NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE

BY: DEATHSTRIKE

The Super Star Destroyer Vindicator closed on the Enterprise-D and launched its fighter compliment.  Over 1000 TIE Fighters, Interceptors, and Bombers streaked toward the Federation flagship.  

"Captain, I have analyzed their ships.  The small fighters carry only multiphased laser cannons,” said Data.

  "Turbolasers," added Luke.  

"Very well," continued Data.  "The small bombers are a bit more of a problem, they appear to use high-energy proton missiles." 

"Those would be Proton Torpedoes," said Luke.  Data nodded.  "Neither of these types of fighters pose a threat to us, they have no shields of any type.  Our phasers will handle them easily.  The Super Star Destroyer, on the other hand, might be a challenge.  Although it too uses only Turbolasers, it carries over 1000 gun points, allowing for a large amount of energy damage, on the order of 5.1 gigajoules, if my calculations serve correctly.  That much energy, concentrated in one spot, could possibly breach our shields."  

"Well then, let's not give them that chance.  Transmit a message on all frequencies.  Tell them to call off their attack or we'll be forced to..."

  Picard was cut off as the first wave of fighters began to pepper the Enterprise's shields with laser fire, followed by Proton Torpedo detonations that sent brilliant firelight cascading around the ship.

  "Very well," Picard said gruffly, adjusting his uniform.  "Show them we mean business.  Lock phasers on target and destroy the first wave."

  "Aye, sir!"

  As the first attack wave of Imperial fighters finished their run, the Enterprise suddenly lashed out with a quick series of phaser blasts which destroyed virtually all of the small ships in rapid sequence.  The second and third waves of Imperial craft continued to close, undaunted.

  "This is going to be a slaughter.  Helm, rebroadcast our request for a cease-fire," said Picard.

  "No response, sir," came the reply.

  "They're insane!" Picard let out.

  "Don't discount them so easily," warned Luke.  "Emperor Palpatine is aboard that ship.  He's not to be trifled with.  He's a master of the Dark Side of the Force."

  "Well then, Mr. Worf, lock phasers on the flagship and disable it.  And what is the 'Dark Side'?" asked Picard.

  Picard found his answer as the first salvos of photon torpedoes left the Enterprise and streaked toward the Vindicator.  Halfway to their targets, all of the torpedoes suddenly detonated.  The stunned bridge crew watched as their phaser fire lanced at the monstrous ship only to dissipate prior to impact.

  "Sir, our phaser fire is being negated by some kind of anti-energy field, but it is not showing up on any of our scans.  I cannot explain it.  And our torpedoes, they could not possibly have all malfunctioned," stated Data.

  "The Dark Side?" Picard asked Luke.

  "Exactly, Captain.  The Dark Side gives the Emperor amazing power."

  A sudden message from Engineering interrupted their confusion.  "Captain, we've got a serious problem!" yelled Geordi.  "Our warp core containment field is fluctuating, but I can't find a cause!"

  "How far are we from critical?" Picard responded.

  "It's hard to tell, I can't trace the problem!  Something is negating the containment field!"

  "Keep me posted," Picard said, turning back to the viewscreen.  The massive Imperial warship closed in, dwarfing the Enterprise.  The ship began to shudder as the first few hundred of the Vindicator's turbolasers joined the fire of the Imperial fighters against the Enterprise's shields.  

"If we shut down the warp core, we won't be able to keep the shields up," said Jean-Luc gravely.

  "Let me see if I can help..." said Luke, as he concentrated on trying to block some of the Emperor's force influence...   

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