the primary cannon, Captain.”

Picard directed his gaze to the viewscreen in time to see the array mounted at the
Arrow
’s forward edge flaring to life, its emitter glowing with the fury of a sun before a wide beam of focused energy erupted from the cannon, streaking across space and washing over the closest of the Golvonek vessels. He braced himself, expecting to see the tug obliterated by the beam’s force, but the ship’s destruction never came. The effects were still severe, with the ship lurching and spiraling away as it succumbed to the weapon’s force.

“According to these readings,” Worf said, “the cannon is not operating at full capacity.”

Was it a deliberate choice, or merely the result of damage to the weapons system? Picard had no way to know that, of course, but the onscreen evidence of the particle cannon’s power was obvious, even if it was operating in a compromised state.

“What’s the status of that ship?”

“Widespread overloads and system cutouts,” replied the first officer. “Propulsion is offline, and life-support appears to be operating from auxiliary power sources. The ship has begun transmitting what I believe to be a distress signal.”

“Captain,” Faur said, “they’re firing again.”

On the viewscreen, the
Arrow
had selected another target, this one a Raqilan carrier. As before, the particle cannon’s immense beam lashed out, its energy enveloping the retreating vessel and disrupting its flight path. Picard saw the ship’s engine ports flicker and darken along with other light sources along its hull or emanating from portholes.

“And you’re saying the weapon isn’t firing at full power?” Picard asked.

Worf nodded. “It appears that way, Captain.”

“Notify the transporter room that we’re moving into position. Make sure Lieutenant Šmrhová and her team are ready to beam over.” Picard decided that he no longer had the luxury of waiting for the right time to risk dispatching his rescue team. “Lieutenant Faur, maneuver us to within transporter range.” If all went according to the plan he was conjuring even as he spoke, the
Enterprise
would only be that close to the
Arrow
for a handful of seconds. “Guide us clear the moment the away team is on board. Mister Worf, you’ll handle the transport.”

Both officers acknowledged the orders and Picard watched as Faur tapped a hurried sequence of commands to her console. The image on the viewscreen shifted as the
Enterprise
changed direction until the
Arrow
once more was in view. Pulsing with life, the immense vessel was executing yet another in an ongoing series of pivots and turns. Its primary particle cannon and its array of smaller armaments spit crimson fury in all directions as it continued firing at any Raqilan or Golvonek ship reckless enough to still be within weapons range. For the first time since the battle began, Picard felt the deck shudder in response to the starship weathering an assault on its own defenses.

“Shields are holding,” Worf reported. “We have entered transporter range. Dropping shields and energizing now.”

Picard counted to himself the seconds he knew were needed to complete the transport cycle, each one a seeming eternity with the ship’s shields down. Ticking off the last one, he ordered, “Shields up. Conn, get us out of here.” As he issued the command, he saw the
Arrow
rotating yet again, and this time the gargantuan ship’s nose was turning toward the screen.

“Away team is aboard the ship,” Worf noted. “Sensors are picking up an increase in the power levels to the
Arrow
’s primary weapon.”

Picard felt his grip tighten on the arms of his chair. “Evasive maneuvers,
now
!”

*   *   *

The deck disappeared from beneath Geordi La Forge’s feet.

It was only for a second, and the shift was perhaps only a handful of centimeters, but the effect was sufficient to send the engineer stumbling across the deck and flailing for any sort of handhold. His feet found purchase on the flooring and he stumbled and all but fell into the railing encircling the
Enterprise
’s warp core. Matters were not helped by the sudden dousing of nearly every illumination source within the engineering section, and La Forge heard members of his staff reacting to what could only be a brutal attack on the starship. The very hull of the ship seemed to howl as it absorbed the brunt of whatever had just hit it, and adding to the chaos was the wail of a red alert siren that succeeded in drowning out every other sound in the room.

As quickly as it had been extinguished, the main lighting returned as did most of the active status monitors and control stations arrayed around the cavernous chamber.