DRAGON'S TEETH
Episode 127
Part D

 

Janeway: "I don't know about the rest of you but I'm ready to get moving. What's our status?"
Paris: "Impulse engines are online."
Tuvok: "Shields at maximum. Weapons standing by."
Janeway: "Tom, prepare to initiate the ascent sequence in-"
The ground trembles.
Chakotay: "Report!"
Kim: "Massive energy readings coming from the central chamber."
Tuvok: "It's the Vaadwaur. They're launching the first wave of ships. Seventeen vessels have broken through the surface. They're at an altitude of 2,000 metres and charging weapons."

Paris: "Ma'am, they're not ascending into orbit. They're heading straight for Voyager." Janeway: "Tom." Paris: "Engaging thrusters. Initiating ascent sequence."

Tuvok: "Vaadwaur ships approaching off our starboard bow."

Janeway: "Target phasers, full spread."

Vaadwaur ships hurtle towards their target - Voyager.

Paris: "We're airborne." Chakotay: "What altitude do we need on this planet, Tom, before we can go to warp?"

Paris: "We'll have to clear the thermosphere. 280 kilometres at least."

Tuvok: "Shields at 92 per cent." Janeway: "Phasers."

Below 6 pictures: Voyager runs the gauntlet of Vaadwaur ships but manages to launch.

1	2
3	4
5	6

Tuvok: "We've disabled four of their ships."

Chakotay: "They've launched another 39 vessels."

Janeway: "Evasive maneuvers." Paris: "It's no use. They're closing on all sides." Kim: "Direct hit to the port thrusters!" Paris: "We're losing altitude." Janeway: "Reroute emergency power. We need to get into orbit."

>Tuvok: "Targetting sensors offline. Switching to manual." Janeway: "Harry, can you open a secure channel to the Turei ships in orbit?" Kim: "Yes, ma'am, but that would give away our position. They could lock on with plasma charges." Janeway: "I think it's time we reacquaint a couple of old friends. Hail them."

In the Vaadwaur central chamber, Gaul and Morin watch the wall monitor which displays a schematic of the assault.

Morin: "Voyager's shields are weakening but they're gaining altitude again. They're approaching the thermosphere." Gaul: "Launch another squadron."

Morin flicks the requisite switch.

Voyager's bridge.
Paris: "We've got nine more fighters on our tail."
Tuvok: "Aft shields down to 20 per cent."
Kim: "Captain, the Turei are responding."
Janeway: "Put them through."

Turei commander, on viewscreen: "What do you want?" Janeway: "I've got a proposition for you." Turei commander, on viewscreen: "No more talk! Prepare to be boarded."

Janeway: "Tell me, have you been picking up weapons fire?" Turei commander, on viewscreen: "We have detected some unusual energy signatures, yes." Janeway: "That's because we're under attack by the Vaadwaur." Turei commander, on viewscreen: "Impossible. They were destroyed centuries ago."

Gedrin: "Some of us have survived."

Janeway: "They've got over two hundred ships. They said something about wanting their subspace corridors back. I suggest we join forces and try to neutralise the threat here and now. What's more important to you, deleting the records of a Federation ship that means you no harm, or defending yourselves against hundreds of Vaadwaur fighters who are determined to invade your under-space? I suggest you pick your enemy."

Turei commander, on viewscreen: "Our sensors can't penetrate the atmosphere. How can we fight an enemy we can't see?"

Chakotay: "We have access to one of their surveillance satellites. We could use it to transmit their vital co-ordinates to you." Turei commander, on viewscreen: "If this is a deception-"

Kim: "I'm having trouble establishing a link with the satellite. Our sensor array took heavy damage."

Gedrin: "I could access it from the underground control chamber. Transport me there. Not all of my people are stuck in the past, Captain."
Janeway: "Tuvok, go with him."
They enter the turbolift.

Vaadwaur central chamber. Morin: "We've impacted their hull. There are breaches in progress on two decks."

Gaul: "They'll have to reroute power from their shields to seal them. They'll have no choice but to put down. Have our ground forces ready."

Stealthily, Tuvok enters the underground chamber, followed by Gedrin.

Tuvok phasers a Vaadwaur officer.

Gedrin takes his place at the controls

He activates the surveillance satellite.