Dealing With Dragons

Posted on Wed Sep 16th, 2026 @ 8:14pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Wyatt Steele & Lieutenant Ashlynn Regan & Lieutenant JG Vienna Steele

1,268 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Here There Be Dragons
Location: Runabout/Draco IV

"Alright Murdoch, bring her around. Going to see how this beast likes the taste of out phasers" Smith said nonchalantly.

Phlox watched nervously as Murdoch maneuvered the Bahamut. He knew they would handle this situation, that is what Smith and his people were here for. He hoped that the other team on the Tiamat was not dealing with the same situation.

Murdoch flew like a madman, but his flying was brilliant. He managed to get in behind the dragon, and just above it as well. "Fire away Commander" he said with a smile.

Smith happily obliged, letting the phasers fire in a continuous manner for a few seconds. The red dragon however was no worse for wear when the phaser volley was complete. "That isn't possible. It doesn't have shields of any type. How did the phasers not do it any harm?"

"If I remember the stories from my ancient Earth literature work from the Academy, dragons were known to have scales that were considered nearly impenetrable. Usually required something referred to as a black arrow to do harm" Phlox said in a cheerful tone.

"Back us off a bit Murdoch" Smith ordered as he hit the weapons controls. "If phasers are ineffective in standard configuration, let's see how it handles a torpedo."

The runabout launched a single torpedo that raced towards the dragon, impacting it between the wings at the base of its neck. The impact created a fireball that they passed through, and then they caught a glimpse of the creature falling lifelessly to the ground.

Smith offered his customary wry grin at the success.

"Well done, Commander. Let's hope that is the only encounter we deal with" Phlox noted. "Take us to our landing site Mr. Murdoch, best possible speed. I'll contact the other team as well as the Washington to give a status update."

***********

Ashlynn's team for the most part hadn't dealt with anything out of the norm compared to Phlox's team. That wasn't to say that it wasn't going to happen, however. As she began setting up the equipment in its designated areas she turned to the Steele's. She hadn't heard anything from the other team in quite a bit. Something was off. "Any word from Phlox's team?"

Vienna shook her head. “I can’t say I’ve heard anything as yet. How about you Wyatt?”

Wyatt shook his head, "No, haven't heard from the other team. Commander Celes or Commander Grayson for that matter."

Ash looked up from her work and looked around the vicinity without moving. There was nothing so far, however the lack of noise was concerning. "Keep trying if you can please" she trailed off. "We haven't lost contact with the Washington, right?" She already knew the answer but she wanted hear it to rule it out.

Wyatt spoke up as he attempted to contact the other away teams.. "We're still in contact with the Washington Ash, no worries there. it's the other away teams we've lost contact with and they might not even know."

“It could just be atmospheric, or something natural blocking signals.” Vienna offered. “Maybe we should check in and see if they need us to try and locate the others?”

"Good and valid points Vi." Wyatt agreed as he turned his head to look at Ash and get her opinion on the matter."

"Agreed. I don't think that it can hurt. Besides, if the Washington has lost contact with the other teams they'll need someone to make contact again" Ash said as she set up the remainder of the gear.

"Also good and valid points." Wyatt replied as he sent messages to both the away teams asking for their status. "Messages sent just waiting for replies now."

“Understood” Vi smiled warmly. “Fingers crossed.”

Wyatt nodded. "Fingers, eyes and toes crossed." He added as attempted tp contact Commander Celes.

Ash simply nodded before finishing the set up. "Equipment is ready."

Phlox activated the comm and contacted the Tiamat. "Lt Regan, this is Phlox. Attempting to check in with your team."

Ash tapped her badge. "Regan here. We read you loud and clear. Are you guys all right?"

"We ran into one of the natives on our descent, but Cmdr Smith and his people managed to handle it. We are preparing to begin our first survey. How are you and your team managing? Any visitors?" Phlox replied.

"We haven't run into anything yet. I have everything set up and ready on our end. Have you been able to contact the other ground team?" Ash asked. "We're trying on our end but we haven't heard anything" she added with a hint of concern in her voice.

"No, we haven't spoken with Cmdr Celes. I wanted to check in with you and then was going to contact the ship. I will pass along your concern" Phlox responded. "You should inform your security personnel that the runabout phasers in standard setting are ineffective. Cmdr Smith had to use a photon torpedo to deal with the aggressor. He believes if the phasers are focused in a tighter beam, they may be more effective, but I hope not to have to find out. Keep me informed about your pergium and dilithium surveys lieutenant. Stay vigilant."

"Understood, I'll pass it along. Thank you Lieutenant" Ash said. "Regan out."

She looked to Wyatt and Vienna. "I'll take the samples quickly. You guys got all that?"

“We’ve got it” Vienna nodded.

"We got it." Wyatt repeated, winking at Vi as he did.



******************

Phlox had spoken with the other away team aboard the Tiamat. They had thankfully not encountered any of these dragons to this point and seemed to be well under way on their survey. He was now contacting the Washington directly, just as the runabout touched down.

As the viewscreen came to life, the image of the Shran on the bridge came into focus. "Greetings captain. Reporting in. We have just landed. We'll begin the survey forth with. I did wish to inform you that we encountered one of these mythical dragon creatures. Less than friendly, but Cmdr Smith dealt with it."

"Be advised that Deanna's team has encounter multiple dragons. It appears that some are friendly, others are openly hostile" Shran replied. "It sounds as if you encountered a hostile one. How was it dealt with?"

Smith came into view, "We attempt standard phaser fire from the runabout initially to no apparent effect. As the danger was immediate, we shifted to using photons. A single photon hit to the creature ended the threat. I'm afraid it was unavoidable sir."

"Understood commander" Shran replied, concern in his voice. "Can you tell us anything about these creatures?"

"My observations seem to indicate they are much like the creatures of myth on Earth, specifically of European and American tales" Phlox answered plainly.

"Would you consider them serpentine?" Shran questioned.

"Not at all" Phlox said flatly. "As I noted, they are more of the European tales. I would suggest they are reptilian in nature, with large muscular compact bodies, standard quadrupeds with armored scales, long tails, and independent wings. And the one we encountered could indeed breathe fire in great amounts. If not for our shields we likely would've seen the runabout melted down."

Shran remained concerned. "Phlox, I want you to do your work and get back to the ship ASAP. If you fall under attack again, you are to abandon the survey immediately. Is that understood?"

"Of course, captain. But fear not, we will be fine. Phlox out" he replied, offering a traditional Denobulan smile. He looked to Smith, "Let's get to work commander."

 

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