The Vulcan Changeling Project

Cradle of Death

Muriah watched in horror when the bird of prey fired upon the Enterprise. She then clutched at Tiberius' arm. "We must help them."

Tiberius grimaced. "How? We are no match for a bird of prey."

"We are small but we could out maneuver her, giving the Enterprise more time."

Tiberius sighed. "We must all agree. This could be a suicide mission."

The small crew all looked at one another and nodded. "The Federation is our only chance at freedom."

Tiberius then took his wife's hand. "I am only agreeing to this on one condition. You must take the escape pod."

Muriah shook her head. "I will not leave you."

"Muriah, you must. Please do it for our unborn child."

***

The bridge of the Enterprise rocked with each new hit, while Sulu called out stats. Uhura forced herself to remain calm in the midst of chaos. A ping on her board drew her attention away from the rest of the crew. "Sir, there's a message coming in."

"What now?" Kirk growled.

Uhura turned in her chair. "Captain, you're back." Her smile froze when she noticed how ashen his complexion appeared. She then asked the question no one else dared. "Sir, are you alright?"

Her soft voice calmed Kirk, until another blast rocked the bridge. "Lieutenant, I'm fit for duty."

McCoy's voice cut through his bravado. "The hell you are...Sir."

Kirk frowned, not able to come up with a quick retort. "Lieutenant, the message...now."

"It's from a trader ship, Sir. Tiberius and a small group of rebels were attempting to make it aboard the Enterprise when the bird of prey attacked. They are going to attempt to act as a diversion." Uhura then paused, listening to the rest of the message. "Sir, Muriah has gone into labor."

"We can't bring our shields down. I'm afraid they're on their own."

***

Tiberius wrung his hands, unable to calm himself or his wife. I won't let them die, but what can I do? I'm a healer not a warrior. A voice next to him jolted Tiberius from his thoughts.

"Sir, I have an idea."

***

"Sulu, target their weapons systems, now." Kirk ordered.

Sulu swore when he missed his target.

"Sulu, come on."

"I'm trying Sir, doing what I can."

Scotty's voice cut through the sirens. "Captain, we can't take much more of this."

"Tell me something I don't know Mister Scott. Scotty is there any way we can bring our shields down for a few seconds?"

"Bring our shields down. Ach, you must be joking Captain, we'll be lucky if there are any shields."

Kirk sighed, looking into Uhura's brown eyes. "I'm sorry," he mouthed.

Uhura nodded, turning back to her post. The bridge doors swished open, admitting Spock. "Where've you been, Mister Spock?" Kirk snapped.

Spock didn't reply, he just went to his station. When another blast shook the ship, Uhura stumbled into him. He held her in his arms a moment longer than necessary, then steadied her before making his way to his post. "Captain, there is a small ship approaching the bird of prey."

"Put it on screen."

"My god, "McCoy gasped." they'll be killed, fried, incinerated..."

"Bones, stop. I think we all get the picture." Kirk then tightened his jaw, while he attempted to think of a way to save both ships. After a few moments, he grinned. "Sulu, I want you to aim everything you got at that small ship, but delay the charge to half-second intervals."

Sulu turned away from Uhura and McCoy's horror stricken faces. "Yes, Sir."

Lieutenant Uhura, get that small ship on the com and scramble the message.

***

Tiberius and another crew member listened to Kirk's instructions with skepticism, then admiration. They both looked at one another. "Well, Kirk's either a genius or a mad man, either way we have no options." Tiberius glanced over to where Muriah lay, attempting to rest, then he locked eyes with each crew member. "Do as he says."

***

Talareth looked on in disbelief when she saw the small ship heading straight towards them. She then held up her hand. "Cease fire."

Her communications officer looked back. "Commander, we are receiving a message from the small ship. "It's in Romulan."

***

The bridge crew erupted in applause when the firing stopped. "It' looks like it worked, Sir."

Kirk frowned. "Don't get too cocky, Mister Sulu. They've still got to avoid our timed release torpedoes."

***

Talareth couldn't believe her good fortune. The little ship contained a prize that she thought had been well beyond her grasp. It held the woman, that science experiment and her offspring would soon be in their hands. "Victory will be ours," she shouted. "When they get closer, lower our shields. The Enterprise should be spent by now." My reward will be great, perhaps even a seat in the senate.

"Commander, the ship isn't slowing. It's going to ram right into us."

"Evasive maneuvers. Pull them in with a tractor beam if you must. Do whatever it takes to get them in here. I want the woman alive."

"Commander there all several women aboard."

"Why does everything have to be so complicated? Just follow orders. Beam all the women aboard. We'll sort them out later, then bomb that little ship to hell and back."