Sneak Strike

Edge of forest, Marconis Prime. BJ has just finished burying little Molly. He kneals next to the grave and gives a silent prayer. Miles walks up next to him.

"You never cease to surprise me."

"She deserved better."

"That she did."

They turn to see Outlaw walking up. They come to attention.

"At ease. You've changed Lieutenant."

"I'll take that as a compliment sir."

Outlaw looks down at the grave and thinks.

"It's a shame about her. Half the Fleet is talking about what happened. I've lost so many friends in my life. The Rovers, the Grizzlies."

Outlaw sighs

"I guess that's the burden of being immortal."

"The original Maddogs are still alive sir." says Miles

"Thank you Miles."

Outlaw's comm beeps.

"Yes?"

"Hood here sir. Were ready to leave."

"On my way."

Outlaw shakes hands with BJ and Miles

"You two take care now."

"We will sir." says Miles

Pearl Asteroid Military Base. A shipyard built into an asteroid. A carrier, three battleships and several cruisers and destroyers are docked here. A distance away from the base a fighter squadron is on patrol. In one plane we look in on Lieutenant Rusty Bush.

"This is Twister leader to Twister group report."

"Twister 2, all quiet."

"Twister 3, same here."

"Twister 4, ditto sir."

"Twister 5 here. Uh, sir? I got something on my scope. It's....AHHHH!!!!"

"Twister 5? Jack report!"

"Oh my God! Bandits! BANDITS!!"

"How many? Report!"

Rusty looks up to see several Kzatti fighters bearing down on him.

"Oh no."

Pearl Command Base, Commodore Scott Greer in command.

"Commodore! We got multiple bogey's incoming!"

"How many?"

The officer turns pale as he looks back.

"500 attack fighters, a battlecarrier and two destroyers."

"Battle stations!"

Outside the Kzatti fighters swoop in and strafe the area. A corner of the command base catches fire.

"Report!"

"Destroyer Fletcher has been destroyed! Fighters are concentrating their fire on the battleship Arizona!"

There is a huge explosion from somewhere. Everyone is knocked off their feet and several consoles explode.

"What happened?!"

"The Arizona has blown up. She's gone. The carrier Hiryu reports they've been damaged by the explosion and shockwave!"

"Alert the Fleet, now!"

*****

T.F.S. Merrimack bridge. Admiral Keogh is watching over everything.

"Admiral, I'm getting a message from the Pearl Asteroid Base. They say they're under attack by several hundred fighters."

"What ships are in the area?"

"The Yorktown is closest sir."

"Sir, this message is about an hour old."

****

T.F.S. Yorktown bridge.

"Captain, incoming message from Admiral Keogh." says Scout

"On screen."

"Captain, we've recieved word that the Pearl Asteroid Base has been attacked."

"I know sir. We just got the message ourselves. Do you want us to check it out?"

"Afirmative. I'm sending the battleship Melbourne to assist you."

"Afirmative sir. Over and out."

Pearl Asteroid local space. Yorktown and Melbourne move slowly through the area.

"Readings?"

"Heavy damage to the base itself." says scout "I'm reading erratic lifesigns through the area."

"What about the ships stationed here?" says Robert

"All destroyed."

"Commander, send a shuttle down and look for survivors on the base."

Pearl Command room. Debris is scattered everywhere, numerous small fires dot the room. Robert, Isis and 6 other crewmen enter the room and look around.

"Commander. This was done by a Kzatti weapon."

He points to a man with a hole in his chest.

"So they were boarded as well. Wonderful."

"I'm reading one life form under this debris." says Isis

They move debris out of the way to reveal a female G. Retriever cano-sapien. She is unconsous at the moment.

"Get her to the shuttle."

"Yes sir."

Yorktown bridge. Saphire is here standing next to Outlaw.

"Rather ironic don't you think?" says Outlaw "Another base with the name Pearl in it."

"Pearl Harbor sir?" says Scout "I read about that in the history tapes."

"Sir, Commander Hood is returning." says Muldoon "They report only one survivor."

"Thank you Mr. Muldoon. I'll be in sickbay, Saphire you have the bridge."

Sickbay. Doctor Isis is treating the cano on one of the biobeds.

"Who is she?" says Outlaw

"According to the records she's Ensign Sally." says Robert "Assigned to the Arizona."

"Wake her up doctor."

Isis uses a hypo on her and she begins to stir.

"I'm Captain Outlaw of the T.F.S. Yorktown."

"Ensign Sally of the T.F.S. Arizona. How is she sir and are they other survivors?"

"I'm afriad the Arizona is gone. According to the sensor logs we recovered she blew up taking out a destroyer next to her and crippling the carrier Hiryu."

"Survivors?"

"Your the only one we found."

"Oh no."

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure sir. I was passing through the command room on my way back to the ship when all heck broke loose. Half the ceiling fell on me and I blacked out. When I came to I could hear weapons firing and saw though an opening Kzatti shooting the survivors point blank. I lose consciuousness again after that."

"Very well. I need to make a report to Admiral Keogh."

*****

2 days later. Yorktown crew quarters. Sally is lounging in her quarters when the door chimes.

"Come in."

Outlaw enters. Sally gets up.

"As you were Ensign. Just wanted to see how your doing."

"Fine sir."

"Your papers came though. Your now assinged aboard here."

"Thank you sir."

"Captain to the bridge."

Bridge. Outlaw and Sally enter.

"What's up Commander?"

"We just got a report from Fleet Command. In light of the recent attack on Pearl Asteroid Base the Cutani and the Zandar are declaring war on the Kzatti. They cannot stand by any longer while a long time ally is being attacked. They're joining us sir."

"Excellent."

"We got another report sir. A conquered planet inside Kzatti space has begun to rebel."

"Which one?"

"Bel'Shaba."

"Well now. This is getting interesting."

The End