But Does Lightning Strike?

"Captain... we're receiving a request for emergency beam-out from the bridge module of the Tokyo."  Lieutenant Spencer looked back at Captain Kramer.  "Orders, sir?"

Kramer shook his head.  This was a dangerous game.  There were five Bartokian cruisers floating around... and he had no idea what their intentions were.  Worse still, both his ship and the DeSoto had taken damage during the skirmish with the Khalindarians.  And the Bartokians carried their patented shield-killer torpedoes, the voraks.  On the other hand, his old friend was on board that ship.  Possibly injured.  Possibly dead.  Could he leave him to the fates?

"Get me Captain Ordalani-Ringo."

"Aye, sir."  A moment later, the redheaded Bartokian captain appeared on the viewscreen.

"Captain Kramer.  What's the status on your ship?"

"A little dinged up... but functional for the most part.  Yours?"

"Shields took a beating, minor hull damage.  Nothing serious.  I assume you're receiving the emergency beam-out transmission from the Tokyo."

"That's an affirmative.  What do you think the Bartokians will do if we drop shields?"

Eve shook her head.  "I have no clue.  Do we attempt it?"

"I don't see as we have much choice.  Perhaps if we hailed the Bartokians and explained we just want to beam up our people?  Would they allow that?"

"Again... I don't know.  It depends on how the commanders of the vessels feel towards us.  Some of them may allow it... some may blow us out of the sky for fun."  She knew that her daughter's ship was one of the vessels circling them.  She wondered if Cerina would take out her own mother, if given the chance.

"Ma'am... we're picking up a signal from the damaged Starfleet vessel.  Emergency beam-out."  Sub-Braize Tamara Udeski-Rillit turned towards the Ti Klec of the ship.  "What should we do?"

Cerina Ringo turned to her tactical chief.  "Arlec... what are the Starfleet vessels doing?"

The giant man's fingers danced across his console.  Shaking his head, he replied, "Nothing.  Their shields are still raised."

"Can you blame them?  They're probably wondering if we're going to blast them as soon as they lower shields."  Korishma Korrine Blail shook her own head as she watched the viewscreen.

Cerina nodded.  "Very well.  Tell the Nigus to cover us.  Prepare to lower shields and beam the survivors directly to Medical.  Valendar Volvri... please respond."

The Bartokian chief medical officer's voice came over the speakers.  "Here, Cerina."

"You're going to be receiving possible wounded.  From the Starfleet vessel.  I'm sending Sub Braize Varitic with a security detail as a precaution.  Despite the circumstances... treat these individuals as wounded... not as prisoners.  Understood?"

"Understood, ma'am."

"Good.  I'll join you shortly."  She turned to Braize Arlec Udeski.  "Krax Udeski... prepare to lower shields.  On my mark... then lock on and transport the survivors."

"Ready, ma'am."