Episode 5: "Trapped"

Once again, the Captain of the Gibraltar had assembled his most trusted crew in the Transporterroom. Once again, they prepared to face the unknown. But this time, the unknown was very close to home. Sensors had detected a Federation Starship -the USS Challenger, Galaxy Class, no less- in orbit of a planet. This was odd to begin with, since there weren't supposed to be any other Starfleet ships in this sector, or this deep into what used to be Romulan space. Furthermore... the Challenger didn't answer any hails. No lifesigns could be found, whatsoever.

What happened to all those people? Captain McMillan couldn't help but wonder as he suited up for the mission. He strapped a phaser to his side. Was this really necessary? Boarding an unmanned ship? Still, protocol required it. And for once, he didn't disagree with it. Who knew whatever happened to the crew of the Challenger. Over a 1000 people... lost... or killed? A chill crept down his spine. Not a pleasant thought.

Quickly, the Captain regained his composure, and turned to his crew. "Let's go." As he dematerialised, he silently wondered what ill fate would await them. Well, whatever it was, he'd soon find out.



The Bridge of a Galaxy Class Starship usually is as functional as it is pretty. The wooden arc which holds Tactical and Communications gives a comfortable atmosphere. The carpet is often preferred by various Captains over that of other starships, and the chairs are equally comfortable. Unless there's a crisis, anyone being on the Bridge of a Galaxy Class Starship would feel at ease.

Captain McMillan and his crew did not feel at ease when they entered the Bridge of the Challenger.

"Surprise..." A somewhat familiar voice said in biting irony, as the doors parted. Immediately, the Gibraltar crew already on the Challenger Bridge raised their weapons
at the person sitting in the Captain's Chair. This woman was shorter than McMillan was, and her blond hair was a stark contrast with the dark suit she was wearing. She had a pleasant appearance... beautiful even, the Captain had to admit. For a moment McMillan's mind started to wander, but he quickly focussed on the situation at hand. This woman, despite her good looks, was not a good sign. "Welcome on board the Challenger, Captain."

"Slade." McMillan stated simply. The USS Gibraltar spent many weeks tracking this dangerous renegade Starfleet officer... and now, they hadn't found her... she had found *them*. They had come here, expecting a lot. But not this.

And then, it happened. "Since you where so nice to all join me here at the bridge let me inform you that you are trapped." The words hadn't left Slade's mouth, or forcefields jumped online in front of the Bridge's exits. Panic struck in the otherwise so calm Starfleet officers, and even more weapons than before were trained on the renegade. McMillan swore softly under his breath, and then turned to face the woman now standing before the Captain's Chair. The woman who was their nemesis.

The woman who should not be underestimated. Ever.

But then again, there were several Starfleet officers here on this Bridge, all aiming their weapons at her. She was but a lone woman. Sure, she was *Slade*, and that counted for something, but even her would not be able to evade this much weaponsfire. Captain McMillan said this... and as he did, he realised he made the very mistake he swore to himself he wouldn't make. He underestimated her.

Slade smiled. It was a smile unlike any the Captain had ever seen. Beautiful yet intimidating. For the umpteenth time, he felt himself shudder. Whatever it was, Slade had the upper hand... and she knew it.

"You can fire, but you'll only damage the furniture." She answered, gesturing at the chairs around. "You see, I am just a holographic projection."

The Operations Officer, Mr. Menkez, silently confirmed this. "No lifesigns other than us Sir." He reported. "She's not lying."

Damn. McMillan thought. Damn. We walked right into her trap. He looked around, and noticed that only part of this crew had been trapped here. A flicker of hope echoed in the Captain, since his First Officer Arado, Ambassador Qinan and Lt. Heron were still outside, at the transporterroom... perhaps they could do something?

Time. McMillan knew he had to stall for time. If his officers were going to do *anything*, they'd need to have the time to do that. "So how did you get your hands on the Challenger Slade?" He asked, taking a step forward. "And where did you leave the crew?"

Again that smile. Again the chills down the Captain's spine. "Oh, let's say that the Challenger's Captain and I quickly came to the agreement that it's better to have a vacation on a nice m-class planet just outside the neutral zone, than have his ship blown up."

For a moment... just for a moment, McMillan closed his eyes. He thought of the Challenger's Captain and crew, wondering if they were alright. He was certain the Challenger's Captain had made the right choice: nobody seemed to be able to mess with Slade.

As the Captain opened his eyes, he noticed that Slade still had more to say. "So Captain." She started again. "A little challenge, on the Challenger." McMillan resisted an urge to sigh at this bad pun, especially in the midst of this situation, and continued to listen. Whatever it would be... it would not be good. "I have locked the helm." She continued. "You steer directly to the sun of this system. And if I can count right, you have about 15 minutes to solve that mess."

Captain McMillan was shocked, as was his crew. Helm was locked, and just 15 minutes left to go? Things were looking more grim, even though the Captain had thought that wasn't possible...

"Well, if you'd please excuse me," Slade commentted to the speechless crew. "Even thought I'd hate to miss another sunbath, I have better things to do than play hide and seek with Starfleet." And with those words, the Slade hologram 'poofed'... leaving the Gibraltar crew stranded on the USS Challenger... with only 15 minutes until obliteration.

And all McMillan could think at the moment, was Damn. She's good.



Commander Arado cursed under his breath. He had been just outside the Bridge when the forcefields were raised. He, the Ambassador and Lt. Heron couldn't access the Bridge now. But what else could they do? Perhaps there was some way of getting past these forcefields. But even if they could... how to get rid of the lockout? Captain McMillan had informed him and the others left outside. Time was of the essence now. Perhaps the Gibraltar could help out? Arado had already ordered the Intrepid class ship to follow the Challenger. Perhaps a Tractorbeam could do the trick... though on a Galaxy Class starship, it wouldn't really make a difference, now would it.

His commbadge chirped again. "Commander," He heard the voice of Captain McMillan, "It would seem we're in luck. The Tactical console is still active... though it's protected by a code. We have to crack that first."

Again, a soft curse came from the Commander. Lieutenant Kelly Heron was *the* expert on cracking codes. There was no other like her. And she's not able to reach the console... Arado thought soberly. Had Slade planned this? He wouldn't put anything past that woman anymore... She seemed to be capable of anything. I should have foreseen this. I should have...

"Commander," McMillan's voice interrupted him, "How about the prefix code?"

A faint smile was put on Arado's face. Of course. The prefix code. Every ship had one: specifically or situations like these. They just had to transmit the prefix code to the Challenger, and *poof*, its shields would collapse, and control over the Challenger would belong to the Gibraltar crew again. "I'll get right on it Sir. I just hope we have the time."



Timing was indeed a problem. "5 minutes remaining." Lt.jg Fitzgerald stated. He was working on a wall at the side of the Bridge. He knew that if he could just get to the tubes, wires and computer controls located just on the other side of this wall, he might be able to get rid of the forcefields surrounding the Bridge. This would take quite some time... and that was exactly what they didn't have. One look on the viewscreen said enough: the sun was getting closer and closer.

"Fine." He muttered, and got his phaser rifle. He aimed it at the wall... and fired. Crude but efficient. The CEO thought, as he began to look for the wiring he needed.

"Captain." He spoke up. "I think we found it." At McMillan's nod, he went to work, eager to get off of this ship. A few moments later, the forcefields on the Bridge did go down... but their problems weren't over.

"Self destruct initiated. 1 minute to detonation." the sterile voice of the Challenger's computer informed the crew.

"Captain." Arado's voice came over the Comm. "We found the prefix code. If you want to lower the shields..."

McMillan interrupted the Commander as he stood up from the Captain's Chair. "It would seem like we have control already... though stand by to beam everyone off immediately. It would seem we have inadvertedly activated the Self Destruct sequence. Get us all out... now!"

With just seconds to spare, the last souls ever to walk on the Bridge of the Challenger again, disappeared in a flash of blue light.



On the Bridge of the Gibraltar, the entire Bridge crew watched the Galaxy class starship blow up in a burst of flames. "Just in time Commander." McMillan complimented the First Officer. As he sat in his own chair again, he glanced at the viewscreen, where the Challenger's debris was still spinning around. He couldn't help but wonder, even though they escaped with their lives... if they couldn't have done better. They had to have been able to save the ship. To save the information on that ship, on when Slade had boarded the Challenger. All that was lost now.

The Captain allowed himself a moment to gather his thoughts, but it was interrupted by Lt. Heron. McMillan was glad to see the Lieutenant being here: from what he had heard over the comm, she had taken quite a risk trying to get to the Challenger's Engineering.

"Captain," Ms. Heron spoke up. "Sensors are detecting a Starfleet Runabout warping out of this system. It could be Slade. We should set in a persuit course."

For a moment, this sounded tempting. The Captain wanted to apprehend this renegade, more than anyone else. For professional, and personal reasons... some of which this crew didn't know of. He almost gave the order... but then remembered what had happened here. "No." He answered, causing shock and surprise amongst his crew. "No, we have the crew of the Challenger to save. We will catch up with Slade another time." Letting her go was difficult... very difficult. But he had to think of the thousand men women and children, stuck on some planet just outside the old neutral zone. "Start scanning for ion traces belonging to the Challenger. I want to know where she's been last, and..."

"Captain, permission to follow Slade in a shuttlecraft?" Lt. Heron didn't give up. Despite the situation, McMillan grimaced. Heron was without fear, it would seem. If anyone could follow Slade, it'd be Heron. "Very well Lieutenant." He agreed, reluctantly. "Take a shuttle and follow that runabout. And... be careful."



As Heron raced off of the Bridge, McMillan couldn't help but feel he had made another terrible mistake.