If you missed the start of Alien Secrets, Flight of the Kestrel book 2, here is the link. To help your imagination, my idea of First Officer Nathaniel Parks is a blond Vigo Mortensen.
Chapter 12
Parks looked up from Tanu. 'Get him to sick bay and then report for duty. We’re going to have the Casparans on our tail.'
Within minutes battle stations sounded. Everyone scrambled for their breathers and tethers, in case of a hull breach. The bridge crew, Darrow, Parks, and Chambers all strapped in. Reuel arrived at a run and strapped in.
'Tanu is in sick bay, sir,' he reported.
As Reuel took over the scanner station Chambers told him two Casparan pursuit ships had been detected. Immediately a third ship registered.
'Captain, the Bokans have found us again,' Reuel said. 'One ship coming on screen now.'
'Damn!' Darrow said and opened the comm channel. 'Commander Blackwell, can you give us any more speed?'
'Negative, Captain, we’re flat out.'
Darrow closed the comm and turned to Reuel. 'Ensign, any PACT vessels in the vicinity?'
'Negative, Captain, and the nearest base is ten hours away.'