Star Trek: The Original Series - 139 - Vulcan's Soul 3 - Epiphany by Josepha Sherman & Susan Shwartz

Author:Josepha Sherman & Susan Shwartz
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Space Ships, Exiles, Spock (Fictitious Character), Star Trek Fiction, Space Opera, Interplanetary Voyages, General, Science Fiction, Adventure, Life on Other Planets, Fiction, Media Tie-In
ISBN: 9780743463621
Publisher: Star Trek
Published: 2007-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

2377

The Conqueror, the Praetor’s flagship, sped through space, flanked by its two escort ships, heading toward the Eridani system. All the while, Praetor Neral sat motionless in his command chair, refusing to show anything of the impatience surging through him. They had to reach Alliance before Saavik had a chance to turn over the artifact to the Vulcans.

But before they reached the Eridani system, while they were still in deep space, Kolora, the stern-faced woman at the tactical station, reported. “We are detecting other ships. They are of Romulan configuration, but are not broadcasting any identification signals.”

Neral saw another warbird decloak, so suddenly that his crew had to take quick evasive action to avoid a collision. As they came about to confront the intruder, the Praetor’s first thought was a purely indignant one: Now, who in all the seven hells dares to interfere with the Praetor’s business?

“Open hailing frequencies,” he said.

“Hailing frequencies open, my Praetor.”

“This is Praetor Neral aboard the Conqueror. Identify yourself, and stand down.”

Kolora suddenly said, “They’re arming weapons! And four more ships are decloaking.”

“What in Erebus are you doing out there?” Neral all but roared. “Identify yourself and stand down!”

“We are your nightmare come to life,” said a cold voice.

On the Conqueror’s viewscreen formed the image of a faceless alien…no! It was a masked alien—

Watraii!

“Those ships have been taken over by Watraii!” Neral cried. “Shields up!”

In the next instant, the Conqueror shuddered under a direct hit.

“I said shields up!”

“My Praetor, the shields aren’t holding! The Watraii are sending some unknown frequency that’s jamming them.”

A chill swept over Neral. The second battle of Chin’toka…the sudden horrifying loss of all power…deflector shields, cloaking devices, every means of defense or offense useless…

Damn them, no! “Identify the frequency!”

But after his frantic crew tried and tried to get a match, Neral heard a grim report: “Our computers can’t identify the frequency of the Watraii weapons.”

The Watraii had clearly had control of the warbirds long enough to alter and adapt them. Adept with all forms of energy, they had modified both the ships’ cloaks and shields. One, then the other of Neral’s escort ships erupted into fireballs, sending the Conqueror hurtling helplessly until the pilot finally brought them back under control.

The Watraii followed, still firing. “Fire at them!” Neral shouted.

Kolora obeyed his order, but in the next second, she reported, “No damage.”

No damage? How could a direct hit have caused no damage?

But attack after attack on the Watraii proved the same thing: Romulan weapons had almost no effect.

This is impossible, this is impossible…

No. He would not allow himself to panic.

The closest aid…bah. Neral only briefly considered, then dismissed the idea of calling for help from the Federation. After that ridiculous encounter with President Zife and Koll Azernal, it would be the strongest dishonor to call to them for anything. At the same time, the Romulan ships surrounding Vulcan could not possibly come to his rescue in time.

A tremendous blow hit the Conqueror, nearly throwing Neral from the command chair. Fire erupted on the bridge.

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