Editing Epic of the Hugo & the Templar (section)

==Part 3==

Stardate 2407.07.09

(USS Templar – Bridge – CO Captain Henri Li – 14.45)

Henri laughed mirthlessly as the Templar shuddered from the pounding from some of the Hugo’s torpedos.

“Captain, we’ve lost decks 5 and 6” reported Planchet, his fingers moving swiftly reviewing the incoming data.

“Seal them off and divert the power to the shields.” he ordered.  He cursed allowing some of his crew leave for the Hugo those many months ago.

He knew that there’d be some who’d go, but he hadn’t thought that his conn officer would leave.  And that was who was piloting the Hugo out of Templar’s hail of torpedos.

He looked at his display that crackled as he tried to figure out what the Hugo was doing.  If he could anticipate their next move, he could cripple her engines.

~Ah, ha!~ he thought, as he punched in some commands.

“Helm, execute Li Omega Epsilon” he said.

The Templar swung around catching the Hugo on its starboard side striking the weapon pod on the top.

“Open channel, Good trick, Eva.  I’d almost forgotten that one.” he said, almost in a good natured, conversational tone.

(USS Hugo – Bridge – CO Eva Kollantai – 14.50)

Eva cursed.  She addressed her bridge-crew. 
"Right... he's going to know..."  Her voice trailed off, now was not the time to go down that avenue.

Instead, she looked directly at the dark black eyes that appeared larger than life on the screen in front of her.  Not taking her eyes off them for a second, she instructed her bridge crew.

"Full strength to the shields, divert power to structural integrity of the damaged area.  Bring us about again"

"Best not to forget.  Maryvic's tactical course.  I beat you there, and here will be no different"

Eva turned to her communications officer "cut that channel"

The viewscreen blinked off.

"Now.."  Eva said pensively as she was alone with her bridge crew.  "Bring us about, and then at the last minute, turn and fire on the outer ring of flyers.  They don't need all those extras..."

(USS Templar – Bridge – CO Captain Henri Li – 14.55)

Henri blinked as the channel was cut.

“Sir, she’s coming around right at us.” reported Planchet.

“Of course she is, her forward shields are stronger.  Prepare a full salvo of torpedoes.  Fire on my mark. Target shields” he said.

The helm read off the distance.

“Fire!” he ordered.

“Torpedoes away, sir.” acknowledged Planchet.

~We’ve got you.  Just surrender.  It doesn’t have to be this way.~ he thought.

Henri watched as tiny globes of light spewed forth from his ten remaining launchers flew out and missed completely, as the Hugo turned at the last minute and knocking out most of one of the fighter groups.

Henri slammed his fist on his console. “Have we got the hangars back online?  We need to get them out there!”

~Before we’re not here anymore~ he thought to himself, as he scanned the damage reports.

(USS Hugo – Bridge – CO Captain Eva Kollantai – 15.00)

"Direct hit to the outer ring of fighters. They also tried to fire on us, but missed"

Kollontai nodded.  "He's going to try and come back.  Let's see if we can boost the shields.  Expect the unexpected.  However, in the meantime, let's fire a wide-field spread so that it doesn't seem like we're just waiting for his unexpected to show up on our doorstep."

There were nods all around as the bridge crew did as they were told.

(USS Templar – Bridge – CO Captain Henri Li – 15.05)

Henri looked at his ship’s damage reports. It was starting to get serious. He still outgunned the Hugo, but she was more maneuverable.  He had to find a way to end this fast.

~Hmmm…~ he stroked his beard, ~Would she listen?~

“Bring her around,” he said, “Prepare all weapons.”

“Aye, aye.” the conn responded.

“Open a channel” he ordered.

“Channel open,” Planchet said.

“Your shields won’t hold, Eva.  Surrender and I’ll leave the Hugo alone. I’ll let your crew use the escape pods.  This can’t last forever.” he said.

(USS Hugo – Bridge – CO Captain Eva Kollantai – 15.10)

Eva looked at the face on the screen across from her.  She carefully studied its expression.  Her decision was made almost before the proposition was offered.

"Not a chance, Henri.  I'm not the one with the damage reports coming in faster than the processors can process them.  I don't need to hide, I won't go off running.  The Hugo won't surrender, and even if it did. Who do you think would come to the rescue of those escape pods.  No one. Remember that when you are planning your escape, Henri, there's no one here to save you now..."

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(Posted by Kat and Kaweo)