Austin Grayson; NCC-1701

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Balderdash and Laser Beams

Bastar-I mean, how could you just stop it there?!? Had it been me, I'd have felt compelled to keep going with the action. Ah, well, I guess I'll just sit here and wait patiently for the next installment.(Pulls out large knife and begins honing it) After all, I'm sure you're diligently at work on the next section. (Begins sharpening teeth into points with knife) I know you wouldn't want to risk keeping your readers waiting.(Starts playing mumbletypeg on the desk next to Scorpio's keyboard-badly.)

Actually..Scorpio Studios (my mind) is currently redressing the sets of AUSTIN GRAYSON: NCC-1701 for the special "STAR TREK: TITANIC" production I will be filming (in my mind) over the weekend. This is my entry for this month's challenge by Cejay. I am not sure I will be following her rules to the letter, but oh well..when do I ever? But I am just now getting some of the dailies and it looks pretty good...

Rob
Scorpio

 

[RobertScorpio]

Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Sands of an Hourglass

Austin Grayson
NCC 1701

#7

Sands of an Hourglass

Featuring
Austin Grayson and the crew of the Enterprise

Guest Starring

SaxonMajor Jerup Henson
and
Liu Fong



Austin Grayson knew it was his time to act. His father had enough faith to make him the Captain of the Enterprise, and it was time to reward his father’s belief in him. He looked over to Leonard Jackson.

“Leonard,” Austin said, “you and Hank are our resident Star Trek geeks. Is there any way we can stop the sun from shedding this out skin and causing the pulse of radiation?”

Leonard shook his head. “They really didn’t do too many episodes about containing stars. Usually someone was trying to blow them up like Doctor Soran.”

“There has to be something in over 700 hours of Trek we can use.” Austin pressed Leonard again.

“Maybe not,” Leonard said, “but perhaps there is some scientific way they have dealt with the problem.”

“But we must remember,” Tashigawa stated, “These findings are being generated by the probe we launched.” Tashigawa said. “Perhaps these readings are not correct at all. We are not exactly sure how the science of a TV show is actually working in our own universe. There is no way to be sure.”

“True. But everything else has been pretty darn close. And also, the technology of the later shows,” Hank Morton offered from his post, “is much more advanced from the original show. Perhaps if we had the science lab of a Galaxy, or Sovereign class starship, we might be more confident of our facts.”

Before Austin could talk, T’var cut in.

“Austin, listen to me, your Star may or may not expel its outer shell,” T’var said, after taking in the other bits of information from the others, “however, none of that will make a difference. The Proto-matter will blow the star up regardless.”

“He has a point.” Leonard acknowledged.

“And we can’t stop it.” Austin said finally. “Unless we find a way out of this, my father’s dream will destroy us all. The Romulan ship came out of his dream just as this ship did. I can’t believe it all comes down to this.” He looked over to Saxon. “And you’re sure the Server can’t help us in any way.”

Saxon thought for a moment. “There is one possibility.”

“Hurry up,” Austin said to him, “we don’t have enough time.”

Saxon nodded his head. “I’ll tell you on the way to the shuttle-bay, let’s go!”

Knowing there wasn’t enough time to talk, only for action, Austin, with Mark and Hank Morton behind him, followed Saxon into the Turbo-lift.

--
Exactly seven minutes later the shuttlecraft, Galileo, zoomed down from space and into Earth’s atmosphere. The shuttle slowed its pace so that a squadron of F-22s could escort it down to the city of Pittsburg below.

Austin, with Saxon next to him, sat with-in the passenger area as Hank Morton piloted the shuttle.

“So, let me get this straight,” Austin repeated, “you think the Server has the ability to create whole universes based on the thoughts of anyone who is able to control it.”

Saxon nodded. “Tesla, before ‘we’ killed him…”

“I know about that guy,” Austin said, “we read about him in science. Didn’t he believe his pet Pigeon was Ben Franklin, and when the bird died it was a sign that he would die soon himself?”

“Not exactly,” Saxon replied, “But he was the only scientist willing to try and crack the secret of how the Server worked; and how it had turned the thoughts of simple Native American chiefs into a real reality. They were using it to morph themselves into the animals they held sacred. How else could the Server have done that with out creating a reality to pull them away from? So Tesla was provided with all kinds of psychotropic paraphernalia, along the same lines of the peyote the Native Americans used. If the Native American Chiefs were tapping into a part of their mind, a part they used to interact with the Server, perhaps these newer drugs would alter the state of Tesla’s mind even more. Eventually he became so paranoid from using the drugs, we couldn’t use him anymore, and Eight did away with him. So, anyway, they gave him drugs that are still top secret to this day. What was the end result? He was able to create one thing, and one thing only from his mind; a white pigeon that he believed contained the essence of Thomas Edison; his long time nemesis. For all we know? The pigeon could have been Edison.”

“So,” Austin said, “because Tesla was crazy, and thought he created a pigeon, that was actually Thomas Edison, naturally you think my father’s dream, with help from the Server, somehow created the USS Enterprise and the Romulan ship?

Saxon nodded as he exhaled the smoke. “Umm, yeah, you could something like that.” Saxon squished the cigarette out in the make shift ashtray, a plastic coffee cup he found in the shuttle’s pantry, and tapped a new cigarette on the table beside them and then lit it. “You’re looking at me like I’m some kind of nut.” Saxon added as he puffed on the new cigarette.

Austin nodded, with a slight chuckle. “Well, with stories like that,” Austin said, “you’re not helping.” “So,” Austin continued. “Just what is your plan again?”

Saxon continued. “Since we can’t beam the Server up, due to its strange nature, we get down to my building in Pittsburg. We get the Server and bring it up to the ship..”

“Okay, we bring the Server up to the ship,” Austin said, “then what?”

“Tesla, and another scientist we had working on the Server, Dr. Westing, both believed that the Server actually uses these thoughts, creates an alternate reality around them, and then pulls whatever it needs into our reality. If the Server created an alternate reality, and pulled this shuttle, and the Enteprise, and the Romulans, from that reality, then perhaps we can travel to that other reality and hope they have some kind of answer to stop our sun from destroying Earth.”

Austin shook his head. “Do you understand what you just said? You want us to go into the other reality and ask for help? And From whom do we ask help from; a real Mister Spock?”

Saxon nodded. “That the gist of it.”

“You’re absolutely crazy.” Austin said. “Do you know how stupid that sounds?”

“You have the nerve to ask me that while we’re both sitting in the back seat of a Starfleet shuttlecraft?” Saxon asked with a smile.

Before Austin could reply, Morton spoke. “I have Maj. Jerup Henson on the main screen.”

Austin and Saxon stood up so as they could converse with Maj. Henson.

“Hello there Hank,” Henson said. “You’re lucky I don’t have my escort squadron blow your ship out of the sky. If you didn’t have the special abort code from the Jt. Chiefs you’d be dead by now.”

“Who is that?” Austin asked.

“He’s the son-of-a-bitch who ordered those F22s to shoot us down over Colorado a few months back.” Hank said, with a soft tinge of anger in his voice. “Nancy is dead because of that order.”

Maj. Henson nodded in agreement. “We lost two good men that day as well; Hank.”

“And I lost good friends as well.” Hank said, in reference to Andrew Morris, along with several other pilots, who all lost their lives to assist in Hank’s escape from Air Force law.

“We don’t have time for this,” Saxon cut in. “We will be landing outside the address I provided to the Jt. Chiefs.”

Henson nodded to that as well. “We have our orders. But if you stray off your course we will blow you out of the sky.”

The screen went dark.

Two minutes later the shuttle, with several news copters reporting from all around it, landed outside the main building of very secret organization called “eight”. Morton motioned to the view on the screen that showed a growing throng of people being contained behind a line of yellow tape.

Morton spoke from the helm post. “We just got a signal from Mark; they have just lost contact with the solar probe. It sent one last subspace signal before being destroyed. Mr. Tashigawa estimates we have eight minutes, maybe nine, until the pulse wave gets here!!” Morton yelled back Austin and Saxon as they exited the ship at a full speed run.

Austin and Saxon ran into the main lobby. There was an elevator. Saxon scanned in his ID. They entered the Elevator. There was a red button that was surrounded by a glass shield of some kind. Saxon pulled out a cylinder shaped object, like the one that had killed Frank Grayson, and aimed at the button. The glass shield opened and Saxon pressed the button.

“Hold on!” Saxon said.

Instantly the elevator dropped at a very fast speed.

“Usually it’s nearly a twenty minute trip to get to the Server room, as you probably remember when I brought you down here earlier today.” Saxon said.

“I thought we had to get out of this elevator and into another elevator to go the extra distance.” Austin said.

“This override negates that.” Saxon said with a smile. “Pretty fun drop though, isn’t it?”

Austin nodded in agreement.

Finally the door to the Server room opened. When Saxon and Austin stepped out they realized they were not alone; three other men were there. One of them Saxon knew immediately.

“Liu Fong.” Saxon said to the oriental man who stood next to the Server.

Liu Fong smiled. “It is good to meet you Mister Saxon; the new administrator of Eight.

TO BE CONTINUED

 

[Mistral]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Sands of an Hourglass

Cool, but one nit-didn't you contradict the timing of the proto-matter weapon.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Sands of an Hourglass

Cool, but one nit-didn't you contradict the timing of the proto-matter weapon.

Its possible...but the story is so fluid i may be off by two minutes...8-9 minutes for the torpedo to get to the sun, another minute or two for the explosion to occur..and then 8-9 for the burst to fry earth...

But it isn't going to matter..earth is dust!!!

Rob
Scorpio

 

[RobertScorpio]

Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--So Many Dreams So Little Time

AUSTIN GRAYSON
NCC 1701

#8

So Many Dreams, So Little Time

Featuring
Austin Grayson
And the crew of the USS ENTERPRISE

Guest starring
Saxon
Liu Fong
Hundreds of Naked women


Liu Fong smiled, and straightened his tie before speaking. “The Nine-Dragons were sad to see the end of Narrenson’s reign as supervisor of Eight; he will be missed.” Liu Fong said to Saxon as he held a gun aimed at Saxon and Austin. “And you must be the son of Frank Grayson.” Liu Fong said to Austin. “Your father broke international treaty rescuing that little girl.”

Saxon cut in. “Liu, we don’t have time for this.”

Liu Fong smiled. “Yes, I am aware of the situation with the sun.” Liu Fong said as he looked at Austin with a smile. “We have, as of yet, another hidden mole on your ship.”

“Not for long, asshole.” Austin aimed at Liu.

“Under professional rules of engagement,” Liu said to Saxon, “I claim possession of the Server after you use it to try and save our world. Plus, I must accompany it to the Enterprise to see to it that my merchandise is returned.”

Saxon nodded in agreement. “I agree to your terms.”

Liu lowered his gun. “Then, by all means, do what you must.”

Saxon ran over to the Server and instantly the virtual interface appeared. Once again, as before, the outer-shell opened up to reveal the glowing Orb of energy. He reached in and picked it up, holding it between his hands.

“Okay, come on.” Saxon said to Austin and Liu Fong as he headed towards the elevator.

All three men rode the elevator as it zoomed up the way it had came.

“Did you kill all my operatives?” Saxon asked Liu Fong, as they rode up the elevator shaft.

“No,” Liu said, “that level of barbaric behavior is reserved only for your Homeland of Security.”

“I don’t know,” Austin said, “holding a little girl hostage isn’t an act of honor either.”

Liu Fong shook his head. “We held that little girl for tactical reasons.”

“You would have let her die had Mike Kuibicki not taken her back.” Austin countered.

“All speculation on your part; I must say.” Liu Fong said with a polite smile.

Moments later the elevator reached the lobby. All three men hurried out an into the shuttlecraft. The gathered crowd cheering as they did, having no idea that their lives would be over in mere moments.

“How long do we have?” Austin took his seat, with Liu Fong and Saxon, holding the Server, right behind him.

“Five minutes.” Hank said as he piloted the shuttle.

With out time to waste the shuttlecraft sped past the escort squadron. Suddenly the face of Maj. Jerup Henson came on the screen.

“Colonel, you are out pacing our escort squadron!” Henson yelled from the screen.

“Remind me of that when I see you in hell, Major Henson,” Morton said, “which should be in about, oh, five minutes or so if this doesn’t work!”

The shuttlecraft streaked into space, the rear section of the Enterprise growing larger as the shuttle sped towards it. With only one minute and fifty seconds left until the pulse shock arrived, and destroyed the Earth, the shuttle finally entered the shuttlecraft landing bay.

“What do we do now?” Austin asked Saxon urgently.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a large round object, reflecting the stars all around it, approached the USS ENTERPRISE.

“Austin!,” Mark’s voice said from the intercom, “that large object we encountered outside the Oort-cloud has just appeared!”

The USS ENTERPRISE hung in space, ready to go to warp at a second’s notice. Suddenly the large space object, just as before, when they had encountered it outside the Oort-cloud, began to vibrate.

Even in the shuttlecraft, inside the hanger-bay, they could feel the ship vibrating. The Orb, which sat on a table between Saxon and Austin, began to pulse as well.

Then Mark’s voice came from the intercom. “Just over a minute until the shock wave gets here!! What the hell are you doing down there!” Mark demanded.

Saxon looked to Austin.

“On June 19, 1947,” Saxon said softly but quickly, “your grandfather was on a plane that was struck by one of the energy beams released by the Server in 1943 when Tesla showered in with electromagnetic waves. Two of those beams had orbited Earth for three years until one of them, for some unknown reason, left the electromagnetic sphere and struck that plane.”

“Why are you telling me this now?” Austin said.

“Because, there was another person on that plane connected with all of this,” Saxon said, “Gene Roddenberry. Only a select number of Eight have known this for some time, and now it all makes sense. Austin, listen to me; your father had the ability to interface with the Server, but didn’t know it. This ability must have been passed down to him by his father. We have long suspected that some of the surviving passengers and crew of that plane, including Roddenberry and your grandfather, may have been given the ability to do create reality. Unless you can create the Star Trek universe, right now, we’re all going to die. Don’t think; just do it!”

Austin reached out his hands. Saxon and Liu Fong, and Hank Morton from the front seat, could only watch in silence. Austin threw caution to the wind and reached out with both his hands, and put them on the Server.

At that moment, the pulse shock wave hit the other side of the Earth. And in that instant, every man, woman, and child on Earth died as their bodies were showered with lethal doses of radiation. Life on Earth was reduced to only a few hundred thousand one-celled organisms.

The USS ENTERPRISE was; gone.

ALL OF TIME IS LOST

--

Austin was in a pleasant dream state. He was surrounded by a brilliant white light. The only thing he could see in the white universe was that he was surrounded by hundreds of naked teenaged girls. Each one was as beautiful as the next. There were blonds, brunettes, redheads, even a few bald headed girls. He had always admired women of all color, it made no difference to him what their nationality or race happened to be. Just as long as they all had bodies like Rhona Mitra. All of the women were lined up, just waiting in line to be with him. This was heaven!

He was in a giant king sized bed with three of them. While he was under the pure white satin sheets, the three girls were naked on the outside of the sheet. Two of the girls, a blond and a redhead, were having fun with each other while the third, a real sexy brunette, was kissing his neck.

“So, this is your perception of heaven?” a man’s voice said from the side of the bed. He wore an all white cloak.

Austin nodded to the man. “Fuck yeah, this is heaven. I bet they can cook too.” Austin said to the man. “I’ll just wish for an XBOX 360, play some Halo3, and have one of these babes get me some food. What more could a man ask for?” He French kissed the brunette. He looked at the man closer and recognized him. “Hey dude, aren’t you that Q guy that always pestered Picard?” Austin asked.

“How could that possibly be true?” Q asked. “I don’t exist, remember?”

Austin watched as the two girls became more intimate. He found it hard not to watch them, but he had to know what was going on.

“Where am I? Am I dead?” Austin asked.

“If you’re going to answer your own limited questions, then why ask me at all?” Q asked, as he too watched the women play. “I honestly don’t see what you humans enjoy about watching such simple acts of lust.”

“Maybe I’m not dead, maybe you are.” Austin said with a laugh at Q.

“Actually, I don’t know what you are,” Q told Austin, “and I know everything. How did you come to be in this universe with out my knowing?”

Austin shook his head. “I’m not sure. But I know we came here trying to find a way to save Earth.”

Then another voice spoke, "And you will." The other voice was familiar; his father’s voice!

Austin sat up in bed as Frank walked from out of the white light and stood beside the bed, across from Q.

“Dad!” Austin said. “You’re alive!”

Frank smiled. “It seems that way.” Frank said with a calm voice.

“Go ahead and tell him the rest,” Q said with a snippy attitude towards Frank, “you know you want to.”

Frank shook his head. “No, he needs to find out on his own.” Frank said to Q.

“Dad,” Austin said, “you were right, there was a Romulan ship! It destroyed the sun, and now every on Earth is dead!!”

Frank looked to Q. “Okay,” Frank said to Q, “let’s get this done with.” Frank said.

Q snapped his fingers.

ALL TIME IS LOST

--
Austin’s eyes were closed. He could hear a voice calling to him. It was far away, maybe even a universe away, but it was calling to him. He opened his eyes. The faces of Hank Morton, Saxon and Liu Fong were looking down at him.

“Are you okay?” Hank asked as they helped Austin sit up.

“What happened?” Austin asked as he rubbed his eyes.

“What is the last thing you remember?” Saxon asked.

Austin looked around. He was on the floor of the shuttle, and his back was slightly wrenched.

“I feel horrible.” Austin said as he struggled to stand, and struggling to find his memories.

“You should,” Saxon said, “a beam of energy pushed you back into the wall. You seem to be okay though.”

Austin nodded to Saxon as he was regaining his senses. “So, where are we? Is Earth okay?”

“We don’t know,” Hank said, “but something happened to you. The energy seemed to come from your body, and it just flung you back.”

“How long was I out for?” Austin asked.

“Ten seconds top.” Saxon said. “Do you remember anything?”

Austin felt embarrassed as he answered. “I had a dream that I was surrounded by hundreds of naked girls.”

“Typical cowboy American nonsense; I expected more.” Liu Fong said.

“Then,” Austin continued, “I saw my dad and that Star Trek character; Q.”

Suddenly a signal came from the bridge. Mark’s face came on the screen.

“What’s going on up there?” Hank Morton asked.

“I think you better see this for yourselves.” Mark said with a look of disbelief on his face.

--

Moments later Austin, along with Saxon, Hank Morton and Liu Fong entered the Bridge from the Turbo-lift. What they saw on the main screen defied all rational explanation.

“I don’t believe it,” Hank said, “I just don’t believe it.”

On the screen was a spectacular view of Earth. Not too far in the distance was one of the very large mushroomed shaped space stations.

“It worked,” Austin said softly.


CONTINUED

 

[Mistral]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--So Many Dreams So Little Time

Now how am I s'posed to understand what Rhona Mitra really looks like with that bulky dress in the way?

This was almost a "placeholder" installment-certainly no major reveals. You might want to go back over the bit about the plane in further detail-it felt a little rushed. And is Earth dead? And why does Fong have claim over the Server? I didn't understand that part.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--So Many Dreams So Little Time

Now how am I s'posed to understand what Rhona Mitra really looks like with that bulky dress in the way?

This was almost a "placeholder" installment-certainly no major reveals. You might want to go back over the bit about the plane in further detail-it felt a little rushed. And is Earth dead? And why does Fong have claim over the Server? I didn't understand that part.

Actually that isn't a bad idea..i might put a link to that part of the story. Thats when Norton and his wife, and Leonard and his wife, were flying the old WW2 planes and had to dog fight those F22s...seems like a long time ago since that stuff happened...

As for Fong? I think NINE DRAGONS and EIGHT are competing agencies, much like KAOS and CONTROL or BOND and Spectre....Must be some kind of gentlemen's agreement. Fong rightfully got The Server, and Saxon gave him his word that when it was all over, Fong would get the Server...of course, Saxon might try to get it back...but something tells me that isn't going be needed...

Austin's mind seems to have created a universe where Star Trek exists...but we will soon find out it has existed far longer than that, he just had the ability to take them there....

Rob
Scorpio

 

[DavidFalkayn]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Balderdash and Laser Beams

What a cliffhanger! You...rassumfrassum...dayum...that was good. Now--get back here and finish this!

 

[RobertScorpio]

Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Universal Politics

AUSTIN GRAYSON
NCC-1701

#9

Universal Politics

Featuring
(Click on names to see who is playing the part)
Austin Grayson
Saxon
Admiral Kathryn Janeway
Benton Jacob Cogley

Special Guest Stars
Frank Grayson and
Q


The doors that led into the office of the Federation President opened up. Vice-Admiral Kathryn Janeway, with Austin to her left, and Saxon to her right, all walked out of the President’s office with a look of glum on their faces.

“This is such bullshit!” Austin said to her.

Janeway looked over to Austin. “I am not sure what that expression means Mr. Grayson, but I am willing to bet it isn’t a compliment,” she said with her husky yet tantalizing voice, as they walked at a brisk pace away from the President’s office.

“You’re right, it isn’t. So, if the President isn’t going to let Starfleet help us to get back to our universe, and help save our Sun, then what are we supposed to do?” Austin came back with.

She thought for a moment. “I am not sure. Apparently you and Mr. Saxon were unable to convince the President that we should violate Temporal or Prime Directive edicts to assist you. As much as I would like to help you, my hands are tied.”

“We need a rule breaker like Kirk.” Austin said under his breath.

“I’m afraid you’re just a few years too late for that.” Janeway said her wry sense of humor.

They came to a stop, and waited for a Turbo-lift.

“Ms. Janeway,” Saxon said, “if the President is unwilling to let you help us, then can we at least have the Server back?”

“I can’t allow that.” Janeway said with a look of compassion. “If this Server of yours is as powerful as you say it is, we can’t let you wander around our universe with it.”

“Are you saying we’re prisoners?” Austin asked. “What about the Enterprise? It belongs to us as well.”

“No,” Janeway said, “it is Starfleet property.”

“Actually, it isn’t.” a voice said from down the hallway. A civilian walked over as the Turbo-lift opened. Janeway, Saxon, Austin and the stranger stepped in.

“And you are?” Saxon asked the man, who was dressed in sharp civilian attire.

“My name is Benton Jacob Cogley.” Benton said.

"Are you related to.." Saxon began to say, before Benton Cogly cut him off.

"Yes; He was my great grand father." Benton said.

“He is a so called expert in Starfleet and Federation law,” Janeway said, “and has been a pain in my back side ever since I took this post.”

“Well, Kate,” Benton said with a leering look in his eyes, “ever since the Dominion War we have seen some liberties scaled back on. I’m just here to make sure they get put back to where they were.”

“How can you help us then?” Saxon asked.

“Well,” Benton said, “unlike some people might think, many of us in the 24th century like fine wine, fine homes, and,” he looked over at Janeway, “fine women.”

“Keep dreaming.” Janeway said with a wicked smiled.

“How would we pay you for your services to represent us?” Austin asked.

Janeway answered. “The Federation will pick up any thing he might charge you.” Janeway said. “We owe you that much. But if you are to take this to a hearing, then you better know this,” she said as she looked to Austin and Saxon, “ Cogley does not have many friends on the Federation council.”

“This is true.” Benton said with a smiled. “But that’s because I have either won most of my charges, or slept with their wives. Each has its own reward.” Benton said.

“On what grounds can you claim the Enterprise belongs to us?” Austin asked.

“If I read the accounts of your arrival correctly,” Benton said, “then this ship isn’t the same Enterprise that was destroyed by Captain Kirk over a hundred years or so ago.”

“It was still built with Starfleet technology.” Janeway pressed.

“Starfleet is still building these old style ships? No, I don’t think so. This ship, and whatever this Server object is I heard you talking about from down the hallway, belongs to my clients as well.” Benton asked.

Janeway would not answer. “Good luck men,” she said to Austin and Saxon as the Turbo-lift doors opened. “You will need it.”

She stepped out of the Turbo-lift. The doors closed as the other three rode it down to the next level; Transport.

“So,” Austin said with a smile, “what kind of chance do we have?”

Benton’s smile was gone. “Not a snowball in hell’s chance.” He replied.

“Like I said,” Austin said to Saxon, “this is nothing but straight bullshit.”

The Turbo-lift opened and they all stepped out. The Turbo-lift car was empty for only a moment when a bright light flashed inside of it. Q, dressed in a Starfleet admiral’s uniform, and Frank Grayson, clad in his Starfleet Captain’s uniform, suddenly appeared.

“This isn’t going too well.” Frank said. “Why don’t you just snap your finger, send them home, and save their sun, and end all this?”

Q looked over to him. “Oh, don’t rub it in! I already told you,” Q said to Frank. “I can’t.”

“You can’t?” Frank asked, “or won’t.”

Q just stood there.

Frank smiled. “It’s because of your pride. The Q, in the wake of your civil war, has decided to follow the lead of Starfleet, i.e., humanity, on this matter. You just don’t want to admit your will have to follow whatever humanity decides. You don’t want to tell Janeway or…”

“I don’t care what she thinks,” Q said, “I don’t want to have to tell Picard that he,” suddenly Q’s uniform changed from that of an Admiral to that of a lowly ensign, “out ranks me.”

CONTINUED

 

[Mistral]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Universal Politics

I liked this sequence a lot. nice interplay between Cogley and Janeway. Why would Picard outrank Q?

 

[RobertScorpio]

Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Mice and Men

AUSTIN GRAYSON
NCC-1701

#10
Mice and Men

Featuring
(Click on names to see who is playing the part)
Hank Morton
Leonard Jackson
Hyato Tashigawa

Special Guest Stars
Frank Grayson and
Q




New Orleans; Earth
Three Weeks since Austin and his crew came into the STAR TREK universe. (a creation of the Server. More to be explained on this aspect later)

The crew of the USS ENTERPRISE, Austin’s Enterprise, were given temporary quarters at a hotel in New Orleans. The Hotel Le Madison was situated near Bourbon-Street. The hotel had its own Transport terminal for easy access to anywhere on Earth.

Although Earth was protected by an advanced weather-net, it was still raining, and it was slightly humid outside. Even a mild clap of thunder could be heard in the distance after a flash of lightning. It was no doubt an attempt to stay close to the spirit of Earth’s past weather patterns.

Hank Morton looked out the window of his room on the tenth floor of the hotel. He had not been to the New Orleans in his universe for sometime, but he marveled at how much it still looked the same. Perhaps Al Gore was right, and Global Warming would submerge New Orleans under several feet of water. But in this universe, the Star Trek universe, this New Orleans made out pretty well.

He was holding a glass of whiskey and took a mouthful in. He was told it was a synthetic version of the real drink, minus the alcohol. There was no kick to it at all, in fact, he thought to him self, the drink tasted more like Root Beer. As Hank looked out over the city, seeing the occasional shuttle-pod flying by as he did, he thought about his future. Nancy was gone, losing her life in the dog fight over Colorado with the US Air Force. Their son, Kurt, had been killed in action in Afghanistan*. There was really nothing left for Hank Morton in his home universe.

*(Click here to read Kurt's final letter to his parents)

Knowing that he had nothing left to live for in his universe, and not being happy with how he, and the others, was being treated by the Federation and Star Fleet Command, Hank decided to take measures into his own hands. If Captain Kirk wasn’t around to be a rule-breaking son-of-a-bitch, then Hank would gladly fill in for the legendary Captain. He would make sure that Austin and the others made it home; or Hank would die trying.

He had spent several days going over the technical data of the 24th century. Much had changed since Captain Kirk’s time, much indeed. How could he, a lone man, from another time and universe, possible make any sense of it? He had to have an ally, and he did; two of them.

Leonard Jackson and Hyato Tashigawa sat at the desk in Hank’s room.

“Are you sure about this?” Leonard asked. “Helping us to get back home is one thing; going to a penal colony somewhere in this universe is another. Besides, this Benton Gogley dude might win his challenge tomorrow.”

“Yes,” Tashigawa added, “I would estimate his odds are 15 to 1.”

Hank, puffing on a cigar, nodded in agreement as he sat in his chair and joined them. “Well, he might, or he might not. I’ve always believed in having an exit strategy; just in case.”

Leonard smiled. “Thank God you do. If it weren’t for you the two of us might be stuck on our Earth, in military prison.”

“Or worse, we could have ended up like my dear Nancy and Angela Hanes.” Morton said in a soft voice, with a touch of anger to it.

Leonard let the silence linger for a moment.

“So,” Leonard finally said, “how are we going to get the Server back, steal the Enterprise, and get the heck out of here?”

“Yes,” Tashigawa interjected, “these are like two wild rivers that must be crossed with a paper boat.”

Hank smiled. “Before I left our Enterprise I brought this.” He pointed to a very large DVD case. “In there is every episode, and every movie based on Star Trek. I have made a list,” he handed it to Leonard, “of possible episodes that might help us. If this universe was created by the Server, which took these as canon, then we may have a way to trump who ever might try to stop this.”

Tashigawa nodded, looking very impressed. “That was a very wise move Mr. Morton.” Tashigawa said with a smile.

“Yes, very tricky,” Leonard said with a smile. “But what about what Saxon said. He believes that the Server literally froze the Trek Universe after the events of their last movie, that turkey called Nemesis.”

Tashigawa took over for Hank. “It may have.” Tashigawa said to Leonard. “Yet, we arrived here about two weeks after the events of that movie, five weeks later, if you add in the three weeks we’ve been here. How those first two weeks passed after Nemesis ended, since nothing of canon has come out since it ended, I don’t know.” He paused, "but I have a theory.” Tashigawa concluded.

“Which is?” Leonard asked.

“Someone else from our universe,” Tashigawa said to them, “must have been here for those two weeks before we were. When this other person came over here, it restarted the universe. And ever since then, since there are no canon aspects of the Star Trek after Nemesis, this Star Trek universe has actually started to live on its own.”

“Kind of like that second episode with Moriarty,” Hank Morton said, nodding in agreement. “They created that whole matrix to run on its own.”

“But the difference is that this is a real universe.” Tashigawa countered.

“Sometimes I wonder.” Hank said as he puffed on his cigar.

“So,” Leonard said, getting back on the first topic, “we watch all those episodes, and movies, and see if we can find someway to help us steal the ship, and the Server, evade even more advanced technology, and go home, save our sun, and live happily ever after.”

“I didn’t say it would be a walk in the park.” Hank said as they all took on worried expressions.

Suddenly there was a flash. Lt. Q, and Captain Frank Grayson suddenly appeared.

“Holy shit!” Hank said with a broad smile as he, and the others, stood up to greet their former, and thought to be dead, captain.

After five minutes of excited conversation, and catching each other up, Q finally spoke to them all, “This is all so interesting,” Q said, “but could we please move this along.”

Hank looked to Q. “Can you trust this bozo?” Hank asked as he exhaled cigar smoke in Q’s face. Q coughed slightly.

“We have no choice.” Frank said to Hank.

“But I thought you said that Continuum wouldn’t let him help us.” Leonard added.

“You are correct,” Q said to Leonard, “I can’t help you overtly.”

Frank cut in. “We have been waiting around for you to come up with an idea on your own,” Frank said. “We can’t give you the answers, but can point you in the right direction.”

Tashigawa looked perplexed. “Captain Grayson,” Tashigawa said, “why and how is it that you here? And why haven’t you been with us trying to figure a way back home?”

“Yeah,” Leonard added, “your talking as if you can’t go back.”

Frank was wondering when they would ask him that. “I can’t tell you everything,” Frank said to them. “But I can tell you I will not be going back with you.”

“But you will put us in the right direction?” Leonard asked with a cocked eyebrow.

“Yes, it is all very strange I know.” Frank said. “But you will still have to go through with your plans of stealing the Enterprise, and the Server. As to how you will save Earth?”

Q took over. “There is a small restaurant near here called Sisko’s.” Q rubbed his jaw, after having a painful memory. “Very shortly, three interesting humans will be dining there. I suggest you be there, meet them, and explain who you are.”

“Do they have names?” Leonard asked.

“That would be considered giving you too much info.” Q said. “However, one of them has a disgusting habit of chewing these things you call,” Q held up his hand, “fingernails.”

Leonard and Hank smiled. They knew exactly who Q was talking about.

CONTINUED

 

[Mistral]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Mice and Men

OK, I'm smiling. Next part, please?

 

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Mice and Men

OK, I'm smiling. Next part, please?

I knew all along this story would end up visiting the STAR TREK universe. So having our characters interact with real life versions of Star Trek characters is very interesting indeed. Kind of like STAR TREK meets LAST ACTION HERO. But I have thought it through, and I think it will have a very good ending which will wrap it all up quite nicely. We're almost there, so hang on for a little bit longer.

Rob
Scorpio

 

[DavidFalkayn]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Mice and Men

Nice. I'm looking forward to seeing how they get their Enterprise back in this real Star Trek 'verse.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Shell Game

AUSTIN GRAYSON
NCC-1701

#11
Shell Game

Featuring
(Click on names to see who is playing the part)
Hank Morton
Leonard Jackson
Hyato Tashigawa

Special Guest Stars
Frank Grayson and
Q

Special guest appearances by
Lt. Commander Nog and DEEP SPACE NINE's very own
Jack, Lauren and Patrick!




Hank Morton, Hyato Tashigawa and Leonard Jackson made their way down Bourbon Street, where they finally came upon one of the legendary street’s most prized possession; Sisko’s. It was still a block a way, but there it was before their eyes.

“I almost expect to go in there to find Benjamin Sisko playing piano.” Hank said.

“Which one is he again? The writer?” Tashiagawa asked.

Hank shook his head. “No, that’s his son; Jake. Captain Sisko gave up his corporal life to save all of existence.” Hank Morton said, with pride in his voice. “It isn’t known what happened to him after his wife last saw him in the Celestial Temple.”

They were approaching the door.

“I thought a book series came out that eventually brought Captain Sisko back.” Leonard said to Hank.

“Only the events that were televised, or in a movie, were part of this universe’s birth,” Tashigawa said before Hank could answer. “Perhaps those events may play out, but this universe is no longer under the influence of its creator.”

“Hmm,” Hank said, “I wish we could say the same about our universe sometimes.”

The three friends entered the fine dining establishment and were shown to a very elegant table. Hank and Leonard looked around at the various customers, even recognizing a few of them from the Star Trek universe.

“Isn’t that Nog over there?” Leonard asked Hank quietly.

Hank nodded. “Yes, it is. And I see by the pips on his collar he is a Lt. Commander.” Hank smiled with pride. “Good for him.”

“Yeah,” Leonard said, “wasn’t he nothing but a shoplifter the first time we saw him?”
Hank nodded. “Yes. That’s why I liked that, they all grew in different ways.”

Tashigawa chimed in. “I must remind you both that this is a real universe now. And it is most surely just as real and deadly as our own.”

The waitress came over and took their orders, and moments later brought them drinks. As she dished them out Hank looked at one of the framed book covers on the wall. In fact, there were several. All of the books were written by Jake Sisko, including one that caught Hank’s eye for a moment; RMS Enterprise.

Hank scanned the rest of the dining room. Some of the tables were out of his view, but from what he could see, everything was fine. “Well,” he said as he sipped his weak version of a beer, “at least they’re not here yet.”

“So just who are they?” Tashigawa asked as he sipped on a cup of tea. “I didn’t get to see to much of Deep Space Nine.”

Leonard gave him a brief summary of the episode Statistical Probabilities. Tashigawa listened as Leonard even told him about the second visit of the reclusive genetically engineered characters and how Doctor Bashir was able to bring the young woman, Serena, out of her almost autistic state.

“Sounds like this Dr. Bashir had the same luck as I do with women.” Tashigawa said.

Suddenly the main entrance to Sisko’s opened and three people stepped inside. It was them; Jack, Lauren and Patrick.

“Wow,” Hank said as he finished his beer, “it really is them.”

They watched as Nog greeted them and took the three special humans to a secluded table. Jack was, as usual, chewing his fingernails. Lauren was dressed in a very provocative dress, and Patrick wore an old style, TOS style, Admiral’s uniform.

“Look at that,” Leonard pointed out to Hank. “I bet they let Patrick wear that as a compromise.”

Hank smiled. “You’re probably right. I think they should have been spun off into their own show.”

“Gentlemen, lets remember why we are here.” Tashigawa reminded them. “Now, how do we do this?”

Leonard nodded at Tashigawa’s statement. “Yeah, do we just go up and tell them we are from another universe and need their help to save our sun?”

Hank nodded. “Q and Frank seemed to think so. Something also tells me that they have been pointed in our direction as well.” He sipped the last swig of beer. “Okay, let’s do this.”

Hank stood up, along with Leonard and Tashigawa, and walked over to the table where Jack, Lauren and Patrick sat. Nog walked over just as they arrived.

“Um,” Nog said, “I am sorry but I am going to have to ask you to stay on that side of the diner.” Nog said.

“I understand son,” Hank said, “but we really must speak with Jack. It will only take a second of his time.”

Nog would not back down. “No, I really must insist.” Nog pressed Hank. “This area of the diner is reserved only for them.”

Hank was about to counter Nog when suddenly Nog, along with Hank, Tashigawa, Leonard, Lauren and Jack were beamed away.

Only Patrick remained. And he looked quite stunned, to say the least.

“Oh my goodness.” Patrick said in a hushed voice as the equally stunned waitress gasped at seeing most of her dinner party beamed away.

Across the diner, at one of the tables Hank could not see earlier, two other men witnessed the beam out at well; Lt. Q and Captain Frank Grayson.

Frank sipped on a glass of wine. “Are you sure this is going to work?” Frank asked Q, while trying not to look suspicious as the employees of the diner busied about trying to figure out what happened.

Q was using a long skinny spoon to capture the last remnants of his strawberry shake. “It better work.” Q replied. “I could get in a lot trouble for this, you know.”

Frank smiled. “Look at it on the bright side,” Frank offered, “you might get promoted back to Admiral before this is all over.”

“Very funny,” Q said, “are you ready to leave yet?”

Frank finished his wine. “Yep,” Frank replied, “lets do this,” he said as he sipped his drink. “I wonder if we should have told them that being abducted was part of the plan.” Frank asked Q.

“No,” Q replied, “it is better that it plays out naturally. I have found out, through trial and error with you humans, it is better to keep you in the dark.”

They paid their tab and stepped out of the main entrance and walked down the sidewalk as two Starfleet investigators beamed into view just outside the door. It wasn’t every day people were abducted from Earth, and the investigators were the first responders.

“Think they’ll find anything?” Frank asked as he watched the investigators go into Sisko’s.

“Oh, they’ll find the residual signature of the Transporter beam, but that’s about it.” Q replied.

“Will they be able to tell who the Transporter beam belonged to?” Frank asked as they made their way down a secluded street.

“If it were Picard and his lackeys, it would be a matter of minutes. These two investigators will take an hour or to. But they will be too late to do anything about it. Even when they find out the Transporter beam was that of the,” Q paused for the dramatic effect, “Romulans.”

There was a bright flash and Lt. Q and Captain Frank Grayson were…gone.


CONTINUED

 

[RobertScorpio]

Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Which Way Did They Go

AUSTIN GRAYSON
NCC-1701

#12
Which Way Did They Go?

Featuring
(Click on names to see who is playing the part)
Austin Grayson
SaxonVice-Admiral Kate Janeway
Benton Cogley
Investigator Stoney Burke
Jake Sisko




New Orleans
Sisko’s

Vice-Admiral Janeway beamed into view, along with Austin Grayson, Saxon and Benton Cogley.

“This place has the best jambalaya.” Cogley said as they approached the entrance. “And if you’re interested,” Cogley said as he pointed over to one of the side alleys, “there is an Andorian Massage parlor over there.” He leered over at Janeway. “They have a two for one special this month, I hear.”

“You’d have better luck with a Horta Mister Cogley.” Janeway said with a wry smile.

“Ouch.” Cogley said with a pained look on his face.

As they entered the restaurant, several customers were still enjoying their meals as Starfleet personal busied about asking questions as they investigated. Jake Sisko, who now ran Sisko’s after the death of his grandfather, walked over to Janeway and her party.

“Admiral Janeway,” Jake said with a broad smile as they both hugged. “Its good to see you.”

“You’re doing a great job ever since your grandfather died,” Janeway said to Jake with a proud smile. “I hear you’ve opened up a franchise on Vulcan.”

Jake nodded. “Yeah,” Jake said with a grin, “Quark helped me with the paper work and some of the suppliers of our food and drink items.”

“Legal I hope?” Janeway came back with.

They both chuckled as one of the Starfleet investigators came over to them. His name was Stoney Burke.

“What can you tell me, investigator Burke?” Janeway asked as they shook hands.

Burke noticed Austin, Saxon and Cogley standing behind her. “This is sensitive information.” He said to her.

“They’re with me.” Janeway said as she vouched for the others.

“There was no sign of a struggle. This was a case of simple beaming.” Burke told them. “Patrick, the only one who wasn’t beamed away, seems innocent enough. We’re pretty sure he was not part of the abduction. We have sedated him due to his state of worry.”

“Do we know where they were beamed to?” Janeway asked.

“Not yet, but we do know the signal came from outside the local net.” Burke said as he walked them over to the part of the diner the missing group had been occupying before their abduction.

“This all seems so strange Kate.” Cogley said. “These visitors from another universe couldn’t possibly be of any value to anyone in our universe,” he then looked directly at Janeway, “or could they.”

Janeway shook her head. “Benton, we are not even sure they were the targets. For all we know the target may have been Lt. Commander Nog, or these three guests of his.” She directed her attention back to Burke. “What about residual transport signals?”

Burke nodded. “I was just about to tell you that.” He said, giving an irked glance. “Our scanners are detecting signal remnants of Romulan Transporter technology.”

“Romulan?” Janeway said, almost as if she didn’t believe Burke.

“Very trace remnants, buy yes, Romulans.” Burke came back with. “Why would they risk an incident with us over them?”

At that moment Janeway’s communicator chirped. She excused her self from the others to take the secured message.

Saxon looked to Cogley.

“What do you think our chances are at the hearing later today?” Saxon asked.

“Actually,” Cogley said, “I think you have very good case to get the ship back. But as long as Starfleet believes this Server device of yours is a danger to us all, they seem to have the law on their sides with that one.”

“Then how do we get home?” Austin asked.

Before Cogley could answer him, Janeway rejoined them. She had a slightly worried expression on her face.

“What’s wrong now?” Saxon asked Janeway.

“Your Romulan guest, T’var..” Janeway began to say.

“What have you done with him?” Austin asked. “He saved us all from being destroyed by his own kind.”

Janeway nodded. “We were taking that into consideration Austin, believe me; until now.”

“Why,” Cogley pressed, “what’s happened?”

“The ship that was conveying him to his hearing at Starbase 4 was attacked.” Janeway told them all. “No one was killed, thank goodness, but T’var was beamed off the ship.”

“Oh great,” Austin said. “So let me get this straight. My friends have been abducted by Romulans. The Federation has denied our request let us go home and save our world. They won’t give our Enterprise back to us with out a fight. And now T’var, the one from this universe willing to help us at all, is missing too? This is just lovely.”

“Don’t worry Austin,” Saxon said, “something tells me that these two events, the abduction of Hank and the others, and the escape of T’var, if it is indeed an escape, are somehow related.”

“So what are you doing about it?” Austin asked Janeway. “If the Federation President had just helped us in the first place, none of this would be happening now.” Austin pressed.

Jake Sisko walked over and handed a chip to Burke.

“These are the images taken from stage camera.” Jake said to Burke.

“Jake, what stage camera are you talking about?” Janeway asked.

“Oh,” he said as he pointed at the two large plants that adorned the corners of that section of Sisko’s. “The local theatre puts on a show here once a month. We convert this part of the diner into a stage. We then beam the performance all over the galaxy for anyone interested in watching their performances. Usually they do the works of Shakespeare, or T’bon’zz of Altair-7. The cameras are hidden in those two plants.” Jake stated.

“And they record even when no one is performing?” Burke asked.

“Not usually. But tonight Jack and the others were going to record a birthday message for their friend Serena, who’s on Deep Space Nine visiting Doctor
Bashir.”

“Can we see the recorded footage?” Burke asked.

“Yeah, sure,” Jake said, “Come with me. I have a computer in my office.”

The others followed Jake to his office, which was situated at the back of the diner. He sat at his desk as the others stood up in front of the main screen that was on the wall.

“Computer, go ahead and play the recorded material from the specified time I indicated earlier.” Jake said out loud.

The images on the screen were innocent enough. It showed several tables of customers in the distance, and then Jack, Lauren and Patrick coming over to the reserved part of the room. Then the images showed Hank Morton, Leonard Jackson and Hyato Tashigawa walking over towards the other group. Nog was then seen trying to stop them, when all of them, except for Patrick, were shown being beamed away. The image froze where the group had been standing, and now had vanished from.

“Is that all you have?” Janeway asked Jake.

Jake nodded. “Yeah,” Jake said, “I was in my office when it happened and turned off the feed when I saw it happened.”

“We’ll catalog this information.” Burke said. “Nothing of any real value though.”

Janeway, Burke, Saxon and Jake all started to leave Jake’s back office when they noticed Austin had not joined them.

“What’s wrong Austin?” Saxon asked.

He looked back to Jake. “Can you enhance this area of the screen?” Austin asked as he pointed at two patrons sitting at a table in the distance.

Jake came back to the monitor, with the others as well. “Computer,” Jake said, “could you enhance the upper right hand area of the image?”

The image zoomed in on the two men sitting at the table.

“Use visual enhancement filters.” Jake said.

The faces on the two men, who seemed to be watching just as the others had been beamed away, became familiar instantly.

“Dad!?” Austin said.

“Q!?” Janeway and Saxon said in unison.

--

Starfleet Command; San Francisco

The main security lab was where Starfleet secured items safe from any external thread. There were several layers of security one had to get through to even get into the building. Transport into the area was not allowed, and impossible due to an energy grid that had ten backup power points to insure constant security of several sensitive items that were maintained with in the secured walls.

The Server was kept in a secured hatch among a row of secured hatches. Each housed some sort of top secret item that warranted such measures. There were absolutely no sounds, except suddenly for one; a cat’s meow.

MEOW!

CONTINUED

 

[Mistral]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Which Way Did They Go

Twisted! I like it!

 

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Which Way Did They Go

Twisted! I like it!

Meow...LOL

 

[Alpha Romeo]

Re: Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Which Way Did They Go

Twisted! I like it!

Meow...LOL

Gary seven anyone? lol

 

[RobertScorpio]

Austin Grayson; NCC-1701--Barriers

AUSTIN GRAYSON
NCC-1701

#13
Barriers

(remember to click on their names to see the actor/actress casted)

Featuring
Austin Grayson
Saxon
Vice-Admiral Kate Janeway
Benton Cogley
Lt. Commander Nog
Leonard Jackson
Hank Morton
Hyato Tashigawa
Mark Grayson
Liu Fong
Reymia Diaz
Frank Grayson
Romulan Commander T’var
Q
Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jack
Lauren


Romulan Vessel; Scimitar class
Designation—Torma

Two sets of eyes were locked in cold stares at each other. One set of eyes belonged to Hank Morton. The other set of eyes belonged to a Romulan security officer. They were separated by a thin energy barrier. Hank stood as close to the barrier as he could, his cigar putting off a thin stream of smoke as he did.

“Hey you son-of-a-bitch, let us out.” Hank’s raspy voice repeated to his captor.

The Romulan smiled. “You are prisoners of the Romulan Empire, human. You will most likely be executed, so I suggest you save your voice for the screams of pain in your near future.”

“I have never heard a Romulan scream.” Hank said to the Romulan. “But I will find out when I escape this crap-hole you have us caged in.”

The two returned to their icy stares at each other.

Meanwhile, Lt. Commander Nog, Hyato Tashigawa, Leonard Jackson along with Jack and Lauren, all sat together at the small table at the back of the brig holding cell.

Lauren was giving Leonard some very seductive glances as he spoke to her.

“So, let me get this straight,” Leonard said to Lauren, as she made seductive eye contact with him, “you were at Sisko’s so that you could record a birthday message for your friend?”

Lauren nodded. “That is why we came to Earth. We had been on Earth’s moon at a genetics symposium when suddenly we got the message from Nog.” She raised her eyebrow in a sexy manner. “And now that we did, I am very, very, happy.” She said as she traced one of her finger tips along Leonard’s ear.

“But,” Nog said, nervously, to her, “I never sent that message.”

Jack was chewing his fingernails, taking in all the information, when suddenly he said, “I’ve got it! If we can force the ignition of a third of the stars in this area of the Universe,” he pointed at the table as though it was a representation of the Universe, “we might be able to create enough of a subspace shockwave that could, in theory, force this area of the Universe,” he pointed at another area on the table, “to expand through a reverse-y formation of sub-atomic leptons!”

“What?” Leonard asked.

“We could save the Universe!” Jack said to him, as he did his usual run of twitching.

Tashigawa nodded. “Hmmm,” Tashigawa said as the thought about what Jack said for a moment, “I think you’re right.”

Nog shook his head. “Would you two please stop trying to save the Universe, and help us figure out why the Romulans abducted us?”

Hank Morton came over to the table where the others sat. “I’ve been wondering about that.” Hank said to them all. “Leonard, Tashigawa, and my self, have no strategic value to the Romulan Empire. I think we were at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Leonard said to him. “If the Romulans know that we have knowledge of detailed Starfleet actions, due to our unique relationship with this Universe, then we could have some value to them.”

Tashigawa agreed. “Yes, I could see that as a possible reason as to why we are here. But why would Captain Frank and Q have sent us to Sisko’s if our capture was a possibility.”

Nog stood up quickly. “Q is involved with this?” He asked nervously. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We just did.” Leonard told him.

“In the Academy,” Nog told them, “there is a course, a two month course, about the ethical questions of Continuum. I didn’t do too well in that class. But my father,” Nog added with a smile, “the Grand Nagus, has been convinced by my uncle Quark to add a new rule of Acquisition in matters that pertain to Q.”

“What is it?” Leonard asked.

“Ummm,” Nog started to say, “I think it goes something like this ; if your Acquisitions hinge on the involvement of Q? Don’t panic and sell, provided there is no more than a twenty-three percent of the devalued merchandise. If there is, then sell to the nearest Pakled.”

Hank looked over to Nog. “Son,” Hank said to Nog, “shouldn’t you be demanding to speak to whoever abducted us?” Hank asked. “You are the ranking Starfleet officer.”

Nog nodded in agreement. Nog tried to calm his nerves, when all of a sudden Hank put a hand on his shoulder.

“Son,” Hank said to Nog, “Captain Sisko would never have gone along with your joining Starfleet had he not believed you could live up to your potential.”

Nog nodded in agreement, and found the inner strength inside. He squared up his chest. “Yes sir.” Nog replied to Hank. “I will go demand some answers.”

“That won’t be necessary.” A voice said from the entrance to the brig.

Leonard, Tashigawa stood up and joined Hank, as all three of them recognized the voice of the Romulan.

“T’var?” Hank asked. “Is that you?”

T’var stepped into the brig, but on the other side of the energy barrier. He was now wearing a modern Romulan uniform, and it was clear by how the security officers saluted him, he was of a superior rank.

“That modern uniform looks good on you.” Leonard said with a smile. “So, did Starfleet decide to let you go?”

T’var shook his head. “I was on the way to a military hearing of some kind when this ship attacked the vessel ferrying me.”

Hank shook his head. “It’s never a wise move to kill innocents, unless it is tactically unavoidable.” The former Air Force Colonel said to T’var, with a slight tinge of disappointment in his voice.

T’var nodded in agreement. “I actually agree with you. But do not worry Hank Morton, no Starfleet casualties resulted from my rescue.”

Nog spoke softly to Hank Morton. “You do realize you are cavorting with the enemy.”

Hank looked down at Nog and nodded. “Usually I would agree with you, Lt. Commander Nog, but we have a unique relationship with Commander T’var.” Then he redirected his attention to T’var. “Now; are we your prisoners Commander?” Hank asked T’var.

--
New Orleans
Hotel Le Maddison

Liu Fong sat at a table in the dining area inside the grand hotel. He was enjoying a cup of tea with Mark Grayson and Reymia Diaz.

“It is a very strange setting, wouldn’t you agree Commander?” Liu said to Mark, “Here we are, enemies in our Universe, but captives, together, in this one.”

“Well,” Mark said as he nibbled at a plate of French-fries that he and Reymia shared, “there isn’t really anything we can do about it. I am sure the Federation will come to our side eventually, and send us all home.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure.” Reymia said. “I have noticed that bureaucracy is the only constant in either universe. The hearing today about our situation has already been delayed.”

Liu Fong chuckled. “You are a very wise woman.” He said with a smile. Then his smile returned to a scowl. “But I assure you,” he told them both, “with the Server in my posseion, our Earth will face a new future.”

Mark smiled. “We’ll see.”

Liu Fong nodded with a devious smile. “We shall indeed.”


Starfleet Headquarters
Vice-Admiral Janeway’s office.

The Vice-Admiral read an official security report on the screen of her desk monitor. Sitting across from her were Saxon, Austin Grayson and Benton Cogley.

“So, who do you think took our Server?” Saxon asked Janeway.

Janeway shook her head in befuddlement. “There are no signs of forced entry. To even get into that area of the complex you have to go through no less than four visual and five security scans.”

“What the hell is in that place?” Austin asked.

“That’s classified information, I’m afraid, but,” she added as she sipped on a cup of tea, “its where we keep items of a sensitive nature.” She read a small passage from the secured report. “This part of the report intrigues me. The only audible sound recorded at the time of the theft was that of a cat’s meow.” Janeway said with a smile.

“Oh come on Kate,” Cogley said, “what do you take us for?”

Saxon cut in. “Admiral, there is an episode,” he paused for a moment to rephrase is words, “we know of an incident where a human worked with some unknown alien power to monitor worlds that were becoming technologically viable. He had a cat for a pet. I think its name was Isis.”

Austin cut in. “Oh yeah, I remember that one. That cat could turn into a woman. Gary something was his name.”

“Gary-seven was his name.” Saxon added. “His Transporter beam was intercepted by Kirk’s Enterprise.

“When did this happen?” Cogley asked. “I consider myself a student of our history, and I know of no such incident happening like that in Kirk’s time.”

“Well,” Saxon said, “it didn’t happen in the twenty-third century. It happened when..” Saxon said, but was suddenly cut off by Janeway.

“Excuse me, Mister Saxon,” Janeway said as she sat back in her chair. “I had thought of that possibility as well. I didn’t tell you because, gentlemen, that is very confidential information. Perhaps letting you and the rest of the people from your Enterprise discuss aspects such as these, is another reason to send you home.”

Janeway stood up, sipped on her tea, and looked out her window and at the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. She thought for another moment, sipping her tea as she did. She looked back to the men who sat around her desk.

“So on one hand we have your father,” she motioned to Austin, “acting , it seems, in concert with Q. And on the other hand we have what appears to be Gary Seven stealing the Server. Add to that the abduction of your friends, Lt. Commander Nog, and the two Federation civilians, and it appears all of these events are being orchestrated.”

Suddenly there were three flashes of Energy. Q and Frank Grayson appeared, along with Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

“Q!” Picard, dripping with water, and standing in his bathrobe, said as he realized where he was, and who he was with. “What is the meaning of this?!”

“Sorry about that Jean-Luc,” Q said with a slight smile, “let me get that for you.” He snapped his uniform and Picard was instantly back in uniform.

Picard turned to face Admiral Janeway.

“Kate, what in blazes is going on?” Picard asked her.

She came over and shook his hand as he planted a light kiss on her cheek.

She motioned to Austin, Saxon, and then over to Frank, who stood with Q.

“We have a very interesting temporal situation developing.” Janeway said to Picard as she poured him a cup of tea.

Picard walked over to Q.

“Alright Q, what is she talking about? Somehow, with your being here, I have a strange feeling you know what is going on.” Picard asked.

“I think you better ask them.” Q said, motioning to Frank Grayson, Austin Grayson and Saxon.

“I think I better sit down.” Picard said with a smile to the others.

Picard accepted the cup of tea from Janeway and listened to Frank, Austin and Saxon as each told their incredible parts of the story of how it all started. Picard listened as they explained the events of the discovery of the Server, and all of the events pertaining to the Enterprise’s creation in the alternate reality. He sipped on his tea occasionally as he listened.

Finally, when it was all done, Picard thought for a moment. Then he spoke to Q.

“Q, Why can’t you just send them back?” Picard asked.

“Because, Jean-Luc, I can’t.” Q said in a defeated tone.

“Why not?” Janeway asked.

Q looked at the two of them, Janeway and Picard, with a slight look of anger. “Ever since the Continuum’s civil war we have decided to not interfere with certain aspects of the running of the Universe.” He shook his head. “And, so, I am, in this manner, bound by what ever decision your precious Federation President decrees.”

“Interesting, but from what I have heard from Mister Grayon,” Picard said, motioning to Frank, “you arranged for the chance meeting between his friends at Sisko’s and the friends of Lt. Commander Nog. You sound like a rogue element of the Continuum trying to skirt the letter of the law where it best suits you?”

Frank cut in with a slight laugh. “That happens with our government all the time.” He said.

Janeway spoke next. “So, what you’re saying Q, is that if we can get the President to approve our need to send them home, then you would help us?”

Q shook his head. “It isn’t that easy Kate.” Q said to her. “As it turns out, we, in the continuum, are no longer the most powerful entities in this Universe, so we can’t send them anywhere.”

“Well,” Picard said to Q, “if the Continuum is longer the most powerful entity in the Universe then who is?”

Frank and Austin answered in unison.

“We are.”

--

Continued