Daydream

“I won’t talk over intercom. We will talk in person or not at all!” Mad Dog snapped.

Admiral Djurich frowned at the pirate warlord. The DSS Magellan was in a dangerous position. Mad Dog had five warships surrounding the station, including his flagship, the Dragon. It was an imperial-class Romulan warbird, and Romulans didn’t skimp on their weapons.

“Admiral,” Captain Springer said, a warning note in his tone.

“Ensign Hills, turn off the audio feed for a moment,” Djurich ordered.

“Yes, Admiral.”

She turned to Captain Springer, who looked intense and serious in his red captain’s uniform. “Admiral, you can’t go over there,” he said immediately.

“I agree.” Lieutenant Badger, the executive officer, took a step forward to join the conversation. “Mad Dog will only use you to get the dilithium shipment.”

“Mad Dog shouldn’t know about the dilithium.”

“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t,” Springer said. “Lieutenant Badger is right. If Mad Dog wants to talk, he’ll have to come to us.”

“That will give him an opportunity to discover what we’re carrying,” Djurich argued. “Captain, those crystals have to make it to Earth. You have standing orders to fight your way out of here and leave me if the negotiations fail.”

Captain Springer was silent for a moment. “Lieutenant Commander K. Springer and I will accompany you if you insist on going over to the Dragon.”

“I will not allow-”

“I am the captain of this station, and I have a duty to protect you,” the captain interrupted smoothly. “That is final.”

Djurich was quiet for a moment. “We are surrounded by five ships. The only way out of this is to negotiate.”

“Agreed,” Captain Springer said. He raised his voice. “Ensign Hills, restore audio!”

“Wait-” Djurich broke off as Mad Dog’s impatient voice resounded through the ship’s speakers.

“Enough stalling, Admiral. Are you prepared to negotiate?”

Djurich opened her mouth to reply.

“We are,” said Captain Springer. “But the negotiations must take place on our vessel.”

“Impossible,” Mad Dog growled. “The admiral will come over here or I will order my ships to attack."

Djurich shot Springer a dirty look before addressing the pirate. “I require an honor guard to accompany me to your ship.”

“Naturally,” Mad Dog said. “You may bring one guard.”

“Two."

The pirate blew out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine. Two. Prepare to beam aboard. Dragon out.”

Djurich took a deep breath as Mad Dog’s face was replaced by an array of stars and two enemy ships. “Let’s go."

“Commander Badger, you have the bridge,” Captain Springer said. “Lieutenant Commander Springer! Let’s go.”

“Stay on your toes, Junior Grade Lieutenant Garner,” the deep space station’s chief of security warned her deputy. Then she fell into step behind the admiral and captain.

“Three to beam to the Dragon, Lieutenant Colledge,” Djurich said when they were in the transporters. She gave the next order quickly, before she lost her nerve and jumped out. “Energize.”