The L'Dira

Posted on Sat Mar 15th, 2025 @ 6:37pm by Captain Andre Hunt & Warrant Officer Emily Douglasdale & Commander Thomas Carey & Lieutenant Commander Mattys Plaatjes & Warrant Officer Steve Baxter

866 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Trillius Prime
Location: Trill Space

The USS Meridian had spent the last couple of weeks traveling at a direct course to Trillus Prime. Captain Hunt had to admit that the last few weeks had been uneventful for the most part. The crew had gotten into a routine and was meshing well together. Which was something all commanding officers had hoped for sooner than later. But he enjoyed spending time with the Trill scientist and was learning quite a bit about their culture. In the next few minutes, the Meridian would be entering their system and then the leg of their journey would be begun.

Andre had been in his ready room with the lead scientist Trumer when he was suddenly interrupted from a call from the bridge.

"Bridge to Captain Hunt," Baxter's voice came over the comm.

"Go ahead."

The Communications Officer proceeded. "We're getting a distress call from the transpsort ship Relut. They're saying that they are under attack."

Trumer immediately came to attention. "That's one of our transports."

Andre quickly exited the office with the lead scientist in tow. "Emily how quick can we get them at our current speed?"

"At warp four, eight minutes," the helm officer announced.

"Push us to warp four," Hunt ordered. "Go to red alert." Sitting in the center chair, the Captain tapped the panel. "Plaatjes standby, its looking like we might find ourselves in a possible fight."

"Engaging weapons system Captain," Thomas replied as he initiated red alert.

'We'll be ready, Captain,' Plaatjes chimed in over the comm. 'Just don't get any scratches on my baby - we're fresh out of Spacedock and the paint's still drying!' He turned to the Engineering crew around him. 'Alright people. You've all been drilled for this!' His voice rang out firm and true, accent thickening, 'stick to your assigned positions and we'll get through this OK, and soon we'll be having a braai on a Trill beach!'

The Meridian dropped out of warp to find an unknown ship firing upon the transport. Andre was clueless of these attackers. "Any clue who these guys are?"

"Those are the L'Dira they have been attacking and stealing from our ships off and on for years now," Trumer responded.

"Thomas what are their defenses," the Captain questioned. "Hail that ship Baxter."

"One good shot and we will have them effectively neutralized." Thomas replied

"No response to our hails," Baxter announced.

"Use the phasers to fire off a warning shot," Andre ordered. "Close enough to get their attention."

[Engineering]

Plaatjes watched what was happening on a small screen in the Engineering Bay. He had most of his attention on the ship's system, monitoring them while they were under real-life combat stress. Flicking a display, he grunted in satisfaction as it showed the power distribution remaining green, even as the Meridian's systems were operating at max capacity. 'Looking good boys - keep an eye out on that intermix though.'

The warning shot automatically caught the attention of the attacking ship which quickly ended their attack. Still no response to the hail, but the ship turned his attention to the Meridian.

"What are they doing?" Emily questioned.

"Trying to determine if they want to try us," Hunt explained. "They'll find that were way out of their league."

A moment later the ship pulled off and went to warp. The Captain strongly considered going after them, but they need to focus on the cargo ship that clearly need their assistance.

"The cargo ship is contacting us," the communications officer spoke.

"Bring them up on the main viewer."

An older man appeared on the viewer. "This is Captain Ormoro of the cargo vessel. Whoever you are thank you."

"I'm Captain Andre Hunt of the USS Meridian of the United Federation of Planets. We were on our way to Trillus Prime transporting some of your people home when got your distress call. Can we offer you further assistance?"

Ormoro thought about the question. "We have a few injured over here and our engines took a serious hit."

"I'll send some engineers over to see how we can assist you," Andre suggested. "And what injured you have, prepare them to bring on board the Meridian for medical attention."

"Thank you, Captain."

Hunt tapped the comm on his chair. "Plaatjes prepare to take a team over there and see about getting their engines up and running. T'Ria standby by for injured coming your way. Carey keep an eye out and make sure that ship doesn't double back."

Flipping over the comm, Plaatjes answered, 'Aye captain - I'll take a small team and get her going in no time. Watch our backs, eh? Don't want those L'Dira coming back to take pot-shots at us.'

Medical was the next to come over the comm to acknowledge.

"Standdown red alert," Hunt ordered. "Trumer come with me please. We definitely need to have a conversation about these L'Dira."

=================
Captain Andre Hunt
Commanding Officer
USS Meridian

Commander Thomas Carey
Executive/Chief Armory Officer
USS Meridian

Lt. Commander Mattys Plaatjes
Chief Engineer Officer
USS Meridian

Major T'Ria
Chief Medical Officer
USS Meridian

Warrant Officer Emily Douglasdale
Helm Officer
USS Meridian

Warrant Officer Steve Baxter
Communications Officer
USS Meridian

 

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