When last we left our daring hero, Commander Reed and his courageous crew, were preparing to venture into the derelict like hull of the lost Space Fleet frigate...

"Mr. Jeffy to the transport room", Reed ordered into his comlink.

He, Lt. Scott, Mr. Proteau, Spunky, Proteau's zany, robotic, canine sidekick, and four of the Security Officer's best strike team commandos, were assembled in the USS Escort's main transport room for briefing.

"It seems as though the Wyzenhymer Armada may be setting a trap for us", he began," and although we detected no life traces on the frigate with our sophisticated equipment, not to mention our perilous proximity to Wyzenhymer space borders, I, as commanding officer, deem it necessary that we board the ship and see for ourselves."

"Your plan has merit, sir", Proteau replied as Spunky yipped happily.

"I concur, Commander", chimed in the ever agreeable Lt. Scott.

"Then man your tubes, men", Reed commanded.

Just then Mr. Jeffy scurried around the corner. "Did I miss anything, Sir?"

"Yes Mr. Jeffy, you did", Reed replied darkly, "Now get to your tube!"

After they had fastened themselves into the intricate tube harnesses, Reed again spoke into his com-link.  "Mr. Schultz, you have the helm.  Commence jettison of landing pods."

"Aye aye, sir.", Schultz said, flipping the switches that would propel the landing pods to their destination.

Always a turbulent process, the pods shot forth from the hull of the USS Escort slicing through the thin veil of gravity a ship of its size created.  Commander Reed "whooped" and "yee-hawed" throughout the short journey, reversing thrust at the last possible moment before impact, and eased his small ship into the frigate's open docking bay.

Several spibleps later, the rest of the strike force landed their pods around Reed's.  The elite troops secured the area as Reed and Proteau assisted the other officers in releasing themselves form their harnesses.

"Whoop-haw, Commander, what a ride", Mr. Jeffy said as Reed unbuckled him.

"That's 'whoop' or 'yee-haw', Mr. Jeffy."

The strike team gathered around Reed as he sketched out his plan.  "We'll walk close together and stoop.  You four enlisted men will walk abreast in front of us.  If you get injured, just fall to the ground and scream.  Set Phasers to 'Hurt Really Bad' setting.  Any questions?"

"None, sir.  Excellent plan.", proclaimed Lt. Scott.

They exited the dock area and found themselves in a long corridor.  Lights flicked overhead, indicating trouble somewhere within the electrical systems.  Reed suspected the life support systems might be in a similar state, lending a new sense of urgency to their endeavor.  The elite squad Mr. Proteau had selected turned the corner ahead of the officers.  One dove back around,  knocking them all to the ground as intense heat rolled over them.  They were momentarily blinded by a flash of bright light, but as their eyes adjusted, they could see the remains of the three troops that hadn't made it to safety.