Episode 86. Tholian Swarm
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Sunday, August 11, 2024 - 2:18 AM
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- Periphery of the NATO Starbase
- USS Enterprise
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
Admiral Michaux's special operation brought down the Kremlin and the Grand Tsar, but Captain Agnes Rodriguez was gravely wounded while protecting President Macron. Placed in a coma, she left three mysterious words: Angie, Koala, Area 51. Taking command as acting captain, Commander Angie Chen formed a team with T'Met, Tarsi, Eros and Gomard. Thanks to the AspiroTube network, they reached Area 51, where they found the wreck of the VSS Schak'Irra and reactivated its artificial intelligence: Lingua. After tense negotiations with General Cliffton, the team was able to bring strategic equipment back to the USS Enterprise. But, on their return, a distress signal from Admiral Michaux upended their plans: the NATO starbase is in danger.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander (Acting Captain) | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
| T'Met | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Captain | Vulcan | Prime Timeline |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Charlene Savea | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Anthony Michaux | NATO / Starbase | Admiral | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Lunar Orbit |
| Captain |
|
| First Officer |
|
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical | Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi (Unofficial) |
| Science | T'Met (Unofficial) |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers |
|
| Detainees | Vladimir Joseph Putin and his bodyguards |
TL;DR
In lunar orbit, the Enterprise discovers the horror: the NATO starbase is under attack by a swarm of Tholian vessels. Acting Captain Angie Chen immediately orders the Rodriguez Maneuver-001 deployed, plunging the vessel into the heart of the fight. Phasers, torpedoes, DXS: everything is committed. But the enemy is too numerous, too fast... the battle turns into a nightmare. T'Met reports that the fleet appears to be an illusion, undetectable by the sensors, while Tarsi recognizes the same phenomenon observed in Moscow. Despite her crew's warnings, Angie persists in counterattacking... until communication with Admiral Michaux cuts out: the starbase explodes before their eyes. Beside herself, Angie wants to keep fighting, but the Enterprise is surrounded, its shields are collapsing, and the bridge sinks into chaos... When suddenly, the turbolift doors open...
Story
As the Enterprise approaches the NATO starbase, the bridge crew begins to make out unusual activity. The base is under assault by hundreds of spacecraft...
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Captain, the base is under fire from hostile vessels. What do we do?
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
Everyone to battle stations! Savea, raise shields, and I want engineering at full power! Flores, try to contact Admiral Michaux! Corda, charge right into them! Initiate Rodriguez Maneuver-001!
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Angie, no, that is suicide! Look, those are Tholians! You'll never make it through that swarm!
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
Execute my order, Mr. Corda! Savea and Tarsi, coordinate with Vitos's DXS!
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
This is madness, Angie!
On the bridge, tension reaches its peak as Eric Corda steers the Enterprise toward the Tholian armada swirling around the starbase, while the officers coordinate to execute the Rodriguez Maneuver-001, the same one previously used during the first Earth Reconquest mission. The vessel slips in skillfully, firing continuously at the enemy. Phasers, torpedoes and kinetic mines are deployed in bursts, lighting space with destructive fire. Vitos's DXS rush into the shield gaps opened by the torpedoes and disable several attackers. This first pass by the Enterprise has taken the enemy by surprise, and Angie does not want to stop there...
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
Mr. Corda, take us around for another pass!
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Angie, you simply got lucky. Believe me, they will not be fooled twice in a row.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
Tarsi, keep firing or I will have you replaced!
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
By the great Vlogchai Monux, we are never going to get out of this. Charlene, target the Widow Fighters and the Meshweavers.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
The what?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Those are the smaller ships. They're the most dangerous.
Capt. T'Met
Captain Chen, these signatures don't match known Tholian technology. Their fleet appears to be an illusion.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
Is this a joke, Captain T'Met? The damage we are taking is very real!
Capt. T'Met
I cannot explain it. They are there... and yet they are not. None of your sensors can detect them at all.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
I don't understand your gibberish! Meanwhile, they're shooting at us, and I'm not about to let them get away with it!
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
It is like in the Moscow tunnels. Our tricorders couldn't detect them and the universal translator did not recognize their language.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
Mr. Corda, make another pass!
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Angie, we cannot beat them!
During this second pass, the Enterprise takes fire from every side, and the vessel's shields come under tremendous fire. Even Eric Corda can't match the Tholians' maneuverability. The situation worsens by the minute. The DXS are neutralized one after another and several breaches appear in the hull.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Captain, I have Admiral Michaux on the line.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
On screen, Flores!
Adm. Anthony Michaux
[static] Enterprise, do you read me? We are suffering [static] losses. Our shields are [static] failing and our defense batteries have been [static] destroyed.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
We read you, Admiral. Hold on. We're engaging the enemy...
Adm. Anthony Michaux
Run, Enterprise! Get to safety and save what [static] remains of humanity... Aaaaaaaah... [static]
On the screen, Admiral Michaux's image is replaced by static. At that instant, before the horrified eyes of the crew, the starbase erupts in flames before exploding, taking with it the thousands of souls inside.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
We're going back in! No way I am letting those things win!
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
But Captain, we are outmatched. There are hundreds of them.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
That is an order, Corda!
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Angie! Get a grip and look around you! Your crew's safety has to come first!
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Captain, we have to move, they are surrounding us. The Enterprise won't survive much longer under this kind of fire!
Cmdr. Angie Chen Acting Capt.
Corda, keep maneuvering. Savea and Tarsi, coordinate your fire and do not hold anything back!
Still reeling from the destruction of the starbase, Tarsi, Emilie, Charlene, Manu and Eric are all worried about the safety of the crew and the Enterprise. One after another, they beg Captain Chen to abandon the battle and withdraw to safety. But she ignores every plea, determined to keep fighting the Tholians. When the situation seems desperate, the bridge turbolift door opens...
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