Predators Part 1

Posted on Fri Jan 10th, 2025 @ 4:55pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Petty Officer 1st Class Kipp Lak
Edited on on Fri Jan 10th, 2025 @ 8:19pm

1,804 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: A Long Hard Road Ahead
Location: DS18, Deck 60
Timeline: 07 Oct, 2396- 0800 Hours

[ON]

Malcom and Kipp walked side-by-side down the interior corridor of Deck 60, each wearing their best dress uniform. Malcom was glad to see that this section of the starbase had been prioritized for repairs. The hallway was wide and clean, with regular meeting areas at random intervals in the form of alcoves made comfortable with cushioned seating. The floors were also carpeted, and they absorbed the sound of the duo's footsteps. Because the deck was on the mid-spin section and lay just underneath one of the main docking pylons, the ceilings were set with wide window bays that gave an impressive view of the stars. One out of every ten windows had also been built as a stained glass window, and the outside lighting from the docking pylon flowed down through the glass and dappled the hallway with beauty.

"Thank you for arranging this, Kipp," Malcom said.

Kipp nodded his head. "Of course, sir. It was my pleasure."

They walked silently for a moment, passing a set of double doors that were locked open. Malcom's brief glance revealed a set of equipment bundled in the middle of a large room. He could tell that the flooring, a heavy padded mat, had already been installed.

"Was the flooring fabricated on the Firebird?" Malcom asked.

"Yes, sir. The flooring, some of the stained glass segments, and quite a few other items as well. The ship's industrial replicators have worked nearly non-stop," his yeoman said.

"I like that. It feels good to know we helped."

Kipp didn't have to respond. He and the Captain had talked about this project a number of times. Both had agreed that, while there had been other projects that should have been a higher priority, none would affect morale the same way.

They left the padded room behind them and continued past three other doors that were closed. They passed no other people. Neither felt compelled to chat just to fill the time. They simply enjoyed the walk and anticipated the room they approached.

A young Starfleet doctor stood at the end of the corridor. She was tall, with long fingers clasped together in front of her. She had a network of wrinkles around her eyes and near the corners of her mouth. Her uniform and her black hair, which was pulled back in a no-nonsense bun, were perfect in all aspects. She smiled at them when they approached

"Captain Llwyedd, it is so nice to finally meet you in person, she said, holding out her hand. "You two look fabulous."

Malcom shook her hand, taking note of the strength in her grip. "The pleasure is all mine, Commander Beatrix and thank you. My apologies that I couldn't get out here much before the event. My Yeoman can assure you that I am busy all day, every day, and finding time for all the important things is difficult."

Kipp gave a shallow bow to the doctor. "Captain Llwyedd tells the truth, Commander. He has twenty-seven meetings after this one."

Commander Beatrix let out a laugh that turned into a snort, which embarrassed her, and she covered her face. "Making great first impressions. Why don't we go inside?" She said and turned to the door. It opened as she stepped towards it, and the main space became visible. At first glance, it looked like one of a thousand sickbays that could be found all over Starfleet. But as Kipp and Malcom walked in further, it quickly became apparent that this was something different.

They moved past the regular beds and walked through an archway. On the other side, the lighting was much softer, and there were eight smaller alcoves. Each was well-appointed and designed to provide maximum comfort to the patients. All of them were empty, except one.

As they approached, Malcom couldn't help but size up the two people. One was a young man. He wore the red uniform of command, like Malcom and Kipp. He had bright red hair and a well-trimmed beard and stood up straight. The only sign of worry was the darting of his eyes to the biobed nearby.

The woman on the bed was radiant. The memory of Jillian in San Francisco, looking much the same, washed over Malcom with a physical force. His steps faltered for a second. She was wearing a loose, flowing gown that looked comfortable but also provided some protection from the eternal cold that all sickbays produced. The gown also revealed she was very pregnant. She had deep brown hair, bright blue eyes, and a small scar over her left eye.

Commander Beatrix smiled at the two of them. "Captain Llwyedd, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Lieutenant JG Justin Croner and his wife Lieutenant Ethel Jones. They serve on the science ship Regula."

Malcom's heartbeat picked up. "It is my pleasure to meet you both," he said. "I was told that you needed my help. So here I am."

Justin nodded. "Yes, sir. I... that is... we...," the young man stammered, gesturing at Ethel."

Ethel laughed and placed a calming hand on Justin's forearm. "Sir, the two of us have been together for the past three years. We're about to have a baby. We'd prefer to be married when the child arrives. It will save a lot of trouble with my parents."

Justin nodded.

"It would be my pleasure," Malcom said. "Kipp, do you have..." he started to say and then a PADD appeared in his hand.

"Right here, sir," Kipp said with a smile.

"Thanks."

Malcom took the PADD and brought up the document he'd prepared. He cleared his throat.

"It is my honor and privilege to be here at your request. You could have asked anyone to perform this ceremony. I hope that it will be an enduring memory for the two of you. This ceremony and your child's birth soon after will be the first marriage and the first birth on DS18 since the attack. Thank you for helping usher in the opening of this new medical ward with two wonderful events," Malcom said. "Are we ready?"

Justin and Ethel looked at each other and smiled. Malcom thought it was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen.

---

They'd stayed at the small reception far longer than Malcom had intended. But it was hard to tell Lieutenant Jones no as she insisted he try all of the food. Not that Malcom had objected too much.

"How did I do, Kipp?" He asked as they began retracing their steps.

Kipp considered the Captain's question. The truth was that Captain Llwyedd was a romantic and tended to be overly flowery sometimes. But he knew that wasn't what Malcom wanted to hear.

"Everything was perfect, sir. I'm sure the two of them will never forget the memories you helped create today," Kipp said.

They were passing under one of the stained glass windows, their faces changing colors as they walked. Then there was a muffled banging sound, and both of them instinctively looked up just in time to see the glass pain shatter. Rainbow shards plunged downward, backlit by the emergency forcefield that sprang into place.

Malcom and Kipp dove forward, skidding across the carpeted hallway. They were each on their feet, dress uniforms askew as they tried to figure out what had happened.

Malcom tapped his combadge. "Captain Llwyedd to security," he said, but the com badge made a forlorn sound that indicated no connection was available.

"How..." Kipp said just as two figured appeared out of nowhere. Malcom felt his stomach clench as he stared at the two Jem'Hadar. He'd fought their kind during the war. These two looked different somehow. He reflexively grabbed for his phase but, of course, nothing was there. They weren't part of a dress uniform or a wedding for that matter.

The two intruders didn't speak. They flowed forward, pairing off with Malcom and Kipp.

Kipp saw that they wore weapons on their hips but neither attacker was drawing them. Instead, they appeared ready for hand-to-hand.

A series of feints, jabs and strikes were exchanged in a flurry. Kipp knew it was simply the enemy taking stock of their abilities. He was careful to stay within himself. He breathed in slowly, even as he was misdirecting a punch or sidestepping a headbutt.

Malcom fought more instinctively. He closed the distance, using his training to land punches to the head and torso and then danced out of the way. He took a heavy blow to his left cheek but retreated, putting space between himself and Kipp.

"Captain, permission to use lethal force," Kipp said as he ducked under a fist, slid to his right and found himself behind the Jem'Hadar. The fight had been underway only a few minutes but the strain was starting to show on his Captain's face.

"Since when have you asked my permission to do things, Yeoman?" Malcom yelled and took knee to his thigh. He staggered back against the wall. Glass crunched under his feet.

"Fair point, sir," Kipp said. He remembered his most recent training session with Jackson. He sought that level of calm. The battle slowed to a crawl. Kipp reached out and grabbed the Jem'Hadar by the neck. He pivoted his hip and yanked. The maneuver threw the Jem'Hadar over Kipp, and he crashed to the floor, slid, and took out the other Jem'Hadar, closing in on Malcom.

Malcolm lunged forward, grabbed the exposed butt of the weapon on the Jem'Hadar's belt, and drew it. He didn't hesitate. His shot struck in the center of the enemy's forehead.

Meanwhile Kipp had grabbed a long piece of colored glass from the ground. He twisted his arm and launched the missile. It struck the Jem'Hadar in the back with a meaty sound.

It was suddenly silent again. Kipp heard only his own breathing, slow and controlled and the Captain's, which was slightly more ragged.

"Well done, Kipp." Malcom said and then winced. His ribs were on fire. "I think this one is still alive."

Kipp moved up to the one he'd downed and did a quick evaluation. "Yes, sir, he is. However, the blood loss indicates he might not be present for long."

"Luckily we're in a brand new medical department. Let's get him to that sickbay over there," Malcom said.

"What a strange day this is turning out to be," Kipp said as they moved the Jem'Hadar into the brand new sickbay.

"I have the feeling we are just getting started, Kipp," Malcom said.

[OFF]

Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Petty Officer 1st Class Kipp Lak (NPC by Llwyedd)
Yeoman
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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