Description
Deep down within his very being, David knew that it will come to this. Expecting Section 31 not to stand between them and their suicide mission to Kzinhome would have been foolish. For David knew that one way or the other, they won't see tomorrow, him, the Polaris, and all aboard her. They have accepted their fate, one final Warp jump to Kzinhome, one final dagger-thrust to the heart of their enemy. Just for at least part of the Kzinti fleet to return home, just a couple of ships. Just a couple less for the Tzenkethi to fight, just a couple that might save the Tzenkethi from total annihillation.
But no, Kzinhome was not left undefended. Not by the ferocious bear-cats, those predators of deep space, no. But by Section 31 and its flagship. David understood the twisted sense of humor why they named their ship the USS Dzherzhinsky. The man sitting in her captain's chair was no better than his ship's namesake. David could imagine the chilling grin of the man calling himself Anastas Schadenfreud.
"Enemy ship approaching at high impulse", Ainsworth said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Three minutes till weapons' range", Vasya added, a deathly calm upon him.
So this is it, then, David thought, Them, and us, above the homeworld of the creatures who consider both uf us prey.
He looked around his bridge crew, his eyes absorbing the features of each and every one of them. His comrades. His friends. His family.
"Open a ship-wide channel, Mr. Heimann", he said, loud and clear.
"Jawohl", the comms officer said and with a beep of acknowledgement, the intercom was ready.
"Attention all decks, this is the Captain speaking", David said, doing his best so his voice won't crack, "What comes now is something none of us could ever have prepared for. We are fighting an enemy that has Starfleet tech and training, and lacks all of Starfleet's morals. The Polaris is barely holding together as it is. We stand absolutely no chance. They will pummel us with everything they got. They will crush our shields and board us. Our ship, our home, will become a battlefield. But if we don't win this battle, we cannot lay siege upon Kzinhome and that would mean that the Kzinti will kill everyone on Tzenketh. Whatever happens, we won't remain on this side of heaven for too long. All I ask you to give it all before the end. Shields up, red alert!"
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Models by me