Captain Kartarac listened to Tierrak's report, that the reload on the drive computer system had failed to correct the problem. Now, with the ship approaching them, they could not continue any work on the drive system.

Kartarac instructed his Engineering Chief to keep power to low levels, it was possible the enemy did not know the capabilities of the Toronaga. The Captain had four cannons and the two Ram Shields charged earlier. Two additional heavy bolt cannons would have to wait until it was time to fire them. And only after the plates hiding them were blown free of the ship. His plan was to make the ship appear less capable than it truly was, practicing the art of deception that he used most often. When the Toronaga had been used as the escort vessel in convoys, she appeared to be a standard large freighter in the group. More than once, an unsuspecting pirate had bitten off more than he could chew. More than once, their cover had been blown by something as simple as not masking their power, or charging bolt cannons too late. Kartarac worked over the control panel, making sure nothing was overlooked. This time there would be no margin for error.

They kept to the asteroid field as the enemy ship approached. The Toronaga's sensors and scanners powered up and began scanning. They revealed a great deal about the approaching ship. It was a Mostrel light cruiser, with a refit. The captain mused as he looked over the incoming data. "They outgun us and can out maneuver us," he grumbled. He stopped and checked the status of the ship's systems. All systems appeared well, with exception to the drive system.

"Razva?"

"Yes, captain?"

"Contact the patrol from the last sector. Make them aware of the situation before we are jammed."

"In progress, Captain. The Mostrel are attempting to jam us, but they are presently too far away."

"Good. And when they call for our surrender, let them eat static." The captain continued to watch the cruiser, beginning to analyze his enemy as he approached. "This asteroid field will cause our enemy some problems."

Caralsov shook his head. "Sir, how long will we stay in the field?"

"That will depend. Staying in the field will enhance our chances of survival," answered the captain.

"But it will effect our use of the ram shields, and we could take damage from the field!"

A stern Kartarac looked toward Caralsov. "It will be your responsibility to ensure we do not take such damage. You must be focused and alert. Caralsov, a great deal depends on you."

Caralsov nodded his head and continued navigating the ship through the field. So far, they only needed to dodge a few, smaller rocks, but that was changing.

"Chief," Kartarac spoke into the comm. unit.

"Aye sir?" Chakyar responded.

"Stay down in engineering for this one. I'll need every bit from you and your crew down there."

"Aye, that bad?"

Kartarac paused, "Aye."

Tierrak strode onto the bridge, followed by two security guards who took their position near the front of the bridge. Tierrak then reported to the captain of all that had occurred. "Very well," the captain began. "And you found our guests ready and knowledgeable of their duties?"

"Yes, captain. They are well versed and have some interesting experiences to boot."

"Good, take your station and - " he stopped as he finally noticed the cut in Tierrak's head and frowned.

"It happened in engineering while we were working on the system."

The captain nodded. "Get that cleaned up, quickly."

"Aye, Captain." Tierrak turned and went over to a panel on the wall beside the navigator's console. There, he opened a small door and took out a med kit.

Kartarac turned back to the sensor station and continued watching the ship. "They are not charging their bolt cannons, and they will soon be in range to fire." He thought for a moment. "They don't have the power upgrade." He frowned. "Which means they'll have dual missile launchers."

"Great," Tierrak muttered under his breath as he finished putting the kit away. He returned to his station and checked the status of the ship's weapons. "Cannons and ram shields charged, heavy cannons ready for charging. And captain, we are still having trouble with our portside pulse cannon."

"Use it as single fire, Tierrak. Hopefully, it will last." He stepped towards the main viewer. "Tactical view, expand view to level two." He watched for a moment. "Implement plan Gamma."

Tierrak chuckled and called down to engineering," Chief, plan Gamma. Put on a good show down there!"

"Incoming missiles," the captain stated coldly. "Four, type I, medium speed"

"Mark Ones," Tierrak echoed the captain's report. "Target them?"

The captain nodded, "No rocks close enough to put between us and the missiles, before they reach us." He looked over the tactical display for a second. "Drop a mine, adjust course so they run over it."

Two "Aye sir's" rang out immediately. A moment later, a small object slipped out of the ship's lower hull.

Kartarac mused. "They are slowing. Are the shuttles ready?"

Razva responded, "Two shuttles standing by in the bay, two more ready to move into launch position." Tierrak reported that the mine exploded and destroyed them.

"Launch shuttles. Starboard turn, 40 degrees."

The rear bay door of the Toronaga produced two shuttles. Their small engines, which were glowing faintly, brightened immensely as they cleared and then positioned themselves just behind the ship.

"Shuttles are active, sir. Two incoming mark ones."

"Razva, direct the shuttles to dispatch the missiles." Kartarac watched the cruiser. "He is maneuvering to come up on our starboard side."

Tierrak growled, "Come closer, fool."

"Patience, Tierrak. He will come in time." The captain patted his XO on the shoulder. Outside, the cruiser adjusted its course to parallel the Toronaga's.

"Shuttle group two standing by to launch, sir," Razva informed.

"Faint a turn to port. When our line of sight is obscured, come around the asteroid on our starboard side and launch the shuttles. Be ready to charge the bolt cannons."

Tierrak leaned forward over the console. "Battery power ready for transfer to the bolt cannons, blast plates... primed." He flexed his muscles and closed his eyes for a moment. He was beginning to feel adrenaline racing through his body.

"When Chief brings up the power, reinforce the forward shields." He stepped back to his command chair and checked the enemy's distance. "Ignite one ram shield, range two in twenty seconds. Chief, Bring power up at that time!"

"Aye, Captain" was heard from the comm panel.

The second pair of shuttles dropped out of the bay and flew under the Toronaga's underside as she passed the asteroid. The Mostrel cruiser came around from the other side of the asteroid as the Toronaga emerged from around the huge rock. Four missiles leapt from the racks of the cruiser and began their race to the freighter.

"Stand by on sphere 2, range one. Ease to port." Kartarac began a new string of orders as the two ships drew close.

The Mostrel cruiser continued moving forward, firing her three bolt cannons as she cleared the asteroid. Two missed cleanly, but the third, overloaded, struck the Toronaga's front side shield, nearly taking it down. The Toronaga's shuttles dispatched two missiles while the surviving ones were grabbed by tractor repulsors. An orange sphere of flame ignited around the huge freighter. Then, two plates blew off the bow of the Toronaga.

"Heavy cannons... ready!" Tierrak reported.

The captain smiled, and then frowned. "They dropped a shuttle. Set the second sphere at range zero. Fire all cannons at the cruiser, now!"

Green orbs and white shots flew from the Ky ship, striking the cruiser's port shield. The Toronaga was rocked from several cannon shots from the cruiser, just before the cruiser smashed into the outer sphere.

"Port shield is down by sixty-seven percent, forward ninety-six percent, sphere one is exhausted," Tierrak reported. "Their forward shield is completely down, but no structural damage, port down by 90%. Their shuttle launched six missiles."

"Ignite sphere, fire one cannon at a missile, optimum range."

Tierrak acknowledged, "Aye sir. Two more aft from the cruiser."

The captain nodded. "Tierrak, reinforce the aft shields and destroy the tractored missiles when pulse cannons have recharged. Caralsov, turn starboard 50 degrees!"

The crew responded quickly. As the six missiles approached, a pulse shot destroyed one while the rest struck the second sphere, just as it ignited. The sphere collapsed, but it held off the missiles. Behind them the shuttle group dispatched the last two missiles as they raced by the freighter.

"They're targeting our shuttles!" Tierrak announced as he tracked the enemy's starboard turn.

"Hold cannons for the next wave of missiles," Kartarac ordered.

"Aye, sir. And here they come. Four more, heavy missiles - groups of two."

The Toronaga rocked as she absorbed more cannon hits, the aft shield glowing brightly.

Karatarac barked out more orders, "Tierrak, drop a mine. Caralsov, prepare for an high energy turnabout and increase speed on my mark."

"Dropping mine, Captain. Aft shield down by thirty one percent."

"Razva, any response?"

"I was able to inform them of our situation. But little else."

"Let's hope that was enough." Kartarac stood up and went to the sensor console to look over the ship. "Tierrak, how far have the science teams gotten with their shuttles?"

Tierrak looked over his console and punched up a screen to show the status. "Two are nearly done, and the next pair are coming along."

Behind the freighter, the mine exploded, destroying two missiles.

"He will be more cautious, trying to strip our shields before closing. Maneuver us in-between those two asteroids ahead. Have the shuttles turn 165 degrees in 10 seconds."

"Ready for the turn, captain," Caralsov reported.

Kartarac waited for the cruiser to close and fire its bolt cannons. The hits drove the aft shield down greatly. "Chief, I need more power!"

"Aye, Captain," the engineer wearily responded.

The shuttle group turned away from the Toronaga. And the cruiser continued moving towards the larger ship, firing two more missiles as she did. Green orbs erupted from her bow, but only half hit their target, striking the port aft shield as the Toronaga turned about. An orange glow erupted about the freighter as a ram shield ignited again. The two ships closed on each other once more. The sphere touched the cruiser's shield, burning through it, but it also came across a mine, which detonated against the sphere and reduced its devastating power.

As the cruiser continued a long turn to starboard, she fired two missiles. The Toronaga fired her bolt cannons as the enemy veered away. They hit, but did little as they struck a fresh shield. Pulse cannons lashed out from the larger ship, destroying two incoming missiles.

The Mostrel struck with defensive cannons, tearing the Toronaga's port shield down. The Toronaga slowed a bit, just as the second ram shield lit up at its maximum radius. The cruiser, stuck inside the sphere, slid into it. And the ship burned. Another pair of missiles flew out at the shuttles.

As the two ships drifted apart, the cruiser fired again at the Toronaga, bringing down her shield and scoring damage to engines and a bolt cannon. Suddenly, the cruiser's own aft shield dropped.

On the bridge of the Toronaga, things were a blur as the crew raced to respond. Tierrak was rattling off the list of damaged systems. "Forward shields down, engine power down nine percent, one bolt cannon damaged, aft shield down-" Tierrak stopped and then shouted loudly, "Teleporter action!"