Eric Olafson, First Journeys (Vol 2)
Copyright© 2018 by Vanessa Ravencroft
Chapter 8: Command Seat
The attack came totally unexpectedly.
Like everyone else on the bridge, the scanner operator of the American Dream was watching GalNews about the space battle between the Dai, Nogoll and Union forces and thus missed the fast approaching contact.
I was still sitting in the Command chair while the main viewer showed high definition recordings of the space battle of the Union Fleet against the Dai and the Nogoll.
Titanic fists shook the yacht so violently that Calia Lethra, Alex and everyone else standing in front of the main screen watching the news were thrown about. Smoke filled the bridge and a dozen warning sirens and signals blared. Lights flickered. The automatic restraints had grabbed me and a force field bubble encased the command seat and me. To my shock I noticed a rupture in the hull. One of the bridge crewmen was sucked out, before an emergency field sealed the crack. There were only two officers still moving as they too had remained in their seats and were kept safe behind force field bubbles, the rest were piled up near the now-sealed crack, among them the Togar captain and Alex, none of whom showed any signs of life. The main screen now showed a red space ship pursuing us. The Helm Officer moaned with a whiney voice, “What are we going to do?”
I responded, “We need breathing space to sort it out. Get this tub going as fast as you can.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
None of the controls of the seat responded and a computronic voice said. “You aren’t registered or authorized.” Alex stumbled to his feet, dried blood across his face. “System recognize Alex Enroe. I give full command authority to Eric Olafson.” Then he collapsed again.
The controls lit up and a bank of screens lowered around me. “Command authority granted.”
“Activate all available shields, reroute spare energy to aft shield generators.”
“Acknowledged.”
The Helm Officer turned and said. “We’re gaining ground Sir, but we have only one ISAH pod left, it seems we’re still faster than that Dai battleship.”
“Don’t turn around. Keep your eyes on the controls when you talk,” I ordered.
I looked down to find the right contact for ship-wide communication. “This is Eric Olafson, temporarily in command of this vessel. All departments report damage and status. Medical emergency on the bridge.”
“Engineering here. We have still full power but only one ISAH pod, we lost the other three. Several hull breeches, sealed with nanite foam and force fields. Main generators at 100 percent and not damaged. Primary shields gone. Secondary shields holding.”
“Engineering shut down every nonessential system. Concentrate on repairing the shield generators.”
“We’ll do our best,” was the answer from Engineering.
“Medical reporting. We have 67 casualties, 19 reported fatal.”
“Triage and prioritize. Bridge crew first.”
“We’re sending medics and bots.”
“Tactical, do we have tactical? Communications?”
There was no response, then the computronic replied, “Tactical and Communication stations aren’t replying.”
“Computronic, open all communication channels on all available com equipment.”
“Open.”
“This is the ‘American Spirit’, Enroe Industries’ private yacht, Eric Olafson speaking. We are under attack. Dai Than battleship in pursuit. We’re damaged and there are heavy casualties. Need assistance urgently.”
I then told the Helm Officer to transmit our coordinates and whereabouts.
“We’re being hailed,” the computronic reported.
“Put it on.”
“Hello American Spirit. I am Ima Win-Do, patriarch of the once glorious Dai Than Ima tribe. I have lost my honor and my tribe. Our Mother has been destroyed by your demon warrior. Now I seek revenge and I shall cause mayhem and destruction. I see you’re but a boy; your officers are dead or gone. Surrender and I shall be merciful. Your hail for help will be heard, I’ve no doubt, but all help will come too late for you. Surrender and I shall not launch fighters. I’ll kill you all quickly and painlessly. Deny me and I shall board and skin you alive.”
I looked down again to identify the correct contacts for Tactical. Then I responded. “This is Eric Olafson, temporarily in command of this vessel. You are in Union Space and have committed acts of piracy and murder.” While I talked my fingers activated weapons. “I won’t let my crew down and I’ll fight you to the last breath. Bring it on red face and learn that Neo Vikings don’t surrender, ever.”
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