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Med Force One, Baffin System
Finally, some upgrades. It took a couple of years but the new alien drive was installed and functioning. It's success would mean more advances for the Enterprise. The big ship was somewhere between Med Force General and the jumphole to Tau 31. The hospital and Pueblo Bonita were specs.
"All right, Mr. Sloan," stated Commander Haddock from his chair on the command bridge, "the ship is yours. You may run your tests." Haddock then sipped his coffee.
With a nod, chief engineer Eddie Sloan began his work. "Let's start easy. Engage the impulse engines." With that, the big ship lurched forward. Within a minute or so, it was holding steady.
"All systems show normal, Sir," stated an engineer. "Our readings are below what our old drives produced. So far, so good."
"Good," replied Mr. Sloan, "go to cruise." The engines loaded up and finally, the ship again pushed forward. Within a few minutes, the readings stabilized.
"Again, all readings are excellent, below the old system."
"Keep them going and make a nice big turn in the system. Let's see how she holds up in a long burn," ordered Sloan.
As the ship was cruising, the helmsman on the bridge shouted to his captain. "Sir, I'm reading a ship speeding.........." He paused to get a course before continuing..."towards Med Force General."
"Make?" requested Haddock.
"It's a Rogue ship but it's speeding out of control," announced the helmsman. He was running a scan on it, "Most of its systems are down however its engines are going critical. No life support and.........a very faint lifesign on board." He then turned to his Commander, "Sir, that ship is going to hit the hospital and we can't turn to intercept nor can we get close enough to use a tractor beam."
"Dammit!" said Haddock under his breath before calling the hospital. "Med Force General, this is Med Force One with a code one emergency. You have a runaway ship headed for the base with one life sign on board and we can't stop it. Destroy it before it hits." He then watched his monitor as the ship sped by.
Med Force General, Baffin
"Lock onto that ship," ordered the watch commander, "Use space nets to catch the pod if you can and prepare a medical team."
A burst of turret fire struck the helpless ship which exploded. Sure enough, the pod was sling shotting towards the base where space nets caught it. Finally, it was brought in.
A young female was recovered from the pod. Her right side was badly bleeding and by the evidence, she was getting into the advanced stage of a collapsed lung. She wasn't breathing and her pulse was weak and fading. Numerous cuts, bruises and abrasions were about her face and arms.
The attending physician inserted a tube into the right side of her chest to re-inflate the lung and told the crew to get her to surgery as she probably had more injuries than what she was showing.
