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Stranded (Star Trek: ENT)
Forum-Index → Fanmades → Fanfictions → Stranded (Star Trek: ENT)Gardner, a man who was by no means intimidated easily, shrank in his chair under the glare Ambassador Soval was directing at him. "I sent them to the Neutral Zone to do some preliminary scans of the area. We haven't heard anything regarding the Romulans for a year, I'm sure it's safe." The Vulcan rose to his full height and it seemed that the air temperature dropped several degrees. Clearing his suddenly dry throat, Gardner fought to keep eye contact with the ambassador. "Forgive me, but why is this such a concern?"
"Long-range scans from our combat vessels have shown that the Empire is constructing a new ship," Soval said, plugging a data chip into the wall mounted screen. Numbers began scrolling on the monitor, ending with a rough outline of a starship. "Our findings are scarce, yet when the Romulans are finished, it has the potential to destroy any Starfleet vessel it encounters." Ejecting the chip, the Vulcan regarded Gardner coolly, his tone betraying his rising anger. "You may have just sent Captain Graham and her crew to their deaths."
——
Kelly Graham had graduated from the Academy only a month prior and was eager to explore space. When Admiral Maxwell had approached to ask her to survey the Romulan Neutral Zone, she had jumped at the idea. Now the small science vessel she was captaining was on the edge of the invisible border, sensors sweeping the surrounding area.
"There's nothing out there, Captain," Commander Nelson O'Niell reported, a hint of relief in his voice. "No signs of any Romulan ships, or any ships."
"Doesn't mean they aren't hiding," Graham replied, leaning forward in her chair, green eyes glued to the main view screen. "They have cloaking devices, remember? One could be right in front of us and we wouldn't known it." Absolute silence gripped the bridge as everyone present rechecked their instruments. "Charlie, take us a in a little closer. Just don't go over the Neutral Zone, that's an order."
"Yes, Captain," Ensign Charles Newton said, his hands flying over the console in a blur. Before he could engage the impulse drive, a brilliant green beam filled the viewer. Looking down at his station, the man blanched and turned to Graham. "An unclassified ship has decloaked above us, Captain."
"Show me!" she barked, leaping to her feet as the screen shifted to reveal their assailant. Dominating the image was a massive, dark green vessel of undoubtedly Romulan origin. A series of beeps came from the comm station, the crew member in charge blindly hitting a button. Wavering slightly, the viewer coalesced into the visage of a glowering Romulan officer. Graham stood straighter and folded her arms, noticing how the alien narrowed his eyes in warning. "Release my ship at once."
"You are in no position to make demands, hevam," the Romulan snarled, teeth flashing in a scowl. Shouting an order over his shoulder, he smiled cruelly. "Welcome to the Romulan Star Empire. Prepare to have your vessel brought aboard. I hope you enjoy your stay, no matter how brief it is." His gaze lingered on Graham for a moment before terminating the transmission.
Opening her mouth to deliver an order, the captain swore when all of the bridge's primary systems powered down, leaving only life support and the main viewer functioning. All she could do was watch as her vessel was drawn into one of the Romulan ship's cargo bays, her crew now at the mercy of the Vulcans more vengeful cousins.
[R.I.P J2 (Granny), aged 105]