We Need To Find Out

[DrDMatthews 0]

"What in the devil is going on?" Deb Matthews hadn't meant to speak those words. But the fact they accidentally sneaked out didn't bother her too much. And she knew she wasn't the only one asking that question.

 

George McLean was still standing beside her. They both stared at the main viewscreen. Until a moment ago, they had been looking at new, and apparently superior, enemy warships. Now, there was nothing to be seen but the dim lights of far off stars.

 

"Where did they go?" asked someone behind her.

 

Deb shook her head slightly as the knot in her stomach grew even tighter. "I don't know," she responded, slowly turning to face her bridge crew. "But we need to find out....and fast."

 

She glanced at Bryan Smythe, his expression unreadable. "Locate the fighters," she ordered. "Bring in anyone who sustained damage but let's get replacements out there as soon as possible." Brian nodded. Deb started to turn away then hesitated. "And hold that shuttle for the time being. We need to find out what's going on out there before we send anyone to the planet."

 

Taking a step toward her chair, Deb lowered her voice just a bit. "I think it was Major Nakamura who reported the UFP's 3rd Fleet is in orbit around that planet." George McLean nodded wordlessly. "He indicated they're disabled." She turned to her First Officer. "How disabled? Do they still have life support or what? Let's find out."

 

Deb stood in front of the center seat and looked at Lt. Sinjyn, sitting quietly at the science station. The El-Aurian had his back to her. He must have sensed she was about to address him because he turned to face her just as she began to speak. Matthews smiled in spite of herself. She would never grow accustomed to the El-Aurian's "sixth sense". It sometimes unnerved her. But there was no time for that sort of thing. The El-Aurians were an advanced race and Sinjyn had access to information she desperately needed.

 

"Lieutenant," she began slowly. "You mentioned the Breen."

Thalen Sinjyn nodded.

Deb cleared her throat. "I've heard of the Breen but quite honestly, I doubted their existence. Now, you claim we've come face to face with them."

Again, Sinjyn nodded.

"We need to know everything you know or even think you may know about the Breen," continued Matthews, looking the El-Aurian Science Officer directly in the eye. "And we need that information in the next ten minutes."

 

She turned away before the Lieutenant had a chance to respond. "Lieutenant Miral," called Deb. "Ship's status, please."