Episode 40. The Rodriguez Maneuver
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - 7:21 PM
- Location
-
- Space
- Earth Orbit
- USS Enterprise
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
The Enterprise has taken part in its first official mission: escorting the Nauvoo-class vessels tasked with retaking control of Earth's satellites. But the operation turned tragic with the sudden destruction of the USS Washington, pulverized by invisible fire. The sensors revealed the presence of the enemy already seen over Brussels: a mysterious extraterrestrial vessel. The Enterprise prepares for confrontation.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
| Charlene Savea | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
| Alien Vessel | Unknown | N/A |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Earth Orbit |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical |
|
| Science | N/A |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Infirmary | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
TL;DR
The duel erupts between the Enterprise and the extraterrestrial vessel. Torpedoes and mines struggle to pierce its shield, but thanks to a bold plan involving Vitos's DXS, a breach is created and exploited from the inside. The enemy vessel is severely damaged before fleeing toward Earth's atmosphere. Victorious, the crew records this tactic under the name Rodriguez Maneuver-001.
Story
As my crew prepares for the duel, the other vessels of the fleet move away from the area to get to safety.
The Enterprise and the Aragthonian vessel face each other, motionless, ready to engage.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Captain, the enemy vessel is emitting a strong energy signature.
It is preparing to open fire.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Mr. Corda, evasive maneuvers!
A sharp impact strikes our shields.
Warning indicators instantly light up red.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Too late, Captain...
We've been hit!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Savea, shield status?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
After the first hit, shields are holding at ninety-two percent, Captain.
The regenerators are operating at full capacity.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Perfect.
Number One, launch the first torpedo.
Reload the tube immediately.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Torpedo launched, Captain.
The torpedo streaks straight ahead, tracing a golden line through the void.
Its glow briefly reflects off the Washington's debris field, then it strikes the enemy shield head-on.
A bluish wave ripples outward, absorbing the impact...
Then disappears.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Savea.
Result?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
No effect, Captain.
The torpedo did not penetrate their energy field.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Number One, return fire with phasers.
The battle is on.
Energy beams streak in every direction.
Corda maneuvers skillfully, dodging enemy fire, but our ship's size works against us. Their vessel is far more maneuverable than ours.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Mr. Corda, take us through the USS Washington's debris field.
The hull vibrates as we plunge into the field of still-glowing wreckage.
Fragments of alloy strike our shields like a rain of sparks.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Number One, drop the mines.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Mines deployed, Captain.
The enemy vessel is heading straight for them.
A series of flashes briefly lights up the metallic haze of the debris.
The sensors saturate for an instant.
Then everything goes dark again.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Result, Savea?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
No effect, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Corda, bring us back around to face it.
Number One, when we do, fire all our torpedoes.
Then reload.
Corda strings together a series of high-gravity turns, bleeding off our momentum and placing the Enterprise on a return trajectory.
The lateral thrusters correct our attitude while Savea calculates the torpedo trajectories.
In a few coordinated maneuvers, we find ourselves facing the enemy vessel again.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
We are in position, Captain.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Five torpedoes launched.
Reloading in progress, Captain.
The torpedoes leave the tubes one by one in an orange burst, racing toward the target.
Through the forward viewscreen, their trails stretch into the void like spears of fire.
The impact briefly illuminates the enemy energy field...
Before dissolving into a bluish wave.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Report, Savea.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
The enemy intercepted the first two torpedoes.
Torpedoes three, four, and five struck its energy field.
But the last one created a breach for a few seconds.
If we had had a sixth torpedo, we would have hit it, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Keep evading, Mr. Corda.
We are going to attempt the same maneuver with Vitos's assistance.
Flores, put him on the line.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Ensign Eros Vitos is already on the line, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Vitos.
Are you following what's happening?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Yes, Captain.
My two DXS are positioned behind the alien vessel and the Enterprise, but they can't keep pace with the fight.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
That's not a problem, Vitos.
We have a plan.
Wait until the Enterprise is facing the enemy again before acting.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
What is your plan, Captain?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You are going to create a diversion by deploying the ten mini-DXS from the first DXS.
Meanwhile, we will hammer it with our torpedoes.
As soon as a breach appears in its shield, you will send the second DXS inside the energy field.
Once inside, deploy all the mini-DXS and concentrate fire on the target point Savea indicates to you.
Do you understand, Vitos?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Yes, Captain.
Crystal clear.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Corda.
Savea.
Number One.
Execute!
After a tense chase, our pilot manages to reposition the Enterprise facing the opponent.
The plan is set in motion.
Vitos creates the diversion while Angie unleashes a volley of five torpedoes.
They strike the target and open a breach in the enemy defenses.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Vitos, you're up.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
The second DXS is inside the alien vessel's shield, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good, Vitos.
Stay focused and continue the plan.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Deployment of the ten mini-DXS in progress, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Number One, distract our little playmate.
Send it a few phaser shots.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
With pleasure, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Status, Vitos?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
The target has just been locked, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Fire at will, Vitos!
A dull pulse ripples across the tactical display.
No explosion. Just a brief flare in the infrared spectrum.
The sensors saturate for an instant...
Then everything goes still.
The alien vessel remains intact, but its emissions suddenly drop.
Its shield contracts.
Its weapons go dark, as if someone has just cut its power.
On the bridge, a tense silence settles in.
No one speaks.
Then everyone finally exhales, almost in disbelief.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
And... that's it?
There wasn't even an explosion.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Captain, I confirm that the enemy's weapons and defenses are neutralized.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Excellent work, Vitos.
Flores, try to communicate with that vessel.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Aye, Captain.
Emilie adjusts the frequency and opens the link.
Immediately, violent static fills the bridge.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Wait... I have a response... it is—
Alien Vessel
...Skrrkk chlkkk tsssk zzzip sssschk...
The sounds rise in intensity, distorted, oscillating between the shriek of metal and the resonance of a crystal being shattered.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Aaaaaah!!!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What is happening, Flores?
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
It is their transmission, Captain...
Some kind of vibrational language.
I'm picking up pulses at precise intervals, but... impossible to decode.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Cut the transmission immediately, Flores.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Captain! Captain!
Look!
The vessel's powering back up and diving into Earth's atmosphere.
Should I pursue it?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Negative, Corda.
We have already severely damaged it.
No need to get ourselves trapped in Earth's radioactive clouds.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Either way, the plan worked.
We should add it to our tactical protocols in case we ever face this enemy again.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good idea, Number One.
Make it official.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Charlene, log the Rodriguez Maneuver-001 in our tactical protocols.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Aye, Commander.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
The Rodriguez Maneuver-001?
Couldn't you come up with something a little more descriptive than that, Angie?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Well, no.
There is nothing more explicit than Rodriguez, Captain.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
I think it sounds pretty good for a combat maneuver.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Myeah...
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