But It Was Peculiar

[DrDMatthews 0]

It was peculiar.....damned peculiar.

 

Tim Trawets had been captain of the USS Valkyrie since before the Excalibur class starship's keel was laid. He'd been a constant presence during the design stage, the construction and later, after the shakedown, the four months it took to tweek out the gremlins. Valkyrie was commissioned only two years ago. She was one of the most advanced ships in the fleet. Yet, as fast as she was, she couldn't keep up with this unwelcome intruder.

 

The Captain studied the forward view screen as though there was something to look at, all the while, willing his ship onward at a faster pace. But he knew it was futile. They were already traveling at breakneck speed. They simply couldn't catch the intruder and a part of Trawets was actually relieved.

 

He hadn't discussed his concerns with anyone including his first officer, Doug Nioz. He knew this intruder had spooked some of his bridge crew. They'd fired everything in their arsenal while practically sitting on top of the intruder. Some how....some way, they hadn't been able to penetrate the interloper's shields. And now, Valkyrie was falling further and further behind as the trespasser sped on toward Wolf 359.

 

It was peculiar.....damned peculiar.

 

Trawets leaned back in the center seat and rubbed his chin with his left hand. They had been so close. They could clearly see the intruder and that's what really puzzled him. It also unnerved him just as it did his crew. This unknown vessel looked so familiar...so Starfleet. It wasn't a class he had ever seen before but it seemed to be a close relative....the cylindrical nacelles and the saucer like hull.

 

The weary captain put the thought out of his mind....again. He was under orders to intercept and, if necessary, destroy that ship. The experts were already with the Guardian trying to figure out what had happened. It didn't matter who it was or where it came from. Nobody went near the Guardian without permission. Of course, such authorization was virtually impossible to get. Obviously, that was why this unknown vessel sneaked in and almost got away without anyone knowing it had ever been there. Whoever was in that ship had violated the law. Now, they had to deal with the consequences.

 

Trawets knew Valkyrie wouldn't be able to stop the intruder. Nor would any of the ships in his task force. The Adelphi and Bellephron were closer to Wolf 359. They would arrive well before the unknown guest. But they were older ships, Mirandas to be exact. They were no match for the trespasser. But Tim didn't fear for his Starfleet counterparts. He couldn't explain why but he felt confident they would be okay when they confronted the interloper. Why would this futuristic ship waste weapons on two old starships when they could simply out run them.

 

Futuristic....there was that word again....the word most of the bridge crew had been whispering since they first got a look at the ship. He would never admit it to anyone, but he thought the word was rather appropriate. He pushed the thought aside and tried to focus on the mission. Futuristic or not, he was determined to fulfill his orders....capture that ship or destroy it.

 

But it was peculiar....damned peculiar.