By Nathan Warner
Two Defiant class starships escort a Galaxy class Ship through a war-torn region of space on a mission of justice.
"Your orders are simple," Admiral Afseth had told Captain Charmaine, but if they'd been simple, why had she kept coming back to them, reading them again and again with a sigh?
"The U.S.S. Hercules and U.S.S. Defiant, are to escort the U.S.S. Hippocrates - a Galaxy class vessel specializing in medical aid - through the war-torn region of space known as Badon's Alley. The U.S.S. Hippocrates is on a mandated mission to Alcore V, a rogue military research facility on the moon Beta Terra where it has recently come to our attention scientists have been experimenting with genetic weapons, forbidden under Interstellar Law. Unfortunately, news of the situation has also attracted the attention of many rogue states and independent parties in the Galaxy that wish to seize this technology. Your escort is to deter any attempt to interfere with the Federation mandate to contain the threat and neutralize all technology related to its development."
Charmaine put the PADD down.
Simple! Yeah, simple as an Andorian Pixie-puzzle! she thought. A million scenarios craved the attention of her mind, each time she read her orders. "Where do you even begin with a threat analysis?" she'd asked her First officer in frustration. "You might as well just throw the whole galaxy in a blender and say anything is possible!" They were truly going to be flying into the dark on this one.
"Red alert!" she ordered, as the U.S.S. Hercules pulled up alongside the Hippocrates. The regal legacy of the Galaxy class ship shone in its aging curves. To port, the U.S.S. Defiant was taking point, and Charmaine was happy to follow suit. Below them, Sevreni Station floated like an ancient wagon wheel, spokes and spindles of energy keeping it all together.
"Captain, the Hippocrates is signaling its preparedness for warp," Ensign Radley reported from the Helm.
She was what, 19-years old? Charmaine wondered, considering the innocent face of the young woman. And she was about to get a taste of the darkness the Universe could muster.
"Acknowledge," Charmaine answered. At that moment, the Hippocrates stretched briefly and then popped into warp, leaving them only a momentary, flashing star to follow. Charmaine took a deep breath. She only hoped the indomitable reputation and powerful armament of the Defiant class ship would ward off any nightmares out there from stepping from the shadows into their path.
"Escort course, Lieutenant," Charmaine ordered the helm. Ensign Radley nodded brightly, shaking the reigns of the powerful starship. And in answer, the Hercules and Defiant leapt like lightning into the vast sea of night, coming to heel at warp 9 beside the bulking Galaxy class starship, fading from Sevreni Station on their errand of justice.
