Daughter of the Stars

Pursuit of the Narada

Stardate 2258.42

"Whatever the case, we need to get aboard Nero's ship undetected," Jim explained.

Currently Jim, McCoy, Mr. Scott, Sala, Sulu, Chekov, and Uhura were all attempting to create a solid plan of rescue and attack.

And everything that had been come up with so far was rather shaky.

"We can't just go in there guns blazing, Jim, not with their technology," McCoy pointed out.

"I'm telling you the math doesn't support what your suggesting," Sulu explained.

"Keeptin Kork. Keeptin Kork!" Chekov said, tapping Jim's shoulder to get his attention.

"Yes, Mr. Chekov. What is it?" Jim asked, turning to face the Ensign.

"Based on ze Narada's course from Wulcan, I have projected zat Nero will travel past Saturn. Like you said, we need to stay inwisible to Nero or he'll destroy us. If Mr. Scott can get us to warp factor four, and we drop out of warp behind one of Saturn's moons, say, Titan, ze magnetic distortion from ze planet's rings will make us inwisible to Nero's sensors. From zere, as long as ze drill is not actuated, we can beam aboard ze enemy ship."

"Aye, that might work," Mr. Scott said while working on drying one of his ears.

He had since changed into a Starfleet regulation uniform of his denomination as to get him out of his wet clothes.

"Wait a minute, kid. How old are you?" McCoy asked.

"Seventeen, sir," Chekov answered.

"Oh, good. He's seventeen."

"I have looked over the Ensign's calculations and they are sounds," Sala assured, "I can confirm his telemetry."

"If Mr. Sulu is able to maneuver us into position, I can beam aboard Nero's ship, steal back the black hole device, and, if possible, bring back Captain Pike," Spock said, re-entering the bridge.

"I won't allow you to do that, Mr. Spock," Jim said sternly.

"Romulans and Vulcans share a common ancestry. Our cultural similarities will make it easier for me to access the ship's computer to locate the device."

"Well by that logic Sala would be more qualified with her background in cultural studies, along with her Vulcan lineage," Jim said sarcastically.

He would not allow Sala to go aboard Nero's ship either.

"My mother was human, making Earth the only home I have left," Spock added.

There was a brief silence before Jim stepped towards Spock, "Then I'm coming with you."

"I would cite Regulation but I know you would simply ignore it."

"See? We are getting to know each other," Jim said, giving Spock a firm clap on the upper arm near the shoulder.

Jim made his way towards the door.

"Let's go with this plan. Sala, you will be in charge until Spock and I get back," Jim said before sparing a glance over his shoulder at the female Vulcan, "Keep her safe for me."

"Yes, sir," Sala simply answered.

"Spock, let's get ready to go."

With that, Jim left the bridge. Spock followed suit and the rest of the planning committee made their way to their stations. Sala moved to the Captain's chair and took a seat. She watched out at the space in front of her and waited for the plan to commence.

"Mr. Sulu, I will leave the maneuvering of the ship to your judgement," Sala said, knowing he was better suited for that role than herself.

"Aye, ma'am," Sulu replied.

It was another minute or two before the Enterprise began to approach Saturn.

"All stop in three, two, one," Sulu counted before dropping the ship out of warp.

Titan's haze of an atmosphere could be seen outside of the ship.

"Give me one-quarter impulse burst for five seconds," Sulu ordered, "I'll do the rest with thrusters. On my mark."

"Aye," Chekov replied, working with his interface.

"Fire."

The Enterprise began to rise from the hazy atmosphere of Titan, bringing clear space and a glimpse of Saturn into view.

"Well done, Mr. Sulu," Sala praised before opening a comms link to the transporter room, "Transporter room. We are in position above Titan."

"Really? Give my praise to Mr. Sulu," Mr. Scott said over the comm line.

There was a pause of silence before Jim's voice broke across the line.

"Whatever happens, Sala, if you think you have the tactical advantage, fire on that ship, even if we're still aboard."

Sala was about to rebuttal when Jim spoke again.

"That's an order, Sala."

Sala drew a deep breath before she replied, "Yes, sir."

"Otherwise we'll contact the Enterprise when we're ready to be beamed back."

"Good luck, Jim."

It was a few minutes before anything occurred.

"Zey have activated ze drill," Chekov relayed.

"Communications and transport are inoperative," Uhura updated as she entered the bridge, "Sulu, please tell me you have them. Otherwise we won't be able to beam them back."

"Kirk and Spock are on their own," Sulu muttered after thrusting a frustrated hand at his console interface.

Sala felt her grip on one of the Captain's chair armrests tighten over the tense situation. There was nothing she could do to aid two of her friends, who were aboard a ship full of hostiles.

It was several minutes before there was any change.

"Communications are back on line," Uhura said, relief in her tone.

"Mr. Sulu, relocate Jim and Spock's signals as quickly as you can," Sala ordered, her eyes trained on the screens in front of her.

"Aye," Sulu said, working this his interface.

It only took about forty-five seconds for Sulu to report.

"I've got their signals. Spock must have gotten a ship from in Nero's because their signals are far off from each other," Sulu updated, "Spock's signal has moved to warp."

Shortly after, Jim's signal, and the Narada went to warp as well.

"Follow them," Sala simply ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Sulu said, maneuvering the ship to put her into warp in pursuit of the Narada.

"We are coming, Spock, Jim. Just hold on," Sala muttered to herself.

The Enterprise could be heard priming for warp before she launched, following the trails of the Narada and the ship Spock had obtained.